HERNE AND BROOMFIELD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Founded 2003
SUMMER NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025
Dear Members/Friends
Welcome to our Summer newsletter. I hope that you have all been enjoying this extended warm spell and managed to stay cool even when temperatures rose a bit higher in July. This is to remind you that our meetings start again on Tuesday 2nd September when one time Blean Woods Warden, Michael Walter takes us on an ‘armchair walk’ to discover wildlife and nature’s sights along the riverbank. so we hope to see everyone refreshed and ready to support the group for the remainder of the year.
Our programme is booked through to the end of the year thanks to Sylvia McKean but as I always say if you have any local history subjects that you would like to hear or any good speakers that you can recommend we are always pleased to have them so do give this some thought and contact Sylvia or any member of the committee with your suggestions.
With kind regards
Margaret Burns A/Chair
m.burns112@btinternet.com
IMAGES FROM THE PAST
by Margaret Burns
Looking through copies of old newspapers recently I came across this picture of Colewood Farm in the 1970’s. This has since been converted into several private residences and is often passed by car on the old Thanet Way between Greenhill and Chestfield without a second glance. About 100 years before on 28th September 1885 (which would have been the old Michaelmas Quarter Day marking the end of harvest and traditionally when yearly farm leases finished) an auction of the farm by Cooper and Wacher lists a Sale of Live and Dead Farming Stock and effects as instructed by Mrs Stickings whose lease has expired. The of lists effects include Livestock; 7 active cart horses,2 mares in foal &5 cart colts; implements 4 horse wagons,3 dung carts,2 pairs Yorkshire harrows and many smaller farm tools. Another earlier auction notice dates 25th September 1862 lists the property owned by Mr Thomas Brin. Obviously an old farming site which warrants further research and investigation which could be an interesting project to research.
Our History Group REMEMBERS WW2
In June 6th, 2024, D-day celebrations marking a significant turning point in the WW2 Battle for Europe were held at Herne Centre, ably headed by Herne & Broomfield Parish Council vice-chair Jeremy Wilson. The June 2024 event marked 80 years since the original June 6th 1944 D-day operation.
Our History Society provided a comprehensive display of facts and figures of this and subsequent events, in particular local memories and stories relating to Herne.
In times of wartime food shortages, the Vicar, Rev Giles Daubeney took on responsibility of ensuring children in the parish had enough to eat. He organised a school canteen where children were given a daily hot meal. Food and fresh vegetables were donated by parishioners. Children’s weight was monitored regularly.
In 1941 Herne Knitting Deport provided our 1000 garments including pullovers, mittens and socks, for the Royal Navy, Army, Air Force, not forgetting the local Home Guard. Women’s Voluntary Service provided parcels for all Herne men on the various War Fronts
In the early hours of June 6th - the morning of the D-day invasion, Herne Bay author Will Scott heard from his Hampton home hundreds of bombers flying low, roaring over the town. He took down the blackout from his bedroom window, but although it was just daylight and a full moon, he could only hear and not see the aeroplanes.
Almost a year later May 6, 2025, VE Day – Victory in Europe, was celebrated at Herne’s Centre. Tables were set out in street party style, with tea and cakes on hand. Photos, memories of victory street parties and wartime ephemera were on display for the many visitors. An interesting photograph of the Victory Party gathering at Goldspots, Herne Common was donated by Brian Fishpool – residents were keen to spot themselves in the picture.
As a Schoolboy at the time, Tony recalled being given the day off from school when Victory in Europe was announced; he and his schoolmates “rushing out of the school gates shouting The War Is Over.”
Residents remembered bonfires being lit everywhere – on village greens and bomb sites – hundreds of crowds gathered round them singing and dancing until the early hours of the morning; many stayed out all night.
Broomfield has a Red-Letter Day was the heading in Herne Bay Press May 20th, 1945, highlighting the event held for a children’s VE celebration. Around 215 local children attended the party held in the grounds of the Congregational Church in Hunters Forstal. The event with pony rides and sports competitions and cakes galore was organised by Mr & Mrs Tilley – publicans at The Plough’.
Fast forward to August 15th, 2025, when the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day - Victory Japan Day was commemorated nationally at The National Memorial Arboretum - The Final End Of The Second World War. Described by one reporter as; “Awesome, gruesome, beautiful in equal measure and deeply emotional.”
Sylvia McKean
Reminder for our YEARLY SUBSCRIPTIONs
You should have all had the notification of the proposed increase of our yearly subscriptions which will now be £15 per person, and this is due as from the 1st September. In case you have not already received a membership form one is attached to this newsletter for your use. Thank you all for your support.
Our autumn 2005 MEETINGS are;
September 2nd MY TRIP ALONG THE STOUR one time Blean Woods Warden, Michael Walter takes us on an ‘armchair walk’ to discover wildlife and nature’s sights along the Riverbank
October 7th How The Great War Changed Kent with Remembrance Day in mind, Military Historian Dr Martin Watts explores the connections between Kent and the armed forces and its influences on our county
November 4th Films from our Archives ,including a selection of our archives; plus our AGM
December 2nd Ringing the Bells; St Martin’s Bellringing leaders Keith & Susan Record with help from their team members, demonstrate Handbell Ringing. Hands On for members! With seasonal refreshments.
New Members &Visitors @ £3.00 are welcome. For more information contact Sylvia McKean 01227 281257 smckean22@tiscali.co.uk Herne and Broomfield Local History Group website or find us on Facebook
https://sites.google.com/site/herneandbroomfieldhistory
