Clean this up please!!!!

The Big Bridge is looking really clean at present and the new paintwork is showing off the ironwork features to its best advantage. I do hope that the Little Bridge, made by the same Tonbridge Foundry in Avebury Avenue, will now get the TLC it too deserves as it's looking a little jaded.

Situated outside the Shaw Trust on the Little Bridge is the most decorative ironwork I have come across in Tonbridge. I believe it too was made by Gray Brothers of Avebury Avenue, but it is far more delicate and intricate in design. However, it is in a poor condition and in desperate need of a clean. I don't know who is responsible for the wrought ironwork, but whoever that may be is allowing it to fall into disrepair. This is directly in the High Street and doesn't do the town any favours. It would be good to see this cleaned up and renovated so that everyone can enjoy this little bit of history in our town.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #282 - Lunch by the river

Tonbridge sadly doesn't make the best use of it's river frontage. I personally would like to see more cafes and facilities along the Tonbridge Medway. Maybe in summer a number of decent pop-up cafes would be well received. I've always thought that River Walk where it backs onto the Weatherspoon garden is an underused spot with a great view of Big Bridge and The Castle. What do you think?

Tis the Season to be Jolly

Fa la la la la la la la la

Don we now our gay apparel

Fa la la la la la la la la

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol

Fa la la la la la la la la

See the blazing Yule before us

Fa la la la la  ...  Hang on a moment

IT'S AUGUST

Tonbridge High Street in August

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #281

This photo was sent to me by Robert Morschel. I thought it was a bit of fun so I thought I'd share it on Tonbridge Daily.

However, getting back to the serious facts, according to Tonbridge Weather Notes (1692-1800) Tonbridge did feel the shock of an earthquake on 8 September 1692. The entry for that day is 'Houses in Deal were shaken, chimneys fell, kitchen utensils were thrown from the shelves and beds shook. Several houses and the Norman Castle in Tonbridge were damaged'.

Tonbridge Then and Now

Then - Kimmins The Confectioner c1892

Now - The Pepper Grinder

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Thousands of Hop-pickers used to travel to Tonbridge and the surrounding area to spend the season between August and September gathering hops on local farms.

For their use, special roadside shacks adjoining the pubs served drinks with tankards fixed by chains to stop the thefts of the drinking pots.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #280

This serene shot of a pigeon on the castle curtain wall was taken by Adam Norris, Manager of The Flying Coffee Bean in Tonbridge. I think it works really well in black and white - thankyou Adam for sharing this photo on Tonbridge Daily

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Pigeon shooting competitions were held behind the Bull Hotel (now Peacocks). In 1872 competitors organised a sweepstake and the 1st prize was £19.

The Bull Hotel (right)

Shared by Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No. 14A.126

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #279

It's a perfect warm summer day for a walk or a run around Barden Lake.  Don't be tempted to cool off in the water though as swimming is not allowed.

Local Fungi

Boletus Luridus

I've noticed that in our local woodlands around Tonbridge fungi are slowly appearing. They spring up silently during the night, and are usually well hidden and camouflaged.  During a walk yesterday I found clusters of Lurid Boletus (Boletus Luridus), and was pretty excited as many species of Boletus are edible, but others are poisonous, and some just bitter. So what had I found? Luckily I have access to a professional who knows his stuff where edible mushrooms are concerned, and he advised me to leave these behind, as although they are edible when cooked they can cause gastric upsets, so they weren't worth bothering with.

Ganoderma Applanatum

I also found this amazing Bracket Fungus (Ganoderma Applanatum) on the base of a tree trunk. They're very happy there and can usually be found on beech and sometimes pine too. This one is an Artist's Bracket or sometimes known as an Artist's Conch. They are not poisonous but neither are they edible.

NEVER pick mushrooms in the wild unless you are 100% sure of what they are. NEVER take the risk as your mistake can be fatal. There are plenty of local fungi forays so it's advisable to join a group led by an expert. You'll be safe that way.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #278 - Ooooops!!!!!!

Tonbridge resident Martin Best spotted this faux pas in Iceland's car park on The Botany. He said he hadn't noticed it before, but it's probably been there for sometime.  Thanks Martin for allowing Tonbridge Daily to use your photograph.

Tonbridge Lions Annual Diabetic Day

The Tonbridge Lions Annual Diabetic Day took place in the Angel Car Park, Tonbridge last Saturday. Four qualified Medix Nurses undertook the examinations led by Senior Nurse Mrs Barbara Plumb.  A healthy blood sugar level that is acceptable is in the range 4 - 7.

254 people presented themselves for examination and seven were referred to their General Practitioner for further examination and advice.

His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Howard Rogers along with the Mayoress, Mrs Jane Rogers were accompanied by the Lion President Keith Bourne and Mrs Valerie Bourne at the screening and were tested by the nurses.

The Tonbridge Lions Diabetic Screening has been taking place since the year 2000 and 3558 people have been examined of which between 6 and 7 per cent have been referred for further examination to their GP.

The Chairman of the Tonbridge Lions Health Group, Lion Russell Dorling whose Committee organised the Screening, said  “I am delighted with the response we have had today and cannot emphasise how important it is to have blood sugar levels examined in adulthood when early detection of high sugar levels can prevent serious consequences of diabetes in later life.  My thanks go out to all those people that made the day such a success.”

Photo – TMBC Mayor Cllr Howard and Mrs Jane Rogers with Medix Nurses Amanda Weeks and Barbara Plumb with Tonbridge Lions’ President Keith and Mrs Valerie Bourne.

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.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #276

This photo was taken on the Penshurst Estate and is looking towards Tonbridge. That's Bidborough Ridge in the distance, but at the end of the field there's an uninterrupted view towards south Tonbridge, and K College is easily spotted. This could be one of my favourite walks in the local area as it passes through many differing landscapes.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #275

Haysden Country Park is a Green Flag Winner for 2013/14 having met the international standards in a number of categories.

• A welcoming place
• Healthy safe and secure
• Clean and well maintained
• Sustainability
• Conservation and heritage
• Community involvement
• Marketing 
• Management

Look out for the green flag at the entrance to Barden Lake next to the cafe and car park.

Something Fishy going on at Barden Lake

There were lots of fisherman out yesterday around Barden Lake. It seems not many of them had had much luck, but it was still early in the morning. The bailiff was also doing his rounds and checking up that all those fishing had a licence. They all did! Here are some photos.

 

 

 

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Before the first Police Station and cells in Pembury Road were built in the early 1860's prisoners were locked in two cages, one in the then Castle Square and the other in Station Approach

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo # 274

I took a walk around Barden Lake yesterday and spotted this swan feeding ...

... and here's the same swan in a more serene position

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Did you know that the Rose & Crown Hotel was once the Headquarters for announcing Parliamentary elections to the people of Tonbridge

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #273

A bridge somewhere in Tonbridge. Do you know where?

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #272 - Tonbridge School Leisure Centre Cafe

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #271

I spotted this metal sign on a door somewhere in Tonbridge - I'm not going to reveal where though!!!!!!

Scout Hut Avebury Avenue

 Scout Hut Avebury Avenue - Work has started on the project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg7CqwpUvSU&feature=youtu.be

Tonbridge Daily Photo - George Wise of Tonbridge

Tonbridge Daily Photo #280 - George Wise Sundial

We've all heard about Tunbridgeware. It's now associated with Tunbridge Wells, but it originated from wood turner George Wise's business in Tonbridge. His workshop was known to exist in 1746 on the banks of the Medway next to Big Bridge - it would have been somewhere between Pizza Express and The Wharf pub. the original buildings have been demolished. The site was probably chosen for easy river access and comprised of a workshop, showrooms and the family lived there too.

This small firm specialised in woodworking and eventually in the product we know today as Tunbridgeware. Tunbridge Wells museum hold a large collection.

Tunbridgeware Box

If you take a walk through Tonbridge School grounds you will find a sundial dedicated to George Wise. It's on the lawns by the chapel. Go take a look and also take in the interesting contemporary sculptures and architecture that the grounds have to offer. Remember to keep to the pathways. It really is a worthwhile and interesting walk.

The sundial was spot on with the time!!!!

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #279

A rainbow over stormy North Tonbridge skies was captured perfectly by Nicky Silk last night. It seems that Nicky's talents are not only in making curtains and other home soft furnishings, but she has a pretty good eye when it come to creating an interesting image. Thanks for sharing!!!

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #278

There was plenty of activity going on yesterday as these three guys were preparing the Tonbridge School cricket pitches.

The Australians return to Tonbridge

The Australians are back in town and training at Tonbridge School. They used the state of the art facilities during The Olympics, and they must have been so good they have returned before competing in the Moscow World Athletic Championships 2013. 

I popped over for a coffee this morning and took these shots of the team limbering up for a day of training.

It's good to see them back in Tonbridge - good luck guys - and thanks for bringing the sunny weather with you again.

 

 

 

 

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #277 - Corn and Camomile

Many of the fields surrounding the town are now sprinkled or edged with camomile flowers. I came across this one between Tonbridge and Penshurst. Sadly the photo nor my photographic skills don't do
the view justice, so get out and walk through the countryside and you'll find these beautiful scenes for yourself.