An assembly of dignitaries and workers from the Estate gather together, possibly on the Toll, in what looks to be fairly foul weather. They probably kept the speeches short…
Reference: WH0656
This photograph is believed to have been taken outside St Mary’s school for girls and infants in London Road. ‘Welcome’ was presumably directed towards the Hon. Anastasia who would become a Westerham resident that day.
Reference: WH0657
This photograph taken by Joseph Jewell shows the second of the two triumphal arches that had been erected in the town to honour and bless the wedding of Lt.-Col Charles Arthur Madan Warde and the Hon. Anastasia Kathleen Lucia O’Brien. Note the Scottish flag hanging from the window of Kirkgate House – a curious touch as Charles was ...
Reference: WH0658
This photograph of the bridesmaids is taken beside the main door of St. Mary’s Church, but the porch was a different construction at that time.
Reference: WH0660
During the 1900s Westerham held an annual fair day on May 3 which was initially held on the Green, but moved to market field some time after 1910. The market day would include swings, roundabouts and stalls, but would also be a day of livestock trade. In 1907 Hookers Almanack ‘Epitome of Events’ records: ‘3 May ...
Reference: WH0661
The whole country was in mourning that week in May 1910 with the news of the death of a favourite King, Edward VII, and Westerham was no exception. It is worthy of note that this was an era when the only news the town received was to be found in the local newspaper, The Westerham ...
Reference: WH0662
Following the reception, Mr. and Mrs Streatfeild were driven away in a motor-landaulet delightfully bedecked with white ribbons to the carriage handles and wheels, en-route to Southampton where they would board the steamer to their honeymoon destination on the island of Madeira.
Reference: WH0664
From the Herald newspaper: ‘…it is worthy of mention that the handsome three-tier wedding cake was made by Mrs. Stratford, cook at Squerryes Court.’
Reference: WH0665
December 21 1916 Mr and Mrs Wolfe Aylward gave an ‘At Home’ at Quebec House to the wounded soldiers form Dunsdale V.A.D. Hospital. The programme included Mr. Stave, a Musical Euthopian Entertainer, Ena Wayne, a Comedienne from The London Palladium, Captain Kettle, a Society Mystifier and London’s popular chorus vocalist, Rose Ralston. 25 August 1917 ...
Reference: WH0666
The Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion was formed on May 15 1921 to bring together four national organisations of ex-servicemen that had established themselves after the 1914-1918 war. These were the Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers and the Officers’ ...
Reference: WH0667
Some sort of costume drama is in full swing outside the Women’s Institute hall, with ‘players’ from the W.I. No-one can remember what it was or when, but a few people have said they thought it happened on a Carnival day. It appeared to draw a fair-sized crowd, any suggestions?
Reference: WH0669
June Heath “…At the end of the war the community feeling here was terrific, there were parties at Charlie Sharp’s garage and in all the Pubs, everywhere was alive and, everyone was very friendly – the community feeling was something that I felt or noticed that I hadn’t so much through the war years…and it ...
Reference: WH0670
This was the occasion of the Wedding of Lt.-Col Charles Arthur Madan Warde, son of Vice-Admiral Charles Warde and the Hon. Anastasia Kathleen Lucia O’Brien daughter of Lucius O’Brien, 13th Baron of Inchiquin and Louisa Finucane which took place in Westerham on 23 October 1879.
Reference: WH0672
The Horticultural Society was started in 1872. The fortieth Annual show, held in 1912 declared its exhibits ‘Open to professional gardeners’ but was careful to add the caveat ‘Confined to gardeners with not more than one assistant’ therefore keeping nurserymen away from the event
Reference: WH0673
English Flag Day is a day when money is collected in public places for a charity, in this case in 1916, for the Red Cross V.A.D. Hospital at Dunsdale which received no funding outside that of public donations.
Reference: WH0675
A huge crowd assembled on The Green to witness the unveiling of the Wolfe statue by Field Marshal Earl Roberts on a bitterly cold January day in 1911. In front of the dais the choir are assembled and on the dais itself, the Bishop of Rochester, Rev. Sydney Le Mesurier, vicar of Westerham and Rev. ...
Reference: WH0676
A ticket for entry to the twenty-seventh annual summer fete of the Chevening Habitation August 6th 1890 was the date of the fifth annual summer fete of the Chevening Habitation of the Primrose League. The parishes represented in the Habitation at that time were Westerham, Chevening, Brasted, Sundridge, Halstead, and Knockholt. The Primrose League was first ...
Reference: WH0677
It was agreed to proceed with the annual occasion of the Westerham Hill Horse Show on August 25th, on the basis that money made would be collected in aid of the British Red Cross. The show was held under favourable weather conditions, and proved a great success. At a meeting to follow held at the ...
Reference: WH0678
A tough and hardy lot – both the animals and the men – Circus Bostock makes its way down the Great North Road, heading for Westerham and other towns in the south of England.
Reference: WH0680
Another closed wagon from the Bostock menagerie makes its way down the Great North Road, pulled by ‘Jenny’ who was claimed to be the largest elephant in Great Britain. With the camel in tow, did they take turns in pulling the load?
Reference: WH0681
