The Fifth Continent

Convalescent Home

The Convalescent Home has had two locations, a fact which seems to have confused the author of the pictorial history of the Romney Marsh communities (Old Romney Marsh in Camera book by Edward Carpenter). He dates the Convalescent Home only from 1905 but the one he illustrates, the first version, was open by the time of the 1891 Census. While it is possible that PB Tubbs FRIBA designed the plain pair of semis attributed to him by Carpenter, it seems likely to me that only the later, current home is by him.

Thanks to a former resident of St Nicholas Road I can date the foundation of the first home to 1890, as recorded by Burdett's Hospitals and Charities of 1899. That quotes the home as having 31 beds, income of £415, expenditure of £344. Admission was by letter from a subscriber who could send one patient for each subscription of one guinea (£1.05 today). From other entries in Burdett this appears to have been the standard going rate and method of payment for such homes, with a stay of about three weeks. The honorary Director and Treasurer was Edwin Henry Tubbs, resident of Lawrie Road, Sydenham, and the Surgeon was R R Daglish.

Littlestone Convalescent Home, Mrs Catherine Laxton (Matron), St Nicholas Road, 1903 (Kellys Directory). At the 1901 census she is entered as Katherine Laxton (with a K) and she is Manager of the Convalescent Home. Her sister Emily Ward was Assistant Manager, The 7 residents were described as Patients. All were fairly young, age range 16-23.

According to Carpenter's caption the rate for convalescents was one guinea (£1.05) for two weeks, which we now know was charitably subscribed by a sponsor of some kind

There is a suggestion that Henry Thomas Tubbs was also connected with the Seaham Convalescent Home, or that he had other earlier interests in Convalescent homes. This is from a magistrates decision to send an alcoholic to a convalescent home owned by fellow magistrate HTT. This is to be investigated

According to the same local source, the St Nicholas Road premises were empty and derelict and finally demolished around 1974

The present houses on St Nicholas Road are all much later than this, and my local source indicates the new flats were built shortly after the demolition of the old home

The present name for The Convalescent Home on Nether Avenue is Creedy House, I think that name dates from its re-opening as a Civil Service retirement home in 1956.

There are two foundation stones at Creedy House, one laid by Mrs HT Tubbs in 1899 , when she was Mayoress of New Romney, HTT being the Mayor. That identifies Percy B Tubbs as the architect.

The later stone was laid by Mrs Edwin Tubbs in 1901. It seems improbable to me that it took from 1901 to 1905 to complete and open the new Convalescent Home.

1911 Census At the 1911 census the head of the Convalescent Home was Alice Jona aged 43, described as Honorary Superintendant. This is the new home. It must have been a HTT enterprise as PBT designed it, but as with so many other of his ventures he probably sold or gave away his interest. There were 14 other residents including a shorthand typist, including one minor. The home was described as Convalescent Home for Women and Girls. The postal address is supplied by a rubber stamp which just reads Convalescent Home, Littlestone, but it is on Nether Avenue. In 1901 Miss Jona was living at 52 Bartholemew Road St Pancras and was already engaged in good works, eg Secretary to Friendly workers. (?). Her father was a clergyman at St Pancras.