Swanley History Group – April 2016 meeting
Esme loves her maps – and members and visitors attending the April meeting of Swanley History Group enjoyed seeing them too at her photographic presentation featuring the Ruxley, Birchwood and White Oak areas of Swanley.
The earliest map shown was produced in 1586, during the reign of Elizabeth I. It was interesting to see the spelling of local areas – Rookesley, Byrchen Wood, and Dartfoorde for example. Other maps followed, indicating the route of the toll road between London and Hythe, then a busy port, which traversed through open countryside, now our town of Swanley. Toll roads were a much safer option for travellers. There were gates along the toll road where the tolls were collected. The first toll gate was somewhere east of the village of Foots Cray at Ruxley and from 1741 there was a weighing machine for over-weight wagons nearby. Tolls were exempt for The Royal Mail; soldiers with baggage going to the coast; vagrants being returned to their parishes of origin; movement of road repair materials and people going to church on Sundays. Some milestones still exist and defacing one was a serious offence – a fine of 40 shillings or imprisonment of one month was the punishment.
Photographs of the area of Birchwood were of great interest. Esme thought there might have been a gibbet there but has not found evidence to date. Nearby Stonehill Green Farm and Hextable House both date from 1500’s. The Hunt once assembled at The Bull, which over time also provided accommodation as coaching inn; a meeting place; a sales venue; training quarters for pugilists and more recently nightclubs called Hickory’s and Deja Vu. Does anyone remember going to disco nights there on Sundays back in the 1960’s?
The imposing buildings of White Oak Hospital produced much comment from our audience. Built on a 49 acre site at Garrolds Heath and opened in 1903 by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, children with serious eye conditions causing blindness were treated and educated. There were photographs of some of the thirty cottages, school buildings, staff accommodation and the laundry to admire. All that remains today of this imposing institution is the boarded-up Woodlands and the wrought iron gates.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 3 May when ‘The History of Parkwood’ will be presented by Esme Hodge - 7.15pm for 7.30 pm start, at White Oak Indoor Bowls Centre, Garrolds Close, off Hilda May Avenue, Swanley, BR8 7BF. For further information – www.swanleyhistorygroup.weebly.com, telephone Terry on 07884493894 Or Email swanleyhistorygroup@hotmail.co.uk
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser
Esme loves her maps – and members and visitors attending the April meeting of Swanley History Group enjoyed seeing them too at her photographic presentation featuring the Ruxley, Birchwood and White Oak areas of Swanley.
The earliest map shown was produced in 1586, during the reign of Elizabeth I. It was interesting to see the spelling of local areas – Rookesley, Byrchen Wood, and Dartfoorde for example. Other maps followed, indicating the route of the toll road between London and Hythe, then a busy port, which traversed through open countryside, now our town of Swanley. Toll roads were a much safer option for travellers. There were gates along the toll road where the tolls were collected. The first toll gate was somewhere east of the village of Foots Cray at Ruxley and from 1741 there was a weighing machine for over-weight wagons nearby. Tolls were exempt for The Royal Mail; soldiers with baggage going to the coast; vagrants being returned to their parishes of origin; movement of road repair materials and people going to church on Sundays. Some milestones still exist and defacing one was a serious offence – a fine of 40 shillings or imprisonment of one month was the punishment.
Photographs of the area of Birchwood were of great interest. Esme thought there might have been a gibbet there but has not found evidence to date. Nearby Stonehill Green Farm and Hextable House both date from 1500’s. The Hunt once assembled at The Bull, which over time also provided accommodation as coaching inn; a meeting place; a sales venue; training quarters for pugilists and more recently nightclubs called Hickory’s and Deja Vu. Does anyone remember going to disco nights there on Sundays back in the 1960’s?
The imposing buildings of White Oak Hospital produced much comment from our audience. Built on a 49 acre site at Garrolds Heath and opened in 1903 by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, children with serious eye conditions causing blindness were treated and educated. There were photographs of some of the thirty cottages, school buildings, staff accommodation and the laundry to admire. All that remains today of this imposing institution is the boarded-up Woodlands and the wrought iron gates.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 3 May when ‘The History of Parkwood’ will be presented by Esme Hodge - 7.15pm for 7.30 pm start, at White Oak Indoor Bowls Centre, Garrolds Close, off Hilda May Avenue, Swanley, BR8 7BF. For further information – www.swanleyhistorygroup.weebly.com, telephone Terry on 07884493894 Or Email swanleyhistorygroup@hotmail.co.uk
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser