Picture of the Month, February 2012

Miss Daniell's Soldiers Home, Pleasant Row, Brompton c.1900-10

When the Army Council chose the village of Aldershot as the site of a new military base in about 1854, Mrs Daniell, the widow of an Army Officer and who was well known for her many acts of charity, was asked by the Service Authority to ‘do something for the soldiers’ who would be stationed there. After much thought and prayer she decided upon the idea of building a ‘home from home’ for the use of off-duty soldiers. In the following years more such homes were built in military areas, including one in Brompton. Army Scripture Readers were stationed in, or close by, these homes to cater for the spiritual welfare of the visiting soldiers, although attendance of religious meetings was not mandatory in order to use the Homes’ facilities. Miss Daniells Soldiers' Homes still exists as a charity today providing 'Institutes to be used for the spiritual, social, moral or material benefit of soldiers'.

The Brompton Home was a large purpose built structure in Pleasant Row, opened 10th June 1876. It contained a cafeteria, large lounge, reading rooms, a chapel (with a full immersion font), sleeping accommodation and a flat for the superintendent. The large hall had a capacity 400 people and was lit by 3 gaseliers with 18 jets on each. It closed in about 1961 as the military presence in the are was decreased following the closure of St. Mary's Barracks and the Royal Marines' Barracks.

By 1971 it had become the Christian International Refugee Mission. In the later 20th century the building was taken over by the Kent Autistic Trust, and in the early 21st century it was sold and the building was converted into private flats.

March 2012

Second Brompton Research Open Day
16th March 2012

By popular request - the Brompton Research Study Group – led by local volunteers - is running a second oral history event and is looking for memories of Brompton. If you visited, worked or lived in Brompton, near Chatham, in the ‘40s, ‘50s or ‘60s (or earlier) please come along to a drop-in session, or if you know anyone who fits the bill, please encourage them to attend. If you have any old photos or documents relating to Brompton you are willing to share with the group, please bring them along too. There’s no need to book, and refreshments will be provided. All welcome on Friday 16 March between 1pm and 5pm at the Royal Engineers Museum, Prince Arthur Road, Chatham.
This session is part of a bigger project exploring what it was like to live in Brompton from the age of sail onwards. For more information on the open session or the project as a whole, please contact Nicola Moy on 01634 334319 or chathamworldheritage@medway.gov.uk

Brompton Disco
3rd March

Details TBA.

February 2012

Next BVA Meeting

Sunday 5th February in the King George V at 7pm.

January 2012

Brompton Quiz Night
Saturday 21st January 2012

CANCELLED FOR NOW Due to unforseen circumstances the Quiz Night has been cancelled for the time being, but hopefully it will be rescheduled for a later date. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Brompton Research Open Day
13th January 2012

The Brompton Research Study Group – led by local volunteers - is looking for memories of Brompton. If you visited, worked or lived in Brompton, near Chatham, in the ‘40s, ‘50s or ‘60s (or earlier) please come along to a drop-in session on 13 January 2012, between 1.30 and 3.30, at the Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive, Prince Arthur Road, Chatham. Or, if you know anyone who fits the bill, please encourage them to attend - there’s no need to book, and refreshments will be provided. This session is part of a bigger project exploring what it was like to live in Brompton from the age of sail onwards. For more information on the open session or the project as a whole, please contact Nicola Moy on 01634 334319 or chathamworldheritage@medway.gov.uk

December

A Merry Christmas to all Brompton Residents and Visitors!

Carols at the KGV

There will be carol singing at the King George V Public House on Tuesday 13th December at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

Brompton Christmas Tree

The Brompton Chrismas Tree, kindly donated by Pauline from the Cannon Public House, is now up in the playpark opposite the end of the High Street, for everyone to enjoy.

Some photos from the 3rd Annual Brompton Festival here.

See 'Membership' in the Community section of the website for BVA minutes.

“To promote Brompton as a working and inclusive village community both to its inhabitants and to the outside world.”