Volume 2 - 1914 to Modern Times
The reminiscences of elderly residents and families, whose ancestors had lived in Hayes, brought further colour and life to the history of the village people. Their experiences through the major events of the twentieth century, two world wars and the dramatic change in the structure of the village were very moving and helped me to understand the tensions that existed. Childhood recollections, such as those of Bill Dance, added to the ever growing tapestry of the fascinating history of Hayes.
Included in Volume 2:
- The impact of the First and Second World Wars on Hayes. The photograph below shows the day after the bombing of Hayes Station on 15th September 1940.
(Photograph: Miss M Crowhurst)
Spitfire Appeal 1940/1941
(Photograph: Miss M Crowhurst)
- The demolition of some of the large houses such as Hayes Place, Pickhurst Manor, Pickhurst Mead and Longcroft, the building of new housing estates and the effect on the village. The photograph below shows Longcroft garden in the 1930s before the demolition of the house. It now forms part of the grounds of Pickhurst School.
(Photograph: Mrs V Blinks)
(Sales Brochure: houses built on the Hayes Place Estate by Henry Boot Ltd.)
- The improvement in the communication systems.
- Changes in education and the growth of private schools.
- Movement away from a farming community. The photograph below shows Hayes Street Farm in the 1930s.
(Photograph: Mr P Rose)
- The growth in churches.
- Looking after Hayes Common.
- The development of new clubs, social activities and societies, including Hayes Village Association, as a result of the growth of population. The photograph below shows bowling for the pig at the Hayes Show.
(Photograph: Mrs C Timms)
Notable people who have lived in Hayes
- Granville McAlpine (son of Sir Robert McAlpine)
- Thomas Morley (artist)
- Sir Henry Arthur Payne
- Miss Eleanor Carus-Wilson
- Arthur Collins
- Margaret and Sophie Harris (leading stage set designers)
- Major General Charles Wake Norman
- Major C E Prince (key figure in the development of wireless telephones in World War I)
- Geoffrey Legge (England cricketer 1927-30)
- Peter Lilley MP
- John Hunt MP
A few of the interesting facts from this volume
- Martin Ridley Smith was said to be the first officer to enrol and the first to die in World War I.
- Sir Everard Hambro became the first chairman of Hambros Bank Ltd in 1920.
- Basil Binyon produced some of the first airborne radio equipment for morse telegraphy. He was one of the first directors of the BBC.
- The world premier of Rose of Tralee directed by Norman Hope-Bell was held at the Rex Cinema, Hayes in September 1937. The photograph below shows the Rex Cinema, opened August 1936.
(Photograph: Miss M Crowhurst)
- Miss Margaret Stafford Smith was the first female Mayor of Bromley 1938-1940.
(Photograph: Bromley Library, Local Studies Collection)
- Dr Coville Barrington was one of the first doctors to render medical assistance when the Belsen Concentration Camp was liberated in 1945.
- Hayes Players was the first amateur society to stage the Accrington Pals with which they came first in the Kent Festival in 1983.