History

As Enham moved into the fifties, the proposed give-year-plan to transform Enham Alamein into a fully equipped village settlement became a reality. The first 50-bed stage of the new hostel came into operation and was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal on Alamein Day on 23^rd October 1950.

Littlecote House was converted into a 21-bed hostel in 1953, to help ease the urgent need for bed places. It was re-emphasised that the workshops existed to provide training, work and wages for disabled people.

By 1955, Enham was well into its third phase of development. Phase 1 had been focussed at the care and rehabilitation of disabled ex-servicemen. Phase 2 had seen the development of rehabilitation of those suffering from tuberculosis - both ex-service and civilian men and women. Phase 3 was to open Enham to those suffering from a much wider range of physical disabilities.

Continuous sustained industrial activity was happening in Enham in the mid 1940’s. In the main factory, single seat training gliders were being produced in quantity, and all workshops were fully employed in work of national importance.

In many ways, 1945 was the ‘most eventful year in Enham's history’, according to V. Perks, author of Enham Village Centre 1918-1988. Plans for the future of Enham were drawn up, finalised and submitted to the Ministry of Health. And, of course, the devastating war came to an end.

A public subscription in Egypt raised £600,000 to thank Britain for its part in ridding Egypt of Axis forces. It was on 22^nd October 1945 that the first cheque of £100,000 from the Bank of Egypt was awarded to Enham Alamein, a gift to mark the gallantry of British forces at the Battle of El Alamein in WW2. The remainder was given later that year and a total sum in excess of £200,000 was given to Enham. In recognition, Enham appended the word 'Alamein' to its name, henceforth to be known as Enham Alamein.

The Egyptian Government presented Enham Alamein with 3 pairs of wrought-iron gates, presented originally by the three services to the Alamein Club in Cairo. The gates bearing the crest of the RAF were sited at Phipps house; those of the Royal Navy at the entrance to the Industries' Headquarters; those representing the Army were sited at the entrance to the White House. All are still treasured and carefully kept at Enham Alamein today, with the gates to Montgomery House still in place.

One of Enham's most distinguished Vice Presidents, Field Marshal Lord Montgomery, made his first visit to Enham Alamein in 1948 and was greatly impressed with the village. It was an informal visit, and he met a number of men who had served under him in the Desert. He said "I am deeply impressed by what I have seen today. I have seen a fine set of old soldiers doing a fine job of work. No one seems to have a job that he is not medically fit to do, and I must say they all look extremely happy and content."

In 1930, two grand balls were held as fundraisers, ‘The Wedgewood Ball’ on 27th May, and ‘The Jewels of the Empire Ball’ on 26th November at the Park Lane Hotel in London, the latter raising £1,500 profit on tickets alone. It attracted a wide range of publicity in national papers and magazines such as the Bystander, Tatler and Sketch.

Following the death of Field Marshal Lord Plumer in 1932, Field Marshal Lord Allenby became President of Enham Village Centre.

With the Enham Industries continuing to make progress with increasing mechanisation in the woodworking factory, the Bernhard Baron Basketry Department - a fine new purpose built workshop - was opened in 1935. There were now four industries - woodwork, basketry, upholstery and gardens.

The Committee called a General Meeting on 10th July 1935 to consider a Special Resolution to extend Enham's sphere of help beyond the disabled servicemen. Enham extended its employment scheme to disabled people, but not through the result of war or conflict.

With the passing of His Majesty King George V in 1936, Enham lost the services of their Royal Patron who had done so much for them. This was followed soon after with the deaths of the President of Enham and the Chairman of the Executive and Finance Committee.

Sir Charles McLeod, a banker and merchant, had devoted not only money but time and energy to Enham throughout the 1930’s. He was responsible for saving the Enham Village Centre from collapse, when he personally advanced many thousands of pounds to save the Village, when its livelihood was threatened by the financial collapse in 1920. In November 1936 in issue of ‘Village Settlements Pictorial’, the annual report said "Such a service can never be forgotten and, as long as Enham endures, the name of Sir Charles McLeod will be honoured there."

By the end of 1921, 510 men had been admitted to Enham and 366 had been discharged - 80% of whom were fit to take up employment or industrial training.

In 1922, The King and Queen, accompanied by HRH the Duke of York, visited Enham. The Village Centres Council had a number of high-profile patrons from 1923 onwards including HRHs the King and Queen, Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, HRH Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles, Field Marshal HRH the Duke of Connaught, and HRH Princess Alice.

On 26^th June 1926, the Landale Wilson Institute was completed and opened by HRH the Prince of Wales. Now known as the Landale Wilson Hall, it is still used today for parties and events. The building was given to Enham by Mr and Mrs. D. Landale Wilson in commemoration of their silver wedding anniversary.