During National Rat Catching week in 1935 Tonbridge took the
championship title by recording 467 kills.
At the beginning of the 20th
century the Rat Catcher's role was to help to control the spread of
disease in areas of poor housing and sanitary conditions. Their job was
also integral in keeping down the rat population in the Wharves along
the river. Dogs and ferrets, as well as poison and traps, were used
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
In 1907 there were 20 inns and pubs, 9 hotels and 23 beer retailers in Tonbridge- how things have changed!!!!!
Tonbridge Then and Now
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| Baker's Garage with Tonbridge's first petrol pump, 1920s (later became Caffyns) Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No. 14C.419 Former ASK 2013 |
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Graffiti Gone
After tweeting the photograph of the graffiti on the large wooden castle doors, Kent Police contacted me and advised I call 101, and report the incident. I did exactly that, and today I was pleased to find that it had been removed.
Alcohol Control Area
The sign has probably been about for some time, and maybe there are even others around the Sportground and Castle area, but it's the first time I have seen one of these Alcohol Control signs. Maybe I haven't been too observant but have they been around for some time now, or are they new???
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
From 1922 to 1970 dances and shows took place in the Medway Hall. The wooden structure was demolished to make way for Somerfield carpark (now the Co-op).
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| LAMPS perform in the Medway Hall 1933 |
Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No.
25.013
Monday, 15 April 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
A one day Traffic Census in 1871 counted 210 hand trucks, 694 carriages & 23 'beasts' crossing Little Bridge on the High Street
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Hadlow pop-up art exhibition
| Walnut Tree Cottage Hadlow - Gingerbread Gallery |
It's really worth dropping in and some of the artists will be available to talk about their work, their village and the tower. There is also a good view of Hadlow Tower from the church graveyard which is tucked away behind The Square opposite the gallery.
Admission is free.
Labels:
Gingerbread Cottage,
Hadlow,
Hadlow Square,
Hadlow Toer
Recognising Tonbridge Recognised
| Recognising Tonbridge feature |
| Former Corn Exchange in Bank Street |
It's very rare that a Recognising Tonbridge isn't recognised but this is one that was not. The close-up photograph is part of the circular feature set in the apex of the former Corn Exchange in Bank Street.
It was originally built as a Dissenters Chapel in 1791 (the Dissenters were Christians who separated from the Church of England and formed their own place of worship). Later it was converted into the town's Corn Exchange which at the time stood at the entrance to Tonbridge Market. For a period of time it served as The Royal West Kent Drill Hall.
Friday, 12 April 2013
Thursday, 11 April 2013
More apartments for Tonbridge
I noticed a Planning Application today for the conversion into 11 apartments of the former Methodist Church and hall in East Street. What do you think?
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
Angells The Jewellers was established in 1830 and is probably the oldest business in Tonbridge today.
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| Angells at 110-14 High Street - demolished for road widenening 1960's |
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Tonbridge Castle Graffiti
I'm so fed up with coming face to face with these scribbles around Tonbridge and they seem to be appearing everywhere. This one was on the large wooden entrance door to the castle.
Tonbridge Passion Play
For those who may be interested here are two scenes from the recent Tonbridge Passion Play performed on Good Friday at Tonbridge Castle. The clip was sent to me by Peter Ellis of Tonbridge Community films. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1G-9QxnUGA
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Monday, 8 April 2013
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Friday, 5 April 2013
Recognising Tonbridge Recognised
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| Recognising Tonbridge Feature |
| Corpus Christi Church Lyons Crescent |
I strayed from the High Street for this Recognising Tonbridge, and hoped that some of you would recognise where in the town the symbol in the photograph was located. Only two people named the spot. Peter Harris was the first (he usually is) and Louise who also knew where it was left a comment on the blog. The Alpha and the Omega symbols are etched into the lower glass panels on the main doors of Corpus Christi Church in Lyons Crescent.
The two symbols are the first and the last letters of the classical Greek alphabet, and are used as a Christian symbol often combined with the cross or the Chi-rho. If you look closely at religious paintings or art/artefacts depicting Christian themes or stories they can often be found, especially so placed on either side of the cross. Look out for them when in art galleries, churches, when on holiday visiting museums or cathedrals and you'll notice they occur more often than you would think.
| Alpha and Omega |
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Judd boys cast as girls
I found this photograph in a family album that contains a number of interesting past images of Tonbridge.
This particular picture shows the cast of Gilbert and Sullivan's muscial HMS Pinafore performed at Judd School c1930. And yes, they are all Judd boys complete with high heels and lipstick. One cast member is known, because he's my late uncle Patrick Pease, and he is to the far right of the front row. If anyone can shed any light on who any of the other boys are please leave a comment below or email tonbridgedaily@gmail.co.uk
Tonbridge Daily Photo
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
The Town Cormorant
This afternoon I spotted the town cormorant, with twigs in its beak, en route to its nesting place. Well, there are obviously two if there's nesting involved, but they are never seen together as a pair. So that means there is going to be an arrival of baby birds very soon, and it seems anglers aren't too happy about their growing numbers as the cormorants are depleting the fish stocks around the town's river, streams and lakes.
Since the first photograph was sent to me of a cormorant spotted close to River Walk the comments have definitely fallen into two camps. There are those of us who are fascinated by what we consider an unusual sight, and those who view the birds as pests.
Take a look at this short BBC film and let me know what you think.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17123858
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Tonbridge Then and Now
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| Corner of Bank Street and High Street before road widening demolition |
Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No.
14C.401
Legal Graffiti
I was walking towards Tonbridge Parish Church this morning, when I spotted this incredibly bright and ugly graffiti in Church Street. Why is it there and what is it ... I asked myself?? It could possibly be there as a marker for maintenance reasons which I find extremely annoying. Can't people read maps or follow instructions anymore? Can these people only follow easy to spot enormous symbols? This is part of the conservation area in Tonbridge, and so I'm hoping it's a temporary measure. If not it should be removed as it's a massive yellow blot on the landscape, and nothing more than legal graffiti.
Monday, 1 April 2013
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