Stepping back into village’s past

11:21am Tuesday 4th September 2007

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An open day is set to reveal the history of Hextable, a village once famed for horticulture and a ban on the sale of alcohol. CHARLOTTE McDONALD finds out more.

Situated just outside Swanley, Hextable has a rich and varied history dating back to the 13th Century when it was first mentioned in medieval texts.

Hextable Heritage Society is holding an open event on September 8 at the Heritage Centre, College Road, Hextable, of which members will be on hand to talk to visitors about the history of the village.

The village had its heyday in the last two centuries as it developed a reputation for horticulture.

According to the Heritage Society, this is where the first-ever horticultural college in the world was set up in 1889. By 1902 it took the novel step of becoming a women-only institution.

Dee Morris, vice-chairman of the society, says the college was well-placed in a village surrounded by nurseries for flowers and produce.

She said: "Kent was known as the Garden of England because of goods which were transported into London by train."

Food and flowers from Hextable were taken to Swanley station where they made their way into the capital.

The college itself was aimed at well-to-do young women, to teach them how to grow and tend plants. Many of them went overseas to teach their botanical skills throughout the Empire.

Today the Heritage Centre is housed in the former laboratories of the college, situated in the gardens where the students worked.

The gardens are home to an avenue of lime trees, some dating back over 250 years.

One oddity about Hextable is from Victorian times it has been without a public house.

Mrs Morris said: "One resident, John Todd, who founded the Temperance movement, instigated covenants preventing alcohol being sold right up to present day in the village."

A number of photographs, historical records and memorabilia of other aspects of village life will also be on display at the event.

These include a pram for small children from the Second World War, which has a large gas mask attached.

Photographs of Hextable, Swanley and Swanley Village through the years, depicting shops, houses and residents from times gone by, will also be on display.

Mrs Morris, who is also a councillor for Sevenoaks District Council, said: "On the open day people who live locally can look at the local census to see who used to live in their house and what they did for a living.

"Residents can also use the resources to do some family history research."

In 2003, residents celebrated the 800-year anniversary of the village with a large party. The comment book from this party is also at the centre as a modern piece of history.

The event is free and runs from 10am to 4pm. Car parking facilities and refreshments will also be available.