Once upon a time there were 61 tennis courts

In a previous snippet Tonbridge Daily pointed out that in 1923 the Sportsground had an enormous number of tennis courts - 57 to be exact.

'In 1923 Tonbridge Urban District Council brought the Sportsground for the price of £4080 which at the time had 7 football pitches, 57 tennis courts, 12 cricket pitches, miniature golf and a quoit pitch'.

Many of you contacted me in disbelief that Tonbridge had so many. I think you were doubting me.  I have since found this map of 1923 in a town guide that marks the tennis courts. I may be mistaken but I have counted them on the map below, and I think the number now has risen to 61.  Take a look!!!!

Tonbridge Daily Photo

A fish out of water? Spotted on top of a bin at Tonbridge Castle.

Tonbridge Daily Photo #252

Sometimes it's all worthwhile

I met a lady in the High Street this morning (you know who you are) who told me she checked in on Tonbridge Daily every day, and thoroughly enjoyed all the photographs and snippets, especially the recent Recognising Tonbridge feature on the former Corn Exchange in Bank Street. It reminded her that her late father had mentioned he often attended the Drill Hall which was on this site too for a while. This prompted her to visit the building, with her sister last weekend, in remembrance of her father.

I have no idea who views the blog, or even if it is enjoyed by locals, as very few comments are left on the site, and that's probably because it's such a faff to log in, and join to do just that. A bloggers life is quite a solitary one, but I do get a fair amount of comments on Twitter and receive emails about the site. So it was a good feeling this morning knowing that a post had triggered off family memories, and it's these little things that make it all worth while.

Keep reading!!!!

?? Another Ghost Sign ??

Over the last year, and with the help of another interested party, Tonbridge Daily has managed to locate 8 ghost signs in the town.  Some of them are really good examples, whilst others are so badly faded, or painted over, they can simply only serve as evidence that a sign has existed in the past. Sometimes only a few scattered letters, or part of a name, are still visible to use as research, but nevertheless, it has been interesting to delve into the history of the building, and piece together what the former sign may have advertised.

Bank Street

At one point I became so obsessive, and found myself searching every open surface of the town's red brick buildings I passed by, in the hope of finding another one.  A white painted square on a Tonbridge wall would immediately turn me into Miss Marple, and I would whip out my mini-binoculars to investigate further.  By the way, the binoculars are not a new thing I've acquired for ghost sign hunting -  I have constantly carried them around with me since my early days of studying Art History, when I needed to find close detail in architecture or paintings.

So when I was out and about in the town yesterday, and walking along Bank Street, I noticed one of those white painted squares that gets my heart racing.  It was down a very narrow gap, on the side of an empty building, and just visible due to new building very close to it. I can't believe I haven't noticed it before.  On looking closer the white paint was flaking and revealing blue paint beneath it. I'm pretty sure it was a former advertising sign, and a search through archived old photos of Tonbridge might, at a very long shot, give an idea as to what business it belonged to.
This part of central Tonbridge was formerly a busy and thriving area.  It lays just off the High Street and the building would have stood next to the cattle market. This alone suggests that an advertising sign in this position would be very likely.

If you are interested in seeing photographs of the other Tonbridge Ghost signs go to the search box at the right hand side of this post, and enter 'ghost signs'. 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #36    -  Cannon Lawn

Thankyou Tonbridge Readers

Shop Window - Tonbridge High Street

Thanks for all the messages and concerns that Tonbridge Daily has now finished blogging.
Firstly I have been out of the country and secondly I have come up against problems with
the Google blog.
Hopefully I will be able to swiftly sort this problem out, and will be back bringing you snippets and
facts about our town very soon.
Thankyou for all the compliments and letting me know how much you miss the blog.
It really does make it all worthwhile.
I'll Keep Calm and Carry On !!!!!!!!

Tonbridge Daily is Back

Tonbridge Daily has been out of the country more than in Tonbridge recently, but will now be at home for a while.

Although not a local image this is where I have been hiding - high up in to Polar North. (No this is not a Recognising Tonbridge post)

So, keep checking in regularly as there are going to be more posts on our town.

Back Home

Tonbridge Daily has been out of the country but is now back in town and hoping to post more regularly.  Watch this space!!!!!

Recognising Tonbridge

Do you recognise where this decorative Victorian canopy is in Tonbridge High Street

Hundreds of people walk below it every day.

You just have to look up.

Any ideas?

Tonbridge Theatre and Arts Club Taster

Here is a taster of The Tonbridge Theatre and Arts Club Annual Exhibition at The Oast Theatre, London Road.  It's open until Saturday July 30, and if you want to take a look it's hanging in The Janet Young Room, upstairs in the roundel.  Opening times are evenings only.  Monday to Friday 7 - 9.30pm and on Saturday 5 - 9pm.  Admission Free. 

Promenading At Tonbridge Castle

The Victorians were highly interested in taking a leisurely walk in public so as to be seen by others. Everyone dressed in their finest and came out to see and be seen.  It was a time that piers and seaside promenades were an essential part of life gaining the favour of a generation who were experiencing more leisure time, and therefore a walk about town or along the seafront was socially popular.

Tonbridge Castle

It is then of no surprise that in 1898 Tonbridge castle and the surrounding grounds were acquired by the council for the people of Tonbridge.  A walk was planned and constructed so that the area and river could be made accessible to residents, and the walls and gatehouse could be partially renovated.

River Walk Tonbridge Castle

In May 1900 the new walkway and the grounds were officially open to the public and so the promenading could begin for the Victorian residents of Tonbridge.  One can only imagine what a sight that must have been.

Tonbridge hosts Beer Festival

There has been lots of activity going on around the Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club in preparation for the 5th SIBS South East Beer Festival that opens today.  Over 120 real ales are ready to titilate the tastebuds and the prize winning beers, chosen by a panel of experts, will be ready to sample tonight.  They'll be plenty of locally sourced cider too for those who like the alternative taste the humble apple can produce.  Tutored tastings are happening on Saturday but be quick as places are limited.


Tonbridge Brewery, our very own local micro brewery, will be there with quirky named real ales such as Blonde Ambition, Auburn Myth, Ebony Moon and Coppernob made from the finest malted barley and locally grown hops.  Go and try their distinctive tasting ales over the weekend.  There's nothing like knowing it's been produced on home ground.  If you want to know more about them check out their website on http://tonbridgebrewery.co.uk/index.htm

This is not just a festival for the beer drinkers among us; it is a family event with plenty of space outside on the meadows for families to enjoy a picnic and ball games, and soft drinks are available for the non-drinkers.  There will be a Hog Roast available on Saturday afternoon (get there early for the crackling) and a local concert band will entertain. Sunday is BBQ day.

Beer related events are really not new to Tonbridge.  In February 1840 free beer was distributed to the 'industrious poor' of the town so that they could celebrate the wedding of Queen Victoria in style.  And in 1855,  the people of Tonbridge partied on free beer that was provided by Bartrams Brewery, to mark the end of the Crimean War Campaign. Bartrams were situated close to The Big Bridge and more or less where Weatherspoons garden is now.  Apparantly the whole town made merry and the brewery cannons were fired from the castle wall and fireworks were set off from barges and in the street.

Finally, take a look at the ad below for a Hadlow Brewery.
1903, now that was when beer was cheap.

Tonbridge Tales, pub. John Hilton

Sea of Yellow

I was cutting through Tonbridge Parish Church graveyard this morning and was struck by a sea of yellow between the memorials.  If you are in the High Street try to take a leisurely stroll through the churchyard yourself - it really is very beautiful and peaceful.  You will be pleased you did!