1. society

BEXLEY CIVIC SOCIETY
The Borough-Wide Amenity Organisation; Founded 1971
www.bexleycivicsociety.org.uk
Registered Charity No 263602
Newsletter No: 143
Winter 2014/2015
James Leasor’s Commemorative Plaque (see report on p. )
In this issue:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Editorial:
Dates for Your Diary:
Society News:
Past Events:
Events to Come:
James Leasor:
A Forgotten Bicentenary:
Dr H. P. Wilkins:
Freedom Passes:
Bexley Libraries:
p.3
p.3
p.3
p.4
p.5
p.6
p.7
p.7
p.8
p.8
Booking Forms
Next Issue: Spring 2015
Deadline for Copy: 1st March 2015
-2-
This page has been left blank
-3-
1.
Editorial
Welcome to the Winter edition of our Newsletter: as always Linda has organised a full
programme for our future pleasure – there is something for everyone in the details below. There is also
good evidence of our activities in the borough – thanks to contributors of articles on James Leasor and
Hugh Percival Wilkins.
Further to our note in our last issue about bogus police, we have received the following from
Sidcup Community: One of our Neighbourhood Watch Co-Coordinators telephoned today to say that he
had been contacted by Clear Comm Security, Tel: 020 3637 2580. They were claiming as
Sidcup/Bexley area was a high burglary zone they are offering cheap wireless alarms for homes in this
area; it implied that they were offering service as part of police/ NHW initiative, which they of course are
NOT. We were also told that sometimes these companies charge very high monthly charges for the
alarms once installed. Please note Sidcup is NOT a high burglary zone.
May I take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and
prosperous New Year.
Geoff Birch
[email protected]
2.
Dates for Your Diary
Society-organised events for Members and Guests only
st
31 January 2015
rd
3 February 2015
th
th
14 February – 16 March 2015
th
6 March 2015
th
th
13 – 16 March 2015
st
21 April 2015
Fun Quiz Night (details in Autumn 2014 newsletter, and repeated
below)
Talk: Sidcup in the 1851 Census (details below)
th
39 Annual Children’s Art Exhibition, Hall Place
Mayor’s Presentation at Bexleyheath Academy
Spring Weekend in the Shrewsbury/Telford area (details below)
Visit to Stonor Park (details below)
3.
Society News
Report of the Planning, Conservation and Environment Committee
The Council are presently consulting on possible future cuts and savings. It is vitally important
that as many people as possible make their opinion known. You can obtain a copy of Strategy 2018
from the Central Library. It has many controversial suggestions, such as the disposal of 27 open spaces
or pieces of green highway land, (but it doesn’t specify which ones). Please take time to read and
comment before 9th January 2015.
Sylvia Malt
[email protected]
Chairman, Planning, Conservation and Environment Committee
Report of the Social and Education Committee
APPEAL – please support our Quiz Night on 31st January. As I mentioned previously we are
organizing this in a slightly different way in order to raise much needed funds to support our Children’s
Art Exhibition. This Exhibition is in its 39th year and following the death of Maureen Ridley earlier this
year is now run by Sue Roots with support of a number of our members who willingly give up a great
deal of time in order that this event can happen. The cost for this exhibition has increased considerably
over the past few years so please do come along and give your support. Many thanks, once again to all
those who acted as stewards at the 2014 Exhibition and we sincerely hope you would like to volunteer
again for 2015. Please contact Bonita Chamberlain on 01322-337893 who will be organizing the
stewarding rota if you would like to be involved. We are looking for Stewards who can cover primarily
weekends but also weekdays at Hall Place. You are also welcome to attend the presentation evening on
6th March. In 2015 the presentation, which will be by the Deputy Mayor, has been moved from Hall
Place to Bexleyheath Academy due to the ever increasing number of people attending which has
become impossible to repeat at Hall Place.
-4-
2014 was a busy year and I am intending 2015 to be another with various outings and holidays
and our regular talks programme. Details of our March weekend are in this newsletter but please
contact me as soon as possible as this is always popular and we often run out of rooms. The September
holiday will not be advertised until the March newsletter as due to the overwhelming success of our
holiday in Barcelona I want to further investigate the possibilities for 2015. However, I will advertise this
on the website in January so do please take a look. The dates for September will be approximately the
same as this year.
I wish you all a very special Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year and myself and
the committee look forward to seeing you all again during 2015.
Linda Hubbard
[email protected]
Chairman, Social and Education Committee
Report of the Membership and Publicity Committee
We exhibited at the Local History Fair in the new Crayford Community Centre and Library on
Sunday 28th September. The event, organised by Crayford Archive, was most successful & it is hoped
that it will be repeated next year, in which case we shall certainly support it.
Once again we are supporting the Christ Church, Erith Christmas Tree Festival by sponsoring &
decorating a tree and have followed our usual custom by naming it “Ever Green Bexley”. The festival will
be open to viewers from 15th December. It is always a breathtaking sight & well worth a visit.
As I mentioned in my last report, we will not be holding the Family History Fair at Crossness next
year due to lack of space. However, we haven’t given up on the idea & have investigated the possibility of
holding it at Hall Place. This will depend on how much support we get from other organisations, as there
will be a cost to BCS of course, but response so far is proving favourable. The date we have opted for is
Sunday 1st March, which will coincide with one of the monthly Farmers’ Markets & hopefully attract more
visitors. Please keep this date in your diaries and watch for confirmation on the website as the next
newsletter won’t be published until later that month.
I have received two nominations for the next Peter Barnes Prize to date but it isn’t too late to
nominate others so please keep looking around your area. Submissions to me, please, by the end of next
January.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas & prosperous New Year
and I hope to see many of you at some of our forthcoming events.
Betty Sadler
[email protected]
4.
Past Events:
a)
Trip to Spain, September 2014
Chairman, Membership and Publicity Committee
After two full days of travelling, with an overnight stop in Beaune (France) we arrived at the Hotel
Mas Gallau in Cambrils, Spain. The hotel was a very comfortable family run hotel with Golf Course and
Swimming Pool, which was most welcome due to the very hot weather. Our first excursion was to
Barcelona, where a local guide joined our coach for a tour of the city. We made a photo stop at the
magnificent Sagrada Familia Church, Gaudi’s masterpiece. The church is still incomplete and not
estimated to be finished until 2026, which will be the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. We also
stopped at the Olympic Stadium, which has only recently been open to the public. Our last stop was a
spectacular panoramic view of the city. The afternoon was free to explore by ourselves.
Tarragona, Catalonia’s most important Roman site was our next visit. A land train made it
possible to see most of the City with its medieval alleyways, cobbled streets and splendid cathedral. The
main attraction was the Roman Amphitheatre overlooking the lovely sandy beach and sea. We then
went on to Reus, most famous for being the birthplace of Gaudi; the house where he was born and the
church where he was baptised can still be seen. Our hotel in Cambrils was just a couple of miles from
-5-
the sea, so on our free day we were able to take advantage of the sea breezes and visit the beautiful
sandy beach and harbour of Cambrils. We were also able to catch a bus, train or boat along the coast to
Saluo, where there was a medieval street market. Another visit was to Castello de Mimanda where we
were shown the vineyards and told about the different grapes; we were then able to taste the local
wines. Needless to say there were a few clanging bottles as we got back on the coach! Lleida,
described as ‘the inland hot and dry provincial capital’, proved to be just that! We were all very grateful
to find a shady spot to sit and have a cool drink. However, a few brave souls climbed to the fortresschurch at the top of the hill.
On our last day in Catalonia we travelled through the mountains to Montserrat (serrated
mountain), which is just what the mountain looked like with its rounded rock pillars. The historic
Benedictine Monestir de Montserrat is one of Catalonia’s most important shrines. The views were
spectacular, with funiculars and a cog railway. In the afternoon we returned again to Barcelona for our
last chance to visit and explore this vibrant city. Our last evening meal was spent with much joviality with
the family Piquet who had made us so very welcome.
Many thanks to Linda for a wonderful trip.
Jean Pooley
5.
Events to Come:
a)
Fund-Raising Quiz Evening, Boys Brigade Hall, Bexleyheath, Saturday 31st
January 2015 at 7.30 p.m.
Once again, members and friends are invited to our annual Fun Quiz Night - a great way to
spend an evening during that quiet time between Christmas and Spring. If you have been before you
know that “Fun” is the operative word! As before, proceeds from the evening will go towards funding our
Children’s Art Exhibition at Hall Place in March. This year we are again including a large Ploughman’s
Platter as part of the entrance price. You may book a table for 6 at a cost of £6.00 per person or you
may apply individually at £6.00 per person and join with others to form a team of up to 6 on the night.
You should bring your own drink and glass. There will be a raffle and don’t forget your pen or pencil.
Russ Palmer has, once again, offered to be our Quiz Master for the evening which will commence with
the first question at 7.30 p.m., with the quiz ending at approximately 10.15 p.m. There is ample car
parking at the hall. Please book ahead on the form below, making cheques payable to Bexley Civic
Society. Form should be returned by 24th January, 2015. The funds raised go to a really good cause!
b)
Talk – “Sidcup in the 1851 Census”, Tuesday 3rd February, 2015 at 3.00 p.m.
Our first talk for this year, by Malcolm Youngs, one of our members, is about both the people and
places in Sidcup in 1851. A time in an area which we probably all know now but not then. So this will be
a very interesting talk for a number of us. The talk will take place in The United Reformed Church at
Geddes Place, Bexleyheath at 3.00 p.m. so do come along and support our 2015 talks series. Please
send in the completed ticket application form by 1st February, 2015. In order to save costs tickets will not
be issued.
c)
A Weekend in the Shrewsbury/Telford area, Friday 13th – Monday 16th March
2015
I hope you will, once again, join us for a pleasant and interesting weekend. We will depart, by
coach, on Friday morning from Sidcup, Bexley Village and Bexleyheath for Telford, with a visit planned
on the way. Our hotel for the three nights will be the Telford Hotel & Golf Resort (although I cannot
promise any spare time for Golf!), and those of you who have been on these March weekends know that
we always endeavour to use hotels of a high standard with excellent food. The coaches will stay with us
for the four days taking us on our little soirees into the surrounding area, and we will arrive back in
-6-
Bexley on Monday evening. We have made provision for two coaches and sufficient accommodation
should we have the same number of participants as on previous March weekends.
The weekend will include visits to local museums, a stately home, and other places of interest
that you may not have had the chance to visit previously or did many years ago. The final schedule has
not been confirmed but, do not worry, it will as always be full and varied. If you enjoyed previous
weekends away with the Society I am sure you will enjoy this one – another chance to meet up again
with old and new friends made on previous outings and holidays. The cost for the coach and hotel on a
bed, breakfast and dinner basis is £250 per person, based on double/twin occupancy rooms and £295
for a single room (which will be either a double or a twin). This is slightly higher than the past three
years which we managed to maintain at a very low cost. Entrance fees are not included in this price –
they will be advised when the schedule is completed – but I can assure you they will not be excessive
and will be at group rates. A confirmation of your booking will be sent together with details of pick-up
times, entrance costs, etc. after the closing date. The booking form should be returned by 31st January,
2015, together with the deposit. I sincerely look forward to once again spending the weekend with you
all.
Linda Hubbard
d)
Visit to Stonor Park, Tuesday 21st April, 2015
Home of Lord and Lady Camoys and the Stonor family for over 850 years. A family home set in
the beautiful Chiltern Hills is of considerable architectural interest built from c1190 and constructed over
centuries. The house contains a remarkable collection of Old Masters, European sculptures, stained
glass and contemporary ceramics from Japan, Korea and Europe. The medieval Catholic Chapel was
used throughout the years of repression and continues to be used regularly to this day. An inspiring day
out. Our day will start with a guided tour of the house followed by a cheese ploughman’s lunch with
tea/coffee and time to explore the gardens if the weather is kind to us. The cost for this day is £33, to
include the coach, driver’s gratuity, entrance and guided tour of Stonor and a cheese ploughman’s lunch.
(If you are unable to eat cheese an alternative will be provided if advised on the application form).
Please note that this is a private visit to the house which will be closed to the public on that day and we
are, therefore, limited to a set number for the visit so please apply asap. Please see booking form at end
of newsletter and return by 31st March, 2015 or asap.
6.
James Leasor, Commemorative Plaque
The latest plaque to be sponsored by the Society, commemorating James Leasor, (see article in
the autumn 2014 issue of the newsletter) was unveiled on 31st October by the Mayor of Bexley, Cllr
Howard Marriner. A good crowd was on hand to witness the occasion, including two of his sons, Stuart
and Jeremy, and a grandson, Tommy. A third son, Andrew, was unable to be present. Both Ken
Chamberlain, our chairman, and Cllr Marriner gave speeches outlining James’s achievements. Their
tributes also included mention of James’s father Richard, who had been a teacher at Erith Grammar
School and Dartford Grammar School; two of his former pupils, John Prichard and Derek Eastley, were
also present. In this way the occasion embraced four generations of the family. After the ceremony the
present residents of the house, Vicki and Gordon, invited those present to refreshments. The Society is
grateful to them for allowing the installation of the plaque and for hosting the afternoon. After the event
Ken received the following e-mail from Stuart:
“Dear Ken,
I would like to thank you, on behalf of all the Leasor family, for your efforts in arranging the
unveiling of a plaque to commemorate my father James Leasor in Park Crescent, Erith by the Mayor of
Bexley. We were incredibly touched to have been invited and amazed at the turnout and the interest
shown for the event. My father was very proud of the fact that he had been born in Erith and would have
been so flattered to have received such an honour. It was also amazing to meet two former pupils of my
grandfather, Richard, “Dickie”, Leasor. The whole event was humbling indeed. Thank you for your
sterling contribution and we wish you and the Bexley Civic Society the best of fortune going forward – it
-7-
is clear that it is in safe and yet dynamic hands. I hope that we can stay in touch! With best wishes,
Stuart”
Pictures of the event can be found on the Society’s website: bexleycivicsociety.org.uk/news
Vicki, Gordon, Jeremy, Tommy and Stuart
7.
A Forgotten Bi-Centenary?
On 17th June, 1814, a Bill was brought before Parliament, and passed into law, which bore this
title: “An Act for Inclosing lands in the Parish of Bexley in the County of Kent” legal name Act 54 George
111. cap. 158. This Act allowed the common land known as Bexley Heath to be enclosed, divided and
allotted among those interested therein, and this was the beginning of the town of Bexleyheath.
Therefore, it can be said that 2014 is the bi-centenary of Bexleyheath. This seems to have passed
unnoticed, as it has been overshadowed by the terrible events of WW1, starting just a few weeks after
the first centenary. (Information found in the book “Bexleyheath & Welling” by Rev. F Castells, published
1910.)
8.
Dr Hugh Percival Wilkins, PhD, FRAS, 1896-1960
Hugh Percival (but he was always known as Percy!) Wilkins was born in Carmarthen. After
leaving school he trained as a mechanical engineer, serving during World War I in the Royal Army
Corps. He was unlucky in contracting Spanish flu while in the forces – but as a result he escaped being
posted to Europe. After demob he became a civil servant, in the Ministry of Supply. He died in 1960,
only days after his retirement at the end of 1959. By this time he was living in Bexleyheath.
But he will be remembered far more for his work as a “Moon Mapper”. He was for many years
pre-eminent in this field, having been elected Fellow or President of several societies, notably as Fellow
of the Royal Astro-nomical Society, and Director of the British Astronomical Association Lunar Section.
He was the author of several books about the moon, including one co-authored with Patrick Moore. His
most important work was a huge map of the moon, drawn solely from his amateur observations – he had
his own reflecting telescope in his back garden.
-8-
Percy’s interest in astronomy began in Wales, when he was given a small telescope; it developed
further while he was in the Army, when he was able to use the Cooke telescope in York. His first moon
map was probably made while he was still in his teens. His more serious work began in the 1920s: by
1924 he had published his first detailed map of the Moon, 60 inches in diameter; this was followed in
1932 with a map of 100 inches diameter. All this was done with the aid of telescopes which he had built
himself – in his back gardens; but he also had access to photos from the Wilson telescope in America.
Just before the Second World War he started work on his most ambitious project, the 300-inch map,
which was not completed until 1946; he continued to revise this work until his death.
In the early 1950s his expertise was being recognised abroad: in 1954 he undertook a major
lecture tour of the United States, where he was able to use some of the largest telescopes then in use –
the Wilson and the Yerkes among them. During this tour, too, he was presented with the American
Astronomical League Award for his lunar work. But also in 1954 there was controversy about the
apparent “discovery” of a bridge-like structure on the Moon. Percy’s comments on this were taken out
of context and quite shamefully misreported. As a result he felt obliged to resign as Director of the BAA
Lunar Section. But later, in the 1960s, his detailed maps were being used by both the Soviet Union and
NASA in the United States in their preparations for lunar exploration, including the Apollo missions.
There is a photograph on record of Neil Armstrong at a meeting of the Royal Geographic Society,
inspecting a copy of the 300-inch map. One of the moon’s craters detailed on that map is now named
Wilkins in Percy’s honour.
Locally, interest is centred on the Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society, which was
formally foun-ded only in 1961, a year after Percy’s death. But Percy had been a regular lecturer and
contributor at the evening classes at Crayford Manor which were the precursor of the Society. There is a
record of a visit he made here in August 1957, along with a young Patrick Moore. Crayford Manor still
possessed until recently the observatory and telescope which was named after Percy, together with a
copy of his 300-inch map.
Interest in Percy has languished somewhat since his death – his is not a familiar name even
locally. But interest has been re-awakened since he was featured in a recent edition of BBC1’s “The
One Show” during which his daughter Eileen was interviewed and taken back to her old house in
Bexleyheath. Eileen tells me that her father’s work was often used by the BBC as a background to items
dealing with space and space exploration. It has now been agreed that our Society will install one of our
plaques in his memory – watch for further announcements.
9.
Freedom Passes
A reminder that most Freedom Passes will expire next March. Bexley Council will be sending out
renewal letters and forms in November inviting ‘older persons’ to renew their Freedom Passes. The
letter will include a unique code which pass holders who have access to the internet can use to go online
to renew their passes. On the reverse of the letter there will be a form for pass holders to return to
Bexley Council if they are unable to go online. All pass holders must respond by December 2014 if their
passes are to be renewed. Unfortunately, if Councils do not get a response, the passes will be
automatically switched off in January 2015. If your letter does not arrive, telephone 0300 330 1433.
10.
Bexley Libraries
Members may wish to know about the Council’s plans to close its libraries in Blackfen, Bostall
Heath, Northumberland Heath and Upper Belvedere. There may still be time to make your feelings
known! As a last resort it may be worth remembering that Bexley Library was closed some time ago, but
is now open as a community amenity.
.
rd
Booking form for the Talk “Sidcup in the 1951 Census”, Tuesday 3 February 2015 at 3.00pm
Please reserve __________________ places at £3.50 each for the above event. (Cheques payable to Bexley Civic Society)
Name: ________________________________________Telephone number: __________
Address:_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________Post Code:________________
E-mail address____________________________________________________________
st
Payment and form should be sent to Linda Hubbard. Applications to be received by 1 February 2015.
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
th
th
Booking form for the Weekend in the Shrewsbury/Telford area, Friday 13 to Monday 16 March 2015
Please reserve ___________ places at £250/£295 each on the weekend.
I/We wish to reserve a double/twin/single room.
I/We enclose a deposit cheque for £____________ (£50 per person) payable to Bexley Civic Society.
If booking for more than one person please list all names.
Name: ________________________________________Telephone number: __________
Address:_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________Post Code:________________
E-mail address____________________________________________________________
st
Deposit and form should be sent to Linda Hubbard. Applications to be received by 31 January 2015.
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
st
Booking form for the Visit to Stonor Park, Tuesday 21 April 2015
Cost to include coach, driver’s gratuity, entrance and guided tour of Stonor Park, and a cheese ploughman’s lunch.
Please reserve __________________ places at £33.00 each for the above event. (Cheques payable to Bexley Civic Society)
** I am unable to eat cheese (please delete if not applicable).
Name: ________________________________________Telephone number: __________
Address:_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________Post Code:________________
E-mail address____________________________________________________________
I/We will join the coach at:
Sidcup Station (ticket office side).
Bexley Village (War Memorial)
Bexleyheath Library
at 09.00 am
at 09.15 am
at 09.30 am
If booking for more than one person please list all names. Payment and form should be sent to Linda Hubbard. Applications to be
st
received by 31 March 2015 or asap.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM: fees are due on 1st January 2015
Please Note: all fees were increased, as agreed at the 2010 AGM:
Individual: £9; Family: £12; Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons and Students: £6.
To be returned as soon as possible to Jennifer Hetherington,
I/We wish to renew membership of Bexley Civic Society, and enclose cheque for £___________________
Cheques payable please to “Bexley Civic Society”. If renewing for more than one person please list all names.
Name:________________________________________ Telephone Number:________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________________
Post Code:___________________________________
Email address (if willing to receive newsletter by this means):_____________________________________
I wish to pay by standing order, and have sent the attached form to my bank/building society. Yes/No
Please note that membership cards will no longer be issued.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
BANKER’S STANDING ORDER FORM – Please complete this form and send it to your bank/building society.
To: (Bank name)____________________________________________________________
Branch address:_________________________________________________________________________
Please pay the sum of (amount in £)____________ (immediately and thereafter*) annually on 1st January, to
HSBC, 38 High Street, Dartford, Kent DA1 1DG (sort code 40-20-25) for the account of Bexley Civic Society
(account number 00149764).
(signed)__________________________________
Name:____________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________________
Post Code:___________________________________
Account Number:_________________
Date:___________________________
This Banker’s Order supersedes and replaces any other instruction I may have with you in favour of Bexley Civic
Society.
* Please delete as appropriate