Birchington Sports Day, Egg & Spoon Race
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Birchington Sports Day, Egg & Spoon Race
In conjunction with Birchington War Weapons Week in late May 1918, the Quex Park VAD Hospital and its Annexe at St Michaels in Birchington organised a Sports event. It was held on the field of Woodford House School in Birchington. Twelve races were held, proceeds went to the Birchington War Depot which provided articles for the local hospitals. 8. 14s. was raised. This photograph is of Event No. 4 Egg and Spoon Race (Boys & Girls under 14). Several children are shown taking part, watched by a large crowd of other children and adults. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment. The Commandant was Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964), wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum. Major Powell-Cotton was the VAD Transport Officer for the Isle of Thanet area, responsible for organising the transport of patients from the stations to the local hospitals. Date: 1918
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Media ID 14305226
© The Powell-Cotton Museum Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Adults Annexe Articles Closed Commandant Conjunction Depot Detachment Held Hospitals Michaels Opened Organised Proceeds Provided Races Raised Several Shown Spoon Taking Twelve Watched Week Woodford January Weapons
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, sourced from Mary Evans Prints Online, documents the Egg and Spoon Race during Birchington Sports Day in late May 1918. The event was organized by the Quex Park VAD Hospital and its Annexe at St Michaels in Birchington, held on the grounds of Woodford House School. The Sports Day was held in conjunction with Birchington War Weapons Week, with the proceeds going towards the Birchington War Depot, which supplied articles to local hospitals. In this image, young participants, both boys and girls under the age of 14, are seen taking part in Event No. 4 of the Sports Day. The children, focused and determined, balance an egg on a spoon as they race towards the finish line. A large crowd of children and adults watch in anticipation, their expressions filled with excitement and support. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. It was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment, with Hannah Powell-Cotton serving as the Commandant. Mrs. Powell-Cotton was the wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum and the VAD Transport Officer for the Isle of Thanet area. He was responsible for organizing the transport of patients from the stations to the local hospitals. This photograph offers a poignant glimpse into the community spirit and resilience of Birchington during the First World War, as they came together to support their local hospital and those in need.
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