1914 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1910-1919
10 Jan 1914 Kent Messenger
Farm Workers Wanted
"Wanted men for fruit tree planting, digging etc; good wages and constant work for steady workmen - apply Small Owners Limited, Hartley, Longfield."
10 Jan 1914 The Outlook
Rural Development: A Settlement of Small Owners
"Rural Development. A Settlement Of Small Owners (By Patrick Perterras.)
Some weeks ago Mr. Tollemache's book, The Occupying Ownership of Land, was reviewed in The Outlook. Exception was taken to some of the author's views with regard to agricultural cooperation, and it was argued that the extremely well-organised group of small holdings at Fairby, to which he refers, though a great advance on the unorganised groups of the past, must in turn be surpassed by groups organised on genuinely cooperative lines. I believe that contention to be incontrovertible. It elms not follow however that the Fairby group is not destined to be entirely successful. There is no reason why it should not become cooperative. Its success indeed seems to be already assured, and it is with sincere satisfaction that I see it tending more and more towards cooperative methods. If, as I believe will be the case, the plan adopted at Fairby proves merely an approach to cooperation through the temporary employment of outside capital on joint-stock lines, co-operators need not object to it. The example may well be one which in similar conditions they might follow. It is said in support of the Fairby plan that when it is proposed to settle men on the land who have little or no experience of either agriculture or cooperation, some kind of paternal administration is essential to begin with, and that cooperation, if later considered desirable by the settlers themselves, will follow. I am not prepared to assert that in the circumstances indicated the Fairby plan may not be the best.
Some account of the Fairby settlement, and the means by which it was brought into being, may be interesting. At the is outset it may be said that the admirable work accomplished at Fairby has been done by Mr. George Humphrey, the present managing director, and his brother, Mr. Leonard Humphrey, the chief agricultural expert and formerly an official of the fa Irish Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction.
The estate has recently been added to considerably, and the original number of fifty small holdings will probably be more than doubled within the next few months. When the land was purchased it consisted of fruit-orchards, pasture, and the arable land, all in very good order. The scheme of the syndicate which bought it was to cut it up into small holdings, building a house on each in accordance with the requirements of the occupier. Each accepted applicant was advised as to the class and size of holding most suitable to him and as to the employment of his capital. As a rule a cash payment, but equal to 25 per cent, of the price of the house and land, was, demanded on taking possession, the balance being payable in instalments spread over twelve years. An arrangement has since been made with a building society by which the payments may, if desired, be spread over twenty years. All the sale occupiers must become purchasers either for cash or on the then instalment system. There are no permanent tenancies.
In a central position there is a depot, which is at once the social and business centre of the group. Each small holder over can hire labour, implements, or horses at reasonable rates. Through the depot he can market his produce and buy his requirements. There is a store where domestic necessaries may be purchased; and a credit bank is being established to supply capital, if required, to those who, having invested in the estate, have a sound security to offer. There is also a well-equipped jam factory and fruit-bottling establishment. Skilled technical advice is provided, so that the least experienced men can hardly go wrong and will gradually gain knowledge in a practical school which is always up to date. The deptot also serves the purpose of a dub, possessing a library and common reading-room. Social and business meetings take place frequently. The settlers' wives have formed themselves into a ladies' guild and are already organising a supplementary industry, which will probably take form of carpet-weaving, to be carried on in their homes.
It will be seen that the system makes it especially easy for those who are not adepts in agriculture to set up on the land.
Experience is not insisted on as a qualification. In selecting from the many applicants energy and character are considered far more than technical knowledge, and the wisdom of this course has been completely vindicated. If the settlement had done nothing else, it would have served a most useful purpose in establishing beyond a doubt that, with sound advice and expert guidance at command, the intelligent but uninstructed man who will work may confidently set up as a small farmer and at once become successful.
Fruit and vegetables form the bulk of the output from Fairby. Most of the small holders also keep poultry, though poultry-keeping is not generally recommended to the inexperienced man except as an auxiliary industry. Some pigs are kept and there is a range of pigsties at the depot, where those who have no accommodation for pigs on their holdings may house them for 6d. a week apiece. The only dairying : is done by one settler, who supplies the others with milk, and in doing so finds a sufficient business. The holdings vary in size from two to twelve acres.
I must record, as an example of the manner in which smallholders settled in a group and working together can obtain advantages which individually would be quite out of their reach, the way in which the important strawberry-crop is said dealt with at Fairby. The fruit is gathered soon after 4am, and a motor immediately conveys it to London, where it is on sale by 8am the same day. In the evening any fruit which may remain unsold is brought back to Fairby by the same motor and at once made into jam or " pulped " for winter jam-making. Similar methods are applied to other kinds of produce; and when difficulties arise about the disposal of anything produced on the estate, the matter is carefully thought out by good business brains, and if a solution the is possible it is sure to be arrived at.
So far all the settlers have cultivated almost exclusively in the open, and there is little glass to be seen on the holdings. But the management have just erected a long range of glass for experimental purposes. It is proposed to test various kinds of hothouse crops; and when it has been proved beyond a doubt that any particular form of produce can be raised profitably, the syndicate will be prepared to advance money to settlers to put up the necessary glass for themselves. It may perhaps surprise some readers to know that without any glass a good worker can extract a reasonable living from two acres of ground. It is found that the net is income from that area at Fairby comes to about £70 a year.
It will be seen that the Fairby system provides not merely to the economic advantage of buying or selling in common, but some of the social amenities which co-operation affords. And it is clear that ultimately the settlement can become entirely co-operative. Already it has been decided is to offer the store to a co-operative society consisting of the settlers. I understand that another co-operative society for sale and purchase is contemplated by some of the settlers themselves. And when the original syndicate has sold and been paid for all its land it will have fulfilled its function, and all the central institutions created by it can then be taken over by the settlers.
I may add that a portion of the Fairby estate has been set aside for what are residential rather than agricultural small holdings. Houses costing £800 or £1,000 or more, with two or three acres of land attached, are obviously not intended to be supported from such small landed estates. But it seems very sound policy to associate with the community at Fairby a certain number who do not rely on agriculture for their living. It takes all classes to make up a complete community.
The Fairby system is simplicity itself, and for that very reason its originators deserve the highest credit. Like Columbus with the egg, they have shown how easy of solution a baffling problem may be when approached intelligently. What they have done may be done again, and their system may be applied to many forms of agricultural enterprise. They have rendered a great service to the cause of rural development. They do not profess to be philanthropists, but nevertheless they have brightened the lives and added to the happiness of those who have taken advantage of their scheme."
16 Jan 1914 Poultry World
The Poultry World Prize House
The Poultry World £1,000 farm picture of house (2), breeding pens, Orchard pens (LON/205 p 479))
16 Jan 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
Ejected from his lodging
"At Dartford Police Court on Monday, David Goole, 1 Station Road, Longfield, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in the Dartford Road, Longfield, on the previous Saturday. PC Hannigan said that on Saturday evening prisoner was ejected from his lodgings. He was very drunk and became abusive." Fined 5s or 14 days.
24 Jan 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Business for Sale
"Good general for sale, on main road; ready cash trade; good stabling; rent inclusive £32, on lease; taking price £150; no agents. Apply FC Brown, Whitehill, Longfield." [1 Main Road]
30 Jan 1914 Poultry World
The Poultry World Prize House
Ad - Mrs O'Grady winner £1,000 Poultry World prize, offers to pupils at very reasonable fees, tuition all branches, poultry farming, either at Longfield, Kent or Coachford, co Cork.
30 Jan 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
A Longfield Improvement
Dartford RDC accept offer from Longfield Parish Council of gift of land at Whitehill Crossroads to round off dangerous corner.
31 Jan 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Potatoes for Sale
Mr Sale of Hartley Green has 2 tons of chat (baby) potatoes for sale
In Case of Civil War - Conservative Meeting at Longfield
Mr W Foot Mitchell attends meeting at Longfield Schools, chaired by F C Auld. Mr Mitchell criticised "people in churches and chapels who advocated peace". He spent a lot of time on the Home Rule for Ireland Bill. If this led to civil war in Ulster he would support them and has offered to take refugees from there. He did concede there was some good in Lloyd-George's Insurance Act, but he claimed there were some people unhappy about its workings locally.
In the same paper is a letter from F Brooks of Dundee, New Barn, complaining that they didn't allow any questions from the audience.
[To today's reader his talk of civil war within the United Kingdom is shocking. The role of the Conservative Party in the troubles in Ireland in 1914 is much debated. The offer to take women and children was part of the war plan for many. Some think they encouraged trouble to destabalise the government in London. Edward Carson, one of the Unionist leaders later said he had been an unwitting pawn of the Conservatives.]
06 Feb 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
Master and Servant
"Gerald Jenson, civil engineer, of Longfield was sued at Dartford County Court on Monday by Alice Maud Coker, cook and housekeeper, for wages due. Plaintiff siad that trouble arose because Mrs Jenson accused her of stealing a pair of gloves and gossipping Witness was turned out of the house and the door locked on her. Cross-examined by Mr Clinch, for the defence, witness said she was a widow. She was out two hours that morning. She was not drunk, and the police did not have to complain of her condition. PC Fitall said that he was in Southfleet with a sergant on the evening of December 12th when plaintiff came to them and complained that Mrs Jenson had assaulted her. She wished to prefer a charge against her mistress, but they advised her to apply to the magistrates and to return to her situation, and told her should would not improve matters by being intoxicated. She then asked for their names, and asked for a reason, said: 'Because you allege that I'm drunk and will not arrest Mrs Jenson'. Mr Jenson said that at 9.30in the evening he heard the back door tried, and found defendant outside in a state of intoxication. He asked what she wanted, and she said: 'to give you in charge,' and also said that the constable would be there in a minute. The case was adjourned."
Paper of 6/3/1914 continued with case. Judge finds for defendant. "Complainant now called Mrs Smith, who said that Mrs Coker was brought about 11 o'clock at night by a policeman, who asked witness to take her in. She was very excited and very hungry. Witness gave her a goo supper, which she ate ravenously. Witness woul not have taken her in had she been drunk. PC Hannigan said that he took Mrs Coker to Mrs Smith's. She came to him at 10.15 and told him that she had had a row with Mrs Jenson of New Barn. She was partially intoxicated, and to save her from getting into a row by going to New Barn he found her lodgings. Witness believed that Mr Jenson sent the money to Mrs Smith for complainant's lodging. Mrs Jenson said that the complainant tackled her without warning struck her three times on the face, took hold of her by the hair and dragged her into the kitchen. Two friends heard the noise, and came in and turned out complainant, who was very drunk..."
13 Feb 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
Football
"Erith Baptists v Hartley. Hartley visited Erith in the Dartford League on Saturday. The Baptist won the toss and elected to kick with the wind. Very soon the Hartley goal was besieged, and after 10 mintues' play, Blake opened the scoring with a long shot. Hartley then broke away, but Gill eventually cleared with a big kick, and once again the 'Baps' were pressing. About half way through this half, Beaton broke through the Hartley defence, and from just inside the penalty area scored no 2 with a beauty, the goalie having little chance. With the wind against them, the 'Baps' took some time to settle down, but gradually they worked down to the visitor's goal. Hartley were having more of the game now, but the defence was too strong for them. Beaton drew the Hartley defence, and passing to Purcell, enabled the latter to put across a nice centre, and Newby scored no 3. Bong wings, well supplied by Ford, spelt danger whenever they broke away, and from one of these raids, Newby, standing close in, received the ball, and promptly kicked no. 4. This was all the scoring, and the Baptist gained two pointsby 4-0."
14 Feb 1914 Kent Messenger
Longfield Football Club
2nd annual dinner of Longfield Football Club at the Black Lion. President J Dudley Martin in the chair.
20 Feb 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
Dartford & District Football League
Division II table 1 Slade Green Loco (Played 11, Points 20), 2 Stone Invicta (10, 16), Stone Club (7, 11), Wilmington TAS (7, 11), Erith Baptists (10, 9), Stone St Michaels (11, 7), Crayford Invicta Res (9, 5), Hawley Res (9, 4), Hartley (Played 12, won 0, drew 1, lost 11, goals for 3, goals against 71, points 1)
20 Feb 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
A Shillelagh and the way it was used
"A head, protected by a good sized piece of sticking plaster, was produced as evidence at the dartford petty Sessions, to show the way in which a stick had been used. The head was on the shoulders of George Powell, who was summoned by Walter Hammond, Brickfield Cottages, Longfield, for assaulting him. He said that Powell came under his window and knocked the pane out. Witness opened the door, and defendant went for him. They had a struggle, and defendant attempted to use a sick which was taken from him. Witness then produced the 'stick' which was a good specimen of the Irish Shillelagh. He dropped it on the ground with a thud that made the Court roar. // Horace Caller, Whitehill was called as a witness. He told the court, 'I don't know nothing about the case.' (Laughter). The clerk: Where you not there? Witness: no sir (laughter) Witness then explained that earlier in the evening defendant told him that he was going to smash a chap's nose (laughter).
Mrs Hammond said that Powell put his fist through the window, and said that if her husband did not come out and fight he would smash frame and all. Her husband went out to protect the window (laughter). Defendant: Didn't you come out with that big, long stick and hit me on the head? Witness: no.
Defendant bent his head, which had a good sized piece of sticking plaster on top, and said triumphantly, 'Gentlemen, there's the wound to prove it.' (loud laughter). Defendant called PC Hannigan to prove he was 'bleeding like a pig.' The officer said that he saw him bleeding profusely. Witness looked for the other man, but he would not come out. The Chairman: Do you know anything about this quarrel? Its evidently six of one and half a dozen of the other. They had been at it before. Both men were bound over for 6 months."
21 Feb 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
The Parish Councillor and the Postman
(Kent Assizes - Civil Cases) "Before Mr Justice Bray, and a common jury, at the Kent Assizes on Wednesday. John Sims brought an action against Fortunatus Lynds to recover damages for slander. Mr Petman appeared for the plaintiff, and Sir Frederick Low KC and Mr O'malley for the defendant. The parties belong to Longfield, plantiff being an auxiliary postman and cycle agent, and defendant a carpenter and also a retailler of cycles etc.
Plaintiff (according to Mr Pitman's opening statement) dealt, among other things, in Palmer tyres, and one of the stipulations of the makers was that these tyres must not be sold under a certain price. It came to plaintiff's knowledge some time ago tha tthe defendant had been selling Palmer tyres below the stipulatd prices, and complaints were made. Some time afterwards teh defendant called at the Dartford Post Office, and told the chief clerk that plaintiff had opened his letters before delivry, and had ascertained from them that he (defendant) was getting some tyres for his customers. That, said Mr Pitman, was a very serious accusation to make against a Post Office official, because under the Post Office Act, it was a criminal offence for a postman to open letters. Defendant also said something about plaintiff to a man named Adams, and it was these two statements which constituted the slander complained of.
Witnesses were then called for the plaintiff. Walter James Jarvis, chief clerk at Dartford Post Office, said that Longfield was a sub-office under Dartford, and the plaintiff had been the auxiliary postman at Longfield for some time. On the 16th May last defendant came to the Dartford office and saw witness. Mr Pitman: Tell the court exactly what defendant said to you. Witness: He said that Sims (the plaintiff) had, during his occupation in delivering letters, pried into a postal packet, and used the information so obtained to his (the defendant's) detriment. Defendant said the information had some connection with tyres. The matter was reported to the postmaster (Mr Holloway) who went to Longfield and enquired into it. Cross-examined by Sir Frederick Low: He made a note at the time of the statement made by defendant, but he had not the note with him. Sir Frederick: Of course it would be no offence against the Post Office Regulations for anybody employed in the Post Office to look into a half penny packet? - It is not a postman's duey to look into a half penny packet. Would there be anything wrong in it? - Yes. He would have no object in doing it? Might he not look to see if the Post Office regulations were infringed? - It is not part of a postman's duty. But it would not be regarded as a serious matter? - No. You didn't regard it as a serious matter? - Yes. Didn't the whole thing come to this, that the defendant said he received an invoice in an open half penny packet? - Yes. Did he say that very shortly after receiving that invoice he got a complaint, and that complaints were made about his dealing with tyres? - I could not say exactly. Did he also say this: That it was very odd that those complaints should come so soon after this invoice reached him? - He said something to that effect. Will you pledge your recollection that it was not you who asked the question who was the letter carrier? - No. Witness however said that he should have had to ask the name of the letter carrier if defendant had not mentioned it.
Bradford Adams, postman, stated that one day in June last the defendant made the following statement to him: 'That Sims had either opened his parcel at the railway station or opened his (defendant's) correspondence that came through the post, to find out the number of the tyre, as there was no other means of finding out, as the tyre had not left the house.' Cross-examined: He remembered quite well the words that were said. He, however, did not at the time think it was an important matter. It was about 2 months after that he thought it was an important matter. His Lordship: How came you to realise that it was important? Witness: Because I thought the thing was going on between them. Sir Frederick Low: Did plaintiff tell you he was going to bring an action? - Yes. What else did he say? - I don't remember. In further cross examination, witness said the statement in question was made outside defendant's house, but a man named Crouch was not present at the time. He could not recollect that he had spoken to anyone except the plaintiff about the statement made by defendant. His Lordship: How soon after did you tell Mr Sims? Witness: As far as I can recollect, 2 or 3 months. It was also 2 or 3 months after the defendant made the statement that he wrote it down.
Samuel Holloway, postmaster at Dartford, spoke to making an enquiry as a result of defendant's complaint, and said that the memorandum of the conversation which passed between his chief clerk and defendant would be contained in the official reports, which were not now in witness's possession.
John Sims, the plaintiff, then gave evidence. He said he had been an auxiliary postman at Longfield for 2½ years. It was true that he made certain complaints to the wholesale firmas to the price of Palmer tyres, but it was untrue that he had ever opened any postal packets addressed to defendant or anyone else in order to pry into them. The complaints he made were not founded on anything he had got from postal packets. Cross-examined: As the result of the enquiry held by Mr Holloway it was found that there was no evidence at all to implicate him. Sometimes when there was no-one at home at defendant's house he (plaintiff) had taken newspapers back to the office if he could not get them into the letter box. This was the plaintiff's case.
Sir Frederick Low submitted that so far as the complaint to the chief clerk, Mr Jarvis was concerned, it was a privileged occasion, ant that there was no evidence of malice.
The defendant then gave evidence. He said tht besides being a carpenter he did little commissions in many ways, and had been for some time a member of Longfield Parish Council and the Dartford District Council and Board of Guardians. About May of last year it came to his knowledge that a complaint had been made about his dealing in a particular class of cycle tyre. He had received a tyre by rail and the invoice by post, and no-one could have known of the transaction except by the invoice. Plaintiff was carrying on a similar business to his. Sir Frederick Low: Did you honesty believe that the only way the plaintiff could get to know of the matter was from the invoice? - That was my honest belief. Continuing, defendant said he had previously had some bother about newspapers addressed to him having been returned to the office. He told Mr Jarvis that he had a complaint to make about the bad delivery of his letters and parcels, and he showed Mr Jarvis two wrappers in proof of his complaint, and said he had a letter box which would admit anything. He then told Mr Jarvis that he wanted an enquiry made to see where the information had come from with reference to a Palmer tyre that he had received from a firm in London. He further said that he failed to see how the information could have been got if his parcel or letter had not been opened. The only time that plaintiff's name was mentioned was when he (defendant) produced the two wrappers on which was written 'JS, no answer' - meaning that there was no-one at home to answer the door to the postman. Sir Frederick Low: Were you actuated by malice in making that complaint? - No. Do you remember having any conversation with the witness Adams? - I was speaking to Mr Crouch about the allotments, and soon afterwards Adams came along. Crouch being a very jocular fellow said: 'We shall see you all down the road together.' Sir Frederick Low: Does that mean on the way to Maidstone? Defendant: Yes. I took it to mean I was going to be hanged. (laughter). Sir Frederick Low: They are going to do that at Canterbury (laughter). Defendant went on to say that he never mentioned the plaintiff's name in the presence of Adams, and that there was not a word of truth in the statement made by Adams. By Mr Pitman: It was true that there had been some complaint before as to his selling Palmer tyres, but the supply of these tyres to him had not been discontinued in consequence. Mr Pitman: According to your view the plaintiff had made a false complaint against you? - Decidedly. And you felt that? - Yes. And then you got this second complaint about the price at which you were said to be selling these tyres? - The complaint was that I had sold these tyres under price, which was absolutely wrong. Had you any reason to think that it was plaintiff who made the complaint? - Yes. Did you many any enquiry of plaintiff before you made the complaint? - No. Wasn't that the natural thing to do? You knew it was a serious matter to make that complaint? - If I had known that the plaintiff or any other man had tampered with my parcel I shoudl have gone to him and told him, but as I didn't know I made the complaint to the Post Office. You were making an accusation against plaintiff? - I was making an accusation against my bad delivery of letters. What were you going down the road to Maidstone for? - The plaintiff had told people that I had to apologise and that he was going to get £10 out of me. Have you ever apologised to plaintiff? - No. Do you apologise now? - No.
William Crouch corroborated the defendant as to what was said by him in the presence of the witness Adams. Counsel then addressed the court and
The Judge, at the conclusion of his summing up, left the following questions with the jury and they answered them as stated:-
(1) Were the words spoken to the chief clerk at the Post Office, Dartford, defamatory of the plaintiff in his employment as a postman? - Answer: Yes
(2) Was the defendant actuated by malice in speaking those words? - Answer: No
(3) If you find malcie, what damages do you award for this slander - No answer.
(4) Did the defendant speak to Adams the words complained of? - Answer: Yes
(5) Were they defamatory of the plaintiff in his employment as a postman? - Answer: Yes
(6) If you find 4 and 5 in favour of plaintiff, what damages do you award for this slander? - Answer £5.
His Lordship will give judgment today (Friday). Paper of 28/2/1914 said judge had not be present when jury gave their verdict, so he confirmed verdict then.
[John Sims ran a cycle shop at 2 Station Road (old numbering, now Petrol Station). Note the burden of proof on the defendant. Mr Sims didn't have to say how he found out that Mr Lynds was selling the tyres below Recommended Retail Price. However Mr Lynds's case has a problem in that knowing what he paid for a tyre is irrelevant to the complaint Mr Sims had made about the price he sold them at.]
27 Feb 2014 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
At Longfield
Walter Hammond of 2 Brickfield Cottages, Longfield for using obscene language at Dartford Road, Longfield, on February 7th, was fined 2s 6d and costs."
28 Feb 1914 Kent Messenger
Cow for Sale
For sale - half bred shorthorn and Kerry Cow, mother prize winner - £25. Also Gentleman's phaeton and rick cloth - Pennis House, Fawkham
Horse for Sale
"Bay van mare for sale, 8 years, quiet good worker. H Bentley, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
07 Mar 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Black Lion Trading Standards
"At Dartford, on Friday, Charles English, of Hartley, was summoned for selling margarine instead of butter. He pleaded not guilty. Richard Fulkes, Dartford, said that on January 24th he asked for half a pound of butter at defendant's shop at Hartley, and handed the purchase over to Supt Hayward. the latter stated that he sent a portion of this to the County Analyst, who certified that it was margarine. Defendant said the young woman who helped in the kitchen made the sale, giving the purchaser a half pound of margarine in ignorance, although there were papers bearing the words "margarine" in letters 2½ inches deep across the front of the counter. Miss English, defendant's sister in law, said she served the man. She asked him if he wanted the butter at 1s 4d or 1s 2d. He asked "Have you any cheaper?" She told him there was some at 1s a pound. He said "That will do", and she weighed him a quantity out. He paid her sixpence, and left the shop - a fine of 5s and costs was imposed."
Road Incident
(Longfield) "Through a horse taking fright while being driven down hill, near Fawkham Station, on Tuesday evening, George Roots, carman, in the employ of Mr L G Green miller, of Sutton at Hone, received several injuries, including a broken wrist, in attempting to stop the horse bolting."
13 Mar 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
These Motorists
"There are still some motorists who disturb the peacefulness of Bexleyheath with furious driving. At the Dartford Petty Sessions, Harry Robert Rue, 10 Earl's Road, Bermondsey was summoned for exceeding the 12 mile speed limit with a heavy motor on February 12th at Crook Log. PS Philcox proved the case, and defendant was fined 10s and costs. For exceeding the 20 mile limit on the Broadway, Bexleyheath, George John Bush, Hartley Manor, Longfield, was fined 20s and costs."
19 Mar 1914 Ormskirk Advertiser
The Fairby Village Farm
Successful Small Holdings Experiment
An article which must be of great interest at the present time, when Small Holdings and their creation are so much in the public mind, appears in the March Official Circular of the Central Land Association, from the pen of Mr G H Humphrey. The scheme, which is here outlined, and with which Mr Humphrey is so clearly associated, is claimed to be the most successful experiment of the kind in this country.
At the outset the writer of the article says it is gernerally admitted that agriculture should employ a larger number of the population of this country than it does at present. Compared with other European countries, the area under agriculture in the United Kingdom employs barely one third of the number which aa similar area employs in other countries. It was after investigation of small holdings and small holding societies in this country that the organisation under which Fairby Farm is developing was formed in 1911, Mr Humphreys continues:
"We found that small holdings suffered from lack of capital, and the failure and limited success which are generally associated with the movement is due to this fact. I came to this conclusion that unless it could be proved that small holdings were sufficiently commercially successful to attract capital just in the same way as in any other industrial enterprise, all the propaganda work which was being done by the societies was to no purpose.
Investigating the price of land, it was found that under the Small Holdings Act 1907, many small holders were paying 50 shillings and some even more per acre, or a rent in many cases 50, 60 and 100 per cent more than the rental farmer had paid for the land as a large farm But enquiry from some of the large estate agents showed that there were many estates in this country which were as suitable for small holdings as any which were being let for 50 shillings per acre, to be purchased at from £18 to £30 per acre. Land which would be bought for £20 per acre was as good as that which was being let under the 1907 Act at 40 shillings and 50 shillings per acre. Here then was an opportunity to prepare a scheme of land settlemen which should prove a sound commercial investment.
A scheme of small holding purchase by instalments was prepared and put into operation with such success that a small farm was secured in Essex, divided up into small holding and rapidly disposed of. This land was sold to th esmall holders at £27 per acre. As evidence of its suitability for the purpose, one of the small holders told me at the end of the second year that he had made a return of £50 per acre, and that he expected in a year or two's time to make £70 and £80 per acre nett profit from his holding. I should mention here that I believe him to abe an exceptionally capable small holder, and therefore his figures are above the average return which may be expected. But his fact also emphasises that a small holder who knew his beuness chose land which could be sold at £27 per acre, and has done extraordinarily well on it. He has told me that he considers this land equal to much of the land which is offered in Cambridgeshire at £80 and £100 per acre, where the demand for small holdings alone has sent up the price of land. As had been expected, the success of this samll farm had the result of securing outside coercial capital, enabling the organisation, which had been started by my brother and myself, to purchase Fairby, a property sufficiently large for the development of those ideas of organisation and administration which we deemed essential in any large scheme for the creation of small holdings.
Fairby Farm in 1911 was 315 acres in extent and is situated 23 miles from London on the main Chatham line. From the agricultural point of view it is a fair type of many farms to be found in this country. It had been cultivated as an average Kentish farm. 50 acres were under fruit, about 40 acres under market garden crops, 60 acres under pasture, and the rest was farmed with straw and root crops. The fruit plantations were 5 and 6 years old, and gave us admirable data as to what an established small fruit holding woudl produce. The farm generally was suitable for almost every form of intensive agriculture. This area was offered for sale in small holdings in the autum of 1911, and was very rapidly taken up. There are altogether some 60 small holders on the farm, and most of them go in for a mixed semi-intensive form of cultuvation. With regard to the selection of applicants, as a commercial concern it is not possible to influence these very directly, but our policy has been to encourage rather the better type of agriculturalist and the small businessman than the ordinary agricultural labourer. Although agricultural experience is of course invaluable in farming, it is not so necessary, and has proved indeed sometimes a hindrance when a man takes up a small holding.
The distinction between small holdings and farming has not been sufficiently defined in the past. A small holder is not a little farmer, and to be successful has very little indeed to learn from a large farmer. Niether have we found that the men who win the prizes at the local flower shows and grow the largest cabbages and the finest rhubarb become the best small holders. The important thing fo a small holder to learn is to grow what he can sell profitably, and in this way many men who have had something of a ound business trianing, bu tno agricultural experience, become excellent small holders. A man who came to use 2 years ago with no experience and took up a 5 acre holding (??? fruit) last year made £180 nett profit after paying all expenses. I am persuaded in my own mind that there should be no difficulty in creating hundreds of similarly successful small holders in other parts of the United Kingdom.
In dividing Fairby a basis of ownership was decided upon for two reasons. Firstly that ownership would be more attractive to the commerial poeple we desired to interest, as it would offer a better return on their capital. Secondly, we found that ownership had much greater attraction for the best small holders than any system of tenancy. With the Fairby system which is now fairly well know as the 'depot system' of agricultural organisation, we carry on the farm staff, buildings, horses, implements, just as they were conducted under the later owner and farmer. Most small holders in other districts have a stable, a horse or pony, a cart, a plough [.......................................................................] labour is used to cultvate the farm and to keep all the unsold land in at least as high a state of cultiviation as it was when we took it over. Similarly, the requirements of small holders wiht regard to seeds, implements, netting, fencing etc are met through the Buying Department. The farm staff is in charge of a foreman who is chosen for his experience of market garden and fruit crops. In additiona to the use of the buildings as a Depot, ertain portions of them have been adapted to provide the other departments which the scheme includes. In the Machinery Building there is an efficient oil engine and shafting runs to the chaff cutting machine, root pulpers and oat crushers, also to the Joinery Shop where the window frames and other joinery used in the Building Department for the erection of houses and temporary buildings are made. the power is also used in connection with some of the machinery in the Jam Factory. With the Jam Factory on the spot the small holder at Fairby is sure of anett market price on his holding which is nearly always better than the nett price that he could expect on an exceptionally good day at Covent Garden. In connection with the Depot there is also a 5 acre market garden, including a long glass and mushroom house whih is being developed to provide experimental data for the small holders. It is hoped during the coming year to instal several similar glass houses on the small holdings. Many small holders would go in for glass were it not for the captial involved. It is proposed at Fariby to build glass houses for the small holders and sell them to them on a deferred payment system over a term of years.
Another development which is also under consideration is a plant for the dessication of vegetables. This it is considered will deal wiht the surplus of vegetables just the same as the Jam Factory deals with the surplus of fruit. We have always considered that a small holding colony should not only produce successful small holders, but should promote the prosperity of the district in which they are situated. That this has been the case at Fairby is very evident. Under the old system of farming, Fairby in 1910 employed only about 7 men per 100 acres. Under present conditions the estate is employing 25 men for each 100 acres. The local tradesmen testify to the increased prosperity which they have experienced as a result of the settlement at Fairby. Even the Railway Company last year considered it advisable to open a new stateion in the district. With these facts in mind we welcomed the opportunity which arose last year to purchase an adjoining 600 acres, being the Hartley Manor Estate, which in its turn is developing as satisfactorily as Fairby has done.
In conclusion, I consider that we have abundantly proved at Fairby the economic soundness of small holdings and the suitability of the Englishman for intensive cultivation. Further we have showen that the United Kingdom can offer better opportunities than any of our Colonies to any man who wishes for an agricultural life and is willing to work hard. Several of the returned Colonials who have settled down at Fairby have made similar remarks to me. One in particular who approached us 2 years ago would not believe, afeter 22 years' experience in Canada that a living could be made off less than 100 acres of land. After being assured that 5 acres under our system was sufficient to provide a good income, and with the additional proisse that if he could not make a living from it, we would take his house and 5 acres of land back at the price he paid for them, he decided to settle at Fairby. Last year he tells me he made £164 nett profit off his 5 acres. Comment is needless. What has been done at Fairby can be done in many other parts of the country. Fairby is the first serious attempt to bring sound finane, business organisation and suitable applicants together, for the extension of small holdings in this country.
With regard to the question of cooperation, I feel sure that ultimately Fairby will become entire cooperative. Our system of organisation takes the place of cooperation for the time, as the capital it represents provides the implements and organisation for combined working When, however the small holders have put their individual undertakings on a osund comercial basis, they will know aht they require and jut how far cooperative management will benefit them."
21 Mar 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Essex and Kent Road Land for Sale
Plots for sale in Fawkham (probably Kent Road/Essex Road) by Kent and Essex House Land and General Investment Co Ltd
31 Mar 1914 Morning Post
Home Offered
"Home offered to little girl, aged 10 to 12, to share in education with girl of 10 - Lady Alexandra Emmet, Fairby, Longfield, Kent"
04 Apr 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Mirror Repairs
Advert - "Old Mirrors resilvered and made like new. Prices reasonable. Send postcard, or call and see samples at A Fielder, 1 Fern Cottage, [22] Essex Road, Longfield."
Longfield Parish Coucil
(1) Whitehill Crossroads. Proposal to tranfer allotment land to widen road here. (2) PC agree to ask Kent County Council to investigate the costs of making up Essex Road. (3) Cesspool emptying. Considerable discussion on this. Mr Burrows urged adoption of Southfleet scheme which was to make it more businesslike. The current scheme had a £20 deficit and unless something were done this would become a charge on the rates. Mr F Lynds strongly supported scheme, currently he said cesspools were allowed to overflow and unless something were done to prevent this, he would call for it to be a charge on the rates. Chairman G T Lynds anxious to avoid any charge on rates. Scheme adopted with minor alteration. (4) Main Road. Concerns about parish being asked to pay for some of road widening at Pescot Hill.
[KM 18/4/1914 G T Lynds wrote to say deficit was £2 not £20 and that the proposal adopted was greatly amended to remove responsibility from Parish Council to local owners and occupiers.
KM 25/4/1914 Local correspondent T J Symons of Mile End Green wrote to say Mr Lynds never corrected the figure at the meeting and that he correctly reported that the amendment to the scheme was a minor one.
KM 9/5/1914 another reply from G T Lynds enclosing Parish Council mintues]
10 Apr 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
DRDC Medical Officer's Report
(1) Hearing against closure of Terry's Lodge Farm Cottage under Housing Act heard at Ash Parish Room, report in due course. (2) Complaint that mains water at Longfield on 24 March was unfit for drinking.
Mirror Repairs (Advert)
"Old mirrors resilvered and made like new. Price reasonable. Send post card, or call and see samples at A Fielder,1 Fern Cottage, [22] Essex Road, Longfield."
11 Apr 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Longfield Property Sale
Messrs Winnatt - Bungalow and 3 acres at Longfield for sale £1,500
01 May 1914 Gravesend Standard
Retirement of Police Inspector
"Police Inspector A Thompson, who has retired from the Kent County Constabulary after nearly 30 years' honourable service, joined the force on June 24th, 1884, and was first stationed at Hartley, and then at Ash and Greenhithe. When at the latter town he was awarded a special mark for his meritorious conduct in apprehending two burglars at the Ship Hotel, who had effected an entrance to the premises by means of a ladder. On January 26th 1894 he was promoted to instructing constable, and appointed to Sutton at Hone, and afterwards served at Riverhead, Westerham, Knockholt and Snodland, being promoted to sergeant on November 30th 1897 when serving at Westerham. On November 1st 1900 he was appointed to West Malling, and was stationed there until promoted to Inspector on April 1st 1908, and appointed to Sheerness, where he has remained until his retirement."
01 May 1914 Eltham Times
Homefield, Stack Lane
"Wanted to rent, 6 roomed house, with bathroom and gas; good garden; Bickley or Chislehurst; £30 to £40 per annum - Homefield, Hartley, Longfield, Kent"
02 May 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Social Club
"A successful fancy dress dance was held on Friday last in the Hartley school. To the artist eye, weary of modern drabness, here indeed was a pranksome holidy. Summer dancing with Shylock, Tolly and and a Cowboy, gallant Jack Tar with a Hindu lady, six foot 'baby' with Mother Hubbard, Clown and Japanese, La Pompadour rubbing shoulders with Farmer Giles, prim early Victorian with Dick Turpin (on his way to York), Spanish dancer with pious Puritan - All times and all climes swaying in a dazzling kaleidoscope against a background of spring flowers. Prizes were awarded for the costumes adjudged the best by the votes of the assembly, the results being: Ladies - 1st prize, Early Victorian, Mrs Cromar; 2nd Prize, La Pompadour, Mrs Bishop. Gentlemen - 1st Prize, Girl Babe (in the wood), Mr Harris; 2nd Prize, Cowboy, Mr L Coleman. Dancing was kept up to a late hour and the Social Club must be congratulated on a most successful wind-up to the season. A whist drive was held for non-dancing members. Two prizes were given, Mrs Hicks and Mr Elliott being the winners."
08 May 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
Dartford Rural District Council Sanitary Committee
Medical Officer of Health reported 19 cases of Scarlet Fever in the previous month, 3 of diptheria (one from Hartley), and 2 of enteric fever (one of these cases at Longfield attributed to eating oysters).
08 May 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
Telegraph Lines
Post Office public notice of setting up lines along Whitehill Road, Longfield.
09 May 1914 Kent Messenger
Rev G Bancks of Hartley
Favourable review of Rev Bancks's book "Harvest of the Hives"
Hares for Sale
Hares for sale - Wood, Woodcroft.
Waggoner Wanted
"Wanted (for Longfield) Waggoner, throughly experienced in all farm work, 3 horse team, also young man for single horse (good wages) - Apply by letter D & J Pattullo, Orpington."
Longfield Parish Council
Cllr G T Lynds said he didn't want the clerk (W Wright) to be assistant overseer. He would do it all himself. "The clerk said he was not affected by he personal attack of one man, who made an effort to get rid of his services. He went on to contend that it was the duty of the overseers to see that proper valuations were made and expressed his determination to have things straight. Mr G T Lynds protested against the clerk's statement, and said he had never assessed a farthing worth of property in the parish." After lively discussion, they accepted chairman's (F L Hickmott) suggestion that the 4 overseers discuss this amongst themselves. R Hales proposed and F Lynds seconded a vote of confidence in the clerk, which was passed 14-2.
12 May 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Longfield Cricket Club
"Northfleet entertained Longfield on Saturday, and just got home by 1 wicket - an exciting finish. Batting first, Longfield compiled the useful score of 120, L C Willis and W Upton giving a fine display. W Saville gave Northfleet a good start and A Wright and F Martin backed him up, but it was the late effort by S Lamb that gave Northfleet the victory, and Mr G K Gardiner, the secetary had a pleasant task in sending in his report.
Card: Longfield - F Fuller, 4; L Stokes, 4; W Upton, 33; L C Willis, 36; H J Baker, 15*; D Martin, 0; T Fielder, 0; T Burnett, 0; L Bailey, 17; B Tomlin, 0; C Foster, 0; Extras, 11. Total 120. Northfleet 121-9, F Fuller took 5 wickets, T Burnett 2 wickets, L Stokes 1 wicket.
14 May 1914 Table Talk (Melbourne, Aus)
Treadwell Family
Engagement of Ruby Treadwell of Fairby, York Street, St Kilda
15 May 1914 Gravesend Standard
Longfield Cricket Club
Cricket - Northfleet v Longfield at Northfleet. Longfield 120 all out, Northfleet 121-9
15 May 1914 North Wales Chronicle
Occupation Ownership of Land
"The overemigration of the rural population of Great Britain into our towns and colonies has caused the depopulation of our villages to such a serious extent that England has, at last, turned her attention to the question of the land, this being now one of the chief topics of the day. Recent events prove tht great changes must soon take place in our land system......."
Fairby Farm Estate: A company was formed to acquire and organise smallholdings, conducted as a money making business, not charity. The experiment amply justified itself. Land and buildings were taken on 12 years' purchase system, 25 per cent was paid deposit on taking possession, and this deposit is kept as a reserve in case the smallholder gets behind through inexperience. The company then return him the 25 per cent, but retain the land, thus helping him to tide over his loss. So the company is really a credit bank to the smallholder. The Fairby Farm smallholders have the enormous advantage of agricultural organisation. A farmhouse has been turned into a depot, and it is close by. From this central depot expert advice is given to the new smallholder, giving him every information he requires as tot eh size and division fo the holding, the cottage, amount of capital to be outlayed on the purchase of stock and manure. this help is so thorough that eveen experience in cultivation was not needed, provided the man had energy and character. At this depot they have a competent foreman, a poultry expert, and sufficient implements for all the holdings. The depot cultivates the land not taken, gives them help and advice when necessary, and horses, implements and labour are hired from the depot at a profit to the depot. The advantage of this to the 50 smallholders now can be gathered from the fact that not one of the 50 has found it necessary to buy a horse or build a stable! The depot is the social and business centre of the whole area. The smallholder buys at the lowest market prices what implements he may want, and sells his produce direct to the big markets. The produce is sold through the depot to salesmen, who like to buy in big quantities. Last year the Fairby Farm estate smallholders sent their produce to Belfast, Wigan, the North of England as well as London. The depot farm manager superintends the carting and packing of fruit, and the preparation of poultry for sale. Consignments are bulked, saving railway carriage and leaving the smallholder free to devote his time to the holdings. Compare this with our poor Welsh farmer trudging to market with 2 or 3 fowls, 2 or 3 dozen eggs, and a few pounds of butter!"
16 May 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Longfield Cricket Club
Southfleet cricket club fixtures - Longfield (H - 20/6, A - 18/7), Hartley (H - 4/7, A 15/8).
Longfield Parish Meeting
Mostly about Pescot Road [Main Road]. There was a dispute as to what people thought Mr Dobson, the owner of Pescot House had promised when he gave the land for widening in particular how much land he had said he would give up. F Lynds and R Hales were convinced he had promised to pay all the costs. R W Gilham wanted the whole matter dropped and proposed they accept what Mr Dobson had done. The vote was tied at 7-7. Mr G T Lynds, the chairman said he was in a difficult position, he believed the parish had not got what they expected, but Mr Dobson had carried out his agreement with Dartford RDC so he would cast his vote in favour of the motion. Re Essex Road, Kent County Council have written saying they don't want to get involved.
20 May 1914 Morning Post
Small Holdings Scheme in Kent
"Graham Bower presided yesterday at a meeting in connection with the British Constitution Association at the residence of Mr J F Chance, 30 Lennox Gardens, when Mr Leonard Humphrey gave an address on 'The Experiment in Small Holdings at Fairby, Kent'. Mr Humphrey said that Fairby Farm was now in the hands of about 60 smallholders, most of whom had about 5 acres of ground for growing fruit and intensive crops. Although within such a comparatively short distance of London, they found their best markets in the north of England, whre they obtained more satisfactory prices. Their small holders grew their crops under expert advice; there was a depot in charge of a competent foreman, and under him were a number of men who specialised. They looked upon the schme as the beginning of something larger, which would have a great effect upon marketing. They had decided on the basis of ownership, and he thought that with a proper scheme of organisation small holdings could be started in other districts. Sir William Chance, the Hon W Sidney and the Chairman took part in the general discussion that followed." [It is a pity that William Chance's views were not recorded as his father James Timmins Chance used to own the Fairby estate]
22 May 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
Hartley Roads
Dartford RDC - "A letter was received from the Mid Kent Water Company in reply to the Council's complaint as to the defective reinstatement of the roads at Hartley, where water pipes had been laid by the company, stating that they had had their men on the track, on and off, for the last 3 months, and were again sending them next week to patch up the road where necessary. The Committee had instructed the surveyor to see that the company properly reinstated the road."
22 May 1914 Gravesend Standard
Longfield Cricket Club
Cricket - Henley's Athletic v Longfield at L. Longfield 73 all out. Henleys 89-3
23 May 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Beating the Bounds at Meopham
Beating the bounds at Meopham. L Oliver remmbered doing the same 61 years before. Detailed report
23 May 1914 Kent Messenger
Hartley a Growing Village
"Hartley: A Growing Village. In North Kent, one of the most rapidly developing places of late is Hartley. It is, indeed almost a village of mushroom growth, for whereas a couple of years ago fair fields surrounded a few houses, today it stands as a village plentifully besprinkled with small detached villas, each hemmed in with a few acres of cultivated land. the reason for this expansion is the success which has attended a small holding scheme. There may be various views as to the smallholding movement, but certainly the Fairby Estate (as the new settlement is termed) seems to promise excellently. The estate covers 1,000 acres, and to meet the requirements of the 'community' a Roman Catholic chapel is in the course of erection, a new post office installed, and, we understand, one of the London Banks contemplate opening a branch. The principal feature of the scheme is, of course, the central depot, which is admirably organised to comprise a hub of social and commercial activity. For recreative purposes, a library and club room are provided, while in addition to a jam factory and fruit bottling department, facilities are afforded on behalf of the smallholders for the purchase of various farm implements. In short, Hartley is establishing itself as a progressive, enterprising, locality."
Cottage to Let
5 bed cottage to let - Barnes, Hartley
30 May 1914 Kent Messenger
A Smallholders' Law Suit
"A Smallholders' Law Suit
An action to restrain a nuisance brought by Mr E Hallick of Verbena Lodge, Hartley Green, against the Small Owners Ltd, London, came before Mr Justice Warrington in the Chancery Division on Friday, resulting in a settlement which was announced on Monday.
Mr Hallick, who bought a small holding from the defendants on which to cultivate market flowers, complained that defendants manufactured jam in premises adjoining his land and allowed quantities of black smoke to be emitted from a chimney. The smoke and soot, he said, spoiled his flowers, rendering them unmarketable. The price paid for the holding was £275.
In announcing a settlement, Mr Terrell KC, for the plaintiff, said that the defendants would buy back the holding for £450 and pay £150 in respect of costs. The plaintiff and his wife were prepared to start life again elsewhere, with they hoped, better success. His lordship sanctioned the settlement and expressed his approval of it." [Verbena Lodge was later called "The Nutshell" and was demolished to make way for Culvey Close]
05 Jun 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
Trouble with Milk
"Eliza Cornelius of Longfield, was summoned under the Food and Drugs Act for selling milk deficient in fats of 7 per cent on April 21st. Supt Hayward said that 1½ pints of new milk were purchased from defendant in Southfleet. The certificate from the analyst showed that there was a deficiency in fats of 7 per cent. Defendant was supplied with milk by Mr Dobson. Defendant said she sold the milk just as she got it. She did not knwo anything about it. She kept 5 cows, and that morning 2 samples were taken, one from her cows and one from the milk supplied by Mr Dobson. Her own milk was alright, and she could not account for the milk of Mr Dobson's being below the standard, for his cows were better cows than hers." Fined 20s.
06 Jun 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Longfield Station
Trains from Fawkham 7.40, 8.22, 10.13, 1.15, 2.30, 3.15, 4.31 (NS), 4.33 (S), 5.53, 8.27, 10.41; Sun 8.24, 11.43, 5.20, 10.40
11 Jun 1914 Evening Standard
New Barn Advert
"A real country cottage in a secluded and charming old lane, with good water supply, near a station, good school, about 22 miles from London, is the ambition of most; 'New Barn' offers all this, and on advantageous terms. Prospectus from the New Barn Estate Office, near Longfield, Kent."
12 Jun 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
Horse in Unfit State
"Henry Jenkins of Mabel Cottage, Longfield and Albert Edward High, were summoned for causing a mare unnecessary suffering on May 13th. PS Stenfield said he saw defendant driving a horse with several sores on the shoulder. He drew the attention of the men to the mare's condition, and asked them to unload the cart of manure. Insp Fletcher RSPCA gave evidence of the animal's condition. The summons against High was dismissed. Jenkins was fined 10s and costs."
13 Jun 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Fire at Kent Road, Longfield
Fire at home of TW Lynds of Kent Road, Longfield. Fire brigade quickly on scene and no-one hurt
13 Jun 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Roman Remains at Ash
Roman remains discovered on George Day's farm at Ash
Ash & District Horticultural Society Show
Ash and District Horticultural Society choose Mr Johnson of Hartley to judge Ash garden competition because he doesn't live in the parish
16 Jun 1914 Gravesend Standard
Longfield Cricket Club
Northfleet v Longfield at L. Northfleet 157, Longfield 42. J Rich played for Longfield scored 1 got 1 wicket. Also G Rich, W & R Heaver
19 Jun 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
Whose Clothes?
"George Taylor, no fixed abode, was charged at the Dartford Police Court on Wednesday morning with stealing a quantity of clothing, valued at 15s, the property of some person, or persons, at that time unknown. PS Binfield said he saw prisoner outside the Railway Tavern, Longfield, on Tuesday night with a bag on his back. He asked the man if he had been selling some clothes in the public house. Prisoner said: 'They are my own clothes. I bought them from a pawnbroker in High Street, Strood.' Upon examining the bag witness found it contained a lot of clothing. Prisoner had sold a pair of boots and a suit of clothes to a man named Blake for 4s. Witness told prisoner he very much doubted if he was selling his own clothes, whether he would let a suit go for 4s. Prisoner said: 'Well, then, find out where I got them. I've been in prison every year for 16 years, and I can go again.' The case was remanded until Friday, in order that further evidence might be forthcoming."
19 Jun 1914 Poultry World
Johns, Johns Close
"The Prize Poultry Farm (Presented by Poultry World), Longfield Kent.
Within a mile of Fawkham Station, 22 miles of London. A splendidly equipped poultry farm with well fitted and picturesque modern residence, with 4 bedrooms, bath, pretty sitting, hall, drawing room etc. Unusually good building poultry houses, and pens, specially erected by Spratts Ltd. Kitchen Garden and orchard ; 5 acres in all. To be sold by auction, July 3rd next, unless sold privately meanwhile. Auctioneers: Messrs Nicholas, 4 Albany Court Yard, Piccadilly W, and at Reading and Newbury."
"Mrs O'Grady, winner of the Poultry World's £1,000 prize for expert in poultry management in the United Kingdom, the largest Irish Poultry Farm, has vacancy for pupils; most thorough training; all branches; can supply references from former pupils now working successfully - Apply Coachford, Co Cork."
19 Jun 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
Reckless Driving
"Alfred Thomas Stern, a chauffeur in the employ of the Brent Laundry, and residing at Park Road, Plumstead, was summoned for driving a motor car recklessly in the Dartford Road, Longfield. He pleaded not guilty.
Amy Sandiman, of Dartford Road, said she was cycling along the road at 5.30 on May 29th, and saw a little boy with a basket of fruit standing near the kerb. She stood to talk to a woman, and a motor of the Brent Laundry came past. Witness's coat and skirt were torn off. She turned round to the woman with whom she was talking and said: 'That was a close shave.' In answer to Supt Hayward, witness said she was standing on the path on the offside of the road towards Longfield Hill. There was no traffic on the road at the time. Had defendant kept on his near side, he would have passed without touching her. The driver did not sound his horn. Witness heard defendant say to a boy who was with him tha the was not going to get out of the way for her.
Susan Faulkner, Station Road, Longfield, said she was talking to Mrs Sandiman when the motor passed, and she was so near the car that she was afraid Mrs Sandiman was under the car. It gave her a turn. Raymond Halls, aged 9, said the motor went very near to Mrs Sandiman. He corroborated the evidence of previous witnesses. Ernest Bristow, aged 9 said he was in the Brent Laundry motor van with defendant. The car went very near to Mrs Sandiman.
Defendant said he was on his way to Longfield Hill. He sounded the horn just before passing Mrs Sandiman. He was travelling in the middle of the road, and did not know he touched anyone. He would have stopped if he had known he touched her. He apologised to Mrs Sandiman the next day. Fined 20s and costs."
20 Jun 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Ash Road
Surface water at Fairby. Surveyor recommends new catch pit at Fairby and overflow iron kerb be installed by Old Downs private road. Mid Kent water said not to have reinstated road properly after laying their mains.
20 Jun 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Woodlands, Ash Road for Sale
To those desirous of residing in a beautiful part of the county, with a pleasurable and remunerative occupation.
WOODLANDS, HARTLEY
1½ miles from Fawkham Station, 22 miles from London.
A perfectly unique freehold property, comprising picturesque small residence, approached by carriage drive with pretty gardens and lawns in front, and containing 3 reception rooms, kitchen, scullery, 3 bedrooms, bathroom (h & c) etc. Company's water. Modern drainage
4 acres thriving fruit plantation. A part of the property has been highly cultivated for market gardening, and the remainder includes paddock and poultry runs, the whole extending to about 14 acres.
Denyer and Collisn are instructed to sell the above by auction, at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, EC, on Friday June 26th at 2 o'clock precisely....
Evening Classes
Annual exhibition from craft and evening schools held at Maidstone. "The many exquisite designs of lace afforded some indication of the popularity of this beautiful work in some of the villages of Kent, largely through the efforts of Mrs and Miss Ainger, who have given instruction at 8 centres during the past winter with marked success. Among the first year students, Miss Edith Rodwell, Hartley, was placed first, her exhibit consisting of some lovely Buckinghamshire lace in course of production..."
Dartford Police Court
"Alfred Thomas Stearn, of Plumstead, was summoned for driving a motor car in a manner dangerous to the public at Dartford road [Main Road] Longfield, on May 29th. Amy Sandiman of Longfield, said she was cycling through the village, and stopped to speak to a friend. She saw the Brent Laundry van come through the village, and it came so close that her skirt and coat were torn. Defendant was talking to a boy, and she heard him say that 'he wasn't going to get out of the way for her.' Mrs Faulkner corroborated. Defendant was fined 10s and costs or 14 days."
26 Jun 1914 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express
Evening Classes
// Public meeting at Longfield Club Room to discuss what to offer in Longfield, Hartley and Fawkham centre. Longfield Evening Continuation Classes and Hartley lacemaking were popular (one pupil Miss E Rodwell won competition at Maidstone). Suggestions were another lace making class at Longfield, Basket making, Sick Nursing, Simple Dressmaking for cottagers.27 Jun 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Longfield Evening Classes
Meeting at Longfield Clubroom to discuss coming winter's arrangements for Longfield, Hartley and Fawkham Centre. D F Brow of Dartford RDC Higher Education Committee explained what is available. Meeting wanted to keep the Continuation Classes under A A Burrows and Lace Making at Hartley. Other suggestions were Lace Making at Longfield, Men's Basket Weaving, Sick Nuring and Dressmaking for Cottagers.
KM 4/7/1914 has letter in response from "Onlooker" objecting to spending ratepayers' money on adult education, and that classes are attended by the "wrong" people e.g. cooking demonstrations by those who employ a cook.
Obituary of William Packman
Ash - Sudden death
William Packman, aged 74, who had been employed for a number of years by Mr Joseph Thornton, New House Farm, Hartley, died suddenly on Saturday morning last. He was heard as usual about the house at 6.30am by his sister, Mrs Russell of Russell Villas, Ash, with whom he lived. Shortly afterwards she heard him calling to come downstairs, and on arriving found him lying prostrate on the kitchen floor. Dr Smith was sent for, and on arriving shortly afterwards found that life was extinct. The cause of death was attributed to heart trouble, and the coroner decided that an inquest was not necessary.
[The Packmans originally lived for many years at Hartley Hill Cottage, and William was still employed at New House Farm.]
30 Jun 1914 Gravesend Standard
Hartley Cricket Club
"The IPM were much too strong for the home team at Hartley on Saturday, both in bowling and batting. Williams took 4 wickets for only 3 runs, and Lowman 5 for 13, and Hartley were all disposed of for 30. The visitors only lost 1 wicket in winning, C A Harris and H Bullock doing all the batting."
Hartley - 30 all out (Rodwell 0, Ellerby 3, A Humphreys 2, Dennis 3, Saftin [should be Laftin] 7, Cox 5, H Day 0, F Cox 0, C Haygreen 1*, J Boorman 0, Hodges 3, Extras 6).
IPM 60 for 1 (C A Harris 28*, H Bullock 20*, H Day took the only wicket).
04 Jul 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Longfield Church
Feature and picture of Longfield Church; accident at Whitehill Corner.
04 Jul 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Small Owners' Offer
(Dartford RDC) "A letter was read from Smallowners' Ltd offering the Council land on which to build 20 cottages in the Longfield district, and promising to guarantee the rental for an agreed term of years. The Company was also prepared to grant land for the widening of certain roads. The offers were referred to the Highways Committee."
09 Jul 1914 Evening Standard
Prize Poultry Farm
Property Market: "The Prize Poultry Farm, situated at Longfield, Kent, comprising a picturesque modern residence, with buildings, pens and poultry houses, and 5 acres of well stocked kitchen garden, orchard etc, was sold by Messrs Nicholas for £750. The property was offered for competition by the 'Poultry World' in 1913, and was won by Mrs O'Grady, whose Utility Poultry Farm in co. Cork is well known. She later discovered that it was impossible to supervise both farms efficiently, and decided to part with 'The Prize' with the above-mentioned result."
11 Jul 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Hartley Cricket Club
Cricket - Southfleet 157 all out; Hartley 60 all out
11 Jul 1914 London Standard
Small Owners Description
Bevil Tollemache writes to claim Fairby is a success, a venture he was involved in with G H Humphreys and his brother. Details
14 Jul 1914 Gravesend Standard
Hartley Cricket Club
"Northfleet won by 117 runs, on Saturday, their opposition being Hartley. T Lincoln and A Stevens batted finely for the winners, but the most remarkable thing about the match was the bowling of A Wenban, his analysis reading 2 overs, 1 run, 6 wickets. Hartley have a good bowler in A Humphries, and he, bowling right through Northfleet's innings claimed 9 of their wickets."
Northfleet 152 all out (T Lincoln 41, A Stevens 32, W Saville 21, A Humphries took 9 wickets, H Ellerby 1 [prob C H Ellerby]).
Hartley 35 (H Ellerby 0, T Rodwell 6, R Bastills [prob Bartels] 4, A Humphries 5, P Dennis 5, W Braybrook 4, E Holness 0, J Wickens 0, W Cox 1, H Williams 0, E Letchford 1*, Extras 9).
Evening Classes
Kent VAD holding classes in Gravesend
18 Jul 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Hartley Road, Longfield
Dangerous corner at Hartley Road in Longfield to be seen to by Dartford Rural District Council
18 Jul 1914 Gravesend Standard
Hospital at Cliffe?
Rector of Cliffe offers rectory as hospital and his car for any war
18 Jul 1914 Framlingham Weekly
Lt F de Mallet Morgan
Picture of marriage of Lieutenant F de Mallet Morgan.
18 Jul 1914 Kent Messenger
Hartley Cricket Club
"Cricket: a feature of Hartley's match with Northfleet [at Northfleet] on Saturday, when they were defeated 152 runs to 35, was the bowling of A Humphreys, who took 9 wickets. Wenham, for the other side, however, took 6 wickets for 1 run!"
28 Jul 1914 Gravesend Standard
Aircraft at Gravesend
For first time in history, Gravesend is visited by aircraft and 2 airships
31 Jul 1914 Gravesend Standard
Dublin Fusiliers at Gravesend
Excitement as 2nd batt Dublin Fusiliers marched from Milton Barracks, some caught train in direction of Rochester, other part went to guard Tilbury Docks. Guns mounted at Purfleet Tower, huge oil storage tanks there an obvious target for aircraft. Aeroplane patrols from Eastchurch too
31 Jul 1914 Norwood News
Boy Scouts
"The holiday spirit prevails everywhere. All of the troops are in a state of preparation and orderly excitement. The 1st West Norwood Troop is leaving for a week or fortnight at Hartley Court Cottages, Kent. The tents were packed on Tuesday, and have been sent on per freight train. Other camp requisites will go down on Friday with the transport and commissariat party on the motor transport. The troop will parade at Headquarters on Saturday at 2.45, and proceeding to Herne Hill Station, will meet the Dulwich party and entrain by the 3.45 to Swanley Junction, where a branch line train will taken them to Fawkham Station. The remaining mile or so of the journey will be performed on foot."
01 Aug 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Small Owners offer land for council housing
Smallowners Limited - H G Humphries, general manager, offers land for council to build 20 houses and to guarantee rents for a period of years. Said expansion of fruit industry had led to demand for labour but lack of housing supply
01 Aug 1914 Kent Messenger
Jennie M Coutts Marriage
Longfield - wedding of Jennie M Coutts of Thorn, Longfield to Leonard D Durban of Kennington at Southfleet
01 Aug 1914 Gravesend Magazine
German Reservists leave England at the Call of the Kaiser
On Sunday 2nd, 1,000 German reservists embark at Gravesend to defend their country. Most townsfolk silent, as few boos but most felt they were simply doing their duty. One german said with pride he'd given up a good job and his English wife was accompanying him
04 Aug 1914 Gravesend Standard
Troop Movements in Kent
"Gen teams have been passing almost daily through Green Street Green and Longfield, their destination being evidently Maidstone and Canterbury. Drivers and men fully accoutred, their horses stretching their full stride…"
Reservists Called Up
Many reservists called up. Motor Consumer's Co buses pass through Gravesend with 5,000 gallons of fuel
07 Aug 1914 Dartford Chronicle
Outbreak of War in Dartford
Outbreak of war. (Fri 31 Jul) Little excitement in Dartford as gravity of situation became known. (Sat 1) Rail travellers say tunnels lighted and lines supervised for whole length. (Sun 2) Prayers for peace in local churches, some sing national anthem. 40 London buses with seats removed at top seen going through at a late hour, rumours say they were to evacuate women and children from Sheerness. (Mon 3) Bank holiday, more around town than usual discussing the situation, every 2nd person had evening paper. No rowdiness, although as evening wore on knots of young men sang Britons never will be slaves "in tones more raucous than musical"
08 Aug 1914 Kent Messenger
Kent County Council Employees who Join up
KCC vote to pay wages of those who volunteer or are called up for 1 month and more at committee's discretion. Home Office has written to authorise a larger police force.
Reservists Called Up
Many Gravesend works lose staff as Territorials called up - Post Office 14, APCM 70, Henleys Cables 85, IPM 40, Amalgamated Press 21, Gravesend Police 8. Big crowd at Clock Tower to hear result of GB ulitmatum delivered by telephone to the North Kent Club. God Save the King and Rule Britannia sung "with patriotic fervour".
Meopham Rifle Club Members Join up
50 members of Meopham Rifle Club offer to serve
14 Aug 1914 Dartford Chronicle
German Spy' at Farningham
Church Lads Brigade arrests 'German Spy' at Farningham (paper's quote marks)
War is with German Rulers not its People in Britain
Sportsman writes to the paper to urge that ill will to Germany's rulers should not extend to innocent Germans living in Britain. He cites one whose son is a territorial.
What Women can do
"What women can do" they can urge menfolk to serve country, and "unrecorded acts of womanly sympathy and devotion"
Booker - Divall Wedding at Fawkham
Marriage of George T W Booker of Speedgate to Clara Divall of Speedgate at St Mary's Fawkham
15 Aug 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Volunteers at Longfield
Longfield hold parish meeting re war: 40 attend, 23 volunteer as special constables, 10 taken on. Schools to be used for Red Cross Work, Stretcher to be bought for Fire Brigade
15 Aug 1914 Kent Messenger
Gravesend VAD
Good response to request for help from Gravesend VAD
Volunteers at Meopham
Meopham - 35 volunteer as special constables, ambulance training being offered, 34 in services and 52 in rifle club, so 121 now assisting their country.
21 Aug 1914 Dartford Chronicle
Call to Join Up
Larger advert than previous week to get men to join up
22 Aug 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Longfield Special Constables
32 special constables at Longfield.
Hartley and Fawkham Special Constables
Small villages of Fawkham (14) and Hartley (16) examples to larger villages in volunteers to be speical constables.
Longfield Station
Fawkham Station has become local agent for Reporter
Poem for Peace
Poem for peace (others in the paper at this time in favour of war), extract "For Halcyon days of August have / Grown dark with wintry fears / And smiles that welcomed their approach / Have turned alas to tears".. (by "FP")
22 Aug 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Special Police
"At a meeting held under the presidency of Mr L Coleman, on Monday, it was reported that the total number of men enrolled for special police duty was 28. It was decided to write to the Chief Constable for particulars as to the duties of the new force, and to ask whether the force could be supplied with police whistles, lanterns and capes. The vicar, the Rev E Smith, agreed to allow the use of the schoolroom when the police required it in wet weather."
28 Aug 1914 Poultry World
Why every British Hen should be on active servic
Why every British Hen should be on active service. GB uses 12m eggs per day (2m in London alone). Imports were 21m eggs in 1913, 2/3rds will be disrupted by the war eg. Germany 514,000 Austria 884,000, Russia 11.5m
03 Sep 1914 Gravesend Reporter
A Foreigner Arrested
Longfield: "A foreigner arrested": Special constable found Hungarian named Zuga Pop near Hartley on Wednesday evening. Charged with not registering under the Aliens' Registration Act.
04 Sep 1914 Dartford Chronicle
A Foreigner Arrested
Conviction at Dartford
Tuesday at Dartford Police Court, Zeina Pol, described as a Hungarian, an old man, was charged with being an alien enemy, who had failed to regiter himself, at Ash on August 30th.
Accused said he did not know that he had to register.
PC Prall said he was called by a special constable on Wednesday night at Haven Hill, where he found the prisoner, who had several papers. When asked whether he would be tried at this court or not, prisoner said (through his interpreter) that he would like to be taken to London to se Mr Luber and the Acting consul. He also said he thought the people were going to poison him with tea.
Mr E T Lincoln, official interpreting, said that a book and papers with pictures of two airships were found on the accused, who said he did not know what they were. "He got these things because he wanted to be arrested."
Prisoner was sentenced to 1 month's hard labour. [Later the interpreter Mr Lincoln would write that they thought he was a spy but couldn't prove anything, hence the vagrancy charge.]
04 Sep 1914 Gravesend Standard
Football Suspended
Kent FA suspends competitions
Artist Wrongly Arrested as Spy
Clerk from Gravesend mistaken for a spy and arrested while making a painting of the River Medway as his hobby
200 Join up in Gravesend
200 joined up in Gravesend since first call. 59 at barracks on Monday (31/8), 46 accepted
05 Sep 1914 Kent Messenger
Fawkham Church Collection
Collection at Fawkham Church for Prince of Wales Relief Fund raises £12.17.10
A Foreigner Arrested
Case of Tasya Pol - said to have been found by special constable at Haven Hill, Ash. Given 1 month for not registering as enemy alien
05 Sep 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
First Aid Classes at Hartley
Class for first aid and ambulance to be held in Hartley.
Earthworks at Longfield, Hartley and Ash
"From Longfield, through Hartley and up to Ash, well defined earthworks occur in most of the woods, and frequently the banks are largely composed of flints. An interesting point is the presence over the earthworks of circular depressions. They are worth mapping for permanent record"
War at Longfield
"On Thursday there was another parish meeting for the enrolment as special constables. Many parishioners have now joined this force, and are engaged during the nights in patrolling the roads and guarding the telegraph lines. On Friday the ladies of the parish and neighbourhood assembled at the clubroom and formed a branch of Queen Mary's Needlework Guild, electing a committee with Mrs E Smith as president and Mrs Auld as secretary. They started with a subscribed capital of £10 and are now strenuously at work on garments of various kinds. Many of the young men of the parish have offered themselves for military service, including Mr CE Smith a son of the rector and two of the sons of Mr Hickmott of Longfield Court."
Ash - Roman Remains
"With regard to the discovery on Mr George Day's farm at North Ash, the walls cleared show a good oblong, approximately 100 feet by 45 feet. The pottery included Samian, Durobrivian and bushels of Upchurch fragments. Measurements show that the rims alone represent 180 different vessels. Nails continue to turn up. The rim of a mortarium or vessel for grinding bore the inscription 'MARTINUS F' in two different places. This is regarded as a unique feature. It is not often a craftsman put his name twice on the same piece of work. No bone pins or leathern articles have yet been discovered. All relics are saved for the Dartford museum."
08 Sep 1914 Dartford Chronicle
Poem: To the Colours
Poem by CBE "To the Colours" - "The piping days of peace are gone/The bugle calls to war".
08 Sep 1914 Gravesend Standard
Army Recruiting at Northfleet
Army recruiters at Gravesend - Northfleet football match. Only a small number of 400 crowd came forward, 11 accepted
Clergy Cannot be Combatants
Archbishop of Canterbury says clergy can't be combatants as incompatible with office
10 Sep 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Roman Remains at Ash
Roman remains found at Mr G Day's farm at Ash, 178 pieces of vessel including one with "Martinus F(ecit)"
Longfield and Hartley Special Constables
3 more special constables sworn in at Longfield, 19 at Hartley, 2 more at Ash
11 Sep 1914 Dartford Chronicle
Arthur Mee 'Will you let England Down'
"Will you let England Down" big inset by Arthur Mee. If we lose our children will have to speak German, there will be taxes for the Prussian army of occupation. Tells men to join the army now.
12 Sep 1914 Kent Messenger
Army Recruiting Circular in Gravesend
Gravesend Recruiting Committee send letter to large number of young men in district.
12 Sep 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Died in a Sack
"On Friday an inquest was held into the cause of the death of James O'Neill, who died suddenly at Pescot Farm early on the previous Wednesday. Mrs Bridget Clark, of Grove Place, Barking, identified the body as that of her father, who was 62 years of age, and a widower. Augustus Bright testified that he had been working with the deceased for 5 weeks with a threshing machine, and they had lived together in Crooked Lane, Gravesend. He and the deceased and others came to Pescot Farm with the machine, and worked on Tuesday till 6pm. They then had tea at the Green Man at Longfield Hill and left there about half past eight, to pass the night at the farm. Witness and others slept in the farm buildings, but deceased preferred to make himself a shelter by placing a hurdle against a stack and protecting it with sheaves. He undressed and got into a sack, and covered himelf wih his clothing. On Wednesday morning, about 6 o'clock, as he did not appear when breakfast was ready, witness went to find him, and found him lying on his back, with his hands crossed on his chest, quite dead. Dr Griffiths deposed that death resulted from heart failure and teh jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes. The body was interred in Longfield Churchyard on Monday afternoon, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church, by the Rev E A Hoare of Northfleet."
Cycling Accident
"On Saturday evening, at the foot of Pescot Hill, near the entrance of the Briars Cottage [Broomfield Cottage], a man was found in a pool o fblood with a bicycle close by. Someone immediately set off to fetch Dr Griffiths of Meopham; and in the meanwhile Mr T G Lynds and his party brought the new parish stretcher from Longfield Hill. Mr Lynds made good use of his excellent knowledge of first aid treatment, and restored the injured one to consciousness. The doctor, on his arrival, acknowledging that the treatment already given had saved teh life of the man, dressed the wound - an ugly one right across the scalp. On regaining consciousness the man was quite unable to give any account of how the accident happened, but it would appear that he was riding down the hill, a very dangerous one, at a high speed, and, putting the brakes on too suddently, was thrown over the handlebar, the bicycle being uninjured. HIs name was Samuel Chad, of Fulwich Road, he was conveyed to Dartford Cottage Hospital [Livingstone Hospital]."
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Post Office agree to a trial whereby people can collect letters between 7.50 and 8pm after the arrival of the mail from Dartford. (2) There was a proposal to remit allotment rents of those who joined up, but it was doubted PC had the power. (3) New stretcher bought for 30s already proved its worth. Ambulance class at Hartley to be run by Dr Griffiths and G T Lynds.
15 Sep 1914 Gravesend Standard
Belgian Refugees Arrive
First batch of Belgian refugees arrive at Tilbury
Army Recruiting Advert
Recruitment ad."What is your answer to your country's call?
17 Sep 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Longfield Roll of Honour
Roll of Honour - Is your name on it. Weekly lists of recruits most without address, but No 2 Company KRGA (Territorials) Gunner E Dust and E Goodwin of Longfield
19 Sep 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Army Recruiting at Longfield
Longfield - "Recruiting - a meeting was held in the Longfield Club Room on Tuesday evening to further recruiting. The meeting having been opened by a stirring speech and songs, the Recruiting Officer for the Dartford District gave a well reasoned address, pointing out the great advantages of voluntary enlistment over consription, and urging the necessity for a large and efficient army even at the conclusion of the war, when the terms of peace were under discussion. A lady on the platform made a strong appeal to women 'from a woman to women' begging wives and mothers to encourage their menkind to strive to defend their homes and families, while Canon Gedge of Gravesend, spoke upon the matter from a clerical point of view. It was mentioned that if Longfield could make up a contingent of only 10 men, a place would be found for them in the West Kent Regiment" (article elsewhere in paper says meeting was under auspices of Gravesend and Northfleet Territorial Force Sub-Committee. Speakers - Rev E Smith (chairman), Lt Ivan Firth, Maj Pigou, Rev Canon Gedge, Mrs Firth, Guy T Munford (Sec). Miss Winifred Firth and Lt Ivan Firth sang patriotic songs. She also sang at a meopham recruiting meeting where was said to have just returned from tour of the world. She lived in Gravesend (1911 Census)
[Gravesend Reporter 17.9.1914 said Gravesend Recruiting Committee holds meeting at Longfield Working Men's Club on Tuesday to "stir up right spirit in surrounding villages" (to Gravesend)]
Longfield Queries
"Sir - I wonder if any member of the Longfield Parish Council would oblige me by answering the following questions. I have been a ratepayer in the parish now for some few years, but took no particular interest in parochial affairs until aroused by a report that the clerk at a Council meeting (at which some of the public were also present) made a certain accusation against an Overseer, and demanded an inquiry. Some months have passed, the Clerk is still holding his appointment and the Overseer his - no developments. I thought I would make a few inquiries and these have resulted in my submitting the following questions.
Have the council for the last ten or eleven years been paying to an overseer £5 per year rent for a small iron shed to shelter a hose cart?
Is a certain general shop, built about 11 years ago (the property of an overseer) just finding its way onto the rate book?
Is there a builder's yard, with stables, wheelwright's shop, carpenter's shop, paint house, storage sheds and forge, with a blacksmith regularly employed therein, the property of an overseer of the parish, assessed at the modest sum of £3 15s?
Are the above the subject matters for the enquiry demanded by the clerk?
Do the council pay each fireman 25s yearly retaining fee to keep himself efficient,a and had anyone seen the firemen at practice with the hose cart during the last 12 months?
Is the Special Committee appointed to reorganise the Fire Brigade and reduce the expenses likely to finish its labours this century?
Yours truly. A ratepayer."
KM 26/9/1914 Paper's correspondent suggested 6 ratepayers should call a meeting to investigate the allegations.
26 Sep 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Roman Remains at Ash
Roman bath found at North Ash 7 by 7½ feet, nearby was deep pond with sides too steep for cattle , it is said it never dries up, possibly fed by springs
26 Sep 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Queen Mary's Guild Longfield
Queen Mary's Guild, Longfield Branch. 60 useful articles sent on 9th Sept, 100 more reading to be sent. Long list of names of officers and committee. Thanked by queen, they have QMNG badges for sale at 1 shilling each to raise money. 47 from Longfield have joined up already, if every parish did this Kitchener would have an army not of 1m but 3-4m.
[Also in Gravesend Standard 25.9.1914]
Poem: The piping days of peace have fled
Frank H Humby (Sidcup) "The piping days of peace have fled / The bugle calls to war! / To check the grim and ruthless foe / To stay that own hand / For right to deal a winning blow / For home and king, for motherland! Etc for 5 more verses. //
Longfield Football Club
169 footballers from Gravesend league's 13 teams have joined up including 13 from Longfield in 2nd division
02 Oct 1914 Dartford Chronicle
Wake Up Dartford - Dartford's Poor Response to King's Appeal
"Wake up Dartford - Dartford's poor response to King's appeal". Recruiting day only got 8 new volunteers "despite martial music and soul-stirring speeches". Large attendance but young men conspicuous by their absence. MP and other dignitaries attend at Central Park
03 Oct 1914 Kent Messenger
First Wounded Arrive at Gravesend
First wounded arrive at Gravesend
Evening Classes
Longfield and Hartley - classes at Fairby Club Room - first aid for women (Tues), Cookery (Weds), room lent free of charge by Smallowners. Day schools reopened on Monday after hop picking holiday; girls go to Dartford Brent School to learn cookery, boys to Southfleet for woodwork. Frank Pankhurst and Percy Bevan of Longfield survivors of HMS Cressy sinking (see article)
[Also mentioned in Gravesend Reporter 10.10.1914]
Longfield Survivors from HMS Cressy
Longfield survivors of HMS Cressy disaster back home - Frank Pankhurst, Percy Bevan and Alfred Streatfield.
Longfield Schools Reopen after Harvest
Longfield Schools reopen after hop picking holiday but because crop is good many haven't returned yet
06 Oct 1914 Gravesend Standard
Army Recruiting at Gravesend
Large recruitment meeting at Gravesend. Paper says it was well organized, oratory good and large attendance. But disappointing results, just 4 joined Kitchiner's army, and 6 the territorials. However 850 Gravesenders already in army
10 Oct 1914 Kent Messenger
Longfield Roll of Honour
//The following connected with this parish, which has a population of 824, have recently joined the Naval and Military Services: R Adams, T Andrews, L Arrows, L Bevan, P Bevan, R Bleakley, H Caller, J Caller, T Chapman, F Cooper, H Crouch, W Crouch, G Day, T Day, W Day, Drury Lowe, N Flint, P Goodwin, [M] Hannigan, B Heaver, G Hickmott, H Hickmott, S Hickmott, H Jenkins, N Latter, A Letchford, E Longhurst, J Martin, __ Martin, M Newcombe, F Pankhurst, P Pankhurst, G Reid, G Rich, S Seager, S E Smith, A Streatfield, H Swan, E Tomlin, R Tomlin, T Young. Mr G Taylor has 3 sons and a son-in-law in active service."Hartley Poultry Farm Sale
Hartley Poultry Farm, Hartley Kent - within easy distance of Fawkham Station.
Mr Philip Champion has received instructions to sell by auction, upon the premises as above, on Friday 23rd October 1914 at 1 o'clock pm, the live and dead poultry farm stock, comprising:
500 head of pure bred fowls (all Cook's strain direct), including White and Buff Orpingtons, White Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, Red and Speckled Sussex, White and Salmon Faveroiles and Indian Game, 60 portable houses and sheds. Poultryman's living house, portable stable, 5 incubators, 10 foster mothers, fatting coops, a large quantity of wire netting and stakes. 2 stacks of hay. Mare, Van and Harness The very complete and extensive equipment of a new and up-to-date appliances and utensils and a few lots of household furniture,.. [Hartley Poultry Farm was at Fairhaven, Manor Drive.]
The Evening Continuation Classes
"for men and lads were reopened on Tuesday, with a fair attendance, although so many have left the parish for active service. The home nursing class at the Free Church Hall also started on Tuesday, with a good attendance. The lace class at Hartley is to be held on Thursdays at 5.15, and that at Longfield on Saturdays at 2.30. Lectures on market gardening at Hartley commence on Monday next."
Whitehill Road, Longfield
Widening of bottom of Whitehill Road in Longfield, telegraph pole moved.
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Chairman F Hickmott questioned whether KM rep should be there but vote unanimously in their remaining. (2) Post Office rejects PC's complaints of bad postal service at Longfield Hill. PC painted picture of "women and children on cold winter knights waiting fro the postman with parcels." (3) PC unanimously rallied around G Lynds regarding paying £5 a year rent for a tin shed for a fire station. Mr Lynds said when fire brigade started no-one would rent a site, even at £5 a year. He agreed to put one up but only if he got the £5 they had to pay at the other end of the parish, so he refused offer of £3. It cost him £30 to build. (4) Mr F Lynds reported to the PC that the allegations of under rating of the two properties were correct. He said a deputation has gone to the Assessment Committee at Dartford.
16 Oct 1914 Dartford Chronicle
Organist will continue to play German Music
HS Pratt, organist and bandmaster of Dartford writes against the idea of banning German music as "silly". Beethoven belongs to the world.
16 Oct 1914 Eltham Times
Situation Wanted
"Wanted situation by all round man. Good poultryman; kill and truss for market; prepare for table; good milker; good judge of all stock; would manage small farm - GB, Forge House, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
16 Oct 1914 Dartford Chronicle
Belgian Refugees Arrive
Belgian refugees arrive in Dartford
Letter from the Front
Leonard Balchin writes to friend in Crayford to say Germans shelled hospital and ambulance.
16 Oct 1914 Gravesend Standard
Belgian Refugees Arrive
Hundreds of Belgian Refugees pass through Gravesend after fall of Antwerp. Most on way to London
17 Oct 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Belgian Refugees at Ash
7 Belgian refugees accommodated at Ash in home lent by George Day.
17 Oct 1914 Kent Messenger
Poem: Now war has broken o'er us
Kate H Samways (Paddock Wood) "Now war has broken o'er us / And the cry for men is great / Will you stand idly watching / Leaving England to her fate / British men I now implore you / Enlist ere it be too late and 8 more verses
Evening Classes
many attend market gardening classes in Hartley on Mondays, but numbers down due to war. Women's and girl's classes well attended
23 Oct 1914 Gravesend Standard
Belgian Refugees Arrive
Belgian female refugee escapes to Gravesend, delighted to find husband in hospital there
23 Oct 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
Belgian Refugees at Dartford
"A the meeting of the Dartford War Relief Committee, last week, Mr Jodrell Mansford, headmaster of the Dartford Grammar School, who at the request of the Chairman of the Committee, undertook to organise such assistance as might be offered by the people of Dartford for Belgian refugees, told those present what Dartford had done up to the present with regard to the reception of Belgians in the town.
Already there were 'families' of Belgian refugees in the Dartford Rural District. One 'family' of 7 is being supported by Mr George Day, the Chairman of the Dartford Board of Guardians, in a cottage at Ash. The Dartford Committee are fitting them out with boots and clothes, and are helping them in many other ways. Six of the members of this 'family' were at Liege, from whence they escaped to Louvain. There they were received by the 7th member, a woman, whose husband was fighting in the Belgian Army. The side of the house was blown out by the Germans, and eventually the party escaped to England.
Mr A M Fleet and the Rev H T Powell had a cottage in readiness at Darenth, and a Belgian 'family' of 8 was conveyed there on that (Wednesday) evening. Mr Castle, who lives on the Heath, has taken an entire 'family' of refugees from Antwerp, and these were also brought on Wednesday. There are 4 other refugees on the Heath. Coun Goff providing accommodation for a man and his wife; Mrs Webb has a woman, and Mrs Stidolph is taking care of her daughter......"
24 Oct 1914 Kent Messenger
The Rector's Son
(Longfield) "The Rector's eldest son, Mr M Smith, has unexpectedly arrived from Barzil to offer himself for service in the Army. Several others came home in the same vessel with the like object."
Country Sayings
Old saying for wheat sowing "Sow 4 grains in a row / One for the pheasant / One for the crow / one to rot / and 1 to grow"
27 Oct 1914 Gravesend Standard
Gravesend Volunteer Corps
Proposal for 200 strong Gravesend Volunteer corps
28 Oct 1914 Morning Post
Recommended
"A lady wishes to recommend useful maid, 2½ years' reference; excellent needlewoman, good packer. Inez Spink, Hartley Manor Lodge, Longfield, Kent" [Inez {1894-1973) was likely to be the maid not the lady, in 1901 she was living at Fawkham Manor Lodge, the daughter of David Spink a gardener. In 1911 the family had moved to Halstead in Essex]
31 Oct 1914 Kent Messenger
Rural Development Company Founded
"Messrs Jordan and Sons, Company Registration Agents, chancery Lane WC, write us that the Rural Development Company Ltd, Fairby Farm, Longfield, was registered on October 14th, to promote the improvement of agriculture by providing small holdings, allotments, and market gardens, for persons desirous of acquiring them. The nominal capital is £10,000 in £1 shares. The directors and subscribers (1s each) are Messrs C A Lambton, Hartley court, Longfield (director) and G H Humphrey, Steephill, Fawkham (Company Secretary)."
Longfield Fire Brigade
"Longfield and its Fire Brigade - an amusing debate
The parishioners of Longfield met in the schoolroom on Tuesday, with a veiw to adopting, if necessary, the Lighting and Watching Act. This would empower them to place their voluntary fire brigade under the direct control of the council, and to make the improvements, of which, in the general opinion of the village, the brigade is in need. But instead of adopting the Act, it was decided to abolish the fire brigade!
Mr F Hickmott presided, and among those present were: The Rector (The Rev E Smith), Messrs R Forsyth, WF Sandeman, R Gilham, A Robson, J Blackman, J Kirk, J Croak, T Coleman, J Sims, J Calaby, H T Baker, G Hills, R Hales, F Cannon, F Langford, and F Lynds with the clerk ot the council (Mr W Wright).
The Chairman said the fire brigade was formed in 1902, and the appliances at the outset cost £123. Since then the upkeep of the appliances had cost £33 13s 6d, while the cost of running the brigade had been £231 17s 9d. The Rector: Against that, what assets have you got in the way of property? The Chairman: I should not like to say (laughter). I think thre are two hose carts and a hose.
In reply to further enquiries, the Chairman said the question was: 'Was the cost of running the brigade too great?' the rent of the shed was £10 a year. Mr Sandeman: Will these expenses continue under the new authority? the Chairman: You see, the present brigade is voluntary, and we, as a council have no control over it. By the scheme we have in hand we shall have one fire house. Mr Sandeman: It is a long way to Tipperary (laughter) - I mean, from one end of the village to the other, in the event of fire. I think, in this case, safety lies in decentralisation.
The Rector: If you adopt the Lighting and Watching Act you will have to put up a building of a certain character. The Chairman: Yes, I believe that is so. A voice: The cost to be borne by the ratepayers.
The Chairman: Yes. The next point is to consider the retaining fees, which amount to £12 10s a year. Under the new system we thought of working the brigade with 5 men instead of 10, and in lieu of retaining fees, to pay each man 1s 6d per drill. Mr Gilham: They will then be going to a drill every night, and wear our machine out jolly quick (loud laughter). the Chairman: Oh! There will be a maximum number of drills (renewed laughter). In answer to the question, the Chairman said about £15 would be spent on the building. Mr Gilham: We shall never get a suitable building for that sum.
In further remarks, the Chairman said they intended to work the brigade at half the cost by having only half the men. The Rector: Are you going to keep it on the rates? The Chairman: Yes, it will be entirely on the rates. The Rector: Who gets the insurance money paid to the brigade. The Chairman: It goes to the committee. The Rector: Who are they? The Chairman: I don't know.
Mr Cannon, speaking as a member of the brigade, said that the men at the bottom of the hill, never received any instructions from the captain, and they had lost two of their men.
Mr F Lynds proposed the abolition of the brigade. Mr Coleman seconded. Mr Sandeman asked whether they had met to abolish the fire brigade (laughter). It was necessary to have some apparatus on the spot. Mr Coleman: The only time we have had a fire in Longfield recently was when we tried to get the brigade together in the daytime. One man turned up; he was Mr Smith, and for a long time he could not find the key. When he did find it the fire was out (loud laughter). A variety of propositons were here made.
Mr Gilham moved as an amendment to Mr Lynds' proposition that they should still have a fire brigade, and not adopt the Lighting and Watching Act, but help the brigade 'out of the threepenny rate'. The Clerk: That is exactly what we are doing now (laughter). Mr Gilham: that's all right, but I should like to see a little improvement. You could improve it without extra rating. Mr Sandeman: By personal endeavour (laughter).
Mr Gilham's amendment was lost, nine voting against it and five for it. Mr Lynds' proposition abolishing the fire brigade 'at one fell swoop' was carried by a good majority. Needless to add, the Lighting and Watching Act was not adopted."
[KM 7/11/1914 - Parish Council deferred decision on vote, an amendment to call another parish meeting, claiming the vote was not legal or binding]
Roman Remains at Ash
"Roman Remains
The site of the Roman building at North Ash has now been completely dug over and prepared for planting apple trees, a very appropriate crop for the site of a Roman farm, as the Romans are said to have introduced the culture of the apple into Britain. It is thought that the walls already laid bare represent only a very small portion of the whole building, and although this portion has been obliterated, yet it is expected that much more of the foundations may be hidden under the strawberries in the next plot, and as the strawberries will be exhausted in about 2 years, and more ground perhaps be cleared for apple trees, it is hoped that more extensive remains may then be laid bare."
Land Development
Messrs Jordan & Sons, Company Registration Agents, Chancery Lane WC, write us that the Rural Development Company Ltd, Fairby Farm, Longfield, was registered on October 14th to promote the imporvement of agriculture by providing small holdings, allotments, and market gardens, for persons desirous of acquiring them. The nominal capital is £10,000 in £1 shares. The directors and subscribers (1s each) are Messrs C A Lambton, Hartley Court, Longfield (director), and G H Humphrey, Steephill, Fawkham (company secretary)."
German Preparations in Kent
"A correspondent writes: Perhaps it has not been generally oserved that the hill range between Southfleet and Longfield would be a splendid position in which to plant guns for shelling Gravesend if the Germans come this way. But the Germans seem to have discovered it, and to have already made arrangement accordingly; as it has come to light that a very thick and solid bed of concrete has been laid down on the hill top, ostensibly as the floor of a very light shed, but fit to for a platform for heavy guns, and nearby is a large tank, which, instead of holding water, might hold a great quantity of ammunition. The same kind of thing has become known in other parts of Kent. If any inhabitants of Gravesend should notice suspicious looking persons wending their way towards Southfleet and New Barn, it would be well for them to give immediate notice to the police." [This apparently was written in all seriousness, so possibly an example of early war paranoia]
01 Nov 1914 Gravesend Magazine
Belgian Refugees at Gravesend
(Nov 14) "Our wounded guests" picture feature on wounded Belgians at Gravesend
03 Nov 1914 Gravesend Standard
Prince Louis of Battenberg
Paper supports sacking of Prince Louis of Battenberg, and calls for all Germans and Austrians not to be trusted
07 Nov 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Ash Road by Fairby
Surveyor reports inlet for taking surface water to the Fairby pond has been improved
Free Zeppelin Insurance
Advert - Daily News offers 'Free Zeppelin and Aeroplane Insurance' £250 if bomb damage
Thomas Schulz of Gravesend
Thomas Schulz of 151 Milton Road writes to say he is not a German, just has German name
07 Nov 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Whitehill Corner
"The rounding off of the western corner of the road at the bottom of Whitehill as been done to the extent of the soil being removed and the foundation put in, but the work remians unfinished on account of the difficulty of the Post Office authorities in getting hte telegraph pole set back."
Church Services
// "On Sunday (All Saints' Day) the services were in special commemoration of those who have fallen on the battlefield. The Friday evening service of intercession has been resumed, and the church is also open for a short time daily, on the ringing of the bell at midday."12 Nov 1914 Evening News
Queen Mary's Guild Longfield
"Mrs Smith, of Longfield Rectory, Kent, sends us 5 women's skirts made ina pretty shad of green herring-bone serge, 3 nice warm dresses for the elder girls, 5 women's petticoats, and 3 similar garments for children."
[QMNG was set up to alleviate all distresses from the war]
13 Nov 1914 Gravesend Standard
Army Recruiting Circular from Parliament
Parliamentary Recruiting Committee to send circular to every house asking them to complete form saying who is willing to or already serving
Blackout Blinds
"Quaint" blinds appearing to stop lights showing, one pub has tablecloths, doormats etc.
14 Nov 1914 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Rifle Practice
"Rifle practice: Although Longfield has sent so many of its sons to join the forces, there are many left at home who are anxious to qualify themselves. They have, therefore, organised a Rifle club and are practicising on their new range on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. It is held in connection with the village club, and is having the support of many who in ordinary conditions would have supported the Football club".
Gardening Lectures
"Gardening Lectures: Mr W P Wright has concluded a course of lectures on Market Gardening in the Fairby Club, Hartley. He dealt chiefly with root and green vegetable crops. The lectures have been well attended and much appreciated by the many new agriculturalists who have established themselves at Hartley under the auspices of the Small Owners Company"
War over by Christmas
Paper says claims war will last 3 years are "sensationalist". Offer of Devonshire House, Meopham, as Red Cross Hospital turned down
17 Nov 1914 Gravesend Standard
Laura Pearson of Longfield Hill
Laura Pearson (18) of Shipley Cottages, Longfield Hill, appears before Grays Police Court accused of unlawful wounding of Pt Horace Caller of W Kents. He said he' chucked her 2 weeks before but she turned up at his base at Purfleet, and cut him with a razor when he went to kiss her. She told police she didn't care what happened to her.
Wounded at Gravesend Hospitals
110 wounded from Southampton arrive at West Street Station, 13 go to VAD hospital Yacht Club, 37 to Rosherville Hotel Hospital, rest to General Hospital
Spy Peril
"Spy Peril" paper says in 1911 there were 281 Austrians and 1,549 Germans in Kent.
20 Nov 1914 Bexleyheath Observer
Water Supply at Ash
Dartford RDC "With regard to the water supply at Crooked Billet, Ash, a letter was read from the owner of the cottages, Mr Wild, regretting that the council could not comply with his request, and as he was not able to carry out the necessary work, the cottages would have to be closed. The Medical Officer recommended that the closure should take place. Coun Day said they could not afford to close the cottages. Could not the council lay the water on? Coun Morgan said it was only a question of £2 or £3 to do it. He thought the owner was able to do it. The best thing to do was to let the matter alone. The owner could not afford to close the cottages, and if they left it alone they would have their way."
20 Nov 1914 Poultry World
Hillcrest Longfield Advert
Ad for breeding pen and chickens (various) 35s 6d. Ellerton, Hillcrest, Longfield
01 Dec 1914 Gravesend Magazine
Gravesend Volunteer Corps
(Dec 14) Picture of Gravesend Volunteer Corps in civilian clothing. Value of volunteers discussed but journal thinks more available the better. Mainly involved in drilling and route marches, no equipment yet.
05 Dec 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Hartley Road, Longfield
DRDC has acquired land to widen part of Hartley Road, Longfield
KM (Gravesend Telegraph) 5/12/1914 said tenders invited by council for widening the road below the railway bridge.
05 Dec 1914 Kent Messenger
Bee Keeping Course at Hartley
Course on bee keeping at Hartley by J Garrett. Needed in light of recent bee disease
[Also in Gravesend Reporter 12.12.1914]
12 Dec 1914 Kent Messenger
First Aid Classes at Hartley
Ladies who studied first aid at Longfield and Hartley shortly to take exams
19 Dec 1914 Gravesend Reporter
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Longfield parish meeting vote to disband Fire Brigade. Capt G T Lynds determined to see it continue. PC agreed to pay annual subs to National Fire Brigade Union but also gave 3 months' notice to the landlords of the fire stations of the termination of the tenancy. (2) GT Lynds said he would appoint himself assistant overseer and parish council clerk, but PC agreed to raise present clerk's salary by £5 pa. because of the extra work involved.
Wounded Soldiers from Longfield
Wounded soliders Hannigan and Crouch from Longfield making good recovery.
19 Dec 1914 Kent Messenger
Christmas at Gravesend
Christmas at Gravesend
Fairby Jam Factory
"Wanted immediately for country jam factory in Kent, a competent jam boiler. Apply Fairby Jam Factory, Longfield, Kent."
24 Dec 1914 The Stage
Disengaged Actor Advert
"Disengaged, Disengaged. Mr Wilfred Mansfield, Heavy Lead, Hartley Green, near Longfield, Kent."
29 Dec 1914 Gravesend Standard
Germans Living in Britain
Paper's editorial complains of many Germans in country and says that "rid ourselves of them for good".