The Archbishops’ Palace, Charing on BBC Restoration 2

When the news broke that the Archbishop’s Palace at Charing had been selected to be one of the representatives for the South East in a new Restoration Series on BBC 2, there was great excitement and some apprehension amongst the population. We were given a certain amount of guidance as to how to proceed and a Campaign Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Tylden Reed.

The film company Endemol, under contract to BBC2, were contacting local people whom they thought would be suitable to illustrate different aspects of the documentary. My first effort was to totter around the village with a very large basket, the second was to meet inside the palace grounds with ‘Herbie’ Lockyer who has worked for the owners for nigh on 50 years. We finished by inspecting a restored cobel that had fallen from the wall of the Great Hall and was found in a field. It was eventually restored and put to rest in a bread basket and kept under lock and key in ‘Herbie’s shed’ until the day when it can go back on the wall of a restored Great Hall.

Financial support was offered from the county and borough councils and local businesses in recognition of the palace’s important place in Kent’s history. Several organizations, both within the county and nationally, publicized the need for support in their newsletters and by word of mouth. Kent County Council gave us room on their stand at the County Show. A group of Charing residents manned a stand at the Cobtree event for the Young Archaeologists. A plane towing a banner was seen flying round the county. The Messenger Group editions supported us week by week, as indeed did other county papers. Local television and radio also joined the team. We were spending our grants on banners, posters, postcards, placards, costumes etc. Information was delivered by an army of volunteers.

At the annual Church fete, a procession was organised with volunteer actors from all over the country depicting a visit of Henry VIII and Queen Catherine. At the time the King was a young man and Princess Mary was about 6 years old. The Royal family had been staying in the Palace and came out to mingle with the locals and watch local children dancing. We gained publicity and the Church a great deal more money than they usually achieved. There firm unity there.

Then came the day when we went to the Parish Hall to hear the results of the first round. Everyone held their breath until a commentator said ‘and the winner is the Archbishop’s Palace in Charing.’ After the first euphoria, Tylden Reed brought us back to earth by saying ‘And now you will have to work twice as hard, you must persuade people to vote again, which is not easy for a second time.’

All Charing got to work again, more posters and postcards were printed, up went the plane again over the whole of the county, and one Sunday c.3000 people enjoyed the privilege of entering the courtyard for a closer look. Emails arrived offering support, not only from the county but nationally and countries far and wide. All support in whatever guise has been recorded with appreciation and will be kept with local records.

Finals day arrived and a coach to Hampton Court was quickly filled. We arrived about 3pm and rehearsed with all the other finalists until 5pm, when we ‘went live’. The public had been sent out at the usual closing time, but I don’t think they went far away because there came a time when the lighting displays on Hampton Court were switched on, as were the lights on the very modern stage. The public had been readmitted and there were people and children everywhere on the grass from the roped off area to the gates. The supporters for every final group had been marshalled into ‘pens’ surrounding the sides of the stage and a TV presenter interviewed the groups. At 9pm Griff Rhys Jones introduced the programme and the first finalists went up on the stage and were interviewed.

Dr J. Littler of The Traditional Building Preservation Trust was continued on page 12

Pat Winstan at the Palace gate. © Kentish Express

to be interviewed first but ‘I could interrupt if I wanted to do so’. My official contribution would follow his and I was given 30 seconds. I would be asked what I felt about the Palace and tell the story of the corbel. Two minutes later back came our ‘minder’ to say they were running late and that I would not be asked about the corbel despite having 20 seconds. On we went and I was asked the first question and then was nearly thrown because Griff said ‘I would like to hear about the find of the corbel’. Luckily, I did remember most of it.

We didn’t win the final but the interest that the event has caused has put Charing on the map. Visitors have been coming in their hundreds hoping to see the palace, and local volunteers have been stewarding every Sunday through September so that visitors can get a closer look at the courtyard and Great Hall.

What of the future? The Traditional Building Trust is still hoping to find funding for the purchase and restoration of the complex. Once restored the Great Hall will become a most impressive venue for concerts, exhibitions, conferences, receptions, banquets etc., the present farmhouse will be used as administration offices, committee rooms and educational facilities, and the west range will house a much-needed new parish hall with all modern facilities. Once restoration work is completed it is hoped that the complex will be run by a Charing Trust.

We will have to continue working hard to help ourselves, but have been heartened by the spontaneous offers of help and support that have been forthcoming and are promised for the future.

Pat Winstan

The Campaign Committee wish to say ‘thank you’ to all those Kent historians and well-wishers who supported the bid for the Archbishop’s Palace in Charing, the only entry for the South East in the final. Not only individuals supported us, but important organizations in the county and nationally. Some sent funds and others circulated their newsletters via Newsletters etc. Numerous letters have been received wishing Charing success. It would be invidious to mention supporters by name but you know who you are and so do we. We can look to the future with hope even though we were not the final winner.

Tylden Reed
Chairman, Campaign Committee