These two extracts are taken from a newspaper clipping from the East Kent Gazette in 1951 which was found at my Great Grandparents house when it was cleared. The Wormshill funeral relates directly to my Browning family, follow the links to see who is who. The death of the builder happened to be on the same cutting so I have included it here in case it is useful or interesting for anyone researching the Monk family.

THE LATE MRS K.L. TAYLOR

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Funeral at Wormshill

The funeral took place at Wormshill on Saturday, of Mrs Kate Eliza Taylor of Eyehorne House, Wormshill, who died suddenly on Wednesday last week in her 70th year. She had lived at Wormshill for 15 years.

The service was conducted by the Rev. C.A.R. Walter (vicar of Hollingbourne), and Miss Atkinson was at the organ.  The Rev. L. W. Lang (rector of Frinsted with Wormshill) officiated at the interment, and the grave was lined with spring flowers by Mrs Taylor's friends in the village.

The principal mourners were Mr and Mrs B. S. Taylor (son and daughter-in-law), Mr and Mrs A. W. Hooker (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs W. B. Allen (sister), Mr and Mrs V. Horton (brother-in-law and sister), Mrs H. Sutton (sister-in-law), and Miss M. Sutton and Miss E. Allen (nieces).

Among others present were Mr Stephen de Visme Thomas, Miss E de Visme Thomas, Mrs Walters, Miss F. Harris, Miss M. A. Pepper, Miss M. Hooker, Miss E. Hooker, Mrs S. Hooker, Mrs A. Piper, Mrs F. Alexander, Mrs E. E. Twyman, Miss B. Twyman, Mrs R.T. Twyman, Mr R. Hubbard, Mrs E. Rayfield, Mrs B. Brown, Mrs F. Brown, Mrs Cross, Mrs Scott, Mrs W. Denny, Mrs J. Denny, Mrs Johnson, Mrs Bostock, Mrs Miles, Mrs Pascoe, Mr Mattinson, Mr E. Wood and Mr J. Wakelam.

Flowers were sent by Bernard, Ann and the children; Alec, Edie and the children; Alice and Bruce sen; Mary, Emmie, Bruce jun; Nellie and Vin; Rose; Lily; May and Minnie; Charlie; her friends at Eyehorne; Tiny and M. A. Pepper; Mr and Mrs Keen; Con and Linda; Molly; Mabel and Elsie Hooker; Stanley, Bessie and boys; Lottie Rayfield; Frank, Alice and Joan; Mrs Hubbard, Roy and Cynthia; C. and E. Chisman; all at Throwley; Stanley and Jennie Rayfield; Elsie, Peter, Margaret and Keith Twyman; C. and E.E. Twyman and Babs; Mr and Mrs B. Brown; Mrs Brown, Wormshill; Mr and Mrs Mattinson; Nellie Barnden; Mrs Abel, Babs and Willy; Mr and Mrs Johnson; Frinstead and Wormshill Mother's Union; Hollingbourne Mother's Union.

DEATH OF WELL-KNOWN BUILDER

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Mr N. H. Monk, of Sittingbourne

Mr Nathaniel Harry Monk, partner in the firm of Messrs. Thomas Monk and Sons, builders and contractors, of Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, died at his home,151 Canterbury Rd on Friday morning after a short illness.  He was 78.

A native of Sittingbourne, he was the son of the late Mr Thomas Monk.  He leaves a widow (formerly Miss Hilda Jones), two sons (Messrs L. J. and G.W. Monk) and a daughter (Mrs W. Taylor of Collier St, Nr Marden). There are five grandchildren.

One of a family of six, Mr Monk is also survived by a brother, Mr R. P. Monk, of Canterbury.

The funeral took place at Bapchild Church on Wednesday.

The following extract is from the Kent Messenger 1966 and relates to the history of Wormshill Post Office. My thanks to Mr Graham Browning for providing this extract.

COUNTRY'S SECOND OLDEST POST OFFICE

Mrs Irene Bugden is postmistress of the second oldest Post Office in the country. It is situated in the same small cottage-where it was originally opened-in the village of Wormshill.

Over the cottage door is the Post Office sign painted by Mrs Bugden herself.

Wormshill P.O. was opened in 1847 and owned by Mr Tom Clements.

Mr Clements, who was Rector's Warden at the village church for 35 years, also had a general store at the premises.

The building is believed to be 500 years old and it is still in sound condition.

Previous postmasters have been Mr Browning, followed by his daughter Mrs K. Taylor and then Miss Fanny Harris, who was village schoolmistress for many years.

Miss Harris moved the Post Office and general store to a building a few yards further along the road, but when Mrs Bugden became post mistress 20 years ago she moved back into the original premises.

22/03/2008