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 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.
The Salvation Army Band performing in The Pound.
The view is looking from outside The Merry Boys and down Snoll Hatch Road. The cottages opposite are now gone and were known as Weslyan Cottages. Today this is where the bus shelter and bungalows are found.
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. Now sadly all of that has gone.
Branbridges - A Historic Crossing of the River Medway
Branbridges emerged as a focal point for early settlement due to its strategic position on the Medway, documented in medieval sources as an ancient crossing known variously as Brandt, Stidal's bridge, or Sladis bridge, This site tied into regional trade routes, facilitating the movement of goods like timber, corn, livestock and iron from the Weald.
The commercialization of the River Medway in the 18th century significantly boosted economic activity in Branbridges, by transforming the river into a viable artery for barge transport. The 1740 Medway Navigation Act, led to the River Medway becoming navigable from Maidstone to Tonbridge. Wharves and quays were added with numerous businesses becoming established, but the size of the bridge posed i
By the late 1800s it was obvious that a bigger bridge was needed and, after much local lobbying, Kent County Council authorised the removal of the old bridge and a new structure which opened in 1904. The bridge remains in use today, but in 1987 required substantial strengthening after cracks appeared in the support piers.
The new bridge opened in 1904; a stone plaque on the north side of the bridge commemorates its opening. The bigger bridge allowed easier transit for barges and a wider road surface - vital with the growth of motorised commercial traffic in the 20th century.
For more visit: https://grokipedia.com/page/branbridges