Photographed behind the Warde Arms in the High Street, John and Mary Townsend were owners of the ‘Pride of Westerham’ a much coveted coach-and-four. The date is 1891 and the photograph was taken by Arthur Thomas Deane, who had his photographic studio at the top of London Road. John Townsend was a highly respected Gentleman ...
Reference: WH0121
With the formation of the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Management Committee in 1899, travelling conditions for passengers began to improve on the Westerham branch line. There were new locomotives in lined Brunswick green and new six-wheeled carriages as well. The elderly Cudworth engines previously used on the branch were replaced with James Stirling’s class ...
Reference: WH0167
This building today (2019) is the home of Castle Antiques, opposite the Library, so-called in memory of Vic Castle, who ran his dairy there in the 1950s. The building has an interesting history, having started out as the ‘Swan Beerhouse’ owned by William Finnis Watkins’ Swan Brewery at the bottom of Hosey Hill. Beerhouses had ...
Reference: WH0077
The Crown Hotel opposite Westerham Station was known for its fine dining cuisine, and this reputation was to carry it through until the Hotel was closed and pulled down in the late 1990s. It is amazing it kept going that long as that part of town would struggle to sustain such a large establishment without ...
Reference: 0012
Note that a Pony and Trap was available for hire, but there was no overnight accommodation in this tiny pub, the only ‘full-license’ drinking establishment in town lacking this facility.
Reference: WH0063
The above illustration, from excellent photographs supplied by Mr F. G. Benson, Keswick studio, Westerham, gives an adequate idea of the havoc wrought. In the foreground is the malthouse and it will be observed that the corner of the rear kiln was caught by the flames. From The Herald Saturday July 9 1910 DISASTROUS FIRE AT WESTERHAMEAST ...
Reference: WH0060
This steam ‘locomotive’ dray was made by Burrells of Thetford in 1912 as works number 3424, and was the first of two purchased by Bushell Watkins and Smith for deliveries of beer to their tied-houses around west Kent. It would have been slow going at 12 miles an hour, but marginally faster than its horse-drawn ...
Reference: WH0183
The Mothers’ Union was founded by Mary Sumner in 1876. Herself a mother of three children, it was the birth of her daughters first child that drove Mary to found the organisation to support women of all classes in their role as mothers, in affiliation with the teachings of the Anglican Church. In 1896 the ...
Reference: WH0317
The Mothers’ Union held an annual service at Saint Mary’s Church each year, where they would ask for God’s blessing on their Union. It was not uncommon for the Lord Bishop of Rochester to attend and preach the Sermon.
Reference: WH0315
At St. Mary’s church, Westerham, Kent, Mr. Harold Streatfeild, son of the Rev. Wm. Champion Streatfeild, of Charts Edge, was married to Dorothy, daughter of Lieut.-Colonel and the Hon. Mrs. Warde, of Squerryes Court, Westerham. The church was prettily decorated, and the Rev. W. Streatfeild, the bridegroom’s brother officiated, assisted by the Rev. E. Ram, ...
Reference: WH0663
in 1908, Mr George Thomas Taylor started a motor car and cycle repair business in the High Street opposite the Warde Arms.
Reference: WH0012
Evenden works were in Quebec Sq
Reference: WH0013
As with all church-affiliated bodies at that time, the Mothers’ Union took great pains to remain ‘apolitical’ in their activities, but in times of war, religion and politics can get pretty close, as shown with this publicity flyer for 1916…
Reference: WH0316
