Explore our local heritage and engage with the past today!
Discover East Peckham's Rich History
Explore our local heritage and engage with the past today!
Discover Our Heritage
Our Mission
The East Peckham History Trust is dedicated to preserving the rich history of East Peckham. We aim to promote understanding and appreciation of our local heritage through various initiatives.
East Peckham History Trust
What we do
How to access the archive
The archive
Starting with the extensive local history collection donated by the family of noted historian Margaret Lawrence our aim is to build an archive to preserve the rich history of East Peckham for future generations.
The archive
How to access the archive
The archive
The archive contains a wealth of historical information about East Peckham and the surrounding areas, with a wealth of documents, maps and pictures.
How to access the archive
How to access the archive
How to access the archive
The archive is housed at the Jubilee Hall in Pippin Road, and it is intended that the archive will be accessible to visitors in the near future. If you have a specific enquiry please contact us by e-mail via the 'Contact Us' section below.
East Peckham - People & Places
This is a photo of the East Peckham Special Constables who served the during the 1939-45 war. We have been able to name some of the men but it would be good to fill in some of the gaps if anyone has any further info.
Long before the welfare system was set-up after WW2, workers contributed to 'Equitable' or 'Friendly' socieities to tide them over in the event of illness or lack of work. This photo shows the Hospital Sunday parade, when the Societies marched to raise funds for the local hospitals in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.
Up until 1972 the East Peckham Cricket Club played on a field behind the Rose & Crown at Branbridges. The site was developed and the team were re-located by Fremlins to a field at Stilstead in Little Mill. The club later played on the playing fields by the Jubilee Hall, merging for a while with Nettlestead before sadly fading away.
East Peckham - Working Life
Arnolds Mills were located next to the mill stream at Branbridges, with the name Arnolds becoming synonymous with East Peckham for over a hundred years. The mill burnt down in 1917 by which time Arnolds had branched out into building and engineering, in later years becoming a major local employer. In the late 1890's one of the William Arnold's sons, Walter, was a pioneer in the car industry.
Another major local employer was the tannery at Little Mill, the site now occupied by Muraspec. Moving from leather to plastics the factory now produces, amongst other products, vinyl wall coverings.
Located in the heart of the Garden of England it is not surprising that East Peckham was once a thriving agricultural community. Major crops were apples and hops, the latter seeing an annual influx of pickers from London every September. No sadly all of that has gone.