PAULCRAMPTON’SCANTERBURY Post-war clearance of slums gets under way

Contact: Room B119 Canterbury College, New Dover Road, Canterbury CT1 3AJ 01227 475985 Email: kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk

In 1938, Canterbury’s co-ordinated slum clearance scheme was halted because of the impending war. The final properties to come down were in New Ruttington Lane. Because of the post-war housing shortage, the program wasn’t picked up again until 1958. Then, it was decided to pick it up again precisely where it was left off. Therefore, both sides of New Ruttington Lane were scheduled for demolition, together with the north side of Union Street. This allowed for an entire block to be freed for redevelopment, before moving on to the next adjacent area. The first picture shows the backs of properties on the south side of New Ruttington Lane. It was taken in 1958, just off Union Place. The two annotated references to numbers 15 and 18 refer to house owners who had filed an objection to the compulsory purchase order. Such appeals almost never succeeded. The second photo shows demolition well under way, in early 1959, on the north side of Union Street. These properties would have been back to back with those in the first picture. When this first tranche of clearance was completed, the northern side of Union Street was used to widen the road. This allowed the A28 to be diverted away from The Borough and Palace Street. In addition, Tobin’s garage was built on the smaller block between Union Place and Northgate. The remaining, far larger, plot was then used for a mixed scheme of council housing.

Broad Oak

Correspondent: Barb Dice, 6 Pleydell Crescent, Sturry, Canterbury, CT2 0LQ Mob: 07421 029548 Tel: 01227 710218 Quiz: Sturry cricket club are hosting a quiz at the Chislet Colliery Welfare Club, March 23, 7.30pm for a prompt 8pm start. Bring own food. £5 per person. A popular event, contact Dave Hards 01227 713894.

Chartham

Correspondent: Nan Akehurst, Swan Haven, Rattington Street, Chartham, CT4 7JQ Royal British Legion: Meeting, village hall, March 7, 7.30-9.30pm. Chartham Vineyard: March 9, 11am, the vineyard gallery will host an exhibition of paintings by Canterbury Art Society and photographs by Andy Goodenough. The exhibition will be open every Saturday, 10.30am-5.30pm until Saturday April 13. On April 20 the gallery opens to an exhibition by Liam Thompson featuring pictures of Venice. Chartham Gardeners: Next meeting, March 14, 7.30pm, village hall. Speaker Miss M Morris ‘House Plants and Air Plants’. Chartham Social Film Club: March 15, 7pm for 7.30pm, village hall ‘The Time of Their Lives’. Chartham Parish Council: At the last meeting the council agreed to work with Highways and other parties to improve condition on the A28 and make it a safer road. The council requested that Beech Avenue be included in the gritting schedule. Work is to be carried out on the St. Augustine’s play areas. Next meeting, March 12, village hall. Chartham Fete: Last year the fete made £3,923 and gave donations to selected clubs, societies, charities and organisations. Next fete will be September 1. Coffee & Cake Concert: Saturday March 16, 10.15am, St. Mary’s Church. Entertainment from Adrian Jellybaby Adams. £3 entry. St. Mary’s Light Lunch: Thursday March 28, 12 for 12.30pm. £6. Booking is essential, phone Pippa Kiss 01227 732016 or Julia Power 01227 731981. Post Box: Shalmsford Street post box, a new box has been installed outside Harry’s Newsagents. Money Raised: The Shop on the Green raised £25.87 for Harmony Therapy Trust. Cork Recycling: Chartham Vineyard is collecting used corks to send to Recorked UK, bring them in whilst the vineyard is open on a Saturday. Pie & Mash: A new van is visiting and is run by Anna, it will visit, March 25. Pre-order by calling Anna 07867 794548. Chartham W.I: Next meeting, March 21, 7 for 7.30pm, village hall. The speaker will be Dick Bolton ‘The Arts and Crafts of William Morris’. Coco’s Horse Rescue Evening: Saturday March 30, village hall, 7-11.30pm. Adjacent 2 and disco, fancy dress optional. Raffle and prizes. Bring your own food and drink, although juice, tea, coffee and nibbles are provided. £10 per ticket. To reserve your table contact Tanya Manning and leave a message 01227 733866. St. Mary’s Ladies Group: Next meeting, March 18, 2-4pm.

Chartham Hatch

Correspondent: Mike Bantin Mob: 07803 175384 Tel: 01227 733585 mikebantin@outlook.com Lighthearted Quiz Night: Thursday March 7, 8.20pm, village hall. £1 entry and no prize whatsoever except the glory of winning. Bring whatever you wish to drink and nibble. Team size irrelevant as unique scoring system levels the playing field.

Chestfield/ Swalecliffe

Correspondent: Deborah Johnson kentishmaid58@btopenworld.com Swalecliffe Local Library: Everyone is welcome at Swalecliffe Library which is open on six days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-1pm and 2-6pm; Wednesday and Saturday 9am-1pm. If you are unable to visit the library due to health or other reasons, you may be eligible for our Home Library Service where one of our friendly volunteers can deliver library books to your home.please do drop in and if you have any queries just ask one of the library staff, email swalecliffelibrary@kent.gov. uk or call 03000 413131. St John’s Church: New Begin-