Rainham A Century Ago by Freddie Cooper

     Action Forum, May 2001

   Almost all houses had fairly large gardens and even in the 1920s and 30s most new properties had a
   depth of 20Oft.  The Rainham Horticultural Society had a Committee comprising mostly of eminent local
   personalities.  They held a large show on the last week in July with spacious marquees and popular sporting 
   activities at the Recreation Ground.  This was a memorable day out.  
   There was also a competition between the Council and C of E Schools and 1 recall
   being selected with Harry Howting (now in Gloucestershire) to prepare our tray from produce collected that morning 
   from the School gardens all for a prize of 7/6d (37p).  We took great care in
   digging, cleaning and arranging the vegetables trying to find six of each species which were the same size.
   A separate Horticultural Improvement Society was formed in 1906 with the express purpose of bringing
   about better cultivation of cottage gardens.  Both organisations met at the Lion Hotel as did many of
   the other Societies, as mine host, Mr W.P. Curling,was involved with many local activities including
   Treasurer of the Cycling Club and official handicapper for the athletic and cycling competitions,
   some of which were for professionals.

   There were two Cricket Clubs, Rainham playing at Siloam Farm, Chapel Lane (now Miers Court Road)
   and the Methodists played nearer home at the Recreation Ground.  In a similar manner there were
   two football clubs, with Rainham having a ground at White Hill where teams were prominent in the I st
   and 2nd Divisions of the New Brompton and District Leagues with another in the Sittingboume and
   District League.  The Club also held the Kent Junior Cup, the United Methodists had two teams in the
   New Brompton Free Church League with home games at the Recreation Ground.  Rainham was a
   hotbed of soccer and several of our players went to professional clubs prior to and after the War. 
   I suppose the most notable were George and Maurice Tadman who played for Charlton, the former being 
   recommended at one stage as England's centre forward by a national newspaper columnist.  
   Alee Grant, Stan Huggins and Ware played for various
   clubs pre war and Jim Nobbs, Reggie Day, Bill Dennis and Lew Collins all turned out for Gillingham
   during and after the War.  Lew also played in goal for Arsenal and fortunately both Jim and Reggit! still live
   among us.  The only resident who, to my knowledge, played cricket for Kent was Charlie Wright, a fast
   bowler during the 1920s and early 30s who attended the C of E School but moved to Rodmersham before
   attaining school leaving age.

   This is the Rainham I remember in the early years of my life in the 1920s. I feel privileged to have grown
   up here but feel sad that much of the Rainham I knew has subsequently been destroyed.

   Freddie Cooper