Tovil Interpretation Boards
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” written by Cllr Tony Hemsted.
Literary associations aside, I have spent most of my life living in and around Maidstone. During those seven decades, I have witnessed monumental change to the County town that I identified during my youth.
Maidstone town was a hive of industry, mainly centred along the River Medway and its tributaries the Len and Loose streams. Smells from the brewing industry, Trebor Sharps sweet factory and the cattle market would permeate your shopping experience!
My association with Tovil was at the epicentre for the paper making industry. The tall chimneys, railway sidings, hustle and bustle, all highlighting the employment opportunities that the industry generated.
It was only after living here as a parishioner that I realised how this imprint of the area had been completely eradicated. I began to research the parish history and quickly discovered how little I knew.
Looking around, almost all of the industrial sites have been redeveloped for housing. The national housing shortage pressurising the development opportunities created here. I started to realise that the majority of our ‘new’ residents would also mostly be unaware of the historic environment that they live in.
As a Parish Councillor I considered the best way that this knowledge could be passed on to anyone that be interest (residents and visitors alike). This was the basis for the Interpretation Boards that have recently been installed by the Council around the Parish.
So, if you have some free time for a stroll, grab the family and go on an exploration of Tovil’s past by finding the six panels that are scattered around the Parish. You may find a new sense of space by association of the past. As an employment hub, many Maidstone locals have associations with the area.
It can be a fun discovery, educational (not just the kids) and may lead you to do a bit of further research yourself in specific areas of interest?
Get out, take a new and refreshing look at our history identity and get some exercise and fresh air at the same time!
