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.

Noteable Tonbridge People

In the Tonbridge Tourist Office, which just happens to be in the former Mansion House Orangery that adjoins Tonbridge Council Chamber, is an out of sight, and above eye-level, wooden board inscribed with the names of a number of former noteable citizens of Tonbridge.  There hasn't been an entry since 2007 and I was wondering if there is a person of note whose name could join this illustrious list of residents, or a person who should be added who isn't mentioned.

I, myself, am very surprised that Hugh Christie OBE has not been honoured. Perhaps whoever is responsible for the notable citizens board should rethink who has been left out.

A number of suggestions to be added to the above list, now or in the future, have been sent to me since publishing this post.
They are:-
Dame Kelly Holmes (Olympian)
Victoria Hislop (Author)
Sir Henry Cooper OBE (Boxer) 1932-2011
Ron Challis (Football League referee, 1979 FA Cup Final ref) 1932-2001
Johnnie Stewart (BBC producer) 1917-2005
Walter Tirel (killed William II) http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Tirel
William Caxton (first English printer) 1415-1492 born in Hadlow/Tonbridge
Bob Woolmer (Cricketer, cricket coach, presenter) 1948-2007 lived in the Hadlow Road.
Paul Watson 1942, film maker famous for The Family BBC series 1972, lives in Bordyke