Having taken over and closed Watkins’ Swan Brewery in Westerham, Ben Bushell had further ambitions seeing competition still present from the largest brewery based in Sevenoaks, Alfred Smith and Company. The first approach in 1898 was rejected by the then ageing Alfred Smith, but he was persuaded to sell by his son Percy, who no ...
Reference: WH0130
Note the ‘Hotel Department’, alongside accommodation, were offering well appointed Coffee, Billiard and Smoking Rooms, while the ‘Commercial Department’ advertised Hot & Cold Water Baths – quite a novelty for the day! At that time, the Hotel had its own coachhouses and stabling in the rear yard.
Reference: WH0104
This ‘Carte de Visite’ would have been handed out to visitors of Barclay and Perkins’ Kings Arms to advertise the establishment in the days before the arrival of the Westerham Herald. The front of the ‘Carte’ proudly states ‘Omnibuses daily to Caterham’ while on the back (next photograph) are details of all services provided by ...
Reference: WH0105
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
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