Railway Street, Chatham has been home to some longstanding businesses. One of them was Scott’s Timber Yard, established in 1864 and owned by Roy and Keith Scott.
The business had been bought out from the brothers on retirement by Sandell, Smythe and Drayson of Maidstone (Travis Perkins). The buildings on Railway Street burned down in the early 1980’s I understand. The Sir John Hawkins Flyovermade use of the site. Railway Street was cleaved in two. More details about the business and a lovely image of the Railway Street facade can be seen on the Kent History Forum site (click this link). Scott’s also had an entrance on the High Street. Local maps show the enormous footprint of the business behind the facades. Many local people I have talked to remember the business. It would be brilliant to hear more stories about it.
Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre have a wonderful series of GOAD maps, which contain the most detailed plans and annotations of building along Railway Street and Military Road. Each building is described via a detailed key reference. Scott’s Timber Yard is drawn is great detail and the scale of it’s site becomes very clear. The maps were produced originally for fire insurance purposes – hence the level of detail.
The statue of Thomas Waghornon Railway Street in Chatham points conveniently along the route of our Chatham Placemaking Project – from Chatham Station / Railway Street / New Cut / St Johns’ Church / Military Road / The Paddock / Waterfront. He is our biggest fan ! He was also a postal pioneer, who developed a new route from India to Great Britain. Can’t be certain that he is pointing to India – but he is certainly pointing to the Old Post Office on Railway Street, soon to become a Wetherspoon’s Pub and named conveniently – The Thomas Waghorn ! Click on the name and you can see the report from Kent Online28th Feb. 2016, which announced the start of works on site to refurbish the building.
The statue of Thomas Fletcher Waghorn was raised on Railway Street, Chatham in 1888. Image:Christopher TippingOld Post Office, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
The work has now started to transform the building once again into a Public House !
Old Post Office, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher TippingWindow Tracery and Waving Man at the Old Post Office, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
I am very keen to get inside the building for a look around. How much of the original interiors remain is unknown. The building has twice before been transformed into pubs – first the Francis and Firkin & then The Old Post Office !
Handsome facade of the former Post Office Building on Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
The guiding principles for the Chatham Placemaking Project, as outlined in the proposals developed by LDA Design, Francis Knight and myself as Lead Artist can be summed up in the following brief statements –
Getting Around – To create an easier journey for commuters and visitors from the Station to the Town Centre and Waterfront, with more shared space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Identity – Chatham is a great destination. Use the collective experience of the local community to tell this story. Use the Maritime and Military History of Chatham to tell this story. Chatham’s Historic Dockyard starts as you step off the train! How is this made obvious?
Destination – What is the experience of visitors to Chatham who arrive by train? This visitor experience is critical, so too is the daily experience of commuters and residents. We hope to deliver bold, attractive and contemporary changes which welcomes and enhances this journey.
Chatham Railway Station 2015 – Image: Christopher TippingWalking to Chatham Station – a pedestrian experience. Image: Christopher Tipping
At peak times – and throughout the day, pedestrians have to navigate a series of crossing points and narrow pavements with poor way finding to reach the Station. This is also the same experience coming from the Station. An adjacent bus hub stop and heavy traffic flow, make this a demanding environment for pedestrians and cyclists alike. A much more sympathetic environment is being proposed within this regeneration programme.
“Over a century of experience in expert tailoring of both naval and civilian outfits”.
It can’t really be a surprise that such a massive military and naval presence in Chatham was serviced by local outfitters. What is interesting is that so many of these had businesses on Military Road and Railway Street.
At the Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre, there is a collection of print magazines and periodicals. One of these is called CHATS – a magazine for the personnel of Chatham Port Division. An amazing selection of adverts for military and civilian outfitters are contained within – almost all of them along our route. I managed to find a copy to buy – Vol.8 April 1955 No. 2
CHATS – Chatham Port Division Magazine Vol. 8 April 1955 No.2. Collection of Christopher Tipping
Amongst some that I listed were –
W.Cooper – ‘Cooperstyle’Regimental Blazers! 56 Military Road –
Gieves Ltd – 13 Military Road –
Unifit – 40 Military Road –
Baker & Co – 22 Railway Street – “As long as the Spirit of England Remains, we are at your service”.
A. Fleming & Co. Outfitters Ltd Contractors to the Admiralty– 15 Railway Street –
F & H Newcombe – Military, Naval and General Outfitters – Railway Street –
C.H Bernard & Sons – Bernard Buildings, Military Road –
Military Outfitters, Baker & Co. 22 Railway Street, Chatham. CHATS Magazine. Collection of Christopher TippingCoopers Windows are the Talk of the Town. CHATS Magazine Vol 8 April 1955 No 2. Collection fo Christopher TippingC.H Bernard & Sons Naval & Civilian Tailors and Outfitters. CHATS Magazine. Collection of Christopher Tipping
Also of interest was this advert for Gale & Polden Ltd. Printers, Publishers, Booksellers and Stationers to the Royal Navy – 121 High Street, Chatham.
Gale & Polden Ltd. Printers RN Barracks, Chatham. CHATS Magazine, Collection of Christopher Tipping
Printed materials are something of great interest to the project. Watch this space –
Actually, the images I have recently received permission to use from the collection of Rex Cadman, also feature in the Kent Photo Archive and I am grateful to Roy Moore for putting me in contact with him via his colleague Roger Smoothy. The War & Peace Collection contains a number of relevant images of our route in Chatham.
Railway Street from New Cut Viaduct circa 1955. Collection of Rex Cadman. by Permission of Rex Cadman and Kent Photo Archive.Railway Street from New Cut Viaduct date unknown. Collection of Rex Cadman. by Permission of Rex Cadman and Kent Photo Archive.
I love this image of Railway Street, with its celebratory flags, bunting and street decorations. I have no idea what the celebration is – but clearly a big event in the calendar for the town. Notice the fairground at the bottom of Military Street on The Paddock site. On the left can be seen the Invicta Furniture Depository and below it the clock and striped awning of the Opticians – I can make out the name Clements – will check this out via Kelly’s Street Directory.
Bus Stop on Military Road Chatham. Collection of Rex Cadman. By permission of Rex Cadman and Kent Photo Archive.
All of the properties in the image above were demolished to build the Pentagon Shopping Centre and Mountbatten House.
Naval Ratings rehearsing for the King George VI’s Funeral. HMS Pembroke, Chatham, Feb. 1952. Collection of Rex Cadman. By permission of Rex Cadman and Kent Photo Archive.
The underlying symmetry, formation, visual contrast and rhythm in this image has been an important influencing factor in the development of the ‘Chatham Patterns’ concept. Similar events and parades must have played out within the streets and public spaces of Chatham so many times, that the evidence is within the very fabric of place.
The Hatchelling House at the Ropery, Chatham Dockyards circa 1950’s. Collection of Rex Cadman. By permission of Rex Cadman and Kent Photo Archive.
I have been corresponding with Roy Moore for some time now. He has been an invaluable contact at The Kent Photo Archive.
He has allowed me to use some archive images of Chatham from his own collection and some contemporary images of his too.
Here are a few of these –
Chatham Railway Station date unknown. Image by permission of Kent Photo Archive. Collection of Roy MooreRailway Street, Chatham looking towards the Brook Theatre (formerly the Town Hall). Image by permission of Kent Photo Archive. Collection of Roy Moore.Railway Street, Chatham. Image by permission of Kent Photo Archive. Copyright Roy Moore.Railway Street, High Street, Military Road, Chatham, looking towards the Brook Theatre. By permission of Kent Photo Archive. Collection of Roy MooreSailors and Soldiers Welcome Home Establishment on Military Road, Chatham. By permission of Kent Photo Archive. Collection of Roy Moore.
It is said that this ‘Temperance’ establishment, built in 1877 providing accommodation and entertainment for Sailors and Soldiers, was built to help them avoid the ‘temptations’ available elsewhere in the Town.
Norma Crowe, Cindy Ohalloran and Irina Fridman have been invaluable in helping me search for images and text references. We have now obtained several wonderful archive images taken along our route from Chatham Station to the Riverside, along Railway Street and Military Road, which MALSC have given us permission to use.
Chatham Railway Station 1910 Image: by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre
This site has remarkably changed very little in over 100 years – only the ironwork railing and lighting columns have gone.
Chatham Railway Station, looking down towards Mountbatten House and St John’s Church, 2016. Image: Christopher TippingNew Road Viaduct, Chatham, Kent circa 1900. Image: by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies CentreNew Road Viaduct, Railway Street, Chatham, date unknown. Copyright: Collection of Gregory John Jones. By permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre.
The Dutch Gable ended building on the right is still here. The New Road Viaduct built in 1794 was demolished in 1900 to make way for a new bridge viaduct under which Trams could pass safely. Note the double kerb on the left of the image – this is no longer there, but similar kerbs still exist outside the Railway Station.
Double granite kerb outside Chatham Railway Station. Image: Christopher TippingRailway Street Chatham from New Cut Viaduct circa 1955. Image Copyright: Chatham Observer, by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre
What we have all found impressive in this image, is the clarity within the public realm. Clear pavements with contrasting and well defined kerbs. Obviously not as much traffic ! The street frontage to St John’s Church and the clear flow of movement toward the Town Centre is great to see, in light of the current experience for both drivers and pedestrians.
Railway Street, Chatham from New Cut Viaduct 1955. Image: Copyright Fine Art Studio, by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre.
It is clear to see how, in the image below taken in 2015, how the landscape and clarity of wayfinding has been considerably interrupted, physically and legibly. Navigating to the town centre and riverside for pedestrians is now a very conflicting and varied experience.
Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping
F&H Newcombe and Beveridge Chemist, Railway Street, Chatham. Date unknown. Image: by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre.Royal Marines Freedom of the Borough 1963. Image: by permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre
This wonderful image shows the Royal Marines on Military Road with Coopers & Bernards Store on the left and The Paddock on the right. All the shops on the left hand side were demolished to make way for Mountbatten House and the Pentagon Shopping Centre. The idea and concept behind ‘Chatham Patterns’, comes partly from the memory of these military parades and formations, which for a century at least have been woven and imprinted into the very fabric of the town. The presence of many Military Outfitters along our route is also a great influence in terms of the images they conjure up about ‘fabric’ and ‘pattern’ and the people who wore them.
I was put onto this thread via an online forum group called Kent History Forum, where a fair amount of detail and social history about Chatham is recalled.
The walk to Strood from Chatham Station gives a wonderful insight into the architecture and industry which developed along the banks of the Medway. Lots of detail and interest to record !
On Friday 6th February 2016 we ran a creative consultation drop-in event in Chatham. These were held at Sun Pier House from 10am – 1pm and then at Nucleus Arts from 2pm to 5pm. We presented the same information as the public consultation events – and the creative consultation events were also open to anyone to attend.
Sun Pier, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatham and Medway has a lively and very creative and well established arts scene. It is important that we make the project as open and available to all to engage with. The afternoon session at Nucleus Arts turned into an impromptu talk and discussion about the wider regeneration project and the creative contextual research with which we hope to influence and inform the design process. This was really well attended, with some artists and practitioners asking about the temporary programme of commissions which will run prior to the permanent works beginning on site. Engagement in this way is the real catalyst for change, creativity and promoting a common sense of ownership.
A big thanks to Claire Poynter, Natasha Steer and Genevieve Tullberg of Nucleus Arts for making this event a success and providing the space.
These are a few images taken from the Creative Scope work I am doing. These are my artworks / draft plans, created to promote the creative concept.
Chatham Creative Scope – draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Christopher Tipping
Concept
The Lead Artist proposes that these historic, physical and social influences will be experienced in the pedestrian journey from the Railway Station, via Railway Street and Military Road to Riverside. It is proposed that this concept approach may manifest itself as an evolving linear narrative, drawn out from within the pavements and pedestrian areas associated with the route. Referencing the nearby Chatham Lines, this new Town Line could demonstrate a series of distinct, yet inter-related events, thresholds and experiences along its course. As interpretive interventions, they will evoke a narrative of resonant references to Chatham itself, becoming a part of the fabric of the street. Where the Chatham Lines were built as defensive structures, this new line will be resolutely ‘enabling’.
The Historic Dockyard is inextricably tied to the social and industrial history of Chatham. It is a rich source of inspiration. Architectural forms, both robust and functional continue to influence the creative approach; some structures, such as the Slipway Sheds presenting striking abstract patterns and geometries. Vertical forests of timbers supporting vast and expansive roofs with rectangular glazing apertures, twisted askew by perspective. The Dry Docks are faced in massive blocks of close fitting granite. These materials are shaped by function, yet are hand crafted and bespoke features, imbued with a legacy of local and honed skills, surely a fitting inspiration for a contemporary streetscape here in Chatham.
Dickens writes about an enduring military presence on the streets of Chatham.
“They walked about the streets in rows or bodies, carrying their heads in exactly the same way, and doing exactly the same thing with their limbs”. “Men were only noticeable by scores, by hundreds, by thousands, rank and file, companies and regiments, detachments, vessels full for exportation”.
These closely observed characteristics, played out on the streets of Chatham until very recently, suggest that an echo of these patterns of movement and symmetric formations, displays and manoeuvres are still extant in the pavements, streets and roads of the town. Perhaps this evocative memory could be recalled in new paving finishes and interventions in the streetscene.
This creative interpretation not only brings a site-responsive and contemporary narrative to the project, but also dovetails with and adds to a strategic and deliberate approach to inherent wayfinding and placemaking, assisting and strengthening the pedestrian route and the local and visitor experience.
This concept applies to the entire Placemaking Masterplan, setting a blueprint for a programme of temporary and permanent commissions to roll out in a phased approach over the development period.
Chatham Creative Scope – draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Artist’s own
Chatham Creative Scope – draft artwork and concept development by project artist Christopher Tipping. Image: Artist’s own
