This digest is in the form of notes about each meeting of the Parish Council and about each Annual and Special Parish Meeting since the Council was formed in 1894. The notes give the date of each meeting and a serial number to each for future reference.

29/3/1917 PM 44
Allotments all let for the first time.
Large number of empty houses.
Resolution passed thanking DC for letting its “engine” be used to pull a lorry out of a fence on Church Hill and suggesting service might be available generally against payment to help vehicles up hills.

20/4/1917 PC 167
Joyce Thomas now abroad on active service, but elected Chairman.
PC Kent ill - loss to the parish. Differing views on whether snow had been cleared promptly.

8/6/1917 PC 168
DC asking for co-operation in destruction of rats and sparrows.
PC reject call for a Parish Food Supply Committee, on the grounds that the PC and the Gardening Society were sufficient for the task.
Keeble resigns.
Protest over wrong potatoes sent to village by County War Agricultural Committee.
Move to borrow money to buy coal for the village.

23/7/1917 PC 169
Complaint that Mr Keeble’s resignation letter had appeared in the Westerham Herald.
“Please inform your Council that I wish to withdraw from its body, as I undertook the post at the request of a number of old ratepayers, on the understanding that I should support those members who were opposed to Mr Thomas as chairman. It now seems for reasons best known to themselves that they have rendered him their courteous homage, and I should be ashamed to waste time in the discussions, knowing I can do more good for the parish outside”.
DC plan to fill in the pond.
Brown says he hopes to attend meetings more regularly.
No hose available to test fire hydrants.
DC now moved to Station Road, New Oxted.

3/9/1917 PC 170
Boy had been “caught in the act” of damaging allotments.
Stated that no additional houses would be required “after the war”.
Suggestion that the PC should meet in the Parish Hall to avoid paying schools caretaker to black out windows.
At the previous meeting “Mr Brown has said there was a conspiracy afoot on the part of the Parish Council to have him out”. A letter had contained “personal charges” against Dr Hoffman.

1/10/1917 PC 171
Dr Hoffman said there was nothing personal in Mr Brown’s letter. Long discussion on who was entitled to open letters addressed to the Chairman in his absence. Duddy resigns as Vice Chairman and leaves the room.
Clerk to write to DC about coal supplies “pointing out the serious of the position and asking if a supply might be expected”.

22/10/1917 PC 172
Duddy asked to put resignation in writing.
Committee appointed to arrange supply of coal and organise funding.
SCC decline to provide blinds for PC meetings at school.

5/11/1917 PC 173
Local residents had guaranteed Ł265 to finance coal supply. Village coal depot would be at the White House. 44 people in coal scheme and would receive “coal cards”. 50 tons over six months.
Hetherwick resigns as school manager, giving reasons to Chairman of managers.
“Mr Parsons produced a letter received by the Revd Popham with reference to a forthcoming public meeting on the subject of “England’s War Aims” and inviting the co-operation of the Council”.

3/12/1917 PC 174
Local Food Committee asks for help in promoting economy in the use of food. Public meeting to be held on seed potatoes needs for next spring.
50 tons of coal promised for a month but not received.

7/1/1918 PC 175
Village to requisition 4 tons of KE VII seed potatoes.
Coal had apparently arrived at Warlingham Station in December. Collection would have to await an improvement in the weather.
Further call from Godstone War Agricultural Committee for Tatsfield to form Rats and Sparrows Club.
Duddy’s verbal resignation of October accepted. Hitchcock now Vice Chairman.
Ministry of Food wants people to join the League of National Safety.

4/2/1918 PC 176
Rural League had written urging the cultivation of more land for potatoes.
Clerk no longer has the space to store the former brass band’s instruments and street lamps.

4/3/1918 PC 177
Rector’s attention drawn to “the dilapidated appearance of the Parish Hall suggesting that a fund might be raised in connection therewith”. Decision to dispose of the band instruments.

28/3/1918 PM 45
Four PC members and one member of the public present.

28/3/1918 PC 178
PC was asked to organise local flag day for East Surrey Regiment Prisoners of War Fund.
Mr King of Gorsey Down Farm had ploughed up FP from Manor House to Johns Road.

17/4/1918 PC 179
Hitchcock elected Chairman on condition he cuts back his hedge at School Corner.
Mr King of Gorsey Down Farm obstructed mouth of Crown Road.
“The Revd BG Popham attended the meeting by invitation and a discussion took place as to the possibility of improving the state of the Parish Hall and its approaches”. Agreed to discuss future assistance in the management of the Hall. Possibility of PC storage cupboard in the hall.

17/4/1918 PM 46
PC members and 2 members of the public. PC authorised to sell lamps and standards.

3/6/1918 PC 180
No buyers for lamps.
Problem of straying cattle on greens and roads.

1/7/1918 PC 181
Clerk’s salary increased to Ł60.
DC suggests 6 new houses will be needed after the war. PC decided this would not be enough because so many rented properties were uninhabitable. Suggested that houses should be built in pairs in different parts of the village.

19/7/1918 PC 182
Agreed to lend band instruments to Capt. Andrews of RAF Biggin Hill - to be returned in good condition and not passed on without permission.
Oil lamps to be handed over to the Rector.

2/9/1918 PC 183
Ł9 offer from Westerham PC for lamps accepted.
Tanks in King Edward VII Memorial Gardens uncovered and dangerous.
Hetherwick resigned.

16/9/1918 PC 184 (possibly 16th October)
Discussion as to whether King Edward VII Memorial Gardens public or private. Mr Joyce Thomas to be contacted.
H Miller cooped.
TH Brown resigned owing to removal from the parish.

4/11/1918 PC 185
Revd BG Popham appointed.

2/12/1918 PC 186
Query about seed potatoes for the next spring.
Rev BG Popham proposed a public meeting to discuss a war memorial.

6/1/1919 PC 187
Seed potatoes on way.
Duddy’s seat to be declared vacant at the next meeting.
Further call for control of the greens to be transferred to the PC.
DC notified about ice on Old Lane by the pillar box arising from water from the green coming across the road, and about damage caused to the roads by government motor vehicles.

3/2/1919 PC 188
Duddy’s seat declared vacant.

4/3/1919 PC 189
DC asking for government money to repair Rag Hill and Warlingham Road after damage from motor lorries.

17/3/1919 PC 190
CJ Parsons retired.

17/3/1919 PM 47
Howard Wilkins Chairman
Elected:
Revd Bradshaw Galway Popham
Gilbert John Kent
Harry Miller
Harry Drummand Hoffman
Albert Edgar Birch
Augustus Hitchcock
Joseph Lewis Milliner
Resolution on postal service:
“... the parish of Tatsfield with a population of 900 has only one delivery per day in lieu of the three previous to the war and that there is no outward mail from Tatsfield after 9 a.m. on Sunday, which is practically useless as the second delivery is at the same time and this gives no opportunity of answering letters which arrive”.

17/4/1919 PC 191
Cesspool pumps for hire at 1/- per day.
Mr Spencer occupying temporary dwelling in Paynesfield Road.

5/5/1919 PC 192
Mr Gringer (?) inquiring about right of way at the Briars, Ninehams Road.
DC to be asked about progress on 6 new houses.
Horses belonging to Longley and Burbage loose on the greens.

2/6/1919 PC 193
2˝ acres offered opposite the school for housing.
Gringer told that right of way question was for the police.
Further letter to PMG about postal service and now asking for 6.30 p.m. delivery to be re-instated on weekdays.

23/6/1919 PC 194
Housing site near the Parish Hall preferred to the DC’s 2˝ acre plot near the school. “Land immediately beyond the Parish Hall on its western side; or land in Ship Lane opposite Montressol occupied by Mr Miller”.
Detailed report on the state of stiles.

7/7/1919 PC 195
Ship Lane site idea for housing withdrawn.
DC told: “proposed housing site lies in a hollow much below level of main roads and would entail the making of a new road causing unnecessary expense”.
Band instruments returned.
Reasonable expenditure allowed by Local Government Board for Peace-day celebrations - 19th July.
Miss A Walker offers 6 acres on Tatsfield Green for new cottages at Ł90 or possibly less - accepted.
Wooden building being erected near the Briars in Ninehams Road.

5/8/1919 PC 196
Shed at Rag Hill being used as a dwelling.
Mr Trowbridge - agent of land owner - urged new cottages “to be built largely of elm wood and plaster and thatched”.
Dangerous corner at junction of Church Lane and Ship Lane.
Ł15 precept for Peace Day.

1/9/1919 PC 197
Chairman to write to MP, Sir Stuart Coats about postal service.
Night soil from school closets a problem. “ It having been brought to the attention of this council that the contents of the closets from the schools and caretaker’s house on being removed are carried along the main road - Old Lane and deposited in a garden there and complaint having been made to this council .... District Council ... instruct the school managers as to the proper disposal of the sewage from the schools etc. so that this nuisance shall cease”.

6/10/1919 PC 198
“A discussion took place as to the possibility of securing a motor bus service between Tatsfield and Croydon”. Letter to LGOC.
Colonel Ward upset about assertion he had refused land for widening at Hawley’s Corner.

3/11/1919 PC 199
DC asking if Paynesfield Road wooden building was the one occupied by Mr Yeoell - no, it was Mr Spencer’s.
DC had licensed Mr Amos to occupy wooden building in Ninehams Road for 3 years except between Easter and the end of October in any year.

1/12/1919 PC 200
PC objects that temporary dwelling licences do nothing for housing shortage.
T Vincent is DC.
Col Burn on behalf of Miss Prichard asking for a water supply at “the Grange”.

5/1/1920 PC 201
Ministry of Health detailed timber specification for the new houses as sent to Mr Trowbridge - agent for present owner. District Council plans also on view - costed at Ł600 - Ł800. PC favours Trowbridge design.
DC says no money for School Corner improvement.

2/2/1920 PC 202
“Pise de terre” method chosen for new houses.
Cost of widening Ship Hill - Ł100 - too high.

26/2/1920 PC 203
LGOC say unable to start a bus service between Tatsfield and Croydon because it is unable to obtain single-deckers needed for the low railway bridges.
PC wants a say in allocation of new houses.
New reservoir under construction. MWB asked for a supply to the Grange.

22/3/1920 PC 204
Little of note.

22/3/1920 PM 48
Two parishioners attended.
Little of note.

19/4/1920 PC 205
Hitchcock Chairman.
The Grange - occupied by Miss Prichard (Pritchard?) - above the MWB’s limit of supply.
Paynesfield Road telephone poles dangerous.

3/5/1920 PC 206
Little of note.

7/6/1920 PC 207
Telegraph poles in Paynesfield Road to be painted white.
PM to be called on taking over the greens and increasing the number of parish councillors.
Some allotments in poor condition.
Continued dissatisfaction at police attitude to straying horses.

5/7/1920 PC 208
Call for 10 m.p.h. speed limit between 100 yds from the schools towards the church and 100 yds from the Ship Hotel towards the White House.

5/7/1920 PM 49
Resolved to ask Surrey to increase number of councillors from 7 to 9.
No action on greens.

22/8/1920 PC 209
No quorum.

9/8/1920 PC 210
PC protests against proposed expenditure of Ł6,000 on an “isolation block” - no details.

6/9/1920 PC 211
Question of closing footpath at Firsdale - Mr Serth(?)

4/10/1920 PC 212
Capt. Thorpe appointed agent for the Titsey Estate. (Bernard Thorpe).
Letter to Mr Leon (?) asking for stile across footpath crossing the garden of Firsdale.
Another acre of land needed for allotments from Mr Leveson Gower.

1/11/1920 PC 213
Mr John Leon asked to re-open the original right of way across the garden at Firsdale.

6/12/1920 PC 214
New cottages now under construction.
Owner of Firsdale willing to put swing gates onto footpath.

7/2/21 PC 215 (POPULATION 1921 - 832)

Extra allotment land coming.
DC says new houses for people working in the neighbourhood.

7/3/1921 PC 216
Board of Agriculture consulting about the development of rural industries and of rural social life.

30/3/1921 PC 217
Birch resigned - leaving the district.
Edward Bellamy co-opted.

30/3/1921 PM 50
No members of the public.
LGOC to be asked again about a bus service. Suggested route from Hawley’s Corner through the Westerham Hill Estate.

11/4/1921 PC 218
Hitchcock Chairman
LGOC said bus service via Warlingham, Titsey and Limpsfield would be initiated as soon as arrangements could be made.

20/5/1921 PC 219
Mr JJ Leon drew attention to the “inadequate police protection and the state of Hillside Road”.
He was asked to produce the signatures of 2/3 of the householders for making up the road.

6/6/1921 PC 220
Cost of extra allotment land too high.
Condemned house in Goatsfield Road occupied again by two families - Higgs and Elkins(?). 10 people in three rooms. Mrs Pryer(?) & family turned out of a house in Paynesfield Road and now living in Maesmaur Road in a house just as bad.

4/7/1921 PC 221
Concern about the state of allotments.

8/8/1921 PC 222
LGOC to be tackled about the delay to the bus service.

5/9/1921 PC 223
No quorum.

3/10/1921 PC 224
Work on school corner improvement delayed by a month. PC want more work done than that proposed. “Three fourths of the rateable value of the whole parish is paid by the residents of Ricketts Hill and this is the first improvement to be effected for the past 15 years”.
Proposals for a seat at the bottom of Church Hill for people waiting for the Croydon bus.
Improved arrangements needed to notify deaths.
Automobile Association asked to put “cul de sac” sign at the Old Ship entrance to Paynesfield Road.

7/11/1921 PC 225
DC asking for figures of unemployed.
Second policeman asked for.
Call to remove beech tree and widen the road opposite the bottom of Church Hill - obstructing drivers’ views.

5/12/1921 PC 226
Water main from Paynesfield Road down Johns Road to Old Lane would cost Ł335.
School Corner work delayed but metalling of road being considered.
Rents of new houses set at 12/9d a week inclusive of rates. Each house cost Ł1000.
Supt West says population too low to justify second policeman.

2/1/1922 PC 227
“Parish Council of Tatsfield views with alarm the discussion taking place with reference to the proposed scheme for the extension of the powers of the London County Council as it would certainly mean a rise in the rates for the benefit only of the London County Council”.
Widening of Clark’s Lane being considered.

6/2/1922 PC 228
SCC says LCC extension impracticable.
DC had cut down trees on the green without consulting the PC - near new houses.

13/3/1922 PC 229
99 houses on water main (9 metered).
Following building sanctions passed in 1921:
L. Watson Emily Road Temporary Building
J Moss Louisa Road Bungalow
A Hitchcock Manor Road Bungalow
C Newell Goatsfield Rd Temporary bungalow
Mr Forbes Manor Road addition
DC asked not to sanction any more temporary buildings
Poor condition of people living in a caravan in Ninehams Road belonging to Mrs Stevens

13/3/1922 PM 51
Elected:
GJ Kent
E Bellamy
G King
Rev BG Popham
WF Pepperall
A Hitchcock
H Miller

Call to remove insanitary caravans in Ninehams Road.
Call for secondary education to be provided convenient for Tatsfield.

10/4/1922 PC 230
Bellamy Chairman
Poor drainage of Paynesfield Road, Louisa Road and Emily Road.
Old Lane flooded by surface water - call for DC steam roller to be employed.

END OF VOLUME THREE

Back to Minutes index