David Wakefield remembers Patrick Shovelton

Patrick Shovelton, our founder, has died. He came to live beside the Common in London Road with Helena his wife, who was at that time, the manager of our local CAB, in the late 1980s.

Always a leader of men, he spotted the run-down state of the Common, following the great storm of 1987, saw that the Commons Conservators were doing little about it, and decided that a Friends Group might spur them into action.

Those present will remember the rowdy meeting in the Council chamber which followed, and thus the Friends were born!

Patrick was also  the powerhouse behind the first” Frolics on the Common”, held in the early 1990s, and the fact that there has been only one more “Frolics” since then, shows how much we relied on his drive and energy.

A tall commanding figure, the holder of a CB and a CMG, tributes to his status as a senior civil servant, his main interests outside of his work were bridge and golf.

That the joint commons of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall are now is such a fine shape is due very largely to him. We were lucky to have him amongst us when he was most needed.

David Wakefield

Patrick Shovelton

We are very sad to announce the death of Patrick Shovelton, founder of the Friends, on Friday 20th January at the age of 92. Patrick spearheaded the setting up of The Friends in the early 1990s and without his continued support over the years, it would not be the fine organisation that it is today.

Patrick will be sadly missed by all who knew him, but in his absence we are very proud to carry on the work that he started all those years ago in protecting Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons for everyone who lives here.

Patrick’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, 31st January at St. Mary’s Church Lamberhurst, with donations to The British Lung Foundation.

To read David Wakefield’s words on Patrick’s life and his wonderful contribution to The Commons, click here.

And to read what the Courier had to say about Patrick, click here.

Would you like to share your memories of Patrick? We’d love to hear them. Please email us at friends@friendsofthecommons.co.uk

Photo courtesy of Jenny Blackburn. Thank you Jenny.

New Bins and Doggie Bags

The Friends have purchased three new litter bins and dog bag dispensers to help keep the Commons clean.

They will be placed on Mount Ephraim at the junction of Castle Road and also beside the bench on the path between Wellington Rocks and Castle Road.

Photoshoot on the Rocks

There we were just wandering across the Common, like you do, when we happened upon lots of media types floating around Wellington Rocks. It turns out there was a commercial photoshoot going on for a women’s sanitary product for use whilst hiking, apparently. So, naturally, I had a camera in my hand and quickly snapped a couple of frames.

Look out for the pictures in your favourite magazine and let us know if you see the resulting pictures.

Merchandise

There are just a few pieces remaining of Friends merchandise left to snap up. Once it’s all gone then that is it. So if I were you I’d take this opportunity to drop John an email and grab a collectors item of the future while you still can.

What’s left, with prices:
Maps, like you see on boards over the Commons (plenty of them!) £1 each;
Mugs (SOLD OUT);
The Commons Walks, laminated walk cards to help explore the Commons and its wildlife (10 left) Highly Recommended! £1.50 each;
T-shirts (five left, ages 9 – 11) £1 each.

Common Ground Coming Soon…

The latest Common Ground is at the printers and will be with you very soon. If you haven’t signed up to receive our fabulous high-quality quarterly newsletter yet then apply here. It all goes to help the Commons so it’s well worth it. Thank you!

Friends Dinner

Bring your Friends or prospective new Friends to The Annual Friends of the Commons Dinner, which will be held on Friday, 15th October 2010 at 19:00 for 19:30

The venue is Tunbridge Wells Golf Club
Langton Road (on the Langton Green side of the Spa Hotel and the Renault garage)
Tunbridge Wells
TN4 8XH
01892 523034

The price for the 3 course meal with coffee is £20 payable to “The Friends of Tunbridge Wells & Rusthall Commons”
Cheques can be sent to Ruth Johnson,
Secretary, Friends of the Commons
62 London Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 1DT
01892 523097
Closing Date is Monday 4th October 2010

We are pleased to have as our speaker, Martin Turner, a voluntary warden of the Woodland Trust.
He will speak about the work of the Trust, the Trust’s local woods, including the progress of the ancient tree survey.

Work Party Dates, Do You Want to Volunteer?

The Friends have monthly work parties throughout the winter. The work is not hard, and all the necessary tools and even gloves are provided. The help of these volunteers is greatly appreciated, and new volunteers are very welcome. The work parties meet on the first Saturday of every month throughout the winter.

Meet at 10.00 in Fir Tree Car Park. The dates for this winter are:

• 16 October 2010
• 06 November 2010
• 04 December 2010
• 08 January 2011
• 05 February 2011
• 05 March 2011

Hopefully see you there!

Traffic Jams along London Road.

You may have noticed some traffic snarl-ups around the Vale Road/London Road junction by the Commons lately. The Highways Agency are carrying out improvements to the old crossing at this point. It’s going to be moved a few yards to the right and will be built with a pedestrian refuge to make it easier to cross safely, the grass banking will also be cleared to improve visibility. The work is due to last four weeks so only a few to go!

Spring Newsletter now online!

Rather have it delivered to your door in glorious glossy colour to read wherever you are? Click here to join up to be a Friend and then they are delivered free!
If you have any ideas or comments about the latest issue or just want to say hello, leave us a comment by clicking below.
See you next issue.