Communal kitchens were created in the 1940’s, during the Second World War, to help people who had been either bombed out of their homes, run out of ration coupons or otherwise needed help. These community feeding centres were named ‘British Restaurants’ by the, then, Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Set up by the Ministry of Food, the centres were run by the local government or volunteers. Both my mother and grandmother helped at the British Restaurant which operated in West Wickham, Kent. Meals were sold at a set price of 9d…
Tag: beckenham
War Weapons Week Rivalry – 1941
On the first day of Bromley’s War Weapons week, the borough had raised an impressive £202,434 towards the fund, and by the following Saturday they had doubled their figure. However, not wanting to be outdone, their close neighbours, Beckenham, managed to surpass this figure mid-week! These figures appeared in the Kentish Times on Friday 28th 1941. The final score for the weeks were Beckenham £460,968 15s and Bromley £440,730. Making that a total for the Constituency of £1,944,698 in just two weeks! Orpington was aiming for £100,000 when they held…
War Weapons Rivalry – Who will win?
Will Beckenham Beat Bromley? The friendly rivalry between the neighbouring towns of Bromley and Beckenham will be seen in a new light during the coming weeks when Beckenham will endeavour to emulate Bromley’s fine War Weapons Week total. An attractive programme of events has been prepared for the week and below we give a summary. Saturday: Processions will converge on the Town Hall for a ___ parade at 1:45 pm, and the Mayor of Beckenham (Councillor W.J. Sampson) will declare the week open at 2 pm. At 2:15 pm the…
Beckenham’s War Weapons Week – Spring 1941
Our aim is £250,000 Says THE MAYOR Citizens of Beckenham: Our great War Weapons Week starts in just over a fortnight’s time. Between February 22nd and March 1st we are pledged to invest no less that £250,000 – a quarter of a million pounds in ONE week. Can Beckenham do it? We WILL do it, and pass that huge total if every home in the district will lend all that can be spared over current needs. Here’s an opportunity to make your money fight-every penny, every pound lent to buy…
Heroes of the A.F.S. – Five Young Men Killed on Service
On the 19th March 1941, five local firemen lost their lives whilst on duty during the London bombings. The London Fire Brigade had been under intense pressure from the many fires caused by enemy bombs and had to frequently call in reinforcements from outlying areas. It was on this fated night at West Ham that the Coney Hall Auxillary Fire Service was called to action. On convey to a fire in Silvertown their truck was obliterated by a land-mine explosion, killing five of its crew. (Charles) Wesley Drew, Dennis Gerald…
Throwing Stones and Cutting Property
Boys will be Boys The following matter was brought before Beckenham Council: ‘Among the matters dealt with was a letter from a resident, complaining of the conduct of youths in the Alexandra Pleasure Ground. A letter from a resident complaining of damage to his allotment in Hospital Meadow by children playing thereon were also submitted. The committee recommended the Council to prohibit the admission of children under 14 years of age to allotments except in company with their parents. Mr Dyke said the council wished top bring the conduct of…