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Home , Anerley, Keston, Penge

The JournaC o f the Bromhey Borough LocciCHistory Society

March 2000 Price 60p Tree to mem6ers

Penge CongregationaCChurch 1999 see articte on page 10 Bromleage March 2000

The inaugural meeting of the Borough Local History Society was held, twenty-six years ago, on 20th March 1974 at Stockwell College, now the Civic Centre, when over 100 people attended. The first newsletter went out in May, and the first Bromleage was issued in August 1974.

As we go into a new century, the Society’s aim is that anyone with an interest in the history of any part of the Borough can meet to exchange information and to learn more. History is continually being made and at the same time destroyed, buildings are altered or demolished, memories fade and people pass away, records get destroyed or thrown away. We aim, in co-operation with the local history library, museums and other relevant organisations, to make sure at least some of this history is preserved for future generations.

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Meetings are held at 7.45 pm on the first Tuesday of the month, from October to July, in the Methodist Church Hall, North Street, Bromley (there is parking available, bus services nearby and facilities for the disabled).

In addition, daytime meetings are held at 2.30 pm oh the second Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September and November in the Methodist Church Hall at the corner of Bromley and Bevington Roads, . This is on several bus routes and there is a large public car park nearby.

Members receive Bromleage four times a year.

You are welcome to come along to one of our meetings to see if you would like to join. You will be made very welcome and won’t be pressed to join, although non-members are invited to make a donation of £1 towards the costs of the meeting.

However if you wish to join, the subscription rates are £8.50 for an individual, £10 for a husband and wife. Senior Citizens pay a reduced rate of £6 for an individual, £8 for a couple. Members joining after 30th June pay half these rates, but only receive two journals. There is also a charge of 50p per member at the Bromley meetings.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 0 Our next Bromley meetings will be:

Tuesday, 4th April 2000 AGM, followed by ‘Some Popular Local Authors’ Mary Cadogan

Tuesday, 2nd May 2000 A History of the Priory, Dr Alan Tyler

The next Beckenham meetings will be:

Wednesday, 10th May 2000 ‘Customs & Excise - a light hearted talk’ Fred Carpenter Wednesday, 12th July 2000 ‘Japan/British Exhibition 1910’ Bill Tonkin VISIT Saturday 13 May 2000 A Visit to the Bromley Borough Museum. Meet at Museum at 2pm

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Chairman & Membership Sec. Dr A. Allnutt, Woodside, Old Perry Street, , BR7 6PP

Hon. Sec: Mrs P. Knowlden, 62 Harvest Bank Road, , BR4 9DJ (tel. 020 8462 5002)

Editors: Denise & Paul Rason, 1 South Drive, Orpington, BR6 9NG e-mail [email protected] We are always pleased to receive articles, large or small, for inclusion in the journal. We may not be able to use your article immediately, as we try to maintain a balance between research and reminiscences and articles about different subjects and parts of the borough. Illustrations to accompany the article are always welcome.

The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of the Society. Each contributor is responsible for the content of their paper. © BBLHS

2 Bromleage March 2000

I’ve got a little list

I’ve got a little list I’ve got a little list.. of things that you can do.

There’s the exhibition at the Priory when we need some volunteers...

And the picnic at High Elms with a table to be manned...

Then one Sunday in July a lovely day in to sell our publications to the country folk around

For someone with a pen to hand We need a minutes sec. to record our every move.... to record our every move....

We have a splendid secretary who will be very pleased to add you to her list...... to add you to her list......

Freely adapted from the Mikado, and with apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan...

Contents

More about the ‘little list’ & BBLHS news, events & appeals 4 In and Around Bromley at the Turn of the Century - Publication and Exhibition 4 , the Holy City (or the New Jerusalem) David Johnson 8 A History of Keston Church Frank Cribbens 7 A Letter to the Priory, Orpington, 1735 Alan Tyler 13 Insurance Records at the Guildhall library Eric Green 6 Geoffrey Leonard Eames 1924-2000 - an appreciation 5 Book Review - An Illustrated Guide to 5 Book Review - From the Workhouse to the Pye House 5 Local Studies Visit and Corner 15 Melanie’s report from the Museum at Orpington 16 Society Visit to the Museum at Orpington 2 More than 34 Church of churches - letter 6 Hayes 2000 years of history - Millennium Exhibition 6 Orpington U3A 16 Western Front Association - local branch meetings 6 Heritage Centre 14 Databox 2000 - help needed 16 Queries: Childer Chaine, Bucknell family & Johnson’s Bikers Cafe 16

The deadline for the June edition is 16th May 2000 Please note our e-mail address on the page opposite.

We would welcome articles with a transport theme for the June edition.

3 Bromleage March 2000

BBLHS - NEWS AND EVENTS

More about ‘the little list’.... a writer herself, having written biographies of Richmal Crompton and Captain Johns (the author Firstly we need members to represent the of the Biggies books) and is also a broadcaster and society at our forthcoming: lecturer on literary subjects. It should be an interesting evening for the society.

Exhibition at the Museum Outing To The Museum. in Orpington I do hope members will come along to our outing to the Bromley Museum at the Priory, Orpington ‘In and Around Bromley on Saturday 13th May at 2pm. Alan Tyler, the at the Turn of the Century’ curator, will take us around the Priory, Bromley's oldest public building, telling it's story and letting from 28lh March until the 9th April. Hours of opening Monday - Friday l-5pm us into parts not usually open to the public. We will and Saturday 10am - 5pm. also be allowed to view some artefacts and items not usually on display. Please sign up with me for Please phone Patricia if you can spare an afternoon. the tour which should be very interesting. ► Tel. 0181 462 5002 Elaine Baker 01689 854408

We also need members to help at the Coming soon!!! Victorian Picnic at High Elms on Monday 1st May, 11am - 5pm and at In and Around Bromley Countryside Day on at the on Sunday 2nd July, 2-5pm. Turn of the Century We don’t expect you to help all day - Bromley Local History No. 10 a couple of hours will do. Offers please on a postcard - or by any other method of communication to Patricia Knowlden, 62 Harvest Bank Road, West Wickham BR4 9DJ. Tel. 0181462 5002

Minutes Secretary We also need a minutes secretary for the Committee. The task is not too onerous, we only have 4 or 5 committee meetings a year. This, our Millennium publication, is a revised You get a cup of coffee and a biscuit for your and updated edition of No.7, which has been pains, congenial company and the chance to out of print for some years. find out what is happening behind the scenes. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing ‘As before, members of the Society have set out on you are ‘doing your bit’ to support the society. their own journeys of exploration, to try to capture the scene and the flavour of “Bromley's” disparate Once again Patricia would be delighted to hear parts as old gave way to new. This time, however, from you. Tel. 0181462 5002 we have had our own changes, for we have moved on 15 years too. All the parishes have been brought AGM in April forward to the 20th century, some by the same Can we remind members that there will be no author and some not. Some are completely re­ parking available for us in the church car park for written either by the original writer, or by another our April meeting, due to a church meeting at the hand. Also, and Penge, and St. Paul's same time. However at that time of the evening, Cray are now included, and Bromley has come in parking is permitted in the surrounding streets. with the rest. ’ PK.

Following the AGM we have an interesting At the time of writing, it is with the printers speaker, Mary Cadogan, who will be speaking on literary figures who have lived in our area. Mary is and cost and publication date are not known.

4 Bromleage March 2000

An Illustrated Guide to From the Workhouse to the Pye House St Mary Cray and the Upper Cray Valley A History of

Millennium Edition by John Blundell by Amanda & Gill Humby

This attractive book, the 4th revised edition of the This is an interesting little booklet of 44 pages, and Illustrated Guide to St Mary Cray, was published at fills a gap in published information about areas of the end of 1999 by the St Mary Cray Action Group. Bromley. The authors began their research in May 1997 when it was announced that the fast food The text has been revised and updated and new chain McDonald’s was taking over the Sawyers information such as a paragraph about the Star Arms, and they decided to find out how old the pub Lane Cemetery chapel has been added, together was. They have done a lot of research, but if with a number of additional photographs and anyone knowledgeable about Bromley Common illustrations. Modem printing methods have disagrees with any of their conclusions, they say allowed this to be accomplished with the addition ‘although we have tried to authenticate all the of only 2 extra pages. The layout is attractive and information... this has not always been possible so the text well spaced and easy on the eye. one or two errors may have slipped through our net.... We would be delighted to receive additional The book is priced at £7. 50 and is available from information (and corrections) .... as we know there several bookshops in Orpington, and from the is .... more still to be uncovered... ’ Local Studies library from the end of April. Copies are also available by post from Bob Collins at 15 Most of the illustrations, which are very attractive, Rookery Gardens, St Mary Cray, Kent BR5 4BA. are sketches by Amanda, and there are also several Please add £1 to cover postage and packing. maps, including one of the Allotments on Bromley Common in 1821. Alternatively copies are available at meetings of the St. Mary Cray Action Group, which are held on This History of Bromley Common costs £3. 99 and the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8pm, at the is available from the Local Studies library or by Vernon Hall, next to the United Reform Church post from A. Alexander, 136 Jackson Road, (Temple) High Street, St Mary Cray. Visitors are Bromley Common, BR2 8NX. DR welcome and refreshments provided, but donations are invited towards the cost of the meetings. DR

Geoffrey Leonard Eames 1924 - 2000.

We are sorry to have to advise members of the Members will remember his article about the St sudden death of Geoffrey Eames, a longstanding Mary’s Plaistow in the last Bromleage. Other member of the society, on February 7th 2000. The articles that have appeared in our publications over funeral was held on February 15th at St Mary’s the years have included the one about the St Mary Plaistow, College Road, Bromley. Aldermary boundary markers.

Mr Eames was bom on 4th March 1924 and lived For our 25th Anniversary edition, Mr Eames all of his life in Bromley in the same house in produced the article about HG Wells’ father, Aldermary Road. His local history interests Joseph Wells. He was delighted to see it in print included the parish of St Mary Plaistow and and on the 5th March 1999 wrote “/ received a Bromley Hockey and Cricket Clubs. Copies of delightful surprise this morning - on the morrow of much of his research are in the Local Studies my 75th birthday! - to find J. W. looking at me. ” He library. They include ‘The Bandits Story 1832- had earlier written “It is certainly very nice to know 1982’- the story of the Bandits Hockey Club and that ‘Joseph Wells’ is at last quite likely to see the ‘Pastimes and times past in the parish of Plaistow’. light of day." and 7 have had many pleasant years with the society...on a very small annual sub. ’ He also researched and wrote the history of St Mary’s Plaistow. Whilst doing this, he realised that We are pleased that the publication of the article there was no Second World War Memorial, so he gave him so much pleasure. We were certainly very did the necessary work to discover the names, as a grateful for his encouragement and kind words result of which a Memorial similar to that for WW1 during and after the production of the Anniversary was erected some 25 years after the end of the War. edition, which extended to making a donation This included the names of the civilians as well as towards the extra costs, and buying additional the service people who had died. copies afterwards to pass on to friends. Editors

5 Bromleage March 2000

INSURANCE RECORDS. at Town Court Farm in the Parish of Chislehurst in Kent, Brick and tiled £100. The Guildhall Library holds the records of over 80 based insurance companies or On Stock and Utensils viz in his granary and subsidiaries approximately half of which were hop oast under one roof near, timber and tiled involved in insuring property against fire. The £100, in two barns under one roof near, tiled fire policy registers include 1262 volumes £350, in his stable near, tiled £100 and in the from the Sun Insurance Office for the period rick yard £150. 1710-1863. As the entries in those volumes are arranged chronologically i.e. policy number Household Goods, Wearing Apparel, Printed order, the relative lack of indexes and the Books and plate in his dwelling house and extent of the records means that a search of offices communicating, Brick a small part the registers is a lengthy business unless the timber and tiled £130 Stock and Utensils not policy number is known. hazardous therein £20.

One project aimed at extracting information Stock and Utensils in two stables, hogsties and from the Sun records for the use of researchers offices adjoining near, timber and tiled £49. is being undertaken by a team of readers who are using the information to prepare cards The total value of the property insured was according to occupation which are filed £999 with a note that the policy was ‘free from depending on that occupation in the Museum loss on such hay or com as shall be destroyed of London, the Victoria and Albert, the or damaged by natural heat'. Maritime Museum or the Museum of the Eric Green Tower of London. * now renamed the Blacksmiths Arms. More than 34 Church of England churches The information transferred to the cards generally includes the name, status, Dear Editors, You will find the 34 C. of E. churches as listed by Chris Porteous in the last Bromleage is occupation and address of the policy holder, not the total:- St John the Baptist at West Wickham names, occupations and addresses of tenants is in the Diocese of , not Rochester, as (where relevant) and the location, type and are the other two Wickham churches. PK value of the property insured. Hayes - 2000 years of History As the records cover the whole country and, as Make a note in your diaries of the Hayes has been said, are arranged in policy number Millennium Exhibition which will take place in order, information for local history appears by Hayes Village Hall from 6th - 9th July 2000. Two chance in the project referred to above. It was, thousand years of the history of Hayes will be therefore, of particular interest when I found revealed, set in its national context. Jean Wilson the following information in the Sun register for 15 th September 1801 about a policy in The Western Front Association Orpington followed by another for Bromley. North West Kent Branch

Policy No. 722296. William Wale, Victualler, March 30th Ian Passingham speaking on at the Artichoke* in the Parish of Orpington in ‘1917: the roots of Defeat and Victory’ April 27th ‘Richborough Port in the Great War’, Kent insured his dwelling house and the little known story of the part played by this brewhouse for £200. A stable and coachhouse small Kent seaport as a major supply route to the adjoining were insured for £80 and another Western Front. stable near for £20. The buildings were all May 25th. Dr Bamji will talk about the treatment timber and tiled. and advances made in the care of the wounded of the Great War at Queen Mary Hospital, . Policy No. 722297. John Izard, a Butcher, of Bromley in Kent was insured as follows - Meetings are held Royal British Legion Club at On his Household Goods, Wearing Apparel, (next to Safeways) at 7.30 p.m. Visitors welcome: entrance fee. Printed Books and plate in his dwelling house For more details contact the editors

6 Bromleage March 2000

A History of Keston Parish Church

Keston Parish Church, sited in “1645. On the 23rd of April our Norman times. To the west of the middle of the parish, is a church was defaced, our font this, and opposite the entrance building of great age and stands throwne down and new formes to the church, is the doorway to on a very old burial ground. We of prayer appointed”. the hall. This was the original do not know how old it is - doorway into the church and, neither do we know its name or In 1877 during the course of until the church hall was built in dedication. A church was there restoration the altar table was 1992, it had been filled in for in the reign of Edward the found to be decaying, but it was hundreds of years. When it was Confessor (1042-1066) valued possible to retain and re-opened to form the hall at 100 shillings, but none of this incorporate the original top in entrance the original archway structure remains visible. In the the new work. In the centre of dating back to the 13th century reign of Henry 111 (1216-1272) this top, formed from different was exposed. Sadly the much of the Norman chancel words, is a cross inscribed “In stonework began to deteriorate was demolished and rebuilt, Hoc Signo Vinces” (in this sign and had to be replaced. many of the Norman stones shalt thou conquer). It seems being used in the construction that, in the 17th century, By the door are two boards of the existing walls. When the superstition had arisen showing the names of the east wall was being rebuilt in concerning the Keston Mark or Rectors of Keston. The first 1950, following damage caused boundary which stood at the name is Henry de Baix and the by a bomb falling nearby, junction of the cross roads first recorded date is 1207 excavations at the base of the formed by Road, (William of Taunton) and the wall revealed four graves over Oakley Road and Westerham list continues through the which the wall had traversed. In Road. It is recorded that “...the centuries to the present day. this area a skull was found clergy of the day sought to which was identified as that of a divert the thoughts of the people To the side, above the doorway, woman of the Romano-British from the superstitious notions hangs the Royal Coat of Arms, type and dated from the first about the Keston Mark to the as used after 1837. The original half of the first Millennium, Christian mark of the cross”. gallery at the west end of the indicating the great antiquity of Today the public house ‘The church was built in 1733 for this site as a burial place prior Keston Mark’ stands at this “Young men and servants”. In to a church being built. point. 1880 the nave was lengthened and the present vestry and porch Entering the church through the The chancel arch dating from were added. The chime of six porch (added in 1883) on the the 13th century rests on the old bells was the gift of the north side and looking towards Norman pillars. By the chancel, Countess of Derby in 1887 and the chancel with the altar and in the south side of the nave, is the lightest peal in Kent. At East window, the chancel is there is a filled-in archway. the west end of the nave, north seen to be inclined to one side. Excavations outside the church side, is a stained glass window. This is known as a "weeping at this point revealed the It is the only remaining window chancel". Such chancels were foundations of a tower built in of a set of four by Burne Jones, built in this fashion in Medieval the reign of Henry 111 and the other three being destroyed churches following the ancient demolished, it was said, by in the war. tradition that the head of Christ lightening in the early 18th fell to one side whilst he was on century. Excavations also In 1992 the church hall was the cross. The East window was revealed within the tower built. The materials used and installed in 1952 to replace the foundation area the family vault the style of building were earlier window destroyed by of John Pepys, a relative of designed to match the fabric of bomb damage. Samuel Pepys, the famous the church. The doorway from diarist. The plaque from the the church leads into a foyer In the chancel, by the east wall, coffin of John Pepys can be and thence into the main hall are the remains of a piscina seen on the south wall opposite above which is an upper room basin, damaged in all the site of the vault outside. reached by a spiral staircase. probability by Cromwellian The hall has been designed to soldiers. In the mid 17th A point of interest of the allow full use of facilities by the century Puritan mobs damaged internal remains of this archway disabled. churches throughout the land is the human face carved in the Frank Cribbens and Keston did not escape this, impost. This face (“the grinning From an article originally in Keston Parish Magazine, and reprinted here as the parish register records: monk”) dates from early with permission

7 Bromleage March 2000

PENGE, THE HOLY CITY (or The New Jerusalem)

“Eh! What do you mean, Holy City? Almshouses in Penge were opened with much In Bromley's green and pleasant land, ceremony on 22nd June 1841. Mr Vine Did it shine forth upon our clouded hills, conducted services in the Alms House Chapel Was Jerusalem builded here?” on Wednesdays. The chapel doubled as a committee room and has tall imposing Tudor Yes it was, in a way, since Penge was called windows. It can still be seen from the High ‘Holy City’ for many years, from about 1900 Street right in the centre of this complex. It is to about 1950 by railway porters. ‘Holy City’ now an up-market private residence. was used in the square mile stations and Penge stations to indicate Penge. The Master of the Watermens' company, This was their lighthearted way to describe the Dudin Brown, suggested a church for Penge in square mile of Penge. Penge was packed with 1846 and the idea was supported by many places of worship. others. In 1847 architects and builders were appointed. ‘Mr Round Nash and Edwin Nash, In the beginning Architects’ is carved on a stone to the left of However, back in 1800 there was not a single the West entrance. George Myers of place of worship in Penge. Penge people was given the building contract. The cost was mainly attended Beckenham Parish church a little over £5,000. The foundation stone was rather than travel over 7 miles to their own laid on 1st August, 1848 by Leo Schuster. He Parish church, St Mary's . The Curate was a major contributor to the building fund, a of Beckenham, Marshall Hall Vine held director of the London and Brighton Railway services in a Penge cottage in the 1830s. There Company and the owner of the prestigious was pressure for Penge to have its own Penge Place. Other contributors included £100 purpose built place of worship. Beckenham from the City of London and £20 from Queen dignitaries supplied much of the funds for the Dowager Adelaide. first Penge Chapel, seating 160, opened 8th October 1837. Some reports indicate that The first Penge church was opened by licence Curate Vine conducted Sunday services in the in September 1849. The Bishop of Winchester new Chapel, morning and evening. The chapel dedicated the church on 21st November 1851 was at the junction of Croydon Road and the as St John the Evangelist. It is normally called High Street, diagonally opposite Penge Police St John's. It was at first sometimes called John Station. The building became St John's Church Dudin Brown’s church. He had given £1,050 of England School in 1850 and was towards the building fund and the ground on demolished in 1937, well within living which the church stands. Indeed, it is thought memory. The same named successful school that the church was named after the Christian continues to serve the community well in name of John Dudin Brown, its prime mover. nearby Maple Road. The 1837 chapel was too small for the population by 1847. The first church in Penge had seats for only 500 people. It was later enlarged. We are Some Penge population census figures are: fortunate that the elegant Early English style 1821-228; 1831- 229; 1841- 270; church of Kentish ragstone, with Bath stone 1851-1169; 1861-5015; 1871-13,202; dressing, graces this area to this day. You can 1881-18,650; 1891- 20,375 see the church with its spire of 150 feet at the 1931-27,771; 1961-25,742; 1971-20,1259; comer of Penge High Street and Queen 1981-19,924 Adelaide Road. In 1849 it looked over Phillips' Post 1965, the figures make less accurate farm opposite where the Queen Adelaide pub comparisons because of border changes. stands today and the ‘undeveloped’ green and pleasant Penge Hill. On the ridge of Penge Hill The population increased in the 1840s mainly in 1852-54 would be built. because of the building of the Watermen and This would draw more residents and an Lightermen Almshouses. Mr Dudin Brown enlargement of the church to seat a thousand. was the major benefactor. These, the first It is one of the few Penge churches to have

8 Bromleage March 2000

survived the very severe local bombing of 1939-45.

Increase in population and churches.

The population of the new Ecclesiastical Parish of Penge grew rapidly. This was partially because of the activities of the man who had laid the St John's foundation stone, Mr Schuster. He sold Penge Place and its extensive grounds to the Crystal Palace Company. The new 1854 Crystal Palace building and its servicing railways caused population expansion at ever increasing rates.

Christ Church, Croydon Road 1898 Soon daughter churches were built and new parishes were created in Penge Parish. Now the last two parishes are combined and a 1990s church has been built at the corner of ST PAUL'S Maple and roads. This is called Christ St Paul's, Hamlet Road, was built within 500 Church and in AD 2000 the Rev Micheal metres of the Crystal Palace building in 1865. Porter is the incumbent. This catered for the already built up area of good housing and formed a second Parish. As well as the C of E churches, many others This church was damaged in the WW11 were established including missions, Salvation bombing and was replaced on the same site by Army, Roman Catholic, and a Swedenbougian. the present building. A St Paul's Church of More denominations and churches are now England School did exist up to the 1930s and detailed to give a near comprehensive picture. youth organisations flourished here up to the Churches and chapels mushroomed as 1970s. religious enthusiasm increased and the population expanded. HOLY TRINITY Holy Trinity, Croydon Road at the junction ANERLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH with Anerley Road was opened in 1872. A and its connection with Hayes Free Church, new parish of Holy Trinity was created in Pickhurst Lane. 1873. The new church had a fine spire and graced a prominent cross roads at the top of Anerley Congregational Church was bombed three road hills. It was bombed on 25th March in 1943 and the war damage compensation 1944. money due to Anerley formed the bulk of the funds used to build Hayes Free Church. To the The Parish rooms of Holy Trinity were the right of the entrance of Hayes Free Church, Melvin Halls in Melvin Road. These strong inappropriately taking the erosion of many buildings still exist and serve as a Community passing feet, is the Anerley foundation stone. Centre for older people. I became a scout in The name of Rev Halsey can still be read as these halls in 1942. The church always had well as the MP, Mr S. Morley who laid the active youth organisations up to the 1970s. stone on 8th October 1874. The Rev Halsey also organised a school in Jasmine Road and CHRIST CHURCH was later a leading member of the late 19th on the comer of Franklin Road and Croydon century School Board. It was undoubtedly the Road, formed the fourth and last C of E energy of people like him that helped to build churches. It was built in 1884 to seat one the successful religious and social life in the thousand. Its new parish was formed in 1886. well named ‘Holy City’. It survived war damage to accommodated the worshippers and youth organisations of the The beautiful building has been replaced by bombed Holy Trinity up to 1990. Part had the usual flats. Unseen from Anerley Road, earlier been damaged by fire, possibly arson.

9 Bromleage March 2000

behind the flats, the Crystal Palace Bowls Club 1909-46. Even recently the PCC was often serves a community function. referred to as Barson’s. A new short road adjacent to St John's Church is called PENGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ‘Barson’s Close’ and perpetuates his memory. He was another notable who built local Some Anerley Congregational Church religious and social life. members in 1907 formed the Anerley NB. We thank Edna East for the photograph of PCC on the front Independent Guild meeting in each other’s cover. ED. houses for worship. In 1908 the Anerley Independent Guild was reformed as Penge THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST Congregational Church [PCC]. Ground was CHURCH leased at the comer of Penge High Street and Kenilworth Road. The services were first held in rooms in Hawthorne Road in 1867. These were led by The first church, 1908, was an iron building to earnest laymen as missionaries from the seat 250 worshippers, paid for by two ‘Croydon Circuit’. Then the first minister the members, Alfred and Frederick Feaver. These Rev. J.Ashworth, purchased an excellent site brothers had a metal box factory in at the corner of Penge High Street and Mosslea . The freehold of the site was Road in 1870. The names of the roads were at purchased for £900 in 1909. The Kenilworth that time Road and Bedford Road. Hall was built at the back of the site and The Norwood News of June 24, 1871 reports opened on 20th March 1912 for services and that Mr. Ashworth had been granted general church use. The foundation stone of permission by the Metropolitan Board of the present church was laid by B. ffrench on Works to erect an iron chapel at the comer of May 4 1912 and built in the next six months. Dulwich and Bedford Roads, Penge. An iron In late 1912 the new church, adjacent to the structure was soon built. High Street, was opened for worship. It is the most visible church in Penge since it is easily The congregation increased and the present red seen from the main road as well as from the brick building was erected by 1883. During the train. Even at night a large illuminated cross building work in 1882-83, the Anerley can be seen by passengers on passing trains to Congregational Church kindly loaned them an carry a Christian message. iron church on the comer of Mackenzie and Beckenham Road. Interestingly the Church was described as ‘one of the finest non-Conformist Churches in The stone and brick 1883 church prospered up South London’ and also ‘The Cathedral of to World War II when Scouts, Guides, a string Penge’. The present reduced membership are band, choir and Sunday School existed. Mr not very willing to maintain the largest, not in Walter Evans Holley, uncle to Mrs Pullen, was seats, but in quantity of stone and brick, the organist in the inter-war years. The church, Congregational Church in London. The tower possibly suffering from the loss of men and a alone is large enough to make a sound change in attitude closed about WW II time. fortification. The fine building needs The church building was eventually sold as a maintenance money to allow it to last to the warehouse. end of this century. I have to admit that the building is now a sorry The 1911 iron building was sold to provide a sight not worthy of the first minister and his church in Middlesex where it is now a Sikh band of workers who established the church. I temple. knew one of the last helpers, Mr Jackman. He still had the two main, very large, Church The PCC always supported Scouts and Guides Bibles in his possession in the 1960s when he organisation and had special relationship with died at the age of nearly one hundred years. the Boy’s County School. Mr Barson was the first Minister and was known as a fine preacher and charming person. He served

10 Bromleage March 2000

PENGE BAPTIST CHURCH This church also started in rooms in Hawthorne Road. I have the date of 1865 and some tie up with the Primitive Methodist. Any information known by readers about this would be welcome.

The Maple Road Penge Tabernacle [Baptist] was opened in 1893 with seating for 1,130 persons. It flourished and also supported a large hall which is the present church. There were also two other sizable halls to the rear of both the original Church and the present Church.

The newspaper reports of around 1900 tell of Sunday School annual outings by horse drawn carts to places like Farthing Downs. This would have been the only outing of the year for some children and this atmosphere is reflected in the reporting. Often a Sunday School Outing at this time was a legitimate day off school so that this must have added to the enjoyment of the children. Baptist Tabernacle, Maple Road The photograph of about 1900 shows a notice The Penge Baptist Church had wonderful board advertising classes every Sunday sports equipment which I used before the hall afternoon for young men and women. These was severely bomb damaged in 1944. This would be held in the new school rooms. included the usual vaulting horses and also fencing equipment. The hall was repaired so ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH that Scouts, Guides and other organisations The church of the Holy Child and St Anthony were soon using it after 1945. The church had of Padua is in Genoa Road, Anerley. The sports teams even after WW II. These used the church first functioned in a hut in 1878. It was Tabernacle Sports Ground. There was also a started partially due to the interest of the wooden sports pavilion which I used in 1945 family that lived in the house next to the when playing tennis on pleasantly situated church, which is now the residence of the courts near the stream. This sports field was in Priest. Skilled Italian workers and many Irish Beckenham opposite the present ‘owners’ domestic workers did not have time to travel Cator Park School. The school now have large several miles to Croydon. A hut was the buildings on the field and sadly the solution until a church was incorporated into picturesque pavilion has gone. the 1898 adjacent school. The present church foundation stone was laid March 3rd 1926. In 1946 the church seemed to have had a resurgence of support. Baptist families invited The AD 2000 Primary school is a very happy German ‘Prisoners of War’ into their homes place and has good academic successes. The and to church. All seemed to auger a bright school originally continued to educate children future. In AD 2000 most youth organisations up to school leaving age. About 1959 there and sports teams have gone. Even the original was a school reorganisation and St Anthony's proud and beautiful church building has gone; became a primary school. The older children flats have taken its place. The Church Hall of were transferred to ‘Secondary’ schools. old is now the Church. Brownies are still About this time organisations such as scouts meeting at this church. The church has also ceased here. survived in a radically changed environment. The present church is of late fifteenth century English Gothic style and very beautiful inside. It seats 500 worshippers.

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ANERLEY METHODIST CHURCH Missions;- This church started at Marlboro Terrace, 33 St James' Mission is at the comer of St Hugh’s Maple Road in 1862. According to reports of & Casteldine Roads, built in 1861 with belfry September, 1876, in the Beckenham Journal, and one bell. It belonged to St Pauls, Hamlet the Anerley and Penge Wesleyan Chapel was Road. Does anyone know when it was bombed in Station Road. This is the same site as today. or demolished please? That is at the junction of the old Jasmine The Shaftesbury Hall, 61, Arpley Road. The Grove, Station Road and Oakfield Road. The building was maintained by The London City hall was built first at the back of the site and Mission and staffed by Christ Church. this was later hidden by the church which Demolished? fronted the road. Mission Hall 14 Arpley Road. Swedenbourganian Church, Waldegrave Road. On 17th January 1878 the foundation stones of This Sect constmcted one of the first the new church were laid. The church had reinforced concrete buildings in their 1883 room for 1,000 persons. This church building church. This has the postal address Upper was destroyed by a bomb in 1940. Services Norwood. In fact within Penge. The building and Sunday School were then held in Oakfield is now flats. There can not be many pink Road School. The hall at the back of the churches like this on planet Earth. church site was repaired enough by 1943 to be used. With some interruptions this has Other centres were marginally outside Penge continued to be used as the church. It was but generally thought, by most people, like the given considerable remodelling and railway porters, to be in Penge. Some had and modernisation and a dedication service was have SE20 addresses. These include:- near held on 21st May 1966. Penge East Station the Holy Trinity, Lennard Road Mission, now called Mosslea Road Old In 1973 a compulsory purchase order was Catholic Church. Holy Trinity Halls, Lennard made for the site of the bombed Church. The Road, demolished circa 1985. Alexandra Council built houses which now partially Mission Hall Parish Lane, bombed 20th obstruct the view of the present church from September 1940. Avenue Road Mission now a the road. Baptist Church. Please send details of any others, like the hall in This Church originally had Boys’ and Girls’ Green Lane, opposite Penge Police Station which Brigades. The Boys’ Brigade was replaced in belonged at one time to Christ Church. 1946 by the 12th Beckenham Scouts. This church is unique in Anerley in that it has the New Places of Worship Scout organisation associated. The leaders are The Family Church at the comer of Green to be congratulated. This scout troop was Lane and Parish Lane. originally the 1st Penge YMCA. There are other new church organisations which are expanding. I think they meet in each YMCA & Other Places of Worship, other’s houses. Please pass on to me any in brief, circa 1900. definite facts about Penge places of worship. The YMCA was in Maple Road just SW of St John's School. It was very strong with all sorts The peopie were the real churches of Penge and of boys and men's organisations. It later used some were ‘Saints’. I especially remember the the YWCA buildings. Closed 1930s. heroism of the Salvationists and other people of Penge during the 1939-45 war.

The YWCA was in Anerley Road near the I hope I have shown why it was called The Holy City. junction with Anerley Park. Closed 1930s. Based on the research originally done by Len The North District School had its own Johnson and Nancy Tonkin. Chapel for circa 500 pupils. Closed 1930s. David R Johnson. February 2000

The Salvation Army Maple Road Citadel was I wish to thank the following people who have supplied established over 100 years ago. The unit is still me with information: Rev Michael Porter - Christchurch Mrs Valerie Tredinnick -Anerley Methodist going strong. Mrs Pullen - Primitive Methodist Father Nolan - Roman Catholic Church

12 Bromleage March 2000

A LETTER TO THE PRIORY, ORPINGTON, 1735

The following letter came to light as a result of research into the Carew Family of Beddington, Surrey, in the British library [BL Add. MS 29599 f30r].

Laxton Sepbr 7th 1735 <£ that 3 will unite tv hex uexy soon, as nv body What is the meaning, hussey that 3 have not get hexe desines theix sexvice tv you <£ till you show had a letter ptom gou, have you forgot that mom mannexd 3 am. not thexe id ducA a pend on in the woxld ad m adam %joux 3tumMe Sent loan’d daughter tv Ptichaxd £d Vidd 3 . Ivans 3ibzw illiam of. the 3Cingdom of. Jneland, <£ w ife 3a Miss Phillippa Qee tv Qeonge luand don <£ heix of £d Caxhexy of the Cam <£ Speed dd County., memken of Paxliament, justice of the Peace <£ Cvtnel of the Militia, have you nv But which Philippa Gee was the recipient of nespect fox da gxeat a man's wife, what excuse this letter? The name is quite common in the fox youx justification can you make, (none 3 Gee family at this period. Set in the floor on feax). fox this neglect nevex daxe tv approach the south side of the chancel of All Saints' my. pnescence without fixdt making duch Church, Orpington, is a tombstone to Philippa duhmiddiond ad id fitt fox a pens on of mg. gxeat Gee wife of Richard Gee, died 4 July 1744, station in life tv take,

More relevant is a wall mounted memorial on the north side of the chancel

TO THE MEMORY OF RICHARD GEE OF THIS PARISH, ESQUIRE, WHO DIED JULY THE 9th 1791, AGED 85 YEARS, ALSO OF MRS ELIZABETH GEE, FORMERLY ELIZABETH HOLT, SPINSTER, WIFE OF RICHARD GEE, ESQUIRE, WHO DIED AUGUST THE 29th 1771, AGED 54 YEARS ALSO OF DAME PHILLIPAISHAM, WIDOW OF SIR EDMUND ISHAM, OF LAMPORT, IN THE COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON, BART SISTER OF THE ABOVE NAMED, RICHARD GEE WHO DIED DECEMBER THE 17th 1786 AGED 79 YEARS ALSO OF PHILIPPA GEE, SPINSTER WHO DIED AUGUST 3rd 1817 AGED 73 YEARS

The Phillipa Gee, spinster, the daughter of was written, but the reason for the slight which Richard and Elizabeth, could not have been gave rise to it is not known. She married Sir the lady in question as she was not bom until Edmund Isham, a man 16 years her elder, in some nine years after this letter was written. May 1751 when she would have been about The most likely person is her aunt of the same 44. It was his second marriage, his first wife name who became Dame Phillipa Isham. She Elizabeth having died in July 1748. In addition would have been 28 at the time that the letter to being a baronet with a seat at Lamport,

13 Bromleage March 2000

Northamptonshire, he was a Fellow of after the death of his father, he took his seat in Magdalen College, , and Doctor of the Irish House of Lords as the 2nd Baron Law. Among the positions which he held were Carbery. It would appear that although he was those of Advocate for the Admiralty and Judge well provided for at the time of his marriage, Advocate from 1731-1741. he was in financial difficulties by September 1743 and probably much earlier. Francis Evans the author of the letter tells us a great deal about herself. Daughter of Richard The song referred to is published in “Wit and Fitzwilliam, 5th Viscount Fitzwilliam of Mirth: or Pills to Purge Melancholy” Volume Merrion, she married the Honourable George 5, pp 129-30, published 1719. Evans (d. 1759) of Caharas, Co. limerick and Laxton, Northamptonshire, in May 1732. It is described as, “A BALLAD, made by a Laxton is north east of Corby and a little over Gentleman in Ireland, who could not have 30km from the Isham family seat at Lamport. access to a Lady whom he went to visit, George Evans was a Whig MP for Westbury, because the maid the Night before had over­ Wiltshire, from 1734-1747, the seat which his laid her pretty Bitch. To the tune of, 0 Hone, father had held until 1727. In November 1749, 0 Hone.”

“OH! let no eyes be dry, oh may she never more Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, But let's lament and cry, Sleep quietly, but snore, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, We're quite undone almost, May never Irish Lad, For Daphne on this Coast, Sue for her Maiden-head, Has yielded up the Ghost, Until it stinks I Gad, oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone.

Daphne my dearest Bitch, Oh may she never keep oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Who did all Dogs bewitch, Her water in her Sleep, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Oh Hone, Was by a careless Maid, May never Pence nor Pounds, Pox take her for a Jade, Come more within her Bounds, in the Night over-laid, Of her Pocket Ad-sounds, Oh Hone, Oh Hone. Oh Hone. Oh Hone."

Incidentally, one wonders whether Francis Evans knew the song from which she was quoting!

So what was the link between the Carew estates at Beddington and The Priory, Orpington? Phillipa Gee who died in 1744 was the daughter of Nicholas Carew, and it was her grandson Richard Gee 111, brother of Phillipa Gee, spinster, who assumed the arms of Carew in 1780 at the wish of Sir Nicholas Carew, Bart., who died without issue in December 1816.

My thanks go to Nicholas Burnett who first drew my attention to the letter, and identified the song, to the staff of the House of Commons library, and to Mr Harry Gee for access to his family tree. Alan Tyler

Biggin Hill Heritage Centre with likely visitor numbers being around 50,000 a There is a plan to create a Biggin Hill Heritage year. However it would need to be self-supporting Centre in the former Sergeant’s Mess of the once and could not be placed next to or incorporated into famous fighter station. The centre will be part of the St. George’s Chapel of Remembrance site, but the development of the former MOD housing stock they will only be a few hundred yards apart. This is site. A feasibility study and working group have a great way to keep alive the important part played made reports to the council and it has a fair chance by the former RAF Station during the war and the of becoming a reality in the near future. There will part played by the airport in the development of the be displays, a shop, cafeteria and limited parking area.

14 Bromleage March 2000

‘New to View’ - Local Studies Kitchener when it was sunk in June 1916.

For the Society meeting in the Local Studies James Petty's Account Book, library on 1st February 2000, Simon again Cockmannings nursery. produced some interesting items from the James Petty took over the nursery at collection for our members to see. As it may Cockmannings in 1777, and he supplied be of interest to those members who could not customers throughout the area with fruit and attend, we give details of some of them below. vegetables, plants and seeds. One of his customers was Richard Gee (later Carew) of Local Census Returns the Priory, Orpington. The details in this An official census of the population of account book have been used in the England and Wales has been taken every 10 reconstruction of the Priory gardens as they years since 1801 (except 1941). The returns were in 18th century, and show that the from 1841 and later are preserved in the Public household was supplied with asparagus, Record Office, most of the earlier ones having cucumber, peas and beans, strawberries, been destroyed once statistical information had cherries, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, been extracted. artichokes, shallots and garlic. A few local copies survive, together with Seeds for the kitchen garden included cabbage unofficial population counts. These examples and cauliflower, carrots, winter spinach and are Hayes 1790; Bromley 1801; Beckenham mustard. Quince and apple trees were planted. 1821; Hayes 1821. Refs. 641, 646, 883. The flower gardens contained hollyhocks, Although they do not list every individual by larkspur, lupins, chrysanthemums, sweet name, they are nevertheless a useful source for william, nasturtiums and sunflowers. local and family historians. * Simon would be pleased to hear from any members you would be interested in producing an Campbell Scrap Books * index to either of these items. Our most interesting acquisition of 1999 was a set of scrap books - 15 volumes in all - Local Studies Corner illustrating the life and career of Sir Edward Taswell Campbell, MP for NW Not much progress recently. Our Archivist 1924 - 9 and for Bromley 1930 - 45. His death Elizabeth Silverthorne has been off sick since during the General Election of 1945 provided November and is not expected to return until the opportunity for Harold Macmillan to return April. As this is the busiest time of year for us, to the Commons at a by-election. almost all our efforts have been directed The Campbell family lived in Bromley for towards answering peoples questions, some years before he became the local MP and especially the increasing number arriving from the scrap books illustrate many aspects of local all over the world via E-mail and those life, social as well as political, sporting and generated by the ever growing numbers of civic. people beginning their family history. This has The volumes displayed here record the official also meant our plans to restart our publications opening of Beckenham Town Hall (1932), programme have been delayed again. It is amateur dramatics in which Jean Campbell unlikely anything will now appear before appeared with a young Maurice Denham spring 2001. (1932) and sporting and charity events. The by-election of 1930 has a volume to itself. The Orpington group of the U3A has been in Ref. 106915, 7, 9 contact with us as well as the museum about setting up a local history group. They hope to Penge Roll of Honour * do some original research into aspects of local Penge UDC Roll of Honour, compiled by the history that interest them, perhaps dividing headmaster of Oakfield Road School, with the themselves into small groups. One of the areas help of his pupils. It lists all the men from they are looking at is the 1950’s, a very Penge who enlisted. Decorations awarded neglected period still within the memories of include the VC, DSO and Croix de Guerre. many people. I would be very interested to Among the casualties was a seaman on HMS here from anyone who has memories of the Hampshire, which was carrying Lord 50’s in the area. Especially if they were living

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on the large housing estates in the Crays, Bromley Museum Mottingham and Orpington or who remembers the great changes that took place in areas The new millennium has got off to a flying which had suffered war damage or were start at the Museum with nearly 4000 redeveloped, changing from large houses to visitors so far to our Simply Dinosaurs blocks of flats. exhibition. Thus we have easily met our 2000 challenge which was to attract 2000 Beckenham photographic society has also visitors to this exhibition. The display will been in contact. Last year they did a be on show at the Museum until the photographic survey of the town and now they middle of March and then transfers to hope to compare this with pictures in our Local Studies for a further three weeks. collection showing scenes from earlier times. We have had a number of interesting They also plan to help us convert some of the donations recently including a canning collection to slides which can then be used to machine for home canning your own illustrate talks given by local people. vegetables, a 1960s raincoat and a set of Simon Finch coffee cups and saucers from Old Hill House Hotel, Chislehurst. Your editors Orpington U3A kindly donated three commemorative milk Local Studies Group bottles from Holwood Farm Dairy. One celebrates the dairy's 35th anniversary The next meeting of this group will be held on and the other two mark the millennium. March 23rd in the Museum at Orpington from We have also received a millennial 2pm. All of the members are new to local commemorative mug from West Wickham. history research so I’m sure that any of our If an organisation you belong to is members who would like to go along will be producing a commemorative item this year . very welcome. • « please remember the Museum! One of the millennium milk bottles will soon be on KENT DATABOX 2000 display along with other commemorative items at Oak Lodge Primary School, West will portray our ancient county during the week before Easter 2000. Choose your theme to produce Wickham as part of their Millennium a ‘snapshot’ of life in your locality to be stored in a Week. Finally the Museum has entered special archive box in Kent Archives for future the new millennium with new technology. historians. Words and pictures wanted. A roll of We can now be contacted by e-mail at black and white film will be provided - so register [email protected]. your interest on the short form available from 020 We look forward to hearing from you - 8462 5002 by e-mail, fax, telephone, letter or even by the oldest communication method: in person! Melanie Parker, Assistant Curator Queries Childer Chaine Johnson’s Biker’s cafe Do any members know anything about this organisation which flourished in the early 20th Finally an e-mail request from Jean Skilling: century to help finance Belgrave Children’s ‘Is there anyone who remembers the ‘Johnson's Hospital in Lambeth? It was begun by Mrs Ann Bikers Cafe’ possibly at Badgers Mount? My gt gt Carlos, mother of Ernest Carlos who was one of the uncle Morgan JOHNSON owned it up till at least War Artists we heard about last November. The the 1950's. I have been told that it was situated on family lived in Bromley in the 1920s, and my what was the main London Road until the building husband remembers going to special fancy dress of the Orpington Bypass and was near to the parties in aid of funds. present Polhill Garden Centre. He was born William Morgan Johnson in Bermondsey, S E Bucknell family of Langley Court in London in 1886. I don't know his wife's name but Beckenham c. 1900. they had one daughter Ethel whose married name may have been HINE, who I understand also lived Please contact Patricia Knowlden if you have any in Badgers Mount. information on either of the above. Any information on the above please to the editors. See address inside front cover.

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