SNIPPETS from the 1950S

As the country emerged hopeful and positive into the decade after the Second World War, Capel carried on...

February 1951 - CAPEL W.I. 

Mrs. Smith presided at the monthly meeting. A talk on 'The Countrywoman in France' was given by Mrs. Enright, Shipbourne. An Australian food parcel* was opened, each member receiving one tin. Three members tied for first prize in the mince pie contest - Mrs. Avis, Mrs. M Wickens and Miss Looker. Tea hostesses were Mrs. Avis and Mrs. Allen. There was an animal team race for the social half-hour.  *Food parcels - usually tins of meat or fruit - from Australia (and other former Dominion countries) were received in the UK until the early 1950s. The parcels were sent by individuals and charities as a goodwill gesture to supplement strictly rationed food in post-war Britain.

March 1951 - Bungalow to Go - So Must Tenant

Although they cannot find alternative accommodation for the occupier, Tonbridge Rural Council plan to demolish a bungalow at The Square, Five Oak Green. Altogether, demolition orders have been made for two bungalows at The Square. One is now empty, but Mr Farand, a single man, has remained in the second house. On Tuesday the Riural Council decided to inform the owner of the property that alternative accommodation cannot be provided and that Mr Farand must leave his home.

April 1951 - FIVE OAK GREEN

Popular Jack Macey, landlord of the 'King's Head' celebrated his 70th birthday on Friday last week, with a party for 50 friends and customers in the clubroom. Members of the darts club presented him with a pipe and tobacco. A conjuror, singers and comedians entertained.

When Mrs. Mary Joyce retired last week from the position of secretary to the women's section of the British Legion, a job she had held for 21 years, she was presented with a table lamp from members of the branch.

May 1951 - SCOUTS COPED WITH TORRENTS AND SNAKES

The use of stilts and other hand-made contraptions to cross shallow streams might seem unnecessary. But to local Boy Scouts who were imagining they were secret agents in Malaya and to whom the streams were flooded rivers and snake swamps, the stilts were very necessary. That and numerous other outdoor games were played by more than 180 Tonbridge and district Boy Scouts at their annual camp at Beltring over Whitsun. Competitions were held and the Capel troop, led by 16-year-old senior Scout John Penn of Five Oak Green, did exceptionally well to win the certificate for best camp site.

September 1951 - Bishop conducts a service in the Hop Gardens

To the accompaniment of snapping hop vines and the chatter of pickers, the Bishop of Rochester, Dr. C. M. Chavasse, blessed the missioners and their work among the hop pickers on Tuesday. Instead of holding the service in the top of a barn as was done last year, the Bishop, followed by his clergy and the congregation, marched in procession to a hop garden. Dr. Chavasse told them, "I want you to feel you are the representatives of thousands of hop-pickers in the neighbourhood." He told the missioners to go out and mix with the hop-pickers and do all they could for them. "It does not matter how small the step is - something has been done. Speak about Christ as a Russian would speak about Stalin." Dr. Chavasse thanked the people for turning up in such great numbers, "I always think it good when a procession of Christians holds up the traffic." he said. 

September 1951 - THREE EGGS

A 12-year-old boy was put on probation for two years for stealing three eggs belonging to Mr. J. W. Green. of Flat 1, Goldsmid Hall, Capel from a hen run on August 13 and 16. The boy, who pleaded guilty, appeared before the magistrates two weeks ago but the court adjourned its decision. The Chairman said, "We are going to make it a condition that you do not go to the cinema for three months." Mr. Havard pointed out that this was not because the magistrates were against the cinemas and thought they were a bad influence but because it served as a punishment.

October 1951 - PREACHING TO THE CONVERTED

Addressing a meeting at Bridge Hall, Five Oak Green on Wednesday, Bernard Bagnari (Labour candidate) said, "I think I am preaching to the converted here tonight". Of the 25 people in the hall there were no members of the opposition. Later in the evening Mr. Bagnari went to speak at Tudeley, but it was decided to cancel the meeting through poor attendance.

October 1951 - Lazy boy sent to approved school

A 15-year-old Five Oak Green boy was sent to approved school by Tonbridge Juvenile Magistrates on Tuesday for failing to comply with a supervision order made last July. At a previous hearing, Mr. H. D. E. Havard, probation officer, told the magistrate that the boy's mother had complained that on occasions her son had refused to go to work and that he did not like getting up in the mornings. She also alleged that he had called her names she would not like to repeat.