Researching and writing about local history can be rewarding, as publication often leads to new information being forthcoming. This can help develop the body of knowledge. However, in some cases, it results in mistakes being identified. Further, I cannot pretend that errors have not been made by myself in interpreting events or dates. I do not try to sweep these under the carpet and will incorporate necessary changes within further editions / reprints. The following have come to light do date:
Nanny Goat Island
Page 30
This relates the story of a bulk cargo ship carrying coal breaking its back just off the Ness just after the end of WWII and is identified as being possibly the Nurturian.
Since publication I have ascertained that the post-WWII incident was a relatively small event involving the loss of a cargo of coal.
The more major incident took place in January 1931 and the vessel concerned was named the Nurtureton. This resulted in the whole beach turning black and the local coal merchant did suffer as a consequence
New Playground of Kent
Pages 51 & 52
The picture of a beach scene at Littlestone on page 51 is captioned as being from “around 1930”. It has been pointed out that postcards showing this scene are postmarked between 1907 – 1920, and I fully accept that this is probably from around 1907. The photograph that was originally to be used on this page showed a similar scene but was changed at publication stage for the one shown, as it was better quality. Unfortunately, the caption was not changed; the fault is entirely mine.
The scene has changed little in the intervening period, however – the main difference being the period dress of the holidaymakers.
This picture also shows evidence of a bathing machine; and the picture on page 52 shows four such machines. A number of people have suggested to me that this cannot be from c1931 (as depicted), and there are certainly similar photographs in other publications which show earlier dates.
Without having access to information such as postmarks (although I am unsure that this particular picture is from a postcard) it is difficult to be dogmatic. I suspect that some sources may have derived a date from the common perception that bathing machines were extinct by 1920.
Yet this is not the case: in many locations they were retained as places for changing into beachwear (and when a new by-law was introduced at Littlestone relating to public decency in 1934, one of the categories of acceptable changing accommodation was “bathing machine”).
Whilst within this picture it would appear that two of the machines may have been in use (ie near to the water), there is anecdotal evidence of their use in the 1930s by some of the more staid members of Littlestone society; and there is firmer evidence of bathing machines being used elsewhere on the coast as late as 1938. Further, some local children were known to drag them along the beach and play with them even when they had been taken out of commission.
The 1931 date is taken from a similar photograph in my family’s collection which is in an album covering the period 1930-32, but I acknowledge that it may not be fully accurate. The only definite indicators within the photo are the drinking fountain and fact that there are four machines (rather than three).
The first would only date it to post-1897; and the second to (probably) post-1910, so this is not a great deal of help (NB – I am continuing to research the issue of bathing machines at Littlestone in more depth). Whatever the provenance of this particular photo, the scene depicted is one that also probably changed little from WWI to the early 1930s.
The Hagley Wood Tree Murder
p234-5 An Express & Star obituary of Wilfred Byford Jones has since come to light. However, it does not reference his prominent role in the reporting of the Hagley Wood murder. Subsequent editions have been amended.
On the Level
p113 In early editions of the book, the left hand photo at the bottom of the page is not as per the caption. Photos from an archive unfortunately became transposed, and this actually shows a “cap” from one of the former Martello towers.
A Different Kind of Brotherhood
Chapter 3
There has been some debate over when Maxfield Manor was purchased by the Brisco family, confusion having arisen from the family’s reluctance to choose different names for their male offspring. Some further information has come to light supporting that this did form part of Julia Evelyn Medley’s dowry, and that the subsequent sale took place in 1875. However, there are still some suggestions that this transfer could have taken place at around the time that Wastel Brisco purchased the Three Oaks estate (in 1811). Accordingly, in the first edition of the book, the following changes need to be made:
p23 3rd line should now read “that Wastel Brisco purchased Maxfield in the late 19th century (although this is disputed by some sources)”
The revised timeline also now reflects this.
In addition:
p57 3rd line should read 1909, not 1809
p195 1st picture: note that there is no public access to this part of the Maxfield Nature Conservation Trust from the public footpath