KAS Newsletter, Issue 33, Winter 1995
A New Future for a Cold War Bunker at Gravesend?
Sites of the Cold War have now become archaeology. Indeed, the Civil Defence Control Centre at Woodlands Park, Gravesend, has not only become the subject of a current research project but also a bid to restore it for public access.
The Control Centre is both of local historical interest and regional importance. It is a significant heritage resource that deserves retention and preservation. It may also merit statutory protection. The Centre was built in 1954 as a command post from which it was hoped that the local Civil Defence organization would be able to coordinate rescue and emergency services in the event of damage or radiation in the Gravesham area resulting from a strike by atomic or nuclear weapons on the United Kingdom. It was one of a series of measures taken nationally to ameliorate the worst effects on the population and infrastructures of towns and communities from this form of attack.
The Centre consists of a suite of 13 protected underground rooms. It is reached from the surface by a concrete staircase, and there is a second staircase that formed an emergency exit. The accommodation contains its air ventilating plant, some of its original fixed furniture such as message booths, an internal office sub-division, and toilet fittings. One of the two control rooms retains a blackboard marked with information from the last civil defense exercise carried out at the Centre. Moreover, importantly and remarkably, the original documentation for the Centre survives.
With the reduction of the civil defense organization from the late 1960s, the Control Centre was discontinued, its movable furniture and equipment removed, and it became used as a document store in the mid-1970s.
Locked and protected during its use as a document store by Kent County Council and Gravesham Borough Council, its main features were preserved. More than one visitor has noted its special ambiance and has described it as a 'time capsule'.
The site is the only Civil Defense Control Centre at present known to be the subject of a proposal for public access. But there is clearly much public interest in experiencing this kind of heritage, as evidenced in the positive visitor response to the opening of a Cold War Regional Seat of Government in Scotland and the limited opening of another RSG at Kelvedon Hatch in Essex.
The Centre is an evocative environment in which to present and interpret to visitors the meaning of the Cold War and to communicate an understanding of the complexity and nature of the civil and military measures taken against the possibility of nuclear attack and the practical problems these entailed. The site is also favorably located within an existing public park. The writer is currently preparing a feasibility study of the possibilities.
The proposals will envisage a presentation that combines partial refurbishing in the manner of the Cabinet War Rooms in London or the Hell Fire Corner exhibit in Dover, with graphics and text displays and relevant video footage. A high priority will be placed on relating the presentation to the national history curriculum and providing facilities for schools and colleges. This project is at the leading edge of heritage preservation, and it is hoped that the feasibility study will be favorably received and that the proposals can go forward. The study envisages undertaking the project with the use of volunteers. This approach has worked well at New Tavern Fort, also in Gravesend, for over 20 years.
Victor T. C. Smith,
Project Director.
Chronology of Incumbents of Holy Trinity, Broadstairs
As a native of Broadstairs, born and baptized at St. Peter's, I first attended worship at St. Andrew's and then St. Peter's and finally Holy Trinity. During this period I have recorded in written form their history from foundation dates, i.e. 1910, 1070, and 1830.
In the case of Holy Trinity, I can claim authorship of the first work to contain anything approaching a history of the Church. This was in 1971, with the said account being updated in a more detailed form in the January 1986 issue of the local history journal 'Bygone Kent'. Yet the scope of those histories was not large enough to include a most vital ingredient - a chronology of incumbents from foundation. Thus, it is hoped that the following will help eradicate what must surely be a glaring omission from the history of any parish church.
According to research, the following list may now be deemed a true chronology of incumbents from the date of consecration on April 15th, 1830. At this time, the building bore the title "Bradstow Chapel of Ease" and was erected to take up the overflow of the congregation of St. Peter's. Later, Charles Dickens, one of the Chapel's more famous attendants, in his usual run of lively chaff, described it as 'A hideous temple of flint, like a petrified haystack.' Even so, worship in Broadstairs had come a long way from the days when (weather permitting) the Sunday spiritual needs of the Bradstonians were catered for by open-air services held on the lofty jutting piece of cliff known as 'Preachers Knoll'. It would seem that in 1856, the Church increased in status by becoming a new parish and finally, in 1865, a rectory endowed at £62 annually. At first, curates were supplied by the Mother Church of St. Peter's. From 1830-1835, the first Minister was the Rev. Charles Greenall Davies, MA. The patronage of the living was the property of the Rector of St. Peter's in Thanet. If the living was vacant, it reverted to the crown.
During the period in question, that is to say the years following the incumbency of Charles Greenall Davies, 1830-1835, there were a large number of curates attached to St. Peter's - it would, therefore, be almost impossible to define which of them was attached to the Chapel. Often the position would be filled by a clergyman who was between posts and doing temporary duty until he found a permanent one. Certainly, after the Rev. C. G. Davies, the registers do not show a particular curate attached to the Chapel on a permanent basis. After 1835, when the Rev. John Hodgson, MA. came to St. Peter's, no separate register was kept as Hodgson considered himself the minister of the Chapel and that both Chapel and Church were of the one parish, thus did not need a separate register. Therefore, it was Hodgson from 1835-1850 and his successor Rev. Christian Frederick Newell, MA. 1850-1856 who supplied curates. It should be pointed out that Newell was the first true Rector of Holy Trinity as it was during his period of service the district became a new parish. Thus, including the period of Davies and that of John Hodgson, when the Chapel was run by whoever was available from the pool, a list of incumbents must look much as follows:
Rev. Charles Greenall Davies, MA 1830-1835.
Rectors of Chapel at Ease (supplying curates) 1835-1850.
Rev. John Hodgson, MA. Vicar of St. Peter's. 1835-1850.
Rev. Christian Frederick Newell, MA. 1850-1866 (Made new parish 1856).
Rev. James Haslewood Carr, MA. 1866-1881.
Rev. Richard Andrew Fausett, BA. 1881-1896.
Rev. Francis Thomas Mills, MA. 1896-1909.
Rev. Lewis Lanning Edwards, MA. 1909-1934.
Canon Charles Henry Bailey, MA. MC. 1935-1952.
Rev. Basil Herbert Gibbs, MA. 1952-1965.
Rev. David Allan Pope, 1965-1973.
Rev. Eric James Powe, BA. BD. 1973-
The research for this information was taken from works of local history, Parish records, and Canterbury Cathedral Archives. The intention of this collation is to place a list of Rectors to date in a position of prominence - perhaps in the porch as is often seen in most parish churches. This will prove of great interest and value to visitors, researchers, and parishioners - and of course, fill the gap in the history of the church that has long been absent.
Finally, may I conclude this article by acknowledging the kind assistance of the research Archivist of Canterbury Archives, Miss A. M. Oakley, and fellow Broadstairs historian David Oliver.
Bill Lapthome.
Save our Parsonages
Sales of old rectories and vicarages have continued unabated, with the result that the historic parsonage still in church use is an endangered species.
'Save our Parsonages' is a new support group to safeguard some of the Church of England's most precious assets and to give voice to the rising tide of feeling amongst both laity and clergy that it is time to re-evaluate the role of the historic parsonage in community life.
The efforts made by parishes all over the country to maintain their churches are rarely matched by the will to support parsonages since these are considered to be outside parishioners' control. Yet these houses are often of considerable merit and are resonant with their local history; their loss invariably impoverishes a parish. Some are as much a part of ecclesiastical heritage as the churches.
Official policy generally maintains that the rectory or vicarage should serve simply as the parson's home, but in practice it is almost always more a focal point for parish life, with a greater part of the church ministry taking place there than in the church itself.
As a meeting place for small groups the parsonage has never been superseded by the parish hall, even where this exists, and in many cases it is used for larger gatherings such as garden fetes, money-raising events and youth-clubs. Whole parish communities feel at home there. The spacious rooms of older parsonages are ideal for parish activities; in the new generation of smaller houses these can cause severe disruption to the private life of a parson's family. Large parsonage gardens are equally precious to the community. When not required for the sole use of the incumbents, parishioners who are themselves short of garden space are often happy to share in cultivating them. Those in built up areas have added green corridors and havens for wildlife. The economic argument in favour of retaining historic parsonages within the church's ownership is overwhelming. Short term gains from sales can never make up for the long-term depletion of the church's architectural stock. These high quality buildings offer flexibility - they often lend themselves to judicious division into a home for the priest and self-contained accommodation for parish activities or for letting. Used intelligently and kept in good repair they need not be expensive to maintain. They have not been treated as liabilities. The idea that many parsonages are myth today's - many clergy particularly prefer to live among the younger generation, welcome the chance to live in a traditional rectory or vicarage. Not every clergy family is a nuclear one and it is important that the church continues to provide the diversity of housing to suit the needs of a richly varied ministry. For many, the spacious setting of an old house is the best environment for fostering the informal and trusting relationship between priest and people.
The historic new group 'Save our Parsonages' that have been preparing a register and is supporting the efforts of clergy and parishioners where they are threatened. Above all they hope to promote a new and positive approach to these jewels in the church's treasury.
If you would like to support their efforts they will be delighted to hear from you. They are looking for volunteers to help them with their survey of the remaining historic parsonages and would like to hear of past parish campaigns to retain vicarages.
Books
KENT HISTORIC BUILDINGS INDEX. (Tables of listed buildings) Two recent volumes cover Swale and Thanet. Each costs £5 and may be obtained from M. Peters.
AN 18th CENTURY MAD DOCTOR, William Perfect of West Malling. by Shirley Burgoyne Black.
Dr. William Perfect of West Malling was well known in his time, not only as a surgeon and a doctor of the insane, but as a journalist and illustrator. The book includes many illustrations. Price: £3.95.
IN GOOD FAITH. A Commemoration of Twenty-five Years of a Local Ecumenical Project. (The Church of England and the Methodist Church in the Parish of Sturry with Fordwich and Westbere with Hersden. 1970-1995.) Edited by K. H. McIntosh. Available from Brita and Alan Lakeman, price: £4.50 including Post & Packing.
MIRRORS BY THE SEA. by Richard N. Scc1r 1h. This book describes the gigantic acoustic listening devices, which were installed on our southern coast in an attempt to detect the sound of enemy aircraft approaching the country. Specially trained 'listeners' managed to detect the sound of oncoming aircraft up to 2.5 miles away during trial experiments but the difficulties experienced meant that the use of 'sound-mirrors' was eventually abandoned. Published by the Hythe Civic Society. Price: £3.50.
TENTERDEN - THE FIRST THOUSAND YEARS. by Hugh Roberts. A New History of the Town and Hundred of Tenterden. This fully illustrated book describes the growth of the Town and Hundred from its beginning as a clearing in the forest to its emergence as a prosperous nineteenth-century Borough. In 23 chapters, the book covers such major themes as Tenterden as a Cinque Port, the prosperity of the cloth trade, the struggles of the Civil War, religious unrest, and the burning of the Court Hall and Tenterden society in the eighteenth century. 270 pages with maps, photographs, and illustrations. Price £17.50 from bookshops, or post free from H. V. Roberts. (Cheque payable to H. V. Roberts.)
MILL HILL, DEAL. The first volume of the final report concerning the results of the important Dover Archaeological group excavations on Mill Hill at Deal in east Kent (See Kent Archaeological Review 101) was published in July 1995. The report describes the Iron Age burials recovered and has been prepared by Group Director Keith Parfitt, in conjunction with the staff of the British Museum. There are major contributions from Janet Ambers (radiocarbon dates), T. Anderson (human bones) D. Holman (coin) A. J. Legge (horse burial and other animal remains) Valerie Rigby (pottery) I. M. Stead (metalwork) and Sheelagh Stead (cremated bone). The volume is hardbacked with 215 pages, 72 figures, and 22 plates. Published by the British Museum Press on behalf of the Trustees of the British Museum. Copies may be purchased directly from the British Museum. Price £60. Dr. Ian Stead of the British Museum provides a detailed report on the important metalwork recovered, whilst pottery is discussed in detail by Valerie Rigby. Trevor Anderson gives an in-depth study of the human bone and David Holman describes the Celtic coin recovered.
It can now be seen that Mill Hill represents one of the richest Iron Age cemeteries in England. Most of the Iron Age burials date from the second and first centuries B.C. and one of the earliest was also the most important. A young man (Grave 112) had been buried with his sword, shield, and ornaments, and on his head, he wore a bronze crown; the decoration of the associated metalwork provides more examples of Early Celtic Art than any other grave in England.
A second volume concerning the major 6th-century Anglo-Saxon cemetery on Mill Hill is now in the advanced stages of preparation.
THE PREPARATION AND USE OF LIME MORTARS. A useful Technical Advice Note compiled and edited by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust for Historic Scotland. Available for £5 per copy (plus £1 P. & P.) from Scottish Conservation Bureau, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 lSH. Cheques made payable to 'Historic Scotland'.
GOING TO POT? THE GREAT BRITISH CHIMNEY. by John Chatham. Available from the Book Barn, Whittlebury NN12 BXS. Price £12.95.
K.A.S. Annual Summer Foreign Excursion 1996. This year's excursion, which is now in the advanced planning stage, will be to the Dordogne, France. (From Tuesday, 25th June to Tuesday, 2nd July). Some KAS members who joined the 1995 trip to Burgundy have already expressed a wish to again accompany the party but other members contemplating joining the excursion should contact Mrs. Saynor as soon as possible. Please send S.A.E. to Mrs. J. Saynor
K.A.S. DAY EXCURSIONS, SUMMER 1996. Three trips have been arranged. It is hoped visits may be made to Woolwich Arsenal (date not yet fixed), Guided tour round Shoreham, Kent, with strawberry tea (July, date not yet fixed), and on Saturday, 7th September 1996 we will make an all-day coach trip to the Bronze Age site of Flag Fen, near Peterborough, with Buffet lunch. Full details in next Newsletter.
K.A.S. Lectures. It is with great regret that the Council have been unable to recruit a volunteer willing to take on the task of arranging the K.A.S. lecture programme for 1996. Should anyone feel they could tackle this most important contribution to the KAS members (and their friends') enjoyment please contact the President, Mr. K. Graven.
Dr. S. Black's New programme of Kent Seminars will begin on Saturday, 3rd February 1996 with Ports and Cinque Ports, when Dr. Frank Andrews will be speaking on Sandwich and Dr. Jacqueline Bower on The Deni Boatmen in the 19th Century.
For further details and a copy of the programme please contact Dr. Shirley Black.
Saturday, 20th April 1996. Council for Kentish Archaeology will be holding an all-day event at Chatham's Historic Dockyard. The programme will include lectures and guided tours which will cover various aspects of four centuries of naval and defensive history.
Guided tour (11am - 1pm) of either Fort Amherst (Britain's premier Napoleonic fortress and a major part of the Dockyard's defences) OR of the Dockyard Museum (created by the Dockyard workers giving a unique insight into the life of the Dockyard).
Illustrated Lectures (2.15 - 5.30pm) in the Dockyard Church.
Evolution (some aspects) of Chatham Dockyard, by Keith Slade, (Chairman, C.D.H.S.) Chatham and the Architecture of the Royal Dockyards, by Jonathan Coad (English Heritage), Defences of Chatham Dockyard by Geof. Harvey, (Medway Military Research Group). Tickets: All day £5.00; Morning only £1.75; Afternoon only £3.50. Please state which tour is required when applying for a ticket. From: CK.A., 5 Harvest Bank Road, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9DL payable to CK.A. with S.A.E. please.
KAS Conference on 'Linear Archaeology' held at Wye
This day conference took place on Saturday, 7th October 1995 at Wye College. Members were welcomed by the President, Mr. K. Gravett who then introduced the first speaker - Dr. John Williams.
Dr. Williams' paper was entitled 'Planning for Linear Archaeology' and was a concise explanation of all the procedures necessary for decision making to do with planning applications including constraints, proposals, legal requirements, and recommendations. He highlighted some of the 'plus' points of PPG16 which has now been in place for some five years, emphasizing that it is not law but government guidance designed for the protection of archaeological sites. He continued with explanations of which authority was responsible for granting planning authority for different types of sites and stated that most of the utility industries were very helpful and cooperative. Dr. Williams illustrated his talk with slides of recent developments.
The second talk of the morning was given by Dr. George Lambrick from the Oxford Archaeological Unit and was a fitting subject in confirming what Dr. Williams had already stated. The main issue concerned the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and its implications in connection with archaeological and environmental considerations. In answer to several questions, he emphasized the importance of bringing in local groups with their great knowledge of their particular area.
After lunch, Paul Bennett of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust treated us to his usual erudite illustrated discussion of excavations - this time along the route of the A259 in Thanet. This proved to be a prime example of the exceptional collaboration between the contractors and the archaeologists. He gave great credit to Dr. Williams' decision in stripping the entire route which revealed many sites and helped to prioritize those which were of greatest importance.
The last speaker was Keith Parfitt, also of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, who spoke primarily on the Bronze Age Dover Boat. This was a fascinating insight into the work of archaeologists keeping a watch on a major road improvement scheme before the implementation of PPG16. There had been great cooperation with the contractors which was of paramount importance in the discovery of the boat under such incredibly difficult conditions.
After some discussion, Mr. Gravett closed the proceedings after making various comments including emphasizing the fact that although PPG16 is not perfect, it is a considerable improvement on what went on before. This proved to be an extremely interesting and thought-provoking day, but what a shame these four excellent speakers had such a small audience.
Sheila Broomfield.
Letters
Dear Archaeologia Cantiana Subscribers in Bexley, As you are interested in Kentish Archaeology, I would like to introduce Bexley Archaeological Group to you. We have been formed since 1982, researching and excavating the archaeology of Bexley. We are based at the Stable Block, off Rectory Lane in Foots Gray Meadow.
If you wish to know more about your local area and the local archaeology, and would like to get more involved in discovering the past around you, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
John Acworth Bexley Archaeological Group
Library News: A Request for Volunteers: A Request for Volunteers
It is pleasing to report that the conservation and cataloguing of the Society's visual records continues now with the aid of a computer. Given the thousands of images we now hold and with more arriving every month, often of considerable historic value, your Librarian seeks the services of a few further helpers to assist in characterizing images.
The task is not onerous but does require extensive general knowledge of Kent and of dress styles, buildings, transport, etc. throughout history. Wherever possible, information needs to be cross-referenced, e.g. to another image, an article in Archaeologia Cantiana.
Details of each photograph, print or painting are entered by hand onto a standardized form. This is then transferred to the computer by another small group, experts in such arcane matters. A knowledge of the technicalities of photography would also be of help. We also plan to embark on our own historic recording project. A suggestion is that with local knowledge, street scenes in busy but humble parts of Kent are recorded with a standard lens for repetition - say every five to ten years. Members interested in either project or in donating material are asked to send their details to the Librarian, The Museum, St. Faiths Street, Maidstone, Kent MR14 1LH.
Peter Draper, Hon. Librarian
The Allen Grove Local History Fund: Grants
The late Allen Grove left a legacy to the Kent Archaeological Society to establish a fund to be used 'for the purpose of research preservation and enjoyment of local history.' The income will be used to make one or more grants every year and applications are now invited. The trustees will consider applications for grants for any project with one or more of the purposes given above. Such projects may be practical projects such as presentation, publication and education as well as research. Suggestions for projects that might be undertaken by the Kent Archaeological Society or some other body would also be considered. Grants are not restricted to members of the Kent Archaeological Society and may be made to societies and groups. Awards will not be announced until Autumn of 1996.
Applications must be submitted by 31st March 1996. Application forms and further information may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary: Mr. A. I. Moffat.
Dr. Joan Thirsk Honoured
Congratulations to our member Dr. Joan Thirsk, on receiving the CBE. The award is in recognition of her services to Agrarian and Local history. Dr. Thirsk is well known both as the General editor of the Agrarian History of England, which runs into many volumes, and as a pioneer of Local History studies. Those of us of 'a certain age' remember that it is only in recent years that Local History has become an acknowledged academic subject and Dr. Thirsk regards the award as a recognition of the value and widespread enjoyment of this branch of learning.
Wye College to sell Brook Estate?
It is with some alarm to KAS members that it is learned that Wye College is contemplating the sale of the Brook Estate. This will affect the future of the Museum of Agriculture which comes within this property. The Medieval timber aisled barn, which houses this important collection of ancient agricultural implements and machinery, is thought to have been built in the mid-14th Century. Also included on the estate is the oast house, thought to date from 1813, which houses bygones and information on Kentish hops and hopping. This is all very worrying and anyone who feels strongly on the issue is advised to write to the Principal, Wye College, Kent, to register their concern.
Fieldwork Grants
Are you planning an excavation or fieldwork within the county of Kent during 1997? Grants are available from the KAS to assist with work carried out by Affiliated Societies or individual members. Applications on appropriate form (obtainable from Hon. General Secretary, Andrew Moffat, by 1st October 1996.
Fieldwork Grants
Members are reminded that they can obtain KAS 'Tote bags'A. £6. Tea Cloths, £3 .. Ties,* (new stock now in, blue, grey, green J) or maroon) £4.50. Key Fobs,* (blue, black, white, green or red) £1. Pack of four 'notelets' featuring lesser known Kent churches. £1. Prices include p&p. Apply to Mrs. J. Saynor. *Please state colour required.
MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEIR KAS SUBSCRIPTION FOR 1996 IS NOW DUE. (See enclosed leaflet).
The Hon. Editor welcomes all letters, articles and communications and would particularly like to receive more from members and others, especially requests for research inform lion, finds, books a d related topics. The Editor wishes to draw readers attention to the fact that neither the Council of the KAS, nor the Editor is the answerable for the opinions expressed[?]. Each author alone is responsible for the contents and substance of their letters items or papers. Material for the next Newsletter should be sent by 1st, March 1996 to Hon. Editor, Nesta Caiger.
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, The Museum, St. Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME141LH.
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