236 Hayes Review Winter 2019 by HKVA

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Hayes Village Association Editorial A Happy New Year to all our readers! Our cover is a contrast in terms, depicting as it does memories of communities devastated by WW1, alongside a present day voluntary project designed to promote, strengthen and enhance our very own Hayes community. The ‘True Community Spirit’ article below is also an expression of the latent strength which exists in this and many communities around the country, exemplified by the ways in which they and the nation at large recognised the sacrifices of war and the need to build a better future for all. While the Hayes Fair and Christmas Lights are by now established and increasingly popular annual events thanks to our community minded bands of volunteers, this year will see our very first ‘WOTS ON IN HAYES’ venture, designed to bring the array of Hayes organisations to the attention of their local community. The number and variety of the clubs and societies is impressive and we expect a huge turn-out at Hayes Village Hall on Saturday 4 May from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm. ‘WOTS ON IN HAYES’ is a joint project by HVA and the Rotary Club of West Wickham, building as it does on the success of similar initiatives by the Rotary Club in West Wickham. Our Spring edition will carry full details of the event, supplemented by banners, posters and leaflets nearer the time. So, first date for your 2019 diaries please!

World War One Commemoration In 2014 the Hayes Village Association put on a 4 day exhibition commemorating the start of World War 1, also known as the Great War. What could we do this year to mark the end of the War? I suggested a ‘Poppy Fall’ to be hung on the outside wall of the Village Hall and was given the privilege of carrying this out. The British Legion donated several thousand poppies and nearly 100 old poppies came in from residents. Eventually the drop used over 3,000 poppies.

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 But it did not stop there. Knitted, crocheted, tapestry, felt and craft foam poppies came flooding in and realising that these must be used, two extra collages were created and hung on the Library Gardens railings. The British Legion donated one ‘shadow soldier’ and it was put in the village sign flowerbed, together with crosses naming Hayes residents who did not come home from that War. Members of the Legion also put up the large poppies on lamp posts and trees in so many roads. The Village Association bought the second ‘shadow soldier’ which was placed in the Village Hall gardens. We also created a framed collection of postcards and mauve poppies, remembering the animals used in that war. Remarkably, none of these displays has suffered weather damage and can be used again if stored carefully. Many thanks to you all. Janet Thompson

Footnote: There But Not There The Hayes Free Church Guides held a very successful coffee morning in the Village Hall on 10 November for the ‘There But Not There’ charities and raised over £300 on the morning. They then sold the remaining cakes at their Church Parade on Remembrance Sunday, which brought their total to £400. Well done Guides!

Hayes Trail Booklet Following a second reprint we now have available some further copies of this booklet. This publication details six walks around the historical parts of Hayes in the time of the First World War. It covers the people who lived in the village at that time and particularly those who, sadly, never returned.

Copies are available from charles.wimble@baston.demon.co.uk and cost £5 each.

Trading Places Autumn 2018 has seen quite a few developments in both Hayes Street and Station Approach. In Hayes Street we have lost Daisy Faye but the shop has now been converted to an art gallery, also selling luxury gifts. Further down, Ours, a hair and beauty salon has replaced Images and Lewis Duct Clean have opened in the premises vacated by Lime Studios. We wish all these new establishments every success. In Station Approach, Vapepit has now opened, while the ex Give to Give premises now

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 have a furniture shop raising funds for St Christopher’s and Love My Hound, dog grooming. Gamari, next to Cards 4 All, is now called the Family Café, run by new proprietors. At the top of Station Approach, Traction Rail Electrical Ltd, a firm providing consultancy on large ETE projects in London and the Home Counties, now occupies the former Killick premises, while the ex Shanghai Takeaway has become a Thai restaurant. Good luck to all concerned. Inevitably we still have vacancies in Hayes Street, Station Approach and Chilham Way, but it is encouraging to be able to welcome new concerns to Hayes. Shirley Savage, HVA Local News Co-ordinator

Hayes Village Association Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held in Hayes Village Hall on Thursday 11 April at 8.00 pm when the speaker will be Jeremy Leach, London Campaign Co-ordinator for ‘20's Plenty for Us’. The aim of this campaign is to make our streets safer through more traffic control and speed restrictions.

HVA SnowFriends Now is the time to keep an eye on the Bromley Council website at www.bromley.gov.uk/winter and follow us @BromleySnow on Twitter. According to the Council a small handful of salt is sufficient to treat 1 square metre/yard and each 10kg bag should be enough to treat 100 metres/yards). Please remember that snow must be cleared before using any salt, and try to avoid getting salt on gardens and trees. When there is a forecast of freezing road surface conditions, the gritting crews will be covering priority routes across the Borough and information about which routes will be gritted is available by visiting the above websites. To join HVA SnowFriends visit www.hvasnowfriends.org.uk or text/phone 07775 943407 to register and get your snow shovel and 10kg sack of road salt. Kate Head, Coordinator HVA SnowFriends

Obituaries We are sad to report the loss, towards the end of 2018, of Michael Savage and Peter Cahill, both stalwarts of HVA and the HVA Review. Their obituaries will appear in our Spring 2019 issue.

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 The Trust makes grants in support of people living in Hayes for the following purposes:

• Support for people who are suffering hardship or distress; • Support for people who are sick, convalescent, disabled or infirm; • Support for the aged; • Support for people needing financial assistance to support their education;

• Support for advancement in life; people needing financial assistance to help enter into or develop their role in a trade, profession, occupation or service. The Trust makes grants to individuals, as well as charities and other voluntary organisations based or operating in Hayes. Hayes (Kent) Trust is a local charity registered with the Charity Commission. Registered Charity No. 221098

The Trustees, who are all local people, meet on a regular basis to discuss applications for grants. If you would like to make an application, please write a letter to:The Hon. Secretary Hayes (Kent) Trust c/o The Rectory Hayes Street, Hayes, Bromley, Kent BR2 7LH

The Trust has funds available to support people who live in Hayes and who are in some kind of need.

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Front Garden Competition Thinking of warmer times here are the pictures of the winners in our 2018 front garden competition.

The new Hayes (Kent) Village Association Website We are pleased to announce that the Hayes Village Association now has a brand new website full of new, interesting and up to date articles about Hayes. Please take a look at hkva.org.uk.

Review Copy Deadline The deadline for providing copy to the Editor for the Spring edition of the Review is Tuesday 26 February.

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HAYES VILLAGE HALL HAYES STREET

AT THE CENTRE OF OLD HAYES, NEXT TO THE PARISH CHURCH LARGE HALL WITH GOOD STAGE, TWO SMALLER ROOMS FOR MEETINGS TWO KITCHENS, DISABLED TOILET, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, KERBSIDE PARKING NEARBY AT MOST TIMES Sorry, no weddings no family, teenage or children’s parties. Visit our new website www.hayesvillagehall.org.uk FOR BOOKING DETAILS: Please ring 07760 261568 or email hayesvillagehall@gmail.com

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Community Matters Planning Hayes Street Farm: In June earlier this year Bromley Council turned down the application by Rookery Estates to build 9 houses at Hayes Street Farm. However, Rookery Estates have appealed against this decision. The appeal is being dealt with by means of a Public Inquiry which will start at 10.00 am on Tuesday 30 April 2019 and is expected to last four days. The venue for this public inquiry has yet to be announced. Further details from the Planning Inspectorate are available at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?CaseID=3206947&CoID=0. The Hayes Village Association and many of the residents of Hayes remain totally against this planning application and together we will continue to resist this potential development. Baston House School: The second application for 10 additional classrooms and new parking facilities in the area opposite Redgate Drive has been withdrawn. A new application for a reduced number of classrooms and all parking in the main school area is due to be submitted to Bromley shortly. HVA Planning Committee

Safer Neighbourhood Team Update Dear all, firstly can I start by wishing you a Happy New Year and hope that you had a happy and peaceful Christmas time. The festive period is always a busy one for the police as an unwelcome tradition is a rise in burglaries and shoplifting. We have been working hard to keep this to a minimum and hopefully this will be reflected in the recorded crimes for this period when they are released. As the tail end of the year means the nights draw in and a rise in anti-social behaviour, the team works more late shifts throughout autumn and winter. Halloween and the fireworks period is particularly challenging and we worked alongside our colleagues from West Wickham, Biggin Hill, Darwin, Bromley Common and Keston wards to cover our sector of Bromley.

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 There were a couple of calls to Hayes on Halloween itself in which a number of youths were stopped and searched and items such as eggs and flour were confiscated. We also had a number of calls to the Coney Hall area over the fireworks period and had to deal with a particular group made up from locals of both Coney Hall and Hayes, generally being anti-social and smoking cannabis. Appropriate action has been taken including official warnings for the youths involved. Over this period we also dealt with the discovery of a cannabis factory in some disused public toilets in Biggin Hill. The police attended various fireworks displays in Norman Park, Park Langley and The Warren. It was over the fireworks weekend that tragically a young man lost his life in Penge after being stabbed. Naturally, most of our resources and attention ended up in Penge, helping their local officers deal with the subsequent crime scenes and enquiries over the following week. A large group made up of youths from Orpington, Lewisham and Croydon was also stopped locally. One was discovered to have a knife and cannabis on his person and was subsequently arrested and charged. We will continue to use stop and search tactics where appropriate as it sends out a strong message to those who want to cause trouble. If you are concerned about anti-social behaviour in your area please highlight this to us. We may already be aware of the problems and can update you as to how we are combating this. We also attended a number of Christmas fairs and events across the Ward and it was great to get into the Christmas spirit and see so many people enjoying the festivities such as the Hayes Lights switch on. As winter continues please remember to continue to secure your property. Burglars and thieves love the fact that the nights draw in earlier; it gives them extra cover. Please consider the following:

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Lock all windows and double lock all doors when you go out, even if it is just for a few minutes

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Make your home look occupied: use timer lights and cancel deliveries if you are going away

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Consider installing a burglar alarm and/or security lights: these are good at deterring thieves

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Don’t advertise your goods: always keep valuables like tablets and laptops out of sight from windows and store keys away from the letterbox

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Help police identify your property if stolen by using a property marking kit and taking photos. The Met is currently providing smartwater kits as part of the MetTrace operation. Visit met.police.uk/mettrace for more information. If you are a member of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme there is a discount available

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Consider buying a safe or using other safe storage providers

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Keep gates, sheds and garages locked and don’t leave tools lying around as they can be used to break in

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Keep hedges at the front low and consider installing outdoor lightning so burglars have nowhere to hide

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Consider installing trellises and spiky plants to stop burglars from climbing over fences.

Next month Bromley will be amalgamating with Croydon and Sutton Boroughs. Collectively the Boroughs will be known as South Area. Each Borough will retain its main police station and still have separate response teams operating from them but there will be a greater sharing of resources amongst our Boroughs, including a tasking team to target troubled areas. The Borough Commander in charge of South Area is Chief Superintendent Jeff Boothe and the go-live date for this happening is Monday 4 February. I am also still looking for Neighbourhood watch co-ordinators in the following areas: Leybourne Close; Prickley Wood; Cherry Walk; Bourne Way; Bourne Vale; Shoreham Way; Sackville Avenue; Pittsmead Avenue. Neighbourhood Watch involves getting together with neighbours to make your neighbourhood a safe and better place to live. If you are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch (or joining an existing one), please get in contact. I also wanted to extend a personal thank you to all of you for your help and support throughout 2018. It is a privilege to work this area and interact with such a positive community and I look forward to working with you all through 2019.

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Just a quick reminder that you can â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;phone us on 020 8649 3548, email hayes.coneyhall.snt@met.police.uk or even follow us on Twitter @MPSHayes PCSO 7123PY Adam Lighterness

True Community Spirit Shortly after 7.00 am on a grey September Saturday I arrived at the Village Hall to set up for our planned Garden Working Bee due to start at 10.00 am. To my surprise someone was already there putting a fresh coat of Buckingham Green paint on the front doors. And that was just the start of it. From about 8.00 am onwards people began to arrive, armed with rakes, loppers, forks and spades, wheelbarrows, home-made cakes, and loads and loads of goodwill. By 1.00 pm the rain had settled steadily so we had to call it a day but during the course of our time there approximately 30 people offered their services in some form or another. Members of the public stopped to cheer us on, while others brought back bulbs and plants to fill the large expanses we were clearing. The skip was filled, the brambles gone and the path that no-one even knew was there was revealed.

Before (left) and after (right) photographs By the time we downed tools the whole of the front area was transformed (and a great deal of the back as well thanks to a chainsaw wielding gentleman who took no prisoners as far as brambles and unwanted saplings were concerned).

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More before and after ohotos I should also say here that not all the work was done on the day; people had been very busy beforehand, restoring the bench outside and the noticeboard and, after the event, planting the donated bulbs and plants amongst other things. If ever there was an example of community spirit, Hayes had it in spades that day! It was very humbling and the Hayes Village Hall Management Committee would like to thank everyone who supported us, no matter how small. Pam Anderson, Hall Manager PS. If you are having a clear-out of shrubs, plants or bulbs in the future please consider us; we may be able to use your no longer wanted flora. Thank you.

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Hayes Christmas Lights Dear Christmas Lights Lovers Here is my report, and in the words of the famous 1942 film ‘Went the day well?’, the answer is most definitely ‘Yes’! In many people’s opinion, it was the best and the biggest crowd in memory. The whole week before the event, I keyed up BBC Weather on my iPad and it ended up on Friday as ‘heavy rain’. But were we downhearted? Of course not! Whatever the weather, we were going to have a wonderful time and put on a spectacular show for the expectant band of hardy souls – and the forecast heavy rain held off.

So, first thing on Saturday morning, an intrepid group of our well wrapped-up volunteers arrived at the New Inn. The control gazebo, which was loaned to us by Stevensons Heating, was erected on the front patio/stage area, the lights and sound system were installed, some stalls were put up, Santa’s Grotto was assembled inside the New Inn and the little fairground was positioned next to the Donuts stall. During the morning, mugs of hot tea and coffee were distributed to the cold and damp workforce to ensure they were in peak condition for the afternoon’s stage programme of musical items by our

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 local schools and our new choir end-piece, the ‘Break Away’ WI ‘Kent Gate Cantabile’. All the stage performances were wonderfully executed by the various acts and received resounding applause from the assembled audience who were eagerly awaiting the approach of the Switch-On. Throughout, Santa’s Grotto with his attendants ‘Mrs Christmas’ and ‘Little Elf’, did a roaring trade with a queue of children who had been waiting patiently for a little ‘Ho! Ho! Time’. Now for the Switch-On itself. After a precision timed countdown, this was carried out extremely professionally by the Mayor of Bromley, Cllr. Kim Botting who was ably assisted this year by the united Head Teachers of our local schools. Our ‘Grand Raffle’ of 10 super prizes was then drawn and presented by the Mayor who also awarded the winner’s certificate to ‘Maisie and Frank – Kids Boutique’, judged by us to be ‘The Best Christmassy Dressed and Lit Shop Window in Hayes’. Yet again, big cheers all round.

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 This was now the end of our event and as the happy crowd made their way home (some via the warm bar of the New Inn!), our intrepid band of volunteers set about closing down the sound system, packing up Santa’s Grotto for another year and generally clearing up after what was a truly festive event. The banners at the New Inn and on the Library railings and our kit were taken down and stored in the cellar of the New Inn the following morning, ready for next year’s SwitchOn which is pencilled in for Saturday 23 November 2019 – same time, same place. All this will be under the control of a new chair and committee. As I and some of the committee are stepping down, please think about joining us for this once in a year ‘Make Hayes Happy’ event. A Happy and Peaceful New Year to you all. Roger Vincent-Townend, Ex Chair and MC

Look Around You! While I write this in early December, the panto season is in full swing and will continue at least until the end of January. While some of you will have taken the kids to the Churchill in Bromley, or even further afield to London’s West End offerings, how many will enjoy the more intimate, fun-filled, family orientated and certainly considerably less expensive shows staged by our very own local drama societies in:

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Beckenham – Beckenham Theatre Centre (Mother Goose); St George’s Players (Sleeping Beauty)

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Burnt Ash Lane – Burnt Ash Drama Association (Aladdin)

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Pratts Bottom – Pratts Bottom Dramatic Society (Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves)

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West Wickham – West Wickham Pantomime Society (Robin Hood).

Most of the Borough’s 12 societies perform 3 – 4 productions a year with Beckenham Theatre Centre and Bromley Little Theatre staging around 9 – 11 in their own intimate ‘little theatre’ premises. Most venues are easily accessible by public transport which will allow you to enjoy a drink at their licensed bars and perhaps a pleasant meal beforehand at the many local pubs and restaurants nearby. Local theatre has long been a mainstay in our communities and its presence today as an

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 invaluable activity for old and young alike, whether supporting or taking part, is perhaps more important to our cultural well-being than ever before. Do have a look at www.bromleytheatreguild.org to discover the range of theatrical offerings around you, and make at least one of your New Year resolutions to put your bums on seats – ‘oh yes you will’! Brian McEwan, Ex-chair Bromley Theatre Guild

Coney Hall Cycle Works Cycling has enjoyed a massive growth in interest, uptake and consumer spending over the last 10-15 years: all indices point to this growth accelerating and nowhere less than in the South East. Bicycle shops such as Coney Hall Cycle Works are meeting this demand by chasing two customer bases: Mass Market (BMX/Kids for Xmas, Adults/Kids over the year, repairs, accessories). The ‘Serious Cyclist’ (Racing, MTB bikes and kit, repairs accessories etc) is a market growing at a prodigious rate and continues to do so due to the increasing popularity of cycling as a leisure pursuit, a mode of transport, a holiday activity, a fitness machine and a socialising tool. Coney Hall Cycle Works has endeavoured to meet these demands during the past 5 years at Coney Hall village. The Team: Erik Van Bommel has a wealth of experience and devotion to the activity of cycling, having been involved in selling, racing, importing, repairing, commuting, training, coaching and advocacy for over 30 years. He has owned a bike shop in his native New Zealand and was a Bikeability Instructor with Bromley Borough Council and a coach with British Cycling. John Palfrey is also a cyclist of considerable experience, club rider and well versed in the elite racing circuit through his involvement with the Catford Banks Equipe development team. Previously a practising litigation lawyer with experience of marketing law and finance. He is a firm hand on the tiller of the company.

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Rotary Club of West Wickham At the time of writing (November 2018), we had just started our busy time of fundraising. This began with a Music Quiz attended by over 100 Rotarian and non Rotarians which raised over £2,000 for the End Polio Now campaign, followed by our 24th Annual Firework and Musical Spectacular. This proved to be our best year yet, with an attendance of around 5,000 spectators, and early figures suggest that the amount raised for local charities, community projects and schools will be in the region of £11,000. Still to come are our Christmas Fair and Christmas collections which we have now extended to include collections at railway stations as well as door to door and static collections. 2019 looks to be an exciting time as we have teamed up with the Hayes Village Association (HVA) to promote ‘WOTS ON IN HAYES’. This event will take place on Saturday 4 May at Hayes Village Hall from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm, when local clubs, associations and community groups can get together, to showcase their individual activities, chat with and explain the benefits of membership of their organisation to local residents. A planning group, made up of Rotary and HVA members, has been established and has already begun work on getting the event underway. HVA will be in contact with local clubs etc. about joining in and you will be able to read more about ‘WOTS ON IN HAYES’ in the Spring edition of the Review, the press and on our websites. Both the HVA and Rotary believe that this will be something that truly demonstrates the community spirit that exists in Hayes.

Hidden Hayes 6 There were a number of responses to the mysterious stone reported in the last edition. It has been suggested that its most likely function was part of a stone lawn roller from the early 19th century. Originally it would have had an iron axle and frame and was a common feature in the gardens of the big houses that existed in Hayes.

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Tai Chi & Qigong Learn an Ancient skill from China. Beneficial for posture, balance, Health, relaxation and fun Wednesday mornings 11.15 – 12.15 Hayes Village Hall Tuesday afternoons 2.00—3.00 Thursday evenings 8.15 – 9.15 Hayes Old Church Schools Hall Contact Sylvia on 07729952918 Or sylviajarvis@hotmail.co.uk

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 In a garden in West Common Road there is a similar stone except that it has a socket cut in it. Did this serve the same function or do any readers have another suggestion for its former use? Please let me know at contact@hayeskenthistory.co.uk. Pickhurst Manor Chimneys and Greenhouses Pickhurst Manor was demolished in 1936 and houses in Hayes Hill Road and Courtlands Avenue were built in its grounds. Many rockeries in the area contain pieces from the Manor. One of the chimneys is used as an ornamental plant holder in a garden in Courtlands Avenue. Another, in the grounds of Hayes Free Church, was converted into a sundial.

Part of the wall of the kitchen garden survives and some of the original greenhouses

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 stretch across the back of three gardens in Hayes Hill Road. The Victorian mechanism for ventilation still works. Within this greenhouse remains a very ancient grapevine that in mid November, when this photo was taken, was still bearing large bunches of black grapes. In Courtlands Avenue there is also a very old Bramley Apple tree that crops well. Please let us know of other ancient items in Hayes that may be hidden from public view. Jean Wilson

Hidden Memories . . . the Bridge of Don anti-aircraft batteries . . . claimed the dubious honour of downing one aircraft over the whole period of the war – and a Dyce spitfire at that. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately for the hapless gunners, the pilot survived and made straight for the battery where he treated the lame excuse, that he ‘hadn’t shown the recognition signal for the day’ with the contempt he undoubtably felt it deserved. ‘A Hairst Tae Min’ On’ Brian McEwan Thanks to Jean Wilson whose ‘Hidden Past’ articles and photos, together with all our other regular contributors, so far have enabled the Review to continue publication four times a year. There is a limit however to just how much we can depend on their invaluable contributions to keep our copy levels up. Which is why we invite our readers, their families and friends, to submit some of their own ‘Hidden Memories’ – whether funny, sad, reflective, whatever – towards a regular new series of Review articles. As the above quotation from his book illustrates, your memories can be from anywhere, any time or anybody. We look forward to hearing from you by post to 5 Hartfield Crescent, West Wickham, BR4 9DN or via b.mcewan487@gmail.com. Editor

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Coney Hall Village Residents’ Association – Notes from Coney Hall Village The so called ‘Doomsday Oaks’ lined up along the edge of Wickham Common are not hard to spot but which of them did the Victorian artist John Everett Millais choose for his picture ‘The Proscribed Royalist’? Was it one of those bordering Gates Green Road or perhaps the one further up the ‘cutting’? And how was such a setting spotted and chosen? It is intriguing to speculate. What is known for certain is that Millais, once having found his ideal, wrote,

‘I have a subject I am mad to commence – the ‘Proscribed Royalist’ – and yesterday took lodgings at a delightful inn near a spot exactly suited for the background. I hope to begin painting Tuesday morning and intend working without coming into town at all till it is done. The village is so very far from any railway station that I have no chance of getting to London in rainy weather. My brother is going to live with me part of the time so I shall not be entirely a hermit’. Millais and his brother stayed at the George Inn, Hayes for the duration of the work where they apparently made quite an impression on the Innkeeper, Mr Vidier. It seems the Innkeeper was particularly proud of his signboard, depicting St. George slaying the Dragon, and when it got severely damaged in a storm the Millais brothers painted him a new one. Could it be the one that is displayed today? One can just imagine Millais, maybe accompanied by his brother, setting out each morning, collecting his painting paraphernalia from the Coney Hall farmhouse (where he stowed it each evening), erecting his easel on the Common and commencing work. Did his brother act as the model for the fugitive Royalist crouching inside the hollow oak? And who was the young lady? The original picture is now in the possession of the Lloyd Webber family.

Stella Etheridge, Chair CHVRA

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Local Groups and Societies The Hayes Players In 1974, the homeless Miss Shepherd moved her broken down van into Alan Bennettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden. Deeply eccentric and stubborn to her bones, Miss Shepherd was not an easy tenant. And Bennett, despite inviting her in the first place, was a reluctant landlord. And yet she lived there for fifteen years. The play premiered in 1999, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Dame Maggie Smith who reprised her role in the recent film adaptation. The production will be performed at The Hayes Village Hall, Hayes Street on 20-23 February 2019 at 7.45 pm. Tickets are ÂŁ8 available from the Box Office 07905 210718 or by request to: boxoffice@hayesplayers.org.uk. Mike Ashman, Chair The Hayes Players

Friends of Hayes Common The drive home from work in mid November was incredible. The autumn colours as you turned off the A232 and came down West Common Road were stunning in the evening light. Unfortunately holly does not look very interesting, only rather festive with berries on at Christmas time so we have been back tackling the dense areas and liberating the gorgeous old trees once more. With the incredibly hot and dry summer, it was mid October before we had our first fire of the season. We have been working just off West Common Road and with 30+

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 members turning up each session we have cleared an immense area of holly and laurel so our fires have been quite dramatic. Ian from Idverde arranged an extra session so we could get rid of the vast quantities we had removed and has also invited the Bromley Countryside Volunteers to come to winch and tree-pop many of the roots as we realise from past efforts treating the stumps doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really work as the holly just springs out like a bush so if we can actually get as many roots out of the ground we may be able to keep the areas clearer for longer.

We had hoped a lot of the trunks would be taken to a Biomass project in Sandwich but unfortunately this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem likely so we continue to build wood piles for insects and small creatures. Future projects include tackling the gorse on the heathland towards Keston and tidying up areas round the car parks plus litter picking whenever we can. As I write, we are all looking forward to our Christmas mulled wine and mince pies to

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 round off a very successful and productive year and thank all the locals for their continued support and encouragement. The Common remains an incredibly special place and if you would like to get involved with our group which meets every other Tuesday morning, please email our secretary Ian Thomas at ithomas12@compuserve.com. Clare Britton, FoHC

Friends of Hayes Parks The FoHP continued a summer programme of weeding flower beds in the Library Gardens, pruning and dead heading of shrubs and flowers. This was made more difficult by the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to have the gates to the Knoll locked for a whole week to prevent incursion into the park. The travellers who had caused problems Borough wide had by then moved on. Access was however gained to the Knoll during that week to allow the FoHP, with much appreciated help from the Friends of Hayes Common, to clear leaves, wood and rubbish from the ponds in the Knoll and Husseywell, the most significant find being an adultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bicycle dredged up from the depths; no gold ingots or handguns found this time. Litter picking has as ever been carried out by the FoHP (a continuous job) and we know that many of you also anonymously help by picking up litter. One such helper is Ian Thomas and our thanks to Ian and all those silent helpers who keep the parks so clean and tidy. The rest of the summer and early autumn have been spent cutting back bamboo, nettles and brambles, clearing paths and removing grass encroaching on pathways. Drainage ditches have been cleared and the pathway behind the ponds in the Knoll afford different views across your lovely park, do makes sure you walk these paths.

Friends of Pickhurst Park and Green (FoPP) Following the departure of the caravans from Pickhurst Green and things returning to normal, the long dry days of summer continued. Brambles, nettles and hedges all seemed to grow despite the dry weather and the FoPP with continued great support from the Friends of Hayes Common carried out a programme of cutting back and clearing the Green and the lane across the Green to Rose Cottage and beyond. The dry

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 weather gave a great opportunity to clear wood and refuse from the pond adjacent to the lane and tidy up drainage ditches feeding it. Paths were cleared in the Park and in Cupola Wood as was the main drainage ditch down the northern side of the Green.

In autumn the lovely colours of the trees are a sight to behold and already leaf clearance from paths through the woods on the Green and in the Park has been started by the FoPP. The Park and Green are used by many during the day and litter picking by the FoPP continues. These areas are used late into the evening and night by dog

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 walkers. Beware for after dark you may encounter the elusive badger, the cunning foxes and all manner of unearthly things. It was reported that two young men running away at the Links Road exit were heard to be shouting about an apparition seen in the lane that October evening of some 30 or so Girl Guides, soft footed, emerging from the evening mist. Was this too much magic dust in their smokes or something more sinister, ghosts perhaps from the long ago times of Longcroft, Pickhurst Mead and Pickhurst Manor. So if you want to see the lovely Park and Green, do it by day and see the wonderful lovely colours across the seasons. Debbie Palmer, FoHP

Hayes Horticultural Society Gardening notes – January to April 2019 Writing this at the end of a soggy and distinctly cold late November day, it is easy to assume there’s very little to do in the garden in January – bar waiting for spring. Not so. You can begin by shredding the Christmas trees for mulching, start forcing rhubarb and plan the vegetable crop rotations for the coming season. Oh yes, and get rid of worm casts. Come February, prepare vegetable seed beds and, along with wisteria, prune any winter flowering shrubs that have finished flowering. Don’t forget too, to divide the likes of snowdrops. Hopefully mid-March will come up with some frequent sunny days. If so, protect new spring shoots from slugs, divide overgrown clumps of perennials and plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes. You could even mow the lawn, but please don’t shave; just use a high setting.

Don’t even try if the ground is very soft, or during spells of cold, drying winds. As for April, protect fruit blossom from late frosts. Sow new lawns or repair bare patches; likewise hardy annuals. Finally, if you’ve stored vegetables and fruit for winter, especially potatoes and apples, watch out for rot. And don’t forget to firm down the roots of roses and shrubs. Winter winds can play havoc. Happy New Gardening Year whatever the winter and climate change has in store for us! John Ruler Vice President, Hayes Horticultural Society

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236

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HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Royal British Legion Defibrillator The RBL have placed a defibrillator outside their premises in Station Hill.

More photographs of the poppy falls.

What’s On All events take place in the Village Hall unless listed otherwise

Regular Events Group 88 Social group for over 60s

Every Monday 8.00 – 10.00 pm (with weekend events) Rosary Church Hall

Wickham Wanderers Bridge Club Every Monday 7.15 pm – 10.30 pm Old Church Schools

Activities Group for the Elderly

Every Tuesday 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm Hayes Free Church

Hayes Men’s Fellowship

1st Wednesday of the month 2.30 pm Old Church Schools

Hayes Over 60s Club

Every Thursday 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm

Hayes (Kent) Flower Club

2nd Friday of the month (not Aug & Dec) 2.00 pm

Hayes Library Opening Hours

Tuesdays and Fridays: 9.30 am – 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm Saturdays: 9.30 am – 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236 Other Events For more details of HVA events go to www.hkva.org.uk Date

Group

Title

Time

Wed 23 Jan

Hayes (Kent) Evening Townswomen’s Guild

Members Evening Rosary Church Hall

Sat 26 Jan

Safer Neighbourhood Team

Drop-In Surgery – Java Chai Tea Rooms, Station Approach

10.00 – 11.00 am

Mon 28 Jan

Safer Neighbourhood Team

Drop-In Surgery – SJ’s Croydon Road, Coney Hall

10.00 – 11.00 am

Sat 2 Feb

Safer Neighbourhood Team

Drop-In Surgery – Fair Acres Estate Manager’s Office Lemare Lodge, Bromley

Wed 6 Feb

Hayes (Kent) WI Highs and Lows of a Stunt Woman 10.00 am Please note: No meeting in Jan Rosary Church Hall and change of meeting venue

7.45 pm

2.00 – 4.00 pm

Thur 14 Feb Hayes Horticultural Society

Annual General Meeting

8.00 pm

Wed 20 – Sat 23 Feb

The Lady in the Van

7.45 pm

Wed 27 Feb Hayes (Kent) Evening Townswomen’s Guild

Blue Plaque – Gerry Dowlen Rosary Church Hall

7.45 pm

Wed 6 Mar

Hayes (Kent) WI

Ups and Downs of a Wedding Photographer, Rosary Church Hall

Sat 9 Mar

Hayes Horticultural Society

Quiz Night

Wed 3 Apr

Hayes (Kent) WI

Flower Arrangement Demo

Sat 6 Apr

Hayes Horticultural Society

Spring Flower Show

2.30 pm

Thur 11 Apr Hayes Village Association

Annual General Meeting

8.00 pm

Sat 13 Apr

Hayes Village Association

Easter Egg Hunt – Library Gardens 12.00 pm

Sat 4 May

Hayes Village Association

Wot’s On in Hayes

The Hayes Players

10.00 am 7.45 pm 10.00 am

10.00 am

HAYES (KENT) VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Founded 1933 Principal Officers 2018 – 2019 Chair C Wimble 020 8462 0771 Secretary D Taylor 020 8462 4664 Treasurer G Jaynes 020 8462 2967 46 020 8462 4133 Advertising S Howe 020 8462 7331 Membership C Wimble 020 8462 0771 Editor B McEwan

HAYES REVIEW Winter 2019 No 236

All articles in the Review are copyright and do not necessarily represent the views of the HVA, nor does the advertising of goods and services in the Review imply any endorsement of those goods and services by HVA. Hayes Quarterly Review. Published by Hayes (Kent) Village Association, 5 Hartfield Crescent, West Wickham BR4 9DN Printed by Imprint, 48tel 07538 434 496