Tonbridge Daily Snippet

It is claimed that an earthquake shock was felt in Tonbridge on the 8th September 1692

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #241

Tonbridge Artist Sue Walker

I love this arty time of the year. It first kicks off for me with the Brighton Festival and all the superb open houses, The Summer Exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts follows, then come the block buster exhibitions around the country and abroad, the degree shows and our very own local South East Open Studios which are in full swing at the moment.

Yesterday I visited Sue Walker who is exhibiting in a hidden funky little summer house in York Road, Tunbridge Wells. You'll find this gem in the road next to the old Habitat building (just follow the South East Open Sudios sign), so if you're out shopping it's well worth spending some extra time dropping in to see Sue's work. http://www.seos-art.org/artists/suewalker/

Sue is a Tonbridge based artist, a neighbour and allotment buddy. Professionally she works for the BBC in graphic design and is now rediscovering her creativity through painting. She has a natural sense of colour and I was particularly drawn to her beautiful series of cathedral paintings.

The whole experience of this exhibition was brilliant - finding the hidden location through the foliage in the centre of town was such a surprise, and then to encounter such interesting colour and energy in the paintings in such an unusual space was the icing on the cake.

We have a thriving community of local artists quietly working away in Tonbridge, and this is your opportunity to get to know them and see their work. I'm hoping to get around to many more of them today. The Open Studio exhibitions are all free, but have different and specific opening hours. You'll find all the Tonbridge exhibitions here on the SEOS website http://www.seos-art.org/search/?q=Tonbridge&x=0&y=0

Tonbridge Carnival 2013 Film

A film of the Tonbridge Carnival made by Peter Ellis

Morris Men finale at the Tonbridge Carnival Procession

The Morris Men are always my favourite part of Tonbridge Carnival and I was really pleased they were there again this year. Here are some photographs for those of you who missed them.

Tonbridge Carnival Procession Prize Winners 2013

WALKING GROUP - CHILDREN 
First - Cage Green Primary School

High Commended - Geraldine Fox Academy

Cage Green Primary School - 101 Dalmations

Geraldine Fox Academy

WALKING GROUP - ADULT

First - Nepalese Community Tonbridge

Highly Commended - Tonbridge Royal British Region

Nepalese Community Tonbridge

Tonbridge Royal British Legion

 FLOATS - ADULT

First - Tonbridge Art Group

Highly Commended - Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre

Tonbridge Art Group

 

Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre

FLOATS - JUNIOR

First - Cannon School of Irish Dance

High Commended - DW&K Carnival Association

 

Cannon School of Irish Dance

MAJORETTES

First -  Tristar Twirlers

Highly Commended - Carousel Majorettes

Tonbridge Carnival Procession in pictures

Tonbridge Carnival 2013

Carnival Fete on Castle Lawn

Tonbridge town centre will be full of excitement tomorrow when the town’s annual carnival takes to the streets. This year the carnival theme is “That’s Entertainment” so you can expect to see local interpretations of all varieties of entertainment from theatre, cinema, TV and maybe even local radio!

In a break with an almost unbroken custom that has existed over twenty five years, this year's Tonbridge Carnival procession will not be assembling in Brook Street. Instead the carnival floats, classic cars, bands and other groups will gather in the Sovereign Way car parks, close to the Tonbridge Farmers' Market (which will also be up and running at Sovereign Way tomorrow) and then proceed from Avenue du Puy at 12.30 pm along the High Street passed Tonbridge Castle. With a variety of walking groups and motorised float entries, this year’s carnival promises to be bigger and better than ever and will also include the Southern England Marching Band Championship and Morris dancers.

The Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling and Lion President will judge the entries later in the afternoon, on the Castle lawn, and will present shields to the best in each category taking part in the procession.

In addition to the fun of the carnival procession, there will be a Fête on the Castle Lawn and along Castle Walk providing an array of entertainment and fun activities throughout the afternoon including the silver band 2nd Wind who will perform at the Watergate entrance from 11.45am – 12.45 pm.

As usual the show will feature Punch & Judy, Rondo the Clown, children's entertainment area, bungee trampolines, children's rides, a full arena programme presenting local talent, including the Cannon School of Irish Dancing, song and dance by Stagecoach and music from local band Rosewood Drift. And in the tradition of this popular event, there will also be a wide selection of tombolas, raffles and side-shows including the coconut shy, crazy kitchen and other games to test your skill as well as stalls selling cakes, jams, books, toys and jewellery. Hot and cold food, drinks, ice creams and scrumptious cream teas will also be on sale.

The Carnival is organised annually by Tonbridge Lions Club with support from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. Proceeds from the day will help local good causes and Lions' charities.

Suspended in the air

While walking along Bradford Street I couldn't take my eyes off the enormous amount of concrete suspended by this crane. I've seen this before, so it's obviously nothing unusual, but does anyone know why cranes are left overnight with concrete blocks hanging in the air. I find it fairly scarey to be truthful, but there has to be a reason for it. Could it be to stabilise the crane or balance it in some way? Can anyone enlighten me on the subject?

The Flying Coffee Bean

This week I dropped into FCB (The Flying Coffee Bean) the new coffee shop that has opened next door to Tonbridge Station, and what a warm welcome I received. The two very friendly baristas were ready to chat about what's on offer, and Adam Norris the Manager came to introduce himself and he is brimming with enthusiasm about the new venture in Tonbridge.  Adam probably has the most unusual office in the company, as its at the very end of Platform 2 (that'll keep him fit).

To be honest the shop is a little gem, offering various artisan produced coffees, and I'm pleased to say many delicious local products. I was really impressed that a Community Notice Board is available for us to display local events, and there's blackboard chalked up with interesting facts about coffee.

Although the service has only be in action for a very short while it already has a local feel, and that in itself gives it a belonging in the town, and makes it very welcome. My only disappointment is that it's not larger so that I could linger a little longer there.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The 1880 Parlimentary Election results caused a riot in Tonbridge when several thousand people started to hurl stones and cobbles at each other near the Rose and Crown Hotel.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #240

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #239

This leafy walk along the river over a carpet of wild flowers is actually in the centre of Tonbridge. Who would have believed it?

New spot for banners

There was a great deal of disappointment when the path from the Watergate area to Castle Lawn was closed. Many of us had used the footpath for years and were sorry to lose the facility.  Community clubs and societies also raised concerns that they would no longer be able to use the railings to advertise events. They needn't have worried as I spotted that the lower railings along the river are now the new place for banners.

The Wharf's looking good

It was really good to see that the river side of The Wharf has been spruced up with a lick of paint and given a facelift.

Could this be a knock on effect of the Tonbridge Taster Day that's on the horizon. Whatever the reason it's all positive, and the building looked particularly attractive in today's warm sunshine.

Recognising Tonbridge

Where in Tonbridge is this man looking down on you?

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

In 1724 Daniel Defoe writes of Tonbridge ... 'the Houses in the Town are mostly ill-built, and the Streets sorrily paved'

It seems as though there has been no improvement in the condition of pavements in Tonbridge in almost 300 years. Nothing changes!

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #238

Can You Help - Kent Police Appeal - Two Tonbridge Burglaries

Kent Police - Appeal

Two burglaries in Tonbridge 

Location: Hadlow Road, Date: 28 May, Time: Around 12pm

 

 

A man whose home was broken into while he and his wife went out shopping is appealing for people with information about the crime to contact police.
John Davis, 66, and his wife Sue left their home in Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, at 11:30am on 28 May. The house was locked but the couple returned at 3:45pm to find burglars had forced their way in.
Among the items missing were two laptop computers, an iPad, three digital cameras and a large amount of gold jewellery.

Victim appeals for information

Mr Davis is sure someone will know what happened and is appealing to their better nature to help Kent officers with their enquiries.
He said: ‘They took our laptops, including mine with our photos saved on. They were backed up on a mobile hard drive - but the burglars took that too.
‘They also took my wife’s work computer, and my daughter’s with her university coursework on.
‘Some of the jewellery had been handed down to us and we were planning on passing it to our daughters. There were two ladies’ watches including a 18ct Raymond Weil gold one and one in a red box.
‘It was the middle of the day so someone must have seen something. We think they left with the items in carrier bags because they left one behind and that’s been handed over to police.’

Sentimental items

Among the items of jewellery taken were a 24ct gold bracelet with a flick latch, from Malaysia worth £2,500. There was also a 24ct gold necklace link chain with two solid gold bands attaching three hearts, also from Malaysia, and a V-shaped 24ct gold necklace.
DC Tracy Evans from Kent Police said: ‘Burglary is one of Kent Police’s top priorities and we are keen to track down the offenders and recover Mr Davis’ items. As well as being valuable, they are also of significant sentimental value.
‘We are also investigating a second burglary in Hadlow Road which took place at roughly the same time and there is a good chance the two offences are linked.’
Anyone who can help with Kent Police’s enquiries is asked to call 101 quoting crime report YY/10066/13.