Watts' Place, Chatham

[MartinR]

The nursing service was absorbed into the NHS when it was founded in 1946.  Liability to fund it lay then with the county council, if charities assisted they paid 25%, the council the rest.  The Charity Commissioners did not approve of charities permanently supporting the NHS (as an arm of government), so the system ceased for all new cases at the end of 1950.  Existing cases were progressively transferred to the NHS and Watts' nursing service ceased to funtion at the end of FY 1957/8.

[Colin walsh]

When the yard closed I worked for Watts charity,as handy man,lovly job ,really good boss (lady) full title ,Clerk to the Trustees ,Watts owned large parts of Chatham and Rochester  in there day,remember the "Black &white milk bar"the old Labour exchange building plus most of Medway street ,all owned by the charity,Thay had property in Maidstone,and yalding ,Fantfarm,.
A number of houses in Watts Avn Rochester ,The six poor travelers ,Rochester High street ,even had property in London, much of it came to the charity when it absorbed other charities,.
At one time Watts had a nursing section,that looked after the poor,long since gone,even today Thay still pay pensions,allso provided aprentiships,to local boys ,own a number of buildings in and around Rochester providing rent free acomadation to selected persons,the publicl baths on the esplanade Rochester (long since gone ) allso contributed to the cost of a sailing training ship Churchill.dream job,but nothing lasts forever .

[Invicta Alec]

Two priceless photos on this thread - thank you for sharing them.


These prove that a picture paints a thousand words!


Alec.

[KeithG]

Richard Watts Charity was set up in the will of his in 1579 when he died, as well as several other charities in Rochester and Medway area.

Watts owned leases on the lands and properties hence why his name is all over the place and "Watts Place" rent was paid to his charities.

[Smiffy]

grandarog
 
Thanks, some info there that takes it back to at least 1841. I can only assume that the name Watt comes from Richard Watt of Watts Charities.

[grandarog]

There were 107 people recorded as living at Watts Place on the 1841 Census.
Couple of Pubs there over the years
1.   Forster's Arms           ,12 Watts Place. Chatham.

The Licensing Directory of 1872 says this was called the "Forester's Restaurant," operating under a beer license and was owned by Benjamin Gilbert of Burnt Oak Terrace in Gillingham.
In the 1882 and 1891 directories the address is given as being Medway Street.
    2.    Sultan, 10, Watts Place, Chatham
 
              (At 20 Watts Place in 1882, 1901 and 1911)



Mike Gunnill, mentions, Watts Avenue, Rochester in read no 9 .

Do we know who "Watt" was?

[Smiffy]

I have no information as to when this interesting little thoroughfare connecting the High street with Medway street first came into being, the earliest mention I can find comes from the 1858 Melvilles Directory of Kent. By then it appears to have already become well established and fully occupied, with tradespeople of all descriptions present, including the following:
 
A confectioner and lemonade manufacturer, a greengrocer, a beer house, an egg merchant, a Watch and clock maker, 2 boot and shoe makers, 2 tobacconists, an artist, a builder, a cabinet maker, 2 milliners plus a dressmaker, 2 hat and cap makers, a rate collector, a tailor, a baker and a pawnbroker.
 
A general view towards the High street dating from the 1940's:

 
For more than a century following this period, it seems to have continued to be the home of many small businesses, probably catering for a clientele belonging to a somewhat lower wage bracket. I'm pretty sure that I can remember it being referred to as "Broad Pavement", although I can find no written proof of this. There maybe a reader or two able to confirm this from their own personal memories of the area.


1953 Kelly's entry showing the variety of shops and services provided:

 
Watts' Place and some of the other properties fronting the High street were earmarked for demolition in 1961.  This was in order to make way for a new development that was to house Bates department store (later Bentalls) and a Sainsbury's supermarket. The modern building remains and is now occupied by Argos.
 
High street entrance from 1961, with vacant premises to either side:



No doubt by this time it had become somewhat run-down and ramshackle in appearance. But with its passing, yet another piece of Chatham's own particular and unique character, that which once endeared it to so many of its inhabitants - was gone forever.
 

Map showing the location of Watts' Place for reference: