NEWSLETTER Winter 2010 The Workhouse Chapel

John Forster

On a cold winter’s evening in December, ten members of the Society were fortunate to be given a conducted tour of the Old Pembury Workhouse and Chapel by John Weeks of the Health Trust. John has made a study of the history of both buildings and gave us a fascinating talk which we hope will be turned into an article for a future issue of the newsletter. The old workhouse has been repeatedly altered over the years and only the external structure gives any impression of what it was originally like. The building has been used by the Trust as offices for a number of years and is due to be demolished to provide much-needed parking for the new hospital. The Chapel with its attractive brickwork, commemorative plaques and stained- glass windows is to be retained but funds are not currently available for it to be made safe for a habitable purpose. JF

Front cover: Boxing Day 2010. The lake at Dunorlan still partly frozen. 2 Contents

The Workhouse Chapel ... 2 Personally Speaking ... 4

From the Planning Scrutineers by Gill Twells ... 5

Chairman’s Letter by John Forster ... 6 Consultation, and after? ... 8 a summary of recent events by Alastair Tod The Burton Sarcophagus Monument ... 10 by Philip Whitbourn Putting Faces to Names: Nigel Price ... 12 We might have been Brombridge Wells ... 13 Fiona Woodfield looks at some old documents Local History Group ... 16 More about drinking fountains and cattle troughs Financial Summary and AGM 2010 ... 18 W. Paul James 1921-2010 ... 20 The Story of Tunbridge Ware ... 21 Programme Notes ... 23 Forthcoming Events ... 24

Editor: Chris Jones. 52 St James Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LB Tel 01892 522025 (evenings and weekends) Email [email protected] Secretary: Christo Skelton. 4 Caxton House, 19 Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1UB. Tel 01892 513241 Email [email protected]

3 www.thecivicsociety.org News & Views

Personally Speaking by Chris Jones

It has been an eventful three months. The problem with producing a quarterly newsletter is that so much of what happens is no longer news. Nevertheless, on pages 8 and 9 Alastair Tod has tried to summarise some of the recent events in the debate over the Civic Centre. He outlines some of the points made at the special Council meeting on 30th November, and the commitments that the Council has already made in response to residents’ concerns. We are now in a period of consultation, organised by a specialist PR firm employed by the Regeneration Co. What we have seen so far is more in the nature of a survey than a consultation; more a collection of data to determine what will replace the Civic Centre, rather than questions as to whether it should be replaced. The RTW Symphony Orchestra is concerned about the way that a consultation such as this can be used to ‘shape the debate’. They have suggested four additional questions which might make it more balanced: 1. The Town Hall, Assembly Hall and the rest of the complex are Grade II Listed Buildings. Do you think that they should be preserved with necessary upgrading? 2. If redevelopment of the Civic Complex goes ahead, there could be two or more years when the Assembly Hall, Museum, Library and Art Gallery are closed. Should replacements at least as good be provided before the existing ones are closed? 3. Should the Town Hall be retained as Council Offices and as a centre of civic functions with public access? 4. If a redevelopment of the Civic Complex were to include shops, do you think that existing parking facilities would be adequate? The Orchestra suggested that we put these additional questions jointly to the PR company. The Executive Committee took the view that we would rather make our own representations. There are concerns that we were becoming unnecessarily confrontational over this issue. We are aware though that we have little understanding of what our members think, so we would welcome your views on these issues (please feel free to phone or email): • were we right not to work together with the Orchestra? • should we independently recommend to the PR company that they include these additional questions? Are there other questions that should be added? • should we be less confrontational towards the Council? 4 From the Planning Scrutineers by Gill Twells Creggans and Old Garden - The latest proposal for two new houses on this site has been refused. 17 Calverley Park - The new orangery has been approved, though with no mention of the other repairs which we felt to be necessary. 18 Calverley Park - The proposed repairs and alterations have been approved. Rocklea, The Common - Approval has been given to an extension on the front of this house and new timber-framed windows. Milner Court, Camden Park - A proposed extension on the west side of the house was withdrawn to try to agree a revised scheme which would be approved. The Lodge, Calverley Park Gardens - A proposal to replace the existing out- buildings with a new extension to the existing house has been approved. We think the works will be a great improvement and await completion with interest. The Meeting House, Little Mt Sion - A retrospective application for air conditioning fans, located in the carpark, has been approved, despite major objections from neighbours over the noise. A new application for amended hours has been submitted. Blackhurst Park, Halls Hole Road - A proposal to extend an existing pair of houses to create larger houses has been refused – which surprises us. 45, High Street - A new shopfront for this site has been approved K & S Hospital - This application was for a “Scoping Opinion” upon an option for the redevelopment of the Hospital site – which proposes, on the street frontage to Mount Ephraim, a new shop building with new housing behind and below it. The TWBC decision on the proposal is that it is “satisfactory” – which enables the hospital authority to invite tenders for redevelopment of the site. A full planning application will be required for the chosen one. Holly House, Camden Park (the former St Peter’s vicarage) - Major extension on the east side and rearrangement of the facade. This is a building of note. After consulting Philip Whitbourn and Geoffrey Copus, we submitted an objection. Site adjoining Brook Cottage, Upper Cumberland Walk - A previous proposal for a large traditional house on this site was refused and a new application proposes a house in modern style. We found the design confused and have objected. Front garden parking, house in York Road - We commented that since all the neighbours have FGP it would be unreasonable to refuse this application but conditions should be attached to ensure retention of some garden. 5 www.thecivicsociety.org Chairman’s Letter

Tunbridge Wells December 2010

Happy New Year – 2011 looks like it is going to be an important one for the future of . It’s seven years since I was previously Chairman of your Society and I am honoured that you have elected me again. Much has changed in those years and there are a number of important issues now facing the town which reinforce the need for a strong and well supported Civic Society. Residents’ concerns are prominent in articles and letters in the local press and it is tempting for RTWCS to be drawn into voicing opinions on matters which, although important to the town, are outside our stated objectives. “RTWCS is an independent non-political organisation representing the interests of all those living or working in the town and is dedicated to the conservation and improvement of Tunbridge Wells and its quality of life. “It works with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the Town Forum and other local bodies.” The primary issues facing the town which concern us are · The Civic Complex – the Consultation process has now started and Alastair Tod’s article elsewhere in this issue gives an account of the latest position as we know it. · The ABC site – we understand that there may now be one preferred bidder and that the development is likely to include residential elements to make it viable. We look forward to working with the new owner, when it is announced, to assist in speedily arriving at an acceptable design and an early resolution to this longstanding eyesore. · The Calverly Park Bandstand – the Council has agreed that we meet with Mel Henley, The Parks Manager, early this year to discuss possible options. We will keep you posted as to the progress of these discussions. The RTWCS membership currently numbers around four hundred, and is the largest independent group representing residents’ interests in the Town. Our members include many people with the knowledge, experience and professional expertise which can add value to the deliberations and proposals of Councillors, TWBC employees and developers. 6 We believe the best way to achieve the objectives stated in the first sentence quoted above is to work with the Council as stated in the second sentence. We will not agree with everything they propose but by working with them in a constructive manner we have a better chance of becoming involved in shaping the future development of our town. M&N, the consultants handling the Consultation on behalf of RegenCo, have acknowledged RTWCS as a major stakeholder in the Town and have invited us to a meeting early in the new year to explain the process and how the data they collect is to be used. On the afternoon of our next members meeting, 13th January, your Executive Committee is scheduled to meet with representatives of TWBC for one of our regular quarterly meetings. There will be much to discuss. I will report back to you on both these events that evening when we have a talk from Fiona Woodfield about “Southfield Park - the Stephens – Hopwood Estate”. At our November meeting Tony Burton, a Director of Civic Voice, outlined the objectives of the organisation as the successor to the Civic Trust. We were all impressed by what had been achieved in the short time since it had been launched. Following the meeting, he asked whether I would join him in writing to the Localism and Planning Minister, Greg Clark, our local MP. The letter invited Greg to listen to the findings of a day-long workshop to be held here in Tunbridge Wells attended by representatives from ten civic societies. The intention is to provide the Minister with a clear sense of what would be helpful to enable civic societies and other like-minded organisations to make a more effective contribution in light of the Government’s commitments to localism and the Big Society. I am pleased to say that Greg has accepted and the workshop is to be held in February facilitated by Anna Pierce, Head of Central Government Research at Ipsos MORI. Greg will attend at the end of the workshop to listen to and discuss our findings. I hope to tell you more about this at our February meeting and more fully in the next newsletter. Finally we are to launch a new membership campaign in 2011. Should you hear anyone expressing concerns about something happening in the town, which is within our interests, saying “Someone should do something about it!” invite them to visit our website www.thecivicsociety.org and fill in an application form.

John Forster 7 www.thecivicsociety.org Consultation, and after?

Alastair Tod summarises recent events in the debate over the future of the Civic Centre

The consultation on town centre upgrading of the civic complex. regeneration has now reached us. The However the background is the delivery of the questionnaires has been Council’s policy announced in the Core delayed but this is no doubt due to the Strategy of a significant increase in town weather. They are available on the centre shops. Knowledge of what was Regeneration Company’s website: being considered, especially the removal www.tunbridgewellsregenerationco.org of the town hall itself to the Land The consultation is not based on Registry, prompted two recent petitions physical proposals, and the area to which endorsed by the Society. The first, in it refers is not defined – just the civic response to the ‘action area‘ consultation complex or a much wider area? We showing the civic complex as a expected development proposals on redevelopment site, urged people to which to judge what would be gained and respond and to express their opposition what lost in relation to the present assets. to any loss of it. Comments on the town centre ‘action The second called for a public debate area‘ in the summer were restrained by on the plans, and resulted in a special the belief that physical proposals were on Council meeting in November. Before the way. Any plans which exist are not the meeting took place the consultation being published at present. was launched, and at the same time it was The Society is committed to the learned that the town was not buying the ‘conservation and improvement‘ of the Land Registry and was not short-listed town and it is of concern that none of the for buying the Cinema site. questions seeks views on the future of the In response to public concern the group of six listed buildings that make Mayor called a preliminary meeting for up our distinctive civic centre. The the public to ask questions, and allowed wording of our objectives was chosen it to run on so that all those who had deliberately, and quite recently, to make registered questions could ask them. In clear we are not against change. Not spite of short notice and bad weather the many people oppose the principle of public filled the Chamber, the public regeneration of the town centre or gallery and overflowed into committee

8 rooms; there were 20 well-informed a shopping ‘clone town’ in order to questions, many with supplementaries. compete. Questions included the terms and net After an intervention by Greg Clark, cost of the town’s borrowing for property the Council leadership committed itself acquisition, the agreement with Axa to redevelopment providing: under which the Council ‘stood aside‘ · a theatre at least as good as the from the purchase of the Land Registry, Assembly Hall; whether the plans for the civic complex · a more accessible central museum, complied with the Government’s localism library and art gallery; policies, and the scope and purpose of the · a police presence in the town; current town centre consultation. · a venue for civic occasions; Introducing the petition the organiser · any redevelopment to be to the said the petitioners wanted: highest standards of design. · A town hall open to the public in the To these has been added more recently centre of Tunbridge Wells; a town centre cinema. In reply to · Easy access to a central Library, questions Cabinet members said re- Museum and Art Gallery and their current development would only be acceptable range of activities; if there was a specific legal agreement · The Assembly Hall theatre, on all these points. improved as necessary, continuing as These undertakings (especially 3 and home to RTWSO, TWODS and others; 4) fall somewhat short of what would · Public amenities not replaced by constitute full replacement of the civic retail development at this site, and not centre facilities. There is also uncertainty trying to compete with Maidstone or about the proposition now that the Land Bluewater by copying what they do; Registry is not available to house the · Full costs published of the town hall. But the main uncertainty arises replacement of the civic centre facilities from the apparent cost of providing the before any decision on redevelopment; promised facilities on the present site, · A guarantee that any costs of perhaps £30-£40m, against the probable replacement would not fall on local cost of modernising the existing taxpayers. buildings, at perhaps £12m. There are She pointed out the present facilities also questions about the capacity of the are a landmark feature of Tunbridge site. Wells, the centre for its social, cultural, While it is clearly desirable to respond community and democratic life which to the questionnaire when received, these contributes to making it different from doubts will remain until proposals are other towns. We did not need to become published. AT

9 www.thecivicsociety.org The Burton Sarcophagus Monument Philip Whitbourn asks whether Decimus Burton designed the tomb in which, forty years later, he was himself buried

It does not take a great classical mind To this same tomb (see below), Decimus’ to work out that the eminent architect own mortal remains were added in the Decimus Burton, designer of Tunbridge 1880s, a whole generation later. Wells’ Calverley New Town, was the Educated at School and tenth child of his parents, James and Caius College, Cambridge, Henry became Elizabeth Burton. Nor should it come as a Professor and a Senior Physician at St a surprise that Decimus’ siblings, Thomas’ Hospital. He died of cholera in Septimus and Octavia, were the seventh 1849, as the inscription on the monument and eighth-born respectively. That tells us, “after devoted attendance to his though, was the extent of the Burton many patients then suffering by that same system of child numbering in this large epidemic”. Georgian family. The ninth child was In 1833 Jessy married John Peter Henry, while the twelfth, and last, was Fearon, a lawyer, who is also called Jessy. Decimus far outlived Henry commemorated on the monument, and Jessy, both of whom died in the 1840s although buried at Cuckfield in Sussex. and were buried in the same grave at The couple had four children but, sadly, Kensal Green Cemetery in North London. Jessy died in 1844, shortly after her

10 fortieth birthday. So it seems that Jessy sarcophagus that, in the event, turned out was the original occupant of the Burton to serve also as Decimus’ own tomb. Nor, tomb at Kensal Green, and her death indeed, unless a drawing comes to light happened at about the mid-point of one day, can we be sure that the Decimus’ fifty year long architectural monument was indeed to Decimus’ career. Thus is raised, in my mind, the design. thought that the tomb might possibly have In his will, witnessed by members of been designed by Decimus Burton the Fearon legal practice, Decimus himself, to receive the body of his much specifically expressed a desire that his loved younger sister, on her untimely funeral should be ‘plain and simple’ and death. that, if his death occured in London, that The monument is in the form of a he should be buried in Kensal Green. His neoclassical stone sepulchral chest or monumental inscription, on one end of sarcophagus, having inward-sloping the tomb, records that he did in fact die sides and ends, and a pitched roof-like at his London home near Hyde Park on ‘lid’. Interestingly enough, back in about 14th December 1881. Henry’s inscription 1819 or 20, Decimus’ brilliant drawing- occupies the other end, while Jessy and master, the architect George Maddox, had her husabnd are commemorated on the presented him with an album of sketches. two sides. Jessy’s inscription explains that One of these depicted a sarcophagus of she was the “Youngest daughter of James similar form, albeit elaborately enriched Burton Esquire of St Leonards on Sea”. with sculptured figures and other profuse The founder, one might add, of that ornamentation. We cannot, of course, seaside resort. ever know for sure whether that sketch Fellow of the Royal Society Decimus, was the inspiration for the much simpler is simply described as “Architect, F.R.S”.

Opposite: Burton neo- classical sarcophagus monument at Kensal Green. Right: Early 19th century sketch by George Maddox (1760- 1843) of an antique classical sarcophagus (British Archtectural Library, RIBA, London)

11 www.thecivicsociety.org Putting Faces to Names: Nigel Price

Just before Christmas an article on tax evasion in the Daily Telegraph commented “…These days, that nice man sitting next to you in the pub or restaurant might be a tax inspector”. Until a few months ago this might have been Nigel. Since then he has been resisting pleas to turn poacher from gamekeeper. Instead he opted for the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. age, latterly part-time as an investigator, Nigel was born and brought up in Bath, and was fortunate to be able to spend this another spa town, from whose experience time based in the local office. we might well have something to learn . Following final retirement he became A law graduate from UCL he made his aware that the Civic Society was looking career in the Inland Revenue (now for a new Treasurer and offered his HMRC) as an HM Inspector of Taxes. services. He had previously been This gave him the opportunity to gain a Treasurer of Molyneux Park Gardens wide range of skills: in management, tax when the highly successful Annual law, investigation and advocacy. Indeed Summer Ball started. Having had custody he particularly relished appearing for the of the original Deed and Plan of 1900 Inland Revenue before the late lamented constituting Molyneux Park Gardens, General Commissioners. Nigel became interested in the town’s Originally living and working in history of which he had earlier become London, Nigel had the choice of moving aware in the course of his daughter’s to offices in Penzance or Kent (at two school projects! weeks notice). Married with two young Nigel and family feel that they have children the latter seemed the natural benefited so much from living in choice. (Nigel and Sarah had married at Tunbridge Wells: the schools, the Loose (Maidstone) – of Women’s environment, civic amenities and local Institute fame!) Three years later Nigel, organisations such as the Monson Sarah and family settled in Tunbridge Swimming Club and 129 Squadron Air Wells drawn by its schools, facilities and Training Corps. They are anxious to quality of life. After almost twenty eight ensure that what is and has been years they have every intention of staying distinctive and valuable in the town is here. Nigel continued with HMRC for cherished and integrated positively into nearly four years after normal retirement change and development. 12 We might have been Brombridge Wells Fiona Woodfield has been looking at some early documents about the area.

Early maps tend to depict settlements known, with names that have barely as parish church, maybe castle or manor changed up to the twenty first century. house. But this does not mean that the The short cut to finding them is to browse wide open spaces in between had no through Wallenberg’s Place Names of habitation. Beyond the cluster round a Kent in the reference library. church and castle or manor, Kent tends But what of Bromgebrug? The place to have an early settlement pattern of is mentioned in the 1270 Assizes, with individual farms or at most clusters of a what is believed to be its variant few buildings together. One could barely Bromelaregg in a 1318 charter in the call them hamlets. British Museum collection. Much later With a Norman castle, ancient parish the name Brombridge is used for the church and medieval buildings in the titheward (roughly the equivalent of a historic High Street it is clear that the local government administrative unit) in history of Tonbridge goes back a the Tunbridge Wells area. To discover millennium at least. But what do we the exact location, take a look at Plate know of the early history of the territory 10 of An Historical Atlas of Tunbridge to the south? Wells – the map listed as MP1 /68 in the Which early names crop up in what is National Archive. now the Tunbridge Wells area? The Don’t be put off by the comments earliest is Smocham, a farm in Reynolds about the words on the map being hard Lane, mentioned in 1191. In the 13th to decipher. Instead head down to century we find Hokyngbury, on the Southborough Library and ask for Map border of the domain of 13 from the reference room. There you and mentioned in a perambulation to will find that Dr. Chalkin of Tonbridge settle a boundary dispute in 1258. Historical Society has already done all Culfredene is documented four years the hard work of transcribing and earlier, in the Assize records for 1254, translating. His transcription tells us that with Bissopposdoun in the Assize records the name given to the location identified for 1292. Court records are useful as along both sides of Crescent Road is because place names were often used as Broombridge (see over page). a sort of address to identify the person I think it may even be that the last concerned. All these locations are well word is Bromelaregg, but my 13 www.thecivicsociety.org palaeography classes at university are a to Broombridge and from Southborough distant memory! So there we have it, a to Calverleys Plain. The name 13th century place name right in the Broombridge is evidently not middle of the town centre of Tunbridge synonymous with Calverley, despite Wells. And a name significant enough to Wybarne’s house (see below) appearing be the name of the local titheward. With to be on the site of the Calverley Hotel. the map showing a cluster of buildings It is likely that the Atlas maps link with on both sides of the road, any would-be E321/41/4, an undated document relating developers might do well to keep their to a case between William Boolstrode and eyes open! Antony Wybourne over land called A later example of the place name Inhamys late of the lady of Clare. The Broombridge, indicating it was still in use Clares were lords of the manor of in the 18th century, is to be found in two Tonbridge and Southborough from the documents of 1710 (U38 T3 and T5) at Conquest until the Tudor period. Both the Centre for Kentish Studies. These Wybourne and Inhams are familiar names mention the Crown Inn, complete with with a number of later references in Roger its own brewery, (now rebuilt in Farthing’s History of Mount Sion. I look Grosvenor Road as the Rose and Crown) forward to investigating further when I and two high roads: from Southborough am next at Kew. FW

An extract from the Tudor map printed on p. 17 of the Historical Atlas. The larger house at the top is thought to be on the site of the Calverley Hotel (now Hotel du Vin). The writing over the top says: Wybarne is house called Bromsbrige As the map is presented with North at the bottom, the other houses would be on the site of the Civic Centre. The writing there says: all this sometyme was a hamelet called Brombridge

14 Local History

An indication of how difficult it is to interpret 16th century script. The first word in the example to the right is thought to be Tonebrige. The word beneath it could be Bromebrige, or is it Bromelerige? Philip Whitbourn in 400 Years conjectures that it could refer to a ridge in an area of Brome grass.

Philip Whitbourn’s re-drawing of the map, with North at the top. The road layout does seem to suggest a north-south route corresponding to Mount Pleasant - High Street, with Crescent Road and possibly Mount Sion going off to the east. All this some years before Lord North’s visit. Along the top would appear to be the fence (pale) that surrounded the South Frith hunting park (the area of woodland between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells). The map may be misleading in suggesting that this ran east - west in such a straight line. It may rather have followed the line of Calverley Road and then kept to the east of St John’s Road.

15 www.thecivicsociety.org Local History Group

The Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association In the last issue I passed on a request for information about the drinking fountains and cattle troughs that had been placed in the town by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. The requester had found two surviving troughs - at Carr’s Corner (the picture above is from about 1910, the picture left, is from 2010) and in Eridge Road (picture in last issue) but had identified six other possible locations from the Association’s archives. We have been able to find two of these six: Roger Joye remembered a fountain and trough on Common (below left), and there is a fountain (below) on Langton Road outside the Spa Hotel. The trough in Rusthall seems very small,

16 Local History Group News

Right: The trough in Upper Grosvenor Road was actually at the bottom of Dunstan Hill, opposite the Greyhound pub. Middle right: The trough in London Road was opposite Vale Royal Methodist Church. Bottom right: The trough in St John’s Road was outside Skinners’.

but it appears to be the same size as the one that originally stood next to the Langton Road fountain (postcard below left from about 1910). Using detailed Ordnance Survey maps we were able to identify the locations of three more: in Upper Grosvernor Road (above right), London Road and St Johns Road. We were also able to find pictures of the latter two. The picture of Skinners is thought to date from the 1960s so some members may remember this trough. If anybody has any knowledge of these troughs, especially the sixth one, which was in Forest Road/Benhall MIll Road, please let me know. There is, by the way, another good example on Southborough Common. CJ

17 www.thecivicsociety.org Financial Summary to 31st August 2010

2010 2009 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS (see Note below) ££ ££ INCOMING RESOURCES

From generated funds: Voluntary Income 4,714 6,070 Investment Income 16 234 4,730 6,304

From charitable activities: Sales 7,863 8,642 Events for members 1,127 632 8,990 9,274 Total Incoming Resources 13,720 15,578

RESOURCES EXPENDED

Charitable activities: Cost of sales 11,429 7,427 Events for members 2,144 2,750 Newsletter 1,420 1,085 Support costs 2,095 2,259 Community activities 1,446 828

Total Resources Expended 18,534 14,349

NET INCOMING RESOURCES (4,814) 1,229

FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 25,124 23,895

FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD £20,310 £25,124

Note: From 2007, income and expenditure relating to Heritage Open Days have been separately identified as Restricted Funds. These sums are not included in the figures shown above. The Restricted Fund figures are as follows:

RESTRICTED FUNDS

Restricted Income: £3,000 £2,850 Restricted Expenditure: £3,706 £2,178 Net Restricted Incoming Resources: (£706) £672

Restricted Funds brought forward: £3,166 £2,494 Restricted Funds carried forward: £2,460 £3,166

TOTAL Funds carried forward: £22,770 £28,290

18 Annual General Meeting 2010 The Annual General Meeting was held on Nov 11th.The retiring Chairman, Alastair Tod, presented his report for the year. He described the continuing success of Heritage Open Days, the growing range of local history publications, the visit to Faversham and the garden party at Somerhill, our regular programme of talks, scrutiny of planning applications and our involvement in the revived Bloom competition. Our efforts this year, though, had been focussed on trying to understand the Council’s intentions with regard to the Civic Centre. The Town Centre Action Plan which appeared in the summer was vague, and council activities over the Land Registry had been somewhat lacking in transparency. The Society had endorsed a petition in the autumn which called for a council debate on the subject (see pages 8 and 9). John Cunningham presented the annual report of the Local History Group. This year we hosted the annual conference of the Kent History Federation - a one-day event of talks and walks based on the theme of Tunbridge Wells as the prototype tourist resort. The event was based in King Charles the Martyr and was considered a great success. Roger Joye, in his last year as Treasurer presented the accounts. In most aspects these were satisfactory, reflecting the usual year-on-year variations. When considering book sales, though, he said that after seven years of success we had faced something of an ‘off year’. There were a number of reasons for this: the recession had perhaps affected sales; our printer had gone bankrupt, resulting in a loss to us of nearly £2,000 worth of stock; and we were perhaps a little optimistic in releasing three new titles in just six months. Net assets at the end of the year, though, stood at over £22,000. Roger then supervised the election of officers and members of the Committee. Alastair Tod was replaced as Chairman by John Forster (see John’s first Chairman’s Letter on page 6); and Roger as Treasurer by Nigel Price, who is new to the Committee (see page 12). June Bridgeman and Cathy Hampson wished to retire from the Committee, and were replaced by Helen Featherstone. John Cunningham was joined as Vice President by Alastair Tod and Gill Twells. Francis Avery, Chris Jones and Richard Still were confirmed as members of the Committee and Christo Skelton as Secretary. There remains a vacany for Vice-Chairman. Philip Whitbourn proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing Chairman for the outstanding work he had done during a particularly challenging period of office. The members agreed unanimously. John Forster thanked both Alastair Tod and Roger Joye for their hard work. After the meeting, Tony Burton of Civic Voice gave a presentation on the role and work of that organisation. CJ

19 www.thecivicsociety.org W. Paul James 1921 - 2010

William Paul James, architect and leading member of the Civic Society in the 1980s, died in December. Paul James was a hospital architect who worked with Devon Twells in the 1960s. When he and his wife Peggy moved to Tunbridge Wells in the 1970s they were persuaded by Gill and Devon to become members of the Society. Paul became Vice-Chairman in 1982, and held the post of Chairman between 1984 and 1986. They were busy days for the Society - the start of discussions over the RVP, arguments over the demolition of Christ Church, plans for Sainsburys at the West Station, and an acknowledgement by the council that its then strategy for regeneration of the town - more and more offices - was perhaps not having the desired results. As a successful private hospital architect Paul was invited by the Chief Architect at the Department of Health to join a research team charged with streamlining hospital building processes. His own design for the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds had been nick-named ‘Best Buy’ - using the term coined by the new consumer magazine ‘Which’. Paul not only worked with government-employed architects but helped doctors and nurses to express their clinical needs in a way that designers could more easily convert into building solutions - something which had not happened before. Huge improvements were made in planning and procurement procedures which were incorporated into Department of Health ‘Building Notes’. Paul also wrote a substantial book: ‘Hospitals: Design and Development’, with William Tatton-Brown. Together with the Building Notes this became the approved procurement method for new hospitals throughout the NHS. Britain was then an acknowledged leader in hospital planning. Maidstone Hospital, opened in 1983, was an example of the DOH design research output, code-named the ‘Nucleus Hospital Design System’. The process however did not survive the 1980s. The Treasury preferred the ‘Private Finance Initiative’ (PFI) model, where the contractor takes full responsibility for planning, design costs and future maintenance. This is the system that has recently been used for the new Pembury Hospital. G&DT 20 The Story of Tunbridge Ware There is a rather amusing note in the Tunbridge Wells Gazette of Oct 27th 1882. It is a correction to an earlier article which describes a Tunbridge Ware cabinet given as a wedding present to Lord George Nevill and Miss Mary Soanes. The correction explains that the side of the cabinet was inlaid with a group of ‘arums’, and not, as originally reported, of ‘harems’. Small wooden articles had been sold from shops on from the earliest days. Celia Fiennes, in 1697, noted “all sorts of curious wooden ware, which this place is noted for”. Initially this was undecorated turnery: cups, bowls, snuff- boxes, etc. Painted decorations and started appearing in the later 18th century - geometric and floral Tunbridge Wells in the 19th century. The designs, and sometimes local scenes - last significant maker was Boyce, Brown Eridge Castle, or the Pantiles. Typically & Kemp of Camden Road, which was these were engravings, glued onto the formed in 1873, and survived in one form item and then varnished. The familiar or another into the 1930s. There were technique, most associated these even manufacturers in Brighton. days with the term ‘Tunbridge Ware’, The main author is Ian Beavis the was not introduced until the 1830s. Collections Management Officer at the This new booklet produced by the Museum. David Wakefield contributed Friends of the Musuem, Library and Art sections on collecting Tunbridge Ware Gallery is an excellent, accessible and a suggested tour around the town, introduction to the subject, with looking at the various manufacturing explanations of the various techniques sites. Harry Fenton provided some involved. It includes short summaries of excellent photographs. the main manufacturers: the Wise family The book is available from the inTonbridge and the Burrows family in Museum and Library, and booksellers, Tunbridge Wells who started in the mid priced £4.95. All proceeds go to support 18th century; and then Edward Nye, the work of the Friends of the Museum. Thomas Barton and Henry Hollamby in CJ 21 www.thecivicsociety.org Déjeuner

A rare copy of the original version of this post-card picture of Tunbridge Wells Common which featured the French model Victorine Meurent. Concern about upsetting Canon Hoare led to it being bowdlerised, using the photo-montage techniques perfected by local photographer Henry Peach Robinson.

Other Talks Talks to be presented by other organisations which you may find of interest: • Wednesday, 26th January 2011.‘Wealden Echoes of the Crimean War’, an illustrated talk by Mike Hinton. 7:45pm in the Museum/Art Gallery. Tickets £5, available from the Museum in person or by phone on 01892 554171. Places are limited so please book in advance. • Friday, 4th February 2011. ‘Victorian Tunbridge Wells’. An illustrated talk by Philip Whitbourn for the Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery. 7:30pm in the Camden Centre. • Friday, 4th March 2011. ‘Canon Edward Hoare, ‘Protestant Pontiff’ of Tunbridge Wells’, an illustrated talk by June Bridgeman for the Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery. 7:30pm in the Camden Centre. (this talk was postponed from 3rd December). 22 Programme Notes Roger Joye, who organises our programme of events, previews the talks for the beginning of 2011. Our first three meetings for 2011 will all be at the usual place and time – the Royal Wells Hotel at 7.45pm on the second Thursday of each month. On 13th January, Fiona Woodfield – past Chairman of the Southborough Society – will give an illustrated talk about the history of a major part of Southborough and Tunbridge Wells. The Skinners’ School playing fields at Southfield Park were once the site of a fine mansion (see picture). For over 100 years, the Stephens and Hopwood families owned the house and its large estate, stretching north/south from present day Pennington Road to Stephens Road, and east/west from Silverdale to Reynolds Lane. The story begins with ancient archaeological remains and lost place-names from the Saxon and Norman periods, and then moves on to a surviving farm over 300 years old. In the 19th century, the Stephens family acquired the Southfield Park Estate, and over the next hundred years or so, the varied developments included industry, business, community and residential. “Finchcocks, and Broadwood pianos” is the title of the talk to be given on 10th February by Dr. Alastair Laurence. Many of our members may have visited Finchcocks: just outside Goudhurst, it is a fine Georgian manor set in a beautiful garden surrounded by parkland, and it is particularly celebrated nowadays for its collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments. It is therefore especially fitting that it should now be the home of John Broadwood and Sons, a business headed by Dr. Laurence and, “By Appointment”, pianoforte manufacturers to no fewer than ten British monarchs starting with King George ll. On 10th March we shall learn about “The Lost Powdermills of Leigh” from their key researcher, Chris Rowley. This industrial enterprise was founded by two local families during the Napoleonic Wars, and had 100 employees at its peak, making it the biggest business in the Tonbridge area at one stage. Eventually sold to ICI, the property closed in 1934 and was compulsorily demolished. Following 70 years of neglect, the site became the subject of lengthy excavations starting in 2003, coupled with a surprisingly frustrating search for archival material. After a career at senior level in broadcasting, Chris Rowley naturally felt that the project deserved to be recorded as a DVD, and it is this film which forms the core of his presentation. RJ

23 www.thecivicsociety.org CIVIC SOCIETY Forthcoming Events

Meetings start at 7.45 on the second Thursday in the month (unless otherwise stated). The location can vary, so please check the details below. Please remember to bring your membership card. Visitors are welcome, but there is a £2 charge for non-members.

’Southfield Park - the Stephens / Hopwood Estate’ - Jan local historian and RTWCS member Fiona Woodfield on 13th the development of this substantial sector of our town. Royal Wells Hotel, Mount Ephraim

‘Finchcocks and Broadwood Pianos’ - Alastair Laurence Feb of John Broadwood & Sons gives a talk on this notable 10th Goudhurst house and the famous piano company that is based there. Royal Wells Hotel, Mount Ephraim

‘The Lost Powdermills of Leigh’ - Chris Rowley tells the Mar history of a significant part of our local industrial heritage 10th Royal Wells Hotel, Mount Ephraim

‘Bright, Brighter, BRIGHTON - the making of a seaside Apr resort’ - a return visit by Christopher Rudd with a lavishly 14th illustrated talk. Royal Wells Hotel, Mount Ephraim

The views expressed in this Newsletter are those of the named author or of the editor and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Society. Published by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. Registered Charity No. 276545 www.thecivicsociety.org