The Sixth John Briggs Memorial Lecture
sponsored by
Saturday 28 June 2003, 3.00—6.30 p.m.
"Bridges Between Nations"
A tribute to the Bridges Family and Dr Thomas Jones CH, both of St Nicholas-at-Wade, at St Nicholas-at-Wade Church, near Birchington, Isle of Thanet (see map below) followed by Strawberry Tea at St Nicholas Court, where its Underground Chapel may also be seen, by courtesy of Mr & Mrs Nick Tapp. Admission by ticket only — £10, to include tea. Proceeds to St Nicholas-at-Wade PCC Fabric Fund. For enquiries, please contact:- Mrs Jillian Smith (tel: 01843 845495) or Mrs Tessa Tapp (tel: 01843 847210)
The Underground Chapel at St Nicholas Court
St Nicholas Court, home of the Bridges Family for over 200 years. From a painting by Rodney Tapp.
Programme
Before 2.30pm, please park in the Car Park off Shuart Lane, at the West End of the Church, being careful not to block the Riding Stables entrance opposite. After 2.30 the School Car Park will be available (they have a fête earlier). Assemble in St Nicholas Church.
3.00 Welcome and Introduction
3.05 Dr Thomas Jones (1870-1955)
Talk by his grandson Ben Jones MITI, MTA.
Dr Thomas Jones C.H. joined the Cabinet Secretariat on its formation in 1916 and remained as Deputy Secretary until 1930, under 4 Prime Ministers, Lloyd George, Bonar Law, Baldwin and Ramsay MacDonald, during the period of the Irish Settlement and the General Strike. He wrote prolific diaries which shed much light on what happens behind the scenes in Whitehall. He came from the Welsh mining village of Rhymney and also devoted much energy to Adult Education, founding Coleg Harlech. In 1924 he built Street Acre in Shuart Lane, St Nicholas-at-Wade, which has continued to be the family home.
3.40 A musical tribute to Robert Bridges (Poet Laureate 1917-30)
Christine Hubbard, International Soprano will sing some of his Works set to music.
4.00 Short Break
4.15 The Bridges Family before, during and after their residence at St Nicholas-at-Wade. Talk by Lord Bridges GCMG, of Headley and St Nicholas-at-Wade, grandson of Robert Bridges.
The Bridges Family was very influential in St Nicholas-at-Wade for over 200 years. Robert Bridges was born in 1844 and educated at Eton and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. After travelling extensively, he studied medicine in London and practised until 1882. He was Poet Laureate for 17 years from 1913-30. His only son Edward, 1st Baron Bridges of Headley, county Surrey and St Nicholas-at-Wade, county Kent, KG, PC, GCB, GCVO, MC was Secretary to the Cabinet 1938-46 covering World War II and the Nuremberg Criminal War Trials.
4.50 Christine Hubbard will sing more of Robert Bridges' works.
5.10 Depart to St Nicholas Court for Strawberry Tea, with the opportunity to see the Underground Chapel and a tour of an ancient garden.
Part of the St Nicholas-at-Wade website - this is an amended archive copy.