THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE BOROUGH OF

Vol. 4 No. 6 SEPTEMBER 1980 PRICE 10p Free to Members " BROMLEY LOCAL HISTORY-No.5” This will shortly be available. Gordon Wright has been Bromley Palace and Coles Child — Lord of the Manor of unable to arrange for its publication, because of pressure Bromley, 1846 - 1873. of work, but alternative arrangements have been made. By Rail to . A Railway that never was. The Society is very grateful to Gordon Wright for the help Very Early . he has given us in the past. It has been very much St. Luke’s Church, . appreciated. Trustees of the New Cross Turnpike Trust. 1718 - 1830. This change of production arrangements has meant a steep increase in the cost of producing the booklet. The price will be £1 — with a special price of 65p to However it will continue to be something of which the members. Postage, etc. will be 30p. Society can be proud. It will consist of 48 pages and will Copies of Vols. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are still available and can include: be obtained from the Local History Department of the Memories of Bromley, 1897 - 1916. Central Library. Bromley Gets Switched On — the History of Electricity in Bromley.

The Numbers Game Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society. A member has pointed out that the numbering of The Society is a member of GLIAS, who organise a “Bromleage” has gone haywire. As this could be large number of interesting visits, walks, exhibitions, confusing to anyone checking or making up a set, the lectures, etc. etc. A copy of their Newsletter is deposited in following information is supplied. They were correct until the Local History Department of the Central Library, the August, 1979, issue, after which these corrections where it is available for members to read. Our member should be made:- Brenda Innes, who is the editor, is to be congratulated on November/December issue numbered Vol. 4. No. 2. producing such an interesting newsletter. □ should be Vol. 4. No.3. February, 1980 issue numbered Vol. 2. No. 3. should be Vol. 4. No. 4. Revd. Fergus McBride May, 1980 issue numbered Vol. 2. No. 4. should be Vol. 4. The Revd. Fergus McBride died on 2nd July at the age No. 5. □ of 81. He was a keen historian and a very keen local historian. He was minister of churches in and Milestone and Boundary Sign Essex before going overseas, where he was not only a minister but also the headmaster of a missionary school. Members will have noticed with interest that the mile­ He had been chaplain of Bromley College for 12 years stone in Bromley High Street and the old borough prior to his recent retirement. His health had not been boundary sign at the junction of Hollydale Drive and good for some years. He attended the meeting in February Hastings Road, have been renovated and replaced in their 1974, when it was decided to form a local history society to original positions. The Society is very grateful to the cover the area of the London Borough of Bromley, and Council for the restoration of these objects of local members will recall the enthusiasm with which he historical interest. In these days of severe financial conducted parties around the Bromley College and restrictions it is very pleasant to be able to record that the explained its purpose and history. □ Council has restored these two small relics of old Bromley. □ FUTURE MEETINGS Members are reminded that future meetings will be held Regional Local History Conference. on the second and last Friday of each month, from 25th October, 1980. October to April, in the small hall of the Central Library, This will be held at Charlton House, on Saturday, 25th High Street, Bromley. October, 1980, starting at 10 a.m. The arrangements are in The first meeting will be held at 8 p.m. on 10th October, the hands of the Charlton Society, and the theme of the when our Chairman, Mr. Watkins, will give a talk on conference will be transport in South East London and aspects of the history of Bromley. North West Kent. During the break at lunch-time members Visits will be made during May, June and July, to places of the Charlton Society will take parties on visits to places of local historical interest. The walks this year to , of local historical interest. The cost of tickets will be £1 and Hayes, have been very successful and each and there will be a limit of 120. Each Society included enjoyable and similar walks will be arranged next year. In in this local Federation will have space for the sale of its fact Mrs. Allen said that we only did half her walk in publications. Last year’s conference was very enjoyable Hayes, so the other half will be completed on a future and it is hoped that this one will be equally enjoyable and occasion. interesting. Tickets will be available shortly from the Hon. The programme has not yet been settled, but the usual Secretary, 163, Tubbenden Lane, Orpington. □ card will be sent to members as soon as possible. □ Notes on Early Post Offices in Orpington

The first mention of postal arrangements for Orpington sight being arranged in a long horse-shoe shape with the that can be traced is a note that in 1801 the mail was sent open end by the tall windows seen from the High Street. It by a walking messenger, James Thornton (stated to have is also recorded that in 1929 there were 12 GPO posting only one eye) who collected the mail at and boxes in the district situated at Broom Hill Common, followed the route to Orpington via Chislehurst Common, Broxbourne Road, Knole Rise, Scads Hill, Beaumont St. Pauls Cray Common, Orpington Mill, Orpington High Road, Crofton Lane, Crofton Road (by the Old Oak), Street, continuing on to and ending at Mada Road, opposite the Ministry of Pensions Hospital . Mr. Thornton would wait at Chelsfield for two Gates, the Station Approach, the War Memorial and also hours in winter and three hours in summer and then at the main Post Office. traverse the same route back to Chislehurst. Mr. Thornton The main Post Office was enlarged at the rear in 1948 later had a pony and trap. In 1856 it is recorded that a Mr and there have also been subsequent enlargements to the Cudd was operating with a horse and cart. sorting office whose entrance is in Vinson Close. The mail for Orpington was left either at Mr Wells shop John Edwards (now No. 118 High Street, corner of Broom Hill) or at the old forge on the other corner of Broom Hill (now demolished). The letters were placed in the window for MORE ABOUT MARLOWE collection and the service seemed to operate at a great loss The answer to the question asked in ‘Bromleage’ because in 1836 the cost was stated to be £55.4.0d and the February 1980 issue, ‘Did Marlowe write Shakespeare’s receipts only £24.15.1 d per year. Plays at Chislehurst?’ is, ‘No, nor anywhere else!’ I met After the introduction of the penny post in 1840, the Mr. Calvin Hoffman in a discussion group and I realized first Post Office was established in Orpington in 1843, at that he should have had a deeper knowledge of the the shop of Mr & Mrs Joyner with Mr Joyner appointed as historical background to the lives of both poets and of “ receiver of the post” . This small shop, now demolished, Shakespeare’s ancestry, He also ignored the efficient and stood on the site of the present shop at 126 High Street. Mr relentless spy system initiated by Sir Francis Walsingham Joyner carried on the post office here until 1859 when it which was spread like a net over Europe and in which, was transferred to Ivy Cottage (near the bottom of Broom unfortunately, Marlowe was caught up. Hill, back of 118 High Street) where the two daughters of What Marlowe did do, with his sensitive poet’s ear, was Mr & Mrs Joyner, the two Misses Nancy and Elizabeth to show the possibilities of English blank verse and so was Joyner lived. These ladies also ran a small Dame School at the guiding star to Shakespeare and Milton. this address for 12 children and a comment was made at His intellectual brilliance was recognized early as he was the time that Miss Betsy Joyner dealt out both stamps and awarded a scholarship at the King’s School in his native corporal punishment as required. From here Miss Joyner Canterbury and later won a Matthew Parker scholarship to delivered letters in the village whilst mail for outsiders was Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He found a patron put on one side for collection. and friend in Mr. (later Sir) Thomas Walsingham and In 1882 although the Dame School still carried on, the probably spend some time with him at Scadbury in Chisle­ post office was taken over by Charles Living, who was a hurst. It was here, as Dr. Boas and other scholars agree, sub-postmaster, who also had the money order office and that he wrote his last play, ‘The Tragical History of the the savings bank added to the post office. His wife, Mrs Life and Death of Doctor Faustus.’ If this dating is correct Living, was a daughter of Mr Wells at the corner shop Marlow may have conceived those lovely lines already mentioned. The post office was contained in a small cottage which stood in the High Street between the O thou art fairer than the evening air corner of Church Hill and the Artichoke Inn. Mr Living Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars; only ran the post office for two or three years before it during a walk on Chislehurst Common. passed in 1885 to Miss Sarah Clements of Moorfield Road. Another link with Chislehurst is the fact that Richard By 1888 mail was arriving by train at Orpington station Harvey, brother of Gabriel Harvey who disapproved of and by 1911 a sorting office had been established at Marlowe (and many others as well) was Rector of St Orpington Station. The post office was still run by either Nicholas, Chislehurst, and it was probably here that'"" Miss Sarah Clements or her sister Miss Matilda Clements Marlowe heard ‘a dull sermon, fit only for the iron age.’ If until about 1923, when Mrs Julia Osborne became the so, perhaps one ought to reserve a little sympathy for postmistress. By this time the post office had moved to Richard: it must have been disconcerting to look out from 102 High Street, which building is still present but now the pulpit and see Kit among the congregation. converted to a shop. In 1920 it is recorded that the post In late May 1593 Marlowe was arrested to appear before office staff consisted of 6 postmen, 1 messenger, 2 male the Court of Star Chamber. His replies to their preliminary assistants and 1 girl assistant. inquisition were evidently satisfactory, as he was allowed In 1909 the National Telephone Company had one call bail on the condition of his appearing daily at the Court. box in the High Street although this must have disappeared His attendances there were few: by May 30th he was dead. when the telephone service was taken over by the Post Rumours were soon rife: he was killed in a tavern brawl: he Office, as it is recorded that the first GPO public telephone was attacked in the street: he died of the plague; and the call box was erected in 1926 at the War Memorial. In 1926 official record was known only to the Coroner, three when the Post Office was still at 102 High Street it is witnesses, Ingram Frizer, Robert Poley, Nicholas Skeres recorded that the telephone exchange was contained in a and the jurors at the inquest, one of whom was ‘Thomas small bedroom and had 411 subscribers with 3 Vi Batt, senior, a “yeoman” of Bromley, Kent.’ Of all these, telephonists coping with all the calls. In 1921 the St. Mary only Frizer, Poly and Skeres knew the truth: we still do Cray exchange closed and the numbers became Orpington not. In 1925 Dr. Leslie Hotson discovered the record of numbers. Parcels were sorted in a conservatory at the back the inquest in the Public Records Office and the discovery and postmen took hand carts to meet the trains at the has been examined and discussed by scholars and students station. As customers were very few and far between, it is every since. This is not the place to record my own recorded that the staff played ping-pong over the counter. personal doubts of its veracity. I had the privilege of In 1929 the Post Office moved from 102 High Street to discussing the inquest with Dr. Eugenie de Kalb who wrote its present site in the middle of the High Street with the the review on Dr. Hotson’s book for the Times Literary telephone exchange mounted on the 1st floor. The Supplement. She has thrown much light on the subject. telephone exchange in later years (before it went automatic It remains a mystery still — one of the most sad records and moved to Chislehurst Road) was quite an impressive in the history of English Literature. Elizabeth Vann : C.1750 Matthews, generally known as the “Sydenham Hermit.” Little is known about his early personal history, but it is Continuedfrom May 1980 Bromleage known that for about thirty years he lived in a cave and gained a livelihood by doing odd jobs in the gardens close Of the actual condition in 1741-45 of the area upon by. He was found murdered in 1802. □ which Penge now stands we have some valuable evidence in Rocque’s map of London and its environs. The map shows the great North Wood (Norwood), between which and Penge Common was a cultivated enclosure of several The publication of a bibliography of the stories fields and three or four small buildings, called “ Barnard’s by Richmal Crompton* brought to mind the days when I Farm.” The whole extent of Penge Common is shown as occasionally met her out walking in Bromley Common being entirely without buildings of any kind. At Penge village or when she visited the Library; in particular it Green are shown “ The Porcupine” (presumably a public- recalled the occasion when she came to the Library by house), together with a few scattered buildings and farm invitation. houses including “ Nottelly Farm,” and “ Kent House.” Miss Richmal Crompton Lamburn came to Bromley in , which now boasts the proud dignity of a 1917, as Senior Classical Mistress at the Bromley High junction railway-station for Hayes and West Wickham and School for Girls. From 1921, she lived with her mother at numerous villas springing up on every side, is shown on the 9, Cherry Orchard Road, Bromley Common, and in 1924, map as consisting merely of three or four small buildings, as a result of an attack of poliomyelitis, she had to give up probably cottages. It is named “Elms End.” It is worthy teaching. It was fortunate that in the years before this of note, however, that in the map accompanying Hasted’s happened, she had started writing stories; a William story folio edition of the History of Kent (1778) the place is had appeared in the Home Magazine in 1919, called “Aylmour’s Green.” Save for these scanty marks of was published in 1922 and her first novel, The Innermost habitations the whole surface of what is now Penge and its Room, in 1923. This Bibliography records the many and immediate surroundings, with its thickly populated streets various publications of stories about William; the British of houses, was then rough common-land, forests, or Museum Catalogue also records the books not about farms. How it come about that the poor gipsies were William and they number 52, mostly novels, but four turned out of their ancient haunts, and the land enclosed, appear to be written for children. In 1930, she moved to a cultivated, built upon, and converted into private property comfortable house with a large garden named The Glebe, is an intensely interesting chapter in the history of the in Oakley Road, Bromley Common; from 1954 to her neighbourhood. death on 11 January, 1969, she lived at Beechwood, There can be no doubt that the mineral and medicinal Orpington Road, Chislehurst. springs of Sydenham, Dulwich and Beulah Spa have had a In the late 1940’s, the Library Committee decided to pronounced and material effect in bringing people into the modernise the service for children in the Bromley Central neighbourhood of Penge, both as visitors and permanent Library by replacing the whole of the shelving and settlers. In these days when mineral waters are neglected, it furniture with bookcases and equipment of modern seems difficult to realize the scenes which we know from design; the book stock was greatly augmented and a historical records were daily witnessed at a fashionable Children’s Librarian appointed. By the spring of 1950, all spa. Sydenham, Norwood and Dulwich were at one time was ready and the Committee decided to invite Miss much frequented by “ society” . The supposed virtues of Richmal Crompton to open the new Junior Library. It was the waters of Sydenham Wells were made public in 1648, known that she generally avoided public engagements, but but a curious and interesting commentary on the supposed she gladly agreed to come. curative qualities of the waters was given in 1791, when It was Easter time and the schools were on holiday. The Elizabeth Fairman, the keeper of the wells, died at the age news spread far and wide so that on the afternoon of 17 of 54, after having been afflicted with dropsy to such an April, 1950, the Lecture Hall was full to overflowing with extent that she was known as the largest woman for twenty children. They gave Richmal Crompton a great welcome miles round. According to some accounts, she was so large and then quietened down to listen to what she had to say to as to need a coffin 6ft 9in long, 3ft 5in broad, and 2ft 2in them. She spoke of the hidden treasure waiting to be deep. The door-post had to be removed before the coffin discovered in books, of the great adventures in which we could be taken out of the house. This fact seems to show can take part, in books though not often in our own lives. that the virtues of the waters were, to some extent at least She told them to try the harder books; one can always skip imaginary, as dropsy was one of the diseases for which the the dull parts. She urged them to make friends of books, waters were supposed to be a special cure. not just friends to be brought out on Sundays, but for One of the most remarkable inhabitants of the Penge every day of the week. Then they would never be able to district during the latter part of the 18th century was old say, ‘ ‘I have nothing to do. ” The speeches ended, everyone wanted to see the brand Royal Watermen’s and Lightermen’s Almshouses, Penge. C 1890. new Junior Library. Richmal Crompton led the Pied Piper procession down the stairs; then she unlocked the door and let the children in. In a few minutes the Library was full of boys and girls, showing interest in the room and in the books but also in obtaining a permanent memento of the occasion. Richmal Crompton succumbed to their requests for her autograph; she sat down at a table and was busy signing autograph albums and pieces of paper for a very long time. A.H. Watkins

*LOFTS, W.O.G. & ADLEY, Derek, editors. William — a bibliography. Published privately at 22, Scott Crescent, South Harrow, Middx. £3.50. viii, 126p. illus. Typescript.

This Bibliography deals with the William stories only, their appearance in many magazines, in book form, cased and paper-back, in plays, films, radio and television programmes; it ends with the text of William on the Trail. The prefaces contain a short biography, information on the origins of William, on the illustrators and the publication of the stories. raise its own funds, or seek another patron such as the JOURNEYS Historical Association. Dr. Joan Thirsk is to chair a discussion group on possibilities which a Kent Committee Firstly, in the steps of the Archbishops — except that the member has been invited to join. So we have a direct line train carried me to east Kent in a couple of hours, while for our opinions to gain a hearing. The prospects Archbishops of earlier times would have had to make the (especially financial) for the future are of great importance journey from London in stages, stopping on the way at to all of us and, I submit, we should every one give some their manor-houses strategically placed a day’s ride apart. thought to how we consider local history ought to be The Archbishops and their Manor Houses and Palaces in organised. Comments please! PatriciaKnowlden. Kent were the subject of the spring conference run by the University of Kent at Wye College. It followed the now Bromley might have had a second waterway well established and to be applauded pattern of presenting There was a canal in what is now the London Borough both documentary and archaeological evidence, and of Bromley — the Croydon Canal, a fragment of which demonstrated how written records can help with the recon­ survives in Betts Park. Bromley might have had another struction of buildings now destroyed, and how an navigable waterway, for an Act of Parliament in 1665-6, in excavated layout offers clues to their use and the relative the reign of Charles II, authorised the making navigable of importance of their functions. Archbishops being Princes not only the River Ravensbourne but also such other of both Church and Realm, as individuals they tended streams and watercourses “as do come or may be brought either to one way or the other, and the palaces they built into” it. reflected this. Alterations and additions over the centuries Bromley might now be a little Venice, served by craft naturally modified the original concepts, especially where plying on the Quaggy, the Pool, and the Beck, and with an a particular manor was ‘farmed’ out, and with the outlet by water to the Thames. Reformation almost all came into lay hands. Their It seems that the Act was not implemented. fortunes since then have varied. Some have even less In addition to providing a waterway navigable and remaining than Otford where there is one ruined corner passable for boats, barges and other vessels the Act was tower and a range of guest lodgings converted into intended to bring great advantage and profit to his cottages; or Charing, where the Great Hall has become a Majesty’s subjects by preservation of meadows from barn with an oast in one corner. Croydon has been fairly summer floods, and improvement of the value of land and lucky, Knole was absorbed into the Tudor Palace. of trade, and the ease of repairing the highways and other National history, the history of Kent, and the very local advantages. history of the manors concerned all met together in this If, by 1st November 1671, the persons authorised by the topic, and the team of speakers under the Directorship of Act had not made the waterway navigable then the Tom Blagg of the University and Tim Tatton-Brown of Commissioners appointed by the Act could appoint any Canterbury Archaeological Trust provided a most inform­ other person or persons to undertake and perfect the said ative and enjoyable weekend. navigation. Secondly, to Maidstone as Bromley’s delegate to the I am not aware that the Act was ever repealed but, in the county Local History Committee meeting. Kent’s absence of present Commissioners, it would seem unlikely committee is almost unique in being composed of delegates that “other person or persons” could now make the from nearly all the ‘Local History’ societies, and so is more Ravensbourne navigable. in touch with their activities than many others, where the (I have given a photo-copy of the Act to the Local committee is often the organising body of a single county History Library). Philip Daniel/ society similar to the Kent Archaeological Society. Here fortunately, there have always been also strong links with professional historians at the University and backing from Getting it taped Kent Voluntary Services Council, especially by the My old sister is now almost blind, so we communicate provision of facilities. Besides acting as a forum, the by exchanging cassettes. I got her to chat about farming in Committee originates its own projects: the Kent Portrait Cornwall, village life and domestic things of her girlhood Survey has already been going for twelve years; a farm seventy years ago. I lent one of her tapes to Avril Lansdell, buildings pilot scheme is near completion and will be the costume historian, who recently wrote that, in June extended when initial problems have been resolved; the when she speaks at a seminar in Manchester on costumf Historic Buildings Committee has joined the protest studies, “ I plan to quote your sister as an example of how against the proposed demolition of Farnborough Lodge, helpful people can be” . and is backing our suggestions to the L.B. of Bromley for Are there similar helpful people in Bromley? Are we several additions to the local list of buildings which ‘should getting them to talk before its too late? remain undisturbed,’ vide the West Wickham Appraisal The equipment needed is a simple cassette player, which Report — other areas of the Borough please note as you many people have. The trick is to persuade old people that own Reports are published. the most every-day facts and events are of interest — what they did, ate, wore. They may need guiding and Notes and events:- Saturday School on Timber Roofs, by prompting; but they may prefer to chat on their own once Kenneth Gravett on 2.8.80 at Canterbury. Includes visits. they know which buttons to press. And they may recall, Another on Portraits, at Maidstone on 27.9.80. and reveal, the forgotten photograph or newspaper Industrial Archaeology — C.K.A. also inaugurating a cutting. One does not have to be very old to know things of county survey, is looking for people to join in. interest. When a little museum was established in the Further details for anyone interested. Devon town where I grew up, I was asked to write what I Andrew Butcher, Lecturer in History at Kent Unviersity, could recall of my father (a local schoolmaster) and my has offered advice to any Local Historian in need, (but we own school days. The result is apparently a valued part of hope you would ask around in Bromley first!) the local archive. pwip Daniell The setting up of such a consultancy service is one of the recommendations of the Blake Committee, the summary Listed Buildings Walks of whose findings is available, and commented on by John Rising printing costs have forced Bromley Consumers’ Short in the last K.L.H. Journal. Opinions on the useful­ Group to raise the price of their package of eleven Listed ness of this report vary. What does seem certain is that the Buildings Walks to 50p (60p by post from Philip Daniell). Standing Conference for Local History is to be jettisoned The leaflets cover Penge & , , Hayes, by the National Council for Social Service, and will either West Wickham, , Farnborough, Orpington, have to be disbanded and leave local historians without the Crays (3 leaflets), Downe. Bulk supplies of the any central co-ordinating body, become independent and individual leaflets are available at 33 Vi % discount. □

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