Nichols chose to enlist
the help of the Press and wrote to the Railway
Herald, this letter appearing in 7 January 1899.
Within a week or so Nichols had sufficient replies
to arrange a meeting on 19 January 1899 at which
the selected representatives, including W J Day,
an engine driver from the Great Northern Railway
and T Bartle a Checker in the Goods Dept of the
L & NWR, were present.
Mr W T Culver, Stationmaster at Canon Street was
elected to the Chair and the result of this historic
meeting was the unanimous acceptance of the motion
that " We the railwaymen, representing the
men employed on the nine principal railways having
termini in London, do hereby signify our willingness
to become trustees of the Passmore Edwards proposed
Home , subject to his approval. |
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The trustees, including
Nichols, were in a position to sign the Trust Deed
by April 1899 and they began the process of setting
up the organisation which was going to be essential
to attract the regular flow of subscriptions needed
to support the Home once established.
At this time Nichols was elected to take over as
Chairman. |
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The business of constructing
and opening the Home was also of some urgency and
Sexton Snell was appointed architect.. The foundation
stone was laid on 12 June 1899 by the Rt Hon Earl
of Amherst.
On 31 August 1899 the trustees met to consider tenders
for the new building and decided to accept a tender
from H Wall & Co, of Kentish Town, of £8,367
for a Home accommodating fifty beds. At the same
meeting it was agreed to accept as an additional
trustee a representative from the Great Central
Railaway, originally not in attendance at the original
meeting. |
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MR PASSMORE EDWARDS'
NEW YEAR GIFT TO RAILWAYMEN
Dear Sir,- I have pleasure
in stating that Mr Passmore Edwards informs me that
he is prepared to find means to erect a Convalescent
Home for railwaymen of the country, and provide a site
at Herne Bay, provided it is invested in the names of
suitable trustees, and assurances are given that the
institution will be efficiently and permanently maintained;
or, in other words, that it be placed on a similar foundation,
and in similar circumstances, as the Convalescent Home
for Friendly Societies, which is to be opened on 1st
May next.
If the railwaymen are prepared to accept the site and
home on the conditions named, it will be necessary for
them to give such evidence as will satisfy Mr passmore
Edwards that the home will be efficiently maintained
and managed, and submit suitable names as trustees.
As the happy medium of obtaining this great boon for
railwaymen, I shall be glad if they will appoint duly
qualified delegates to attend a meeting early in the
New Year, of which due notice of time and place will
be given, when a scheme will be submitted, and I would
suggest that each railway send one or two delegates.
I may add that the Friendly Societies' Home at Herne
bay will be officially opened by Mr passmore Edwards
on 1st may next, and all things being satiftisfactory,
he would like to lay the foundation stone of the Railwaymen's
Convalescent Home on the same day, and thus form a sister
institution.
I have promised Mr Edwards that I will do my best to
pilot a scheme through successfully, and I look forward
to a happy response to his generous and noble gift.
Yours truly,
J E Nichols
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