Borstal, Past and Present

by Norman Clout

CONTENTS

• FOREWARD
• INTRODUCTION
• ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH
• List of Incumbents
• The Cleave Warne Hall
• THE PARISH OF ST. MATTHEW, BORSTAL
• Introduction
• Parish Boundaries
• The First "Borstal"
• Fort Borstal
• The Medway Bridge
• "Men of Kent"
• Chalk Pits
• World War II
• Borstal Manor and the Craske Family
• Borstal Baptist Church
• Borstal Street
• Manor Lane
• The Trams
• Nashenden
• Foords Almshouses
• Open Spaces
• Short Brothers
• Borstal Road
• The Medway as Dickens Knew It
• The Riverside
• POST SCRIPT - Jubilee Celebrations in Borstal, 1897

FOREWARD

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK IS THREEFOLD

First, it brings together in one volume a set of articles which appeared at monthly intervals in the Parish Magazine: articles which by virtue of having been written from first-hand experience (well nearly all!) were authoritative and personal.

The second purpose is to celebrate the Centenary of our church. In terms of the history of the Village of Borstal one hundred years is a relatively short time, but it is an important milestone to us, as members of the church.

The third purpose is more mundane; the proceeds from selling this booklet will, in the first instance, go into the Centenary Organ Fund which has been set up to cover the cost of much needed repairs to our organ, thus enabling future congregations of this church to worship God in due style. May we thank you for your contribution.

It is fitting that the author of this booklet should be our organist himself. Norman Clout has lived in Rochester all his life, most of it in Borstal itself: his colourful memories stretch back to just a little(!) before the Second World War.

We, as a Village, are debted to him for his enthusiasm and time. It is through people like him that villages like ours maintain their identity.

John A. Peal, Vicar

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