First Anniversary of the Jane Austen and Tonbridge Project

Sunday 17 October 2010

On a fine and sunny October day about fifty Janeites arrived at Tonbridge Library to take part in the walk around the Austen-related buildings in Tonbridge, followed by tea and home-made cake in the Church where the Austen-related memorials are situated. We had a wonderful walk accompanied by guides in Regency Costume, and Scandal Mongers supplied Mr Darcy and Lizzie to perform three excerpts from Pride and Prejudice.

After tea Clare Graham spoke about Elizabeth Weller's Children, beginning with the Austen origins in Horsmonden. Mark Ballard followed Clare and gave a thoroughly fascinating talk about George Austen's Tonbridge, which was very much appreciated by the Tonbridge Residents as they knew many of the properties he spoke about. Vivian Branson gave an address about the memorials in the Church and their significance to the Austens. Canon Michael Kenning, Rector of St Nicholas Church, Steventon, gave the address at Evensong 'in stillness be your strength' comparing Fanny Price and Christ with their patient endurance which was finally seen to be strength with the hope that happiness will come.

A real treat was that Michael brought with him the Revd George Austen's Bible, and to those of us in Tonbridge it was rather as if the Bible had come home to where George began his career in the Church. It was a really wonderful day.