Every Thursday at Edenbridge Market, nestled among the stalls of fresh produce, homeware and plants, you’ll find something a little different. Andrew, a local garden manager by trade, brings not just his artwork to the market – but also a growing collection of vintage bottles with stories to tell.
“I started finding them while digging trenches in people’s gardens,” Andrew explains. “Some were so unusual, I just couldn’t throw them away.”
What began as a curious sideline now sparks conversation and curiosity at the market. Andrew showcases dozens of bottles at his stall – some illuminated to show off their colour and age, others sold as is. With prices starting from £5, they’re popular with collectors and anyone looking for a unique piece of local history.
There’s a striking 1910 R. White’s bottle, six Victorian milk bottles, and even vibrant poison bottles – valued both for their rarity and the coloured glass. “The oldest one I’ve got is 124 years old,” Andrew says, holding it up with care. “It’s almost as old as Edenbridge Town Council!”
This year marks the Council’s 130th anniversary, and Andrew’s collection is a reminder of the town’s rich industrial past. He often talks about the Lewis and Towers bottle factory that once operated in Fircroft Way, Edenbridge before it closed in 2005. “If I ever find any marked Edenbridge bottles, I’ll give them straight to the museum,” he says.
Self-taught in bottle history, Andrew has developed a keen eye for identifying age, purpose, and even the stories behind certain shapes. “Just think – this ketchup bottle could have been sitting on the table when Churchill was on the radio,” he says, laughing.
His favourite discovery? “It was a proper barn find. I paid the barn owner a bit of money and came away with an old dairy bottle. That’s the one I’d never part with.”
Andrew’s mix of art, history and good conversation has made his stall a highlight at Edenbridge’s Thursday Market. He’s proof that even the most ordinary objects – found beneath the ground – can bring colour, curiosity and connection to our community.
You’ll find Andrew and his bottles every Thursday at Market Yard car park, off Edenbridge High Street. Stop by, have a chat, and maybe take home a little piece of our area’s past.
Find Andrew’s work on Facebook: search ‘Photo Impressions and Other Art’
