The former - Spitals Cross School - in Four Elms Road, Edenbridge, which became occupied by pupils in the early 1960's, and later re-named - The Eden Valley School - in 1970, started life as a new concept in architecture when the plans were first drawn up for this new developement in the 1950's, then to it's final completion in the early 60's...sadly the demolition of the school is now well underway.
The newly designed school was the pride of the town's education system, and heralded a part in the hearts of those, who were not only teachers there, but the many thousands of pupils who passed through it's doors from the early day's in the 1960's. They all felt proud to be a part of the towns education system, during that time and the many years that it functioned as the best school for many miles around...until it's final closure nearly ten years ago. |
Spital Cross School 1962 ~ Parents Meeting |
It catered for children not only from Edenbridge, but from many outlying villages as Cowden, Chiddingstone, Marsh Green, Bough Beech, Hever, Four Elms, and many smaller hamlets surrounding Edenbridge.
This is an image from 1962, I remember many of them sitting there - Mrs Wallace (wife of Jock Wallace - metalwork teacher), Miss Cattaway (my old headmistress from the Infants School in Lingfield Road) Sargeant Humphries, P.C. Roberts ( the local towns policemen) Miss Davis, Mrs Crossley, and the headmaster who is not in the photo Mr Fred Hill, probably giving the talk from the platform, seated with his teachers, Mr Worth, Mr Wallace, Mr Emery, Mr Nunnery(P.E. teacher) Miss Rice etc...the rest I am not certain who they are, but are you in the photo and do you remember any that are there, I am there if you can spot me?
Those were the day's...and maybe...the best day's of our live's!!! |
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The Astor Youth Club, built some years later, which became a major meeting place for the youngsters in the town...now lies in a pile of rubble...it's history now lost to the thousands that met there over it's many years, can only to conjour up great memories of ..."The Good Times"!
(right) Astor Youth Club now! |
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| The club, which was built next to the school was the first permanent youth club in Edenbridge, which catered for the young, many dozens met there every week to enjoy friendship, games, a chat and enjoy the fantastic disco's that were held there, this became an important part for the young ones as they danced away the evenings to the latest sounds of the era. |
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In the 70's, the elderly met there for piano and tea afternoons, which was perfectly played by a Spitals Cross pensioner, Lil Hughes. She turned out some of the best tunes from the 20's - 30's and onwards, on the ivory keys on which she played, everyone would join in a good old sing-song and enjoy the tea and cakes which were kindly provided to them all. |
Many different types of events were held there, and in the last few years a cookery club was established to promote cooking lessons for those who joined and took part.
Despite it being closed for almost ten years now, the offices at the school were used for local businesses, who have now had to find alternative offices to continue their work.
Now the destruction has started, the bulldozers have been tearing the school apart, brick by brick. In a few months time it will finally all be reduced to rubble, cleared and made good for the planned 40 homes to be built on the site.
But there are serious concerns from local residents, councillors, as well as local businesses, as they are worried about certain issues that have arisen over the school demolition, about the land, and it's part thereafter.
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There have been questions raised at the Kent County Council's meeting, in which many voiced their personal opinion and questions about the problems involved.
One of the main questions being - Why has there been no consultation process, and why has there been no local door - to - door documents that have been provided for the inhabitants of Edenbridge to vote or voice their own opinion? |
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Also to focus on - Where will the town's library will be finally secured and placed in the newly developed area where the school once stood?
The local Chamber of Commerce, representing the town, is somewhat angry that they were not consulted and it's own views heard and listened to.
These questions certainly do have an impact on the community of Edenbridge, and need to be answered in a chance to give everyone a satisfactory final and positive result for the well being of the town, as well as the local businesses which generates the best for all of us who live here, not only for the benefits now, but in the future to come...!!!
None - the - less, the demolition work is well under way, the completion date is set for the summer of 2012...we will all have to see what the final outcome will be for the benefit for the town and it's residents?
What the future holds for the old demolished school and the Astor Youth Club, we will have to wait and see?
But for the many who went to school there, those teachers who taught there, and the wonderful Astor Youth Club which was the highlight of the towns youth and their own meeting place, will become a time of memories, of times long gone...only to be remembered in their life...as a moment in time...!!!
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