EXTRACTS FROM BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
No 150 October and November 2009.

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SOCIETY EVENTS	FRIENDS OF ST. LEONARDS CHURCH	TOWN AND AROUND
PLANNING MATTERS	SOCIAL HISTORY	HELP WANTED

SOCIETY EVENTS.

Our Patron, The Lord Boyce, has recently taken up Chairmanship of the R.N.L.I. Presenting the Awards at his first AGM in May he said “I find the RNLI’s fundraising and operational volunteers awe inspiring because they are so committed to saving lives at sea, whatever their role.”
The Lord Boyce will be addressing our Annual Lunch on 24th October. Although fully booked Doug Amans (269847) has a list in case of cancellations.
Our Winter evening talks resume on Tuesday 13th October with “The Maunsell Sea Forts in the Thames Estuary” given by Frank Turner. Like our local listening dishes, the sea forts are a fine example of the ingenuity produced by our people when threatened with attack. Though now derelict, they rank with Dover Castle and the Military Canal in the list of Kent’s historic relics of England’s defences. “The Red Dean of Canterbury: Hewlett Johnson and the Russian Connection” by Prof. Dr John Butler on the 27th October. Through his unwavering support for communism and the regimes of Stalin and Mao, Hewlett Johnson, Dean of Canterbury from 1931 to 1963, was one of the most famous, and infamous, churchmen of the 20th century. Our speaker is a guide at Canterbury Cathedral and is writing a book about Johnson, so is well placed to give us a special insight into the man’s life and influence
On 10th November Dennis Pearson who was Manager of Eldridges for many years is giving a talk called “Bedclothes and Bloomers” about an earlier assignment in the Midlands. On 24th November Bob Brisley, a member of the audio-visual group at Folkestone Camera Club, takes us “Around the World in 45 Minutes” including Marrakesh, Venice, Santorini, Kerala, Hong Kong and Mt. Everest
Trees: At our 2009 AGM Alan Joyce mentioned that he was trying to obtain funding for the replacement of 5 trees that were vandalised 3 years ago at the junction of Wakefield And Lucy’s Walk. Discussions with the SDC Arboricultural Officer have resulted in the trees being replaced by Shepway and they have also replaced seven others in Wakefield Walk which had also been suffering the effects of sea spray. They have been replaced by Strawberry Trees (Arbutus) which are better able to withstand the conditions.
At the AGM Alan also said that no cases of the Horse Chestnut canker have been reported in the Hythe area although one large tree behind Tynwald Nursing Home will have to be removed due to another disease. The Forest Research Commission, which has been monitoring the Chestnuts along the Canal Bank, has made great strides in understanding this condition and hope that a treatment is not too far off. However should anyone spot a possible case please report it to Dave Sephton at SDC.
A number of residents have criticised the timing of the clearances on the north side of the Canal Bank near Red Lion Square for its affects on wildlife, particularly insects and nesting birds. Alan has discussed it with SDC, who recognise that it was perhaps not the right time. However the team did carry out a risk assessment to reduce the risks. It was unfortunate that due to lack of resources they had to prioritise. The work has stopped for the moment and they will resume removing any dead or dying trees in the Autumn. A number of specimen trees along that stretch were being overshadowed by the self seeded trees so some benefits should result.

Alan has been contacted by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers who in turn have been contacted by a William Moreno for the Kent Biodiversity Action Partnership who are involved in a project to identify any publicly accessible ancient or veteran trees in the Shepway area. There is no specific definition of either an ancient or a veteran tree. However this may be of help:
Ancient trees: Usually in the 3rd or final stage of their life, characterised by a very large girth with a diameter at breast height of from more than 1 metre (Girth 3.2m) to over 2 metres (Girth 6.25m); a hollow or hollowing trunk or a large quantity of dead wood in the canopy.
Veteran trees: Usually in the 2nd or mature stage of life and have important wildlife and habitat features, including hollowing or associated decay fungi, holes, wounds and large dead branches. It will generally include old trees, but also younger trees where premature aging characteristics are present.
If any are identified please contact Alan (267085).

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FRIENDS OF ST. LEONARDS CHURCH

On Saturday 10th October at 7.30pm Dr David Flood, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Canterbury Cathedral, will give an organ recital in the church. On Saturday 7th November at 7.30pm Christopher Lee Guild, a final-year student at the Royal College of Music and already a prize-winning and experienced recitalist, will perform works by Beethoven, Chopin and Scriabin. Tickets for these events will be available from Brandon’s Music Shop, 55 High Street, Hythe or can be obtained at the church door (admission free for those under 18 in full-time education). The final event in this year’s programme of concerts organised by the Friends of St Leonard’s Church will be ‘Carols for All’ on Saturday 19th December at 7.30pm, when the St Leonard’s Church choirs and the Shepway Singers will provide a rousing contribution to the festive season.

Do support these events and encourage your friends to attend also.  For more information about these events or how to become a member of the Friends of St Leonard’s Church please contact Mrs Gill Roffey: telephone 01303 263739 or e-mail

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TOWN AND AROUND.

Painted Ladies.  Dr John Woodward writes: “while there was no doubt a fine display by decorative ladies strolling to the sea by Ladies’ Walk at the Golden Jubilee of George III in 1812, in 2009 there has been another gathering of painted ladies – this time butterflies migrating from France to our shores.
Arrivals started on the 24th May and soon became national news as butterflies have had a hard time in recent years. There were 20 in my garden on May 28th and they have continued to delight us all summer. There were nine on the buddleia on July 22nd. The earlier arrivals will have bred and their larvae will pupate and hatch and brighten our land in the autumn.
The butterflies actually came from far south in Europe – some even from North Africa and these will have flown more than 800 miles to reach us. They will not survive our winter unless they return to the south, but hopefully a new generation will come to enchant us next spring.”

Hythe Venetian Fete 2009 – This event has been widely reported elsewhere but we learn that it was one of the most successful in its long history, attracting an audience of over 13,000; it culminated in a spectacular firework display and benefited from one of the most beautiful day’s weather this year. Our congratulations to all the organisers and helpers for producing another outstanding event!

Eaton Lands. As reported in Newsletters 144 and 146-8, an impressive amount of work has been carried out, making the area much more accessible. It has recently been completed by the installation of five information panels, each showing a map with inserts explaining the features and items of interest, and way-markers to guide new visitors.
The project was spurred by the success of Hythe Town Council’s application for a grant of Lottery funds via the BBC Breathing Places scheme in 2008. The award of £9300 was augmented by £3200 from HTC, £2000 from SDC’s Community Chest, £1536 from the Phillips Trust and £200 from this Society, making a total of £16,033. Compliments are due to Town Clerk Judith McCormick and her staff and Alan Joyce for their fundraising efforts.
The cost of the work can be summarised as follows:

Much credit is due to all the many contributors to the work: Owen Leyshon and his team from the Romney Marsh and White Cliffs Countryside Projects, Steven Stewart and his team from the Life Skills project, Folkestone, Town Councillors and volunteers, many from our membership, who turned up whatever the task and whatever the weather. Pupils from Palmarsh, Seabrook and St. Augustine’s primary schools also contributed.
The improvements made to this valued Town amenity represent a great community effort and HCS are pleased to have played their part.

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SOCIAL HISTORY

Charles James Fox is the subject of the very large portrait hanging in the Town Hall and visitors (and residents) taking one of our Town Walks often ask about his connection with Hythe. The short answer is “none”! The painting was donated to Hythe by Stewart Marjoribanks who, from1820 to 1837 was one of the town’s two M.P.‘s (yes, we were a “rotten borough” once!). Given its size it is unsurprising that the M.P. had nowhere convenient to hang it in his parlour so he passed it on to his electors who proudly display it to this day. However it is hardly unique as the National Portrait Gallery lists no less than 281 paintings that feature this gentleman! In spite of apparently spending so much of his time sitting in front of an easel he managed to have an extremely full and colourful life. Descended from King Charles II he was born in 1745 with impeccable political connections and entered Parliament as member for Midhurst at the tender age of 19. At twenty-one he was the Junior Lord of the Admiralty and at 23 became Lord of the Treasury. A couple of years later his father had to pay off his gambling debts totalling the equivalent of £12 million (yes – Millions!) in today’s money! He was described by Horace Walpole as “dissipated, dissolute and idle beyond measure” but that did not prevent him being re-elected as M.P. – this time for Westminster and his political career went from strength to strength, eventually becoming Foreign Secretary under Lord Grenville while supporting such controversial folk" as the American colonists, the French revolutionaries, Catholics generally and the anti-slavery campaigners. Dying of liver failure at 57 he was buried in Westminster Abbey next to his bitter political enemy, Wm. Pitt! Quite a colourful character!
Editor: I know this is a pretty tenuous link to Hythe but if any of your visitors should ask about the portrait you can now astound them with your knowledge! Also, by the way, a “Charles James Fox” is Cockney rhyming slang for a theatre box – please don’t ask why!
The Mill and Mrs Keppel. When the old Queen died in January 1901, someone wrote “It was like lifting a paper weight in a draughty room”. Then was the Edwardian Age born, and The Metropole and soon after The Grand were in time and of a character to provide it with the luxury and un-stuffy elegance it demanded. It very nearly was the Albert-Edwardian Age, for she had determined Bertie was to be Britain’s first double barrelled monarch – she even proposed ALL her descendants in the immediate royal line were to be called Albert or Victoria for evermore; it was an act of astonishing boldness when he stated to his first Privy Council he would be simply Edward - tout court.
The Grand Hotel Website will tell you that when he opened the new Ballroom in the Grand in 1909, King Edward danced first with his Queen and then with Mrs Keppel. It may be so, but it has long been an article of faith among our local guides that though the King lived in appropriate state himself, his mistress lived in the Mill House in Horn Street. That building has for some years deteriorated by neglect and vandalism, and we have followed its fortunes in the NL, and written many letters to SDC to have repairs put in hand. Recently, fortunately, it has been made habitable once more, and work is going on apparently to remove the protective wall in front of it which masked the lower front windows. We shall be interested to see what replaces it. For all that has been done, frankly, it still does not look quite the scene for a royal mistress.
Is there any real proof she stayed there? An early photograph shows it in a charmingly rural setting in the quiet traffic-free road, with a pretty girl in ringlets and long dress playing with a hoop outside, but it must be said to lack prestige. Did the King’s Chauffeur and Mr Stamper, his engineer, really wait for him on the Leas as he descended the elegant steps of The Grand, and convey him thither (at a law-breaking 20 mph) in his very well-known claret Daimler? All the King’s cars were claret in colour, had a 4 key bugle horn, the royal arms on the door, and no number plates. Such a vehicle parked outside the Mill House throughout a summer’s afternoon was hardly a discreet visitation! M.Umbers

Archives Also received is a gift from long-time HCS Member Barbara Newton, of old maps, Annual Trade Guides, and photographs. It is part of the role of HCS to preserve records such as these, and we urge any society or individual with photographs or letters or other documents to pass them to us as a resource for future historians.

Roll of Honour, 1914 - 1918 Local historian, Denise Rayner, has petitioned the HTC P&W Committee to ensure that the Roll of Honour Board from the former Junior School is preserved and appropriately displayed in remembrance of the very large number of former pupils who perished in the First World War. She has kindly permitted us to reproduce the presentation that she made to the Committee:
“Throughout the life of St-Leonard's C.E. Junior School, the Roll of Honour of boys and staff killed in action during World War I was a familiar sight high on the "bell wall": so familiar that most children probably took it for granted. In recent years the room served as entrance hall and office, but earlier pupils knew it as one of a pair of classrooms separated by a movable screen bearing "Manners Maketh Man" on one side and "Be Prepared" on the other.
However, before the upheaval caused by a second World War in 1939, the classrooms facing St.Leonard's Road were occupied solely by the boys of the Hythe National (i.e. Church of England) Schools, the girls' school being housed in the Portland Road classrooms. (The infants had had their separate school on the site since 1907.)
The Honours Board bears the names of 79 "old boys" and two masters. It was unveiled and dedicated on 26th January, 1921, present and past pupils meeting the cost. The War Memorial in The Grove was dedicated in July of that year, but not all of the boys' names appear there. Most would have left school at 14 (or younger), and in the intervening years some families had left the town; but the school still remembered its former pupils.
The two teachers killed were W.A.H. Dennett and T.E. Harlow. The latter was a newcomer to the school, joining the staff in July 1915 and leaving to enlist in January 1916. The former, though, was well established in both school and town. William Dennett joined the school in September 1911 in his early twenties, and soon became popular as footballer and scoutmaster. On 1st August, 1914, he marched the Hythe Scouts to camp at Ruckinge; three days later Mrs. C.R. Thomas, mother of one of the scouts, cycled to Ruckinge to tell him that England had declared war on Germany. He promptly struck camp and marched the boys back to Hythe. Before the new term started in September he had enlisted in The Buffs as a private (though offered a commission). He was soon promoted to sergeant, and on 22nd June, 1915, was killed in the trenches in Flanders.
After the war the Hythe Scouts needed better accommodation, and in April 1921 their new meeting-place was opened and dedicated as The Dennett Hut. The Mayor (Councillor C.D. Twopenny), formerly District Commissioner, provided the money to buy a hut, and much of the refurbishing was done by the boys themselves. The Kent Education Committee owned a strip of land just off The Green, where it was hoped one day to build a new senior school, and this was the site chosen for the hut. Extensive improvements were made to the hut in 1927, and it was not until after the end of World War II that school buildings replaced it. Following the 1944 Education Act, an annexe to the Hythe C.E. Girls' Secondary School was temporarily established there. Now, of course, the juniors and the infants have combined to form Hythe Bay C.E. Primary School - which seems a fitting place for the Honours Board to rest”.
Miss Rayner also writes to us “The story of education in Hythe during World War II might bring back a few memories. I think the Civic Society has reminiscences of one or two children who went to Wales, but I don't recall any from those who went elsewhere. Are you interested? I should welcome additional information, for the time when I reach W.W.II in my writing. It would also be interesting to learn if any of the St.Leonard's pupils were told the history of the Honours Board. I am sure I wasn't - but we did have another World War going on at the time! Miss Rayner can be contacted via the Society website -

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HELP WANTED

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