It's going to be a great day to be in Tonbridge!!!

The next Tonbridge Farmers Market is on Sunday June 9, and it's going to be a big day for the town as the Carnival Procession and Fair will be happening on the same day in the afternoon. What a great day to be in Tonbridge.

There are over 65 stalls booked, and this means it's going to be the biggest market happening in Kent, but that's not all as it's the Market's 2nd Birthday.

It's two years since the first Tonbridge Farmers Market appeared in our town. A chance was taken, and the organisers had absolutely no idea if the people of Tonbridge would support or even want a Farmers Market. Two years later, and with over 50,000 customers, we all know the answer is an unmistakeable YES.

In this short time they have become the biggest and best supported Farmers Market in Kent, and probably in the South of Kent. They have become runner up in the Taste of Kent Awards, and Best Farmers Market category. They have also been nominated and short listed for the BBC Food and Farming Awards.

Steve Wood Market Manager

Market Manager Steve Wood said 'it's great to be successful. It's even better when you and others love what you do. Let's see if the next will be just as exciting for us and our customers.'

Tonbridge Farmers Market with its sister market, Elm Court, and a number of producers were invited to the Jubilee Rooms at the Palace of Westminster by Tracy Crouch MP on May 15 to promote and to tempt MP's with fresh Kent produce.

Steve Wood said 'I hope this event will boost the profile of our market, Farmers Markets in general and of course kent and Kent produce. We were all looking forward to meeting the Prime Minister, but he was in the USA but sent this message to us.'

“I am delighted that Kent's producers have come to Parliament today to showcase some of their high-quality local produce. I am sorry that prior commitments abroad mean that I am unable to join you today - I was particularly looking forward to being able to sample the honey brought to London by the Dartford Beekeepers, which I’m told is truly delicious! I am sure that today's event will offer an opportunity to celebrate Kent's fantastically diverse agricultural sector and will, I hope, promote the county’s producers as they continue to flourish. I wish all those producers who have travelled to London to showcase their produce - and all involved - my very best wishes for an enjoyable and successful day.”

'That's Entertainment' is the 2013 Carnival Theme

Carnival Fete on Castle Lawn

Tonbridge town centre will be full of excitement on Sunday 9 June when the town’s annual carnival takes to the streets. This year the carnival theme is “That’s Entertainment” so you can expect to see local interpretations of all varieties of entertainment from theatre, cinema, TV and maybe even local radio!

IN a break with an almost unbroken custom that has existed over twenty five years, this year's Tonbridge Carnival procession on Sunday will not be assembling in Brook Street. Instead the carnival floats, classic cars, bands and other groups will gather in the Sovereign Way car parks, close to the Tonbridge Farmers' Market and then proceed from Avenue du Puy at 12.30 pm along the High Street passed Tonbridge Castle. With a variety of walking groups and motorised float entries, this year’s carnival promises to be bigger and better than ever and will also include the Southern England Marching Band Championship, a display of classic cars, and Morris dancers.

The then Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr. Howard Rogers and Lion President Mike Stout will judge the entries and later in the afternoon, on the Castle lawn, will present shields to the best in each category taking part in the procession.

In addition to the fun of the carnival procession, there will be a Fête on the Castle Lawn and along Castle Walk providing an array of entertainment and fun activities throughout the afternoon including the silver band 2nd Wind who will perform at the Watergate entrance from 11.45am – 12.45 pm.

As usual the show will feature Punch & Judy, Rondo the Clown, children's entertainment area, bungee trampolines, children's rides, a full arena programme presenting local talent, including the Cannon School of Irish Dancing, song and dance by Stagecoach and music from local band Rosewood Drift. And in the tradition of this popular event, there will also be a wide selection of tombolas, raffles and side-shows including the coconut shy, crazy kitchen and other games to test your skill as well as stalls selling cakes, jams, books, toys and jewellery. Hot and cold food, drinks, ice creams and scrumptious cream teas will also be on sale.

The Carnival is organised annually by Tonbridge Lions Club with support from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. Proceeds from the day will help local good causes and Lions' charities.

There is still time to take part in the Carnival procession, contact Barrie Bromley on 01732 851415, or to book a stall space at the fête, contact Peter Godsall on 01732 354174.

It's All Water Under The Bridge

There has been a lot of discussion this week between members of the local Twitter community on the importance of the river to Tonbridge, and that it really is not used to its full advantage. It is probably the town's greatest asset, and yet over the years we have lost all the riverside cafes and social events such as the Venetian Fete. The river is no longer a focal point and it was agreed Tonbridge should focus on it's river again.

All this river-talk prompted me to go back in my files and find some recent events involving our town's river, and I couldn't find anything, but I did come across a number of photographs taken on the Medway in June 2011. If I can remember correctly these are members of Tonbridge Canoe Club having fun with some watery going-ons by The Big Bridge. I'm not sure why this was happening on the river but I think it was part of an event, perhaps The Carnival. Does anyone remember?

Tonbridge Carnival In Pictures

Gathering of Morris Men

Tonbridge singer Colette Redgrave

Angel Indoor Bowls Club

Tonbridge Angels Football Club

Have a Go with Angel Indoor Bowls

Tonbridge Oast Theatre

Nepalese Community Tonbridge

Tonbridge Carnival

The marching bands of Tonbridge Carnival captured by Tonbridge Community Films
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ICq47nqHHQ

PANTO RAISES £1000 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

Tonbridge Lions Club`s hugely successful production of Cinderella, at the Angel Centre, has raised £1000 for local charities, after entertaining packed houses at every performance.

Performed by the local Drama Group, The CLIPS Theatre Company, the production was family orientated, with all the usual pantomime humour and featuring many favourite songs.

“We had the awful weather in December 2010, so we were pleased that so many people came to be entertained at our second pantomime." said Lions President Allan Mort,  "Lions are dedicated to providing a community service in Tonbridge, and the Pantomime features strongly alongside the Tonbridge Carnival, The Triathlon and the Horse Show."
 
The next Lions production will be Jack and the Beanstalk with five performances in December one of which will again be a charity performance to which disadvantaged children and their families will be invited.

Carnival Maidens

I took loads of photographs last week at the Tonbridge carnival fete which was held on the castle lawn but these two maidens deserve a mention.  They were so enthusiastic about promoting The Vauxhall Inn their shouts could be heard over the loud speakers.  The Inn is lucky to have such loyal followers.
 

Extreme Weather

We've been having some really odd weather recently. It's been hot when it's not supposed to be, and we've experienced one of the warmest and driest Springs on record.  Now it's June we have wall to wall grey up above, and with every deluge of rain we could be moving towards a record breaking early wet summer?  It's all so extreme, but it could be worse.

According to records I found on tonbridge-weather.org.uk on August 19 in 1763 a three mile wide storm consumed Tonbridge and destroyed hop gardens, orchards and cornfields including a number of houses and farm buildings.  And, to add to the strange weather over 200 years ago on June 12 in 1791 Tonbridge experienced summer snow and frost.  Now last Sunday's Carnival drizzle doesn't seem so bad after all.  It could have been worse.

Tonbridge Carnival in Pics

Camera at the Ready

Parker Building Supplies - Main Carnival Sponsor

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Kingston & Maldon Scout and Guide Band

Tonbridge Art Club - Make Art Not War

Hornchurch Drum and Trumpet Corps

Twirlers

Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre