The Society

for the conservation and improvement of the town

Winter 2017

www.sevenoakssociety.org.uk

Registered Charity Number 094951 President Sir Michael Harrison

Vice Presidents R Harcourt, E Keys, M Nairne, Mrs A Rogers, P Rogers, BA Walker Chairman’s report David Green...... 4

Committee NEWS Footpaths and Walks Nick White...... 7 2018 Walks Calendar Nick Umney ...... 8 Chairman Honorary Treasurer Honorary Secretary Publicity Officer Trees and Landscape Keith Wade ...... 10 DAVID GREEN RICHARD BAXTER TIM PEARCE KEITH WADE Frank Marshall Award John Stambollouian ...... 12 Hollow End, 7, The Drive Flat 3 Little Finches Residents Associations Meeting Tim Pearce...... 13 Wellmeade Drive Sevenoaks Clarendon Court Morleys Road Townscape and Planning Group Report Tim Pearce ...... 14 Sevenoaks TN13 3AB Sevenoaks Salmon's Richard Baxter ...... 15 TN13 1QA TN13 1ES TN14 6QY Drawing up a Local Heritage List David Dewar ...... 16 01732 457143 01732 460326 01732 465110 01732 458456 TALKS Tim Pearce Chevening Chipstead and Bessels Green ...... 18 Committee Members Living in Knole in the 21st Century ...... 19 Roger FitzGerald RIBA The Impact of Driverless Cars on Sevenoaks ...... 20 David Gamble Charles George Calendar for Sevenoaks Society & Historical Society ...... 21 Geraldine Tucker Membership Application form ...... 22 John Stambollouian Membership Subscriptions Tim Pearce ...... 23 Nick Umney Sevenoaks Society Publications ...... 24 Roger Walshe

Magazine Editor VICTORIA GRANVILLE 7, The Drive Sevenoaks TN13 3AB [email protected]

The winner of our cover caption competition in the Summer 2017 issue is Nick 2 White, who came up with "The Arrival of the New Chairman". Award to follow. 3 cover photograph with kind permission of Graham Usher and the Sevenoaks Camera Club Thankyou for all your entries.

Chairman’s Report David Green

John Stambollouian announced the not, of course, share this information second tranche of properties to be ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING results of this year’s Frank Marshall with any third party without your prior included will shortly be going out to th The Annual General Meeting held on 4 award which went to the recent consent. I would ask you to do this AT public consultation. October was a full and eventful occasion conversion of the Barn at Knole House ONCE; if you leave it inevitably it will be attended by 75 members of the Society – into a conservation studio and store and forgotten! As a result of the Society’s involvement in the largest attendance for a number of the new Brewhouse café adjacent to it. It the Local List we have been invited to talk years. was fitting that Lord Sackville was present Finally on the topic of membership, we to the Maidenhead Civic Society at its and able to accept the plaque on behalf still need someone to take on the role of annual general meeting and to Civic Voice The evening began with the launch of the Membership Secretary. I am sure there at its 50th Anniversary Conference, the new book “Sevenoaks Forgotten Past – of the National Trust team responsible for the conversion work. must be one amongst or members who latter being clearly a significant occasion. Lodges & Coach Houses” written by two would be willing to take this on. If that I am grateful to John Stambollouian and of our members – Elizabeth Purves and Finally, Lord Sackville entertained those could be you please speak to Tim Pearce David Gamble for agreeing to attend the Geraldine Tucker. It is a most interesting present with a description of what it is who will be happy to explain exactly what events on behalf of the Society. history of the many former gatehouses like to live in Knole House in the 21st is involved. and lodges to the great houses and century, and what further changes and THE LOCAL PLAN estates in Sevenoaks which still remain improvements will be made to the WALKS notwithstanding the disappearance their The emerging draft of the Local Plan will showrooms as part of the ongoing £20 I am delighted to be able to announce be open for public consultation and associated estates. It is now on sale at million restoration scheme. A full report Sevenoaks Book Shop at the very that Nick and Lydia Umney have comment during the Spring of next year. of his talk appears elsewhere in this volunteered to take over the organisation Already the Society’s Townscape and reasonable price of £12. I commend it to magazine. all our members as a great addition to and running of the monthly walks from Planning Group has spent much time the history of our town. MEMBERSHIP Nick White, whilst Nick will continue to considering the response to be made by supervise the sale of the Walk Books the Society to the Council’s Issues and There then followed the AGM itself In my report in the June edition of the through the several outlets from which Options paper. It will be interesting to see chaired with his usual aplomb by our magazine I mentioned the need to recruit they can be purchased. We are most what emerges. President, Sir Michael Harrison. more members, and although we have grateful to Nick and Lydia for Following the election of officers and had a number of recent additions to the volunteering; I think they have ideas for HERITAGE BUILDINGS EXHIBITION committee the meeting approved the membership we would still welcome some changes in arrangements which Plans for this exhibition are proceeding, committee’s recommendation that more. So if you know anyone who would may hopefully increase the number of although at present we await a final subscriptions be increased with effect be interested in the work of the Society participants. decision of the venue for it. In the from 1st April 2018 – single membership do encourage them to join. It is also right that I should take this meantime work is in hand on the from £10 to £12, joint membership from preparation of the book which we intend £14 to £18, single Oak (20 years) Nick Umney has kindly agreed to lend his opportunity to thank Nick most sincerely expertise to facilitating a revision of the for all his efforts over a number of years to publish for sale alongside the membership from £85 to £100 and joint exhibition. Oak Membership from £120 to £135. membership lists in order to make the which have seen every walk checked out administration of the Society easier and and the sale of the books increase Many of you pay your subscriptions by BUCKHURST 2 CAR PARK standing order, so may I ask you to less time-consuming. To assist in this significantly. He has done a great job. process may I ask all of you who are on As predicted in my previous Report, the amend your own order IMMEDIATELY; THE LOCAL LIST this will save much time and effort on the email to send your email address to Tim District Council has applied to itself for part of the Treasurer when next year’s Pearce ([email protected]) I am pleased to report that the wording planning permission to build a new multi- subscriptions fall due. A full Minute of together with your telephone number of the Article 4 Direction referred to in storey car park with associated dwellings the meeting will appear in the June 2018 and an indication of whether you are my previous report has now been settled on the Buckhurst 2 car park site. Whilst 4 edition of the magazine. willing to receive the magazine online by the Council’s legal team and its effect this latest scheme is considered to be 5 (this will save the Society a not- will shortly be circulated to the owners of aesthetically an improvement on the After the business part of the evening inconsiderable sum each year). We shall those properties affected by it. The previous one, serious concerns still exist Chairman’s Report (cont’d) Footpaths and Walks Nick White

over the issue of vehicular access and the me or Tim Pearce for more information After organising the Society’s walks for the keep the remaining stocks and continue to likely increase in traffic flow at the junction about what is involved. past five years I have decided that the time sell them to the seven existing outlets and to of Suffolk Way and the High Street where has come to pass the baton. I am very anyone else who wants to buy them. When I pedestrian safety remains a major concern SEVENOAKS SUMMER FAYRE pleased to report that Nick and Lydia Umney took over the walks section there were four have agreed to take on this role from the volumes, each containing eleven walks. I have and appropriate representations have been As in previous years the Society had a stall in start of 2018. They are very keen walkers and updated the original 44 walks and added a made to the Council. We await the outcome this year’s Summer Fayre, but on this occa- full of enthusiasm. I wish them every success. fifth volume all of which are produced in a with considerable interest. sion it was located in an alleyway well away state of the art format thanks to the artistic from the main event which was far from COMMITTEE MEMBERS The Sevenoaks Society has been organising skills of Victoria Granville Baxter and the satisfactory. On raising our concerns with walks for 45 years. The first of these started expertise of Sevenoaks Print Studio. As indicated in my June Report, at the AGM the Town Council we learned that it is the from the Hole-in-the Wall in Seal Hollow Road we said farewell to John Edge and Maree Council’s intention to hold next year’s Fayre in or about January 1972. Initially they were At the time of drafting Volume 5 I thought Walker as members of the Committee. We in Pavilion Gardens where all participants fortnightly throughout the year, but more that we had included all of the best footpaths owe both of them a deep debt of gratitude will be located together. This should be a recently they have been monthly from in the surrounds of Sevenoaks, but friends for all they did for the Society during their great improvement and I anticipate that we January to November. The November walk from the Ramblers and Sevenoaks U3A have years on the Committee. We also said fare- shall again take part in order to advertise the from will be the Society’s 957th. Even made me aware of yet more routes, and I am well to Nick White who stood down having existence of the Society and its aims. though I will no longer be organising and therefore giving consideration to producing a relinquished the organisation of the walks, leading walks, I do hope to take part in sixth volume – no promises. OPEN MEETINGS and to Peter Bennellick who stood down for number 1000, which should be towards the Happy walking! personal reasons. To both of them we also In addition to Lord Sackville’s talk at the end of 2021 – if my (by then) octogenarian say a big “thank you” for their service. AGM, we have been entertained by Jonathan legs can still manage five miles. Fenner who gave us a fascinating insight into At the AGM we elected two new members The sale of our five volumes of walking guides the history of Chevening, Chipstead and Nick White onto the Committee – Geraldine Tucker who continues to go well. Out of 3200 that have Bessels Green and by “our own” David Gam- had been co-opted earlier in the year, and been printed, there are just 702 left. I will Nick Umney following his offer to take over ble who challenged us to face up to the pros- the walks. I look forward to working with pect of driverless cars and their possible them in the coming years. There are still impact on Sevenoaks. To both we extend our several vacancies, so if you feel you would grateful thanks for their contributions to the like to contribute do please speak to either Society’s activities.

6 Nick White's five volumes of Country walks around Sevenoaks are available at the Sevenoaks Bookshop, Up and Running, 7 Community shop among others, and also at some Sevenoaks Society meetings.

2018 Walks Calendar Nick Umney

After (at least) five years of creating, presenting and organising walks Nick White has passed on the baton to Nick and Lydia Umney who will continue to organise the walks to take place on the last Sunday of each month.

We will be delighted to see you and your friends on these walks. We will also be delighted to receive feedback about the walks particularly if you have suggestions to increase the numbers of us out walking on these occasions.

As a trial, to see if we can attract more of you to walk, we will introduce for April, May and June a morning walk in addition to the afternoon walk.

Sunday 28 January 2018 Walk 54 Sunday 29 April 2018 Walks 47 & 53 Sunday 27 May 2018 Walks 12 and 15 Sunday 24 June 2018 Walks 9 and 44

Meet in time for a 14:00 start from the Together, walks 47 and 53 make up the Together, walks 12 and15 make up the Together, walks 9 and 44 make up the George Inn, Trotiscliffe, ME19 5DR in the Society’s suggested combination walk L. Society’s suggested combination walk A. Society’s suggested combination walk J. centre of the village (map reference However, there is no obligation to do However, there is no obligation to do However, there is no obligation to do TQ641599). The walk via the Pilgrim’s both. Please feel free to join the morning both. Please feel free to join the morning both. Please feel free to join the Way and Coldrum Long Barrow is 5.5 walk, the afternoon walk or both as you walk, the afternoon walk or both as you morning walk, the afternoon walk or miles in length with mainly easy going on wish. wish. both as you wish. minor roads and tracks. Morning walk (Walk 47) Morning walk (Walk 15) Morning walk (Walk 9) Meet at Smith’s Lane, Crockham at the Meet in the forecourt of Shoreham Meet at Dryhill Nature Reserve off Dryhill Sunday 25 February 2018 Walk 4 junction with Deanery Road and the Station close to the A225 in time for a Lane, Sevenoaks (map reference B2690 (map reference TQ442506) in time 10:00 start. The walk, mainly on TQ497552) in time for a 10:00 start. The Meet in time for a 14:00 start from the for a 10:00 start. The walk to Limpsfield footpaths, runs through the Darent valley walk via Shrubs Corner, Brittains Lane White Rock Inn at , TN15 0SB Chart, Froghole and back to Crockham to Lullingstone Visitor Centre, returning and Bessels Green is 5 miles in length and (map reference TQ556520). The walk via Hill is 5 miles in length and hilly in parts. along the river to Shoreham, a total of 7 is easy. Dryhill nature reserve is an Budd’s Green and Carters Hill is just over We should arrive back at at miles, graded moderate. excellent place for a picnic if the weather 4 miles in length, almost entirely on about 12:30. You may wish to consider also doing the is fine. footpaths and has one significant ascent You may wish to consider also doing the afternoon walk in which case a pub lunch You may wish to consider also doing the from Budd’s Green to the greensand afternoon walk in which case lunch at the or picnic lunch may appeal. There are afternoon walk in which case a picnic ridge at wilmot ‘s cottage. Royal Oak in Crockham Hill may appeal. several conveniently situated pubs in lunch may appeal. There are also several Afternoon walk (Walk 53) Shoreham. pubs in the vicinity the nearest being the Sunday 25 March 2018 Meet at Smith’s Lane, Crockham at the Afternoon walk (Walk 12) White Horse at Sundridge about 0.8 junction with Deanery Road and the Meet in the forecourt of Shoreham miles away. B2690 (map reference TQ442506) in time Station close to the A225 in time for a Meet at Hadlow Town Square, TN11 0DA Afternoon walk (Walk 44) for a 14:00 start. The walk to Pootings 14:00 start. The walk, which is mainly on (map reference TQ634498) in time for a Meet at Dryhill Nature Reserve off Dryhill and north of Edenbridge is 5 miles in paths, passes through the former Upper 14:00 start. The walk down to Hartlake Lane, Sevenoaks (map reference length and is moderately hilly. Austin Golf Course, Romney Street and Bridge via Hadlow Place Farm, then TQ497552) in time for a 14:00 start. The Dunstall farm before returning to alongside the river to the East Lock and walk via Sundridge Church, Manor Farm, Shoreham is 5 miles in length and hilly. Ford Green Bridge to Barnes Street and Shrubs Corner and Green Lane Farm is

back to Hadlow is around 5 miles and is 4.5 miles and is easy.

8 flat. 9 If you would like further information about these walks please feel free to contact us

by email: [email protected] or [email protected] Trees and Landscape Keith Wade

The Remarkable Trees of Sevenoaks Safeguarding our Trees The Riverhead Tree Sculpture The Tree Charter

Although it is three years since the There are already two magnificent oak The Woodland Trust has taken the lead Society’s first exhibition showcasing our tree sculptures in Riverhead Park, of a in creating a Charter for Trees, Woods most notable trees, we still receive dragon and a pair of lions. By now you and People that highlights the may have seen a remarkable third: . importance of trees and aims to guide enquiries and requests to use the considerable amount of data and policy and practice in the UK. At the material generated in its production. The invitation of Sevenoaks Town Council, a Guildford Society asked to show the Charter Branch, signatures supporting The storm and our 2014 exhibition panels of the Tree Exhibition and these the initiative were collected by The certainly raised awareness of the value of have been on view at the Guildford Society at recent meetings. The Charter trees in general – but some are more th Institute in recent weeks. was launched on 6 November, the important than others. From time to time 800th anniversary of the historic 1217 Remembering the Great Storm we receive notice of trees that are under Charter of the Forest which re- threat. One particular concern is the established rights of access to the Royal In one way or another, most of us were possible risk to the “White Hart oaks” - Forests in . directly affected by the “hurricane” of the group on the London Road just south October 1987, featured in our exhibition, of the inn - from a proposed In the words of The Woodland Trust: and 30 years on still have vivid memories development. They are in fact “The Charter will enable a future in of the havoc it wrought. For me, the which trees and people stand stronger th replacements for an earlier set, probably ceremony on the Vine on October 14 to planted in 1807, that in 1955 were felled together. Trees, woods and forest commemorate the occasion was in the erroneous belief that they were livelihoods in the UK are facing more particularly poignant – as during the unsafe. Although they were obviously threats today than at any time in history, storm two of the seven “Coronation not the original trees after which our yet are consistently undervalued and oaks” fell into our front garden. Six of town was named, for over a century they overlooked in decision-making and course were uprooted in all: and to the have been depicted as “the Seven oaks of practice in all areas of society. world we became “One Oak”. Sevenoaks”, and the current group, Carved from a dead oak by Simon The Tree Charter will set out how people donated by Lord Sackville, are an Archer, the sculpture is a source of and trees should be able to benefit each important and symbolic landmark on the wonder to passing school-children, and th other. The guidelines and principles it southern approach to the town. was formally “unveiled” on October 28 . contains will be applicable to policy, Unfortunately, despite our efforts, the business practice, communities and trees are not protected by TPOs; but individual action. The Tree Charter after voicing our concerns to SDC, the consists of 10 Principles, each dealing original application to create a new Following the unveiling of a plaque in with a different aspect of the driveway from the London Road close to front of that lone survivor by the Mayor relationship between people and trees in the trees was rejected. However it has of Sevenoaks, Cllr Maxine Chakowa, Bob modern society. The Principles have now gone to appeal. Ogley gave a talk at the Town Council been defined by more than 50,000 Chamber, recalling the events and impact stories and survey responses received th of the fateful night of October 15 . from the public since the launch of the campaign in January 2016.”

10 11

Keith Wade

The Frank Marshall Award 2017 John Stambollouian

The Frank Marshall Award for 2017 was from the local community.

presented at the AGM by our President, Sir Michael Harrison, to Lord Sackville The transformation of the medieval who received it on behalf of the Knole barn has been a joy to watch unfold project team. The award was made for over the last two years. Conservation the restoration of the medieval barn at work to the barn roof has re-instated Knole House and the alterations to the the historic skyline for the first time Brewhouse courtyard. Special since the fire of 1887. commendations were given to the Life and activity have residential conversion of the Carlton been restored within Works on St John’s Hill and to the these working extension of the Old Stabling in buildings, which is a Bradbourne Road. lasting achievement.”

The Award was set up in 2013 in There were 8 nominations for this memory of the late Frank Marshall who, year’s Award, a stronger and longer list as many members will know, single than in previous years. We hope that is handedly monitored planning an encouraging sign of improving applications on behalf of the Society for design quality of new developments in over 25 years. Its aim is to recognise Residents Associations Meeting Tim Pearce the town. The nominations came from and celebrate excellence in design and members of the Society, from members The Society held its annual meeting with main activities over the last eighteen construction quality and buildings and of the public and from self- representatives from the Residents months, John Stambollouian reported on projects which make a positive nominations. Associations in the Small Hall at the the development of the Local List SPD, contribution to the public realm. Community Centre on October 21st, and on the Issues and Options queries In making the Award, the judges said The Award is for buildings and projects 2017. This was much later than intended from SDC in the process of developing a that they admired the vision and within the Sevenoaks Town Council area but there had been difficulties securing a new Local Plan. ambition behind a project of this scale which have to have been completed in venue and a date earlier. We were most for such a radical and controversial the previous two years. They must be grateful to Linda Larter, the Town Clerk, Each Association reported on their issues change to a Grade 1 listed building. visible from a public place. And as well for allowing us to use the Small Hall free and interests. From this a number of They were impressed by the quality of as new buildings the Award scheme of charge. common themes emerged. The threat to design and overall execution. They covers other built environment projects the Green Belt from the government’s recognised that the project had not such as refurbishments, heritage Eleven RAs were represented, with four requirement of residences to be built; been without its difficulties with the conservation, improvements to others sending apologies. It does seem the problems of traffic speeds and the main contractor going into insolvency, streetscape, parks, etc. difficult to find a time which suits the ineffectiveness of Speedwatch; the but it had been completed to the largest number and we expect to hold residential parking standard in new The judges for this year’s Award were: highest standards. The whole scheme the next meeting in May next year and developments; the consequences of Roger FitzGerald, head of a London- contributed a lasting legacy to the probably in the evening. intensification of traffic related to the based architectural practice and historical development of Knole House. new schools in the area; the issue of member of The Society’s executive The Society was represented by John increased densities in the town centre Hannah Kay, the National Trust General committee; Rebecca Lamb, the SDC’s Stambollouian, Chair of the Townscape were among the most prominent. It was Manager at Knole said: Chief Conservation Officer; and Victoria and Planning Group, Geraldine Tucker, agreed that the next meeting would 12 Granville who is a professional designer “It is heartening for the team at Knole chief historical researcher on the Local focus on one issue, probably the 13 as well as being the editor of this and the wider National Trust to receive List project and Tim Pearce, Secretary. problems of school runs. magazine. recognition for our conservation work He gave a brief account of the Society’s TPG Report Tim Pearce Salmon's Richard Baxter

Since the appearance of the last We have been involved in the sequence magazine, the Townscape and Planning of applications connected with Bottle Also at this time Salmon started to Group has been largely involved in the Cottages in Bradbourne Vale Road. We publish a small series of local view issues and options paper circulated by understand that the owner of 2 Bottle pictorial calendars with coloured SDC toward the revision of the Local Plan. Cottages has been told to demolish the illustrations of English scenes, towns We have replied in considerable detail garages which were not built in and regions. The earliest calendars and await the response of the Planning accordance with the planning permission. were in a turnover style although, as Advisory Committee, which meets in His application to extend 2 Bottle techniques developed, both turnover November. Cottages has been refused as has his and panel style calendars were application to build a new dwelling in the produced in increasing numbers. Among various development applications garden. which we have followed and in some By the end of the First World War, the cases commented on, the new hotel in Three other more recent applications We are sorry to learn of the imminent business had outgrown its original site Hitchen Hatch Lane is now apparent to have given us some hope in terms of closure of Salmon's, Art Printers and and a new factory was built in all. It remains to be seen how its parking design and effect on their localities. Publishers of London Road. Sevenoaks Sevenoaks. With subsequent additions arrangements will play out. Similarly, the These are the new car park on Buckhurst due to adverse trading conditions. and extensions this site has remained at new block of flats adjacent to the Bentley 2, the proposed development of Colin the heart of the business ever since. garage in London Road, is also nearing Bird’s Garage in Lime Tree Walk, which Salmon's is the oldest established post completion, though there is so far no will preserve the main coach-builders’ card and calendar publisher in Britain. The company has remained in the change on the Salmon’s site. block, adjacent to the road, and a new The company was founded in 1880 ownership of the Salmon family and proposal for 20 London Road, formerly when Joseph Salmon, who had been a When the application for a Lidl today is run by Charles and Harry Williamson’s butchers, which also aims to bookseller in London, acquired a Supermarket in London Road was being Salmon, the fifth generation of the retain and restore the original building. stationer’s shop with a general printing considered, we wrote objecting mainly to family to be involved in the business. At business at 85 High Street, Sevenoaks. the parking and traffic arrangements. It is One unfortunate consequence of the time of writing it is not clear when He continued the business in its existing never much fun to say we told you so, plans for Buckhurst 2 is the need for business will actually cease, but the site form until, in 1898, his son (also Joseph) but there are now unfortunate jams at temporary parking and to the alarm of is scheduled to be redeveloped into a took over when his father retired. the London Road access and exit point, the Vine Preservation Society and also to block of over 60 apartments and it is By 1890, Joseph had become interested which make impatient drivers in queues some of our members, it is proposed to expected that work will start on this in in the potential of printing and even more impatient. We wished they use the patch of grass to the northwest of mid 2018. publishing pictorial post cards and had considered a one-way traffic route in the Vine, adjacent to Park Lane and Vine produced a collection of twelve at the back and out at the front or vice Court Road, known as the Vine Waste. black and white post cards of versa, via Moreland Close. The proposal insists that the site, which Sevenoaks and district. This was was given to the town in perpetuity in followed, by a small collection of The application to demolish 95 Dartford connection with the War Memorial, will coloured post cards of local Road was refused, but has now gone to be restored to its present condition. That scenes. Such was the success of appeal and we are writing again drawing is not much compensation for the these early cards that in a few attention to errors in the appeal upheaval to residents of Park Lane and to years the range had been widened presentation. Similarly, the application to the traffic at that junction, nor to the to include comic cards. Around strike a new driveway through from 7, health of its trees. One of the lime trees 1912 Joseph also started to Parkfield Close to the Tonbridge Road has at the exit from the SDC Car Park in publish post cards featuring the also gone to appeal. [There is more on Gordon Road is half dead from the fumes work of Alfred Robert Quinton, a 14 that in Keith’s article on trees.] in which it has been obliged to exist. 15 famous association that was to last until the artist’s death in 1934. How We Did It: Drawing up a local heritage list David Dewar

and spaces with the aim of drawing up "Data management was really important, such a list. Having initially worked with because we had 785 assets that went to the council to draw up selection criteria, the selection panel and something like 22 the group started the legwork on the data fields on each asset," he says. "That project. This involved an extensive was an enormous amount of data to be amount of background research on the managed, including checking it and detailed history of the town’s built loading it onto a database. We had environment, says Stambollouian, someone extremely skilled in this area of followed by volunteers going out to work, which was vital." survey all 275 roads in the town. The amount of historical research before All this work, which the council’s the surveying was also a great benefit, he conservation officer Rebecca Lamb says adds. "The surveyors were local involved "thousands of volunteer hours", volunteers," he says. "They were very was carried out by just 21 volunteers with conscientious about making (left to right) the Sevenoaks Society’s Geraldine Tucker, Nick Umney, David Gamble, Sir Michael Harrison and a council grant of £500 per annum. "We recommendations, but carrying out lots John Stambollouian, and Council’s Robert Piper, Rebecca Lamb and Avril Hunter have been incredibly pleased with the of initial research gave them plenty of partnership working that’s happened," confidence in making judgements." PROJECT Sevenoaks Local List District Council with a local list which it says Lamb. "The surveys, research and has used to form the basis of a new Following the list’s compilation, the ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED Sevenoaks day-to-day project management have all supplementary planning document (SPD). been managed by the Sevenoaks Society council has since been able to draft a District Council, Sevenoaks Society, The society believes it is the first time in local list SPD, which is due to be adopted County Council, Historic England and, because of their skills, we now have Kent that a local civic society has created a high quality list." She added that their imminently. This identifies the list’s first With councils subject to ongoing resource such a list on behalf of the local authority. work was "very rigorous". tranche of assets, outlines local listing criteria and sets out a policy approach to constraints, specialist work areas such as The group offered to help produce the heritage and conservation have often The survey resulted in 785 individual be applied to heritage assets. It also list following a planning appeal that assets being recorded by the society’s includes the power for the council to been hampered by budgetary pressures. allowed the demolition of a local pub. But one authority in Kent has benefited surveyors. Each record included a range introduce Article 4 directions removing Despite the society’s claims that it was a of data such as asset type, description permitted development rights for the from extensive work by a civic group in "much-loved building", the planning helping to draw up a local list that and reasons for inclusion. As well as demolition of locally listed buildings and inspector noted the building was not on a historic buildings, the list also features the alteration or removal of locally listed itemises and designates the area’s non- local list. "Sevenoaks Council’s core statutory heritage assets, giving them street furniture, water troughs and many boundaries and railings, meaning that strategy aimed to prepare a local list, but "high-quality" Victoria railings, says Lamb. such processes would need planning enhanced protection under local and it was clear that they were unlikely to national planning policy. Of the 785 assets recommended for permission. have the resources to do it," says John inclusion, 464 – about 60 per cent - were Volunteers from the Sevenoaks Society Stambollouian, the society’s survey co- accepted by a selection panel of experts, "We hope the list will flag up to planners have spent the past few years surveying ordinator and a former deputy director of including representatives from the and local politicians the really important the town’s streets in order to build a planning at the Department of district council, Historic England and Kent buildings in Sevenoaks that ought to be comprehensive picture of those assets of Communities and Local Government. "If it County Council, plus a local historian and respected and taken into account when historical and architectural value that are was to happen, it would need to involve local architect. making planning decisions," adds not already statutorily listed by the local community." Stambollouian. government agency Historic England. The One of the key factors underpinning the 16 Consequently, the society embarked on a success of the project, says The list also provides clarity for home 17 first tranche of the work has now been three-year project to survey and research owners on whether their own property is completed. It has provided Sevenoaks Stambollouian, was how it used the the town’s historic buildings, structures extensive amount of data collected. a heritage asset. Chevening, Chipstead and Bessels Green “Living in Knole in the 21st Century”

north-south verticality of the parish is a Talk at the AGM on October 4th by have been taking place over the past few consequence of decision made to ensure Robert Sackville years, most notably to make the house more watertight. Much damage had been that the parish had water, farmland and Robert began his talk by recalling the done by water to roofs, walls and woodland for their basic needs. decision which he and his family had windows, and much rotting woodwork Chipstead Place was originally built by made ten years ago to move into the “big and flaking plaster had to be cut out and Robert Cranmer (who died in 1619) but house”, one of the greatest houses in the th restored. demolished in the 18 century and kingdom, and to share it with National rebuilt in the Classical style then popular. Talk by Jonathan Fenner Trust and 100,000 visitors a year. The restoration was initiated in 2010 and th Jonathan gave us many tales of the On Wednesday, July 5 , 2017 was at least a £20 million-pound project. sequence of owners or tenants from that He went on to describe some of the trials Some rooms had received no attention Jonathan Fenner gave us another time until the demolition in the 20th and tribulations of his ancestors over the for 300 years and some pieces of splendid talk in his series Discovering the century. (Its numerous lodges remain years, bearing in mind always how the furniture were unearthed of considerable District. He began with some historical and are discussed in our new book, past influences the present. Sometimes it value. The restoration of the barn as a back ground about the origins of the Lodges and Coach Houses of Sevenoaks, was a joy, other times a burden. He craft centre was particularly successful estate and the village of Chipstead,. That available from the Sevenoaks bookshop.) referred to Virginia Woolf and to Vita and he was pleased that this restoration name translates as market-place in Anglo- Sackville-West for whom the house was It is fair to say that the greatest impact of had won the Frank Marshall award this Saxon and it was the market place of the an inspiration, but Vita recognised that Jonathan’s talk came from the superb year. fish traders bringing their fish up the Rye the family was to an extent a slave to the Road, which also accounts for such photographs of the remarkable buildings house and burdened by the weight of the Throughout his talk, Robert constantly names as Mackerel’s Plain and Salter’s of Chipstead, which he lovingly described past. Notably, the house has rarely related his life there to his family and Heath. Chevening itself was ‘the place of in all their fascinating architectural passed from father to son, but mostly to concerns whether or not his children the people of the ridge’. It was in the details, as well as telling us the history of nephews, as in his own case. For many would want to inherit and live there, but manor of and in the 12th century it some of the numerous trades then in years the house has smouldered not at the same time, he succeeded in was sub-let by Baron de Crevecoeur to action in the village. sparkled. persuading us, if we needed persuasion, Adam of Chevening. It is set just off a He concluded his talk with a brisk survey that Knole is a magical place both to live major medieval cross-roads of the Rye When National Trust took on the house of Bessels Green and some of its in and to visit. Road with the Pilgrim’s Way, though the characters, such as the Epps family who and its immediate surroundings in 1946, route north was closed off by the built Bessels House. John Epps was a there had been 200 or more years of We are most grateful to him for his th Stanhopes in the 18 century. Chipstead, local pork butcher and one of his sons genteel decay. National Trust eventually animated presentation. built around the ford where the Rye Road (also John) became a renowned 19thc recognised the necessity of making the Tim Pearce crossed the Darent was created as sub- homoeopathist. The first Dissenter’s restorations and improvements which manor held by John de Scepestede in the House was built in 1716 in Lower Bessels 13thc. Field and is now the Unitarian Meeting Jonathan went on to give us something of House. The Colgate family were the design and origins of Chevening worshipers here, and a number of their House and of the church of St Botolph’s, graves can be found in the churchyard. the patron saint of travellers, and also Robert Colgate was a republican in the some of the characters in the Stanhope late 18thc who fled to America and was family, notably the third earl, who the founder of the toiletry empire. inherited in 1786 and held republican The talk was well attended and greatly sympathies, at a time when the American enjoyed by the audience. We are very 18 19 issue as at its height. grateful to Jonathan for all the work he Chipstead itself had a mill, and there was does in preparing these talks. another in Witley Forest. The strange Tim Pearce The Impact of Driverless Cars on Sevenoaks Sevenoaks Society and Historical Society Calendar

Talk on November 8th by David Gamble adaptive cruise control and parking as- February to June 2018 sistance which already exists, via hands Our meeting in November initiated what off and eyes off to the eventual emer- TH we hope may become the first of a se- gence of completely robotic cars with no WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7 8.00 P.M. ries of interactive talks. It was definitely steering wheel and no human interven- Executive Committee meeting in the Wreford Room interactive and very well attended. tion. The audience was then asked to David began by taking us back to the TH repeat the Pros and Cons process. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15 7.30 P.M. origins of the motor car in the late nine- Among the pros were empowerment of teenth century and the period during Alan Williams: ‘“Fit for Purpose" - the history of the London underground.’ the handicapped and elderly, less private Talks are held in the Undercroft, St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks TN13 1JA, at 8pm. which the thirty-year transition from car ownership, reduced accident rate, horse transport took place. He also re- less pollution, while the disadvantages TH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28 8.00 P.M. minded us that it was actually Bertha included the loss of the fun of driving, Benz who made the first long-distance the loss of personal decision-making, the Talk by Andrew Willmore on ‘The Greensand Commons Project’ car journey when she was fed up with possibility of terrorism, and invasions of at St Luke’s Hall her husband’s interminable tinkering. privacy. What followed then was more She made her trip in 1888. In England ST open-ended. For example, some thought WEDNESDAY MARCH 21 8.00 P.M. the speed limit went from 4 mph, with a there would be less road traffic, others Executive Committee meeting in the Wreford Room man in front, to 14 mph with no man! thought there would be more. Cycling could only be made safer at Level 5, the We were then asked to say what the TH EDNESDAY ARCH P M Pros and Cons of that revolution were, fully robotic car, which could free up W M 28 8.00 . . one side of the hall giving the pros and road space for cycle lanes. Traffic lights Talk by Nathalie Cohen on the other the cons. Advantages were would still be necessary for pedestrians. ‘Archaeology at Knole: exploring one of England’s great houses. perceived to be freedom, speed, conven- As far as Sevenoaks in concerned its At St Luke’s Hall ience, adaptability, and easier move- location among motorways could be an advantage as driverless cars and pelo- ND ment of freight, but it was also seen as a WEDNESDAY MAY 2 7.00 FOR 7.30 P.M. (tbc) disruptive technology, bringing huge tons of lorries will first be acceptable on Meeting with Residents Associations changes in occupations with the loss of the big roads, though it was largely At the Community Centre the equine trades, as well as pollution, agreed that the cultural and legal conse- accidents, noise, parking problems, de- quence of this change will take decades ST pletion of fossil fuels, road costs and exactly as happened with the motor car. WEDNESDAY MAY 31 8.00 P.M. David was warmly thanked at the end of road rage. Executive Committee Meeting in the Wreford Room the meeting for a most stimulating and Presentation of Accounts David went on to describe the five levels lively occasion. of complexity of driverless cars, from the Tim Pearce RD SATURDAY JUNE 23 ALL DAY Sevenoaks Summer Festival begins, Society stall at the Charities Fayre

Advance notice RD WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3 7.15 P.M. 20 Sevenoaks Society AGM at St Luke’s Hall. 21

Early MAMILS in Sevenoaks A spare application form for your friends Membership Subscriptions for 2018

At the annual General Meeting in October, the Society approved increases in subscription rates to take effect from 1 April 2018.

These are:

Single Annual subscription ... £12 Joint Annual ...... £18 Single Oak membership .....£100 Joint Oak membership ...... £135

Many members pay their subscriptions my standing order and if you are one of those, please instruct your bank to increase the amount for 2018.

If you do not currently pay by standing order, please consider doing so as this is by far the easiest method for you and for the Society.

Thankyou

Richard Baxter

Have we lost you?

Are your email details correct?

Over recent years, we have tried to build up our email contacts both for the purpose of advertising events, but also in the hope that more of you would be prepared to receive the biennial magazine by that method. We email the magazine to only 51 addresses, the remainder are printed and posted.

More significantly, every time I send out a notice about a forthcoming meeting, I get four or five returns with the message that the addresses no longer exist or are unrecognizable. Our register has dropped from 223 to 188 in recent months.

If you have not been receiving these reminders by email, please send your email address to me at [email protected]

The Society is very dependent on keeping in touch with its 650+ members, but cannot devote either the time or the money to sending letters. 22 23 Tim Pearce

Sevenoaks Society Publications

Society members Elizabeth Purves and Geraldine Tucker had a successful launch of their book ‘Sevenoaks Forgotten Past: Lodges & Coach Houses’ at the AGM on 4th October. Charming and beautifully illustrated, the book chronicles the history of these small buildings which are fascinating remnants of the great Sevenoaks landed estates and Victorian mansions. Their publication has already received a number of excellent reviews including one by Bob Ogley in the Sevenoaks Chronicle. It will make an ideal gift for anyone of any age interested at all in Sevenoaks history or heritage buildings. All proceeds go to the Society.. Copies available from Sevenoaks Bookshop for £12.

Publications We are delighted by the success of our And finally………….. first published book, Sevenoaks If any of the features in this edi- Forgotten Past, the Lodges & Coach tion of our magazine has been of Houses by Geraldine Tucker and Elizabeth particular interest, or you would Purves. like to contribute an item to our Our plans to hold an Exhibition next year next magazine (published in June on the Heritage Buildings of Sevenoaks 2018), or you have a suggestion have been put back to 2019 and we plan for a speaker at one of our forth- that the Exhibition will be accompanied coming meetings, please feel free by another book. to contact our editorial team

Inspired by the Lodges book, Keith Wade [email protected] is now working on another aspect of [email protected] Sevenoaks' forgotten past, the Inns and Public Houses, with a view to publication in 2020. He has already written an article 24 on The Elephant’s Head, which stood on the A25, the name deriving from the crest of the Camden family.