Hitler’s Vengeance – the V1 Written by Pam Preedy. Question: What is the connection between a wartime event on the outskirts of Downe village and the Apollo moon landings in 1969? By 1943 the tide of war was turning and Germany was on the defensive. On 6th June 1944 the Allies launched their much prepared, but secret, D-Day landings on Normandy beaches. A week later, on the 13th June Germany began sending over the V1 ‘Doodlebugs’ from Northern France. The vergeltungswaffen or vengeance weapon was intended to frighten England into…
Category: Local History
Fighting Fires in Bromley
Fighting Fires in Bromley Written by Pam Preedy. In the centre cabinet of the Museum of Bromley on the 1st floor of the library building you will find an odd-looking device. It is large, made of wood and has small wooden wheels. On either side some rails that can be moved up and down. It is a long way from the bright and shiny red equivalent today. It is a Victorian fire engine, referred to in the documents as the “engine.” The Vestry was a committee for the local secular…
Municipal Swimming Pools in Bromley
Municipal Swimming Pools in Bromley Written by Pam Preedy. I loved swimming when I was young in the 1950s. I readily took the train from West Wickham to Clock House alone or with a friend to Beckenham Baths. Regular coach trips from Hawes Down Junior School to Beckenham Baths in the summer term sports sessions. A towel and costume would win a spare seat left on a coach. On one memorable day I went swimming three times; two with the school and in the evening with the Beckenham Ladies Swimming…
The Enigmatic Cockpit on Chislehurst Common
The Enigmatic Cockpit on Chislehurst Common: More than Meets the Eye Written by Pam Preedy. In the heart of Chislehurst, right opposite the west gate of St Nicholas church, lies a piece of history that often gets overlooked – the intriguing cockpit on Chislehurst Common. Some might describe it as unique, while Webb’s History of Chislehurst takes a more modest approach, calling it “one of the few perfect examples of a cockpit which still exists.” Contrary to popular belief, this circular structure, situated within the triangle of common land known…
William Brown and his creator Richmal Crompton
William Brown and his creator Richmal Crompton Written by Pam Preedy. William Brown was born in Bromley in February 1919 when he first appeared in the monthly Home Magazine, and although during the next 50 years, he has two birthdays, he remains 11 years old. ‘Just’ William, as he became known as a result of the title of the first collection of stories in book form in 1922, was the creation of Richmal Crompton Lamburn, a 28 year old, unmarried teacher. A name familiar, if for no other reason, because…
William Farr’s Contribution to a Healthier London
William Farr’s contribution to a healthier London Written by Pam Preedy. William Far, 1807-1883, became one of Britain’s greatest statisticians, born in the hamlet of Kenley in Shropshire, son of John Farr, a farm labourer. His father moved to Dorrington near Shrewsbury soon after he was born. Effectively adopted at the age of two by Joseph Pryce, an elderly bachelor of private means, he went to the local Dame school, but never received a public school education. His classical and mathematical learning was acquired mainly form reading and private study. …
The Coffee Shop
The Coffee Shop Written by Pam Preedy. We all have our favourite coffee shop. Which is yours? Starbucks, Costa or one of the speciality coffee emporia? They are proliferating everywhere. Coffee shops are ‘popping up’ throughout the Bromley borough. In the last few months three new shops have opened up in Bromley; Gail’s, Bread Ahead and the Black Sheep Coffee shop, have opened in the pedestrianised area near the Metro Bank in Bromley, often next door to established shops such as Café Nero and Pret. In Beckenham the shops along…
Good King Wenceslas Looked Out…
Good King Wenceslas looked out… Written by Pam Preedy. “Good King Wenceslas looked out” starts the traditional Christmas carol which tells the story of Saint Wenceslaus 1, the Duke of Bohemia (907-953). The Holy Emperor Otto (962-973) posthumously conferred on him the royal title, King. Later a preacher from the 12th century wrote that Wenceslaus “rose from his noble bed with bare feet and only one chamberlain (and) went around to God’s churches giving generously to widows, orphans, those in prison and afflicted by every difficulty, so much so that…
To Be Or Not To Be: A History of Bromley’s Theatres
To Be or Not To Be: A History to Bromley’s Theatres Written by Pam Preedy. I remember my parents were keen theatre-goers. There was a special deal in the 1950s at Bromley’s New Theatre: two seats for the price of one, on Mondays. Who doesn’t like a bargain? At the time we had no knowledge of the vicissitudes of the theatre’s life or the various names it had been given: the Grand Hall (from 1889), the Lyric (from 1905), the New Theatre (from 1948 and the Churchill (opened on 19th…
The Bowler Hat
The Bowler Hat Written by Pam Preedy. In the 19th century, clothes, including the hats worn by the upper classes and aristocracy were very important, so it might surprise you to know that the bowler hat was not originally made for the ‘toffs,’ but for the working classes. In 1849, a nobleman named Edward Coke (pronounced ‘cook’) of Holkham Hall, Norfolk, needed a special hat to protect the heads of his gamekeepers. He was the younger brother of William Coke. At the time Coke’s gamekeeper and other estate groundsmen wore…