An exhibition in Bromley marking the births of two of Britain’s greatest Prime Ministers will be open to the public on Saturday, January 17 2009.
The public event marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of William Pitt the Elder (1708–1778) and the 250th anniversary of the birth of William Pitt the Younger (1759–1806) will be held at Hayes School, West Common Road, from 9.30am to 1pm.
The exhibition will then tour six of the Borough’s secondary schools, also including Bishop Justus, Coopers Technology College, Charles Darwin School, Kelsey Park and Langley Park for Girls.
For close on 50 years the two Pitts – born November 15, 1708, and May 28, 1759 – lived in the Borough, either at Hayes or at Holwood, Keston. A series of events will be held during the year including the installation of a Blue Plaque in Hayes.
In addition a book about the Pitts, called ‘The Journey from Blandford to Hayes – the lives and times of two Prime Ministers, William Pitt, Earl of Chatham and William Pitt the Younger’, will be published on 12 January. Copies will be on sale at the exhibition and from local libraries.
It was in 1756 that William Pitt the Elder bought Hayes Place, a property that he had fallen in love with during visits to the area. Apart from a short break in 1766, he lived there for the rest of his life. His son, William Pitt the Younger, was born and baptised in Hayes. He bought Holwood in 1785 and sold the property in 1802.
