1954 News - Hartley-Kent: Covering Hartley, Longfield & District

01 Jan 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

London Overspill Town

"News about London County Council's reuest to accommodate overspill population from London in the Longfield-Hartley area is scanty.  We know there has been a meeting of local authorities convened by Kent County Council to discuss the request.  In the minutes of Gravesend Town Council it is reported that the Town Clerk informed the works committee that at the meeting called by the County Council, 'it had been indicated that local authorities in the area were not, in the main, in favour of this scheme'.  I should say this is a bit of understatement.  I believe Dartford RDC is very concerned about the matter and Hartley Parish Council is also alarmed at the prospect of this pleasant little village being turned into a town.

I have heard that the LCC wants to creat a township of 45,000 people in the area.  This is probably true, for I can't imagine the LCC trifling with a scheme for a few people.  It would not be worth its while with so many thousands to be resettled.  Obviously London's overspill population must be accommodated somewhere, but why in the densely populated area of North Kent, where every local council is starved for land to house its own people and provide open spaces for their leisure?   I say this matter want watching.  People who live in the Dartford Rural area must be alert or else they will wake up one day to find themselves living in one vast built-up area with miles to go to find a green field or a stretch of country woodland."

Labourer in custody

"At Dartford on Monday, Bertram George Thake, 31, unemployed labourer, no fixed address, was charged with breaking into the house of Mr John Francis Snow at Hoselands Hill, Hartley and stealing a post Office savings bank book and other property, of a total value of £75 13s....."

[Paper of 15/1/1954 has commital hearing.  Thake had called asking for work and was given gardening work at 2s 6d per hour.  Robbed Mr Snow when he went to Gravesend.   He was caught at Camberwell Green Post Office trying to withdraw £20 from Mr Snow's account, not knowing the "clerk" was a policeman who arrested him.  Paper of 26/2/1954 reported that Thake was given 8 years at the Quarter Sessions.  Paper of 7/5/1954 reported that the appeal against the sentence, described as 'preventive detention' was dismissed.  This explains the very long sentence for a relatively small crime. Until the 1960s courts could imprison "habitual criminals" for up to 14 years even if the crime they were convicted of didn't merit it]

08 Jan 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Obituary of Mrs Ellen Sims

Of 8 Valley Villas [221 Main Road], aged 75.  Wife of Harry, had lived in Longfield 26 years and before that Hartley.  Member of OAP Association and Hartley Women Conservatives.  Leaves husband and 1 daughter.

15 Jan 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Obituary of John Wain

Of 24 Whitehill Road, age 61.  Born in Ash, had lived in area all his life.  For 22 years employed as farm worker by Messrs J J Barker (Southfleet) Ltd.   Leaves widow.

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) Hoselands Hill.  HPC ".... decided at its monthly meeting to send a resolution to KCC asking for the road to be widened on the west side, which would involve cutting back the bank and taking out the trees, and also for a pavement to be made on the east side as far as Merton Avenue..."  PC think this is a priority and pointed out the danger to the KCC people when they visited.  Increased traffic means it must be considered a major cross-country road.  Entrance to Hottsfield was narrow and danger to traffic entering or leaving.  PC write to homeowners there telling them to sort it out.   (2) Footpaths.  9 stiles through Manor Farm need repairing.

22 Jan 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Players AGM

Membership up since 1950 from 75 to 111.  Balance in account is £9 2s 5d.  Silver ash tray sent to inaugural member Cyril Boston who has left the district.

30 Jan 1954 Evening News

70 Marries 77

"When Mr H R Coombs, aged 70, a widower, went to live at the Old Downs Old People's Home at Hartley near Gravesend Kent, the first person he was introduced to was Mrs L Evans, a widow, aged 77.  Today in the little parish church of Hartley they were married.  Among the congregation were residents of the home where Mr Coombs and his bride will continue to live." [Maidstone Telegraph 8/1/1954 also reports on this with a picture]

05 Feb 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield children in sparkling pantomime

Picture feature on Cinderella at Longfield Village Hall, which played to full houses over 3 days.

[Paper of 12/2/1954 has picture of a party for the cast held by the Pride of Kent Buffaloe lodge at the Railway Tavern.  Paper of 19/2/1954 said success had led to the formation of the Longfield Amateur Players]

12 Feb 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) Complaints about horse riders using footpaths.  (2) Due to poor usage, LT has cut the number of 490 buses to Hartley Court on a Sunday to 7.  PC don't object but point out they don't connect with other buses and trains at Longfield.

19 Feb 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

LCC want new town of 25,000 in North Kent

"London County Council has invited councils in North Kent to discuss with it development in the Hartley - Longfield area of Dartford Rural District of a township of the order 20,000 - 25,000 people as a help towards the 'overspill' problem.  At present the combined population of the two villages is 2,270.

The Conference will be held at Coutny Hall, London, on March 3rd.  Asked to send representatives are Kent County Council; Erith, Bexley, Dartford and Gravesend Borough Councils; Northfleet, Swanscombe and Crayford Urban Councils and Dartford Rural Council.

In the letter invitingNorth Kent councils to the discussion, LCC says that in the course of talks with KCC and Dartford RDC the question has arisen, on the one hand, of need of some neighbouring urban authorities for the relief of their housing need, and on the other hand, of the apparent existing shortage of workers in some of the Thamesside towns.  Although the prime object in undertaking an expansion of the Hartley-Longfield district would be relief for London's overspill population, the LCC says it will be glad to consider any means by which the expansion could be made to help in the solution of ht eproblems which may face Kent urban authorities.

It suggests tha tit might be possible, by arrangement, to allocate on terms to be agreed, a proportion of houses built to families from Kent areas and also to arrange that some of the houses built for occupation by Londoners shall be let to tenants who will meet local employment needs.  The letter makes it clear that the proposed township, in the LCC's view, shoud have such industry as to provide local employment and prevent it from becoming a dormitory area for London workers.

At Swanscombe Council's meeting on Tuesday, when it was decided to be represented at the conference, [NAME] recalled that when the question of overspill of population from North Kent towns was discussed about 2 years ago, it was definitely statedtha tno dormitory town would be permitted in Dartford Rural District."

Longfield Court Auction of Furniture and Effects

"… Messrs Porter Putt and Fletcher will submit to public auction on Wednesday 3rd March …. The household furniture and effects.  Comprising: antique and modern furniture, silver and plated ware, dresden and other china and glass, cutlery, linen, kneehole desk, HMV radiogram, carpets, rugs, Milner safe, Westinghouse refrigerator, grandfather clock, bedroom suites, 2 Hotpoint electric washing and ironing machines, revolving summerhouse, lawn mowers, garden tools, flower pots etc etc...."

26 Feb 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

2nd Birthday

2nd birthday party for Longfield OAP Association held at Village Hall.  Over 70 present.

05 Mar 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Former Blacksmith

Obituary of Frank Albert Fuller, aged 70, of 2 Armstrong Cottages, [9 or 11] Kent Road.  Born Leatherhead, lived at Longfield 43 years, for 20 years he was blacksmith at the village forge.  Leaves widow, 3 sons, 5 daughters.

Longfield Parish Council Meeting

(1) Council had written to MP asking for more money for Kent road maintenance.  Reply from Ministry is there is no more money.  PC to raise it at NALC.  (2) Dartford RDC has asked if they want any litter bins.  PC wanted to find out how much they will cost, some in favour, some against, saying people wouldn't use them.

Staff wanted

"Roundsman for grocery and general stores and assist counter - Sheppard's Stores, Longfield" [1 Main Road]

12 Mar 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) Litter bins.  PC don't want to buy any.  (2) Public Open Space proposed for St John's Lane.  (3) Hoselands Hill.  KCC have applied for grant for improvements, if successful, this will take place in 1954-55 financial year.  (4) Annual Parish Meeting that preceded heard complaints by residents of unadopted roads abou the bad condition developers leave them in after building work [I believe Gorsewood Road may be especially meant here], PC said there was nothing they could do.  Meeting (attended by 13) also heard concerns about the LCC development proposals.  At WI meeting, Mrs Jenman said they were causing great concern in the village.  Hartley PC to call public meeting.

19 Mar 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Thatched barn burnt out

"A spark from a bonfire set fire to the thatched roof of a 100 foot long barn at Hartley House, Ash Road, Hartley on Friday.  Three fire appliances fought the blaze for over 3 hours, but the barn was almost completely burnt out.  It contained a quantity of straw and some farm equipment.  The heat was so great that several windows of the nearby house were cracked and paintwork was scorched."  [The barn is marked on Victorian maps of Hartley, it was sited the the pathway that now leads to Hartley House Cottage]

26 Mar 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Pensioners Unite

"At a meeting in the Congregational Church Hall, a branch of the Old Age Pensioners' Federation was inaugurated…."

Longfield Cubs Triumph

16th Gravesend (Longfield) Cub Pack awarded totem pole by P C Hewett [Percy Hewett of Hartley] for highest marks in annual sports and handicraft competition.  PIcture of Percy Hewett presenting the award to senior sixer [NAME].

02 Apr 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Players

Picture of their latest production Bonaventure

Paper of 9/4/1954 has favourable review "Hartley Players Choose Strong Drama for 51st show."

09 Apr 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Parish Council Meeting

(1) Whitehill Recreation Ground.  Cllr Baker proposed selling it saying no-one uses it, the children use the land at the bottom of the hill, but he withdrew motion when chairman said he thought organised games would be played there soon.  Clerk said council were committed to buy it wihin 20 years and it would cost £3,000 to make it suitable for recreational purposes.  (2) Boundary Review.  Implementation due on 1 April has been postponed due to late objections.  (3) PC complain about lack of street cleaning.  Blanket had remained on a road for 12 days.

Colonial Office Appointment

"A well known north kent pig breeder, Mr A A Jeacock [Alliston Arthur Jeacock 1911-1971], Pescot House, Longfield, sailed for the Gold Coast [Ghana] yesterday to take up an appointment as a colonial office personnel administrator at Accra.  Before becoming a pig farmer 18 months ago, Mr Jeacock spent 20 years in Persia as an administrator for an oil company.  He hopes to be joined in Africa by his wife and 6 years old son in 6 months' time.  His 13 years old daughter will stay at school in England.  Mr Jeacock expects to be in Africa for about 4 years.  A vice president of the Longfield Hill Cricket Club, he was vice-captain of the Sunday team last season.  He is also a committee member of the newly formed Longfield Conservative branch."

16 Apr 1954 Chatham Observer

County Council's 'Great Concern'

"London County Council mae only formal objection t the Kent Development Plan (Part B) because it does not provide for large scale residential development in the Hartley-Longfield area of North Kent, at the Erith enquiry on Wednesday.  The LCC however reserved it right to make planning papplication for the development later.  If permission is refused it will mean a public enquiry.  Local authorities in North kent have been told that the building of a township for between 20,000 and 25,000 is envisaged to cater for London overspill population.  Giving evidence at the inquiry Mr J W R Adams, county planning officer said that considerable concern was felt by the KCC.  The LCC proposal called into question the basic policy of the development plan in regard to the general level of population and the amount of industry and was likely to affect the plan's agricultural policy."

16 Apr 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley to fight LCC new town proposal

Hartley Parish Council Meeting.  (1) PC to prepare a petition against the new town proposal and drum up support in neighbouring parishes.  (2) Burial Ground.  Owner of Hartley Court objects to acquisition of land for cemetery.  Council considering alternative site in Foxborough Wood, however not keen on it because of the expense of clearing and proximity to water works.  (3) Hartley Green.  Chairman regretted that so much had been lost in recent road widening.

23 Apr 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley area may become 'gigantic dormitory'

"Kent County Council fears that if permission is given to London county Council for large scale development in the Hartley-Longfield area to accommodate overspill poulation the result, in practice, would be the establishment of a largely dormitory community.    Mr J W R Adams, County Planning Officer, expressed this opinion at the Erith public enquiry into the Kent Development Plan Part B.

As reported in lasst week's Kent Messenger, the LCC made only formal objection to the plan in that it does not provide for the overspill.  It will later make a formal application to develop the area - a population of some 20-25,000 has been mentioned - and if it is refused will appeal to the Housing Minister

Mr Adams, in his evidence at Erith, said the KCC had suggested a number of communities which in its view would be suitable for expansion to take London's surplus population, Ashford being the most important.  Also suggested have been Aylesham, Sheerness and Queenborough, Snodland and Tonbridge.  'It is regrettable but not surprising that the LCC and possibly certain government departments concerned whould feel a preference for places nearer London than those suggested.'  Mr Adams said, 'They perhaps consider that, if the admittedly difficult task of establishing industrial enterprises in the area chosen proves too much for the Board of Trade and other bodies concerned, newly expanded communities near London can quite happily function as large dormitory suburbs just outside the Metropolitan Green Belt.  This matter is of considerable concern to the KCC, since it calls into question the basic policy of hte development plan in regard to the general level of population and the amount of industry to be provided for the area as a whole and is also likely to affect the agricultural policy.  In my view, it is a material consideration that whatever action may be taken to prevent any town, if established in teh Hartley-Longfield area from becoming largely a gigantic dormitory housing estate, such action would in practice fall unless totalitarian methods, not likely to be accepted in this country, were used.  It is always difficult to induce industrial enterprises to settle in new areas.  This is even the case in expanded towns.  The road and rail facilities in the Hartley-Longfield area are not, in the opinion of the local planning authority, such as to induce industrialists to establish themselves there.  The KCC and its advisers feel that the accommodation of London overspill on a large scale should be confined to those existing communities which require additional population and industries to convert them into proper balance communities.' "

Obituary of Mrs Ellen M Todd

She and her husband left Hartley 2½ years ago to live in Thanet.  Involved in many All Saints' societies and WI.  "She will long be remembers for her energy and cheerful enthusiasm"

30 Apr 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

More young people going to church at Hartley

All Saints' AGM.  Rector comments on more young people attending church.  Mothers Union, Girls' Friendly Society and Sunday School all increased membership. Thanks to extensive repairs 2 years ago it is unlikely the building will need much spending on it for some years to come.

'No development at Hartley'

AGM of Hartley Residents' Association sent resolution to KCC regretting they are talking to LCC about development at Hartley.

07 May 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

'No' to houses

Minister turns down appeal against Dartford RDC's refusal of appliction to build 8 houses at Hartley Court

Confirmation

Record number at All Saints' (24 from Hartley, 4 from Longfield, 3 from Underriver)

Letter praising Longfield's beauty caused smiles

Longfield Parish Council meeting.  (1) New Town.  Letter from firm of tree and shrub growers wishing Longfield success in battle against new town caused amusement in its praise for the "rural beauties" of the parish.  (2) Whitehill Recreation Ground.  Letter in press requesting public meeting to discuss the PC's plans dismissed.

14 May 1954 Kentish Express

More Work for Preservation Committee

"Enough overspill in county.  Freer building has made more work for the Committee for the Preservation of Rural Kent who welcome any news of proposed building or tree felling.  The County Council now consults the committee more frequently and about 20 cases are dealt with each month.

The committee's annual report says they support the KCC in opposing development at Edenbridge and in the Hartley-Longfield area, as both sites are just outside the green belt; and reception areas should be far enough from London not to urbanise the country round it.  New or expanded towns should not be dormitories.  The Committee thinks London 'overspills' at Ashford, Aylesham, Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Snodland and Tonbridge are sufficient...."

14 May 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

They heard Billy Graham

Rector of Longfield organised coach trip to Harringay to hear Mr Graham.

A bunny looked in

Wild rabbit joined Hartley Naturalist Club's 10th AGM in the Rectory Garden.  One of attendees was [NAME] a founder member in 1944.  Club groups mentioned were Animal Defenders, Flora, Insect and Birds.

21 May 1954 Kentish Express

Council Election Results

Dartford Rural District: Longfield - W M Baker (Lab) 264, A Adams (Cons) 251  Lab Gain (also gained Horton Kirby).  Ridley - A R Lucas (ind - unopposed).  State of Council: Cons 9 (-2), Lab 9 (+2), Ind 1(-)

Dartford Borough Labour 19 (+1), Dartford Residents and Ratepayers' Assn 3 (-2), Cons 2 (+1).  Gravesend Borough: Cons 25 (-), Lab 6 (-), Ind 1 (-).  Northfleet Lab All seats (+3), Ratepayers 0 (-3).

21 May 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Their Golden Day

Golden wedding of Thomas and Elizabeth Long (pictured) of Farm View, Fairby Lane.  Both from London, they married at East Wickham Church.  Mr Long,73, described himself as a former Jack of all trades, retired 3 years ago.  Elizabeth is 70.  They have lived in Hartley 15 years and have 4 daughters.

Wanted - a leader

Hartley Youth Club (part of the Social Centre) with 30-40 members may have to close if a leader cannot be found.  It "has met almost continuously since the war at the Congregational Church Hall, succeeding the lads' club run earlier by Mr F W Parkin." [Francis William Parkin 1877-1966]

04 Jun 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Parish Council Meeting

(1) New Town.  PC don't want to circulate Hartley's petition, happy to leave opposition to KCC.  (2) Longfield FC want to use Whitehill Recreation Ground next season. [Paper 9/7/1954 - refused by council because they said grass not yet established]  (3) PC suggest Hillview Road for new road at New Barn.

Obituary of Tabatha Sarah Eliza Cook

Age 57 of 4 Wright Villas, [22Fawkham Road.  Born Perry Street, lived most of life in Southfleet.  For past 13 years had lived with step-sister Mrs L Ganden.

Ted Kavanagh visits Hartley Catholic Fete

Radio producer and ITMA script writer [pictured] opens RC fete. Several hundred attend in spite of drenching rain.

11 Jun 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) Councillors to visit every house to sign petition against LCC development.  (2) Footpaths.  Stocks Farm to St John's Lane path overgrown. Overhanging trees at Fairby Grange cause pedestrians to go into road.  (3) Hartley Court Green, damaged by buses turning.  (4) Village sign damaged by weather.  Miss Robertson to make another of a different material.

Birthday Honours

Includes Sir Geoffrey Allchin KBE of Broomfield, Longfield and William Joseph Everard CBE, joint managing director of F T Everard & Sons Ltd, shipowners of London and Greenhithe.  Mr Everard lives at Greenhythe [The Birches, Ash Road], Hartley has been councillor at Swanscombe and Greenhithe.  [pictures of both]

Unlucky Cats

"Cat lovers in Kent Road, Longfield, are worried.  There appears to be a jinx on their pets.  Recently several cats have strayed from home never to return.  The lastest to disappear is Thomas, a beautiful pedigree Siamese cat belonging to [NAME] of Neithrop, [20] Kent Road.  Thomas was a great rabbit catcher.  Recently a boy found Thomas caught in a rabbit snare.  He released the peg holding down the wire loop and the cat raced away with the snare still round his neck.  That was the last seen of him.  'We seem to be unlucky in this road - so many of our pets disappear,' said [NAME], who teaches commercial subjects at Dartford Technical College."

18 Jun 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Kent writers of thrillers taking part in crime book exhibition

Mentions Robert Chapman of 4 Court Villas, [20 Hartley Road], Longfield.  [Robert Chapman 1916-2000 wrote Rex Banner series of detective novels, some turned into films]

25 Jun 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Morris dancers are popular visitors

Picture feature on Hartley Morris men "….. There are 10 members of the team, including the accordion player, [NAME].  The dancers wear white clothes decorated with red, white and blue ribbons.  There are broad streamers on their high crowned hats and strings of small bells attached to their legs.  Even more elaborate costumes are worn by the caller or 'squire', [NAME] and the 'fool' Mr P Sephton [b1902], who skips about to amuse the crowd between dances.  The team was formed late last year, and during the winter, members have practised once a week in Longfield village hall.  The dancers come from all walks of life.  They include the Rector of Longfield (the Rev C Sutton), two schoolmasters, a chartered accountant, an engineer and a farm labourer..... In rural England of the 14th and 15th centuries it was the custom for the men of the village to dress in their best, deck themselves in bright ribbons and dance morris dances during the Whitsun holiday.  The believed the dances would bring good luck......"

16 Jul 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Obituary of George Manktelow

aged 76 of 5 Valley Villas [215 Main Road], Longfield, who died at Southern Hospital. Born Staplehurst, lived in Longfield 30 years.  Leaves widow and daughter.

Longfield makes merry on its day of carnival

PIcture feature on the Home Guard Association annual fete, opened by its former commander Col O H Moseley.  Featured carnival procession of children in fancy dress and other groups led by band of 1st Batt of West Kent Regiment.  Winning costumes in each class were Baby Food (under 5); Keep Longfield Tidy (5-8), Annie Oakley (9-11), English Weather (12-15), Licensed Trade (decorated cycles).  The band defeated a team from the Black Lion in the tug of war final

17 Jul 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Obituary of Mrs J Sumberbell

of Castle Hill (63).  Formerly Miss E Boutcher, worked for many years at Fairby Grange.  Member of the WI, Darby and Joan clubs.  Attended RC church, married last April.

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

Parish council to protect about LCC development plans for area.  Also complaints of excessive speed of traffic through village, and parking on both sides of the road when the clinic is at the WI Hall

23 Jul 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Obituary of Mrs Annie Elizabeth Clarke

Aged 60 of The Elms, Main Road.  "She had a general shop opposite the school and belonged to the local branch of the OAP Association.  Leaves 2 daughters.

30 Jul 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Police Changes

"PC [NAME] has been transferred from Longfield to Gravesend.  PC [NAME] from Gravesend, succeeds him."

07 Aug 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Conservative Fete

Hartley Conservatives hold fete at Country Club.  Picture of 2 dog show winners.  S Fisher - dog with best coat (Shetland Sheep Dog); Chris Keener - non pedigree collie.

10 Aug 1954 Minesota Star Tribune

Unusual hearthrug

"Cinders, a black poodle owned by Mrs Heather Venus, will in few years' time be able to curl up on a rug made from its own hair clippings.  Mrs Venus, who started spinning 2 years ago gets about 1¼ lb of hair from the dog each year." [Presumably Margaret Elizabeth Venus 1913-2001 of Hamilton, Church Road, is meant]

14 Aug 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Dave Charnley

of Attlee Drive, Dartford reached semi-finals of Empire Games

Wrong Ash

Speaker at Ash WI had to cancel because they went to the Ash near Canterbury!

15 Aug 1954 Sunday People

Gardening Laughs

Mr A O'Hara of 1 Thames View, Church Road, writes to say he pulled up a tomato plant that had wire worm only for his 5 year old son to bring it to him the next day, saying it had escaped from the stake it was tied to.  (Gardening Laughs section) [Alfred George O'Hara 1890-1960]

20 Aug 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Goal posts stolen

"When members of Longfield Sports FC went to re-erect their goalposts in Longfield Rectory Meadow, they found that one set of posts had been stolen.  At the end of last season the posts were taken down and laid in the long grass at the edge of the field.  The goalposts are valued at £3."

[paper of 5/11/1954 reported they had been found hidden in teh undergrowth of the woods near Rectory Meadow]

21 Aug 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Albert Humphey

(78) of Rochford, Church Road one of the most popular members of Stone Floral Society, founder member in 1947, he had been Longfield Postmaster for many years, Keen gardner but most of his 1¼ acre garden is orchard

Dave Charnley

Picture feature on Dave Charnley.

27 Aug 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Garage raided

"Theives broke into Howe's Garage, [63] Main Road and stole spare parts worth about £70.  Entry was made through a window at the rear of the lock up premises."

28 Aug 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Obituary of Elizabeth Turner

Sudden death of Mrs Elizabeth Turner (70) of Idyll, Gorsewood Road shortly after admission to Joyce Green Hospital.

03 Sep 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Youth Club

"The club will be reopened on Friday, September 10th, at the Congregational Church Hall.  Mr R C Hewett [sic, I think it should be P C Hewett] has undertaken the task of leader of the club, which caters for girls and youths between the ages of 14 and 20.  The club has been visited several times by the youth adviser of the Kent Education Committee and with his encouragement an application has been made to the KEC for a grant of equipment.  Any offers of assistance or of unwanted equipment will be gladly received by members of the management committee."

Opening of RAOB lodge at Swanscombe

Ariticle lists representatives of other local Buffaloe lodges attending: Ideal Lodge (Bexleyheath), Old Bexley, Harmonic (Welling), Victory Lodge (Dartford), Pride of Gravesend, Invicta Lodge (Northfleet), Alexander Lodge (Gravesend), Pride of Kent Lodge (Longfield).  

04 Sep 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Fairby High School

Advert for reopening of Fairby House Preparatory School 13/9

Hodsoll Street puts itself on the map

Local association formed to get village hall.  Because they are technically part of Ash parish they were told they can't have one.  Village famous for being missed in the 1931 census.

10 Sep 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) New Town.  No application made by LCC yet.  MP said he has sent PC's petition to Ministry with strong letter. (2) Water.  Complaints received about variable pressure. (3) Church Road Pond, litter dumped in it.

11 Sep 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Fete

Held for C of E Children's Society at garden of Mrs Hunt [Evelyn D Hunt, b 1910] at The Clefts, Gorse Way.  £9 12s raised.

Longfield Parish Council meeting

They decide not to go along with Hartley's petition against the new town, saying it was a 'waste of time', they are happy to leave matters to KCC solicitor.  Rats size of rabbits reported at Whitehill Recreation Ground near the tip.

Longfield Labour Party

Coach full of Longfield Labour Party members goes to Margate.

Hartley Parish Council meeting

They hear Sir Waldron Smithers MP has sent a petition to minister Harold Macmillan.  The reply was that there is no application from the LCC but they have objected to KCC's development plan because it doesn't have enough housing.

17 Sep 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Obituary of Dora Brown Longhurst

of 2 Fern Cottages, [20] Essex Road, aged 73.  Widow of A Letchford, she married T Longhurst about 5 years ago.  Leaves widower, 1 son and  step-sons.

Longfield man killed

"A 60 years old cement works labourer, Mr Frederick E Gear, of 4 [or 9- Mile End Green Cottages, Longfield, was found dying at the foot of a 100 foot cliff face in a chalk pit at Mounts Road, Greenhithe, early on Tuesday morning.  He had apparently fallen from the top of the cliff when attending to some machinery.  He was taken to West Hill Hospital, Dartford, and found to be dead."

[Paper of 8/10/1954 reports on inquest.  Jury record accidental death but called for greater safety measures at quarry]

18 Sep 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Houses for sale

12 new detached bungalows, some with 2 bed and some with 3 to be erected within easy reach of bus service and railway station and local shops.  £2,515 to £2,775.

Scouts annual report

They have moved from old HQ which was a dilapidated nissan hut in Longfield to an 'attractive' hall over Hartley Social Club

Dangerous Dog

Percy Herbert Edwards [b 1904] of The Cottage, Ash Road, fined 16s with costs and told to keep dog under control, when it bit cyclist Mrs Edith May Wigmore [prob 1912-1990] of North Ash Cottages on 20 July.  She fell into the hedge.  Defendant had written to her to apologise.

RC Bishop Cowdrey of Southwark visits St Francis de Sales

For special service in Marian year.  Assembly flowed into courtyard as people had come from far by car and coach.

24 Sep 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Women's Institute

Picture of Hartley WI at their Harvest Supper.

Bound for Australia

Picture.  "A grand old couple, Mr and Mrs Percy Bevan, pose in the centre of their complete family group of 4 children and 14 grandchildren.  On Sunday the family gathered at ... 10 Valley Villas, [225 Main Road] Longfield to bid farewell to their eldest daughter [NAME], her husband [NAME] and their 3 small sons ... who sailed from Southampton to Australia on Wednesday.  They used to live at 40 Ladywood Road, Darenth......"

25 Sep 1954 Gravesend Reporter

The Beech Trees of Hoselands Hill

Many residents of Hartley will this autumn miss the golden glory of the beech trees on Hoselands Hill for the trees, long noteworthy, possibly even dangerous, with their gnarled roots protruding from the chalky sub-soil of the banks, have been felled to make room for further road widening on the bend.

And now these roots, like giant teeth, are being extracted.

Yet, the felling of the trees tis not without compensation, for it opens up a wide and beautiful vista, loking toward the river across the Longfield valley.

These old and lovely beeches did not alway project so closely on the road, for the hill was previously widened in the 1920s, before which it was a pleasant country lane.

A well known historian of the village wrote in 1927 ' Hoselands Hill in the past, if steep to climb was pleasing to the eye, but road improvement has shorn it of nearly all its picturesqueness.'

But he conceded that road widening and cutting down trees were necessary to meet the requirements of 'modern' traffic.

It seems, therefore, that earlier than 1927 there were traffic problems on the hill.  It is clear that even then there was much heartburning over the need for spoliation of the country lanes, for the annual parish meeting in March 1954 is reported to have forwarded to the Dartford Rural District Council a resolution strongly opposing the construction of a main road through the village of Hartley.

Apparently in 1924 the approach to Hartley must again be widened.  What will happen in another 30 years?"

25 Sep 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Hartley Social Centre

Announces a varied programme for the next three months.  Each event costs 3s 6d or 2s 6d for pensioners.  President: Frank Tanner; Secretary: Miss Day.

01 Oct 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Handicrafts for the over 60s - Hartley lady of 89 a prize winner

Exhibition at Farningham Village Hall organised by Old People's Welfare Committee (sponsored by Dartford RDC).  Oldest winner was Mrs Morgan, aged 89 of Hartley, first prize for crochet.

Call up hits Longfield FC

"Beacuse so many of their young players are being called up for National Service, Longfield FC's reserve side, which last season finished runners up in Division 4 of the Gravesend League and gained promotion to Division 3, may have to disband.  At an open meeting on Monday it was decided to try and keep the team going.  'We have lost 5 young players this season through the call up,' said [NAME], club secretary, 'and two more are due to go into the Forces soon.   We have had to cancel one game this season because we could not raise a team.' "  [after only 7 players were avaiable for next match, team decided to disband - KM 8/10/1954]

His fund helps poor clergy

"To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the death of Dr Thomas Plume, Archdeacon of Rochester and the establishment of his trust for the augmentation of the livings of poorly paid clergy of hte old diocese of Rochester, a special service was held in Longfield Parish Church on Tuesday.  Dr Plume's tomb is in the churchyard......."

02 Oct 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Local News in Brief

(1) Local farmworkers call for £7 a week to make ends meet

(2) Air ministry gives go ahead for development at Gravesend Airport, after they say they have no further interest in it.

(3) Hospital Radio comes to West Hill Hospital.

(4) House for sale - off Church Road, new det bungalow, hall, large lounge, 3 bed, bathroom, part wooded garden, garage (£2,500)

(5) Dance with 'The Melody Makers' at Longfield Hill Community Hall, tickets 2/6.

(6) Picture of Hoselands HIll at the turn of the century before widening.

08 Oct 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Hill Landmark - old willow tree to go

Longfield Parish Council decide that old willow tree on Longfield Hill Green which had been damaged in strong winds is beyond saving.  (2) Village signs to be erected at either end of Main Road.  (3) PC ask for repairs from footpath from Redmayes, Main Road to Siding Turning.  (4) PC ask for bus from Longfield to Gravesend to fill gap between 6.42am and 8.03am.

New Shops?

(Advert) "Shops - Longfield near Dartford. Proposed shops with living accommodation over, to be erected for purchase only.  Inquiries invited.  Apply Arthur Kent & Co Ltd, 124/126 Broadway, Bexleyheath..."

09 Oct 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Local News in Brief

(1) Home Counties Ratepayers Council discuss a poll tax (paper adds exclamation mark, presumably meaning they think it is a crazy idea)

(2) Dartford to have full civil defence exercise, scenario will be bomb on London with Dartford in fall out zone.

(3) Nottons of Gravesend advertise the 'first' Y fronts for 6/6 each.

16 Oct 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Billings' building plans

Planning decision not to allow Mr Billings to build on 114 acres but would allow him to build the road on 6½ acres at Old Downs; minister "not satisfied a need has been shown sufficient to justify a departure from the submitted development plan".  Will allow development on the Old Downs area because this is shown for housing in the plan.  Minister says decision now does not prejudice any future applications for the land.

16 Oct 1954 Gravesend Reporter

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) Trees to be planted at Hoselands Hill where the road has been widened; (2) Complaints of variable water pressure in Gorsewood Road and Gorse Way; (3) Concerns that path between Gorsewood Road and Merton Avenue, used by many schoolchildren, is being blocked by building development; (4) Concerns about condition of pond. KCC said it must be cleaned by hand and not digger; (5) Van has knocked off arm of sign at junction with Church Road

22 Oct 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Girl visitors soon become members of Longfield YC

"One of the most thriving institutions in Longfield these days is the County Youth Club.  It has such a wide appeal tha talmost everyone in the village eligible to join is a member.  There are nearly 50 members, boys and girls in their teens and early twenties, who represent a cross-section of the village.

They meet three times a week - Monday, Thursday and Friday in their compact headquarters in the Rectory Meadow, opposite Longfield School.  The club tries - and with success - to cater for the varied tastes of the members.  There are informal discussions on all kinds of subjects from religion to space travel.  'These discussions are quite spontaneous,' said Mr H J Rooney, who has been club leader since the club was reopened in 1947.  A teacher at Whitehill School, Mr Rooney previously taught at Longfield School.  He has had a long experience with young people and the success fo the Longfield club is largely due to his work.

So pleased was the Youth Service Committee of the Thamesside Educational Executive with the report of HM Inspector on the club that it sent a letter of congratulation to Mr Rooney.  The committee also expressed its pleasure that a grant of £40 made to the club in 1948 had been repaid to the KEC.

In th eclub, which was run as a pre-service club during the war, the boys outnumber the girls by about 3 to 1.  Duties in the canteen are shared by everyone, and the members also undertake small repairs to the club building and painting.  'The boys are allowed to bring their girlfriends to the club,' said Mr Rooney, 'and usually the girls soon become keen members.'  New members are quickly absorbed into the club atmosphere.  during the day the club HQ are used as an additional classroom for Longfield school."

27 Oct 1954 Peterborough Evening Telegraph

Accident

"After his hair caught alight while making tea on a building site at Gorseway Hartley, Kent, [NAME], 17, of Northfleet, was detained in hospital."

05 Nov 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Parish Council Meeting

(1) Longfield Hill Green.  PC are going to have to pay to remove the willow tree itself as Dartford RDC has no fund to pay for this.  Branch is resting on roof of mission church.  (2) KCC say construction of footpath by Woodview Cottages [113-143 Main Road] is in draft budget for next financial year.  Construction of retaining wall at the back of the footpath from Redmayes, Main Road to Longfield Sidings will be done this financial year.

Church Supper

Picture of 2nd All Saints' Annual supper held at Country Club.

12 Nov 1954 Kentish Express

£60 Fine and 3 Year Ban after Crash

"[NAME], 20, of Fawkham, bought a motorcycle for £140, rode it to Maidstone and left it in a carpark.  When he went for it, the machine was missing.  With 2 youths on it, the motorcycle had crashed between Maidstone and Rocheter an £110 damage was done.  The driver, David K Hogben (1936-2003), 18, of 66 Catherine Street, Rochester, and the pillion rider, [NAME], 20 of 26 King Street, Rochester, were returning home after going to Maidstone on another motorcycle, which they abandoned.

At Chatham on Monday, Hogben was fined a total of £40 and disqualified from driving for 3 years for taking the machine wihtout consent and driving while unlicensed and uninsured.  Finch was fined £15 for aiding.  Newxt day they appeared on similar charges at Maidstone and were fined £20 10s and disqualified for a year.  Asking for time to pay, Hogben said he had no money.  The Chairman, Mr C G Larking (referring to Hogben's sstatement that he took the motorcycle after going to a dance): 'Instead of going to dance halls, you can work to get this money.  You have a month to pay.'  [NAME], who was injured when the machine crashed and has not worked since, was also given a month to pay."

12 Nov 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Players

Picture of their latest production Relative Values.  [paper of 19/11/1954 has a generally favourable review]

Obituary of Edgar Chapman

Aged 75 of Llandaff, Mile End Green.  A widower who married his housekeeper last April.  Retired smallholder who had lived in Longfield since 1916.  Leaves 2 sons and 6 daughters.

19 Nov 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Obituary of Mrs Mary Ann Heasman

Aged 70 of 4 Vestry Cottages [Martindown Cottages], Longfield Siding.  Burn Burham, went to Culverstone School.  Leaves widower, 3 sons and 1 daughter.

At the Spinning Wheel

"Mrs E J Hare of Pinden, near Dartford, demonstrated at the Country Industries Fair at Sevenoaks how she makes garments out of rabbit wool.  The young helper holding a baby French Angora is [NAME] of Longfield."

Share secrets and be happy

'Never keep any secrets from each other.  That is the formula for happy married life,' say Mr and Mrs Harry T Parrett [pictured], Hothfield, Ash Road, Hartley, who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Wednesday.

They were married at Westwell Parish Church, near Ashford, on November 17th, 1894.  At that time, Mr Parrett, who is 82, was a signalman at Hothfield Station.  Mrs Ellen Mary Parrett, a native of Hothfield, is a year younger than her husband.  The family moved to North Kent in 1897 when Mr Parrett became signalman at Fawkham Station.  He left the railway in 1913.

Mr and Mr [sic] Parrett retired from their family dairy business in 1947.  They have lived in Hartley for 41 years.  'We have had a very happy married life,' said Mrs Parrett, 'We have always had to work hard but we have been blessed with good health.'

The old couple, who are extremely fit and active for their age, enjoy numerous coach outings to the coast and other beauty spots during the summer months, abut they prefer to stay at home during the winter.  Mr Parrett helps his wife in the home and Mrs Parrett still does the weekly washing.  They have 2 sons and a daughter, 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  One son, [NAME] lives at Hollingbourne, and the other [NAME] lives at Hartley.  Their daughter has lived in Canada for many years."

26 Nov 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Dachshunds attacked mother and son on Fawkham footpath

[NAME], Myrtle Villas, Station Road, Longfield, told Dartford magistrates on Friday that as she was walking with her 5 years old son along a footpath leading from Fawkham Station, three dogs ran up to her and 'went for her legs.'  'The dogs came out of a wooded copse,' she said.  'They bit my leg on the ankle and calf.  I had a child's satchel and I put it in front of my boy to protect him.  A lady came and called the dogs off.  The case was one in which Sam Toy [1923-2008], The Bramblings, Bramblefield Wood, Longfield, was summoned for being the owner of 3 dangerous dogs not kept under proper control.  PC [NAME] said that when he told  Toy he had reason to believe his 3 daschund dogs had attacked and bitten [NAME] on a public footpath he said, 'I am extremely sorry.  They are not usually more than 60 yards from the house.  They happened to be out with my wife, who was blackberrying in the woods.'  Miss K M Raine [Katherine Mary Raine 1902-1987], Fawkham Valley Road, who had bred dachshunds for 16 years and become known as a championship judge, said it would be wrong to describe the dogs as dangerous.  They were not even of doubtful temperament, she said.

An order was made for the dogs to be kept under proper control.  For not having licences for 2 dogs, Toy was fined £1 10s."

17 Dec 1954 West London Observer

Woman Admits 100 Offences

"The widow of a Flight Lieutenant who went unscathed through the war as a fighter pilot, but was killed in a motorcycle race in Ireland in 1949 pleaded guilty at West London on Friday to 100 offences of obtaining, or attempting to obtain goods worth £134 from Messrs Harrods Stores, Knightsbridge by using fictitious names.

The widow, Mrs Edith Louise Phillips [1913-1996], 40 of Hasbro, Longfield Avenue, Longfield, Kent was fined a total of £12 and ordered to pay £6 6s costs on 3 charges of false pretences.  She asked for 97 other similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Mr A J G Hardwicke, prosecuting, said that during the past 12 months the widow had paid 6 visits to this Knightsbridge store.  She had gone to as many as 20 different departments on each visit and bought a great number of small articles.  She had them entered to the accounts of people who were purely fictitious.  One could not say, added Mr Hardwicke, how many different counters she must have visited in order to work up the grand total of £134 11s 9d in 6 visits.  Mr Hardwicke said it was a career which had, sooner or later, to end in detection.  When questioned, she admitted her guilt and added, 'Someone did it on my account, and I thought it was very easy.  I have done it for a long time.'  Saying that the widow had returned over £89 worth of the goods in an unused condition, Mr Hardwicke added that only she could say what she was doing hoarding them up.

After telling the magistrate (Mr J L Pratt) how the woman's husband had been killed in a motorcylce race, Mr T H Church, defending, said that she lived with her 2 children and elderly parents on an income of about £125 a year."

03 Dec 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Goals for Pawelka

"Hans Pawelka, Longfield Sports's leading marksman, who got 5 goals against Brentfield United the week before, scored 4 against Torchbearers in a Dartford League match…."  [Johannes Pawelka 1927-2011]

10 Dec 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

20 years old

"To celebrate its 20th anniversary and also the purchase of the premises, the officers and committee of the Social Club sponsored a dance on Saturday.  About 200 members and friends were present….."

New Rectory?

Planning permission for new Longfield Rectory in Main Road.

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) Water.  Mid Kent Water have installed some new intercommunications which should deal with variable pressure.  (2) Footpaths.  Two new stiles shortly to be erected at Hartley Manor Farm.  (3) Road Sign.  Sign pointing to Hartley at Peckham Wood Corner [South Ash Road / A20 junction] to be replaced.

Longfield Parish Council Meeting

(1) Anniversary.  19 December marks the 60th anniversary of the parish council.  Longfield were one of the first parishes to do this.  (2) Streetlights.  Longfield has 34 lights.  (3) PC ask KCC to remove scrub and push back the bank on the bend near the railway bridge across Hartley Road, as it obscures pedestrians' view of oncoming traffic.

17 Dec 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Wedding

At Longfield Parish Church.  Mrs L E Latter of Homefield Mile End Green, who worked at the sub-post office for 30 years until last May, and Mr  A H Bolland [1888-1974] of New Barn.  Both are widow/ers.  Reception at Merrythought Café.

Fire destroys car

"A car and a garage at the Knoll, Church Road, owned by Mr G McDannell [1888-1967], were destroyed by fire on Monday afternoon.  Three fire engines were in attendance."

24 Dec 1954 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Now they can look in

"A surprise gift of a television set arrived at Old Downs on Monday.  Mr G Russell, chairman of Dartford RDC, explained tha the had been asked by a lady residing in Hartley to arrange for the gift as she wanted to remain anonymous.  Mr Williams, who had been longest rsident at the home and is aged 88, thanked Mr Russell on behalf of the residents."