Mapping the Underground Written by Pam Preedy. On the 10th January, 1863 the Metropolitan Railway Company opened the first urban underground railway in the world. It ran from Paddington to Farringdon via six intermediate stations, using a steam locomotive. By 2024 there were 272 stations on eleven different lines stretching into the London’s suburbs as far as Amersham, Uxbridge and the five Heathrow Terminals to the west; Richmond, Wimbledon, and Morden to the south; Upminster to the east and Epping, Cockfosters, High Barnet and Watford to the north. The question…
Category: Local History
Nursing the Casualties on the D-Day landing beaches
Nursing the Casualties on the D-Day landing beaches Written by Pam Preedy. The night of 5th June 1944 saw the start of the Allied Invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries. During the first day of the D-Day landing there were some 10,000 casualties. A medical support system under the Royal Medical Corps, was quickly set up in France. It included dressing stations, field hospitals,…
Demobilising after World War 2
Demobilising after World War 2 Written by Pam Preedy. On the 8th May 1945, a ceasefire was called, and soldiers of all sides in Europe laid down their arms. Effectively World War 2 in Europe was over. Three months later on August 14th, 1945 VJ Day was announced: Japan surrendered. War was over. Figures vary, but roughly five million British servicemen and women waited to be demobilised and returned to civilian life; my father among them. Demobilisation took about 18 months to complete (June 1945 to December 1946). It was…
Door to Door: The Laundry
Door to Door: THe Laundry Written by Pam Preedy. From time immemorial, it was merely left to women to organise and carry out the laundry. It was a time-consuming process, as this folk song tells us. Dashing Away With the Smoothing Iron “Twas on a [Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday] morningWhen I beheld my darling:She looked so neat and charmingIn every high degree;She looked so neat and nimble, O, [A-washing | A-hanging | A-starching | A-ironing | A-folding | A-airing | A-wearing]of…
Door to Door: History of Delivery Service
Door to Door: History Written by Pam Preedy. As I sit in my front bedroom study, looking for inspiration for my next article, I watch a variety of vans and cars driving up our little close, drivers checking for the address for their next delivery. Oddly enough, it hadn’t occurred to me that families are still taking delivery of a variety of items. Deliveries in the 21st century are different from those in previous centuries. When we look back over time and delve a bit deeper, we realise that these changes…
Norman Park (Bromley)
Norman Park (Bromley) Written by Pam Preedy. Take a lift to the top floor of the Bromley Central Library and look out over Bromley – you will see how green our town is.As we all know, the Bromley Borough is a good place to live, with lots of places to meet friends. I like to go to Norman Park but I had always wondered whether the park was named after one of the Norman family because in a moment of public-spirited generosity, he had given the 65 acres of park…
The History of Tea
The History of Tea Written by Pam Preedy. “A nice cup of tea” was the panacea for all ills. For women, at a time when they were expected to remain in the home, it opened the way for a good gossip; a chance to mull over their problems with a friend(s). According to legend, the story of tea began in 2737 BC when Shen Numg, the Chinese emperor and herbalist was sitting under a tree while his servant boiled driving water. Some leaves fell into the water, he tasted it,…
The History of Pantomime
The History of Pantomime Written by Pam Preedy. Pantomime is part of our Christmas tradition, As the summer months wane, we begin to wonder what the next panto will be. Which personalities will grace our stage with their presence? But pantomime isn’t actually British. Its origins were founded in a 16th-century style of street performance in Italy. They told their stories of Pantalone, the old man, Pierrot the clown and Colombine, the maid servant, in love with the naughty servent, Arlecchion (Harlequin). The audience knew what to expect; the principal…
The Old Court House, Bromley
The Old Court House, Bromley Before the 20th Century Written by Pam Preedy. Today the Old Court Hosue is a thriving community centre under threat. For those not familiar, as I was not, Community House can be found from the WIdmore Road entrance to Boots. Cross over the main roads and follow the little road walking towards the old fire station. At the end, turn left and Community House is on your left. The history of the Old Court House has had a number of changes, both in location and…
Napoleon III in Chislehurst
Napoleon III in Chislehurst Written by Pam Preedy. The name, “Napoleon!” was enough to strike terror in teh hearts of children and adults alike in Britain in the nineteenth century. After a disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island of Elba. He returned to power in his Hundred Days campaign. Defeated at Waterloo (1815), he abdicated and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena where he died aged 51. While in power he liked to raise members of his family to…