Over the years Chelsfield has had its fair share of talented and interesting people, but we were pleased to be sent these pictures and this information about Ken Wood, the entrepreneur behind Kenwood kitchen appliances. Thanks go to Ken’s stepson, John Wood, for providing the following information. Ken was born in Lewisham in 1916, but it seems that his father died from TB when Ken was only 11. It’s thought the family moved to Chelsfield Lane from Lewisham in early 1928 when Ken was 11, and then that year, sometime before October, his father contracted TB and passed away. Ken attended Bromley County School, and joined the Merchant Navy at the age of fourteen. His interest in electrical engineering eventually led him into manufacturing domestic appliances. In 1947, Ken and his business partner, Roger Laurence, started their first workshop in Woking manufacturing electric toasters under the name Woodlau, later renamed to Kenwood. Three years later the revolutionary Kenwood Chef was born. There is more information about vintage Kenwood products to be found here - https://www.kenwoodworld.com/en-gb/history-of- kenwood The bungalow where they lived was new in 1928 and is still on Chelsfield Lane. We have a picture of Ken's parents, Frederick and Agnes, standing proudly outside their home Here's another photo from that time (of Ken with his father) which was probably taken at the front door of the house. And a picture of the house today. Another point of interest is that his maternal grandfather was Charles Riley Maynard, co-founder of the Maynards Wine Gums company. The Maynards were devout Methodists and it's interesting to note that there was a Methodist church in Chelsfield back then. Perhaps that's why they moved there! May 2025

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