My Shout
I’ve had a pretty busy month since the last issue of the Town Crier. First there was the book signing event to organise. I managed to get Lady Thatcher’s authorized biographer, Charles Moore, who I discovered was often seen at Tonbridge Railway station, to come along to Mr. Books at very short notice. At my request, Charles signed my copy “The pages are for turning” which I thought was pretty clever since the sub title of the book is “Not for turning” obviously after Mrs. T’s famous quote.
It was good of him to support my tiny little bookshop and I am very grateful to him.
Then there was the whole question of whether or not to support the idea of a Tonbridge Loyalty Card, or TLC for short, as a town wide scheme which Sevenoaks has but Tonbridge doesn’t. Isn’t the idea a bit old hat, I thought to myself, (and also blogged about it) and doesn’t the Town Team need to come up with something more innovative and why haven’t they even got a web site yet? So many things to consider for a man of little brain like myself! Anyway I’ve decided I will support the idea if it goes ahead if only because I’ve concluded that the town could do with a bit of TLC!
Then we heard that Beales will be shutting its door for the last time when the new Angel complex starts being built, whenever that may be. So now where will I get my Peter Rabbit Christening present money boxes and crystal glass brandy glasses from? The Angel Leisure Centre is moving across the road, there’ll be nowhere to park and then there’ll be a bigger and better Sainsbury’s with small shops aplenty. All this in time for 2021 Christmas shopping. I can’t wait.
Stress was caused by finding out that the event I most look forward to all summer, the SIBA Beer Festival, which has over 120 real ales on sale, organised by Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club, falls on the exact same weekend this month as my niece’s wedding. Maybe I’ll ask them to fill up a few flagons for me for my return!
The high point of my month should have been my birthday I guess but having just turned 15, which is 51 if you follow me, I’d rather forget that and remember instead the visit to my shop for another book signing event (that’s two in one month) of Edwin Apps. Who’s he? You may well be asking. Well he was the creator and writer of the hugely successful 1960s and 70s TV comedy series, All Gas and Gaiters, which starred a young Dereck Nimmo as a bumbling clergyman and gofer to the Bishop of a fictitious cathedral.
By the time you read this the excellent Tonbridge Farmers Market will have had its second birthday and organiser, Steve the Chilli Man, does deserve mentioning in despatches for pulling the whole thing off. I just wish it didn’t nearly always clash with Bloomsbury Book Fair which I attend most months. Perhaps someone will bring me a few left overs!
The other thing which will have happened by the time the Town Crier drops on your door mat will be the Tonbridge Taster Day which I’m very much looking forward to and especially the Dragon Boat Racing which I hope to be a part of. What an excellent use of the river that will be. Someone is bound to be in at the deep end with an almighty big splash!
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