SNIPPETS from the 1930S

In the decade that saw the lead up to another World War, Capel citizens kept calm and carried on, mostly...

February 1931 - CAPEL: AMBULANCE CLASSES. 

The first of the series of ambulance classes, organised by the Capel British Legion, was held yesterday (Thursday) at Capel School. The lecturer was Dr. Wyper, of Pembury, who spoke upon the structure of the body, and Mr. Brooks Bodkin was the demonstrator.

March 1931 - FIVE OAK GREEN WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' CLUB

Two interesting competitions were run on Monday consisting of whist and bagatelle. The prizes were bulbs given by Mrs. R. Wickens. Whist was won by Miss Elsie Twort and the bagatelle by Miss Gladys Burgess.

March 1931 - TUDELEY WOMEN CONSERVATIVES 

A meeting of the Capel Women's Conservative Association was held on Thursday noon in the Goldsmid Hall, W. H. W. Smith presided. Miss Kern gave an address, dealing chiefly with the Electoral Reform Bill and Soviet dumping. A vote of thanks to the speaker was proposed by Miss Buggs, and seconded by Mrs. Woodhams. Competitions followed, the winners being Mrs. Hobbs, Mrs. Munt, Mrs. Flack, Mrs. Seal, Mrs. Willett and Mrs. Fuller.

June 1931 - A GENUINE MISTAKE

Charles Joseph Edwards, of Five Oak Green, was summoned for driving a motor car without due care and attention at Pembury on the same afternoon. He pleaded not guilty. P.C. Jackson said that he was on point duty at the junction of the Maidstone Road, and had signalled to defendant to stop to allow main road traffic to proceed. Defendant came on and turned into the Hastings Road, narrowly missing another car that he had signalled through. Edwards stopped near the corner, and when told that he would be reported, he replied "I thought you signalled for me to come on." Witness Edward Frank Couchman, an A.A. Patrol Officer, said P.C. Jackson gave the correct signal. In answer to the defendant, witness said that it was possible that he did make a mistake. Defendant explained to the magistrates that he was bringing a one-legged man into Pembury to take part in the British Legion parade, and as he approached the corner the police officer appeared to wave him on. He took a wide sweep because of the number of children there were about. It was a genuine mistake on his part. The magistrates came to the conclusion that it was a genuine mistake and dismissed the summons on the payment of 7s. costs (about £16 today).

July 1931 - CAPEL

A meeting of the Women's Institute was held at the Bridge Hall on Wednesday evening, when Mrs. W. H. W. Smith presided. What proved to be the most interesting item of the evening was a talk by Mr. Kenneth Rae on 'Oberammergau and the Passion Plays held there.' Amusement was created by the social half hour, when members had to give three-minute speeches on a subject drawn from the hat.

August 1931 - BRITISH LEGION SPORTS: We are asked to state that the Capel Branch of the British Legion, and not Plaxtol, were the winners of the tug of war cup at the recent sports.

September 1931 - UNUSUAL

Mrs. Graham, Matron of the Capel Isolation Hospital, stated that there had been two cases of diphtheria and three of scarlet fever, and added in answer to a query from the Chairman that not one of these had been from the hop fields. Captain Atkin commented that that was very unusual. In going through the list of requirements for the Hospital, the Chairman said that, "In these days of economy we must scrutinise every item and requirement, even though it is only a nail brush." The Council then interviewed applicants for the appointment of cook and attendant at the Hospital, and a decision was made.

September 1931 - CRUELTY TO MULE

Harry Cornell, of Capel, was summoned for cruelty to a mule at Capel on August 10th. Leonard Chapel, of Pembury, related that on August 10th he was viewing the airliner Hannibal at Capel and he saw Cornell with the mule, which he was not treating very well. His passenger and himself got out of the car, and when they reached the mule he saw that the animal had two or three wounds on its shoulder and back. Inspector Theobald of the R.S.P.C.A., who saw the animal the same day, confirmed that the mule was in poor condition and that there were wounds on the shoulder and back. The animal was totally unfit for work. Cornell told him that he had been treating the wounds. Cornell, who had 29 previous convictions for various charges, including one for being drunk in charge of a mule, was fined £1 (about £45 today).

January 1932 - PROTEST AGAINST SMOKING AT CAPEL MEETING 

A strong protest against the habit of members smoking at the Parish Council meetings was made at Capel Monday evening by the Rev. W. Holman, who declared that if members persisted, he would leave the meeting. Mr. O. d'Avigdor Goldsmid, who presided, replied that England was a free country and aIso that the Council had no rule against smoking.

November 1937

Mr and Mrs A. Cogger, of Old School Cottages, held a party at the Goldsmid Hall on the occasion of the coming-of-age of their daughter Miss Doreen Cogger. About 40 guests were entertained.

December 1937

J. Noakes, a Capel Football Club linesman, was suspended by the Division Three local league for 28 days and fined 2s 6d (about £8 today) for objectionable conduct and swearing at the referee.

January 1938

In the early hours of Thursday morning burglars entered Tully's stores in Five Oak Green and removed a quantity of sugar, sweets, clothing etc.

March 1938

The annual meeting of Capel Cricket Club was held in the Institute in Five Oak Green. Mr C. G. Pemble presided and Mr C. J. Edwards presented the balance sheet which showed a surplus of £6 19s 2d compared with £9 9s 1d the previous year.