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The Trustees of the Archdiocese of Southwark constructed Saint Thomas More School, a voluntary aided institution, which opened its doors in 1969.
named after St. Thomas More, a revered English martyr and former Lord Chancellor of England who was a man of profound scholarship in the fields of law, art, and religion.
The school wants to assist its students in following St. Thomas More's example and developing into fine scholars.
It will take place at Bleakwood House Walderslade. Beginning in the early 1950s, Dr. Glynn, the owner of Bleakwood, provided a room in the residence to St. Michael's Chatham parishioners who were residing in Walderslade as a Mass centre.
With the stipulation that Bleakwood House should be leased to St. Michael's without charge until 1970, a firm of developers purchased Bleakwood House in 1965 together with enough land to construct twelve residences for 16,500.
On the rest of the grounds currently lie the St. Thomas More School and our new church. After the construction of the twelve dwellings, No.
Early in 1970, plans for a new church were being made, and Bleakwood House's life was about to end.
The house has now been sold for $12,000 and will soon be torn down to make room for more residences.
Bleakwood House will also be fondly recalled by all of us who will be there for the dedication of our new church on Easter Sunday as the hub for many years of Catholic activities in Walderslade.
Given that Maidstone already had a St. Simon school, it was chosen to name the institution after St. Thomas More, a co-martyr of St. John Fisher.
On September 10, 1969, the school welcomed 147 new students, which gave Sister Callista, the headmistress, a theoretical quota of 412 teachers.
With a team of six teachers, including Mr. Brannigan, the deputy head, there were now 210 students enrolled in the school as of September 1970.
With 232 students and a staff of 7 teachers, the school welcomes them for the start of the fall semester this month.
Every event has drawn a sizable crowd of parents who have demonstrated a keen interest in the institution.
Visitors to the school are instantly aware of the positive energy that permeates the structure and of how seriously the students are taught.
It is indeed a tribute to the work of Sister Callista and her staff that the St. Thomas More School in its short life of two years has already achieved an enviable reputation within the community of Walderslade.
The school celebrated it's 40th anniversary in September 2009 by having a school reunion for past staff and pupils and an open air mass on the school field, followed by a 60s fancy dress fun day for the children where the circus came to visit.
The New St. Simon Stock Church Local press release, dated September 12, 1971 Francis Weal and Associates was contacted in 1970 to create plans for a church complex in Walderslade.
The requirements requested for a conventionally styled structure that would serve the parish's social and religious purposes.
The plans were accepted and several companies were invited to tender for the work of building the Church.
On the financial side, the Manager of the Midland Bank kindly agreed to loan the money needed for the work at the very favourable rate of 1% above bank rate at a time of severe restrictions on credit.
The structure was finished on time, on August 2nd, 1971.
The new Church is a multi-purpose building with large sliding doors situated just behind the sacristy door which can be easily drawn across to completely separate the Church from the hall.
The mahogany alter is of a modern form and mounted on a marble dias which is effectively illuminated from large side windows.
The hall and Church combined can seat up to 240 people and is well equipped with kitchens, cloakrooms and storage facilities.
Whilst economics have been a dominant factor care has been taken to ensure that all the materials used would last with the minimum of maintenance.
On this great occasion, let us spare a thought and a prayer for those who have given freely and generously of their time and energy in making this new Church possible.
The priests who have administered to the needs of the Catholics in Walderslade namely Fr. Reynolds under whose ministry the school and the new Church have come into being.
Also at this time we should especially remember those who did not live to see the results of their work.