‘The Urgent Miss Babington’ in Tenterden

Who would have thought that a few lines of a story from the Great War in 1917 would start me off on a research project which culminated with me writing a book?

 

I was told about the life and tragic death of Humfrey Babington, a young man who is listed on the St Mildred’s Church World War One War Memorial. The more I researched, the more the Babington family intrigued me. The father was Rev J. A. Babington, vicar of St Mildred’s Church Tenterden from 1907 until he retired in 1924. Margaret stayed with her father throughout his ministry in Tenterden and later in Canterbury.

 

I began to research Margaret, little suspecting where her life story would take me. A valuable source of information was the archived Tenterden Parish Magazines, started by Rev Babington and his daughter in 1908. Margaret played a significant part in the life of Tenterden between 1907 and 1924 – indeed I found references to her being actively involved in an incredible 36 diverse groups, as secretary, treasurer, or leader! She was a founding member of both the Mother’s Union and WI in Tenterden. She worked tirelessly throughout the First World War, setting up and supporting the War Hospital Supply Depot at Homewood (now Homewood School); she organised the National Egg Collection scheme in the town and surrounding villages; she raised vast amounts of money for various local charities and worthy causes.

 

My research then took me from Tenterden and the Parish Magazines and various newspaper cuttings to the Cathedral Archives. I spent many happy hours there reading through a huge volume of work relating to her. In 1928 Margaret was appointed the Secretary, Steward, and Treasurer of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, and is credited with raising enormous amounts of money for various cathedral projects. In 1937 she was awarded the OBE ‘for services to the cathedral’. Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of condolence to her family and friends when she died; and she was honoured by having two memorial plaques placed in Canterbury – one in the Cathedral and one in the Cloisters.

 

But this is only a part of her story. There is so much more…

 

With the help of a grant from the Allen Grove Fund organised by Kent Archaeological Society, and an extremely helpful publisher – Ed Adams of Canterley Publishing – I was able to pull the two stories together (Tenterden AND Canterbury) into a book, as well as giving several illustrated talks to local groups. Profits from this work are being put towards a huge re-ordering project in St Mildred’s Church. Details of this planned scheme are to be found in the church website. The Transformation Fund Committee are busily planning activities for the future, building on recent successful events including a concert by Sutton Valence Choir, a Canterbury Model Railway Exhibition, and ‘An evening with Tim Henman’. We sold Jubilee Tea Towels and I did a sponsored Parachute Jump last year. We are nothing if not varied! Who knows what we will come up with next…

 

Tenterden Museum have started to stock my book, available for £10. I can also supply copies. Contact me by phone on 01233 770082 or by email at [email protected]. Postage is £2 for UK orders.

 

I enjoyed researching and writing this book. I hope that you enjoy reading it.

 

by Eleanor Bliss