Tonbridge Lions Magical Gala Evening

Tonbridge Lions Club Panto 2011

As part of their 2012 Community Programme, Tonbridge Lions are delighted to be hosting a Gala Evening, prior to their annual pantomime, which this year is Jack and the Beanstalk.

The main performances are on Friday 14^th and Saturday 15^th December at The Angel Centre, Tonbridge, but special needs groups of both adults and children are being treated to a gala preview performance on Thursday 13^th December, which is sponsored by Knight Frank Estate Agents.

The Kent Branch of the Royal Variety Club will be bringing local groups such as Ridgeview School, Platform 51 and Sigh of Relief. However, some other groups such as Greenwich Toy Library and Lambeth Family Link will also be in attendance.

Produced by the Tonbridge based CLIPS Theatre Company, and attended by the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, this gala performance of Jack and the Beanstalk will be guaranteed to make Christmas extra special for this audience.

Other performances are 14^th December at 7.30pm and 15^th December at 11.00am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets are available from the Angel Centre 01732 359966 priced at £10.00 adult; £8.00 concessions and £30.00 for a family of four.

Tonbridge Farmers Market

Tonbridge Farmers Market is back in the town next Sunday, November 11, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Can you believe it will be the eighteenth Farmers Market since it was first set up in Sovereign Way.  Who would have thought it would be the success story it has been, and that has to be because the town was crying out for a good food market.  We have to thank Steve, the Market Manager, for being brave enough to give Tonbridge a chance.

Coffee and Walnut Cake - A favourite of mine!

With over 80 produce and craft stalls booked in already for next Sunday, it is going to be a great market which will be celebrating local cheese. So it's a chance to try before you buy, and they'll be cookery demonstrations featuring cheese in the Market Kitchen.  

The covered Market Eatery has become a monthly meeting place where I meet and catch up with local friends.  We call it our monthly 'eat and meet' and I know that other Tonbridge people take this opportunity too. I have to confess I am slowly working my way through all varieties of cakes, and when I'm done I'll probably start back at the beginning again.

Steve and Jo

Every month the market offers a free stall to a local charity, and on Sunday Epilepsy Action will be there. Stop off and have a chat with them and find out about what they do. They'll also be over at the Angel Centre in the afternoon for a Zumbathon where the money raising will continue. So if you want to burn all those calories off after eating at the Market Eatery you can help a worthy cause too. There's more information on how to join in on www.lovetozumba.co.uk  Last month the market stall holders and customers together raised £1110 for Breast Cancer Care.  So well done Tonbridge. That really was a fantastic effort.

Jack climbs beanstalk in Tonbridge

Ian Patterson as an Ugly Sister in Cinderella

The Panto season is well underway as far as castings and scripts are concerned, and after a successful production of Cinderella last year, Tonbridge Lions Club will produce the popular and timeless panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, at the Angel Centre.


Performances are scheduled for Friday December 14 at 7.30pm and also on Saturday December 15 with three performances, by popular demand, at 11am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm

Performed by the local Drama Group, The CLIPS Theatre, Company, the production is family orientated, with all the usual pantomine humour and foot tapping songs.

The ever popular Ian Patterson returns to the Angel Centre Stage as Dame Trott, and newcomer Bethany Kingston joins the cast as Jill.

As always all proceeds from the pantomime go to local charities. This is a superb cause so please support your local panto.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.  A family ticket is priced at £30 for a family of four.  All are available from the Angel Centre Box Office (01732 359966) from October 1. 

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Tonbridge lost its celebrated Cricket Week after 1945. The army had taken over the Angel Ground during the war and extensive damage occurred to the ground and pitch.  The cost of repairing the pitch was far too expensive to justify the expense.

The owners of the ground, Tonbridge Cricket Club, continued to use the ground for play but could not keep up the maintenance costs, and put forward a plan to change the ground's use to a Greyhound and Sports Stadium.  This met with strong opposition and the plans were abandoned.
The Urban District Council stepped in and rented the area to Tonbridge Football Club.

This area now forms part of The Angel Centre, car parks and Industrial Estate.