The East Malling Blog

Time really does fly. It only seems like yesterday that I was plodding through the snow on the Rocks Road to get to the station, whilst thinking about writing a blog. As snow is forecast in the next 24 hours it seemed a good time to remind everyone to take some photos and send them to me. I haven't written a post for a while and I am determined to make more of an effort (well, once I have my new laptop. Writing these posts on a mobile phone is not good for my mental health). While I'm here I should also mention a new 'recent comments' feature on the blog. This will show any comments made by visitors in a seperate list. This will make it easier to see what people's feedback has been and to encourage participation. I have also added a new banner, which will literally put us on the map! Thanks for all the information and photos I have been sent, which I have been keeping in a folder. I will put it all up eventually. I promise.

Nasima Tandoori

So what is next for number 1-3 High Street, East Malling? I've only ever known it as Nasima Tandoori, but from the photos I've seen the building has had a fruitful life as many different shops. The old photo below was sent to me by Diane Brazier and the other more recent one (7th September 2006) is courtesy of Stephen on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/esteph/). The building is looking a bit sorry for itself and I hope someone comes along to give it a bit of love and attention that it deserves. And the same goes for the old bakery (Sweets n' Treats). Even if these properties became residential this would be a good outcome. They could then feature plaques detailing their history like the old post office, etc. If anyone has heard any information regarding these properties, please let me know or post here.

East Malling Halt (3)

Another ebay auction has resurrected the East Malling Halt theme that started back in March (see my original and subsequent post). The item is a East Malling Halt totem sign. The seller described this as a "rare totem", which was reflected by the fact the winning bid was £450! Some totems on ebay have apparently sold for £2000, so maybe £450 is a bargain. I have included the photo the seller left below.

Sketch of East Malling

Here is another East Malling sketch courtesy of ebay. I have pasted the information left by the seller below. It always a good idea to copy these over from ebay for posterity, as once items are sold the drawings and information is taken off and threfore could be lost forever!

Is anyone familiar with the building depicted or perhaps the artist? This drawing is currently for sale on ebay should anyone be interested in making a bid.

This fine example of a pencil and sepia wash drawing is of a dwelling in East Malling, Kent. The artist is D. Simpson and the work is dated 1865. The drawing measures 315mm by 240mm and the gilt wooden frame 410mm by 325mm.The drawing is clean and free from foxing. The wooden frame and glazing are of more recent origin and are intact and in good order.

East Malling Postcards

There have been a few postcards recently posted up on ebay. I have included these below.

(1) The title of the first is "High Street, East Malling". The publisher is D.B.L Series No. 3956. The description is "colour printed postcard postaly used dated 1910 with a half penny stamp".

(2) The second is a unused postcard with a real photo. Name over shop is GH Standen. Under window is Parker & Son. No date unfortunately. Early 1900s I would expect (does anyone remember the shop, or know of a more exact date for the photo?).

These postcards are currently being auctioned on ebay should anyone be interested in making a bid!

Mrs Norris Uncovered?

I'm happy to report that I have received further information on the 1816 sketch of East Malling entitled "Offices at Mrs Norris. East Malling". In my original post I asked if anyone knew the location in the photo or the name Norris. Unfortunately, we haven't been been able to pin-point the location, but courtesy of research advice provided by Paula Montandon, it has been possible to produce a list of people with the surname Norris who were christened at East Malling Parish Church. The search was carried out on http://www.familysearch.org/ (I will add this to the links section), which thankfully indexes the parish registers for East Malling (1570-1940).

Therefore, if we assume that the person in the photo is Mrs Norris and that she was christened at East Malling Parish it is possible that it could be one of the two females listed below, i.e. Mary or Elizabeth. However, based on these assumptions and the dates given, it would mean that sketch is of a 74 year old Mary or a 42 year old Elizabeth (if they were christened the year they were born). I excluded Emma on the basis that she would have been approximately 5 years old. If one was to choose between the two, bearing in mind a 74 year old person would have been extremely old in 1816, the likely candidate would be Elizabeth. This conclusion, I realise, is based on a lot of assumptions, but it hopefully may provide some more leads (e.g. one possibly being that I've got it all wrong!).

If anyone has any thoughts on this, please let me know.

1. MARY NORRIS - International Genealogical Index - British Isles
Gender: Female Christening: 13 FEB 1742 East Malling, Kent, England

2. EMMA HENRIETTA NORRIS - International Genealogical Index - British Isles
Gender: Female Christening: 10 JUL 1811 East Malling, Kent, England

3. EDWARD NORRIS - International Genealogical Index - British Isles
Gender: Male Christening: 26 JAN 1770 East Malling, Kent, England

4. JAMES NORRIS - International Genealogical Index - British Isles
Gender: Male Christening: 03 MAY 1772 East Malling, Kent, England

5. ELIZTH. NORRIS - International Genealogical Index - British Isles
Gender: Female Christening: 13 FEB 1774 East Malling, Kent, England

The Woodman - Sweets Lane

Taking a stroll in the blistering sun last Sunday down Sweets Lane (15th April) I came across a building that used to be The Woodman Pub in East Malling (if it had still been a pub I would have been in there like a shot to ease my sun-drenched thirst). I had previously seen the old picture below and was therefore confident I would recognise the the building in its current form. What sealed it, however, was the empty sign frame, which appears to be the original. What is a shame is that I took my photo from a different angle! When I am next on Sweets Lane I will take a shot from the right perspective and replace the one below.

I have carried out a quick search on the Internet, which reveals that the building is now a nursery school. Also, on comparison of the photos there are a few changes to the building to note. Firstly, that it now has three windows at the top and a one bottom centre where the door to the pub used to be. The entrance to the house now appears to be on the right of the building, hence the gate.

Unfortunately, the old photo of the Woodman did not come with a date. If anyone knows (even approximately) when this was taken please let me know.

Many thanks to Kent County Council for permission to use the The Woodman photo.