We have formed a group called Friends of 180 to save 180 High Street, Tonbridge, the former home of Warners Solicitors, from being demolished. Although unlisted this building has plenty of historical context within the town and situated in a conservation area. We wish to save the exterior of the historical part of the building. If you would like to join us please contact the secretary Jenny Saggers on our web site friendsof180.weebly.com

By Jennifgaye at 14:53 on 18/02/11

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IS this really that important?

By RozzH1 at 18:50 on 21/02/11
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Yes it is important because it is one of the last remaining buildings in Tonbridge with an Austen link. When the tourists follow the Austen trail to Tonbridge it would be nice to be able to say, here is the building Reverend Henry Austen once lived in (he was a cousin to Jane's father George) rather than the building he once lived in stood here until recently.

The building has links to the Gorham family who were very influencial to the history of the town, like good healthcare, legal services and the public library. There are also links to the Woodgate family of Somerhill and the Hooker family of Tonbridge Castle.

Planning permission has already been granted to convert the premises to flats but the current owners felt that there was a greater profit to them if they demolished the building. We have lost so many historical buildings in Tonbridge in the last two decades to greater profit margins. Enough is enough.

By Jennifgaye at 10:32 on 23/02/11
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here here, hope you succeed

By mikevoice at 16:00 on 23/02/11
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could you possibly put a photo on here so people know exactly which building it is?
thank you

By mikevoice at 16:21 on 23/02/11
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Thank you mikevoice. I will try and put a photo on but I am new to all this and not sure how. The building we are talking about is the house set back from the High Street next door to where the bingo hall stood that burnt down and Wellington Place now stands. It has an Edwardian fascade and used to be the home of Warners Solicitors. This is on the same side as Bank Street just north. Our web site is http://tinyurl.com/46abqrg and you can access our online petition from that web site.

By Jennifgaye at 18:29 on 23/02/11
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I have placed a picture in the Tonbridge History gallery.

By Jennifgaye at 18:43 on 23/02/11
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I have looked at the building and the front fasade is ok but of no merit in my opinion (it is also not the original fasade) ! the building is set far back from the High Street and is covered by a large magnolia tree, when i asked my friends and family do you know 180hst no one is aware of it till you closely look. I walked around the back of the building( between 180 and the old market development) to see the original building only goes back around 20feet and the majority (70%) of the building is flat roof 1950 extension followed by a further extension ! this is an eye sore to the residents of the old market development not an architectural merit.

Regarding Jane Austin if she personally lived at 180 i would agree with her input into the retention of the building, But a cousin to her father!! i mean come on im sure you can link most people to a place regarding fathers cousins brothers etc etc . I have researched and there is not even any evidense Jane even came to Tonbridge

We as Tonbridge resisdents have much more pressing and important groups to be starting than this but i dont see them happening.

Diana Hawkins

By dianahawkins at 11:51 on 16/03/11
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I'm afraid I think Diana has a good point - clutching at straws a bit.

By TheoTommy at 14:16 on 16/03/11
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