Dec 9 1872 saw the opening of a reading room ‘for the free use of working men’ at the Public Hall in the High Street, initiated by the patroness, Mrs Lucy Deane Streatfeild. By the following year, ‘The Westerham Recreation and Sports Club’ was held there most evenings from 7 until 10 whenever the Hall ...
Reference: 0072
The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor (Y.P.S.C.E.) was formed as an interdenominational Christian youth society which provided a structure for church youth to work together to know God in Jesus Christ. Started in Portland, Maine in the U.S. in 1882 the Society spread throughout the British Empire and beyond by the early 1890s. Christian Endeavor is ...
Reference: 0071
Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses from the Red Cross in the front doorway of Dunsdale. The centre woman of the three standing is Blanche Warde.
Reference: WH0747
Maude Finch is ready for duty in this photograph taken in the back yard of ‘Belleview’ New Street, around 1915. The uniform typifies the period with mop-cap and starched detachable collar and cuffs and a long apron and underskirt. The house known as ‘Belleview’ is now called ‘Dolphin Corner’
Reference: WH0749
This was one of several events held to raise money towards the construction of Brasted open-air bathing pool on the site where Brasted recreational ground now stands. The pool was sited where the children’s playground sits now, and was fed by an underground stream with an overflow into the river Darent just north of the ...
Reference: WH0844
The Town Band played on The Green to respect the occasion as the congregation left the church following the United Memorial Service for King Edward VII who had died on May 6th 1910.
Reference: WH0858
King Edward VII had died of a heart attack on May 6th 1910. In Sevenoaks the decision was made to “…erect a Hospital worthy of the late King’s memory” capitalised by grants, fund-raising events and public subscription, and to that effect on April 15th 1911, the Westerham Town Band were approached to deliver an open-air ...
Reference: WH0876
The mansion of Dunsdale was reputed to have become the dower-house of Valence and was tenanted to Bank Director Francis John Johnston from the time of purchase by Norman Watney (of the brewery family) in 1890, to the time of Francis’ death in 1911, aged 80 years. 1911 was a notable year, being also the year ...
Reference: WH0745
The mansion of ‘Dunsdale’ on the estate of the late Norman Watney had been converted into a hospital of fifty beds in 1914. The first consignment of wounded men were 48 Belgian soldiers some of whom are shown here. Dunsdale Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) hospital was managed by the British Red Cross Society. The nursing staff ...
Reference: WH0746
Unlike those billeted in the various church halls, schools and municipal buildings that had been converted into V.A.D hospitals throughout the county, convalescing soldiers at Dunsdale would find the gardens a quiet and idyllic environment ideal for recuperation of mind, body and soul…
Reference: WH0748
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
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
