Over the last decade, many local individuals and organisations have received grants from the East Wickham and Welling War Memorial Trust to assist with adventurous activities, rents on meeting places and building works on local halls.

Although many know of its existence, sadly, few people know much of the history of the Trust. It was never intended to be a grant giving charity. Indeed its origins are rooted in the former EW&W War Memorial Hall, which was erected by public subscription in memory of the 105 local men (about 5% of Welling’s male population) who died in the First World War. It became the chief centre of the social activities of what was a rapidly expanding district.

In the late 1920’s and the 1930’s, the hall served as a focal point for the local community, being used as a social club, a meeting place and a venue for a variety of public entertainments. The money generated by the hall was held in trust to pay for the maintenance of the hall and the future development of the site. In 1930, the Trustees registered the Trust as a charity.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Hall was requisitioned for Civil Defence use and was never to return to being a public Hall again. In 1945 a letter to the local press expressed disgust that the Hall was to be leased to the Government as the local Labour Exchange and its origins had been virtually forgotten.

Part of the building was to become the somewhat notorious “Inferno Club” in the 1960’s. This however, lived up to its name and was burnt down around 1965.

After the Government gave up its lease, the property was then let to a number of local businesses.

In the 1980’s local solicitors, T G Baynes & Sons took control of the administration of the Trust and enlisted the help of local property agents Hummerstone & Hawkins to get the letting of properties on a sound business footing.