Tonbridge Litter Lout

Thankyou very much to the person who left their bag of empty beer cans and food containers in the Victorian boot scraper at the old Methodist Church in East Street.

Oh yes it is the perfect place to dump the bag as it fits into the space quite beautifully and snugly. Far better than it swimming around in a litter bin. Why carefully put everything into a refuse bag, tie a knot at the top and then just chuck it into an available space. What's the point of that?

This frankly makes me lost for words. I just don't get it.

New President for Tonbridge Lions Club

Tonbridge Lions Club’s new President Keith Bourne with predecessor Mike Stout

On Sunday June 30 Keith Bourne was inaugurated as the sixty-fourth President of Tonbridge Lions Club.  Outgoing President, Mike Stout, presented Keith with the chain of office at a luncheon at Nizels Golf Club.

Keith has lived in the Tonbridge area for most of his life. With three children, two grandchildren and married to Valerie he still gets time to be involved with sports, music and of course the Tonbridge Lions Club which he is honoured to represent as President for the next 12 months.

Formerly a Logistics Manager and Engineer for B.T. followed by other interesting local jobs he is now retired, apart from occasionally acting a Dance Host on cruise liners with Valerie. They enjoy the company of their families and friends on visits to the theatre, local concerts and the Royal Opera House.

With a passion for racquet sports and a keen football fan, mainly following Gillingham FC, Keith is now revisiting his youth by playing table tennis.  Another of his pastimes is collecting old ‘Whitbread Inn signs’ which has resulted in much research!

His father was a founder member of the Tonbridge Lions Club in 1950 and Keith is now both privileged and proud to become President of this great club, and along with Valerie looks forward to the year ahead.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

In 1905 there were seven bicycle shops in the Tonbridge. Now I can count 3 including Halfords. Or are there more?

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #260 - Tonbridge Parish Church - Church of St Peter and St Paul

This image was sent to me by Shane Straeche. He said 'I dont think I've ever visited such a beautiful church, a shame not many people take the time to view its beautiful stained glass windows and its peacefulness, such a pleasant place to think, but such a stunning church to capture.'

The window is certainly worth a look and I think I will pay a visit to the church,  put on my Art Historian hat and do a reading of the images.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

In 1938 one in three Tonbridge people go to see Disney’s Snow White showing in the town’s cinemas

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #259 - Anyone for icecream

Photo courtesy of Martin Best

Recognising Tonbridge (not) Recognised

Recognising Tonbridge Feature

This has to be a first - a Recognising Tonbridge NOT Recognised.  I did give clues to look out for on Tonbridge Taster Day, but I'm sure you were all too busy looking down onto the Medway at the Dragon Boat races, rather than looking at what was above you at the time, or you would have recognised the wrought iron entrance gates at the castle Watergate.

Hot Air over Tonbridge

It was perfect timing when a Virgin balloon flight floated overhead during the Killer Queen concert on the Castle Lawn, and take a look at the guys in the basket waving to the crowd.

Thanks again to Carl Lewis for sending me his photograph. Great shot!!!!!!!!!

 

Tonbridge Can Party!!!!!!

It's been another brilliant weekend in Tonbridge, and of course the beautiful weather helped when  Tonbridgians took the opportunity to party and picnic beneath the castle during a weekend  of music.

Oh yes, we can do it, and we do support events when they occur in the town. I think we were all hungry for a summer of happenings, and it all came at the right time as we are now getting a taste for it. There's certainly a sense of community being seen now. It was always there, but now there's a sense of coming-together, and we're all looking forward to more happening in our friendly town.

Here are some amazing pictures taken by Tonbridge man, Carl Lewis, on Saturday evening at the Killer Queen concert. Carl has been involved in the Tonbridge Arts Festival in various ways over the weekend. Good aren't they!!!!!!!

Found Cat

A cat has been found in Hildenborough. Is it yours? 

Let's hope it is now safely back home

Courtesy of Martin Best

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #258 - Mods in Tonbridge

Photograph courtesy of Martin Best who spotted these 60's style scooters in front of Tonbridge Castle

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 Snippet

In 1923 there were 61 tennis courts in Tonbridge Sportsground. I think there are now only 4.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #257 - Uber-cool Citroen van at Tonbridge Castle lawn

Image courtesy of Martin Best

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

In 1761 a terrible thing happened in the town when James Cawthorn, a Master at Tonbridge School, is said to have locked a boy in a cupboard, forgotten about him, and subsequently the boy died.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #256 - K College Designs

Two of the beautiful designs by K College fashion students (from the Tonbridge Campus) in the exhibition 'The Age of Opulence' currently on display in the stunning Orangerie at Knole House.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #255 - Who's that girl?

Brilliant scarecrow I spotted on a Tonbridge allotment.

Tonbridge Man walking to London

Paul Bowman - These boots are made for walking!!!!

Tonbridge man Paul Bowman will be walking from Tonbridge to London tomorrow. Yes, walking!!!!
He is starting off at his home at 6am, and will walk to his old workplace depot at the Elephant & Castle. (Paul's a London Underground train driver). He is walking to raise money for a charity set up for his friend Brian Munro, who is fighting cancer.

The general route will be along existing roads, but Paul will probably take a few footpath shortcuts, mainly between Sevenoaks and Bromley. He will walk through Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Sevenoaks, Dunton Green, Knockholt, Farnborough, Bromley, Downham, Catford, Brockley, Nunhead, Old Kent Road, then Elephant & Castle. It's making me tired reading about it.

Google Map Route

This is from Google Maps just to give an idea of the distance Paul will be walking, and the estimated time given by Google is ten hours, but presumably isn't accounting for breaks! How long do you think it will take?

There's still time to sponsor Paul's walk. Read more about the Walkathon here - https://www.facebook.com/events/142614235932723/ 

If you think Paul's boots are mucky now just wait until he's walked from Tonbridge to the Elephant and Castle. Paul will be posting updates on his progress.

Good Luck!!!!!! 

WANTED - Your views on cycling in Tonbridge

Do you or your children cycle in Tonbridge? Do you have a view on our cycle paths? Would you like safer cycling? You have until June 30 to make all your views known. Including today that's just 3 days!!!
Go to www.kent.gov.uk/tonbridge&mallingcyclingstrategy and complete the online form.

Tonbridge Reflections

Here are some more watery reflections. Can you recognise them?

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

It seems nothing changes as in 1933 the Tonbridge Season Ticket Holders Association made ‘emphatic and unanimous’ complaint about the train service

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #253 - Watery Reflections

The New Pinnacles?

The Pinnacles - courtesy of Frances Card

The photograph above could be one of the last taken of The Pinnacles pub. It was taken on the day the hoardings were erected prior to demolishing the Shipbourne Road building.  The tall tree in the distance is the 95ft Wellingtonia. This was felled after councillors gave permission for the development. The tree was probably the tallest in Tonbridge and in good health, but even the Preservation Order that it carried bore no weight, and it was cut down. 

Slowly the pubs away from the town centre have been lost, and there's possibly one near you that's recently disappeared. My personal opinion is that it simply means another community hub is lost. I can remember spending summer evenings playing in the gardens of The Pinnacles as a child, while my parents sat socialising with local friends, neighbours and family over a drink. I loved playing on the swings, drinking lemonade and eating those crips that came with a little blue bag of salt. The pub was where the locals caught up with each other, discussed the town, had a gossip and planned local events.

This afternoon I drove by the Pinnacles roundabout, and was astounded as to how quickly the houses have taken shape. I wonder if the development will be called The Pinnacles?

It's very sad to realise these places, where people of all ages could get out of their homes to communicate with others, have disappeared. I'm sure there weren't so many lonely people around when we all could wander along to the local pub.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

An extraordinary thunderstorm struck Tonbridge in August 1763, and hop gardens, orchards and cornfields were entirely destroyed.

Castle Pub

More scaffolding has appeared at the Castle Pub on Big Bridge, and it's now up to the second floor.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

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

Tonbridge Daily Photo #252

A Tonbridge Skateboarder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX7MI9pXuww

St Stephen's Primary School Balloon Race

St Stephen's Primary School had great fun at their annual family sports day and picnic this year.  As part of the PTA fundraising for the new library, the children helped release over 150 helium balloons for an exciting balloon race.

All returned tickets are being tracked on the school website http://www.st-stephens-school-tonbridge.com/ and to date the furthest a balloon has travelled is to Teignmouth in Devon.

The school wish to thank everyone who has sent back the found balloon tickets to the school.  

Tonbridge Daily Photo

This area in Tonbridge has really changed and is hardly recognisable. Any ideas where it is?

Tonbridge Daily Photo #251

Tonbridge Taster in Pictures

There have been so many fabulous images of the Tonbridge Taster, but here are a few more I took on the day. I'm certainly not a photographer, so hopefully I've captured a little of the sense of fun we all experienced on Sunday. The Taster Day was enjoyed by thousands and showcased our town as a vibrant and energetic community.