Make a date with the beautiful new Tonbridge Daily calendar

Pam Mills
DEEP IMPRESSION: Emma Stokes’ 'Swans at Dusk’ adorns the front cover of the Tonbridge Daily Calendar

The popular publication was launched by its sponsor The Old Fire Station [TOFS], and Suzannah Niklas, the blogger and mastermind behind the project, said: “Reactions to the photographs were ‘spectacular’, ‘beautiful’ and ‘best yet’. The evening was greatly enjoyed by all.

“It was filled with anticipation and when a beautiful video presentation showed the first view of the 12 chosen photographs, there were cheers and applause as each month was revealed.”

The front cover shot of swans on Haysden Lake was taken by local photographer Emma Stokes.

“Hundreds of submissions by Tonbridge residents were received, and after the long snowy winter at least one third of photographs sent in were of snow,” said Mrs Niklas.

“Two were chosen but the rest could have been made into a hefty coffee table book of images of Tonbridge in snow. We have some very talented photographers in the town.”

COVER STORY: Emma Stokes (left) with Suzannah Niklas at the Tonbridge Old Fire Station launch party

Sam Goode, co-founder of TOFS and Mrs Niklas chose the three charities who will benefit equally from the profits: West Kent Mind, The Bridge Trust and Chasing Connor’s Cure.

Last year’s calendar sold more 960 copies, raising £6,750 for worthy causes.

“So many people have given their time, talent, expertise, energy and positivity to enable the charity calendar to continue,” said Mrs Niklas.

“It is an enormous community effort which brings the town together in many ways – from those who submitted their photographs, those whose images were chosen, the judges, the production team, Sam from TOFS who is Tonbridge Daily’s partner this year, all the Tonbridge independent retailers who are now selling the calendar in the town, and the thousands of shares on social media. What a team!”

Mrs Stokes said: “I’m over the moon to be involved in such a wonderful community initiative which supports local charities and encourages people to take photos of the town they love.

“We are blessed to have such a beautiful town and I feel particularly lucky to have one of my photos of our lovely country park on the front cover.”

The calendar costs £8 and is available on the High Street at the following retailers: Country Garden, ArtSpring, Mr Books, The Old Fire Station, The Gift Box, Grace, Flowers by Enchantment, Sulston’s Kitchen; and from Arranged Flowers in York Parade, Bliss on Martin Hardie Way and Tonbridge Farmers’ Market. It can also be ordered from tonbridgedailycalendar@gmail.com

Swanning around Haysden

Emma Stokes describes how she took her front cover shot: “I made a chance visit to Haysden sailing lake one winter’s evening to catch the sunset reflected in the calm water and was fortunate to have two cygnets appear just where I was setting my tripod up.

“The timing was particularly difficult because the cygnets were continuously feeding from the bottom of the lake and rarely coming up at the same time to breath. As the light dimmed, setting a fast shutter speed was a challenge but I was happy with the end result.”

Share this article

Recommended articles

Search

Please enter a search term below.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter