Love is in the air at Tonbridge Farmers Market

A Valentine's Special is happening at Tonbridge Farmers' Market on Sunday February 12, 9.30am to 1.30pm, at Sovereign Way, Tonbridge

With over 65 stalls booked it is going to be a bumper market

This will be the 9th Tonbridge Farmers' Market and there will be plenty of ideas for your Valentine's gifts, together with great food and craft items to buy your loved ones.  The choice is immense such as hand made and boxed rose flavoured chocolate truffles, aromatic essentials oils, boxed cup cakes, beeswax candles, handmade cards, jewellery. 

As always the hugely popular cookery demonstrations will take place at The Market Kitchen.  Ian from Scrum Diddly will be first up with a Scrummy porridge.  This is going to be a regular spot to start the morning market.

Jenny from Happy Apple will be doing something wonderful with pancakes.

Steve the Chilliman will be making a chilli pancake ... different ... but this could add some spice to your Valentine Day's breakfast.

And, Neil from the Globe and Rainbow, Kilndown will just be cooking what he finds on the market.  As always a treat to watch.

Tonbridge Town Girlguiding will be there all morning with a tombola together with a small demonstration of girlguiding in the Tonbridge area. They will also be looking for volunteers and new members.  So go along, have a chat and support this local group.

Out and About in Snowy Tonbridge

The Castle Lawn

Strange Snowman

Parish Churchyard

A Sunday lunch will be missing a parsnip and potatoes

Snowman in Church Street

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Tonbridge School's stone boars heads were based on drawings of the Wild Boar at London's Natural History Museum.

Book Early For Christmas

Spotted today in Lyons Crescent

Christmas Menu Now Available

When Beer Was Cheap (1903)

Tonbridge Tales, pub. John Hilton

Childhood Memory of Tonbridge

This comment came in response to a Tonbridge Daily snippet on the town's tanneries.  It conjures up the magic of a childhood memory for something as simple as a duster collected on a school trip. A real piece of nostalgia!!!!!

'I think there was a Tannery or Abattoire in the Botany, (behind Bon Marche) and also, in or near Vale Road was The Baa Baa Co. (not sure of the spelling!)I visited there with my school class (Cage Green about 1954)They made products from sheep's fleece and wool. We were taught how to card, spin, and weave the wool, and even had an afternoon walking round a field of sheep collecting tufts of wool caught on the barbed wire fence, would Health and Safety allow that today!!! After the visit the company gave each of us a multi-coloured fleece duster on a stick. I thought it was really beautiful and couldn't get home fast enough to give it to my mum, at that time it was a luxury item we couldn't afford, or would even think of buying being totally un-necessary, but it had pride of place in our cleaning cupboard for many years.'

Recognising Tonbridge

Where in Tonbridge can this be found?

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Two Tonbridge Tanneries were sited east & downwind from the population to minimise the foul smell of soaking skins in vats of a tannin-rich solution sometimes made from the bark of oak trees.  The process of manufacturing raw animal hides into durable leather had its drawbacks, such as the strong smell.  

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

A brewery run by the Baker Family was sited around upper St Marys Rd and Judd Rd area of Tonbridge from 1839 to 1874.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

In the 1880's No.1 Portman Park was a blacksmith. This moved a few doors away and a shoeing smith remained until WW2

Falling in Love at Tonbridge Farmers Market

Jo's Milk Jug

It's not often a milk jug inspires a blog post or that a simple milk jug is inspirational in any way.  However, I fell in love with the most charming floral jug on Jo's cake stall at the last Tonbridge Farmer's Market.  As always I had stopped at Jo's for my customary cake and coffee, that I tend to savour in the Market Eatery which, might I add, has become a monthly social meeting place for many of us Tonbridge people. 

Month by month I am trying to work my way through Jo's splendid array of mouth-watering cakes, and this time I couldn't resist a massive slice of deep golden moist carrot cake crowned with buttery topping.  My friend plumped for the coffee and walnut cake which was equally as large, and equally as inviting, and graphically topped with a whole boletus-brown walnut.  It looked so good I'll definitely be trying that one next time.

It was when I came to pour milk into my steaming hot coffee that I was first introduced to the beautiful vintage jug.  For a short moment the Englishness of pretty pink roses and rosebuds cast me back to nostalgic tea times of my past, and then followed a flurry of photographs and declarations of  admiration of the splendid fine bone china object.  I think the bemused Jo thought I was quite mad, but she did reveal that since she had been using the pink pattened jug customers had been more than complimentary of her choice of crockery. 

I'll be back for the coffee and walnut cake when the market is back in town on the 12th of February, and I hope Jo returns with this little' piece de resistance'.  I might even ask her if she wishes to part with it.

Boys Wanted For Streetdance Crew

Adversity Street Dance is the new and exciting streetdance class in town.  This time the girls are going to be disappointed as the crew is for boys only, aged 14 to 18 years.  

The crew will be led by streetdancer, and personal trainer, Henry Adekoya from Strictly Funky Street Dance who will guide the class through all the dance moves. It's also a fun way of keeping you fit. So, whether you come alone or with friends you'll have a great time. 

Classes will be at Hillview School for Girls on Thursday evenings 4.15 to 5.15pm and the fee is £15 for 8 weeks.

Contact Gill Chadbon chadbong@hillview.kent.sch.uk or follow Adversity Street Dance on Twitter.

Genty Fine Art. At Home in Tonbridge

Last Friday I was invited by Genty Fine Art. At Home to the opening of Christian Halna du Fretay   exhibition at the Tyger's Head in Tonbridge.

'The artist's work could be defined as the art of suggestion and described as a mixture of vibration and calm, a constant dialogue between the unspoken and the revealed. The absence of details, far from being seen as something missing, sends our senses to all four corners of the picture. Traces of light slip and slide like tectonic plates, preparing the ground for the revelation of many secrets, a moment of radiance, poised, which appears, vibrates, then flies away to another plane, another world.'  (David Genty)

The Genty's beautiful home in Church Lane is a unique way to bring art to the people.  Here there are no white spaces or clinical rooms as this is not a museum or a gallery.  The Tyger's Head offers the opportunity to experience art in the familiar atmosphere of a home.

 The exhibition is open until January 29 and can be viewed by appointment tel 01732 369565

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

This time Recognising Tonbridge was not recognised.  The image was part of the new Castle pub logo etched into their refurbished windows.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

St Stephens Church was built by public subscription & consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1852

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Look up at Weatherspoons Tonbridge as a George V cipher remains above the entrance close to the words 'Post Office'

Recognising Tonbridge

There have been rather a lot of Recognising Tonbridge posts recently, but couldn't resist this one that I spotted last night.

Can you work out where I am?

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.

Is Tonbridge about to lose another shop?

Supreme Party Shop Tonbridge High Street

The face of Tonbridge High Street is about to change again.  I noticed the above sign in the Supreme Card Party Shop this evening stating that the business was for sale due to relocation.

Is Tonbridge about to lose another shop or will it be relocated elsewhere on the High Street?

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Owletts Alley by Macdonalds led to the worst slum area in Tonbridge which was abandoned after cholera struck in 1849

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

This Recognising Tonbridge post had the fastest ever answer that came in from Nev in around 10 seconds of posting the photograph of the Enchanted Bakery's window.

For those of you who haven't yet been to this little gem of a cafe it's opposite the station exit in Barden Road.  Photos and more info on a previous Tonbridge Daily blog post http://tonbridgedaily.blogspot.com/2011/06/heavenly-bites.html

Recognising Tonbridge

Where in Tonbridge am I

and in whose window am I looking?

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The Horsewash in Tonbridge was part of the Castle moat forming a bay in the river. The Watergate Entrance is now on this site.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Tonbridge Census of 1871 listed 53 people with a university education and 'top scholars' living in the town

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

The Man of Kent Tonbridge

I thought I had outwitted the people of Tonbridge on this one, however after some gentle persuasion to give clues as to where the oasts and roundels could be, they were eventually recognised as being part of The Man of Kent pub sign in East Street.

If you wish to read a previous Tonbridge Daily post on the debate of whether one is a Man of Kent or a Kentish Man take a look on http://tonbridgedaily.blogspot.com/2011/06/man-of-kent-or-kentish-man.html

Recognising Tonbridge

Peeling brush strokes of oasts and roundels 

Where in Tonbridge am I standing?

1909 Account on Tonbridge

This is an interesting excerpt on Tonbridge from the book 'English Homes and Villages (Kent and Sussex) by Lady Hope, published by J. Salmon in 1909.  The book was dedicated to The Princess of Wales and the inscription reads:-

To Her Royal Highness

The Princess of Wales

in Loyal Admiration

of her benevolence, sympathy and untiring goodness

to the people of our country,

by permission

I have the honour to dedicate this book

Breakfast Special at Tonbridge Farmers Market

Tonbridge Farmers' Market is on Sunday January 8 

... And it's a Farmhouse Breakfast Special

This will be the 8th Tonbridge Farmers' Market

in Sovereign Way

Tonbridge TN9 1RG

9.30am - 1.30pm

Have a late breakfast or brunch in the Market Eatery

With over 45 stalls booked in already this month, it is going to be a great start to 2012

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so whether you are just coming to the market for your breakfast or you're stocking up on some wonderful breakfast goodies this is the month to start. 

Try a speciality tea for your breakfast

There will be plenty to try and tickle your fancy and get your mouth watering. There should be plenty of special offers to start the new year.

Honey has many health benefits so spread some sunshine on your breakfast toast

The Farmers’ Market offers the chance to try something a little different such as a new flavour of sausage, great with home cured bacon and free range eggs.

The market also provides a great opportunity for shoppers to get ideas for hearty winter meals.
Chilly winter days are just the time for cooking delicious roasts, stews and casseroles, baked potatoes, hot soups and hot puddings.

Fresh local vegetables for those winter warming dishes

 Producers at the market will be bringing a vast array of quality ingredients which are both fresh and local, including seasonal favourites for January such as carrots, leeks, parsnips and turnips which are perfect for creating warming fare for the colder winter months.

THE MARKET KITCHEN

As always the cookery demonstrations will run with the theme of the market, so mainly breakfast ideas this month including-

Jenny from Happy Apple making a Crunchy Oat Breakfast with Blackberry Curd and then Cinnamon Pancakes with Plum Jam.

Jenny from The Happy Apple with her fabulous preserves

THIS MONTH'S CHARITY 

Leigh Primary School will be raising funds for their new classroom.  For more information about them http://www.leighnewclassroom.com/

You can now follow what the market is up to on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr. Follow the links from Tonbridge Farmer's Market web site.

Customers wishing to get a reminder for the market can do so by emailing steve@tonbridgefarmersmarket.co.uk and just put “reminder” in the subject box or for a text reminder, text “Tonbridge” to 07557739903. 

Steve said “The reminder service is great. It's so easy to let a lot of customers know when the market is on”.

The market is actively looking for charities or local groups to take up the offer of a free pitch which is available at every market.

 

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

In 1847 Tunbridge Ware was described as the 'only manufacture of consequence' established in Tonbridge TonbridgeDailySnippet

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Recognising Tonbridge needs to be more difficult in the future as there was a flow of correct answers via Twitter.  The picture is of course a close up of the Tonbridge School track.

Tonbridge Student in Concert

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Tonbridge once had a Skating Rink. The Empire, Bradford Street, opened for rolling skating in 1918. #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Somerhill once had its own private gasworks. Coke from this plant was probably used to heat Somerhill's greenhouses #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The Loggerheads c1900 now Weatherspoons is described as an old inn painted a dirty cream colour & quaint sign board #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Recognising Tonbridge

Where in Tonbridge have I been today?

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

From 1747 fire fighting tools were stored in Tonbridge Parish Church where 2 fire hooks remain in the entrance porch #TonbridgeDailySnippet 

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Many of you recognised the bronze roof finial on the building on the corner of Church Street and East Street.  It was suggested that The Judd School was on this site, however the adjoining building on East Street displays a plaque stating the school was once housed there.

Heart Failure on Tonbridge High Street

Bristish Heart Foundation on Tonbridge High Street

John Ruck of Tonbridge Lions Club sent me a photograph taken recently
which he titled 'Heart Failure on Tonbridge High Street'.

I thought it worth inclusion on the site.  If anyone else has an interesting photo connected to Tonbridge, and wishes it to be published on the blog, send it in.

Tonbridge Lions’ Christmas Collection

Lion Ken Thomas (barrel organ mechanic) looks on whilst Lion President Allan Mort collects the donation from Sir John Stanley MP.

Tonbridge Lions have rolled out their barrel organ again for their Christmas collection in Tonbridge.

To demonstrate his support for the good work done by the club, Sir John Stanley, MP for Tonbridge & Malling, stopped to put his donation in the collecting tin of Lion President Allan Mort outside Iceland Foods, Tonbridge.

The idea for a Christmas collection, with the proceeds being used to provide Christmas gifts to some of the elderly in the community, started back in 1952. At that time the Club had been in existence for less than two years, and was just beginning to establish its reputation as a charitable service organisation in the town. 

Founder member Lions Tom Wakefield and Jim Parks had to drive an open van to Brighton to collect a barrel organ that was hired at a cost of ten guineas a week. As well as appearing in the High Street, the barrel organ was taken to pubs in the town where customers were encouraged to make donations to the good cause by being allowed to give the organ handle a twirl. 

The proceeds of the collection were used to provide gifts – two hundredweight of coal and two bushels of logs (a precursor to the Government’s Winter Fuel Allowance) for the elderly.

In 1969, as barrel organs became museum pieces and were more difficult to obtain, club members set about building one of their own. The music came from a tape recorder powered by a huge lead acid battery from a railway carriage. Thankfully electronic miniaturisation has provided smaller and lighter equipment to be installed in more recent years.

Tonbridge Panto Over For Another Year

Tonbridge Lions Club`s hugely successful production of Cinderella has taken it`s last bow after entertaining packed houses at every performance.


The Producer Richard Hill said  "The Angel Centre box office was inundated with last minute bookings. So much so, that extra seats were employed to increase the capacity. This meant that there was little room at the front. We hope that this didn`t inconvenience the audience too much”


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


Lions President Allan Mort says “We had the awful weather last year, so we were pleased that so many people came to be entertained at our second pantomime. Lions are dedicated to providing a community service in Tonbridge, and the pantomime is a welcome addition to our other activities like the Summer Carnival and the Triathlon”


All proceeds from the pantomime go to local charities.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The Big and Little Bridge fancy iron railings were made by Gray Brothers c1887 whose Tonbridge foundry was on the Adult Education site in Avebury Avenue #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The interior wooden structure of the Rose&Crown dates from the 16thC. The rear of  the entrance arch shows rare half-timbering #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Rose & Crown Tonbridge

Recognising Tonbridge

Where is this splendid bronze leaf finial that sits above a Tonbridge roof spire

Cinderella Entertains Variety Club

 

As part of their 2011 Community Programme, Tonbridge Lions are delighted to be giving the Variety Club children an opportunity to see the pantomime Cinderella, free of charge, at The Angel Centre on Thursday December 15.

The Variety Club consists of professional and amateur entertainers, and is dedicated to improving the lives of sick and disadvantaged young people by fundraising and providing entertainment. It has many links with local schools such as Ridgeview School for Special Needs, Sussex Road CPS and Sherwood Park School.

Produced by The CLIPS Theatre Company, a local drama group based at Tonbridge Baptist Church, this production of Cinderella will be full of  fun and frolics and all the usual panto humour. This really is the show to see, as not only is it bursting with festive cheer, you will also have a ball and ALL the proceeds from the pantomine go to local charities. 

Don't be disappointed and book now for the performances on December 16 at 7.30pm and December 17 at 1pm and 6pm. Tickets are available from the Angel Centre Box Office on 01732 359966 priced at £10 adults, £8 children/concessions and £30 for a family of four

Look Down in Tonbridge

A 19th century coal hole cover is preserved in the pavement outside Pizza Express by the Big Bridge in Tonbridge High Street.   Bearing the name Hayward Brothers of Union Street, Borough, London the plate would have been removed to allow the delivery of coal into the cellar.

Look down when next passing.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The telephone box outside Tonbridge School is a listed building. It is early 19th century and bears the cipher of King George VI #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The Cage, a deer park, lay between Shipbourne Road and Hadlow Road in KingHenry VIII's 16th century.  It later became farming land and is now known as Cage Green, a residential area of North Tonbridge #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The George and Dragon in Shipbourne Road was an inn by 1839. The timber framework suggests it is of sixteenth century origin #tonbridgedailysnippet

Christmas Drinks Special at Tonbridge Farmers Market

Tonbridge Farmers' Market 11^th December 2011 and then the second Sunday of every month. 9.30am – 1.30pm Sovereign Way, Tonbridge TN9 1RG

The biggest market yet and the biggest farmers' market in Kent!

… And it's a Christmas Drinks Special

 

This will be the 7th Tonbridge Farmers' Market, happening on Sunday 11^th December.

With over 65 stalls booked in already this month, it is going to be the biggest market to date.

This Month is our Christmas Drinks Special

We have some of the best drink producers from the local area showing off their wares this month, so it will be an excellent chance to find something a little bit special, stock up on all your Christmas booze and also soft drinks.

We will have a great selection of wine, beer, cider, spirits and local fruit juices, something for everyone’s taste. Hepworth Brewery will be holding a meet the brewer day, you can find out what goes into their wonderful beers.

Confirmed already are

Big Tree Cider

Dudda's Tun Kentish Cider

Fallen Angel Brewery

Hepworth Brewery

Meopham Valley Vineyard

Pine Trees Farm Apple Juice

Rent a Cherry

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard

Marsh Produce

Marsh produce have a new Christmas plum mulled wine sausage, what a great way to add some festive flare into your traditional English dishes.

The Market Kitchen

As always the cookery demonstrations will run with the theme of the market, so lots of drink included this month.

Jenny - Happy Apple

Jenny from the Happy Apple will be making a vegetarian gravy, and Coombe Farm Turkeys will be demonstrating how to carve a turkey.