Tonbridge Half Marathon here we come....

Here it is the route of the very first Tonbridge Half Marathon. Sunday September 25th. Bring it on!

Books on Tonbridge....

And while we're on the subject of books here's a montage (good word that) of my favourite books on Tonbridge. All available in Mr. Books naturally. Don't tell everyone though because there really aren't enough to go round. Neve's 1933 book The Tonbridge of Yesterday, for example, is so scarce that people have been known kill for it!....

Tonbridge Yesterday and Tonbridge Today....

The back cover of Arthur Neve's well known and sought after book, The Tonbridge of Yesterday, makes interesting reading. It refers of course to the now demised Tonbridge Free Press which was around for well over a hundred years and written, edited, compiled and printed right here in the town. Whatever happened to the paper that was once the pride of Tonbridge? I'll tell you something it didn't, as most people seem to think, turn into the Kent and Sussex Courier which now seems to be the town's adopted local paper. No, in fact it morphed into the Kent Messenger, which most people now think of as a Malling and Maidstone title....

Tonbridge Half Marathon Training....

If anyone's concerned about my injury prone training schedule for the Tonbridge Half Marathon in September worry thee not. I'm still going out at least once a week, having overcome my calf strains, doing between 7 and 10 miles. The other day I ran from the foot of Quarry Hill along the Penshurst cycle trail, then cut across the fields to Leigh, on the road to Powder Mills, then back towards Tonbridge on the foot paths and linking up with Tonbridge Park, finishing at Quarry Hill. That's got to be at least 8 or 9 miles. Not bad for an old codger I thought to myself as I did the all essential warm down excercises. In fact I'm champing at the bit to go out for another long one. I've decided that I run better with about a four day gap between runs rather than trying to go out every day. I'd love to go for that magical sub two hour time but just finishing without stopping would be an achievement in itself for a man who's basically not built for distnace running on his first attempt....

A drastic way to avoid the inlaws!...

Just a typical scene on the Medway

My inlaws arrived yesterday so I thought what better day to go on a canoe trip down river towards Yalding. That would be an achievable destination as it looked about half way on the Medway Canoe Trail map which I'd managed to get hold of when I went on my last excursion on the Royal wedding day (scroll down if you must.) This time I was a little late setting off from the slipway at Tonbridge park but reckoned on about six hours maximum even with stops. (Incidentally I should point out, just in case they read this, that I wasn't really going off on a trip to get away from my sister in law and family, honestly I wasn't, it was just that the conditions were almost perfect: calm, fairly still waters, sunny but not baking hot, bit of a gentle breeze, river flowing but not too fast; conditions which you only see every few weeks on the day you can spare the time.)Having gone down part of this canoe trail a couple of times now I really cannot think of a better way to unwind. I like the gentle exercise, I like the song of the paddle and the canoe as it glides through the water, I love seeing the wild life and I like the feeling of being close to home and yet in a completely different environment. The only thing I could do without is those damned lock gates; for a solo novice canoeist, in an open canoe, they pose a bit of a challenge. The town lock fish gate is an easy way to get down the lock, it's a slow controlled shoot which just gently plonks you down and on your way towards the Cannon Lane bridge and beyond it the next lock, Eldridge's where there was supposed to be another fish gate/canoe shoot. This should have been finished in June but clearly work has over ran which meant a 100 metres portage (that's what we canoeists call carrying your canoe from the platform above the lock to the one below or vice versa. Fine did that no problem. Next lock was Porters Lock where I'd had a little scare last time when water rushed in my canoe, who's name is Tallulah by the way, so I was wary of this steep little shoot which is graded easy but I'd say they need to look at that grading again. I was quickly down towards the bottom and expecting the surge of water coming over the back gunnels, so leant forward slightly and, rather stupidly, stuck my paddle in to slow myself down a little. This action, and my over compensating lean, resulted quickly and dramatically in a capsize! Over I went one way, paddle still in hands, Tallulah the other way, water still rushing from the shoot pushing us both further down stream. I have done capsize routine before though not since my school days so, to be honest I knew I'd be alright so I was more concerned about the canoe. It all happens in seconds but you kind of go into slow motion mode on occasions like this. In a short space of time I'd got a hold of the canoe, now half full of water but the right way up, put the paddle inside it, noticed a shallow area on the bank to the left and swam my way to that point across the current of the shoot. Phew! Safely on the bank, now to check my gear and empty out the gallons of river water from my canoe. Thankfully, I had prepared for such an eventuality so this didn't actually take that long. I'd had the foresight to have my gear in a water proof holdall, my mobile phone was around my neck in an Aquapac water tight bag and similarly my money in an Aquapac wallet. My Yak buoyancy aid had done what was expected of it. I hadn't had the foresight though to wear swimming trunks or a wet suit so the next hour or so was going to be wet and uncomfortable but it was sunny and canoeing is a great way to keep yourself warm and I wasn't going to let it spoil a lovely day. I hadn't even got half way by this point, so I paddled on all the way to Yalding. I decided to portage round the next three locks to avoid a similar incident especially since the shoots were all graded red or black ie. moderate and difficult. Another time I'll be a bit more adventurous but I'd had my one swim for the day thank you very much! The sight of my support vehicle at Yalding (my wife) was a very welcome one even though by now my clothes were pretty much dry. I could go home to a very well earned hot shower followed by dinner with the inlaws washed down with a couple of bottles of beer....

Hampstead Lock. End of the trail... for now

Beer Festival Verdict....

The SIBA Beer Festival was a lovely way to spend Friday evening. With over a hundred different beers and ciders to choose from though, all lined up along one side of a large marquee, I felt spoilt for choice. What a great problem to have though. I think I only spent about £7.50 on beer with each £1.50 token buying me half a pint of any beer there but I must have drank about twice that amount. That or they were so strong that I only needed half as much to feel more than a little merry. (Probably a bit of both!) Even trying a finger of quite a few beers before committing to my half pints it would have been impossible, even for a hardened darts player, to get through every beer there. Rather ridulously there were a couple of beers on sale which were over 10% alcohol by volume (abv) which I did sample but to me they taste a little like treacle. Now I actually quite like treacle but I wouldn't want to drink half a pint of it! The Ten Per Cent Club is definitely not for me! I decided that I seem to be drawn to the mid strength, around 4.2 to 4.8% abv, best bitters. Not sure why but I do seem to like some of them such as Old Dairy's Red Top and Hepworth's Sussex Bitter. I was fortunate to be able to sample quite a few lovely examples but the beers that stick out as being particularly notable were The Flower Pots' Bate's Best Bitter,   TEA by Hogs Back, Sovereign by Tunbridge Wells Brewery, Larkins Best Bitter, Filo's Ginger Tom, Langham's Hip Hop, Westerham's 1965 Special Summer Ale and Summer Pearle and Whitstable's Native. All excellent beers in my humble opinion. I love alot of the names as well. Names with attitude. By far my favourite though, of those beers that I managed to sample, was Hog's Back Brewery's Summer Ale which the brewery's bumpf describes as: Ideal for those warm summer days/light straw coloured ale/refreshingly cool taste/thirst quenching. It may not have a name with any attitude but I would describe it as, quite simply, nectar in a glass....

Primary School League table!

League tables or primary schools! Whatever next. I'm not sure what much of this means other than they appear to show that most of the Tonbridge schools performed slightly better than the average for the rest of Kent or is it national schools. Anyway, for what it's worth you can see the rest of the table HERE

Pedestrianisation of Tonbridge High Street?...

A regular in Mr. Books is Steve Dawe who, among other interests, is involved with the Green Party; we often have some fairly lively conversations about local matters and occasionally Steve even buys a book! Today's topic was whether or not Tonbridge town centre should be pedestrianised. Steve, not surprisingly, is all for it but I've always had my reservations seeing it as a double edged sword. Surely by closing off the High Street to traffic you'd be reducing potential passing trade to shops, I argued. Apparently not though, according to Steve. All the evidence of other towns and cities (such as Canterbury) points to reduced traffic and pollution leading to increased numbers of people (footfall) in the centre. In other words it seems that shoppers enjoy the experience in a town free of traffic and will come in especially eventually because of that. By the end of our conversation I was starting to come around to the idea. After all it's not like Tonbridge has an awful lot to lose, it's hardly a thriving shoppers paradise as it is so why not take a calculated gamble and go for it? I'm sure there are complex issues involved and that it couldn't be done over night but it has to be worth looking into at least. There's an old Chinese saying that goes something like this: if you risk nothing then you risk everything. Is it time for Tonbridge and Malling council to take a risk?...

Fantastic new Tonbridge Farmers Market....

The Organiser: He calls himself Steve The Chilli Man

Well TonbridgeBlog went along to the new Farmers Market, just behind Waitrose, on Sunday with a totally open mind. Even if it was only as good as the one at Shipbourne Church I'd have been delighted. Let me tell you though that this one was in a totally different league to Shipbourne and Hildenborough's efforts (good though they are.) The Tonbridge market had over 50 stalls and was absolutely fantastic; the weather helped as it was a glorious morning on Sunday but, that aside, this is a market you really should find the time to get along to whatever the weather. It had bread stalls, two or three speciality butchers, game, olives, chillies, (and even olives and chillies together!) cakes, fruit and veg, summer fruit stalls, a hog roast, cheese, local beers, ciders, olive oil to name just the ones I can remember; oh and a few craft stalls. It was somewhere between a lively French market and a food festival. There was a lovely central covered eating area where you can enjoy a coffee and taste some of the local produce you've just bought. There was plenty of free parking right opposite. I may even take a stall at the next one to flog a few books as I can see this market growing in popularity as the months go by. These events take a lot of organising and considerable financial risk, it's great for Tonbridge that someone has bothered to put it on for us; only thing is it only continues if we go along and support it and by God it's worth supporting. Organiser, Steve The Chilliman, told me that it's early days yet but, judging by the response so far, it will be a permanent fixture in the town. The market is held on every second Sunday morning of each month from now on....

Your Tonbridge Farmers Market Questions Answered....

The second of the regular Tonbridge Farmers Market is on Sunday so try to get along to support it. Shamefully I missed the first one so I'm very keen to get along to this one. There have been a number of questions asked about the market and some comments have asked, for example, why not weekly market? or why can't it be in and around the Castle? Well the organiser, Steve, has just left quite a lengthy (and timely) comment about it against an older post which  I thought should be highlighted here:

Just wanted to give you guys a reminder that this Sunday we have the second Tonbridge Farmers Market.
Also, I had read your comments and wanted to respond to them, maybe I can help...
Sebfox, you ask why monthly and not weekly, and who decides.. well, We, the organisers decide.
However It is based on various factors such as, Tonbridge has a market with 50 stalls, if we were to go more frequently then the stall holders would not sell every week.. which would mean most would only attend once a month anyway. Also... quite frankly, there just isn't enough local producers to cover all the farmers markets, which means quite often the producers you will see at Tonbridge, will also be attending many of the other regular markets around Kent. Local produce is in high demand.
Another point is that having over 12 markets a year would mean that we would need planning permission, which takes us into a whole new ball park. The cost of running a market is high, So in it's second month of running it does not have any where near enough funds to be able to run weekly.
Quite often what you find with weekly markets is that they are much smaller, they are also normally run by a charity/ volunteer which has a site that is free to use, such as church yards, or village halls. The main reason the market is not along the river is that through the winter the grass area can not be used, which would mean no markets through such a great season.
And the reason the market is not at the castle is that it is not available through out the year, which would mean moving the market around. That was one of the major problems with the old Tonbridge farmers market... people never knew when it was on because it moved too much. (that is what a couple of local people have told me, so please don't quote me, however I can see that would naturally cause a problem, so it is likely)

I hope I have been helpful, and answered some of your queries, thanks for blogging about it.. I hope that the market is a real success. The people of Tonbridge have asked for one for a long time... it's a work in progress.
It's great to hear feed back, honestly it is... so please keep in touch.
Come by the chilli stall and say Hi to me this Sunday's Market.

Tonbridge Half Marathon Training update....

Update? More like Upset! Another set back in my Tonbridge Half Marathon Training. After doing the longest run I think possibly ever last Friday, and feeling absolutely fine, I then went out two days later and felt my calf straining again. This was only after a couple of miles and therefore was deeply frustrating as I'd only just got into my stride. I tried to walk it off and decided to shorten my run but had to end up limping home which always makes me feel like a bit of a berk when in running attire. Several days later after ice treatment, gentle stretching, wearing compression socks and a few days of walking across town to work the calf still feels tight. What to do next? All the information says rest it for a couple of weeks at least. But will I be able to resist the temptation to go out again this weekend. Knowing me probably not. I've even considered barefoot running shoes, which is a bit of a misnomer, apparently they improve your running style so that it becomes more natural. I like the sound of that. Any other tips? (Apart from: give it up you're an old man! Or take up fishing! Sensible, constructive tips please.)

Dr. Who in Tonbridge?...

Tonbridge Civic Society are holding their Summer Event this Sunday at Postern House which, if you don't know, is the largest house along Postern Lane on the outskirts of Tonbridge. I think I'm right in saying that, once upon a time, Postern Lane was once the main road to Rye in the days of the stage coach but nowadays is a little used gated private road. I'm able to attend the event as for the first time in years it's being held on a Sunday instead of the usual Saturday. It will be a really beautiful setting, especially if the weather holds out, and I've even managed to persuade my teenage children to go telling them that they'll get to meet David Tennant, who owns the house. They are dying to meet the former Dr. Who but if I tell them it might be a different Mr. Tennant then they probably won't go! Am I being cruel, or is this fair game in the getting your kids off Facebook campaign?!..

Opera Brava this Weekend at the Castle anyone?...

Just tried to blag some freebie tickets for this weekends Opera Brava concerts at the Castle this weekend. Specifically I fancied the Candlelight Gala performance of opera classics on Saturday evening. Not being a fanatic I thought the Magic Flute on Friday, even though they are offering 2 for 1 tickets for this, might be a little too heavy so the Saturday programme seemed like it'd be a good taster which would wet my appetite for more culture this summer. My contacts at the council have told me that "Not even council workers have been offered any freebies!" Imagine that, the very idea that they themselves should have to pay for the events that they organise! I know I was being cheeky because, truth be told, I did just fancy a nice night out, but I would have been able to report about it on this blog and in The Tonbridge Insider and I can't possibly get around to all events if I have to fork out for them all. I'm afraid though that now either I won't be able to go or I'll have to pay £70 for the pleasure! Quite a hefty chunk in these straitened times when I'm saving up for holidays etc. (Get the violins out.) Am I asking too much? Is anyone else going this w/e? I wonder whether the Tunbridge Wells based Courier reporter has to pay to get in!...

Tonbridge (very) early Friday morning....

I was up with the larks this morning to take my son to school for his day trip to Switzerland. It sounded like a fantastic idea going to see the Large Hadron Collider, near Geneva, when he first brought the letter home about seven months ago and very educational; how could we deny him that one? But when the harsh reality of getting up at 5am this morning kicked in I'm afraid I momentarily lost  my enthusiasm for the whole idea! Actually I'm sure he'll have a great day so long as he doesn't stick his head in the collider or get shot through the tunnel at the speed of electrons (or is it protons?!) I'll be testing him on his theories of the most fundemetal questions of physics when he returns tonight to make sure that the money we spent on the trip was justified! The St. Johns Road is pretty well empty at that time in the morning so there's a lesson there for all those Tonbridge folk who work in Tunbridge Wells. Set off at 5-30am every morning, avoid all the traffic and then just drink lots of coffee all day to keep awake! When I arrived back home it was still before 6 o'clock and it was a beautiful morning. I had no excuses. I'm in training for the Tonbridge Half Marathon, as some of you may have gleaned, I had plenty of time to get a long run in and still be on schedule to open up the shop. I felt wide awake and it'd been over a week since my last run so off I went. I could have listened to the radio or read a paper but decided to go for it.
Tonbridge really does look quite beautiful on a sunny day at that time in the morning. People were out walking their dogs near the Vauxhall Inn, rabbits were hopping and bouncing across Postern Lane, the golden fields of wheat looked especially wonderful, the river was shimmering in the morning light around Cannon Lane Bridge, the trees along London Road were in full leaf and provided some welcome shade, the water of Barden Lake seemed crystal clear, gardens looked fresh and green. The few other people I encountered were all friendly; there seems to be an unwritten camaraderie at that time of day as if you're all part of a special early birds club or something. I reckon I'd ran 8 or 9 miles by the time I reached Quarry Hill and that was quite enough but it felt good and I can now feel smug for the rest of the day. That is until I flake out about midday!...

Half way through 2011....

Well that's it then people of Tonbridge. As John Lennon and Yoko might have said Half a year over and a new half just begun! Did it go quick for you? Can you look back and say Yes I really achieved something in the first half of 2011? Did you take up a new hobby? Do something you are particularly proud of? Did you do something life changing or read the best book you've ever read? Organise an event? What? Share it with the rest of Tonbridge. Go on. Maybe there was something bugging you throughout these last six months. Maybe there's a dark secret you want to get off your chest. Go on share the burden. Hope you enjoy the second half....

Support Amazon and kill the independent bookshop?...

Most of you will no doubt have bought books on amazon. Some of you may recognise that they have had a major impact on the demise of many independent bookshops. You may care or you may not and simply prefer the convenience of buying via the internet. I personally have mixed views seeing both the strengths and threat of amazon and indeed many other book web sites. According to Sheppards, the book trade bible, though one Seattle based bookseller had no doubts in their minds whatsoever. Bit strong but they do have a point:

J.B. Dickey, the owner of Seattle Mystery Bookshop, has refused to host a signing or stock books from Amazon’s new Thomas & Mercer mystery imprint.

Dickey published his entire email exchange with a writer about this topic (the author’s name has been deleted). Entitled “You Can’t Shake the Devil’s Hand and Say You’re Only Kidding,” his post should inspire some debate among independent booksellers. What do you think?

Here’s an excerpt: “Sorry to say that we cannot offer you a signing. We cannot do anything to support, help or benefit Amazon. They’re the enemy of independent bookshops and aiding them in any way – mainly ordering their books and selling them and promoting them – would be suicide. Things are tough enough without cutting our own throats.”

Tonbridge Teachers Strike out!...

It's an absolute disgrace that these poor teachers are forced to go on strike and close down Tonbridge schools against their will just to keep their pension rights. They worked damned hard all their lives for these rights and are suddenly being told that they are going to have to work even longer and even harder and pay even more. It's not as if they get enough holiday and they have to work for most of it anyway. They are paid inadequately, considering their intellect and skills, in the first place and what's more....

It's an absolute disgrace that these teachers who are getting massively more pensions than the rest of us are have stooped so low as to cause all this disruption and close down schools in Tonbridge. It's not like most of them work that hard anyway and now the government wants them to pull their weight and work as long as people in proper jobs they are getting all shirty. They get about twenty weeks holiday a year and only work till about ten past 3 most days and are paid quite enough as it is for a load of stroppy layabouts and what's more.... (Careful I might know some teachers better tone that down a bit! I'll edit it later.)

Lightning strike in the dentist's chair....

Throughout pretty much the whole of yesterday's tropical style storm I was laid back in my dentist's chair with needles, drills, scrapers and all manner of other implements being rammed into my poor old mouth. At least the noise of the cracking thunder kept my mind off it a little and, luckily the dentists managed to avoid being struck by lightning. I hear that a house in the Slade area of Tonbridge was not so lucky and actually was struck by lightning. Apparently there were fire engines racing to the scene yesterday afternoon so I'm not sure how much damage was done to the house; perhaps someone has some further news on this?...

Three cheers for Mr. Mayor....

Tonbridge is certainly getting its money's worth out of our new Mayor Brian "Whiskers" Luker. I've spotted him three weekends in a row now doing speeches, shaking hands and mingling at, firstly, the Tonbidge Carnival and Fete, then at last weekend's fabulous Freedom Parade and then a couple of hours ago at the Slade School fete. He certainly likes to put himself about a bit does our Brian! I might even get to have a chat with him on one of these occasions....

These rustic bowls are my very own creation....

No really they are! Remember a little while ago I mentioned that I'd been to have a go on Mike The Potter's potters wheel well here are the fruits of my labours which I'm very proud of. Okay maybe you wouldn't even buy them from a bric a brac stall for 50p but that doesn't matter when they have emotional value. They are my work, my creation (with a bit, okay then, alot of help from Mike but nevertheless my work!) I will enjoy eating peanuts out of them as long as the bowls and/or my teeth hold out! The two bowls even stack very neatly inside one another almost as if I'd intended for that to happen! Thanks once again Mike for letting me have the opportunity to have a go.....

Slade Summer Fete: a lovely traditional event....

Don't mess with these kids!

Medieval style drumming

Mind your fingers young squire!

Are they burgers a-cooking over yonder?

Just got back from spending a lovely half hour or so at the Slade School Summer Fete. It's only just around the corner from my shop and I know, from past experience, that it's usually a particularly well organised and fun packed event. I love these old fashioned fetes they give you a nice warm sense of belonging as you wander past the tombola, bric-a-brac stalls, children's toy stalls, burger and Pims tents. I even won not one but two prizes on the tombola: a nice bottle of Shiraz Rose and a jar of home made marmalade, both of which I love. On closer inspection the marmalade turned out to be Tomato Marmalade so it'll be interesting tasting that one! I mean what do you do with it? Put it on your toast in the morning? Or do you treat it like a chutney and have it on cheese? There's always loads of games for the children to enjoy like football penalties, basket ball, even archery. This year there was a Medieval theme (thus the archers) which meant we were treated to a drum band, medieval style dancing and marshal arts. Hang on is that Medieval? I guess it could be if we stretch things a little! I tell you after a couple of glasses of Pims and, a burger and some delicious Kent strawberries and cream it really didn't matter. It's still on now if you're in the area till 2-30pm....

Off to Slade summer fete....

It's happening right now so I'm off there to have strawberries and cream and win a bottle of Cabinet Sauv on the tombola!

SIBA Beer Festival: Heaven sent?...

My taste buds are involuntarily going wild at the mere thought of this year's SIBA Beer Festival which will take place in a marquee to the rear of Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club on Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 16th, 17th and 18th. If last year's was anything to go by this is one not to be missed for fans of proper beer. I'm not exaggerating when I say that going to the event last year changed the beer drinking part of my life for ever. Since then I've been far more picky when it comes to what beer I buy in the supermarket, I invested in a copy of the CAMRA Good Bottled Beer Guide, which became a further source of information; okay for a while I did become a bit of a beer bore, it has to be said, but I'm sure you can forgive me for that. Wherever I travel in the UK I now try to find the local small independent breweries' ales. Generally they cost a bit more than the average gassy big brewery alternative but I'd say they are worth every penny and more. Imagine this scene: it's a lovely sunny evening in mid July, you walk in free, you buy a souvenir half pint glass you are then completely spoilt for choice as you are faced with well over a hundred different casks of beer down one side of the marquee, stacked three high along a fifty yard bar with loads of knowledgeable, bar staff (some of them are even pretty girls!)   Ok there's no football, golf or motor racing going on but isn't this pretty close to most men's idea of Heaven! The majority of the beers are produced by micro and medium sized inde breweries, so you get a great smug feeling of doing one's bit for helping further the cause of real beer and boosting the local economy.So get your selves down there on at least one of the three days and give your taste buds a treat. More information to come on times nearer the weekend of the event....

Olympic tickets....

I, like millions of other people, applied for quite a few London Olympics 2012 tickets. In fact if I'd been lucky enough to get all the tickets I'd asked for I'd have been taking out a second mortgage by now! As it turns out I had nothing to fear on that score. I noticed that the organisers had taken £66 out of my bank account last week and I was guessing which event I would be lucky to attend next August. Would it be the Opening Ceremony in all it's quintessential British glory?Would it be the 100 metres final with Usain Bolt breaking his own World Record yet again with such casual ease? Or maybe it would be the event I really wanted to see above all else: the 110 Hurdles Final (my event back in the day!) If not these what then: a swimming event in the giant fish like pool? Gymnastics? To see the future Nadia Komenich perhaps or Olga Korbut? The 1500 metres semi finals? Actually what I've been allocated is the Women's Football Final at Wembley. Not bad, and nice to be going to anything at all but I would have put it top of my list. That said I intend to take my daughter along, who's starting to show some real promise in the game, to enjoy seeing the new Wembley Stadium as I'm yet to have the pleasure. With a bit of look our girls will be in the final. Better than not getting anything and I'm already looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere of the Olympics albeit not in the Olympic park.  Anybody else get the tickets they wanted?....

Fairlawns Footpath Public Enquiry....

Someone has brought the public enquiry about the threatened closure of the footpath at the back of Shipbourne church. I wasn't aware of this at all to be honest. It seems that Tonbridge Rugby Club is the somewhat unusual venue for these court room like procedures. Here's the information that was sent to me today:

Just to remind you that the public enquiry about moving a famous
footpath in shipbourne is on this week. It's being held in the Tonbridge
rugby club. Started yesterday, and continues today (Wed) and Thursday,
before moving to Maidstone next week. Members of the public are entitled
to be there (9.30-5ish)

The atmosphere is electric, as any court of Law, with the inspector as
the judge. In one corner we have the hugely powerful and wealthy
landowner and their top barristers, aided and abetted by KCC. In the
other, brave little Shipbourne parish council  and doughty Kentish men
(and women) trying to protect walkers rights against all the odds.

The path is in Shipbourne behind the church. At the kissing gate it is
the one on the right. Fairlawns estates have been working on closing
this path for many years, since they built a fine house next to the path
and surrounded it with 'grounds'. This route is part of the Greensand
way and was an ancient drovers way, so the path has been used for
centuries, and is still heavily walked today.

Will wealth and stealth win again?


Chris Miall

Freedom Parade on YouTube....

For those of you who missed the Freedom Parade on Sunday first of all: Shame on You! Second of all there are quite a few clips of the day's events posted on YouTube including this one by someone who has the complete audacity to call himself Trevor (Spielberg) Arnold. He actually goes further than that and uses a Star Wars-esque theme tune! Thankfully Trevor does live up to his name in some parts of the mini epic movie managing to capture parts of the day quite masterfully. Have a look for yourselves and while you're at it check out the other clips. I thought the whole day was lovely. Weirdly old fashioned but lovely nonetheless; nothing wrong in being a bit patiotic once in a while I say. Let Tonbridge Blog know what you think....

Freedom Parade in Tonbridge....

Tonbridge High Street came alive about 2pm

Drums beating, colours flying

Bayonets fixed

Crowds gather at the Big Bridge for speeches and music

Fabulous day at the Freedom Parade. Real patriotic stuff. It just shows you that we, as a town, seem to still be proud of our soldiers, perhaps more than ever. At least everyone there today seemed to recognise the sacrifice that these boys and others like them are making on our behalf. It actually did make me feel really proud watching them. They are, after all, the most decorated regiment in the history of the British Army. Even an old cynic like me had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Here's some pictures from the day....

Marching back up the High Street

Maybe in a few years lads!

Trouble makers steer clear of Tonbridge today!...

There's haven't been this many police in Tonbridge certainly in the twenty two years I've lived here. There's all the Community Police Officers from, it seems, every town and village in the area, then there's the regular beat officers but, on top of that, there seems to be almost a paramilitary contingent of seriously mean-looking, hard nosed coppers. The sort that you'd be a fool to cross. If these guys say it's Thursday today then, trust me, just agree with them! Then there are sniffer dogs around, armoured personnel carriers, bomb squad officers. All this for The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Freedom Parade which starts at 2pm. Presumably anyway. Even the bins are out of use, covered over with signs saying do not use. I would suggest that today will be a great, safe and fun day out for most people. But, if you are a shop lifter or a trouble maker, I would suggest that you avoid Tonbridge today!...

Mr. Books open on Sunday 11-30am till 5pm....

Whilst it might not be your sole reason for coming to Tonbridge tomorrow you might like to come in and have a browse in Mr. Books while you're in town. I'll probably put loads of military books in the window but don't let that put you off if you want to buy a gardening book or a signed first edition (maybe a last minute Fathers Day present!) There's plenty of them too. The first person to tell me the correct answer to this question in person at Mr. Books shop at 2 Bank Street, Tonbridge gets a £10 voucher to spend on any books in stock tomorrow: How many Victoria Crosses have the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment won in their history?

Freedom Parade 2pm Sunday....

For those of you who are worried about road closures and car park restrictions for tomorrow's Freedom Parade you can see the details on the borough council web site HERE. Best thing is to leave the car at home and walk or cycle in. That may be tricky if you have elderly relatives but otherwise probably the best thing. Or just get here very early....

Freedom Parade 2pm Sunday....

Freedom parade tomorrow starts at 2pm from Tonbridge School end of the High Street. See details on TMBC web site HERE. The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment are the most decorated regiment in the British Army and have been around since the 16th Century. They'll be putting on quite a spectacle with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed! So come and support them whatever the weather. It's Fathers Day and it is quite a dad thing to do. So that's the perfect excuse then.

Where's me washboard?...

Things have thankfully moved on since the days when all laundry was hand washed and mangled. Nowadays most of us have washing machines and tumble driers. But for those of us who don't there's Bubbles Laundrette on Quarry Hill and even if you do then there's always your duvets or maybe that particularly dirty sports kit. I don't know perhaps it's your turn to wash the team's rugby kit this week. Here's owner Claire Orme (the lady scrubbing away in the picture) and her washer man getting in the Days Gone By spirit of the carnival last weekend. Thanks for sending in the pics Claire; as you know Tonbridge Blog is a sucker for a good publicity stunt....

The things I do for Sara....

Kathie Foster Smith came to see me in my shop a few minutes ago. It's always lovely to see her and especially so because I know how busy she must be with the media constantly banging on her door for a comment about her latest Marmalade recipe! (See earlier posts) She didn't come just for a chat though, oh no she wanted me to cough up £2 for my annual membership of SARA which stands for The Slade Area Residents Association. Of course I don't actually live in The Slade but might as well since I spend more time in my shop than I do at home these days! Kathy's demands didn't stop there either. She's a smooth operator alright and before she'd left the shop I'd also agreed to sponsor Slade In Bloom, SARA's annual competition to judge the best gardens in the community. I'm always happy to help of course, especially since I'm usually given very little choice! One thing to note for the future though Kathy is that I don't need much persuading: I'll do virtually anything for a couple of jars of your award winning orange stuff!...

The New Tonbridge Farmers Market on second Sunday every month....

To my shame Tonbridge Blog didn't make it along to the first of the newly revived Tonbridge Farmer's markets. Shop open, carnival to see, people to talk to, fete to take photos at etc. etc. excuses, excuses! I have heard several reports though that it was well attended (despite the awful weather on Sunday,) that there were around 50 stalls selling a huge variety of local produce and that the location seemed to work well. So it seems that Steve (who calls himself the Chilliman) might just know what he's doing. A little birdie tells me that he used to organise the successful West Malling market so he ought to. I wish him good luck with this venture as I've been banging on about the need for a good one for many years now. I will come along to as many as I'm able and would dearly love to see it go weekly so that the good folk of Tonbridge can make it part of their weekly food shopping routine. In the meantime the monthly ones are a good start. Here are the dates for the other markets this year so you'll have no excuses:
Sunday July 10th; August 14th; September 11th; October 9th; November 13th; December 11th.

Perfect Father's Day?...

Hope we get better weather in Tonbridge this Sunday than for the Carnival and Summer Fete last weekend. The Freedom Parade takes place from 2pm and crowds of at least 10,000 people are expected to line the High Street route of the march. The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment will be the main feature and, so I understand, they will also be joined by local cadet forces including that of Tonbridge School. There'll be entertainment on the big bridge at the end of the parade, followed by yet more on the Castle Lawn, including a display of weaponry. Throw in a few beers, a barbecue and some racing cars and surely you have the perfect  Fathers Day?!..

Real Books not Kindles....

Ironically my last post will almost certainly attract Kindle advertisements in the Google ads box next to it!...

Buy a real not virtual Fathers Day gift!....

You know it makes sense!

Tonbridge Summer Fete....

This lad would rather be with the Tonbridge Lion than Mum!

Impressive display of Taekwondo

You don't mess with these guys!

The Cannon Irish Dancers added a more gentle touch to the proceedings

"Summer" really was stretching a bit today. It's sod's law isn't it that we've had one of the hottest springs on record and then come the day of the carnival and fete, the one day you need it to be fair weather, it drizzles on and off all day and howls with wind. You might say that, quite literally, it rained on our parade! But did this stop the good folk of Tonbridge from enjoying themselves. Well ok maybe a bit but, judging by these pictures, people were still having lots of fun and being entertained. Thanks once again for Tonbridge Lions fantastic organisation despite the weather. Nothing ever seems to dampen their spirits. Especially that furry one!...

Who says traditional entertainment was dead

New Tonbridge Mayor Brian "Whiskers" Luker presented awards for best floats and marchers

Can anyone see those twirlers. They've won an award!

More Tonbridge Carnival pictures...

Keep Twirling girls



Bit cold for icecream!



.....And a few more photos from the carnival procession which finished about twenty minutes ago.



Fabulous marching bands

Not taking any chances with the rain!



A nice wave from the carnival queen



Tonbridge Carnival Live updates....

Show me the money!

Keep on twirling!

Mummy there's a man who looks like a canoe!



Take me back to 1975. I wish someone would!



The heart of any good carnival: the marching bands

Well the Tonbridge Carnival procession has been and gone and the weather didn't dampen the spirits of the people involved or indeed most of the spectators. It's always a happy event in the town and this year, apart from the usual array of marching bands, local businesses, social groups and the like newly promoted Tonbridge Angels were there for us all to see. I should of course refer to them as Warrilow's Blue n White Army since that's what it said on their banner carried by a couple of fans ahead of them! Anyway, hot off the press as it were here are a few photos for those who didn't want to brave it in the drizzling rain this afternoon. (You wimps!)


The Blue n White Army





I think this guy is too old to be a player so must be a coach!



The other Tonbridge sports team who did quite well last season!

Victoria Hislop's new book....

And speaking of Victoria Hislop, as I was a few days ago, I hear that her latest book The Thread, will be out in October this year . It seems from the synopsis that she is carrying on what seems to have been a very successful theme of historical novels with an element of split times within a seemingly tranquil Mediterranean back drop; that is over simplifying what is sure to be quite a complex plot but does give you a very brief flavour of her style. I loved her first book, The Island, but must confess to not having yet read The Return, which was her follow up book. I feel slightly bad about this because Victoria was kind enough to do a book signing in Mr. Books for this book a couple of years ago so the least I could have done, you'd think, would have been to read it! By the way I also happen to know that Victoria who, if you don't already know, is a Tonbridge lass and happens to be married to Ian of Have I Got News For You fame, will most probably be involved in next year's Tonbridge Arts Festival in some capacity. In the meantime I'd love her to do a book signing at my shop again or, even better, at the West Kent Book Fair on October 16th. Good luck with the launch Victoria and next time I spot you in Angel Walk I will be a bit more assertive and say hello. It was probably the mild shock of seeing Ian with you and being in a rush at that moment myself which prevented me from making myself known....

Local MP is a low Ranker....

Interesting headine in the Courier this week. I would have thought that a sub-editor is in for at least a very stern talking to at the, normally very safe and conservative newspaper group. What were they thinking allowing that to go out? Something about local MPs being not sexy rankers. Utterly crass! Not a good story either. Not even Tonbridge Blog would stoop so low!...

Piggy and Victoria Hislop spotted in Tonbridge....

Spotted the Hislops this morning strolling through Angel Walk. There they were, Ian with Cafe Nero coffee in hand, Victoria with bag in hand, looking, for all the world, like a normal couple out doing a spot of shopping. Perhaps that's really what they are. It's funny when you see famous people out and about you almost expect them to be your best pal because you sort of feel like you know them so well. I think I'd hate to be the famous one myself. Anyway I just thought I'd name drop, er, I mean mention it!...

Two Exciting Weekends ahead in Tonbridge....

Big couple of weekends in Tonbridge coming up. This Sunday will see the Summer Carnival and Fete down the High Street and on the Castle lawn. So watch out for those twirlers doing their thing; you don't want a baton to to land on you head now do you! Then there's Open Studios going on all over town and beyond which is a great opportunity to see professional artists at work as they, quite literally, fling open their doors to the public. Also on Sunday someone with an entrepreneurial streak, who rather curiously calls himself Steve the Chilli man, has relaunched the Tonbridge Farmers Market which will be held in Botany from 9-30am to 1-30pm. This seems like a good venue for the market although, personally, I'd still like to see it back around the Castle in front of the gatehouse. I wish the organiser well in this new venture and I'll certainly be there on the day to buy a few tasty little snacks. As if all this weren't enough for you Mr. Books Bookshop will be open in Bank Street from 11am till 5 pm. The following weekend (Sunday 19th) has in store another treat. The Freedom Parade will attract thousands of people wishing to show their support for our forces as The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, with bayonets, drums, maces flying and all, will be marching the length of the High Street and back again followed by entertainment, fun and weapons displays afterwards on the Castle Lawn. The Parade starts at 2pm and I for one can't wait....

Slade School Fete is coming up....

I'm being threatened, er I mean encouraged to tell you all about the Slade School Summer Fete so here goes. You just can't say no to these active PTA members you know, especially when it's your daughter's old school. So you may as well just give in! Any other summer fetes? Just let Tonbridge Blog know and I'll do my best to include them. Just don't ask me for any of my bottles of malt whiskey or real ales for the tombola that's all!

Slade Primary School PTA - Summer Fête

Saturday 25^th June – 12 to 2:30 PM

Slade Primary School, Tonbridge, TN9 1HR

This year our Fête will have a Medieval Fair theme with an archery demonstration by our special guest John Cavanagh (see more below) plus opportunities to try your hand at archery, enter our Medieval Fancy Dress competition and to see mock-fighting from Men-at-Arms in full armour!

There will also be a bumper raffle, bouncy castle, face painting, hair plaiting, bottle tombola, assault course, BBQ, refreshments and Pimms and strawberries. Entertainment will include a martial arts demonstration, Djembe drumming from Year 4 students and music from the school choir and orchestra.   We will also be dedicating a bench in the memory of former school caretaker Mr Mike McKee who sadly passed away last year.  The Fête will be rounded-off with the traditional tug-of-war in the central arena.

Meet Paralympic Archery gold medallist John Cavanagh!

The PTA are delighted that Paralympic Archery Gold Medallist John Cavanagh has agreed to join us to give a demonstration of his extraordinary skills. 

John will be available throughout the Fete to display his medals, sign autographs and talk about his experiences of competing in Athens and Beijing and his hopes for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.  See www.london2012.com/paralympic-archery  to read more about John.

The fete is open to all the public and will run from 12pm to 2.30pm.

June Tonbridge Insider out now....

The new issue of The Tonbridge Insider is out now. If you haven't seen a copy of it yet don't despair. You can visit the library, who usually have some spare copies, the Angel Centre and quite a few shops and sandwich bars. If all else fails you can read it online like a virtual magazine. Not a bad read actually especially that Tonbridge Log chap. Bit of a cheek him mimicking the name of this blog though! Blummin imposter....

Here and Now and Then....

What does everyone think of the new Here and Now? You know that glossy newspapery thing that pops through your door every so often from the council. Is it just a Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council propaganda sheet or a useful source of information? It certainly informed me that there's to be a military march by the 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment a week on Sunday. They are going to have bayonets fixed so that should be exciting shouldn't it. It'll keep the hoodie clad teenagers in place if they step out of line anyway. (Only joking kids.) Here and Now also tells us who all our councillors are for which wards and so on; I must admit, I didn't know who mine where either. Then there's information about the music nights at the castle this summer which this time, thankfully, won't be the usual tribute bands and Motown Memory Lane type stuff but full on Opera and a bit more sophisticated. Bit of culture, know what I mean! There's more info in there about what your kids can do over the summer in the borough's many leisure centres from rock climbing to swimming, to aerobics. They tell you where you can empty your bulky rubbish and even how not to park your cars. So is it useful or just a self-congratulatory waste of paper. Come to think of it it doesn't look like recycled paper (which is another thing they preech about in Here and Now) but perhaps I'm wrong....

Let's all be Citizen Journalists....

It's very quiet in Tonbridge this week. Certainly all the book lovers seemed to have decamped to Hay on Wye Literary Festival in Wales where I quite often go myself during this week of the year. But what news is there locally. There's always some worthwhile things to report lurking beneath the surface which don't make it into the local newspapers. There's a great move at the moment to promote so-called citizen journalism and anyone with access to a computer, smart phone, i-pad, i-pod touch or whatever device can do it right here on Tonbridge Blog. So start sending in your own version of the local news right here. Just make a comment below it couldn't be easier....