Summer 2014 - The Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society

Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society

Summer 2014

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Front cover: Water feature at the International Conference Centre in Lisbon. Photograph byJohn Forster. See pages 8-9. Please note that for an accurate representation, the picture

should be turned through 90°.

Visit to Greenwich

Annual Garden PartyEaton House, Blackhurst Park, Halls Hole Road

Saturday, August 9th. 6pm-8pmBy kind permission of the owners, Graham and Gilly Charlwood. Open to members

of the Civic Society and their guests. Tickets, which must be bought in advance, are£12.50 each, and are available fromChristo Skelton, address opposite.Please make cheques payable toRTWCS, and enclose a sae. There isno parking on-site though there isample space in Blackhurst Laneopposite. Directions will be provided.

Blackhurst Park in 1838. Please see page 18for further details of the house.

An architectural tour of the World Heritage SiteThursday, July 3rd. All day.

This tour of the Greenwich World Heritage Site was planned by Philip Whitbourn,our noted conservation architect and historian. Unfortunately Philip has been ill, so

the tour will be led by John de Lucyinstead. We board the coach oppositethe Town Hall in Tunbridge Wells at9:20am. Tickets are £15 per person.

Currently all seats have been taken,though it may be worth contacting Johnon TW 540560, in case there arecancellations.

Old Royal Naval College: The Chapel

Summer Events

3 www.thecivicsociety.org

Personally Speaking ... 4

From the Planning Scrutineers by Alastair Tod ... 5

Chairman’s Letter by Alastair Tod ... 6

Water in the Wells ... 8An update from John Forster.

The Adult Education Centre ... 10 Richard Marsden describes this landmark building.

Alice and the boy from the Phthisical Ward ... 15A story by Amelia Scott.

Blackhurst Park - Garden party venue ... 18

New Local History Publication ... 20A history and description of The Pantiles by Philip Whitbourn.

Friends of Tunbridge Wells Cemetery ... 21

Heritage Open Days 2014 ... 22

Forthcoming Events ... 24

Editor: Chris Jones. 52 St James Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LBTel 01892 522025 Email [email protected]: Christo Skelton. 4 Caxton House, 19 Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells TN11UB. Tel 01892 513241 Email [email protected]

Contents

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by Chris Jones

Personally Speaking

News & Views

Philip Whitbourn ... Members were no doubt concernedto hear last month that Philip Whitbourn, founder member of

the Society, had been taken ill and was in Pembury Hospital. He was transferredfrom there to Kings College Hospital for heart surgery. I am very pleased to be ableto report that Philip is home again, has been relaxing in his gothic summer-house, andis now venturing out into the cafes and tea shops of the town. We all wish him aspeedy recovery.

Earlier in the year Philip produced the latest in our series of ‘Occasional Papers’- a brief history and description of the Pantiles. As a topic it probably deserves alonger ‘monograph’, but we have for some time needed a smaller publication suitablefor the many visitors to the area. Philip has met this need admirably. Please see page20 for details.

Meanwhile the Local History Group is nearing completion of its research into lifein Tunbridge Wells during the First World War. This is a team effort with some dozenmembers contributing a chapter each or beavering away in the archives to providefacts for the others. John Cunningham now has the task of bringing it all together.The finished book is to be published on November 6th.

Things Victorian ... What with World War One and D-Day it is a busy year foranniversaries (I could mention Bannockburn too but it would only encourage them).Next year is going to be the same. The Prime Minister has already highlighted MagnaCarta, and my favourite blog (twonerdyhistorygirls - check it out) is talking aboutWaterloo. The blog is mainly about Waterloo Rings, which they claim were producedon the death of the Duke of Wellington. Obviously he was very popular at the time ofWaterloo - John Ward named his son Arthur Wellesley - and, despite his ratherdubious recored in British politics, seems to have remained so 37 years later. It’simportant to understand the Victorians - they created so much of our town. AsSecretary of the LHG I receive the quarterly magazine of the Victorian Society. Thelatest issue contains articles about William Butterfield (born 200 years ago) ,Watts& Co (formed 140 years ago), and a programme of autumn lectures. Does anybodyhave any ideas about how I can best share this with the rest of our membership?

Awards ... TWBC is seeking nominations for this year’s ‘Love where we Live’awards - for ‘individuals and organisations who are dedicated to helping others, havea positive impact on the environment or accomplish extraordinary goals.’ There are8 categories. Nominations to TWBC by 1st August.


From the Planning Scrutineers by Alastair Tod

In three recent cases, in line with our established policy, we have objected toproposals to replace timber windows or doors in the conservation area with UPVC(metal-reinforced plastic). The regulation is slightly unclear, but we believe allsuch proposals should be subject to planning permission.

UPVC can be cheaper in initial cost, but is polluting in manufacture and uses afinite resource; it can’t be mended or painted, and thus in lifetime costs it is likelyto be much more expensive than a well-maintained traditional alternative. Mostimportantly to us, we believe it almost never reproduces the look of the original,when replacing a timber window in an older building.

Surprisingly, even in the conservation area owners quite often do it withoutconsent and hope they won’t be noticed, even in cases where their property is onein a terrace. Of the three cases, two were refused, including one who had alreadydone the work. This owner has now appealed.

We also objected to the recent application by Axa/PPP to extend theirHawkenbury building without the additional parking deck which they had earlierpromised. We commented on their original application that the proposed staffnumbers would require more parking, or better still more effective travel alternatives,than proposed. We suggested dedicated mini-buses for staff to reduce the needfor car travel. It is clear even before the building is extended that there is aparking problem, which spills over onto the streets of Hawkenbury. Now the firmhas won permission to build the extension without the parking deck, and we willwatch the effect with interest.

Different issues are raised by the proposal to make major changes to a Burtonhouse in Calverley Park. The rear part of no.11 (known as 11a) has been usedfor many years by the architectural firm Burns Guthrie as their office. They arenow moving and the freeholder wants to remodel 11a comprehensively as a four-bedroom house. This involves demolishing a modern extension which is visiblefrom the Park, and building two new extensions so as to almost double the floorarea.

We have welcomed the principle of returning 11a to residential use but find theincrease in floor area excessive, and in particular the fact that the replacementextension will also be visible from the front, in fact slightly more so than the present.

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Chairman’s LetterTunbridge WellsJune 2014

The Council’s former Vision has now appeared as‘Our Five Year Plan’, with much in it that we support.One welcome element is the emphasis on the dependenceof the Council on voluntary bodies. The Leader of theCouncil says he wants to use our expertise to enable a

better future for the borough. We have applauded this sentiment and asked forexamples of how we can participate. Experience suggests that specific projectsfor sharing are needed, not just a general will.

One case where we are already involved is the ‘public realm‘ proposals forFiveways. Some time ago we pressed for the area to be redesigned, as a firststep to reviving the street scene on the ‘spine‘ between Goods Station Road andthe High Street. John Forster and I have now helped to choose suitable materialsfor paving the space, a mixture of York stone in some areas and granite blockselsewhere, and have argued for more elements in the redesign, including seating,lighting, planting and moving bus-stops.

With new effective traffic restrictions, Fiveways will soon be transformedinto ‘shared space‘. And in due course the new treatment will be extendedfurther down the spine, with Upper Mount Pleasant redesigned to make it moresuitable for public events.

It’s a pity the Millennium Clock cannot be moved at present, apparentlybecause the Heritage Lottery helped pay for it. We would be happy to see itrelocated from its curious off-centre position and a new more sculptural andinteractive feature, possibly incorporating water and seating, made the focusof Fiveways. What we don’t think is wanted is a compromise, with embellishmentof the Clock on its present site influencing the overall design and effectivelysecuring its future there.

At the other end of the central spine, in another example of co-operation,the Society has helped persuade Network Rail to refurbish the High Streetrailway bridge, one of Daniel Bech’s notorious grot-spots. This is a monumentto Edwardian engineering and an imposing structure but at present more orless an embarrassment. A co-ordinated assault by the Society, the Council andGreg Clark managed to persuade a high-powered team from Network Rail thatthis is not just an aesthetic problem, but an incipient structural one. Work hasnow started to restore the bridge to its original glory, including replacing themissing architectural trim.


People sometimes say the Society is (merely) a defender of the historicenvironment, but these examples show us doing something more. This is ofcourse also the case with our advocacy in relation to the Town Hall, on whichI wrote last time. Our interest is not just in the building but how it is used, notjust the tradition but what is appropriate for now, when circumstances for publicbuildings and public spending are harsher than they have been for years. Wecontinue to raise our voice on how to respond positively to this.

As a civic society we subscribe to Civic Voice, the replacement for the CivicTrust, and have contributed £250 to a forthcoming history of the civic societymovement. Up and down the country there are other bodies doing somethingsimilar to us; we belong to a long and vigorous tradition, and it’s right torecord this. Civic societies are more important than ever at a time when turn-out in local elections is around 35%, and the ability of councils to respond tolocal needs is increasingly constrained by Whitehall. The Government itselfspeaks of the importance of voluntary efforts, though the message has beenweakened by its parallel insistence on cost-cutting. What they call partnership,others call buck-passing.

We have recently decided to continue subscribing to the Victorian Societyand the Council for the Protection of Rural England. Not because we get muchdirect from them at present, but because we support their expertise and theirability to lobby nationally for causes we respect. As of course do Civic Voice,and the Kent Federation to which we belong. This ensures our voice is heardalong with others.

Researching for the Society’s forthcoming book on World War One revealeda paradox. On the one hand what a lot the Borough Council then did – publichealth, water, housing, education, police, electrical generation, and they’d onlylost control of the telephones in 1912. On the other hand, there was largely agap where the network of social support now is. The people of the townaccordingly responded to the social needs of the time with heroic efforts ofcharity and voluntary work, in areas that would now be matters of rights, andmanaged by officials.

With extraordinarily rigid class divisions and authoritarian attitudes it wasno golden age, but it is salutary to recognise what we have lost in terms ofvoluntary effort and commitment to the community.

Alastair Tod

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Members who attended our 2011 AGMmay recall Professor Michael Holman’ssuggestion that the Town should celebratethe Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by erectinga fountain. While there wasn’t time todesign and erect a fountain in the JubileeYear, the idea took root and has beengaining momentum ever since.

A Waterless SpaTunbridge Wells owes its name and its

very existence to its natural springs. Manylocals still affectionately refer to theirbirthplace as ‘the Wells’. However, overthe years there has been no developedconcept to celebrate our water-basedheritage. Consequently the town hasbecome an almost waterless spa. Townslike Harrogate and Buxton are recognisedas spas and benefit from that. Our townis not capitalising on its heritage. The rightspa town image will enhance business inthe town and the surrounding area.

Wiesbaden, our twin town in Germany,is another example. It successfullyexploits its spa facilities with over 80water features. Visitors spend their cashon hotels, restaurants, spa treatments,

entertainment and retail. The contrastbetween Tunbridge Wells and Wiesbadencould not be more stark. Our only publicwater feature of note is the Chalybeatespring on the Pantiles. At the time ofwriting even this has dried up – again!

Our spa-town heritage is a bankablecommodity. Not the mannered andoutmoded image of the spa. But, buildingon the central role that water, health,wealth and leisure played in the past,Tunbridge Wells is in a position to developits unique ‘brand’.

A vision for the town’s prosperousfuture must sympathetically combine itshistoric sites with new and innovativeways to enhance the spa experience.Water features are not just fountains butcan be innovative and decorativeincorporating fun play features forchildren (and adults!).

Many less prosperous towns haveinstalled water features, some of themillustrated here. If we are not carefulTunbridge Wells will become just anotherdormitory of London with cloned shoppingfacilities.

The Working GroupThe Town Forum adopted Professor

Holman’s initiative, and set up the Waterin the Wells Working Group under hischairmanship. It has been meeting sinceearly 2012 and working to promote theinstallation of high quality water featuresat key locations in and around the townto:• create landmarks and meeting points;• provide modern play places;

Water in the Wells an update from John Forster

Folkestone


• refresh the environment;• emphasise the unique Tunbridge Wellsspa brand;• raise the profile of Tunbridge Wells andthus visitors/tourism.

Twenty possible sites have beenidentified, and discussions are taking placewith site owners, developers andauthorities. TWBC is promoting theinitiative with developers within the town.This is not a case of spending publicmoney - installation and maintenancecosts will be met by donations. Water inthe Wells CIC, a community interestcompany, has been established as thevehicle through which the rejuvenationinitiative will be carried out.

It is the aspiration of ‘Water in theWells’ that Tunbridge Wells be refreshedas a destination for tourists and shoppers- a town where the business community,visitors and residents can genuinely enjoyliving, relaxing and working. The Groupaims to place a water feature at keylocations and at all entry points to thetown. Designs will be appropriate to theirsurroundings. Humour and fun will beevident. Modern designs avoid attractinglitter and can often simply pack away intothe pavement at the end of the day.

Working TogetherThe business and civic communities

are starting to work together to rejuvenatethe town. Water can again play its roleas an important focus of prosperity andcivic pride. Visible water features providea healthy, stimulating environment inwhich to live, work and play.

So that we can move swiftly from

aspiration to achievement, ‘Water in theWells’ is looking for the support of allstakeholders. We need people who loveto live, visit and work in Tunbridge Wells.We need the support of everyone whotreasures its past and believes in activelyworking for its future. With a little helpfrom supporters, particularly in thebusiness community who have everythingto gain, our all-but waterless spa can berevitalised, rejuvenated and commercewill be boosted. Collaborative action fromthe retailers and other business ratepayers of the town, to support public artand play spaces which incorporate waterfeatures will enhance the town andincrease visitor revenue.

The Working Group is launching awebsite to provide details of its variousprojects, updates on their progress anddetails of how you can get involved. Lookout for a link to it on the RTWCS site. JF

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The Adult Education Centre

Tunbridge Wells Adult EducationCentre was opened in Monson Road in1902 as a Technical Institute sponsoredby Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.Although it has a distinctive façade it iseasy to hurry past it. Even studentsattending courses probably pay littleattention either to the building’s exterioror the colourful and interesting stainedglass window above the main staircase.

When it was built, the last of three lateVictorian/Edwardian developments inMonson Road, it will have made quite acontrast with the existing buildings to thesouth: Calverley Parade and Terrace,designed by Decimus Burton on landbought by John Ward in 1825. Some ofthe sandstone from these buildings canstill be seen as the revetting wall, but theonly intact buildings are nos 9-10 CrescentRoad, the sandstone now weathered intoshades of buff and grey.

Development of Monson Road itselfseems to have started rather late and thebuildings we are going to look at – the

Terrace, the Opera Colonnade and theAEC - are definitely late Victorian andEdwardian structures.

Monson Road Terrace, the long sweepof buildings along the north side of theroad, is thought to have been built around1870 or maybe even later. The concept,with domestic accommodation on threefloors starting at first floor level accessedvia a wide balcony with flights of steps tostreet level between shop fronts, is notuncommon in Tunbridge Wells, but this isa striking example in terms of size, shapeand decorative detail. It is mainly thedecorative cast iron balcony all along thefirst floor front and those shop frontswhich preserve their narrow iron columnswhich attract the eye today. Thesecolumns and shop fronts are not uniform,but show a pleasingly individual variety inform and decoration to the capitals, andindeed in some cases corkscrew groovesup the shafts coming out of tall, flutedpedestals. Some of the archways to thestairs have panels with decorative

features, tiles or mouldings, addinginterest to a utilitarian access. TheCivic Society’s first campaign in 1959was to smarten up Monson Road andif one looks at the Terrace todaythere is a sad contrast between themajority of well-maintainedproperties and those which needredecoration.

Richard Marsden, a tutor at the AEC, describes this landmarkbuilding within the setting of Monson Road

Opera Colonnade - Edwardian red-brick,Monson Terrace - Victorian yellow brick.


The Opera Colonnade between theTerrace and Mount Pleasant waspresumably built as part of the OperaHouse development of 1902, to designsby John Briggs. The juxtaposition of theColonnade in red brick with stonedressings and the earlier Terrace of yellowbrick neatly illustrates changingpreferences for building materials. Redbrick is characteristic of Edwardianarchitecture, while sandstone or yellowstock bricks and stone are characteristicof the Victorian period. While looking atbricks it is noteworthy that the AEC isbuilt in English Bond (alternating coursesof stretchers and headers) whereasMonson Terrace uses Flemish Bond(each course alternates stretchers andheaders) - the predominant method in the18th and for most of the 19th centuries.It’s my pet theory that English Bond wasrevived for nationalistic reasons at the endof the 19th century. Flemish Bond isdecorative, especially when accentuatedby the use of grey headers; but EnglishBond also creates an attractivepattern, best appreciated bylooking up at the Monson Wayelevation of our building.

On the south side of MonsonRoad, the Adult Education Centreof 1900-02 is also built of red brickbut the style of the building isentirely different. It was designedby Henry Hare, a man with anational reputation as an architectof municipal buildings. Like many

late Victorian and Edwardian publicbuildings it is exuberant and confident –the exactly contemporary public libraryin Tonbridge is another– but I suspect itwas designed deliberately to contrast withthe neo-Georgian with Baroque add-onsof the Colonnade opposite. It isnoteworthy for its Art Nouveau features:the curvilinear somewhat stylised floraldesigns of the frieze and doorway, andthe parabolic curves in the huge dormerand upper side windows. The mostaccessible examples of the style are thefloral designs on the two brass plaqueswithin the entrance.

The plaques record the names andexpress the civic pride of those

Adult Education Centre, by Henry Hare.

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responsible: themayors ,W.H.Delves and C.R.F l e t c h e rLutwidge; andH. T. Hare, thearchitect. Mr.Cripps, TownClerk, made surehis name was

also included. It is said that Hare includeda hare in the ornamentation of his buildingsby way of signature but I have not beenable to find one. If anybody knows whereit is, do let me know.

The round-headed doorcase is adornedwith some splendid if unfortunately rathereroded stonework – a curved openpediment, the crest of TWBC, shell andscrollwork, and the admirably appositemotto ‘Do Well; Doubt Not’ (the council’smotto in the days before ‘Love where welive’) to encourage every student, andindeed the Adult Education staff as well,

each timethey passbelow it.

O t h e rthan thedoorway,the maindecorativefeature ofthe frontelevation isthe broadfrieze between first and top floors. As wellas various floral designs and slightlygrotesque faces it contains three tableauxdepicting the fine arts of painting andsculpture or architecture, and industry.This latter is represented by a figureoperating bellows, with an anvil, acogwheel and a bobbin, presumably toillustrate some of the skills which theInstitute was expected to teach.

Art Nouveau is a very appropriate stylefor a Technical Institute; on the one hand

inheriting some of the highquality skills and aspirationsto craftsmanship and designof the Arts and Craftsmovement led by WilliamMorris, but on the otherembracing modern industrialtechnology. It can be arguedthat Art Nouveau in Britaindeveloped from the Aestheticmovement, itself a breakaway

Art Nouveau plaque in a Baroquesetting.

Part of the frieze.


formed by people who liked a lot of whatArts and Crafts did but not its politicaland anti-industrial messages.

Past the doorway, the main feature isthe staircase with its curvilinear ArtNouveau ironwork, but it is also worthnoticing the Roman-style geometricdesign in the floor tiling and also the tall,Italianate round-headed arches whichhelp give a generally light and high-ceilinged, if perhaps rather grand, feel tothe interior. It is however the stained glasswindow at the top of the first flight ofstairs which attracts attention especiallyon a bright day when the sun streamsthrough the south-facing window.

Interest in stained glass revived earlyin the 19th century. By the 1830s stainedglass was being produced commerciallyboth for new commissions and for thechurch restorations which becameincreasingly frequent as the centuryprogressed. The key discovery was that

the refractive irregularities of handmadecylinder glass (as opposed to industrialplate glass) gave the stained glass anintense luminosity which created morevibrant colour effects in practice. Themedieval associations and the traditionalcraft production methods made stainedglass particularly attractive to the Arts andCrafts movement.

John Dudley Forsyth,1874-1926, the creator ofthe Tunbridge Wellswindow, learned his tradeat the London firm ofJames Powell & Sons, andthen worked for anothernoted stained glassmanufacturer, HenryHoliday, who wasconsidered to be a memberof the Aesthetic move-ment. The Tunbridge Wellscommission must havebeen one of his very first

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as anindependent,as he hadonly set uphis ownpractice in1900.

T h ewindow is set in a Venetian frame (a largecentral round-headed section flanked bylower rectangular sections on each side).The central standing figure is Minerva,Roman Goddess of Wisdom, identified bythe owl, symbol of wisdom, on her leftshoulder and the olive branch, symbol ofpeace and victory. She is alsoconveniently patroness of trade and thearts; the royal blue of her cloak is a colourassociated with her, said to convey amessage of reliability. Femalepersonifications of Science, Industry, Artand Commerce attend her; they lookdreamy rather than hard-working andsurely would be graded as ‘needingimprovement’ by Ofsted. Below, centre,

is the crest of Tunbridge Wells and a panelrecording that the window was gifted bymayor Fletcher Lutwidge to the Borough.Floral decorative motifs surround thewindow in keeping with the Art Nouveaudecoration elsewhere.

Given the evident civic pride investedin the building, not to mention theTunbridge Wells ratepayers’ money andMayor Lutwidge’s personal contribution,one can only imagine the feelings arousedwhen Kent County Council took over thebuilding along with responsibility forfurther education in 1903, only one yearafter it was opened. RM

Minerva,with owl.

Industry and Art, looking rather dreamy.


The story starts a little confusingly,with a young Infirmary patient calledAlice, who meets a new arrival alsocalled Alice ... Presently Alice noticedthat the new arrival was awake, and sheat once began a string of questions.Questions as to who she was, what washer name and age, who her father was,what he did, the name of all her brothers,and their ages, the name of her villageand street.

It was with a whisper that Alice replied,using ill spared breath.

Then Alice No.2. began to tell her ofher life, and before Nurse came on herrounds of washing, tidying, and breakfastthe girls were friends.

“How is the boy in the PhthisicalWard?” asked Alice No.2, of the Nurse- “the boy that won't scream?”

“Oh, he's pretty bad; I heard NurseMorse say he fainted during his dressingsthis morning."

Benny Holt lay back exhausted, his mindlingering on the new arrival, a kid ‘wornout with minding brothers.' He wonderedwhat it must be like to have a sister to 'mind'you. No one had 'minded' him.

Alice rested still, and thought of the boywho would not scream, and wished shemight see him and just give him some milkand shake up his pillow.

Long weeks passed. It was plain to allthat death was claiming Benny Holt andAlice Funnell. Yes, that was the surfaceordinary mode of opinion "Death claimingthem!” Was it?

It was King George V's Accession.Great doings were in preparation tocelebrate the event in SourtenWorkhouse. The Hospital Staff vied withthe General Staff to make the day asuccess.

A special Entertainment had beenarranged, and with consent of the Board,wheeled lying down couches had beensecured for the sick, whom the Doctorfelt could, with safety, be wheeled intothe enclosure.

The whole Empire was preparing tocelebrate the crowning of King Georgeand Queen Mary. Their Majesties littleknew of another crowning of two of thepoorest of their subjects on that same day.

The grounds of Sourten Workhousewere gay with flowers. The very bedding

Alice and the boy from the Phthisical WardAmong the former residents soon to be commemorated with a

plaque is Amelia Scott, fighter for women’s suffrage, early socialworker and one of the town’s first woman councillors. She was

elected a Poor Law Guardian in 1901 and was involved withTonbridge workhouse for over forty years as it transformed into

Pembury Hospital. She wrote about her experiences under the title“The Passing of a Great Dread”. Extracts were published in the

Social Work journal, though not, I believe, the story printed below. Itmay be a little sentimental for modern tastes, but reflects, perhaps,one of the strategies that were adopted to deal with the realities of

life and death one hundred years ago. For ‘Sourten’ read Tonbridge.

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out plants had been chosen for theircontribution to loyalty in colour.

Commemorative medals had beenpurchased for every inmate, and longtables of refreshment brought out into thefield where sports where to be played. Aspecial Band had volunteered itsservices, and a concert had also beenarranged. Flags were flying from everypossible vantage ground. Fireworks hadbeen prepared, and these, with dancingon the lawn, were to wind up the long listof enjoyments.

Long after the Crowd of Visitors andInmates had gathered upon the ground twowheeled couches drew towards each otheruntil when the wide entrance to the lawnwas reached the two couches went intothe Sports Ground side by side. Thus it wasthat Benny Holt and Alice Funnell met.

With both, the disease was faradvanced. Neither could be raised to asitting position. Of both, the Doctor had

said that morning, "It's onlya matter of weeks, if solong.”

And now the couches areplaced side by side in thecorner chosen for them,where the speeches couldbe heard and the sports

seen.All eyes are watching the sports, save

the eyes of Benny Holt and Little Alice.With a long, long gaze they looked at eachother. Then Alice was aware of a handreaching out to her - a thin much scarredhand and arm - with ready responseAlice’s hand met Benny Holt’s, and thereit rested. What was it that transfiguredall the worldl? What made everythingappear glistening and shining? How cameit that the most commonplace object - aworkhouse mug for inmates - seemed likea golden cup of the elixir of Life?

It was Love. The crown of manhoodand womanhood.

“Why Benny aren't you looking at thesports?" said a bustling, cheerful Nurse,as she passed their couches. And Bennyreplied, "I am looking at Alice."

A flush of joy spread over Alice's face,which made Benny Holt hold her smallhand more tightly in his grasp.

Tonbridge Workhouse (laterPembury Hospital). These arepossibly the celebrationsdescribed in the text.(c) Peter Higginbotham /www.workhouses.org.uk


And so the day wore on. Quiet wordspassed between them. No one heeded.No one was desired to heed. And whenthe couches were slowly wheeled backto the Hospital in the evening, as theypassed together down the wide entrancepassage, Benny Holt said, "I shall knowyou again, Alice," and Alice replied, "I shallknow you, Benny.”

Their tryst was not of this Earth andtemporal, but of the Spirit and Eternal.

There is little more to tell. The passingof Benny Holt came first. Messages hadbeen sent to each other day by day andexchanges of picture postcards and fruithad been effected through the kindnessof the Nurses.

Then came the day when the Matronherself brought Alice the small BibleBenny had treasured and read. A relic ofhis days in Barnardo’s Home. She placedit beside Alice and said “He went sopeacefully and without any pain. Heasked me to give you this and to say hewill know you again, and you will knowhim.”

Alice looked at the Matron. "Matron”,

she said, “will you promise that this"(touching the Bible) “shall be buried withme?"

“Yes I promise you, Alice.”For a few more months Alice lingered.

There came another Spring. Once againthe children scampered down the VillageGreen, greeting unconciously the newSpringtime. Once more Jack and BobbyFunnell lingered. There was sadness intheir eyes: but there was also a look ofwell being. Their Father had given thema step-mother. Not one of the story-booktype, but a kindly, homely, motherlywoman, who really cared for theircomfort. The children lingered. In lessthan an hour the Church Bell will be tollingand a humble workhouse funeral will bemet by them at the Gate. It is the burialof Alice’s tired worn out body.

And Alice? Death, nay life! has cometo her. The tryst with Benny Holt hasbeen kept, and together their beautifulemancipated spirits have experienoe thatIN HIM, WHO is Love, they live andmove and have their Being.

Just think what Puccini might have made of that story. ‘The Passing of a Great Dread’was written as a series of letters to Miss Susan Power, Guardian of Ticehurst Workhouseand the other woman councillor elected in 1919. Amelia claimed that the stories weren’t

imaginings, but had been written down soon after the event. One assumes though thatthere must have been some manipulation of the facts if only to preserve anonymity. Icould find no reference to a Benny Holt in the admissions register of the workhouse,

though there was a 14-year old called Benjamin Bolt who was admitted in 1910. He diedin March 1911. And there is the uncertainty over whether it was the Accession (1910) orthe Coronation (1911) of George V. I couldn’t find an Alice Funnell either, though there

were Alice Funnells living locally. Access to local newspapers and other sources hasimproved considerably since I researched Amelia Scott, so perhaps the two young people

could be identified now. But perhaps it would be better to leave them in peace. CJ

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Blackhurst Park - Garden party venueBlackhurst Park will be a great venue for a Garden Party, but it’s

also an important part of the history of the townWe are very grateful to Graham and

Gilly Charlwood for allowing us to usetheir garden for our summer party onAugust 9th (for details please see page2). The Charlwoods live in what is the‘west wing’ of Blackhurst Park, a quitestriking house just off Pembury Road,with wonderful views to the south andwest.

The original house was one of the first‘out of town’ developments on JohnWard’s Calverley Estate and is attributedto the architect Decimus Burton. Wehave always known that the first ownerwas Ford Wilson, but we are only justbeginning to understand the significanceof the Wilson family to the widerdevelopment of Tunbridge Wells.

To return to the house. The top pictureon the opposite page is an engraving from

Christopher Greenwood’s 1838 publicationAn Epitome of County History (Vol 1Kent). The house would then have beennewly completed (or the picture may havesimply indicated what was planned). Theview is from the south-west. It shows atypical Italianate design by Burton - ashallow pitched roof, deep eaves, openpediment, triple windows and canopy.There is a conservatory to the left.

At some stage the house was re-modelled, and a matching pediment wasbuilt onto the right-hand side. From thesouth, it appeared almost symmetrical.Then, in the early 1900s, the conservatorywas replaced by the west-wing (seebelow, left and right). The roof of theextension matches that of the originalhouse, though some of the other featureshave more of an ‘Edwardian Baroque’

feel to them. (The original sectionof the house is currently for sale- Hamptons has a good pictureof the entire garden front.)

Ward’s usual practice was tosell land on a building lease,typically expiring in the year1900. In the case of Blackhurstit may have been for 90 years,up to about 1915.

‘West wing’ of Blackhurst Park fromthe north.


Ford Wilson appears to havebeen from a family of silkweavers, originally fromCoventry, but by 1800 living in theprosperous suburbs of northLondon: Hackney, Islington andStamford Hill. One of his brotherswas Lord Mayor of London. Asister was an early resident of CalverleyPark. It is possible that they were relatedto Joshua Wilson, lawyer and antiquarian,who lived a little later in Nevill Park. It ishis brothers Stephen and Josiah, though,who are most relevant to TunbridgeWells. They seem to have been thedevelopers of Grove Hill Gardens, builtat about the same time as Calverley Park.Stephen lived in Streatham and Josiah inStamford Hill; but Ford, while atBlackhurst, played a leading role inTunbridge Wells society: as JP and trusteeof the Trinity vicarage for example.

More work is needed to confirm, or

‘West wing’ of BlackhurstPark from the west,showing the terrace andpart of the extensivegrounds.

otherwise, the exact details of the Wilsonfamily’s links to Tunbridge Wells, but itdoes look promising. Blackhurst, though,was home to many other interestingpeople.

Samuel Morton Peto, famous civilengineer and railway developer, livedthere in the 1880s. He and his wife areburied in Pembury. Before him wasWilliam Wilson Morley, a retired papermanufacturer from Marlow in theThames valley, and after him cameFrederick Frank. Frank’s father had beena successful oil and point supplier, withdepots in London and Southampton. It was

Frank who built thewest wing. He died in1915 leaving the houseto his two sons, one ofwhom was a founderof Knight, Frank &Rutley.

Blackhurst Park in 1838. The building tothe right was the stable block.

20

Blackhurst was used as a VADhospital during the First World War, andwas afterwards sold to Thomas Bolton,whose family firm manufactured coppercable in the Midlands. It was then ownedbriefly by Alfred Cawthorne, an architectand property developer. After being letto a tobacco company during the war, itcame into the hands of the NHS, whoowned it until 1998. Towards the end ofthat period the gardens were restored bythe Blackhurst Conservation Group andwere opened as part of the NationalGardens Scheme. The house was then

divided and sold as three separate units,which is how we are able to visit it inAugust.

A more detailed history of the housewas provided by Andrew Barnes in ourNewsletter of Summer 1997, taken fromhis excellent study The House andGardens of Blackhurst. In 2009 the KentGardens Trust produced a report onBlackhurst, researched by one of ourmembers, Peta Hodges. I am also gratefulto Ed Gilbert for additional details ofresidents. CJ

New Local History Publication

Now available. 48 pages, including 71 illustrations. Also includes a map showingall shops and places of refreshment.

Retail price: £4.95. Price for members, when bought direct from the Society:£3.70. For further details, please contact John Cunningham, on TW 534599.

21

Friends of TunbridgeWells Cemetery at

HawkenburyFor a couple of years now members

of the Local History Group have beenresearching the history of the cemeteryat Hawkenbury, and the many hundredsof interesting people who were buriedthere. On June 7th, they came togetherwith other enthusiasts at the formal launchof the Friends of Tunbridge Wells Cemeteryat Hawkenbury.

The founding Chairman of thegroup, Robert Atwood, gave anaddress in one of the twocemetery chapels explaining theobjectives of the group, and SueBrown, local historian, outlinedthe history of the cemetery.Flowers were laid at threememorials by the Mayor, CllrRonan Basu; Greg Clark MP;and Oliver Morris, partner in lawfirm Cripps.

The other chapel was given over to an exhibition:of photographs by Caroline Auckland, and ofhistorical displays by June Bridgeman. Alastair Todmanned a stand for the Civic Society. In theafternoon there were walks for those interested innature and local history. It is hoped that the chapelwill be used in future for other heritage purposes.

For more information, please contact RobertAtwood on TW 863704, or June Bridgeman onTW 525578, or see: www.foftwc.wix.com/foftwc.

June Bridgeman, Sue and Ronan Basu, Bob Atwood

Alastair Tod with mystery shopper

22

Come and explore the history andheritage of your local community, both inthe town and across the Borough. Maybeyou have never been inside a prominentlandmark such as Cranbrook windmill, thisyear celebrating its 200th birthday. Maybeyou have wondered about the history ofan unobtrusive building that long-standingresidents walk past every day with barelya glance. Have the fitter ones amongyou clambered down the fifteen footvertical ladder into the Cold Warmonitoring post near Penshurst? Since1994 Heritage Open Days has celebratedthe history and heritage of localcommunities. In and around TunbridgeWells preparations are well under way,promising a varied programme with toursof historic buildings, guided walks,exhibitions and more, all free for everyoneto enjoy. Check the national website

www.heritageopendays.org.uk from midJuly, when the 2014 programme shouldbegin to appear. And do remember todouble check, just beforehand, too (on oneoccasion we did need to cancel a walkwhen the leader damaged his ankle).

Commemorating the centenary of theFirst World War are displays at severalvenues, highlighting service on the homefront and overseas. A talk at Pembury’sformer Workhouse Chapel (see below)will feature the Hospital’s wartime role.The debut concert of a First World Warcostumed choir takes place at the Churchof Christ in Commercial Road, TunbridgeWells. The singers are currentlyrehearsing under the baton of ClaqueTheatre, with its fine reputation forbringing our community heritage to thestage.

So far, other new additions to the 2014local programme include Gallards(founded as almshouses inSouthborough just over a hundredyears ago), Tunbridge WellsCemetery, Vale Royal MethodistChurch, and a guided walk roundVictorian chapels in the northernpart of the town.

There is always room for more.It is not too late to offer to open

Heritage Open Days 2014Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th September

Fiona Woodfield explains some of thedelights that are on offer.

Pembury Workhouse Chapel


your historic home or workplace or tooffer it as a stopping point on a guidedwalk. Special thanks to one Civic Societymember, who has offered his garden asa calling in point for one of our walks, ashis house is linked to the history ofTunbridge Ware. There is still time to bepart of this year’s programme - justcontact us by 15 July [email protected] to exploreany ideas you might have.

This year we are particularly lookingfor new guides to repeat two very popularevents (we have the “scripts” ready andwaiting): tours of the Opera House, andthe guided walk: History of Shops andShopping. Our thanks to Wetherspoonsfor the two slots being made available atthe Opera House: Friday 12 and Sunday14 September, sometime between 1500and 1800. This role might appeal tosomeone in the local amateur dramaticcommunity, so please spread the word.The shops walk can be done at any time– the walk had its premiere in the latenight shopping slot of Thursday at 1800which worked well with pavements quiet.Please do not feel daunted about possiblequestions – even the most experiencedguide has been known to say that she willcheck out the answer and put it in thenewsletter. Offers of help or suggestionsto [email protected] please.

Members must also remember thatthis programme is only possible withmany people helping at the various venuesand events and behind the scenes. TheCivic Society itself mans the opening ofthe Pound in Grove Hill Road (offers ofhelp to the Chairman, please). Last yearwe did not have enough people to takeleaflets into shops round the town duringAugust. Please contact:

[email protected] offer your help.

Follow us on Twitter @Twellsheritagefor updates on progress.

Check out our own RTWCS website:www.thecivicsociety.org for localinformation as well as a link to the nationalwebsite: www.heritageopendays.org.uk.

Thank you. FW

Mural in Goldsmid Hall, built in 1895 forworkers on the Somerhill estate.

CIVIC SOCIETYForthcoming Events

Meetings start at 7.30pm on the second Thursday in the month (unlessotherwise stated) in the Town Hall or the Royal Wells Hotel. Remember tobring your membership card. Suggested £2 donation from non-members.

The views expressed in this Newsletter are those of the named author or of the editorand do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Society.

Published by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society.Registered Charity No. 276545

www.thecivicsociety.org

Sept11th

Oct9th

Entrance to the Town Hall is via the main door. If you are late and find that itis locked, please ring the bell and wait to be admitted.

Aug9th

(Sat)

RTWCS Awards EveningTown Hall

Architectural Tour of GreenwichPlanned by Philip Whitbourn and led by John de Lucy. Please

see page 2 for details.

Sept11-14th

Annual Garden PartyAt Blackhurst Park by kind permission of Graham and Gilly

Charlwood. Please see page 2 for details.

Jul3rd

Presentation by the Local History GroupAspects of life in Tunbridge Wells during the First World War,

based on research for their next publication.Royal Wells Hotel

Heritage Open DaysPlease see pages 22-23, and check the web-site (see below).

Documents

Summer 2014 - The Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society