This page is about recent Finds & Donation from local Town Folk.
Painted Pebbles - 1st September 07
These stones were found in the BRIDGE TRUST Homeless Charity shop 17 Quarry Hill Road
Helen Corser from Douglas Road Tonbridge produced these stone pictures,Helen died about 20 years ago 1980s, she never sold any of these paintings . If somebody were going to the coast she would ask him or her to bring her back some large stones, which she would paint and then give to the person who gave her the stones.
Does anyone else have any painted stones from Helen Corser or know any more about this lady - Please mail (Painted Pebbles)
Support your Charity Shop you will never know what you’ll find.
Oil Painting of the Great Bridge & Medway 1911 - 8th September 07
A truly wonderful family painted armature oil painting dated 1911, Donated by David & Sandra Norton.
The Norton’s a family of boat builders from the mid 1800 who dominated the River Medway in Tonbridge. Many town folk will remember hiring a boat and paddling from the Racecourse to the Shallows & the weir for a dip in the Medway passing courting couples around Tinkers Island.
 
The painting can be seen on display in Tonbridge castle, the scene has not changed much today the building in the picture were built 1888 when the new great bridge was built.
The Norton’s are researching their family tree, and are hoping that a few people from the town may have additional pictures of the family or even know any stories. If so please mail any reference to the following link. NORTON'S
More information on the Norton’s will follow soon under Robert history adventures called The Changing Face of the Medway.
H T White Bottle Top with the Tonbridge crest - 9th September 07
Donated by Steve Briggs & Son found in behind the front door frame in a house in Lyons Crescent Tonbridge now with the collection of Tonbridge Bottles in Tonbridge Castle. I have two bottles from H T White both without stoppers so this was a nice addition to the collection many thanks.
  
HT White wine & Spirit Merchants 148 Tonbridge High Street started business in 1910 & traded in Tonbridge until the late 1990s when they moved the business to Eastbourne and still trade today as a Family business.
H.T. White & Co. Ltd.
15 Alder Close
Eastbourne
East Sussex BN23 6QF ( Link )
G Singleton Enamel sign
Internet find - 4 x 16 Cobalt Blue on White Background George Singleton Dairyman Cage Green Farm 1915
Tonbridge Bowls Club at the Angel Cricket Ground - 22nd September 07
A lovely trio of Tonbridge Sporting memorabilia - Tonbridge Bowls Club founded in 1906 an outdoor lawn bowling club
1906- The first meeting of Tonbridge Cricket Club(TBC) members interested in setting up a bowls club was held in the spring at the Angel Hotel. It was agreed to establish the Tonbridge Bowling Club and that the headquarters be at the Angel Hotel. A suitable area had been allocated for a green which was laid out and prepared by the cricket club groundsman.
The green was kept in order by the Tonbridge Cricket Club and no person could become a member of the Bowling Club unless a member of the Cricket Club.
The annual subscription was set at 2/6d per annum and 59 members joined in the first year. Founder members included F W Franks- shopkeeper the first President who opened the green on the 27th April , A Cornell- Jeweler & watchmaker, who was reputed to have been the first owner of a motor car to drive through the High Street just after the turn of the century. W Ede- Confectioner, C Payne- Captain a former Sussex Cricketer and George (Gaffer) Stacey- Headmaster of Tonbridge National School later the Slade school and town councilor. Fixtures in the first season-included Hawkhurst, Pembury, Sevenoaks & Crystal Palace.
http://www.tonbridgebowlingclub.co.uk
 |
 |
Small Trophy - Winner 1953 Tonbridge Hospital Pairs A.SHAW - Medal T.B.C Novices 1936 A.SHAW - Tonbridge Bowling Club 1910
These were found at Greta May Antiques - 7 Hadlow Road Tollgate Buildings. A wonderful Friendly antique shop with something for everyone.
West Kent Drug Company Bottle - 28th October 07
 
The west kend Drug Company was only in buiness from 1908 -1915 at 38 high street
CHEMIST one versed in CHEMISTRY
ANALYTICAL CHEMIST one trained in Chemical Analysis, one who has passed the examination of the institute of Chemistry.
CHEMIST & DRUGGIST One who has passed Minor examination of the Pharmaceutical Society.
PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMIST one who has passed the major examination of the Pharmaceutical Society.
Smith & Son Imperial pint beer Bottle - 8th November 07
Smith & Son Grocer and Porter Merchant High Street c 1859 - 1910 this bottle is also known in Amber glass, other bottles from Smith & Son are two stoneware Porter bottles inpressed Tunbridge old spelling and two Black Glass beers. Also in the collection is a round face wall clock.
A Present from Tonbridge - 23rd Febuary 08
This Plate the first picture was found at Greta May Antiques - 7 Hadlow Road Tollgate Buildings. The Heather floral design was the same as a small crew et set already in the collection. i would imagine that there are more items with this design.
A wonderful Friendly antique shop with something for everyone good parking to the side well worth a visit .
A Sketch of Tonbridge Castle - December 08
One evening while researching on the internet for information on the Town I came across a painting of a scene I recognized straight away. Further investigation lead me to the truly fantastic art works of Roland Lee.
Roland Lee is a full time artist living in southern Utah near Zion National Park. And each year Roland and his wife travel to various parts of the world where he sketches and paints on location.
Roland Lee has become internationally recognized for his transparent watercolor paintings of the Southwest, rural America, and European landscapes. His watercolor landscape paintings are now in over 1,000 museum, university, corporate, and private art collections throughout the world.
While looking through Roland’s Traveling sketchbook I came across his Kent England Sketchbook with some truly amazing sketches of Chiddingstone, Hever, Penshurst, Scotney castle, and Tonbridge.
Roland’s artistic talents caught my eye and the sketch of the Castle reminded me of other sketches in the collection of traveling artists who found our castle and inspiration to draw.
I emailed Roland about the sketch asking if he would be willing to sale the sketch to add to the collection. After exchanging several emails, Roland agreed to donate and allow the drawing to become part of the Castle Collection.
Roland’s sketch now takes pride of place in collection at Tonbridge Castle.
Please look at his work on the below pictures.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Click Picture Above Link |
Click Picture Above Link |
Click Picture Above Link |
Click Picture Above Link |
See more of Rolands work at WWW.ROLANDLEE.COM
The "B" Mineral Water Company Codd Bottle - Sevenoaks oct 08
Donated By Glenn Wood builder who found while doing ground work in Hildenborough.
Niagra patent Reg. No. 65433 codd bottle dated around 1891 the time the "B" Mineral Company took over the mineral waters Firm of John William Woods of Sevenoaks.
The 'B' Mineral Water Company began trading the Masonic Buildings, High Street Tonbridge, Kent in 1887 under the proprietorship of John Salkeld", Horsley and Co
This Patent can also be found in Lime Green and light and dark Amber Glass from Sevenoaks unfortunately i only have a have a broken one in the collection in Amber Glass so if anyone out there has one please let me know .
A Truly nice addition to the collection at Tonbridge Castle many thanks
More information on The "B" Mineral Water Company can be found on the Link click on the bottle.
 | 
