Twelve members, along with several guests, were hosted by Maralyn Mulcuck, Secretary of the Ditton Heritage Centre Charity, together with several of the Charity's Directors.
The Centre is a restored 19th-century ragstone building, located in New Road, Ditton. It was constructed in 1893 as the Ditton Church of England Junior School. Although originally built as a school, it also, rather unusually, housed a swimming pool for use by local schools until the Larkfield Leisure Centre opened in 1981. The school continued to be used until the late 1980s. In 2014, the building officially opened as a local heritage centre and Victorian classroom, following efforts by local residents and volunteers to raise the funds and support needed to reopen the building.
The Victorian classroom is set up as an immersive experience, with traditional wooden desks containing ink wells and slate boards, with charcoal provided for each pupil. It was lovely that one guest brought along her son, who particularly enjoyed looking at all the objects that would have been used in a Victorian classroom. Although the Centre is now presented as a Victorian classroom, it was interesting to remember that the school itself continued to be used by local children until the late 1980s.
The Centre houses a large collection of locally donated objects, many of which are directly connected with the history of Ditton and the lives of its residents.
Maralyn gave members a fascinating talk about the history of the school, how it was saved by local residents, and how it continues to flourish through the Charity that now manages the building and Heritage Centre activities. The Centre hosts Open Days and visits from groups, including school groups, from the local area.
After the talk and questions, members had the opportunity to explore the many artefacts, records and photographs held at the Centre. It was fantastic to see that one member found school attendance records from the 1950s relating to his brothers. The visit was rounded off with tea and biscuits.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable visit, which everyone agreed was both interesting and informative. We have also agreed to host a joint Open Day at the Heritage Centre, where the Family History Society can be promoted alongside the Ditton Heritage Centre. It was also great to hear that one of the guests is now joining the Kent Family History Society.
This visit followed on from an initiative instigated by Anne Ashdown and Julia Jenner to scan and transcribe several ledgers owned by the Ditton Heritage Centre, for publication on the Kent Family History Society website. The Heritage Centre is very grateful to the KFHS for providing electronic transcriptions of these ledgers, enabling the Charity volunteers to search the records more easily while also providing a valuable back-up.
Building relationships and partnerships with relevant local charities and organisations provides a mutually beneficial way for us to support one another, share resources and expertise, and promote our shared interest in local history and family history.
Report by: Julia Jenner, Maidstone Branch Rep, Kent Family History Society