THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE BOROUGH OF

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A New Task for Local History Societies

At the GLC conference on Contaminated Land in 1983 Mr that caused substantial damage to farmland. (Dr Peckson T.W.A. Durn suggested that local history societies could has told me that this was the former GLC Star Lane landfill help to establish, before redevelopment, the previous use site). of land backfilled with refuse. On such sites, explosive Dene holes are a common feature of the local area, but methane gas may be generated. Another speaker, Dr passages providing a hundred metre channel for gas are a Peckson, gave an example of gas migration at a site in St puzzle. Does a reader have information about such pas- Mary Cray where ancient dene holes and passages were sages? thought to have assisted the transfer of large volumes of gas Philip Daniell

ENBRO GUIDED WALKS CONTINUITY Environment Bromley provides a big programme of guided The June 1976 issue of Bromleage reproduced a poster for walks. They are not geared to local history, but a walk the fair that was held on in the early part of around or St Pauls Cray cannot be divorced from the century. Over ten years ago, the Common began again the relics of the past. They are indicated by the walk lead­ to see an annual event — Countryside Day. (The 1985 Day ers, or by Council Officers who often support the walks. will be on 7th July). The past exciting events are no longer EnBro’s walks programme for early 1985 will be available provided. There is no “Match at eating Hot Hasty Pudding at the public libraries. by Boys”; nor do ladies still race for a Holland Chemise. Another event was “A Gingling Match”. Philip Daniell suggests that EnBro might reintroduce this event — if CHURCH BRIEFS someone could explain the rules. Briefs were Royal Warrants authorising collection in churches or from house to house for charitable objects. They were issued through the Privy Council or the Keeper of the Great Seal. The practice of granting briefs was abolished in 1828. WANTED These are three listed in the Parish Regis- ters:— Part-time Un-paid 8 June 1690 collected for the Brief of East Smithfield (Fire) 8/10d. 7 July 1690 collected for the Brief of St. George’s, Southwark 8/- . ■ Aug 1690 collected for the Brief of SECRETARY Stafford (Fire) 4/4d. In 1641 a Brief was granted for Farnborough for the for Prestigious Local Organisation Church of St. Giles the Abbott damaged by a violent storm of wind on 26 December 1639. It was so badly damaged that Ability to read and write essential. Ability to type would be it had to be rebuilt. (See “Church Briefs” by W.A. Bewes an asset (any grade). Provide own typewriter, telephone, (London), Adam & Charles Black, 1896). pencils, rubber, torch battery, corkscrew. Sellotape by negotiation. NURSE CHILDREN Nurse Chidren were children sent from the cities to be Duties:— to deal with incoming and outgoing correspon­ reared in the country - many from overcrowded work- dence amounting to approx. 40-50 items per year. Success­ houses. All that is known of those who came to West Wic­ ful applicant expected to attend up to 365 committee meet­ kham is of the 23 who died, 15 boys and 8 girls recorded in ings in the year (five is usual). An ability to make a good the Parish Registers. There are several others, probably in cuppa at occasional Saturday conferences would be the same category but named differently:— “infant from appreciated! the City of London” , “a lodger from Lambeth”. One nurse child came from St. George’s, Southwark, six Conditions of work:— own choice of desk, chair, carpet “from London”, one “from St.” and the remainder etc., tremendous job satisfaction in participation .maintain­ not known. ing and expanding decade-old firmly established society. Nurse Children are recorded in the 19th. Century cen­ suses. A very warm welcome awaits the prime offer. It would be an interesting exercise: 1) to collate briefs in the LBB area Apply:— Local History Society, 2) to investigate the pattern of nurse children in the LBB Tel. 462/5002 or 777/8778. area' Joyce Walker Town H all Beckenham’s “Old Town Hall” as the local press insist on Although the final design had now been chosen, the calling it, is actually only a little over fifty years old. The whole scheme for the extensive new offices came under foundation stone was laid in 1931 and was officially opened severe criticism because of the financial difficulties at that in 1932. Early in 1924 the Beckenham Council had consi­ time, and building had to be deferred. Fortunately for Bec­ dered the problem of making more adequate provision for kenham, the Government was urging municipal authorities council offices because of the rapid development of the to promote schemes which would absorb unemployed town and the increase in municipal activity and services. A labour and the Council applied for a grant to build the Civic committee to consider the proposal was appointed in July Offices as a suitable relief scheme. In August 1930, the 1924 and in December that year it submitted a report Unemployment Grants Committee gave its approval to a suggesting that land should be obtained on which to build grant on condition that ninety percent of the labour the offices and recommending that the Rectory Estate of 13 recruited for the scheme would be from the unemployed. acres should be acquired. The Council’s first offer of That September a special council meeting accepted the £14,500 for the estate was rejected and it was not until 1926 terms and eventually, in February 1931, a contract was that they were able to raise a loan for the purchase of the placed with J. Elliman and Son Ltd., of Beckenham. The site. This was reported as completed in December that year gross cost of the building (furnished and equipped) was but even then, there was more delay and building was not estimated to be £90,000. The foundation Stone was laid on begun until 1931. 20th March 1931, the ceremony being performed by Mr. It was decided in March 1927 that the design for the new R.T. Parker during his Chairmanship of the Council. A building should be the subject of a two part public compet­ sealed casket containing local records was buried under the ition. In the first part, architects would be requested to sub­ stone. mit sketch designs, out of these, six would be selected and Building was completed by the end of August 1932 and the authors asked to submit complete drawings from which staff began to move in. As “The Builder” commented, one the assessor (Mr. Septimus Warwick F.R.I.B.A.) would of the most remarkable facts about the new Town Hall was make a final collection. Each of the architects asked to sub­ its low cost - at l/6d per foot cube. This was achieved with mit drawings for the second stage would be awarded £100 out any sense of the accommodation being cramped 01“ and of the three selected as the best of these the third would inadequate and the civic suite was spacious and impressive. receive 100 guineas, the second 250 guineas and the first The suite was approached from the ground floor vestibule 500 guineas, which would be merged with the fees for carry­ and staircase hall by an opened plan twin main staircase ing out the work. The accommodation envisaged by the leading to a first class floor landing of “monumental prop­ committee was to be in three inter-communicating blocks. ortions” with grouped pillars separated by a wrought-iron There was to be an administrative block containing a Coun­ balustrade. At the south end of this landing were three cil Chamber and committee rooms, offices for the Clerk to committee rooms. In these were two Adam fireplaces the Council, the Engineers and Surveyors Department and described as “of fine detail and of substantial monetary the Finance, Education and Public Health Departments; value”, which had been rescued from the old rectory which an Electricity Block (because at that time electricity was a previously occupied the site. As the building was heated by municipal undertaking) consisting of showrooms and electricity the fireplaces were purely ornamental and were offices on the first two floors and the Town Hall Superin­ complemented by the cream wood and plaster panelled tendent’s flat and a staff canteen on the second floor; in walls and waxed English oak doors. The furniture was addition, there should be a single storey Clinic Block for upholstered in French blue and the long curtains were of Infant Welfare and School Medical Services. The Rectory the same colour. The Council Chamber at the other end of site was an awkward shape, already partly occupied by the landing, was octagonal in shape with Ionic columns and other buildings, and included in the instructions to the com­ oak panelling, designed to give an impression of authority. petitors were the recommendations that the frontage to the The newly granted Beckenham coat of arms was Electricity Showrooms should be in the High Street (they emblazoned in colour above and behind the chairman’s are still there, now occupied by the L.E.B.) and the main chair. (The same coat of arms, carved in stone, may be seen entrance to the Municipal Offices should be in Church over the main entrance in Church Avenue. The design is Avenue. Further recommendations were that the building emblematic of the River Beck and the greenery and flowei _ should not exceed three storeys with a basement and that ing trees and shrubs of the town; of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux' no provision should be made for a clock tower. on whom the lands and manor “Beccehame” were bes­ The competition was announced in “The Builder” of towed by William the Conqueror; of the Cator family, long 15th April 1927. In the “Architect and Building News” of connected with Beckenham and of the White Horse of July 29th 1927 it was stated that 67 designs had been submit­ Kent.) The chamber had a public gallery for fifty-four ted and six of these had been chosen to go forward into the people besides accommodation for members of the council, second stage of the competition. In the issue of November officials and press. Again the colour scheme was of French 4th 1927, of the same journal, it was announced that the blue and cream with panelling in English oak. The assessor had made his award and in “The Builder” of that architects, and presumably the committee which consi­ date it was stated that the award was as follows: -1 st-Messrs dered the plans, were not only concerned with aesthetic Lanchester, Lucas and Lodge; 2nd-Messrs E. Berry Web­ impressions they also considered efficiency. A great deal of ber and J.O. Cheadle, and 3rd-Mr. W. Naseby Adams. All effort was made to get the accoustics right by using accous- these three firms were basically conservative architectural tic plaster known as Accoustic Celotex on ceiling and frieze firms as the Council wished their new building to be dig­ panels; absorbant wall board lined the back wall of the pub­ nified rather than aggressively modern. The completed lic gallery and the flooring was of cork. The chamber was building is of neo-Georgian design - a style much favoured heated and ventilated by what is known as the Plenum sys­ in the late 1920s - of two-toned brick with Portland stone tem, by which foul air is carried off by exhaust fans and used decoratively on doorways, some windows and to fresh air introduced after passing through a water spray crown the tower which rises above the main entrance. It cleanser and an electric heater. There was no excuse for a avoids both the extreme “modernism” favoured by some councillor to doze off, either because he could not hear the architects of that period and the over decoration of Victo­ proceedings or because of inadequate ventilation. It was rian tradition. A review of the completed building in “The later discovered that the Plenum system in use was too Builder” of 16th September 1932 praises the design for dis­ noisy and modifications had to be carried out. carding the “baroque extravagance which has encumbered The other parts of the main building were heated in what English town hall design for seemingly endless years” with “The Builder” called an unusual way - by electrically in consequence a “tremendous gain in dignity”. heated panels recessed flush with the walls or ceilings with had been at the meeting in July 1924 when a committee to consider proposals for the new building had been appointed. Mr. L.W. Thornton White R.I.B.A., the reviewer for “The Builder” even burst into a kind of poetry in its praise - “The little hills of Kent may proudly laugh and sing, and architect and client alike rejoice-for Beckenham, enclaps- ing no Magician ring, has shown that excellent building may be achieved at small cube price.” Vera Gotts References:- “The Builder”. “Architect and Building News” . Beckenham Council Minutes. Brochure for the opening ceremony on 20th October 1932. Programme for the Reception in the evening of the opening day. The B uff thermostats fixed near the door heads controlling the heat of each room. There was no centralised hot water system William Cook started life as a coachman at and but hot water was supplied where necessary by a self-con­ in 1898 wrote “I have noticed for the last 30 years that when tained electric water heater. “The Builder” also com­ a Dorking is crossed with a Cochin what a splendid chicken mented very favourably on the painting of service pipes vis- is produced”. It is thus indicated that William Cook had an ble in cloakrooms - bright blue for cold water, golden yel- expert knowledge of poultry as early as 1868 and was ~ low for hot and green for drinking water. It seems that Bec­ known to breed chickens at Tower House, Orpington in kenham was well ahead of the Pompidou Centre in Paris, 1886 (the house later became the Presbytery of Holy Inno­ where service pipes are treated as part of the decorative cents, the Roman Catholic Church in Sevenoaks Road) and architecture. Other equipment was likewise up-to-date. A in 1886 the first Orpington chicken was produced known as central suction cleaning plant was installed with connection the Black Orpington. This Black Orpington was from a points in convenient positions; synchronised clocks were cross involving a Langsham variety and Indian Game and fitted in all offices and rooms and there were internal tele­ other breeds. phones (a convenience which is now taken for granted). The White Orpington followed in about 1887 and Lighting was by electricity with concealed cornice lighting became successful and popular as the Black Orpington. to the Council Chamber and main staircase. In 1890 William Cook moved to Waldens Manor, St. The Electricity Block was designed in a different style Mary Cray, probably because he needed more room, and from that of the main building as it was, and still is, a shop renamed the house “Orpington House”, and it was here and showroom. The entrance is in High Street and at the that the Buff Orpington was developed. time of the opening ceremony the two large shop windows The business “William Cook & Sons” prospered and a illustrated the latest appliances for shop window lighting. London Office was opened at Queens Head Yard, 105 The programme for the reception in the evening of the Borough, London, S.E.l. William cook spent much of his opening day states that “Left to itself the mechanism con­ time in writing books and publishing the “Poultry Journal” trolling the device will change the colour scheme contin­ and also in travel and lecturing, while the Farm at uously for a period of one hour forty minutes without repet­ Orpington was run by his daughter, Elizabeth Jane, the ition”. The block also contained rooms for light fittings, a eldest of five children, assisted by her brothers and sisters cookery demonstration room and a model kitchen. and she became as expert as her father. Altogether it must have been a most modern showroom. In 1894 the Buff Orpington was introduced at The Dairy The clinic block was designed to be a complete child wel­ Show that year and became an instant success. fare and health centre. Although Peckham was already William Cook first mated the Golden Spangled Ham­ running a centre such as this in 1926, at the time the Bec­ burgh cocks with Colour Dorking hens of good size. The kenham centre was proposed (1927) it was an unusual and Hamburgh chickens were good layers but delicate, whilst forward looking project. At the time it was opened, the the Dorkings were good table birds with a long breast and accommodation consisted of a central waiting hall around when crossed with the Hamburgh chickens were good which were grouped various rooms for child welfare work layers. The Buff Cochins were very broody and had a good at one end and school medical work at the other. The hall deal of leg feathering, and when mated with the Dorking could be sub-divided when necessary, by moveable Cross produced quick growing birds with good laying and screens. The council must have given a great deal of consid­ table qualities were also very hardy. eration to the needs of mothers with young children In 1897 William Cook produced a Diamond Jubilee because in addition to the provision of a covered peram­ Orpington Chicken, a pen of which was graciously accepted bulator park from which there was direct access to the by Queen Victoria. clinic, a tea-room was provided which could be used as a Also in 1897 William Henry Cook, the eldest son of Wil­ social centre for mothers and where instruction could be liam Cook, left Orpington House and moved to a house in given “for making infant garments”. The clinic is still in Derry Downs, St. Mary Cray and in 1904 it was noted that use, now run by the Area Health Authority, but I doubt he had his own business at ‘The Model Poultry Farm, St. whether they still give instruction on the making of infant Pauls Cray (believed to be Grays Farm) though there is no garments. evidence of any innovations from the son. The buildings were officially opened by H.R.H. The In 1902 William Cook was awarded the Poultry Club Prince George (the then Duke of Kent) on a Thursday, Medal and he continued experiments at Orpington House, 20th October 1932 and in the evening of that day the Chair­ producing Blue and Buff Orpington Ducks and speckled man (Mr. Baydord Stone) and members of the Council Orpington Hens. held a reception at which the buildings were opened for In 1900 there was a family quarrel which was made up, inspection. On the 24th October 1932 the first Council Mrs. Cook senior died in 1903 following a gas explosion at Meeting was held in the new Town Hall. It must have been Derry Downs and William Cook himself died in 1904, aged a gratifying occasion for any members of the council who 55. William Henry Cook was left no part of his father’s busi­ created Lord Auckland in the Irish Peerage and four years ness which was carried on by his sister at Orpington House later was given the same dignity in the Peerage of Great where she produced the Cuckoo Orpington and the Blue Britain. Orpington in 1907. She also lectured and ran the Poultry In 1807 he bought the property in Beckenham, then Journal and in 1924 her firm, known as William Cook & known as Eden Farm. On his death in 1814 his eldest son Son stated that all letters should be addressed to St. Mary George succeeded him, and he later became Govenor- Cray with no mention of Orpington on the envelope and General of India; a monument to him now stands outside the name of Orpington House was dropped but the tele­ the parliamentary buildings in Auckland, New Zealand. phone number had to remain as Orpington 7. The breach Incidentally, the New Zealand cricket ground at Auckland between the two sides of the family was never healed and is known as Eden Park. the firm of William Cook & Son lasted until 1933, and car­ ried on exporting the Orpington birds all over the world, even by the new air lines then developing. The son moved to Tubbenden Lane, Orpington in 1911 where trade was carried on under the name of W.H. Cook Ltd. until 1947 when William Henry Cook retired and the land was given over to building. when William Henry Cook retired and the land was given over to building. By this time the modern battery methods made the Buff Orpington Chicken obsolete and it is now mainly a show bird although it is believed that the Duck still survived com­ mercially as late as 1975. The main heavy breed of Orpington Chickens were the Black, Blue, Buff and White. Bantams were also produced in the four types but not by Mr. Cook but by John Burdett of Wingate around the mid 1930’s. The Buff Orpington was still shown as an exhibition bird Eden Park: 1838 in 1974. Dick Turner Another noteable link between the Eden family and BeC=-^ kenham is that William’s eldest brother, George was great- great-grandfather of Sir Anthony Eden who later was hon­ oured as Lord Avon. Sundridge Park When the building in Beckenham was demolished early this century, the local Council acquired the site and formed An article on Sundridge Park and the Scott family in the Crease Park, named after our Second Charter Mayor, Society’s fourth publication, stated that the house was the Alderman James Crease. combined work of Repton, Nash and Samuel Wyatt. Rob Copeland “... Repton, a landscape gardener earlier employed at Hol- wood by Pitt, became famous for his transformations and improvements to over two hundred houses and seats all EDWARDIAN BROMLEY over . He submitted his ‘Red Book’ for proposed improvements to Sundridge Park. It was his custom to On Thursday, 6th December, the Local Studies Dept, at make a survey, staying a day or two at the house, returning Bromley Library arranged a one-day exhibition on Edwar­ after one to three months with his red leather covered book dian Bromley. of black and white, and colour illustrated proposed altera­ Originally envisaged as background to the Music Dept’s tions to landscape and to house. These ‘Red Books’ now Thursday Lunchtime Concert of Edwardian music, the pro­ are of great value...”. The article later informed that Lt. ject grew to a full day event, using photographs, newspaper Col. D.V. Packe D.S.O., of Elmfield extracts and archive material to give an idea of life in Brom­ was the agent for his cousin Sir Samuel Scott Bart., of Sun­ ley during the reign of Edward VII. dridge for thirty years until Sir Samuel’s death in 1943. “Sundridge Park Management Centre” learned from Miss Packe, Colonel Packe’s daughter, that after her parents were dead, a red leather covered book had been sent to Sotheby’s to be auctioned. The Management Centre was able to locate and purchase the book, which proved to be Repton’s “Red Book” for Sundridge Park. Bromley Library, having been informed that the book had been found, was allowed to photograph the book page by page in colour. The set of photographs, suitably con­ tained in a red box, can be seen in the Local History Section of the Central Library.

Eden Park: 1838 The staff whose hard work ensured the success of the exhibition, “Where was EDEN PARK?” A good question! The build­ graced the day in Edwardian costume. Photo by courtesy of G.P. ing, in a classical style of architecture, stood on the present Lumb. site of Crease Park in Village Way, Beckenham. It was the home of William Eden the third son of Sir Slide shows were given throughout the day, showing Robert Eden third baronet of a 1672 creation. William was childhood in the 1900s and views of Bromley and the sur­ a politician and diplomat, and in 1786 he went to France as rounding area. There was also a recorded talk on national a special envoy to negotiate a contract for a commercial tre­ and local events to entertain the visitors. aty. The day was a great success, bringing in more than 450 In 1787 he was appointed Ambassador to Spain and to people, only one problem remains — how are we going to the Netherlands in 1789, and it was in that year that he was ‘top’ this next year?

Designed and produced by Raven Studios Ltd., 5 Rectory Road, Beckenham, Kent on behalf of The Local History Society for the London Borough of Bromley. Editorial contributions to: J W Edwards. ISO Tubbenden Lane. Orpington.