Memories of Tonbridge
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 Tonbridge, the Castle 1951 (ref: T101044) |
The Castle Lawn
I have a clearer copy of this photo in the book on Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and have studied it with a magnifying glass. I was one year old in 1951 (and according to my parents, already walking at 9 months). The posture of the man beside the child (me), leads me to believe that it is my late father Reginald Warrener, Dental Surgeon of 50 High Street, Tonbridge. The dog would appear to be our Labrador, at the time, Bruce. The two women at the top of the steps I believe to be my mother Stella (on the right) and either her sister Jose or my Godmother, Mrs Lilian Budd who lived at 16 Hilden Avenue, Hildenborough, on the left. During the Second World War my father was Head Observer in the Tonbridge Division of the Royal Observer Corps and they were based on the Gatehouse of the Castle in the early war years, until they moved to the better premises in the tower of the old Capitol Cinema. He was well known to all those at the Castle, and that is probably why Bruce appears to be off his lead - which my mother has in her left hand, or else it was my walking reins! In those days we were less neurotic and more animal friendly anyway! During the 1960s I often went with school friends to the top of the "Motte" where the well is covered with an iron grill. On the wall facing the car park are our initials put there in the summer of 1965. I found some of them about three years ago. Oh for those halcyon days here in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells when there was a bus service up until midnight between the two towns!! Last edited: 31/10/2008 09:29 by Rodney Warrener |
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 Tonbridge, High Street 1890 (ref: T1015001) |
Year: 1958
50 High Street
Although not so far back as 1890 I remember often being in the room with the large casement windows on the left hand side, in the 1950s and 60s. This was my father's office at his dental practice at 50 High Street. The surgery itself was at the rear, being quieter. The separate entrance has now gone and is incorporated within the shops below. This room had a large window seat overlooking the High Street below. As well as the electric lights in this room there was a gas bracket on the wall, over his receptionist's (Mrs Taylor) desk and I remember this gas light being used once, during a power cut. Also, the one in the lavatory on the top floor. In 1919, after having trained in the Army Dental Corps, he entered into partnership, as the junior partner, with a Mr Douche, trading as Douche and Warrener Dental Surgeons. Within two years he was practicing alone until 1965, when he retired, and continued for a short while at his branch practice in Pembury. He was after 1944 the main National Health Dentist for the southern end of the town - as several of the others still kept private patients as well. He was firmly convinced of the benefits of the NHS and often recalled the poor state of the working people's teeth prior to 1944. In this room was a large roll top desk and a chaise longe for patients who needed it after "Gas". I also recall a vast oil painting of some cows in a field by the Medway somewhere near Haysden. These were the days when we all had easy reach of a NHS dentist in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. Last edited: 31/10/2008 09:31 by Rodney Warrener |
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Year: 1960
Can anyone help?
Can anyone help? I am looking for a photo or info about my great grandfather's shop in Tonbridge at 84 Barden Rd. It was called the Domestic Oil Stores and was owned by Frederick Albert Nice. My grandad, Reginald Cecil Nice (Jock), and my two great aunts, Irene and Gertrude Nice, also worked there. Apparently my great grandad or grandad owned the first motor car in Tonbridge. I left Tonbridge when I was four years old in 1966 and it was still there then. I would be so grateful if someone can help or has any memories of this shop. Last edited: 15/07/2008 11:59 by Heather Marchant |
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Year: 1965
Bank Street School
This is the year when the school finally closed. It was worn out but much loved. The roof leaked, the knots in the floorboards stood high while the wood was highly polished with years of wear. The teachers had large baby boomer classes. Many pupils were bussed in from Higham Wood. We sang "Now the day has ended" at the end of every school day before putting the chairs on the tables to help the cleaners. There were large oil heaters and big black chimneys in every classroom and on cold and wet winter days the classroom would be filled with the aroma of the drying woollies draped over the guard rail. In summer, jam jars of sweetpeas would sit atop the piano, filling the air with sweet perfume. Juniors entered through the left door, infants through the right. The coat hangers for infants had a picture next to each (mine was cherries) because we couldn't read yet. The school colour was green to match The Slade. Once a year a local PC would come and show us road safety films in the attic. The top floors were generally not used because the floors were rotting and unsafe. Hence the rumour that the headmistress would always be walking round the school because she was afraid to stay in her study on the first floor in case she fell through to the classroom below! In fact, she preferred to get involved with every school day rather than command from above. The building was originally the workhouse for the town and became a school around 1845 when the Workhouse Union built a new workhouse for the district at Pembury (now incorporated into Pembury Hospital). I am in the process of writing a history of this building and it would be nice to hear from anyone who has memories of Bank Street School or has any old photographs or relevant historical information - full acknowledgements will be given. Please contact me by email on "jennifgaye@saggers25.freeserve.co.uk". Last edited: 21/08/2007 14:19 by Jenny Saggers |
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 Tonbridge, Quarry Hill 1890 (ref: t1015006) |
Year: 1940s
hop picking. Telephone exchange Tunbridge Wells
DOES ANYONE EVER ANSWER TO OUR MEMORIES?. THERE MUST BE SOMEONE OUT THERE COME ON JOIN IN I joined Tunbridge Wells telephone exchange september 1948 I remember so well the evening the man would come to George St. to tell us we started picking next day. Äll to work." "pull no more bines". all wonderful memories. We picked at Larges farm top of Quarry Hill I have contacted Ann re Mabledon. We would run into the bines when the German bombers came over and hide from the machine guns, a german pilot was escorted by us with pitchforks after he had parachuted down. I also did the tallies for a farm in Hayesden Lane. [forgotten name] I would like to get in touch with a boy called Earnie Clark who also lived in George St. We faught together and dreamed together. I remember the brick shelters also. And being collected from Sussex Rd infant school after being bombed. Also a bomb found on my dad's allotment. I am in Australia now. I was a telephone operator at Tunbridge Wells before I left Married name Russell DIVORCED. I miss you all so much. Daphne Russell nee Hooker Last edited: 13/12/2006 08:27 by Daphne Hooker |
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 Tonbridge, the Castle 1951 (ref: T101078) |
Year: 1968
floods in tonbridge
I was born in Tonbridge in 1957. I went to Sussex Road primary school and Hillview for girls. I remember the most is the flood we had and the carnivals when I was younger. I still come back to visit my sister who stills lives there. A lot has changed - I prefer the old Tonbridge. Last edited: 21/11/2006 13:24 by Janice Black |
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 Tonbridge, School 1951 (ref: T101062) |
Year: 1953
Date of photo
In 1953, the 400th anniversary of the school, the Queen Mother "opened" the entrance with newly erected boars' heads on each pillar. I have a photograph of this ceremony before the assembled school. Last edited: 17/08/2006 15:03 by John Crates |
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Tonbridge, Quarry Hill 1890 (ref: t1015006) |
Mabledon Estate.
My mother, Joyce Clark (formerly Smith) born in 1924, recognises this photograph of Quarry Hill. Her father William Smith was the sawyer for Mabledon Estate (on the right) and was responsible for felling the trees on the right of the photograph. Mabledon Estate (the gates are just off the photograph) was owned by the Deacon family who were London bankers. Mum's Uncle Charlie (Charles Eastwood) was the bailiff for the estate alongside William. Mum's grandfather (Charles Smith) was a sawyer before William took over. Last edited: 27/06/2006 12:45 by Anne Allan |
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