We gratefully thank the following for their help and support in this project.

Bromley Archives British Film Institute Odeon Cinema The family of Spencer-May Museum Holy Innocents Roman Catholic Church Advertiser Rugby Club Boots the Chemist Wheeler systems Ltd Ideal Homes

Ref: Dorothy Cox, The Book of Orpington Sponsorships: Bromley Arts Council Awards for All, lottery grant. Kindly arranged through the Bromley Borough Local History Society.

And to the many others who have been interested in this project and kind enough to help.

In association with Films from the archives of Bromley Local Studies

Every effort has been made to locate the copyright holders of the original material, and permissions to use it obtained wherever possible. Copying or use of the material included in this DVD is not permitted without the authorisation of Footprint Productions. LOCAL HISTORY MAY CARNIVAL QUEEN A VISIT MADE TO CROWNING LOCAL FACTORIES

FOOTPRINT PRODUCTIONS Producer and star of “Chance of is a small group of film- a Lifetime” Bernard Miles and makers based in West his wife Josephine Wilson, Wickham, Kent, who have visited local factories on 26th worked closely with June to talk about his film which Bromley Local Studies to was showing at that time at the Commodore cinema. create videos of old cine films dating back to the late Bromley Archives are situated in Beginning their tour at Klingers 20s, held in their archives. Bromley Central Library factory, Sidcup by-pass, they walked round the canteen and We believe that old films recording The Borough of chatted to the workers. local events are an important part Bromley was created in 1965 They also visited Electro of our national heritage and a out of the former Lana Morris Dynamic Company Works at valuable resource for historians. and Bromley Boroughs, Orping- St.Mary Cray, where the factory They are also of great interest to ton and Urban Districts, In May 1950, Miss Madeline gardener presented to the general public but, as film, and part of U.D.C. of was Miss Wilson, a bouquet of roses viewing was virtually impossible. crowned as the Fifteens’ Asso- picked that morning. At the same time Bromley ciation Carnival Queen. There Now, however, the films have transferred from Kent to Later, 300 or so employees was prolonged applause as Lana been digitally transferred, re- become part of . gathered for the opening of the Morris placed the glittering searched, and are being made into new canteen at Farnborough crown on Madeline’s Head. DVDs, to help Bromley Local Stud- Penge had been in Surrey engineering works, where Miss After the crowning Miss Morris ies make them available for public before 1889 and in the County Wilson cut a white ribbon and was presented with a bouquet viewing. of London until 1900. Bernard Miles claimed to be the of carnations by Mr.Frank first person to eat there by beg- This, the first of the series, covers Before Beckenham [in 1935] Davies, manager of the ging a sandwich from one of the Orpington from the late 20s, and and Bromley [in 1903] gained Commodore Cinema. works people. includes new material showing their Borough status they were Born on March 11, 1930, in some of the places in the old film Urban District Councils in their Bernard James Miles, an English Ruislip, Lana Morris was a popu- as they are today, along with a own right. In 1934 there was a character actor, writer and lar film, stage and television commentary covering the many series of changes when director, entered the theatre in actress during the 50s and 60s. events depicted. Orpington Urban District was the 1930s, and was made a formed from the major part of As her roles in films became CBE in 1953. We hope you enjoy the fruits of Bromley Rural District and the less she became a TV panellist. our labours and trust you will find former Chislehurst Urban In 1969 he was knighted and in the events of yesteryear as fasci- District was amalgamated She died suddenly in Windsor, 1979 was granted a life peerage nating as we do. with Sidcup. at the age of 68 and was sur- as Baron Miles, of Blackfriars vived by her son. in the City of London.

Page 2 Page 35 1950 COMMODORE CINEMA ORPINGTON

HISTORY (IN BRIEF) 15’S ASSOCIATION If you dear Sir, will deign to From this time developers began The Fifteens Association was pass a day, in the fair vale of to take an interest in Orpington founded during World War II and Orpington and Cray… as a potential new suburb, named after the Warden 15 Post. several buying land along the The Association was a local Rev. Francis Fawkes, Vicar of east side of the railway line and group who organised the annual Orpington 1774-1777. starting to build before the First Orpington Carnival and May World War. (The population in Queen Festival. The first record of the name 1911 being around 5,000, rose

Orpington occurs in 1032, when to 49,500 by 1939.) The Palace Cinema originally King Cnut’s treasurer gave land opened as a roller skating rink. at ‘Orpedingetune’ to the Monas- Development continued through- In 1911 a cinema replaced the tery of Christ Church at Canter- out the interwar years on both Commodore Cinema rink when Albert Spencer-May bury. The parish church also pre- sides of the High Street. The Orpington High Street (landlord of the Old White Hart) dates the Domesday Book. High Street itself changed from a

opened the Picture Palace on village street to a suburban Over two hundred years ago the premises. Refurbished in shopping centre complete with Orpington was almost entirely its own cinemas. 1951 it was renamed the self-supporting, producing its own Carlton. Finally closing in The Commodore Cinema was fuel and lighting. In the early 1959, it became a garage but built in 1933 by the local 1800s Orpington was described was soon replaced by shops Spencer-May family . It was as a picturesque little village with adjoining Carlton Parade. intended to be a more modern quaint old houses, but in 1868 alternative to their Picture Palace the South Eastern Railway arrived at the other end of the High linking Orpington to central Street. It was designed by archi- London and Sevenoaks and life tects Leslie H. Kemp and began to change. F. E. Tasker. The Walnuts c 1900 Further expansion of the In the 1960s the Commodore was railway led to much housing sold to the Shipman and King development. In 1904 the Some pre Victorian buildings chain and later passing to EMI, it station was rebuilt and enlarged, survived in the High Street into closed in May 1982 , the intention allowing the train service to be the 1970's but many of these being to convert it to a bingo hall, improved considerably. were swept away by the the fate of many of its contempo- Walnuts development, to the raries. This never happened; in- east of the High Street, which stead it was demolished and re- consisted of shops, offices, a placed by a branch of McDonald's. large college of further educa- tion and a new police station. Palace Cinema—Orpington

Page 34 Page 3 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ORPINGTON

After many years of breeding ORPINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL poultry, Mr. William Cook produced the Buff Orpington hen making Orpington famous CORONATION TREES throughout the world, and in 1897 produced the Diamond PLANTED Jubilee Orpington Hen which To commemorate the Coronation trees in the district, including was presented to Queen Victoria. of King George V1 and Queen those along the highways. Landing of Standard Imperial Airways—1930 Elizabeth, nine English grown The Orpington Car, made by The captains of the boys and trees were planted in the playing Frank Smith and Jack Milroy, fields of the Orpington Central girls on behalf of the staff and was shown at the 1920 Motor Flying has had some important School. (Now a housing estate) scholars, handed Mr.Mansfield Show. It was a two-seater con- connections with the area. a framed photograph (an aerial vertible, with a dickey seat, and They were gifts from Mr.William view) of the school and the a 10 horsepower (7 kW) engine. Amy Johnson made a force land- Mansfield (Chairman of the trowel he used which had been Although briefly successful, ing in 1936. Orpington Group of School made in the metal room of the Smith and Milroy could not Managers) Mr.E.H.Joynson and school. compete with mass production Land speed record holder, Sir Mr.E.Thompkins of Chelsfield, and the last car was built in Malcolm Campbell, practiced fly- school managers. Cheers were given for the man- 1925. Unfortunately, there are ing from the fields at Broom Hill. agers, and later the school choir no surviving examples. The majority of the trees were sang songs, including George A Standard Imperial Airways planted on the eastern side of the Dysons’ Thanksgiving. plane was forced down near school. Goddington Park in 1930. Beautiful sunshine prevailed while In World War 2, the town the trees were bring planted. And suffered incendiary bomb Mr.Joynson planted the first tree, damage, as well as V1 and V2 a cedar. Mr. Mansfield said the attacks, because of its location The Orpington Car trees would commemorate the on the flight path to London and Until recent times the valley of Coronation of their Majesties and its nearness to . Orpington was wet and water the growth and development of each tree which would be would flood the main street. This The last British civilian killed by watched with interest. was caused by the overflowing of German bombing was Mrs. Ivy the gravel pits at the junction of Millichamp, 34, who was killed in After the ceremony the managers the High Street and Station Road. her home at 88 Kynaston Road and their friends gathered in the Tree planting at Orpington by a V2 on 27th March 1945. Central School 1937 The first sizeable housing devel- main hall of the girls’ school. opment was in the early 1900s, The roads of the Grassmead Lieutenant Colonel Kirkhope, when the Borough Guide adver- housing estate were named after Vice-chairman of the managers tised picturesque houses that pilots from Biggin Hill who fought and chairman of the Parks and were ‘immune from the invasion and died in the second world war. Open Spaces Committee made an of electric trams, so detrimental appeal for the preservation of all to property.’

Page 4 Page 33 1937 ORPINGTON BARGAINS

KING GEORGE V1

After the abdication of King given to civilians and can be Edward VIII, to be free to marry given posthumously. The twice-divorced American, Mrs. award consists of a silver Wallis Simpson, the Duke of York cross . On one side is became King George V1 and the depicted St. George slaying lives of his young daughters were the dragon, with the inscrip- changed forever. Princess Eliza- tion ‘For Gallantry’. On the beth became Heiress Presumptive other appears the name of to the throne of England because the holder and the date of if the new young queen had a the award. son, he would have been next in line.

George and Elizabeth Bowes- Lyons were crowned at Westminster Abbey on 12th May 1937.

Born at Sandringham on 14th December 1895, King George VI died peacefully in his sleep at the early age of 57 on 6th February 1952, at the royal estate of Sandringham where the family had gathered for Christmas. The King's funeral saw the royal women veiled and in full black.

In 1940, when the civilian popu- lation of Britain was subject to mass bombing by the Luftwaffe, King George VI instituted the George Cross for ‘acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circum- stances of extreme danger’. The award, which is second only to the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration, is usually

Page 32 Page 5 1929 ORPINGTON JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS THE WEDDING OF HELENE SPENCER-MAY

The 21st September, 1929, saw the wedding of Christine Helene Spencer-May at All Saints Parish Church. This was a wedding of considerable local interest, her father being a prosperous busi- ness man and the owner of both cinemas in Orpington.

Christine married Mr. Archibald The wedding cars were sup- Walter Tietjan. The bridesmaids, plied by Burton and Deakin of dressed in yellow, mauve, blue Orpington. At this time it was and pink, were the bride’s and the custom to print the wed- groom’s sisters together with a ding presents received in the friend. local paper. The happy couple were presented with a dining room suite from Helene’s par- Our debt to the throne by Sir Waldron Smithers ents and cut glass and other (later to become Member of Parliament for Orpington) gifts from Mr. & Mrs. Tietjen.

“In adding my humble tribute ‘Whatever the struggle of parties, to our King and Queen on the whatever the strife of factions, occasion of their Jubilee, I whatever the excitement and cannot do better than to exaltation of the public mind, quote Disraeli’s words: there has always been something in this country round which all The bride arrives at ‘Since the settlement of that classes and parties could rally, All Saints church constitution, now nearly two representing the majesty of the centuries ago, England has law, the administration of justice,

never experienced a revolution, and involving at the same time The bride was dressed in cream though there is no country in the security for every man’s satin and carried white carna- which there has been so con- rights and the fountain tions, a gift from her future hus- tinuous and such considerable of honour.’ band. The couple left the church change. How is this? Because to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March the wisdom of your forefathers …… It means the continuous where the public had gathered to placed the prize of supreme order which is the only par- see the happy couple. power without the sphere of ent of personal liberty and human passions.’ you owe all political right. And you owe The newly wedded couple these to the throne. all these to the throne.” Page 6 Page 31 Page 31 1935 KING GEORGE V ALL SAINTS CHURCH ORPINGTON

George V (George Frederick During WW1 he relinquished all The Parish Church “All Saints”, Ernest Albert; (3.6.1865— German titles and styles on stands upon pre-Norman foun- 20.1.1936) was the first British behalf of his relatives who were dations. Monarch belonging to the House British subjects; and changed of Windsor, which he created from the name of the royal house Mentioned in the Domesday the British branch of the German from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Book, it is Early English in style, House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. As Windsor. but some Saxon work is still well as being King of the United visible. George was plagued by illness Kingdom and the Commonwealth Image Source: 1928 postcard Realms, George was also the throughout much of his reign In 1173 it was endowed by the Emperor of India and the first King and on 20th January 1936 Archbishop of Canterbury. The of the Free Irish State. lapsed into a coma. and on his tower and steeple were dam- In 1957 restoration was carried death was succeeded by his aged by a storm in 1771, but out by Geddes and Hyslon. It George reigned from 6th May eldest son Edward. unfortunately the new steeple, was greatly enlarged and now 1910, through World War 1. From built in 1809, was hit by light- has a seating capacity for a the age of 12 George served in The Silver Jubilee celebrations ning and was never replaced. large congregation. the Royal Navy but upon the of 1935 were a massive demon- unexpected death of his elder stration of the popular affection brother, Prince Albert Victor, he for the king. became heir to the throne and married his brother's fiancée, King George is buried in Mary of Teck. Although they St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. occasionally toured the British Empire, George preferred to stay at home with his stamp collection, and lived what later biographers would consider a dull life because of its conventionality.

On 6th May 1910, shortly before Gorge’s 45th birthday, his father King Edward V11 died, and the Prince of Wales ascended the throne. George was now King George V and Mary was Queen. Their coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on 22nd June 1911.

All Saints church Orpington

Page 30 Page 7 1929 ARMISTICE SUNDAY

The annual remembrance parade took place in commemoration of the Armistice and to pay homage to fallen comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Great War.

Contingents marched from All Saints in Orpington and St. Mary’s Church in St. Mary Cray, passing St. Andrews. culminating at the War Memorial in Orpington. Salute at All Saints Church

Those included in the parade were the British Legion, At the memorial, wreaths were Territorials, Friendly Societies, laid in remembrance of those Scouts, Fireman and brass bands. who fell. The orphanage was run by the Presentation Brothers, built in 1893 and became a boys’ school in 1955. ST.MARY CRAY ORPINGTON MEMORIAL

In the churchyard there is a 1st The memorial was unveiled on World War Memorial in the form Sunday 28th August 1921 by The original orphanage was of a tall slender column with a Colonel A. Wood-Martyn, DSO. divided into wings, one for boys Celtic Cross, unveiled by Mrs. R. The Roll Call of names was read and one for girls. The children Berens of Kevington in 1919. aloud by Dr. A. Tennyson-Smith, were taught basic agriculture, a Made from Portland stone, the and included that of his son, subject that many of them would original inscription, unreadable John Allan. later put to use 4,000 miles because of weathering, was re- away. The young people ready to placed by a metal plaque in the The memorial was designed by leave the Orpington Orphanage, church. Charles Heaton Comyn FRIBA, of and who lacked friends or Hill Cottage, Station Road, relatives, emigrated to Canada to St. Mary’s Orpington. The design is a trian- Church War homes set up by the Catholic Memorial gular column of Portland stone Canadian emigration Society to about 6 metres high with the help them adapt to their new names of the fallen cut into each environment, before being placed New arrivals at the orphanage of the three sides. At this time with mainly Irish-Canadian there were only 3 roads. Spur Catholic farming families. Road, as its name suggests, was built to connect to Court Road (the Orpington by pass) in 1926.

Page 8 Page 29

ST.JOSEPHS ORPHANAGE

In 1887 Bishop Butt founded the Typical examples of early arrivals Southwark Diocesan Education were James McCarthy, who was Council & Rescue Society for poor admitted on 18 September 1893 and neglected children from at the age of 10, from the parish South London, Kent, Surrey and of St. Olave's, having spent the Sussex. He was inspired by the previous two years in the work- work of Canon Crea at Southwark house; and John Gorman, aged Cathedral, who had acquired a 11, admitted 14 days earlier from disused carpenter's shop as a the parish of Lambeth, where he shelter for such children, becom- had spent four years in the work- ing the first General Manager of house. For the next seven years the Society. St Joseph's Orphanage and School was also occupied by girls, In 1891 a 60-acre site at Orping- under the guidance of the Sisters ton was put up for public auction of Mercy, whose Superior was Preparing Spur Road but did not reach its reserve Mother Mary Martha. The first figure. The Bishop was attracted chaplain was Father Martin, by this opportunity, and the fol- whose tenure was only brief. He Two sides have a simple cross After WW2 a committee was set lowing day the Society purchased was followed in 1894 by Father at the summit and the third up to advise on the manner in the land, which allowed sufficient Linnett, who served until his side, a horse rampant, the which the people of Orpington space for the proposed buildings, death in 1912. symbol of Kent. The cost in would wish to honour local peo- as well as fields in which to 1921 was £900. ple who died during the war and teach the children basic a plaque was attached to the farming methods. It originally recorded the memorial in honour of all who names of the 111 local men had died, together with the sup- The building of St Joseph's who died in the 1st World War port of the purchase of Priory Orphanage and School (for 200 but 4 names have been added Gardens and other public areas boys from the age of four on- over the years. in Orpington. ward) was completed in 1892. On 23 July 1893, the Presentation Brothers, with Brother Louis as Superior, arrived from Cork to undertake their task of training and educating the boys.

Bishop Butt

Preparing the new road Completion of Spur Road

Page 28 Page 9 CANADIAN CORNER SILVER JUBILEE LOCAL CELEBRATIONS DECORATED SHOPS COMPETITION

Ontario Military Hospital—Orpington

THE BEGINNINGS OF

ORPINGTON HOSPITAL In the cemetery of All Saint’s Most of the old wards were church are buried 88 Canadian demolished in 1979 to make soldiers who died during WW1. way for a new building. The In 1914 Canada joined in the Clocktower was removed and war with Britain and organised placed outside where it fell an expeditionary force to France. into disrepair until renovated by a League of Friends in 2nd Prize: Gayfer Silversmith After only a few short months of 1993 and placed in the fighting it became obvious that courtyard. Traders in Orpington decided on hospital provision for the decorations and window wounded was inadequate. The opening of this hospital displays were made ready for a made it necessary to provide public inspection of their deco- In August 1915 two Canadian a burial place for those who rated shops when the judges military officials came to England died there and a section of a chose the three prize-winners. and the site of Orpington was meadow was chosen and chosen for the Ontario Military consecrated. There are 116 1st prize Hospital, the building of which graves here including soldiers E.J.Elton, butcher was paid for by the Government from Australia and England. 126 High Street—now a sandwich bar of Ontario. The Hospital known On Christmas Day 1918 and butchers. as the 16th Canadian General there were around 1000 2nd prize became one of the most up-to- patients in the hospital. In Gayfer, the silversmith and jewellers date Military Hospitals in the summer of 1919, King 108 High Street—now New Image George V and Queen Mary the world. It was in this year hairdressers. that the Canadian Government paid a private visit to the sold the hospital to British hospital. 3rd prize Ministry of Pensions. Madame Louie Hats 93 High Street—now Machin’s Bakery Page 10 Page 27 ORPINGTON VILLAGE HALL ORPINGTON JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS LIBERALS LOSE ELECTION H.Q.IN FIRE

A fire which severely damaged Smoke hung over the High Orpington Village Hall (February Street when fireman from Orp- 1962) deprived Orpington liber- ington, Bromley, Bexley and Sid- als of their by-election head- cup arrived at 1.15am to try and quarters 16 days before polling. gain control of the flames.

The fire, spotted by a patrolling The Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ralph policeman, started in a first floor stated that they would have to room and quickly spread to the go into the matter very thor- roof which was destroyed. The oughly. If they decided to en- clock tower (the clock of which tirely rebuild the hall in its origi- had not worked for many years) nal form it would cost about was left in a dangerous condition £30,000, but a modern design Sports took place in many locations on the day, including and the building was stated to was preferred. St.Josephs Orphanage. Almost 900 entries for sports on Orpington be “almost a write-off”. Recreation Ground were received and prizes for each sport were One important point which was distributed in the evening. borne in mind in reaching a deci- sion was that the High Street widening scheme would involve the sacrifice of some premises.

The Hall was given to Orpington by a Mr. Alfred Brown and was opened in 1896. During World War I it was used as an auxiliary hospital and until shortly after World War 2 was the only pub- lic hall in the town.

It was later replaced at the top of the High Street.

The parade wound its way through the streets of Orpington and in Firemen busy at the height of the evening the Orpington Silver Band played. the blaze

Page 26 Page 11 Page 11 VAD HOSPTIALS

The Kent Voluntary Aid Detach- Although the War Office paid a EVENTS ment operated throughout the daily allowance for each pa- period of the First world War. tient, a large part of the run- Over 80 hospitals were set up in ning expenses was met through Mrs. Drinkwater, Head Mistress of Kent in houses, schools and local funding and support. the Orpington Infants’ School, church halls etc., to receive was general supervisor for a The village hall in Orpington wounded and sick soldiers children's’ tea party. Well over was one such hospital or small brought home from the battle- 1000 children attended and convalescent unit. fields. souvenir mugs made in Stafford- shire, purchased by the Orping- On the outbreak of war, the Kent Soldiers from Belgium, ton Urban Council, were pre- Territorial Force Association, the Australia, Canada as well as sented to each and every child on British Red Cross and St. Johns England, were brought to these the Monday afternoon in all wards Ambulance, combined together hospitals. in the district. to form the Kent VAD. Head- Scouts prepare bonfire The first voluntary aid detach- for the Jubilee celebrations quarters were at the home of Dr. ment in Kent was formed in Thanks were given to the cater- Yolland at 53 . 1910 following the publication ers, Messrs. Battle, for organisa- Ms. Lillian Salter of The Drive, These hospitals provided accom- by the War Office of a scheme tion in the preparation and deliv- wrote that warmest thanks modation for 4,730 patients. for groups of volunteers to sup- ery of teas at the five Orpington should be accorded to Messrs. A. port the medical services of the centres which was plentiful, and Buckwell and Sons, nurserymen, territorial force. last, but by no means least, thanks was given to Mr. Spencer- for their attention to the Orping- May, whose gift of patriotic caps ton War Memorial and the beauti- BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING 1919 was made to all the children, ful flowers supplied by them free of charge. “Mrs. C. Tennyson-Smith ARRC, Commandant and Lady Superintendent of the stressing the note of loyalty so evident at the tea tables. Village Hall Auxiliary hospital, Orpington, was presented with the Royal Red Mr. Joynson, chairman of the Cross (First Class) for her services during the war.” Bonfires were lit by the Scouts in Council, expressed publicly the THOUGHTS FROM AN UNKNOWN—WORLD WAR 1 the evening and at St. Ann’s and Council’s appreciation for the St. Joseph’s further bonfires were hard work performed by everyone There are two kinds of people on earth to-day, Just two kinds of people : no lit which could be seen as far concerned in making the King’s more, I say. Not the sinner and saint, for 'tis well understood, the good are away as Sevenoaks. Jubilee Day such a success. half bad, and the bad are half good. Not the rich and the poor, for to count a man's wealth, you must first know the state of his conscience and health. A large firework display also took Nor the humble and proud, for in life's little span, who puts on vain airs is not counted a man. Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years place, provided by the Urban bring each man his laughter and each man his tears. Council, and the local Presentation of Medals fire brigade took NO; the two kinds of people on earth I mean are the people who lift, and the charge of the ‘big Police-sergeant George Jell and people who lean. Wherever you go, you will find the World's masses, are bang’. Police-constables Rogers and always divided in just these two classes. And oddly enough, you will find too, Taylor, each with 24 years I wean, there is only one lifter to twenty who lean. In which class are you? service, were presented with the Are you easing the load of over-taxed lifters who toil down the road. Or are Silver Jubilee you a leaner, who lets others bear your portion of labour and worry and Medal King’s Silver Jubilee Medal. care. Page 12 Page 25 1935 ORPINGTON JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Orpington certainly The SS Commodore was celebrated the 1935 Silver awarded first prize in the proces- Jubilee in style. Entries for sion, the costumes of which the decorated vehicle proces- were made by Mrs.Maude Smith, sion were numerous and all wife of Sergeant Smith the the vehicles assembled at commissionaire at the Spur Road after a united Commodore Cinema. service of thanksgiving at the Parish church. The film of the Silver Jubilee procession was later shown on the screen at the Commodore cinema.

Start of the Parade from Orpington Memorial SS Commodore—1st prize winner Advertisement c.1920 Reprinted by permission of Boots Page 24 Page 13 1930 1935 LEGION STANDARDS DEDICATION BOXING DAY FOOTBALL MATCH

CEREMONY AT BROMLEY POSTAL V Cray Wanderers’ Football Club

KEVINGTON ORPINGTON PALACE ground was owned by

CHARITY MATCH Mr.Joynson. The Crays were August 10th 1930, four hundred known to be one of Kent League’s members of the British Legion, ‘poorest relations’. Some of the from Bromley, Beckenham, Tun- Kent League clubs had wonderful facilities at this time, but at Cray bridge Wells, Maidstone, Wester- ham, Sidcup, Well Hall, Halstead, they had only one bath which Knockholt and Dartford, marched filled up with mud as each player on Sunday afternoon from the took it in turn to wash.

Cray Wanderers’ Football Ground 7th in the Kent League, 1935 at Fordcroft to Kevington Park, was arguably Crays’ best League where the new standards of the performance, during this period,

Orpington, Crays and District, but in June of that year and the Chelsfield branches of the Legion Standards Dedication Boxing Day 1935 Mr.Joynson gave notice to the march past Legion, were dedicated football club to quit the ground and presented. which had been their home since Nearing the end of the cere- A hundred hardy souls who 1898, a decision which would The parade formed up on the mony they sang “Fight the Good braved conditions to visit Cray haunt the club for decades to football ground, where, in addi- Fight” and Canon H. Knight, of Wanderers’ ground at Fordcroft come. tion to the members of the Legion , gave a short on Boxing morning, saw enough itself, there were also present address. to convince them that local foot- representatives of the Special ball was both flourishing and Constabulary Reserve, St. Johns The choirs of Orpington and St. entertaining. One only regretted Ambulance Brigade, Salvation Paul’s Cray churches were ac- that the weather was so unkind Army, Girl Guides, Orpington and companied in the service by the to the energetic organiser, District Territorial's, The Oddfel- Orpington and District brass Mr.Jordan. lows, RAOB, and the National band, and the band of St. Jo- Union of Railway Men, with the seph’s Orphanage was also pre- Palace opened strongly, and took women’s section of the Legion, sent. Captain G. Birrell, M.C., the lead, but threw away several with their own standard. the organising secretary of the chances to add to this before south east area, was the parade half-time. The Postal were not After the singing of “O God, our marshal, assisted by Messrs. W. long in arrears, and even though Awarding medals help in ages past’” Mrs. Nash, Walsh and Mr. H.Collyer. Postal made every effort to save wife of Major W. Nash, MBE, pre- the game, they failed to get that sented the standards to the Orp- Those assembled for the dedica- elusive goal which they deserved. Founded in 1860, they are the ington and Crays branch, and tion then marched on to the war 2nd oldest Association Football Mrs. Norman Butler that of the memorial in Orpington. After the game, Mr.E.Joynson, Club in the world. They now Chelsfield branch. who lent the ground, distributed play on the grounds at Hayes medals. Lane.

Page 14 Page 23

GODDINGTON PARK KEVINGTON HALL

As far back as 1300, Godding- Goddington House, as it is ton Manor was owned by Simon called today, became a Grade 2 de Godyngton. In the 1700 listed building in 2004. ownership had passed to a Mary Harris, whose son, George, - - - designed St. Paul’s Church, In 1981 an association was Crofton and the old Orpington formed to preserve and protect Village Hall. In 1875, many Goddington Park and to ensure years after the original manor free and full public access. It house had been demolished, a has 64 hectares of grass and new manor house was built. trees and a number of rugby Today it is owned by the Meth- and football pitches, plus tennis odist church and used as flats. courts and children’s play areas.

Georgian Mansion—Kevington Hall

The ordnance survey map of It was later used as a primary 1876 shows Kevingtown and school until the 1980s. Kevington, the former at the top of the hill, the latter on The present owners have car- it’s slope. ried out the huge task of resto- ration which is now complete. The manor of Kevington This grand Georgian mansion is belonged to the two families set in sixty acres of parkland. of Manning and Onslow from the late Middle Ages to the Kevington Hall is situated mid-eighteenth century when south-east of St. Mary Cray. it was sold to Herman Berens, and was designed and built in a City merchant from Amster- 1767-69 by the architect Sir dam. The Berens family Robert Taylor. Manor house at Goddington park owned the hall until the Sec- ond World War, when the Government requisitioned it for Canadian troops.

Page 22 Page 15 1930 1937 RUGBY AT ORPINGTON CORONATION OF KING GEORGE V1

BOXING DAY MATCH IN AID OF THE CRAY VALLEY HOSPITAL . Score:

Orpington 9 points

Sevenoaks and Maidstone 5 points

ORFC v Sevenoaks and Maidstone

Cray Valley Hospital, spectators An umbrella was raffled on the and players, must have all been ground whiwhichch brought in £2.5s. pleased when, in perfect weather, Fortunately its winner had no a Boxing Day match was played need to use it between Orpington and Sevenoaks and Maidstone. The first ORFC had run from about 1922 to 1939 and, during Half-time saw Orpington two this period, established the first points down though they had so Orpington Sports Club to incorpo- far been the superior side. rate other sports like hockey and cricket. When war broke out, the Pressure was kept up against the ground was requisitioned by the visitors on the re-start. military and by the time the war Undoubtedly, the credit for the was over Westcombe Park had win went to the forwards who moved to the Goddington Park were excellent in the scrums. area from Blackheath. ORFC had ceased to exist. On re-launching The attendance was around 450, the Club in 1969, contact was half of which purchased tickets on made with a player from the pre- the ground. It was thought that war club who donated a jacket from the number of tickets sold which before a fire at the club that a record contribution was house in recent years was dis- paid to the Cray Valley Hospital. played in a glass case.

Page 16 Page 21 1936 CEREMONY AT ORPINGTON WAR CRAY VALLEY HOSPITAL MEMORIAL

BRITISH LEGION

PARADE AT ORPINGTON Parading from the Drill Hall of the The parade later stopped again Royal West Kents, the procession at St. Andrew’s Church, Lower marched to the Orpington Memo- Road on their route to St. Mary rial with bands playing lively Cray, and finally marched to St. tunes along the route. Joseph’s Church.

Coincident with the laying of At the end of the ceremonies wreaths on the Orpington there were sharp military com- memorial, a poppy wreath was mands and the band played placed on the memorial at “Where are the boys of the old Canadian Corner in Orpington brigade and thence to the Par- churchyard by Mr. W. Joynson. ish Church War Memorial. They left the processions at the by-pass and after paying tribute to the memory of the Canadians and Australians who died in Orpington, they rejoined the main body at the junction of Church Hill and Orpington High Street.

Cray Valley Cottage Hospital

Built in 1882 by the Chislehurst, It was substantially rebuilt in Sidcup and Cray Valley Medical 1924 and by the 1940s was and Surgical Aid Society, Cray one of the area’s leading hos- Valley Cottage Hospital was pitals. opened to the public in 1884. Unfortunately, by the 1960s it Over its 90 years history it was was in decline and on the used for maternity and geriatric opening of the Queen Mary patents. Hospital at Sidcup, was closed.

Page 20 Page 17 1930 OPENING OF NEW RECREATION GROUND MR.WALDRON SMITHERS

The opening of the new Orping- With swings and roundabouts for Smithers is a town in the prov- ton Recreation Ground the children, it was one of the ince of British Columbia on the (Goddington Park) by Mr. Henry most pleasant situations in the Bulkley River. It was named S. Howard, the son of the first neighbourhood. after Sir Alfred Waldron Smith- Chairman of the Orpington Par- ers, Chairman of the Grand ish Council, marked the success- “This constitutes what is possibly Trunk Pacific Railway. ful termination of a scheme the finest public ground for formed very many years ago. many miles round”, and it was Born in England, he spent most Sir Waldron Smithers to be hoped that all who used of his life here, making periodic As early as 1894, the Parish the ground would take to heart visits to Canada while chairman. Council had the idea of a public the words of Mr. Waldron He was involved with railway recreation ground in mind, and Smithers, by remembering that management in England and Winning the election Sir Waldron they worked steadily to achieve it was a place of beauty, to be served as Chislehurst MP from Smiths held the seat until his this ambition in the face of treasured and not filed with rub- 1918—1922 for the Coalition death in December 1954. He many difficulties. bish. Litter baskets were placed Unionists and was knighted was knighted in 1934. around the grounds, and others in 1919.

By 1930, the council possessed were promised to the Council, so 19 acres of ground, laid out for that there would be no excuse On 5th October 1880 his son was The New Recreation Ground: tennis, cricket, putting, and for throwing anything down. born. Educated at Charterhouse bowls. and in France, he became a Remarks made by Mr. Smithers member of the London Stock at the opening of the new Exchange. After the death of his grounds, had an immediate effect father in 1924, in the general on at least one member of his election of the same year, he audience who, in the act of stood for his father’s constitu- throwing away a match used to ency and won a three-cornered light a cigarette, picked it up and fight with a majority of more put it in his pocket! than 10,000. He went on to say that when the In his 30 years in the House of plants and flowers promised by Commons he was always a back- many people were in bloom, and bencher. Described as a diehard the Orpington band played on Tory he was well liked by all. Sunday evenings, the Parish Council would truly be entitled to He remained as member for look on their work and be grati- Chislehurst up to 1945 when he fied at the happy outcome of moved to the newly created their efforts. The Pavilion Orpington constituency.

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