Snippets of Tonbridge History....

Susan Adams of Susan Adams Business Services has very kindly just handed me a rather interesting piece of paper. On it, laid out very artistically, there are tantalizing snippets of Tonbridge's history such as 1920s: Motorised taxis replace horse-drawn cabs outside Tonbridge Station! ...and 1070: The Normans build a small church on the present site of the parish church. ...and 1870 until the 1900s a horse racing track operates in what is now the sportsground park. It's a lovely piece of artwork combined with a bit of local history. Come and have a look at it at Mr. Books or I'm sure Susan Adams will have some spares for you to have framed. I can't promise that they'll be free though!...

Tonbridge Blog gets a facelift...

Hope you all like the new look Tonbridge Blog. Very Spring-like I thought. Comments please....

The Stone is dry...

And speaking of weather forecasts....I loved this when I saw it while on holiday last summer in Cornwall. We do get a little hung up about the weather sometimes in England and I much prefer this laid back approach....

Has Spring sprung?...

The sun is shining, the dafodils are in full bloom, even the bluebells are beginning to make an appearance. The lambs are leaping around in the fields. So is it too early to start getting your summer wardrobe sorted out and dreaming of long hazy days on the beach? Yesterday I saw some guy pushing a push chair down Tonbridge High Street wearing just his muscles and tattoes which looked a bit weird considering it's not even April yet. Make the most of it as it'll probably be raining and hailing next week. Certainly the weather is due to turn cooler. I'm off down B&Q to stock up on barbeque briquettes....

Tonbridge Blogger Wars!...

I really am quite shocked and a little disurbed that a few of you seem to have taken the previous post seriously. I do actually know "that blonde lady" Suzannah, fairly well and hope that she sees the funny side of this. I'm 99.9% sure that she will otherwise I just wouldn't have posted it. If anything it was meant to mock myself and pretend that I'm jealous (playing on our insecurities!) But, if there's any doubt then I should set the record straight: I am not in the least bit sexist. Having four elder sisters wouldn't allow it; if I were I'd be mince meat by now! I'm not in the least bit jealous of the author of the Tonbridge Daily blog in fact I've known her quite a few years from poetry nights and as a customer in my shop and, hopefully by now, after many pleasant chats I would go as far to say that she is a friend. She writes a lovely column in the Courier and, unlike me, she does it on a voluntary basis whereas I got paid. Not much but I did get something. Her blog is nice as well and so different to mine so that, actually, they probably complement each other. This is not, some of you may be disappointed to hear, the start of Tonbridge Blogger Wars! There, is that apology enough? Can we all move on now?...

Grrr, That blonde lady from Tonbridge Daily!!!!

In which town will you find this?

For the past four or five years Tonbridge Blog has been steadily providing you with daily information, entertainment and general rantings almost always with a Tonbridge focus. I do it unpaid, largely unthanked and out of the goodness of my own heart. So imagine my horror at seeing the face of that blond lady, Suzannah Niklaus staring smugly at me from the page when I opened up this weekend's Courier newspaper! They've only gone and given her nicey, nicey Tonbridge Daily blog a half page feature. Blumin cheek I say. There she is looking all over enthusiastic, with her historical snippets about the tops of buildings and daily observations about the town. She struts around with her Nikon SLR taking abstract photos, at weird angles of obscure bits of buildings, as if she's Mrs. Tonbridge or something. What's she got that Tonbridge Blog hasn't?! What about doing the same for Tonbridge Blog Mr. Frankham. Whenever I get the odd mention in the Courier the name of the blog, miraculously, is not to be seen anywhere. Not so much as a bit of a small print tacked on the end of the piece. I promise you my little efforts really aren't a threat to the might of Northcliffe Newspapers, owners of the Daily Mail and other national rags. By the way Suzannah also writes the Tonbridge Community column for the Courier, which I wrote before her. Is there a pattern developing here? Will her next move be to open a bookshop? Perhaps if I were slimmer better looking, female and blonde I'd also get to appear on page 3 of the local paper!...

Tonbridge High Street more spacious without railings....

I've had a week or two to live with it now and I think I prefer the openess of the roads in the centre of Tonbridge that getting rid of the railings has given them. It feels different especially for pedestrians and cyclists (being both I think I can speak for them!) and I can't say you even notice the difference when driving along the High Street. You get an overall feeling of everything being a little cleaner and more spacious. And the bonus is that the council must have made a good turn on all that scrap metal! Only thing is where are they going to hang all the flower baskets in the summer?!

Tonbridge man fell from 18,000 feet....

A very spritely 88 year old man came into my shop to order a book the other day. It was a book about airmen in the Second World War so, quite understandably, we got talking about the war. This old man wasn't boasting when he told me his experience in 1944 when he was aged 20, in fact I had to gently persaude him to tell me. He was shot down over Germany. The pilot and co pilot were both killed sitting right next to him by the canon fire which had disabled the aircraft so he told me. Then he said he couldn't remember the next few moments as he thinks there was an explosion of some kind on the plane. The next thing he remembers is coming round from his unconscious state and realising that he had fallen half way down from 18,000 feet! He pulled his ripcord, spent the next year in a POW camp and most of the next 50 as an upholsterer in Tonbridge. I won't name him but what a remarkable story. To have lived the last nearly 70 years having been that close to certain death must be an amazing feeling. I salute those men who still walk among us having had these incredible experiences so early in their adult lives. I also can't help feeling more than a little envious of that level of exitement which so many old war vets have spoken of. But, of course, they are just the lucky ones who survived....

Dismantled railings for cash?!..

My chirpy window cleaner Darrell, has just raised an interesting point. What happened to all those council railings which have just been, in some cases wrongly, dismantled? Did they go to some dodgy scrap yard specialising in metal for cash? Or are they being recycled in a more responsible manner and the funds put back into council coffers? They'd probably raise a tidy sum, there's alot of metal in those things. Will we ever find out? I said get back to cleaning the windows mate cos you keep missing bits!...

Tonbridge Mary Portas Bid....

I received a letter today from someone at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council telling me all about Tonbridge Town Team's proposed bid for the government grants of £100,000 for deserving High Streets which, you will remember that this is part of the Mary Portas review of our (not so) great British high streets. In true council fashion the specially set up email for expressions of support failed to work and therefore my emailed response bounced back to me! So I though it a good idea to share it with you. This is what I wanted to say:

 

"Hello and thanks for the opportunity to express my support for this bid. Your letter was music to my ears. You may have noticed in my locally focussed blog, Tonbridge Blog, that I've been banging on about how our town should be better used for some years now. With my shop, Mr. Books, I am fortunate enough to be able to read old books about the town. One thing that comes out loud and clear from some of these books is how markets were right in the very heart of Tonbridge, how these market days were long standing traditions, going back to medieval times. In those old days there was definitely more of a community spirit about the place as businesses, retailers and shoppers all fed off each other. I'm sure that, with the right focus and drive, some of this spirit could be recaptured. I whole heartedly support this initiative and anything that help smarten up the High Street and improve footfall can only be a positive thing for everyone,"

 

Best of Luck and regards

 

Share your own thoughts by commenting below and they may be noticed and included in the bid proposal....

Bionic Man....

I'm reading an excellent book at the moment called The Runner's Body. It's the result of research by two top sports scientists called Ross Tucker and Jonathan Dugas who are often quoted in the quality national press. As some of you may know, distance running has become a little craze of mine over the last year so the book is particularly relevant to me. Here's an interesting observation from reading this book. It turns out that my worry about the effect of the stress on my ageing body is largely unfounded as it seems that, so long as I'm patient and build up slowly, not only do I get fitter and ache less the more effort I put in but also my body is strengthening all the while. It's adapting gradually with every training session and recovery period to become a runners body. It rebuilds itself and changes for the task of running. Bones become stronger and more resistant to impact and muscles become bigger, leaner and better for the work and the impact forces being put upon them. Now even if you're not into running you still have to admit that all of this is quite remarkable. It's hard to imagine that we'll ever be able to design any bionic man or woman, with all out space age technology, even nearly as good as nature provides us with. Quite phenomenal in fact....

Arts Festival web site goes live....

At long last the Arts Festival web site is now live so you can have a look to see which events you want to plan to see during the festival this June from the 15th to 24th. Victoria Hislop, Athur Smith, Opera Brava, Victoria Pile, The Three Degrees (yes the real Three Degrees) a special literary event called The Word on the Castle lawn, are just a few of the highlighs of the ten day festival. Have a look for yourself right now....

Saturdays in Tonbridge....

This morning I could have gone to the market in the railway carpark for some fruit and veg or spices, I could have sat with a friend for coffee in Finch House or any of the other cafes in the High Street. I could have gone for a naughty but satisfying fry up at that little cafe down Avebury Avenue or wandered across the wide open spaces of the park or taken a stroll along the river near the Town Lock. I didn't do any of those things this morning but you still could....

Fridays in Tonbridge...

I didn't go to the Friday Flea Market at the Angel Centre today. Neither did I go to the Country Market down Lamberts Yard today to buy some lovely homemade sausage rolls, quiche and almond sponge tarts. But you still could if you're quick....

I'm Board....

The A Board issue has raised it's ugly head once more. For those readers who are turned off by this ongoing saga in Tonbridge then look away now. I've just had a visit from a young man from the Highways Department of KCC. He had a long pony tail and tatoos and looked like he'd have been more at home being a roadie for Guns and Roses but that's by the by. This department are responsible for the roads, which includes, the pavements not, as you may reasonably expect, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. And maybe because the Highways Department are so detached from the town and the needs of businesses and shops they can afford to be high handed in this matter. It seems that the problem has been raised in the town and now they are clamping down. Apparently it's okay to have an A Board right outside a shop to say "Look here's my shop!" even  though it is right there in front of one. But it's not okay to say "Go a few yards this way and my shop is here!" because to do so would be against their bureacratic, inflexible rules. So, in effect, you have the ludicrous situation whereby its all right to have one if you don't need one; but it's not alright to have an A Board if you do need one! I've already got my "A-Board Aware Scheme" sticker to put in my window but this isn't enough. They probably won't be happy until they've closed retailers and businesses slightly off the beaten track down altogether. The A Board for Mr. Books has been on the wide stretch of pavement on the apex of Bank Street and the High St. for nigh on 7 years now and not once in that time has anyone complained, fallen over it or been offended by it as far as I know. Meanwhile the, arguably unnecessary, boards on the narrow stretches of pavement up and down Tonbridge High Street continue to trip people up and the poor, half-brain dead by now, guy holding a "Hand Car Wash" sign outside the library continues to be allowed! Look at any old photo of Tonbridge High Street and the first thing you'll notice are the boards advertising various products and businesses in the town. I'd go as far as to say that they add a touch of character and are part of the rich fabric of the life of the town. So just lay off will you KCC Highways before there's no shops left at all. Rant over....

Tonbridge Farmers Market this Sunday....

Kathy Foster Smith makes wonderful marmalades and pickles. I know this because she's given me freebies recently. In fact other people know it as well as Kathy won an international award for her efforts in a competition organised by the Guardian newspaper. You can see her stall, Great Preservations (love the name,) and about 60 other stalls selling local produce at the Tonbridge Farmers Market this Sunday and every second Sunday of the month. I'll be down there bright and breezy to pick up some bread, beers, pickles, Olive Oil, home made fudge, fruit, cheeses and lots more. Can hardly wait. If you've never been to the market and you want to support local businesses and producers I promise you you won't be disappointed. Organiser, Steve the Chilli Man, who also has a stall there himself selling, yes you guessed it, everything chillified, has worked very hard to establish the fair in such a short time to make it easily the best in the wider area....

Arfur Smith at the Tonbridge Arts Fest....

Tonbridgeite Arthur Smith, famed for his Grumpy Old Man appearances, is one of the patrons of the Tonbridge Arts Festival in June this year. He'll be hosting a night of comedy during the festival week. I've always been a bit of a fan of Arfur's particular brand of no nonsense, observational, edgey, slightly anarchic comedy so I'm looking forward to it. In the meantime I've just discovered him on twitter so here are some recent snippets, I should say tweets, from the site. Apparently I can just publish anything from twitter because it's already in the public domain so there. Keep those lawyers at bay.

I have woken to find I am a daffodil on the outskirts of Hebden Bridge

I passed a shop called "snog" today, outside which a young woman offered 'free samples' Can this be right? I was too gallant to ask for one

My iconic new Spring collection features on the Paris catwalk tomorrow - ultimate vintage charity shop retro grunge for the 21st century

Wanting a different Saturday night? I have donned a wet suit and am going swimming through the sewers of London. Meet beneath Balham tube

Women, I believe, divide into 2 types - those who like squeezing men's spots and those who find the idea disgusting

#myoldgags Years ago I won Young Scientist of the Year....he was a nice lad, kept him int the attic with his test tubes..

On Feb 29th he tweeted with self delusion: Jesus. Only been up an hour and already 14 women have proposed to me. Said yes to 9 of them.

I have woken to find I am an elderly baboon in Botswana

My God what are the Arts Festival letting themselves in for?! Follow him on twitter yourselves @arfursmith

A Night at The Wells....

Had a cultural evening out on Saturday at the Trinity Arts Theatre over in Tunbridge Wells enjoying seeing a performance of The Woman in White. The main reason for the visit was to see a friend play Sir Percival Glyde. And what a dastardly, evil, scheming dispicable coward of a man he turned out to be topped only by his friend and accomplice, the manipulative Count Fosco . I'm sure Mark, my actor friend (actually I feel I should now distance myself from him and describe him more accurately as my wife's friend!) is nothing like the character he portrayed. The performance was obviously a triumph though, if I'm totally honest, the play wasn't really my cup of tea as I don't really go in for period melodramas such as this. That said you have to recognise the genius of Wilkie Collins for writing this genre and, to use a more modern phrase, making it his own. I enjoyed a nice evening out but, in truth, enjoyed he pint of Larkins at the interval almost as much as the play. Does that make me a philistine?...

Speedy GoneHagos....

Well I've made it into the pages of the Kent and Sussex Courier once again. In the special pull-out about the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon last Sunday there's my name in (very) small print on page 8 of the special supplement. In 1845th place and with a time of 2 hrs 17 minutes and 25 seconds my achievement has been immortalised! Now before you go making snide remarks about your tortoise could do it quicker, or Brian the snail could have slid it faster, I managed to shave twenty minutes off my Tonbridge Half time. So at this rate of improvement I'll be beating the world record by about 2015! Even the winner, Mr. Yared Hagos, is unlikely to be able to say that is he! Mind you he did manage a course record of 64 minutes 15 seconds. My gosh that's quick and I really don't know how anyone can run that fast for that long. It's unlikely that most people could have biked it as fast let alone ran it.... 

Tonbridge Beers....

Great to see that Paul Bournazian of Tonrbidge Brewery seems to be doing so well. There's a piece in the Courier today about him. It just shows you that there is life after working for big corporations. Paul brews in his garage in Tudeley and, only two years on, supplies around 30 pubs. I've said it before and I'll say it again: that Coppernob in the Punch and Judy is easily the best pint in Tonbridge, in TonbridgeBlog's humble opinion. The Auburn Myth weren't half bad either. Just one issue though Paul: why no bottled versions yet? Come on then I'd be able to drink it every week at home as well. Just writing about it is getting my beer taste buds going. I can almost feel those hops and aromatic flavours dancing on my tongue!....

Good on you Dame Kelly....

Just listened to Dame Kelly Holmes talking about how winning two gold medals at the Olympic Games 8 years ago changed her life for ever. I've met Kelly a couple of times briefly, once outside Sainsbury's with her mum well before she was properly famous. Being an athletics fan I knew who she was and had a great deal of respect for her dedication to the sport even then. I said hello and I think there was a little bit of surprise on her part that I even knew who she was. She seemed so ordinary and I think tehn she was just a talented young woman from Tonbridge at the time; and there's nothing wrong in that. But then at the Athens Games things changed dramatically and for good. Kelly unexpectedly won the 800 metres final first and then, with massive knew found belief and confidence, went on to win the 1500 to make it the now famous double gold. It really is worth re-living by watching the YouTube clips if you want to be reminded just how shocked Kelly herself was at winning the first medal. It still brings a tear to the eye even eight years on. The second time I met Kelly was only last Sunday when I found myself standing right next to her after my own earth shattering 2 hrs 14 mins Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon! I didn't notice her at first but, when I did, I introduced myself as a twitter follower and told her about my bookshop in the town. Perhaps she's now used to strangers starting up conversations with her but she came across as being genuinely pleased to talk to me fro a few brief moments before she went up to present the prizes. The radiant smile always helps but I get the impression that she is just a warm, friendly person and she doesn't have to try that hard. I caught last night's Radio 5 show on the BBC radio replay service remembering that she'd tweeted about it last night. It's worth hearing what she has to say if you have a spare moment. (Click on the 2100 show and then fast forward to just over the hour mark and that's about when they introduce the subject.) Once again I was taken aback by her ordinaryness and I mean that in about the nicest way I can think of. She came across as completely honest, completely modest given her awesome success and still more than a little surprised how popular and in demand she's become. Eight years ago, she lived with her mum in Hildenborough in a very ordinary house so I'm told. Now she lives in, as she put it, "a pretty nice house" she drives a pretty nice car as well because I saw it on Sunday. But they are just things, just tokens of success. What Kelly seems to have in abundance is natural warmth, natural talent, and incredible modesty and you can't put a price on that. It's fabulous that she supports so many good causes and especially locally. You can't blame her for capitalising on her own success for personal financial gain but no one has to set up their own charitable trust and no one has to go back to their old schools and spend the afternoons with the kids on the soprts field as I know Kelly has in the past. She's an inspiration to a generation of young kids in the area and a real example of how life can bring success against the odds. I don't know alot about The D K H Legacy Trust other than it aims to bring on children from humble backgrounds and work on their potential to become elite atheletes. One thing I am sure of though is that with Kelly behind it it's pretty certain to do good things. So I'm very happy to give it a big plug....