Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo # 298

The low light over Barden Lake yesterday evening was beautiful.  During the short time I was there the colours changed from being rich and clear, to shadowy and moody. It was stunning. I also counted 18 swans on the water ... is that usual??

 

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #297

On Saturday September 28 Tonbridge High Street will come alive with music, buskers, performers and actors all raising money for The Royal British Legion.

A few more artists are needed to busk so can you help? Maybe your son, daughter, friend, member of your family, club or school would like to take part.

Contacts and information are here:-
http://thisiscoolsounds.wix.com/britlegionbusk

Or @BritishLegionBusk on Twitter

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #296  

Today may be the last hot and sunny day before the cooler weather heralds the beginning of autumn, but we're not quite there yet, so there's time to make the most of what Tonbridge has to offer.

The boats at Big Bridge are a great way to see the river areas of Tonbridge and I believe they will be for hire during September.

Enjoy the sunshine!!!!

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

The smallest house in Tonbridge? A pigeon house? A lookout or observatory? It's none of these. The small oddity on the roof above Tonbridge library houses nothing more than a water tank. It's easy to spot just look up next time you are passing 

Busking For The British Legion

Singer Collette Redgrave and organisers

Collette Redgrave and others sung a few numbers in the sunshine delighting Tonbridge shoppers during a soundcheck this week for the fast approaching 'Busking For The British Legion'.

Collette Redgrave

Everything went singingly well, sound levels were given the ok and so there's going to be something to look forward to in Tonbridge on Saturday 28 September.  The High Street will be filled with buskers for the whole day from 10am to 10pm. It's a free music event but donations will be gratefully received for the Royal British Legion (Poppy Appeal) and the Tonbridge Memorial Gardens. So look out for the big red buckets about town.

Amy and Simon

There will be a main stage at the Watergate as well as 4 other busking places including:-

 The Botany
Angel Walk
Ian Chatfield Butchers
Tonbridge Market

The day will be filled with performers, singers, session players, bands, rappers, mc's, dancers. comedians and more

Tonbridge Wetherspoons and The Castle pub plus others will also be involved in this fun filled day.

Last act of the day will be Lee Willz at 9pm

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #295

I enjoy spending time being close to the river on a sunny day in Tonbridge. There's always so much to see on the water from the members of the canoe club to day trippers hiring boats. Down by the locks there are fishermen, larger vessels and plenty of wildlife.  Over the weekend I spotted this lovely family and their dog paddling through the town. The dog standing on the front of the canoe was obviously enjoying the experience, as were the onlookers who waved to them until they disappeared under the bridge and on towards the Sportground.

 

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #294

A miracle tidy up has taken place around the former curtain wall path. It only took a short while to cut the grass and clean up a little. Such ashame it took so long to give this much loved spot some consideration.  The ugly fencing remains for the time being. So come on Tonbridge, what next to brighten up this former much loved town feature. My suggestion is plenty of planting on this iconic landmark - maybe a formal flower bed/display - or some professional landscaping. I think Tonbridge is worth some attention and as a town deserves this! Any comments?

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #293 - The Wharf

A sunny spot to relax and watch the boats go by. Tonbridge really doesn't make the most of the river.
More of this please!!!!!!

Say goodbye to another High Street shop!!

It's time to say goodbye to another Tonbridge High Street shop. The Supreme Card and Party Shop closes today and everything seems to be selling out fast. It's sad to see the town lose another shop, and according to the shop assistant it's going to be vacant for the time being.

 

Time Please - Iconic Tonbridge Landmark For Sale

There's a 'For Sale' sign at The Castle on Tonbridge Big Bridge. It's always been a pub but I wonder whether the tradition will continue. What would you like to see here?

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #293 - Path Permanently Closed - No Access to Castle

Earlier this year the east curtain wall path was removed, and access to the castle via this route was permanently closed.  

Personally, I was really disappointed by this action having used the path throughout my childhood and adulthood to enter Castle Lawn. I'd slid down the banks on trays in the snow (when there were no Health & Safety concerns and life was maybe more exciting) and rolled down the slope during summers. My children did the same. No doubt many other Tonbridge residents now miss this entry point and the stunning views it allowed.  Even last year the path enabled our very own Dame Kelly Holmes to descend its length to bring the Olympic Flame to Tonbridge.

But ... now's it's gone because a survey found an instability of the earth embankment below the curtain wall. According to TMBC it was considered that this  'MIGHT, if left unchecked, also damage the fabric of the Ancient Monument and give rise to issues of public safety'. After consultation with English Heritage the removal of the path was the 'preferred solution, being a readily achievable, less intrusive and more cost effective way forward'. One can interpret that as one wishes, but it could read as an easy, quick and cheap solution. Maybe that was the best way? Maybe it could have become unstable in the future, dangerous to the public and the historical wall damaged. Maybe it could have been saved. But now there are no more maybe's ... now this access has been lost.

In a recent article in the Tonbridge Civic Society newsletter Peter Charlton called for a clean-up of the former path and area:-

'We are appalled by the state in which the ground has been left below the Castle Wall after the highly expensive removal of the 'unsafe' path, from which both we and many tourist used to get one of the best views of Tonbridge.

Even is there is no possibility of the path being re-instated, it is high time that something is done to improve the appearance of this weed-infested unkempt eye-sore, with cheap inappropriate fencing, in the very centre of the town.'

Yesterday, I did  pass this area and noticed a couple of workmen precariously balanced on the slope chopping down bushes and cutting the grassy bank. So, perhaps a clean-up is starting.

What do you think? Do you think this was a loss? Don't you care? Will you be happy to see this area cleaned up and planted? I'd love to see a bank of daffodils and crocuses in the Spring and the slope planted with flowers. Maybe even the word 'Tonbridge' in flowers. Any ideas? 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #292

Floating leisurely on the River Medway is a great way to spend a lazy sunny day in Tonbridge, and it's also a way of seeing the town and sportground/park from a different perspective. Boats are for hire by the Big Bridge during the summer months, and I did notice a pedalo on the water over the weekend, so that's perfect for those who aren't too confident about being the oarsman.

Dog Show and Fete in Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #291

When I was a child I spent many happy weekends taking rides on this miniature railway, and my children loved these little steam engines too.

Year after year the puffing steam trains are the cause much excitement, happy faces, waves and lines of children waiting for their turn to ride around the circular track in Tonbridge Sportsground.

It's good to see that simple childhood pleasures just don't change.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #290 - Cannon Lawn

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #289 - A Tonbridge Bee

'Bees are in serious trouble. Their numbers have fallen dramatically in recent years, affected by disease, chemicals and habitat loss. Since 1900, the UK has lost 20 species of bee. A further 35 bee species are considered to be under threat of extinction.' (Friends of the Earth)

I managed to get a close up photo of this bee in a Tonbridge garden and didn't even get stung. If you look carefully at the wings you can see all the minute details and patterns, and the bee does look rather soft and fluffy even though it has the ability to give a very painful sting. I'm quite proud of this shot.

Recently a new Tonbridge and Malling Friends of the Earth Group was formed, and they held their first event dressed as bees to raise funds and awareness of the Friends of the Earth Bee Cause.

The group took part in the Tonbridge Lions organised circular charity walk that began and ended at Shipbourne Village Hall passing through the surrounding open fields and Igtham Moat. Over £100 was raised for the Bee Cause.

If anyone would like to join in future environmentally friendly activities , you can get in touch by emailing TandMfoe@gmail.com
 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo # 288 - Feather at Barden Lake

If you take a walk around Barden Lake at the moment the surrounding banks are covered in a snowstorm of feathers. I presume they come from the many Canada Geese currently at the lake, or are they from the swans. Does anyone know?

Waste Paper Recycling in Tonbridge

You could help raise funds for Tonbridge charities by the simple task recycling your unwanted waste paper.

The  Tonbridge Lions’ covered waste paper skip at The Little Orchard site in Higham Lane (Sign Apple Logs) is filled about 4 times a year.

This means that about 40 tonnes of waste paper in the form of newspapers, brochures, magazines, junk mail, directories and catalogues are recycled to Aylesford newsprint and kept out of landfill.

This activity raises just over £2000 a year, which is used to help meet the costs of local welfare cases and Tonbridge charities.

The store is open for collections on the first Saturday of each month from 9 to 11.30 am.

Next collections are Saturday September 7 and Saturday October 5.

Feel free to deliver your waste paper during these times or contact Ken on 01732 352935 for more details.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #287 - Peaceful pastural scene on outskirts of Tonbridge

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #286 - Tonbridge School

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #285

Paul Bonner Williams spotted this unusual structure on a Tonbridge rooftop, and sent the image to Tonbridge Daily. He asked if I had ever seen it, and to be honest I have never noticed the strange roof addition, but he gave me his idea as to what it might be other than the 'smallest house in Tonbridge'.
I did take a look at it yesterday and it's certainly unusual - could it be a 'folly', a pigeon house, a look out or something a little more dull.

So firstly, do you recognise where this is in our town, and secondly what is, or was, its purpose?????

I love the two pigeons perched either side of the little house. Thanks to Paul for sending the photo to Tonbridge Daily - it will be interesting to find out what it is.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #284

This photograph was sent to Tonbridge Daily by Tonbridge resident Fred Long showing the Sinatra entertainment on the Castle Lawn in full swing. The view through the Castle's 13th century gatehouse entrance and open doors welcomes onlookers to the concert.  I really like this shot. Thanks Fred for sharing.

Tonbridge Enjoys Sinatra

This afternoon Tonbridge enjoyed another free Sunday concert on the Castle Lawn.  A Sinatra tribute act entertained as very happy crowd sung along to many favourites, such as 'My Way' and 'Come Fly With me' The sound-alike crooner attracted young and old, all who had come along for a relaxing afternoon of Old Blue Eyes classics against the backdrop of Tonbridge Castle.

Next Sunday will be your last opportunity to enjoy a free Castle Lawn concert this year, so pack a picnic, blanket or chairs and bring the family along to relax and listen to The Bells Yew Brass Band. Refreshments will be provided by The Hildenborough WI.

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #283 - A walk along the river