History-buff nurse unveils photos of life at care home in early 1900s

A nurse at a Hythe care home has unveiled a collection of photographs of the home from the 1920s and 1930s when it was used as a convalescence home for transport workers.

Before its conversion to a nursing home, Saltwood Care Centre on Tanners Hill was known as Philbeach, a convalescent home for London transport employees for more than 60 years.

Linda Sage is a nurse at Balgowan House, one of three care homes owned by Hythe Care, another of which is Saltwood Care Centre.

Linda and her partner Martin Easdown are local historians and have published several books on the history of Hythe and Folkestone. Linda volunteered her time to talk to residents about the history of the home.

“It’s an impressive building with an interesting history,” explained Linda.

“Everyone has loved looking at the old images of the convalescent home and comparing it to the care home today. It’s been lovely to share the photographs and my knowledge of the building with residents and staff.”

The Philbeach Convalescent Home was officially opened by Charles Wakefield, a former Lord Mayor of London, on April 20, 1925.

She added: “Because of the building’s view across the town to the sea and its location on the warm and sheltered coast of south Kent, Philbeach was an ideal setting for a convalescence home.

“Bought with five acres of ground in 1924 for £7,650, the building was converted to house female London transport employees and their young children.

“Though planning permission was initially declined by Hythe Borough Council due to concerns over the home’s purpose, but after a letter confirmed that it would not be treating infectious or tubercular diseases the plans were passed.”

One of the photographs shows a group of women and several children sitting in the grounds of the convalescent home during the 1930s. Another image shows young children playing on toy cars and tricycles in the playground.

A photo from 1929 depicts members of the home’s staff in their uniforms.

“A Mr and Mrs Head were appointed stewards to run the home,” said Martin.

“The initial staff consisted of two gardeners, six maids and a nurse. A large extension added in 1937 provided an additional eighteen bedrooms, along with six staff bedrooms, new stewards quarters and three large recreational rooms.

“At its height, the home could accommodate 56 women and 40-50 young children.”

Residents at Saltwood Care Centre were fascinated to hear stories about the convalescent home, including tales during the war years.

Linda explained: “When the building was struck by a bomb during World War II, it bounced off the roof and exploded 200 yards away in Mill Road, damaging a number of houses in the area and injuring eight people.

“Following the end of the war, the late 1940s and 1950s were golden years for Philbeach with a high take-up of visitors only too happy to escape war-torn London.”

Resident Jean Blackman, aged 88, has fond childhood memories of the convalescent home.

She explained: “For 50 years my dad was the gardener at Philbeach and I would visit him on my school holidays. He would fetch me lemonade and biscuits from the house and I would watch him work. Dad would ask me to help, but I was too fearful of cutting down a precious plant.

“When I look upon the garden now, it makes me very proud of what he created, and I remember the good days we had here.”

Resident Ray Rakestrow, aged 87, is fascinated by history and very much enjoyed Linda’s talk.

He said: “Linda shared lots of photographs of the home, some dating back to the 1920s, and it was interesting comparing the pictures to what the home looks like now. I was surprised to hear that residents at Philbeach had to share a room with two others. I much prefer having my own bedroom!”

Since its time as a convalescent home, the building has been much improved and extended to provide 66 bedrooms and three lounges, two of which overlook the gardens and enjoy views out to sea. Saltwood Care Centre offers personalised nursing, residential, dementia and respite care.

For more information visit https://www.hythecare.com/saltwood-care-centre/

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