Summer 2017 Cockpit Edition 111

Managing the Old Making a Difference in Making sure Planning and Education and the Chapel for the Chislehurst Chislehurst gets a Fair Enforcement Environment Community Deal

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A Publication of the Chislehurst Society

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 1 15/06/2017 17:39:29 Managing the Old Chapel for the Community

Easter Egg Hunt yes, everyone, dressed the part. in Bromley. In our bid towards I don’t know about managing, Parents and grandparents were helping Chislehurst become more like mismanaging, but pleased, and even the children more dementia friendly, carers we delighted in hosting one were too, when we gave out can have a calm cuppa and of the Easter Egg Hunt stops activity packs rather than get some helpful information. on the High Street back in chocolate. We have a few left Contact [email protected] for the April holidays. Over 400 over if you want to play some details. young visitors enjoyed our Mad of the games! Our regular hires continue Hatters tea party and everyone, to provide plenty of activity Conservation Exhibition at the Old Chapel. We were The Society ran a workshop delighted to welcome Steve at the Old Chapel for our Chamberlain running his fieldwork volunteers before modern mindfulness courses they set out to appraise our and we’ve had both christening parties and wakes recently. A full list of activities can be found on our notice boards.

We have offered free space to Bromley Carers; there are over 31,000 registered carers 2

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 2 15/06/2017 17:39:30 local Chislehurst Advisory Put the Counter Terrorism Panel team, introduced PC hotline number into your Paul Jacobs and PC Karl Hardy phone 0800 789321 and Managing the Old Chapel for the Community who told us how counter never hesitate to report terrorism forces protect our your suspicions. cities and communities, coordinating the resources of conservation area. Members the police, emergency services, OFFICE OPENING have completed questionnaires local authorities, business and HOURS about our listed buildings and the private sector security we are drawing together all the industry. Patricia Leach is in the information garnered by our Society office on the fieldwork volunteers. It has never been more true than following days every week: in the current environment We were pleased to see so many that we all have a shared Mondays 2pm - 4pm visitors at our Conservation responsibility in the fight Tuesdays 10am - 12noon Area Exhibition on 3rd June against terrorism; our audience Thursdays 2pm - 4pm where many enjoyed the were shown videos and we Fridays 10am - 12noon displays and the refreshments! discussed how to identify and The conservation appraisal report suspicious behaviour Also our volunteers are continued using input gathered and hostile reconnaissance to available every Wednesday from our visitors. London Bridge it was never the police, how to deal with in the Old Chapel hall more timely that the Society suspect packages and what to between 9am and 12noon. Counter Terrorism should host a presentation do if confronted by a weapon from ‘Project Griffin’. or firearm threat. You can contact the office Talk on 020 8467 0900 or In the wake of the appalling Dale Malcolm, Chair of the The message was to inform, for booking: hallhire@ attrocities in Manchester and not to alarm. chislehurst-society.org.uk. 3

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 3 15/06/2017 17:39:31 Making a Difference in Chislehurst

There are new challenges. celebrate and recognise their AGM Several committee members are efforts and recruit more.” he 26th April 2017 standing down after many years said. Joanne Friel, Vice Chair, of service but a recent video said that typical new ambitious campaign has brought three projects were improvements new committee members into to Chislehurst Station and the team. work mapping the detail of the conservation area all requiring The Society continues the more volunteers. process of “incorporating” By Jed Bailey to enable it to trade and own property without liability to individual members.

The recruitment of active members is the aim of new committee member, Chris This year’s AGM held at the Wells, who has taken on the Methodist Church, reported revenue. The re-elected environment/nature portfolio. a successful year with the Old Chairman, Tony Allen, said He showed the number of Chapel not only providing a that with this healthy financial diverse special spaces being new local amenity, but giving position. “We will be able to be protected by hard working the Society a new source of more ambitious”. volunteers. “We should 4

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 4 15/06/2017 17:39:32 next couple of weeks with a view to improving the operation of the Making a Difference in Chislehurst car park. We are pleased that they plan to share this information with us and to outline any initiatives to improve the current situation. We will respond appropriately once Willow Grove we receive details.

Junction 3. We plan to take up once again the issue of the The Willow Grove junction congestion at Willow Grove with remains a priority for us. Residents London Borough of Bromley and shoppers will be aware how heavily used junction by creating we know from research is of such officers andour ward easily and often this junction an exit from the car park directly concern to Chislehurst residents. representatives. clogs up, and how frustrating it on the High Street, opposite the Having only just received the We will keep local residents can be for those trapped in the Church of the Annunciation. This news, we are still determining informed as this progresses. congested traffic either in Willow proposal was fully supported by the next steps. However, there are Grove or within Sainsbury’s Age UK, the London Borough of some immediate actions:- car park. Whilst we have some Bromley Highways Department understanding of the reasons and Transport for London, as 1. We will be taking up for it, we are very disappointed well as Bob Neill and our ward Sainsbury’s offer to meet with that Sainsbury’s Head Office councillors. them to discuss their reasons for has recently rejected a unique rejecting the suggestion. proposal, that the Chislehurst We consider this to be a one- 2. Sainsbury’s has advised Society and the Chislehurst Town off opportunity to make an us that they have commissioned Team championed, that would improvement to a situation that surveys to be undertaken in the have improved traffic flows at this 5

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 5 15/06/2017 17:39:32 There will be new changing rooms, a club room and a refreshment Chislehurst Society Grants area. come from the Football Foundation New Pavilion at the Rec with further money from the Initially the pavilion will be open At long last the 1980’s pavilion working tirelessly to obtain a 25- London Marathon Charitable at weekends when matches and in the Rec is going to be replaced year lease from Bromley Council Trust and the Chislehurst training are in progress but the creating a new amenity for the and work should begin on the Playing Fields Association. The hope is to open the facility every football players and users of pavilion in the autumn. Chislehurst Society is pleased to day for visitors to the park to enjoy. Chislehurst Recreation Ground. have granted £20,000 towards the Elmstead Football Club had been The majority of the funding has public amenity.

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Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 6 15/06/2017 17:39:33 Farringtons Forest School

We are pleased to have made the outdoor environment. our sixth Forest School grant to a local school, Farringtons, being so close to Farringtons. In line with Scadbury Park, are offering other grants £1,200 has their facilities to other been made available to primary schools visiting the train teachers and provide nature reserve. suitable clothing and equipment for the children It’s lovely to see our future to encourage and inspire environmentalists in the them to learn about our making! ecology and appreciate the need to preserve and protect 7

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 7 15/06/2017 17:39:35 Making sure Chislehurst gets a Fair Deal

uk.com/restaurant/chislehurst- Chislehurst Town Team coming-soon/ By Alison Stammers, Chair, Chislehurst Town Team 11 High Street (NatWest). This branch will be closing on 29 Here’s the latest round-up of Easter Egg Hunt organised June. We are told it will not be developments and changes in by Visit Chislehurst. It will be marketed until after it has been and around the High Street. replaced by Gusto which is due decommissioned following to open in August. Locals who closure. THE LIBRARY – This is know the chain speak well of it ongoing. We are told there are but it is rather a similar offering 47 High Street (Villagio/ still a few loose ends to tie up to what we already have. Richoux). Richoux opened its but are hopeful that these can http://gustorestaurants. doors on Thursday, 16th March be addressed quickly. at a launch event attended by Bob Neill and other guests, and moved in. CURRENT AND RECENT including representatives BUSINESS CHANGES of local businesses and 9 High Street (Oriel). The 1 High Street (formerly HSBC) organisations.. It opened to restaurant closed its doors at Reliable Source Limited (self- the public the following day. the end of April, after having adhesive tapes) have now It seems to be a very popular generously sponsored the completed their renovations addition to the High Street. 8

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 8 15/06/2017 17:39:36 which John Woods, the store merchandise manager, advises will include - a new facility to self-scan with - a brand-new kiosk and a trolley Making sure Chislehurst gets a Fair Deal customer services desk - new shelving throughout 12 Belmont Parade (formerly - new cabinets for chilled food half of Belmont Dry Cleaners). and fruit and vegetables. There Planning application 16/05169 49 High Street (formerly will be more space allocated to for “Replacement single storey Davina’s). The property remains fresh foods rear extension and change of empty, although we are aware - a larger selection of use from dry cleaners (Class sandwiches and accompanying A1) to retail/yoga studio (Class that KFH estate agents plans to shop’. I understand it supports snacks and drinks A1/D2)” has been permitted. move from its current premises 4 local charities. We are - new service counters that Works are still underway. into this space in due course. delighted with the changes that were made to the external 21 Park Road (formerly The 65 High Street (formerly appearance of the shop and Little Computer Shop). This is Kent Lock & Shoe Service). I that our Shop Front Design still being marketed by London continue to get enquiries about Guidelines have been followed. Victoria Properties (0330 this building and pass them It makes an attractive addition 133 0526 or 07758 265681), on to the landlord but sadly to the High Street. he seems reluctant to pursue although there is no board up. The rent that is being asked any of those interests and the Sainsbury’s. There is still seems to us to be incredibly property remains a blot on our no news on the letting of will include a pizza bar with high and unrealistic relative to otherwise beautiful high street. the upper floors despite the the facility to take away a hot other local properties but time active marketing in 2016. In pizza freshly baked will tell if we are right or not! 66 High Street (formerly the meantime, there are a - for the first time to our store, Churches Together charity number of changes currently a range of toys. 3 Royal Parade (Annabel’s) shop). This opened at the end taking place within the store, of April as Tinks ‘community - a different range of general There is currently an application 9

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 9 15/06/2017 17:39:36 in with LBB (16/05237) for a results. You can also see what change of use from A1 (retail) to else has been reported in the A2 (financial and professional area. services). We understand that the planning decision was TRAFFIC & PARKING deferred for more marketing to One area where we have had take place. a particular and very pleasing success is the Hornbrook 14 Royal Parade (La Belle House (aka Red Cross) car Femme). Sadly the shop closed park. For years, we have heard in March due to the retirement not been touched. complaints about the layout (it of the long-standing owner. was difficult to park and, once We were horrified to see a new parked, to get in and out of the and particularly large, BT fibre APPEARANCE car) and numerous stories of cabinet appear right outside Keeping the High Street looking damage to cars whilst parked Richoux’s terrace and are taking good is an important aspect of there. Previous approaches to up its siting with the Council. what we do and we regularly the Council to address the issue We continue to report other take up issues with individual though were unsuccessful. matters needing attention, businesses or the Council. at the entrance to Viscount including dumped items, Then, thanks to the creative Mews and were pleased to see potholes and water leaks. work of local business Nugget We reported the damaged traffic- that the Council undertook a island outside Sainsbury’s last Design (see diagram), we were complete repainting. We strongly encourage local autumn. Eventually, after many able to go to the Council with a businesses and residents to viable revised layout which we reminders, a new island was It was also pleasing to see many use the FixMyStreet app. for were delighted they adopted. constructed. of the road markings in the smart phones to report defects The works were undertaken by High Street repainted recently, elsewhere in Chislehurst. It is We also reported the almost the Council’s contractors at the although the parking bays have quick and easy to do and it gets invisible Keep Clear markings beginning of May and users tell 10

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 10 15/06/2017 17:39:36 TREES AND PLANTING The winter planting on the High Street was particularly attractive this year and received many plaudits. We are grateful to id verde for the beautiful displays. These have now been removed ready for the summer planting and we can’t wait to see what they have in store.

We have asked local businesses if they can supplement the regular watering of these beds if we have another dry spell as the winter planting was us parking is now much easier. we haven’t found any solutions similar arrangement to the particularly badly affected by that are viable. one Bromley Council has the recent drought. We are indebted to Nugget for via the Community Toilet helping us to make this happen. We have also been requested Scheme. We have made the by Transport for London to introduction as we are keen to We have also spoken to the assist them in approaching stop the Commons being used Council about improving the local businesses very close as a toilet, but have suggested car parking on the High Street to the War Memorial, where that an approach to Sainsbury’s as vehicles often overhang thethe buses park up, to see if which opens long hours and pavement and/or road and hold they would be willing to allow already has a community toilet, up the traffic when reversingbus drivers on Route 161 to might be more appropriate. back onto the High Street. So far, use their toilet facilities in a 11

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 11 15/06/2017 17:39:36 Planning and Enforcement

A timely reminder of the obligation of owning a listed building By Barry Redding A Counsellor of Wealden Magistrates Court (May 2017) District Council owned a 14th ordered the owner to pay century building. She caused £115,000: a fine of £75,000 significant works to be carried and a contribution of £40,000 out that led to ‘irreversible towards the District Council’s changes’ to the Grade 2 listed costs. building, without obtaining the prior listed building The Wealden District consent from the District Council Head of Planning Council. The changes ‘came commented: “Owners of to light’ when the owners historic properties should be attempted to sell the property. aware of their responsibilities to the property and future The District Judge at Brighton generations.” 12

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 12 15/06/2017 17:39:38 some thought to what impact the area has on you, whether you live within the Planning and Enforcement conservation area or outside it.

Conservation Area Appraisal It takes a lot of cutting and sticking to put a good map together and as always Please paticipate in the we are indebted to the questionnaire and let us have attention to detail shown your opinions. You can by Barry Redding not only download the survey from in this but particularly in our website or call into the his deliberations with the office to collect a hard copy planning sub-committee. to be returned to the Old Chapel office or post box. Barry is heading up our Conservation Area Appraisal www.chislehurst-society. and you can help by giving org.uk. 13

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 13 15/06/2017 17:39:39 Education and the Environment

Bullers Wood - A History group researcher today’s sixth formers. This Road, took place in 1870. Catherine Fyfield spoke most very significant building is Catherine has been asked to Busy School Reveals engagingly about Inglewood, where the inaugural meeting deliver her talk to the current its Tranquil Secrets the building occupied by of Christ Church, Lubbock students shortly. By Jed Bailey Head, Ben Greene, said, “We Bullers Wood School is the were thrilled to see so many borough’s largest girls’ school. visitors and to share something But this growing, bustling of the history of our site. It complex must balance the was a real mix of visitors, who demands of the 1500 pupils were attracted through the with the care of fine Arts Chislehurst Society’s publicity. and Crafts buildings which I very much look forward to includes’ original William continuing to develop our Morris interiors. In May partnership and these events. I visitors to the school’s Craft do hope members were able to Fair were able to visit the see how we have been able to house and delightful grounds,. use the woods again -a result including a bluebell wood and of the generous support of the the restored Victorian pond, Society.” funded by the Society. 14

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 14 15/06/2017 17:39:40 Chislehurst remains a very special green space and is a wonderful habitat but we don’t Education and the Environment know how well it is doing. It would be fascinating to see what has changed over the years, if our moth population #Chiswatch is thriving, if the birds and Following a request at our AGM dragonflies are showing signs to update the environmental of suffering from pollution information in Webb’s History or are encouraged by the of Chislehurst (1899) we want heathland and acid grassland I’ll have a whole series of spring creating something pictorial to build a compendium of on the Commons. & summer photographs to edit out of that. #ChisWatch for pictures capturing the health into ‘Chislehurst’s Nature In schools. Watch this space. and wealth of our flora and #ChisWatch is fun, I hope Pictures’. Please send us images fauna throughout the year. that with the contributions of members, come the autumn, from your gardens and from By Chris Wells. your walks out and about. Let’s see how our gardens grow!

The challenge will also be to find out what our Forest Schools are recording. It would be nice to think they already have their children looking out for interesting flora and fauna, following the patterns of the seasons and the weather, and 15

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 15 15/06/2017 17:39:40 Environmental Awards 2017 A Charming Chislehurst Event! including Marjorie McLure School and for the first time entries were received from boys at Darul Uloom. Over £2000 was distributed in prize money to schools and individuals. Hard work pays off! This excellent event continues to grow in popularity and real creativity from our younger generation. Viv Smith has organised the last five annual This year also saw the introduction awards and this year the inclusion of our first People’s Choice Award. of video and music really has People could vote on Facebook developed the event into a vibrant for the entry of their choice occasion. The rural and urban and the winner was Charlotte theme produced some wonderful Spencer from Babington House images and productions and School for her work ‘Charming childrens author Jo Franklin, Chislehurst’. We received entries presenting the prizes. from eleven different schools, 16

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 16 15/06/2017 17:39:43 2 3

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The Joy Jones Award 2017 was awarded to Red Hill School and 1 the Alun Jones Award awarded to Babington House School. 5 Thanks and congratulations to all who took part. Next year’s theme 1. Bromley High School will be Imperial Chislehurst, 2. Yr3 - St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School so youngsters get your French 3. Amber Singh - Yr 5 - Babington creativity going! House 4. Taisei Masumoto - Yr 5 - Bickley Here are some examples of the Park School winning pieces. 5. Yr 7-13 - Marjorie McClure School 6. Asia Brooke - Yr 7 - Babington House 6 17

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 17 15/06/2017 17:39:45 of 19th century “high speed” Fig.2 link the Admiralty in London with communications for a brief its key frontline sites in Sheerness, Heritage period. Deal, Portsmouth, Plymouth and The Chislehurst Telegraph Great Yarmouth. 1816-1822: A “cutting edge” The story of the telegraph, Coincidently, much later in 1846 communication trial atop Redhill driven by the need for faster Lord George Murray’s grandson, By Kevin Jennings communications during the Canon Francis Murray, became French Revolution and the Rector of St. Nicholas Chislehurst The story of the Chislehurst Napoleonic Wars, began in 1793 and the link with the naval shutter sent coded messages along a chain telegraph (commemorated by with the French communications telegraph is picked up. The of line- of-sight hill-top stations. “Telegraph Path” [fig. 1] linking pioneer Claude Chappe using ‘seemingly’ authoritative History the summits of Redhill/White “telegraphe” (Greek derivation of Chislehurst (Webb, Miller and Not to be left behind, especially in Horse Hill and Green Lane) is for far off/distant writer) to Beckwith, 1899) builds on the link times of conflict, other countries a fascinating mix of half truths describe his system of post- mentioning that a Murray Shutter developed similar visual telegraph and local assumptions hiding a mounted, movable wooden arms, telegraph was installed on Redhill systems. In Britain’s case in 1796 “not what it seems” story – one later known as the semaphore and later replaced in 1816 by a the Navy adopted a system based of technological progress that telegraph (fig. 2), that spelt out or semaphore version. put Chislehurst at the forefront on six movable shutters developed by Lord George Murray (fig. 3) to So now we have not one telegraph Fig.3 station but potentially two and this looks to be supported by the field names (Old Telegraph Field and Telegraph Field) recorded on the 1844 tithe map1 and redrawn in the book (Fig. 4).

In 1816 the Admiralty tested Fig.1 and compared the Popham 18

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 18 15/06/2017 17:39:48 6). By July 1816 The Times of a one acre plot on Redhill and Fig.5 reported the new telegraph fully importantly include a sketch map operational and the old shutter of the new site complete with route abandoned with many dimensions (66 x 77 yards) and of its officers and equipment the location of the existing trial (telescopes etc) transferred to the semaphore (fig. 7). new trial sites. The new stations Fig.4 were wooden buildings fitted with From Goddard’s map the one semaphore alongside the Murray a sophisticated semaphore mast acre plot (purchased for £100) shutter telegraph from the (fig. 5) with precision movable is shown “W by S” across the Admiralty as far as Telegraph Hill, arms 30 feet above roof level. footpath (today’s Telegraph Path) Nunhead. From Nunhead the from the trial semaphore. The new trial route struck off inland After the success of the new two locations correspond to fields semaphore in 1820 the decision via Redhill Chislehurst, Rowhill Fig.7 Wilmington, Bestham, Gads Hill was made to make the London 1821 to replace the Murray shutter Higham, to Chatham Dockyard to Chatham line permanent telegraphs between London and and then on to Sheerness using and extend it to Deal and Dover. Portsmouth/Plymouth with the ship borne semaphores (fig. Similarly approval was given in new semaphore. In both cases Admiralty surveyor Thomas Goddard resurveyed the routes and negotiated purchase of one acre plots from local land-owners to establish new brick-built naval telegraph stations. shown on the 1844 tithe map: No. 672 (the one acre plot named Back in Chislehurst, letters written “Telegraph Field”) and No.670 in 1820 between Goddard and (“Old Telegraph Field” where the Fig.6 Lord Sydney discuss the purchase trial semaphore was located). 19

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 19 15/06/2017 17:39:50 Fig.8

Fig.9

Sheerness was closed down and the distinctive square field gone, As a taste of what might have been The twist in the story (and its officers, equipment and the having been incorporated back atop Redhill if circumstances hence the confusion around semaphore apparatus removed to into adjacent fields. had been different… one of the the “telegraphs”) is that the new upgrade the only remaining route Portsmouth line semaphore “permanent” telegraph was to Portsmouth. By overlaying the tithe map with stations (at Chatley Heath in never built. With the end of the later Ordnance survey maps Surrey) survives today and is open Napoleonic War and the Navy With the trial telegraph removed, and using information on the to the public. The impressive focusing its efforts on Portsmouth the one acre Telegraph Field Goddard sketch map (plus the restored tower is complete with rather than the Channel off Kent survived at least until 1844, shown footpath and field boundaries a working semaphore mast (fig. (and no doubt to save money as on the tithe map assignments as as references) the likely location 10) of the type first trailed in well) the project was scrapped owned by the Board of Ordnance of the 1816-22 telegraph can be Chislehurst. in Kent! Consequently in 1822 and leased out to Redhill farmer closely approximated to near the trial telegraph line through Robert Allen for pasture. the end of present day Farmland A final note, or rather nail in Chislehurst to Chatham and However, by 1863 maps show Walk (Fig 8 and 9). the coffin, of this story is one of 20

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 20 15/06/2017 17:39:51 another gear change in technology Tony Allen the Society chair If you missed the talk Tony’s – with the development and Kemnal Road has spent 10 years researching book on the History of introduction of the electric an area he knows and loves. Kemnal Road reveals all. telegraph linking London and Talk Packs them His talk proved to be one of We can also look forward to Portsmouth in 1848 land-based the Society’s most popular Tony’s next publication ‘Frank semaphore stations were assigned in! events, chronicling the way Tiarks : The Forgotton Banker’ to history and largely forgotten… On May 4th, over 180 people the affluent in the late 19th with a foreword written by apart from the occasional place filled the Methodist Church to century built large houses Henrietta Tiarks, now the names with their Telegraph capacity for an afternoon talk in this part of Chislehurst. dowager Duchess of Bedford. associations like Chislehurst’s about Kemnal Road and the Scandals, high-living, a Telegraph Path. Tiarks family. menagerie and brushes with Fig.10 royalty all feature, but only three grand houses remain.

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Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 21 15/06/2017 17:39:52 the schools’. He then announced Townshend’s ancestor as Lord of Chislehurst and Walden that he had purchased 5 acres of Chislehurst Manor. Quite when land between Green Lane and and to whom it was sold on is not Red Hill, at a cost of £2,250 which clear, although the description Recreation Grounds he was willing to donate to the given in those Council minutes Council; adding that in addition of 1912 suggest it had by then By Chris Wells Council records show the idea of to sports, he hoped they would become part of Owen Edwards’ an area for public recreation in establish a ‘drill hall and rifle estate. West Chislehurst was discussed range’ on the site. Unfortunately, a in 1899, but no agreement could month later the District Surveyor Whatever the story, just like the be reached on a suitable site. declared the site unsuitable, plot Mr Dobbing purchased in Four years later the Chislehurst principally because of poor 1903 on the other side of Red Ratepayers’ Association drainage - a recurring issue, as we Hill, it was not exactly dry. (forerunner to the Chislehurst shall see. The field that now runs between Society) asked the Council to Indeed, when first offered the Empress Drive and Walden Road, reconsider. The principle movers The matter was next discussed in was given to the Chislehurst for this were Messrs Dobbing and June 1912, once again sparked by Urban District Council in Lund. a suggestion from the Ratepayers’ February 1930, by Chislehurst Association, this time urging the Sports Ground Ltd. In July 1937 The latter went on to become Council to purchase ‘the 12 acres the Council gave permission for chairman of the Council, but on of land abutting on the High West Chislehurst FC to establish the matter of a Rec. Dobbing was Street, which can be obtained a pitch on the ‘land at the rear of in the lead. At a special meeting from the Executor of the late Walden Manor’, the following in February 1903 he argued that Owen Edwards at a reasonable year they renamed it Walden a Recreation Ground was needed price’. Recreation Ground. Whyte’s because of the rapid development According to a Tithe map of Woodland was donated by Agnes of Prickend; exemplified by the 1844 the field then belonged to Whyte in 1938. fact there were now ‘250 boys in Lord Sydney, Robert Marsham- 22

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 22 15/06/2017 17:39:53 site in 1929 the Council made of using it to provide ‘a playing acceptance conditional on field for cricket, football or other drainage work being completed games, and recreation’. They then first. Chislehurst Sports Ground set about improving it. Ltd, who were in the process of winding-up, replied that they During the following years simply could not afford to do so. money was spent on levelling, Then, according to the Council drainage, new changing and minutes of January 1930, another storage facilities, the laying of ‘proposal’ had been made to the a bowling green and in 1934 - company - ie, the land was wanted showing an enlightened move With the decision to name the did give the Council the linking by a developer. towards equality for the time - a new part Walden Recreation piece they wanted. That was enough. The Council netball pitch. The latter proposal Ground the Council began a changed its mind and accepted was agreed, following a request new round of investment; first, According to the memoir of Ken the gift, with a stated intention from the Headteacher of Prickend to create an area for ‘children’s Speers, a lifelong Chislehurstian, Girls’ School. playground apparatus’. At the the unified Rec. as we have it same time, in an effort to unite the today - with the full name of Still, the perennial problem Sports Ground and Recreation Chislehurst & Walden Recreation of drainage was never quite Ground. they tried to persuade Grounds, with Whyte’s & Walden overcome. The Council allowed the owner of the neighbouring Woodland - was not fully West Chislehurst FC to relocate up parcel of land, Kent County established and formally opened to the ‘land at the rear of Walden Council, to sell. Kent declined, until 1948. The pieces had been Manor’ following a report from saying they intended establishing in place for a decade, but of course the Parks Superintendent that a school on the site - ie, Red Hill. the challenge of another war made the pitches in the Sports Ground, Whether that had some influence finding land for food production, West Chislehurst (as that part was over Agnes Whyte we cannot gun emplacements and air-raid now called) had not recovered say, but her gift - to ‘the people of shelters far more important than from rains the previous season. Chislehurst’ - of the Woodland sports and recreation. 23

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 23 15/06/2017 17:39:55 Burlington Parade Joanna’s Jottings.... This photograph is very poignant. Showing Burlington Parade as the backdrop well before Empress Drive and the shops were Avalon built, the words say: ‘1st Annual Sports and Gala, August Bank We receive several joyous emails from overseas including this Holiday 1914.’ With the outbreak of the First World War on 4th wonderful image c1908 of Evelyn Mary Maud Austin, who August that year, I really wonder if there was ever a second gala? became Mrs Richard Butler at Avalon has come to us from Colin Cooper in Australia . Avalon used to be called Black Mount, it is on Summer Hill, opposite the station but hidden from view.

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Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 24 15/06/2017 17:39:56 the home of Scientific Instruments Research Association before morphing into its current state in 2006 - private apartments called Kingswood in Newton Park Place. Sitka 1883 The building has a stunning central atrium featuring a unique One of my favourite activities for the Society is visiting our staircase - unique because at first floor level there is a pulpit type heritage buildings. I was invited to see inside the glorious grade two listed property in South Hill, originally called Sitka, which was designed by Ernest Newton. It was built for Alaskan fur trader Emil Teichmann. Many people will recall the building became

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Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 25 15/06/2017 17:39:56 Sainsbury’s Car Park New Society Plaque Changes to parking will come Look out for a new into effect on 17th July 2017. Society plaque to Richmal Minumum spend in store will be Crompton on her last £5 and parking will be validated home - Beechworth, at a machine in the car park. A Orpington Road. Follow us on: Are You Interested fine will be issued if parking is Unveiled by the Mayor on Facebook not validated. Staff will be on 1st July! in Events hand to help. @chislehurstsociety Twitter Planning? @chislehurstsocy We currently have an Instagram opening within the Executive Cockpit is compiled The Chislehurst Society Committee and we are looking by the editorial for individuals to get involved Yester Road Gas Works team of the in events and community Transport and Highways have Chislehurst Society. networking. If you are interested advised there is a possibility that a in volunteering within the section of Yester Road, the stretch outside each side of the railway Executive Committee then please do get in touch at bridge, could be closed for up to Thinking of starting a new club? 3 months, from the beginnning If you want to start a new club for [email protected]. of June, whilst an urgent gas the community get in touch with uk. leak is repaired by replacing the our Hall Administrator, Patricia Next Litter Pick pipe. Keep up to date on the issue Leach. There may be a vacant slot, 10am 23rd July by following our Social Media free of charge, at The Old Chapel Meeting at The Old Chapel Streams. for you to develop your ideas! 26 020 8467 0900

Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 26 15/06/2017 17:39:57 Road Stewards’ News

Two Road Stewards have resigned since our last update and we thank them for their help and support over many years. Are You Interested ROAD STEWARD RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS in Events Miss Mary Allinson-James - Kemnal Warren, Kemnal Road Planning? Ms Ruth Norton - Oakdene Avenue NEW ROAD STEWARDS We currently have an None opening within the Executive Committee and we are looking ROAD STEWARD APPEAL for individuals to get involved We are urgently seeking Road Stewards for Prince Consort Drive and Oakdene Avenue. in events and community Interested? If so, please call the office for details on 020 8467 0900 or email networking. If you are interested [email protected] in volunteering within the ROAD STEWARDS’ MEETING Executive Committee then We apologise for the cancellation of the recent planned Road Stewards’ meeting in May. We please do get in touch at have rescheduled the meeting for Saturday, 16th September, 2pm at the Old Chapel. [email protected]. uk.

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Cockpit Summer 2017.indd 27 15/06/2017 17:39:57 Date Event Location

Every Wednesday 9.45am-12pm Community Coffee Morning The Old Chapel 6th July at 2.30pm Gorillas in the Congo - Bridget Wedderburn Chislehurst Methodist Church 23rd July at 10am Litter Pick The Old Chapel 29h July at 9.45am WW2 plaque unveiling Sainsbury’s Chislehurst 7th September at 2.30pm The History of Bullers Wood and Inglewood - Deputy Chislehurst Methodist Church Principal Helen Van Teutem 9th September at 10am Heritage Open Weekend - Annunciation Church open Annunciation Church including the tower. 9th September at 3pm Chislehurst’s Second World War - Joanna Friel Annunciation Church 9th & 10th September at 2pm Heritage Open Weekend - Scadbury Manor Open Scadbury Park 12th September at 11am In the Shadow of St Pauls - Chris Davies Chislehurst Library 17th September at 10am Chislehurst Chase Royal Parade 17th & 18th September 2-5pm London Open House - St Nicholas Church Tower and St Nicholas Church Churchyard Tours. 24th September at 10am Litter Pick The Old Chapel 30th September at 1-5pm The Big Draw Chislehurst Common

The Old Chapel 3, Queens Passage Chislehurst BR7 5AP

[email protected] 020 8467 0900 www.chislehurst-society.org.uk

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