Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #284

This photograph was sent to Tonbridge Daily by Tonbridge resident Fred Long showing the Sinatra entertainment on the Castle Lawn in full swing. The view through the Castle's 13th century gatehouse entrance and open doors welcomes onlookers to the concert.  I really like this shot. Thanks Fred for sharing.

Tonbridge Enjoys Sinatra

This afternoon Tonbridge enjoyed another free Sunday concert on the Castle Lawn.  A Sinatra tribute act entertained as very happy crowd sung along to many favourites, such as 'My Way' and 'Come Fly With me' The sound-alike crooner attracted young and old, all who had come along for a relaxing afternoon of Old Blue Eyes classics against the backdrop of Tonbridge Castle.

Next Sunday will be your last opportunity to enjoy a free Castle Lawn concert this year, so pack a picnic, blanket or chairs and bring the family along to relax and listen to The Bells Yew Brass Band. Refreshments will be provided by The Hildenborough WI.

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #277

Every Sunday afternoon throughout August there will be a free concert in the idyllic setting on Tonbridge Castle Lawn. Yesterday the Bells Yew Big Band entertained a large crowd with fabulous smooth swing of times gone by. There was a lot of foot tapping going on, family picnics, while others were stretched out and laying back in the sunshine relaxing to the jazzy sweet and romantic melodies. This is Tonbridge relaxing!!!!!!

Bells Yew Big Band - the umbrella is a sun shade - no rain on this occasion

There will be two further free Sunday concerts this month. Next weekend on Sunday 18 August a Sinatra Tribute Vocalist will be singing 'Strictly Sinatra'. The last concert of the month is on Sunday 25 August and will be performed by The Oxted Brass Band. Both concerts take place on The Castle Lawn  from 3 to 5pm

Bring your own chair if you're not into lounging around on the grass. Members of the Hildenborough WI will be providing refreshments in the Council Chamber. Sadly the cakes were not their own magnificent home baking, but a supermarket brand. I was slightly disappointed by this as there's nothing like a delicious WI cake.

Image of Tonbridge Postman in 1935

This image of a postman strolling around Tonbridge Castle lawn was captured in 1935. Note his very smart uniform complete with hat and mail bag slung over his shoulder.  There are certainly no letter or post boxes along this pathway. I wonder why he was there?

http://postalheritage.wordpress.com

A Traditional English Afternoon at Tonbridge Castle

Castle Lawn

With a Hey Nonny Nonny, jangling bells, a procession of white leggings and flowered  hats, troupes of Morris Men joined together this afternoon in a massed celebration and display of dancing on the Castle Lawn.   The Mayor was in attendance to see the incombent Squire of the Morris Ring, Peter Halfpenney, dance out and the new Squire, Robin Springett, dance in.

Laughing about our folk traditions is an English tradition in itself, but it seemed that both young and old were enjoying the afternoon of music and dancing, and to be honest it was a fabulous spectacle,. It could only have gone down even more of a treat with a cream tea.

Now how quintessentially english can one get?????

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #14  -  Pink & Blue

The two children's bikes were photographed close to the Castle Mound on Tonbridge Castle Lawn

Crowds on Tonbridge Castle Lawn

Being part of a family that has lived a number of generations in Tonbridge I often come across old photographs taken in the town. 

The black and white image below is of an event that drew a large crowd on the Castle Lawn.  The clothes seem to be pre-war, and probably 1920's to middle 1930's, as when zooming in on figures in the foreground I noticed a number of women wearing cloche hats.  These came into fashion in the 1920's and were obsolete by 1933/4. Close-ups on the crowd standing on the raised area directly beneath the castle seem to show some kind of ceremony taking place facing the onlookers.

Can anyone help?

Tonbridge Castle Lawn

Tonbridge Country Dancing Festival

This is a repeat post from last year, but with the Tonbridge Arts Festival taking place this June it has renewed my interest in the Country Dancing Festival, which was held every summer on Tonbridge Castle lawn during the 1960's.  All the junior schools in Tonbridge were invited to take part in the event, and dancing teams from the fourth year (that's now year 6) provided an entertaining, albeit chaotic, afternoon of traditional folk dancing for an audience of parents, teachers and residents.

Tonbridge Castle Lawn c1963

There was lots of skipping around in circles , and skipping around in inner and outer circles, and more skipping around in circles - not to forget the heel/toes, promenading and clapping  to the tune of the loud speaker music which was linked to a gramophone, or perhaps it was a tape recorder, but apparantly it was always crackley.

Does someone know any more about the festival, have their own memories, or are there any more photographs out there of the event? Please contact Tonbridge Daily on tonbridgedaily@gmail.com or use the comment box below.