1936 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1930-1939
04 Jan 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Church news
All Saints - resignation of Rev Stevens; retirement of John Thatcher as editor of parish magazine; memorial tablet to Tate brothers
11 Jan 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfields Darby and Joan
Longfield has a Darby and Joan! They are Mr and Mrs William Smith [pictured], [Rose Cottage, 61 or 63] Essex Road, and they claim to be Longfield's oldest inhabitants. Mr Smith is 83, and his wife Sarah, was 81 last Saturday. They have been married for 60 years and have lived in Longfield fo nearly half a century. Mr Smith has now retired, being formerly employed as a bricklayer at Southfleet, but 'he still does odd jobs for ppeople' his wife proudly told a KM representative. When I called on him the other day he was whittling the bough of a holly tree which he had just cut down, to make a handle for one of his tools. He spends most of his time pottering about in the garden, and his wife told me, with a humerous twinkle in her eye that 'besides keeping us in vegetables it keeps him out of mischief' Unfortunately Mrs Smith fell downstairs not long ago, and broke her collar bone. So she is not quite as active as she used to be. She has only been to Gravesend once during the last year. Mr Smith hails from Devon, but he left there and never expects to return." [KM (MT) 1/8/1936 Funeral at Essex Road Chapel of Sarah Smith. She was a member of the Mothers' Union and Women's Meeting]
Hartley Women's Institute
AGM, membership now 109. Mrs E A Tate re-elected President.
Hartley Social Club
They have formed a loan club, secretary Mr Bennett.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Earlier collection at 9am at Hartley Post Office so it can catch the Dartford connection. Following complaints about late morning post, Hartley now has 3 postmen for morning delivery. (2) Following the council's request, warning road signs have been erected
Ash Youth with Pheasant
"John Leslie Sharman, 17 of Butler's Place Ash, was fined 10s for killing a pheasant without a licence on December 20th, and being in possession of a pheasant, contrary to the poaching Prevention Act. PS Udall, Longfield, said that when in North Ash Hill, Ash, he saw defendant riding a cycle. He stopped him and told him he had reason to believe he had been trespassing and had shot a pheasant on land belonging to Mr George Day at North Ash Farm. He produced a pheasant but was not in possession of a game licence."
18 Jan 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Memorial to late Rector of Hartley
"The late rector of Hartley, the Rev C G W Bancks, is remembered with much affection in that parish, and I am interested to see that it is to be kept green by the erection of a memorial, which is to take the form of a board painted with the names of rectors of Hartley from the earliest times up to the present day. This list the late rector, who was keenly interested in historical research, himself compiled. Such a memorial will not only serve to commemorate the rector's long ministry and the esteem in which he was held, but will be of lasting value to the church and parish. Hartley parishioners by the way, are seeking to raise funds for extensive repairs to the church roof, for a new organ, and for a water supply in the churchyard."
18 Jan 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Club that began with Deal Table and Few Chairs - One Year Old, 100 members and no debt
"Hartley is one of the luckiest villages in Kent. Although it contains only about a thousand people, scattered over a large area, it is rich in social amenities. These include at least 2 clubs, both of them well run and well patronised, both catering fro the particular tastes and requirements of their members. And one of the cheeriest, cosiest places in Hartley is the Hartley and District Social Club, housed in a picturesque building wich was once a seed barn, and after that a jam factory, but which has been converted into a well equiped social centre.
The Hartley and District Social Club has no history to speak of. It is a lusty youngster proud of having flourished so markedly since it came into being - on December 3rd 1934. This is how it started. The former barn, known as Fairby Hall, had been for some years the home of the Hartley Constitutional Club. It was the centre of the social life of the village. In the hall above the club rooms meetings and dramatic entertainments were held. Then the idea of the Hartley Country Club was mooted. The palatial club house now in existence was erected, and the Constitutional Club ceased to exist. But this venture, thought it has been justified by conspicuous success, did not please everybody, and a few men put their heads together and decided that Hartley should have not one club, but two. They took over the old club rooms, pooled their resources, started with a cheap deal table and a few chairs, and gradually fitted out their club. 50 members were soon enrolled, and now there are a hundred, and the club is well on its feet. However it prides itself on the fact that it has never borrwed a penny.
The accommodation includes a large billiard room, with 2 tables, a bar (with a darts board of course), a card room, and committee rooms. Enjoyment of these facilities costs 10s a year, or 2s 6d to membrs living more than 5 miles away. The club has just taken over the hall above the club rooms, and monthly dances are being held there. A Thrift Club was started 12 weeks before Christmas and £27 14s 6d was divided among members at Christmas time. This successled to the founding of a Loan Club. It was started a fortnight ago and already 168 sixpenny shares have been taken out. The secretaryship of the Loan Club is in the able hands of Mr H S Bennett. Other officers are Messrs D T R Gray (chairman); F E Todd (Auditor); E E Crofts (Treasurer); Committee: Mrs V Baldwin, Messrs G Jenkins and J Burgess. A tennis club is now contemplated, and members hope that by next summer it will be an accomplished fact.
An unusual feature and probably a unique one, is that the chairman is elected at weekly meetings of the committee, and Messrs A Watson and E E Croft usually fill this office. The club has no president as yet. The popular club steward Mr Harry Sims, who has been at the club since its foundation, was once a police sergeant, and his special duty was to exercise supervision over registered and unregistered clubs and disorderly hours, so it is certain that the Social Club is governed strictly according to law. Mr D T R Gray, who was a popular member of the old Constitutional Club, is now secretary of the Social Club, and much of its success is due to his administrative ability.
Article includes a picture of [12] officials and members of the Hartley Social Club
Footpaths
Complaints people are cycling on footpath from Fawkham Road to Longfield Station.
Cowman (Married) Wanted
"take charge of small Guernsey Herd. Grade A; small cottage available. References and wagesto Woodward, Hartley Manor Farm, Longfield, Kent."
KM (MT) 15/2/1936 "Under cowman to assist generally.. wages £2 pw, cottage available...."
24 Jan 1936 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Oxford Local Successes
Passes at Downham Centre include L L Morris, Old Downs, Hartley
25 Jan 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Woman Hurt
"On Monday evening, while walking along Ash Road, Mrs Witt, Tree Tops Fairby Lane, was knocked down by a cyclist named Cheeseman, and suffered injuries to the fact and concussion. She was taken home by a passing car, attended by Dr Priestley and afterwards taken to Gravesend Hospital"
New Rector for Hartley
"The Rev Leslie George William Lenton, curate in charge of Crofton, Orpington has accepted the living of Hartley, vacated on the resignation of the Rev T Pearman Stevens. Mr Lenton trained for the ministry at the London School of Divinity, became a deacon in 1930, and was ordained priest in 1931 at Chelmsford. He was curate of St Saviour's Forest Gate 1931-32; curate of St James's Gravesend 1932-33, and has been curate at Crofton, Orpington since 1933. The induction will probably take place in March." [Actually the paper of 29/2/36 reports on a crowded church for his induction by the Archdeacon of Rochester]
All Saints' Mural Paintings
"It was hoped that the mural paintings uncovered in 1934 in the church would be found sufficiently preserved to be restored and dedicated as a memorial, but on expert examination, these were adjudged to be too badly damaged for restoration."
A Fortunate Village
(by Woodville) "It would be hard to find a village in Kent, or for that matter, anywhere in England, with more varied social amenities than Hartley. During the last 20 years, writes a correspondent, the village had acquired 2 clubs, a 10 acre sports ground, 2 dance halls, a n Agricultural Co-Operative Society, a band, a Congregational Church, a Women's Institute, 2 cricket teams, a Parish Council and a parish magazine. Then there are of course - though not mentioned by my correspondenct - the Parish Church with its associated activities, a Roman Catholic Church, the Hartley Players, a branch of the League of Nations Union, and a musical society. I believe too that both Conservative and Liberal parties have a strong following. Perhaps someone can add to the list. The explanation lies partly in the fact that the district is a residential one, and that, although many of its residents work in London, it is far enough out to lead them to seek for social life near home rather than in town."
31 Jan 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Local News in Brief
Rev Leslie G Lenton to be new rector picture. See also 28/2/1936
01 Feb 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Musical Society
"Born 1921, Died 1929, Resurrected 1933. Among the many flourishing institutions at Hartley, near Gravesend, is the Musical Society, which has over 30 enthusiastic members. Here is its history. The Society was the conception of Mr D T R Gray in 1921, as a result of a few practices of church music held at the Rectory in the time of the late Rev C G W Bancks, who maintained a keen interest in the society throughout his life and was the first president. Mr K Daniell and Col Waley Cohen were the first vice-presidents and Mr Gray Hon Secretary. The first 3 rules made have been the main object in view ever since. They are: (1) That the society be called the Hartley Musical Society for the practice and performance of music; (2) To promote social intercourse amongst the members; and (3) To support any worthy object. At the start, over 30 members attended the rehearsals in the school room.
The Musical Society is indirectly responsible for the foundation of the well known Hartley Players. This Society was formed as the result of a small sketch given by Mrs Eric Green, Mrs Lulu Bancks and Mrs Symons. Mr T F Tate was the conductor for 4 years and he was followed by Mr W H Chisholm, a musician of outstanding ability. In 1925 the rehearsals took place in the Constitutional Hall and more ambitious things were attempted as the account for one concert shows items of expenditure for 'Band Parts' and 'Trumpet and Trombones'.
In 1929 rehearsals were discontinued, as the conductor was handicapped by increased office responsibilities, but Mr Gray called the members together again in 1933 and hew as appointed Hon Secretary and Mr Cyril Worsley conductor. To be in the company of Mr Worsley one knows at once that he is a musician to the core. The 7.14 pm bus from Fawkham Station on Friday evenings is full of musical snatches prompted by him and his talented family. A pleasing feature is the attendance at the Society's rehearsals of a number of the younger generation. The Society is ever ready to carry out its 3rd rule. It has contributed over £12 to Hartley Church for its churchyard fund, to the church school fund,to the Nursing Association and to Mrs Burton's unemployed centre at Maidstone. A carol party this winter provided the Church Choir with new psalters and hymn books. The society owes a great deal to Mrs Oldrey, the accompanist. Mrs Keen is the Hon Treasurer."
Aritcle has picture of 11 of the members, most of them of the younger generation.
08 Feb 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Canon William Parker co-opted to council. (2) Southern Railway write "that barbed wire on iron stanchions was being placed on the parapets of bridges, numbers 113 and 114." (3) Council to ask GPO to place phone box in Longfield Hill outside Post Office. A man had to walk from Longfield Hill to Meopham to fetch doctor last week when Post Office was shut.
15 Feb 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
The Late Mrs E Dumnall
Obituary of Elizabeth Dumnall, 73, of 5 Victoria Terrace, [30] Essex Road. Wife of Albert E Dumnall, and they celebrated their golden wedding 3 years ago. She first came to Longfield in 1880 as cook to Captain Wilds RN of The Briars.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Postal Service. Complaints of late morning post. On 20 January some parts of Ash Road didn't get letters until after 10am. Dartford Office apologised but blamed bad road conditions that day. (2) Overhanging trees in Church Road to be reported to District Council. (3) Mr Sizmur said many parts of Ash Road, particularly near St John's Lane junction were hazardous in icy weather. (4) Two rubbish dumps reported on the Payne and Trapps land.
21 Feb 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Hartley Guides
1st Hartley Company reformed under Misses Edward & Fielder
22 Feb 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Conservatives
12th AGM of Hartley Women's Constitutional Association at Country Club, 50 attend. President: Lady Hohler, Chairman: Mrs F D Welch. Committee: Misses M Barker, M T Fiddis, Sale, Alice Harry & White; Mesdames Dennis, Francis, Gadd, Robson, & Weaver.
22 Feb 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
First Chairman of the Parish Council
People who count in Hartley 1 by A E E Edward. "I have just interviewed Mr E J Cuff (pictured), Hartley's senior parishioner. Picture to yourself an active man of about 68, tall, well built, a trifle portly perhaps. who greeted me with a cheery smile and a voice with the low burr of one who hails from the West Country. This description should give you a passable idea of the chairman of the Hartley Parish Council. He enjoys one distinction over most contemporary chairmen of Parish Councils. He is the first Council chairman Hartley has ever had. Parochial affairs were directed by a Parish Meeting until early last year, when Parliament and the Kent County Council thrust the honour of a parish council upon the village. From the chairmanship of the Parish Meeting, Mr Cuff migrated to the dais of the newly formed council. The occupancy of the former position gave him, I believe, his first experience of local administration. The road was not easy and he made minor mistakes, and he discovered with some surprise that there is always a minority ready to criticise, but loath to do a little for the community themselves. But if I know anything about the characteristics of the West Countryman, Mr Cuff will not allow his critics to perturb him. He became chairman of the Parish Meeting when others were avoiding the limelight of local affairs. That is his answer to inveterate grumblers.
He may be inexperienced in the routine of council meetings, but he had something substantial to offer the village in return for its confidence. For 38 years he was employed by the Camberwell Borough Council, for some time as foreman, and for more than 20 years as Superintendent of Works under the Borough Surveyor. In itself this record is quite a useful apprenticeship to parochial affairs and his knowledge must inevitably be of considerable service to the parish.
But his is not the whole story. Mr Cuff was afforded ample opportunities to put his technical knowledge to national uses during the war. He was actively associated with the late Sir Frederick Hall, who was then MP fo rthe Dulwich Division, in connection with the formation of the Camberwell Gun Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. An urgent problem confronted the council. Recruits responding to the appeal were coming in like a tidal wave and there was nowhere to accommodate them. This was a job for the Works Department which severely tested its technical resources. The public baths was the first building to be made available for the reception of the new troops. Cooking and the very necessary sanitary arrangements had to be rapidly made available. The Queen's Theatre situated in the Peckham Road, was then requisitioned and the work of converting this building into a suitable barracks began. This was a far different proposition, but in a few days Mr Cuff and his staff had the building ready for occupation. The next task was the conversion of Gordon's Brewery to house the constant stream of recuits that continued for many weeks. The work brought Mr Cuff before the eye of the Air Ministry, and when the Camberwell Gun Brigade went overseas he was entrusted with the superintendence of the erection of an Aircraft Repair Depot at Pymms Park, Edmonton. This accomplished, he was appointed Resident Engineer until the end of hostilities.
After his retirement it was very natural that so active a man should employ his leisure hours in local affairs. He took up Church work and became churchwarden, an office he relinquished last year. On the death of the Rector, the late Rev C W Bancks, he became sequestrator and again held this office when the living again became vacant at the end of last year. He is also on the committee of the Hartley Agricultural Co-Operative Society.
Mr Cuff came from the Anglo-Saxon town of Sherborne, where in 1925 the stone coffin of King Ethelbert was discovered. He first went to Southampton where he worked in the Docks. The chief memory of those days is the opening of the Empress Dock by Queen Victoria. But the youthful and human impression that comes up out of the past was the adequacy of the feed that was provided for those who witnessed the ceremony. Churchwarden, sequestrator, commiteeman, parish councillor - I should describe Mr Cuff as a man willing to try anything once, if he can be useful. An admirable motto in these days."
29 Feb 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Music Festival at Dartford
Picture of Jacqueline Phillips of Longfield Avenue, New Barn, winner in the under 16s class for Elocution.
Longfield Bank Robbed
"Early on Sunday, Martin's Bank, Longfield, was broken into and stamps and money to the value of £4 10s were taken. The thief broke in a side window by forcing the catch. About 15 drawers were forced open, but the large safe was untouched. The open door attracted the attention of a resident at 2 o'clock on Sunday morning. On investigation he found the drawers smashed and documents strewn all over the floor. He telephoned for the police."
Optimism Justified
".... Mr H C Hickmott (president), speaking at the 2nd annual meeting of the [Country] club on Saturday said: '19 months ago we thought we were rather venturesome when we decided to build on our own freehold land. We were doing quite well in the old club room, and it answered its purpose in many ways. But we had to think of the future, an dour venture is succeeding. In January 1935 our membership stood at 140; 204 have joined during the year, while 24 have left the district, so that hte membership at the end of December was 320. We have 2 cricket teams of which we are proud, and which can hold their own with London teams. We have a good hockey ground, which is quite an innovation, with enthusiastic members of both sexes. New tennis courts have to be provided as the club was erected on the old ones. The new courts should be in good condition this season. A big dance floor was essential and we can see now that we were justified in building, as the hall is now used by the Hartley Players, and also for table tennis and badminton...." He also Mr and Mrs Townley for excellent catering arrangments, and secretary C S Bignell. Net profit for year was £12a 18s 2d.
29 Feb 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Grand Old Man and his Castle
People who count in Hartley 2 by A E Edward. "In a little wooden hut, perched on the crest of Hartley Hill, like a miniature castle of olden times, Mr J Wells Thatcher (pictured), Hartley's 'Grand old Man' spends his hours of leisure. The analogy of the castle is quite apposite. It is not the little building that is indomitable in this case. It is the spirit of its occupant, steadfastly refusing to be daunted by the frailties of age. He is on the threshold of his 81st year. His face is benign, mirroring the peace of a tranquil soul. A smile that is radiant, and a gentle manner to all and sundryare manifestations of high character. The secret is a long life devoted to the service of other people.
Today, in his little workshop, as he delights to call it, he is surrounded by his beloved books. At the little window is the desk at which he writes his letter - letters he cannot read because his eyesight is failing. Here too he writes his articles for the Given-Wilson Magazine and prepares the journal for publication. He is editor as well as principal contributor. He is rather proud of this work which he continues at the pressing request of the committee. And there is always some good party willing to read the printers' proofs over to him. His day snow are spent in retrospective contemplation, drawing upon the wealth of his experience. For manu years he was financial adviser to the Board of the Given-Wilson Institute at Plaistow. It was here, with the consent of the Law Council, that he gave free legal advice for a long period to the poor people of the East End of London. It was not only legal opinionsthat he imparted on those occasions, we may be sure. In the coures of his work he listened to many a sad and harrowing story of the seamy side of life. The martial and other difficulties of his people must have afforded numerious opportunities to assist his confidants in more practical ways. At a later period he became secretary of the Institute and although advancing years compelled him to relinquish his duties a short time ago he had keptup a close association with his friends there.
Mr Thatcher has also enjoyed a long association with the Warehouseman, Clerks and Drapers' School at Purley and Addington. He was secretary of this organisation also for many years. Quite recently he was regretting wistfully that he could not attend the annual dinner of the old Russellians, the old boys' association of the schools. It was a splendid occasion. An old scholar was being presented with his portrait in oils and in reply to a pressing invitation to attend he confessed that 'he was not young enough to brave a night in town.' But he cherishes a most delightful letter from the old scholar in question.
He has memories, too, of the warm support he rendered to the feminist movement in those lively pre-war days. 'I was not a militant, my boy,' he told me with a laugh, 'I never chained myself to a lamp-post!' He debated a phase of the question during the 'votes for women' campaign with Miss Christabel Pankhurst in Lincolns Inn. When he sat down a lady remarked to him, 'Although you are opposing us, you really do like us, don't you? Now confess...' And Mr Thatcher told me that he did!
Although London has been the stage of many of his activities he has found time for their counterpart in Hartley during the past years. There has been a willing ear to all who have asked for advice. As a very close friend of the late Rev C W Bancks, Rector of Hartley, he was churchwarden for a number of years, and is still a Diocesan lay-reader in the Rochester Diocese. With a proud recordof service behind him, this gracious Christian gentleman bears his years with modern dignity, a friend to all and at variance with none. Life is still a joy. But mingled with his happiness is a wistful longing for his old companions - the books. They are closed volumes to him now. A greeting always awaits visitors to Gossey Croft. He is especially pleased to see anyone who can read to him his books of Roman prose writers and the array of poets of the Augustan age. He is excellent company, and if you like a good story you should drop in sometime."
06 Mar 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Old Downs Haystack Fire
Old Downs Haystack fire cost £15 to put out! /3/4/1936
Obituary
Obituary of WJ Barnard funeral 20/3/1936
07 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Funeral of Mrs Mary Gear
aged 66 of 1 Mile End Green, at Longfield. Widow of Fred Gear.
League of Nations Union
Discussed should German colonies be restored? Miss Peggy Hoyle thought they should, Frank Tate said much hardship would be felt by the inhabitants if they did. Mr Comont suggested a League Empire to run all colonies. [Seems no-one suggested the colonies should be independent]
Longfield's Water Hydrants
Parish Council concerned that the hydrants do not have sufficient pressure to deal with a fire.
Rates
Dartford RDC for 1936/37 8s 3d in the £, special rates for Longfield 3d,
07 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Man who makes many friends
"This series of pen pictures of the people who make up the rural life of Hartley is not intended to be merely a lauditory recital of facts concerning them. They have been selected as examples of men and women who have a job to do, and do it as best they know how. To give publicity to their efforts, as representativ of the whole, is only to pay them their due. From such a series Mr William Wise [pictured] cannot properly be excluded. Hartley's very own industrial concern revolves about him, and he is very prominent in the sphere of activities that help pass the leisure moments of the village folk.
Years ago, when the social amenities of hte parish were not so varied as they ar today, he organised aweekly whist drive, in conjunction with Mr Clifford Nairn. There are far more counter attractions in these days but these social functions continue to draw satisfactory attendances. I calculate that no less than £800 to £1,000 has been paid out in prize money since these whist drives were inaugurated. All this organisation has been done on a voluntary basis. The Hartley Cricket Club found in him a keen and active supporter, although this is one of the few sports he does not play. He does play a vigorous game of tennis, and in winter he is one of the leading Badminton players for the Hartley Country Club. Fishing, shooting and swimming are other pastimes in which he indulges, and I believe he can throw a pretty dart at times. These are fine attributes in a rural country life, and they ensure for him a wide popularity. There is no better known Hartley man for miles around. And he is as popular as he is well known. Nobody calls him anything else than Billy, and to himself I should imagine that Mr Wise is a complete stranger.
As secretary and manager of the Hartley Agricultural Co-Operative Society he is brought within the ken of almost every house in the village, and in many others in neighbouring parishes. Every year he makes new contacts and his personality turns these contact almost invariably into friends. He has held the position for 16 years. Before his appointment the business was a small one, operated by a committee in the evenings only, mainly by part time small holders who had business interests in London. The story of how these worthy men were attracted to settle in Hartley cannot be told here. The tale is interesting and not without humour. But these men came to Hartley by promises of co-operation which did not mature. They decided to try the experiment themselves. After 10 years they appointed a whole time manager and their choice fortunately fell on Mr Wise. From that time progress became more rapid and each year disclosed ever increasing trade. The committee were induced to buy their own land on which to erect commodious buildings. This property is now unencumbered. The expansion in the sale of poultry food and mashes made it necessary to instal an electric mixer in order to give the members practically practically 100 per cent efficiency. This enterprise has paid. A turnover of over £11,000 a year by a purely rural organisation, operating among a number of scattered villages,is no mean achievement, and those who know are ready to apportion the chief credit to the ability and personality of the secretary-manager.
There is no village pump in Hartley. Local affairs must perforce be discussed somewhere and it is perhaps natural that the Co-op has become the most favoured place. Not by the ladies, mark you. It is usually the men who meet there, ostensibly to place orders for their requirements. And when 2 or 3 men gather together it is usually more than business they talk about. For this reason Mr Wise must be the best informed man in the village. Mr Wise belongs to the more youthful element of Hartley parishioners, but he is sufficiently old to have fought in the war. It is perhaps an irony that this popular figure spent his time in the front line trenches dealing out deadly gas to the German forcesin the opposite positions. Thus does necessity make us do strange things."
14 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) They have received a promise that electricity will be extended to the south end of Church Road this summer. (2) They have received a request for collections of unburnable rubbish otherwise 'we should all be submerged under a drift of tin cans.' Council want views of Annual Parish Meeting first. (3) Someone complained they had been told there was no footpath in Strawberry Valley, council confirmed that there was.
Funeral of Walter John Barnard
"A well known figure in Dartford Market", aged 69. Buried at Hartley
14 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
The Lady of the Oratory
People who Count in Hartley 3 by A E Edward. "Living at Middle Farm, Hartley is a lady with a practical vision combined with an inspired artistry. That lady is Miss B Davies-Cooke. She went there in 1913. Why she went to Hartley is a question which would no doubt raise widely divergent views. The confirmed materialist will insist that there is no underlying purpose in that decision. For my part I am not so sure. I am confident on one point however. There are quite a number who aver that the reason lies on higher plane than mere chance. Well, here is the story, and you can judge for yourself.
First of all let me explain that Miss Davies-Cooke was the source of inspiration behind the little Oratory of St Francis de Sales - the little Roman Catholic mission at Hartley that was once a barn. For a long time Miss Davies-Cooke had cherished the wish to raise a permanent memorial to the memory of Captain A G K Davies-Cooke of the 10th Royal Hussars, and his sister Kathleen. Being a devout Roman Catholic, it was a natural sequence that she should associate the memorial with that church. With the vision of the true missionary, Miss Davies-Cooke wantedto selecte a position where opportunities for Catholic worship were remote. Pondering over a Diocesan map she placed her finger on a spot where the mission she had in view would have a maximum usefulness. A house agent brought Middle Farm to her notice. It was in a sad state of dilapidation, we are told. But the 300 year old farm house had its appeal. Much could be done with that. And there was the old barn. It did not seem particularly promising. Mangel-wurtzels were strewn about the floor. A conventional modern building might have been erected. This plan would have had its conveniences. But through the artistic eye of Miss Davies-Cooke the barn had distinct possibilities. The picture grew in her mind until she was fully convinced that it was the only place for the mission church. The barn was cleaned out and a concrete floor was laid down. The old gabled doorway opened out into the original farmyard. This was closed up and the alcove thus formed was adapted to form a Mary shrine - a shrine that has since attracted pilgrims from afar. It was a clever conception and was admirably carried out.
This is the story of the beginnings of the Hartley Oratory, but it had a prelude to which the Rev Father Martindale has drawn attention. Hartley is in the Roman Catholic parish of Northfleet. Before the mission came to Hartley, the Catholics scattered among the parishes to the south had a long journey to attend mass. This had been a matter of much concern to the Church authorities, and the Rector of Northfleet asked for the prayers of his people that something might be done to increase the facilities for worship in the parish. They prayed, it is said for 2 years, until March 16th 1913, in fact, when the Rector announced that their prayers had been answered. The first service was held at Hartley on March 19th of that year. What had apparently been parallel lines had met, and a miracle had happened. It may all have been a coincidence. Miss Davies-Cooke for one certainly does not think so. She is quietly living alongside the little oratory of which she was the vehicle of inspiration. During the past 20 years there has gathered in Hartley a little community of Roman Catholics with the church as its pivot. One need not be a Catholic to admire the intense artistry of this little wayside mission house. It is as admirableas it is simple. Thank you Miss Davies-Cooke"
20 Mar 1936 Peterborough Standard
Obituary of Benjamin Dale
"Many friends heard with regret of the death in St Bartholemew's Hospital, London, on March 12th, of Mr Benjamin Dale, second son of the late Mr and Mrs George Dale. Deceased, who was in his 55th year, left the village many years ago to join the Metropolitan Police Force, from which he retired 5 years ago with the rank of Divisional Inspector. On his retirement he went to live at Hartley, Near Longfield Kent. The widow, one son and one daughter are left to mourn. The funeral took place on Tuesday at Dartford. Mrs R Hyers (niece) of Coates, represented the local relatives."
21 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Funerals
(1) Ambrose George Smith of Church Road, age 71. Had been ill for some months. Had moved to Hartley 25 years ago. Leaves widow, a son and daughter. (2) Benjamin Dale, 54, of Villa Rosa, Church Road who died at Barts Hospital, London. Joined Metropolitan Police in 1905 and retired as inspector at Bexleyheath in 1931. He was superintendent of the St John Ambulance Dartford Division and worshipped at Bexleyheath Methodist Church.
Late Mr C T West
Obituary of Charles Thomas West of 9 Station Road, Meopham [pictured], for many years employed attending to the greenhouses at Longfield Siding.
Man Wanted
"Good stacker and thatcher; look after stock if required. Fulford, New Hayes, Hartley, Longfield."
21 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
A Congregational Church Pioneer
People who count in Hartley 5 by A E Edward. "Mr S H Ellerby (pictured) is among the shyest men I have ever met. In conversation with him the first thing that strikes you is his earnestness And one gets the impression taht he subjects himself to a pretty rigorous self analysis in his reflective moment, an dthat the mental yardstick reveals an unsatisfying imperfection. He will tell you himself that he seeks to build, not only his daily actions, but his political economy, around his Christian dieals. Some of his opinions may seem idealistic in this workaday world, but understand this perspective and you begin to understand the man. Given the necessary faith it is not such an impractical creed after all. Naturally his implicit convictions on the culpability and futility of war are decisive, but they are practical enough to prompt full support of collective security and the application of full sanctions wiht full realisation of all they involve.
Mr Ellerby's chief interest, of course, are centred on his Church work. The brief history of the Hartley Congregational Church demonstrates how much it owes to him. He holds the position of secretary against his own will. The church council has on more than one occasion resisted Mr Ellerby's desire to relinquish the job in favour of a more active man. I will explain how wise they were. In 1926, a small group of Free Church residents in Hartley, thinking it time that they had a church of their own, get together to talk over the possibility. Among that bad of pioneers were Mrs Gable, Miss Kirke, Mrs T Tate, the late Tom Fleetwood Tate, Mr A H Edward and Mr Ellerby. The two last mentioned were asked to approach the London Congregational Union on behalf of the little group, and the preliminary arrangements were made. On December 12th of that year the first service was held in the WI Hall. This service was the modest commencement of a real live institution.
The achievement since that date have been remarkable. First of all a freehold piece of land was purchased, and this transaction was financed by the proceeds of concerts, sales of work, jumble sales, voluntary gifts, and out of the weekly collections. When this debt had been liquidated, the problem of the church building was approached with increasing enthusiasm. This was going to be a much more serious responsibility, with the risk of a large debt lurking in the shadows for years to come. The prospect in no way acted as a deterrent. The Council wen tahead with the task of collecting funds, and within 8 years of the commencement of Nonconformist worship in Hartley, a church building well worthy of the enterprise involved was opened for public worship. An expenditure of £1,400 had been incurred. Persistent endeavou has been applied to reduce the debt to a nominal figure - I believe, to somthing in the neighbourhood of £160, this is an extremely fine effort. But imagination has not stopped here. Such a building would not be adequately equipped without an organ. A two manual pipe organ has been purchased and is now being installed. A dedication service is to be held early in April The organ has still to be paid for, but plans have already been made to wipe off the further commitments this purchase has entailed.
Attendances are excellent for a country church. The Church Council has to reply, however, on the members of the church roll. Bear in mind what has been accomplished in 9 years,and hazard a guess as to the number of names on that church roll. You will be surprised to learn that they number only 37! This will indicate the extent of the individual effort involved in these successes. The man around whom this active enthusiasm revolves is Mr Ellerby. he would not agree with me, but it is his quiet work that has coordinated the imaginative ardour behind all this effort. You will not wonder then, that the Council has used all its persuasive powers to keep its secretary at the wheel. He does not only the usual secretarial duties, but conducts the Sunday morning and mid-week services, is superintendent of the Sunday School and has lately formulated a village club for young people. The Congregational Church notes in the Parish Church Magazine are contributed by Mr Ellerby. This feature is an indication of the goodwill existing between the two Protestant churches in the parish. This happy incidence is surely one that might be more widely adopted, and to this extent, at least Hartley points the way."
27 Mar 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Hartley Players
"The Middle Watch" 10/4/1936 - report/picture
Four hurt when Car and Van Crash
Four people were injured when a private car and a motor van were in collision on the Dartford Road near Shoreham railway station on Saturday. The car was driven by Mr Joseph White, of Hillcroft, Miskin road, Dartford, and his wife was a passenger. Both received minor injuries, and Mrs White suffered from shock. Wilfred H Baines of 8 Pondown Villas, [21 Main Road], Longfield, near Dartford, the driver of the van which was owned by the Army and Navy Stores, injured his left knee. HIs mate, Henry Tolley of 5 Claremont Terrace, Hextable, near Dartford, hurt his right ankle. The occupants of the car, which was badly damaged, were treated by Mr and Mrs Hillier who live nearby."
28 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Children Cold but Healthy!
"Complaints that Hartley C of E School is inadequately heated and ventilated were made at the parish meeting on Wednesday at the WI Hall, Mr E J Cuff presiding. A resolution moved by Mr Comont, deploring the present inadequate arrangements for heating the school and the use for infants of a totally unsuitable room, but welcoming an assurance given that improvements were to be put in hand forthwith, was carried. The Rev L Lenton said he understood that within 3 years a central school would be built at Meopham, and that the older children from Hartley would be transferred to it. Despite the conditions at the present school the children had been exceptionally free from illness."
28 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Woman Whose Leadership Inspires
People who count in Hartley 6 by A E Edward "The work being done by women in Hartley has justly earned widespread respect. They not only undertake their tasks with enthusiasm, bu thtey appear to be prompted with a spirit of fearless enterprise. The coming of the Women's Institute into the village seems to have been the starting point of many an adventure. A membersip above the average has given them the neessary encouragement. In the early days they faced the problem of a meeting place by deciding to build their own. By every means that ingenuity could devise they accumulated the funds for this purpose. The result is the cosy building on the Ash Road, which has been the centre of the work for so many useful organisations during the last 8 years or so. This enterprise paid handsome dividends. The hall is occupied every evening of the week and most afternoons, and only by a give and take arrangement is it possible to fit in a booking for an isolated meeting or social evening.
The ladies forming this go-ahead branch of the WI have chosen Mrs E A Tate (pictured) as their president. She bears a respected name and in the office she holds, aswell as in her work as a parish councillor, she is adequately carrying out the Tate tradition. In manner she is taciturn, a trifle austere perhaps, characteristics that are evidence of a strong personality, and which make her selecion as leader of the Hartley institute a wisse choice. Associated with her are a number of ladies with marked organising ability. It is not surprising, therefore, that whatever job they tackle they do it with clean cut efficiency. // Exhibitions and competitions are features of their meetinga nd these always attract a large number of entries. The well attended gatherings that congregate on Institute afternoons enable Mrs Tate and her co-workers to secure the services of well known lecturers on topics of practical interest. That these are turned to good intent is indicated by the excellence of the exhibits of the articles of home crafts which, strangely enough, these ladies somehow find time to produce. Folk dancing lessons provide another outlet for the energies of the younger members, and several successful performance have been given. An amateur dramatic section is also prominent among their interests. In every parochial social function Mrs Tate and her Institute ladies are to be found behind the scenes attending to the catering arrangements. They are adept, too, in the plotting of a programme, every item of which is timed to the minute. Hartley ladies have no use for guess work and there is no close season in their activities. Charity's claims are not overlooked. The Hartley branch have set themselves the task of collecting £30 a year for the Kent Cancer Campaign. In view of their programme of work in other channels it is a remarkable achievement that they should have successfully accomplished this for a number of years. They alsoorganise frequent collections on behalf of local hospitals and other institutions. During the summer the old ladies from Dartford look forward to their annual invitation to tea and the entertainment provides them with an experience that lingers in the memory much longer than a day. I have asked what qualifications must be possessed to be 'one who counts in Hartley.' Service like this certainly establishes a claim."
28 Mar 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Kent Clergyman's Downfall
"Sad disclosures were made at the inquest at Herne Bay on Monday on the Rev Tom Pearman Stevens, late rector of Hartley near Dartford, who was found dead in a gas filled room at 85 Mortimer Street, Herne Bay. Paul Pearman Stevens, Eastcliff Dover said his brother was aged 48. He had always been of a nervous disposition and 2 years ago was a patient at Barming Mental Hospital for about 8 months. He had been addicted to drink for many years, and had had to resign various livings in consequence. He had been married about 8 years. Referring to the wife, witness said, 'I am afraid she has had a very hard time with him. She left him several times, but always went back.' Witness saw his brother at Dover on March 15th, when he told witness that his wife had decided to leave him. This had a very depressing effect on him. 'May I say,' said the witness, 'I think he had an excellent wife. She has always been a good true woman to him.'
Dr L Laurie said he treated Mr Stevens from July to the end of September, when he went back to Hartley. He was not then drinking heavily. His trouble was that he had no self confidence, and if he had anything to do he fortified himself with drink. Louis Ernest Morgan, watchmaker, 85 Mortimer Stret, said Mr Stevens stayed at his house from June to September, and during the last 7 weeks his wife was with him. He came back at the end of November. He had been drinking heavily, and after his death a large number of bottles were found which he had taken in unknown to witness. Mr Stevens was found dead lying on the bed in his pyjamas. Dr Quentin Evans attributed death to gas poisoning.
The Coroner read letters addressed by deceased to his wife, brother and Mr Morgan, but did not reveal their contents. Deceased's wife, he remarked, had stuck to him until she could do so no longer. She left him, and that apparently proved too much for him. The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane and Mr Paul Pearman expressed the family's thanks for their sympathy...." Article ends with summary of his career mentioned in earlier article.
03 Apr 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Annual Parochial Meeting
All Saints - F F Tate & Charles Appleton to be churchwardens
04 Apr 1936 Evening News
79 Years of Minutes
"A minute book started 79 years ago at Hartley Parish Church, near Gravesend, has just been filled up"
04 Apr 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Making Profits out of Fires?
"The following letter has been received from a correspondent at Hartley: 'A small fire in an outlying district must be a profitable source of profit to the Dartford Rural Council. A Hartley dairy farmer has received a charge of £15 2s for the attendance of the brigade at a rick fire on March 3rd. An analysis of the account makes interesting reading. A charge of £2 10s is made for the use of the engine. Another £3 is added for the 8 miles travelled to and from the fire. The expense works out at 7s 6d a mile, a figure that seems unreasonably high. The account is further augmented by a charge of £4 10s for the personnel, which comprised a chief officer and 10 firemen. This seems an exceptionally large complement to deal with a rick fire in an open field with no surrounding hazards. As if the carge was not already large enough another £3 is added for 'turn out fees.' These comprise an additional allowance of 10s for the chief officer and 5s for each of the men. Hartley has not adopted the Fire Brigade Acts and it may be the that Rural Council is administerign a salutary lesson. But it is no joke for the recipient of the bill, who was not insured. The subsequent action of the Rural Council appears to give pint to this theory. After a protest they offered to accept £10 in settlement. If the demand was a try-on, as it seems to have been, some action should be taken by parish councils who have not adopted the Fire Brigade Acts to come to some agreement with the Dartford Council regarding a reasonable standing chare for the attendance of the fire brigade at fires in their area.'
The Kent messenger understands from an official source that the charge in question is according to the scale approved by the National Fire Brigade Union, but that the Rural Council Fire Brigade Committee made a reduction of £5 as an act of grace."
[E15 is worth about £900 at 2025 prices. The paper of 11/4/36 had a letter from an unnamed resident agreeing the charges are exhorbitant]
A Gray but Merry Evening at Hartley
"No stage star could have had a more appreciative audience that the doughty parishioner who filled the bill at the annual Parish Meeting at Hartley. It was a one-man sort of show, something of a premiere of a non-stop variety which could have been aptly entitled 'Not till midnight comes' The guardian of Hartley's local affairs had obviously beeen collecting questions and minor grievances for nearly a year. He had them all neatly tabulated, suitably adorned with legal red tape. The problem of the disposal of unburnable rubbish gave him his first opportunity. It was with a really benign 'I told you so' expression that he scored his first notch with a stinging thrust at the wreckers who had scuttled the 1928 scheme. 'We're 8 years behind the time,' he complained. The bus services, the necessity for visiting Longfield to examine parochial documents, the Church School, the fire extinguishers boxes, a disputed footpath, were further items in his repertoire. Then the Chairman came over all Greta Garo-ish and plaintively ejaculated 'I want to go home!' It was a Gray kind of evening - but a merry one!" [There is a strong hint in the headline as to who the parishioner was]
Bees for Sale
4 hives, healthy Italians 25s each, £4 the lot. The Winnatts [Maryfield], Manor Drive
Hartley Players
Picture of the cast of the production 'The Middle Watch' with their names.
Very favourable review in following week's paper with further picture. "Another triumph for Gomer Davies" and "It is the best thing that [Winifred Day] has yet done"
Hartley Cricke Club
AGM. 1935 season P18 W5 D3 L10. Best batsman H Goodwin 237 runs at average of 14.8. W Balchin most successful bowler with 37 wickets at 5.4. Thanks to Mr Fulford granting free use of the ground.
04 Apr 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
He Loves an Argument!
People who count in Hartley 7 by A E Edward. "One of those who originated the Hartley Social Club, an off-shoot of the defunct Constitutional Club is Mr D T R Gray (pictured). Among most of his associates he is known as David and this is a sure sign of his popularity. It is a popularity that is well merited. Anyone who will turn a hand to a task as readily as hie, must make friends. He will tackle any job, from addressing envelopes to potential subscribers to a local subscription, to applying his organising abilities to the much tougher proposition, the formation of a club. He is just the sort of man who is a very welcome associate of a hard working secretary. These willing horses are sometimes a gift from the blue for those officials who mange to pas on their duties to others, but these methods do not worry men of Mr Gray's calibre.
The popularity he enjoys comes mainly from an expansive disposition. David is cheerfulness personified. But do not assume from this description that he is a passive kind of individual. He is nothing of the sort. To him an argument is as necessary as his life's blood stream. Ask any of his fellow travellers on the 8.10am train to town. These journeys are very entertaining affairs. They are enlightened by the diametrically opposing views held by Mr Gray and one other, who shall be nameless. When these stalwart protagonists occupy the centre of the stage their fellow passengers only venture to intrude a word when there is a danger of the argument flagging.
Mr Gray has decided opinions on most things, and local affairs provide him with material for argument which life such things as parish meetings out of the mundane and introduces a little spice into their conduct. Local administration is a little too slow for this live wire, who had little use for an any time will do policy. He has a practical outlook, and a mind that believes that if a thing can be done in a month there is no point in taking six. The railway service is like a matador's red rag to him. There is nothing niggardly in his demands on the railway company. He wants a better and cleaner station, more lighting, a footbridge for passengers, and another exit from the station - in addition to a faster train service. He has not got them yet, but he will tenaciously return to the attack with the courage of his convictions and who knows what next year will bring? On one occasion he tackled the railway officials single handed after other members of a deputation appointed by a parish meeting had withdrawn. The attempt was successful. The local David smote the Southern Goliath and brought away some useful concessions. And not a stone was cast.
I have mentioned Mr Gray's connection with the Social Club. One may doubt the wisdom of running 2 clubs in a little parish like Hartley. To the outsider it must appear as a division of forces andhte consequent doubling of effort, which is perhaps a pity. But while regrets are useless the Social Club has reported a successful first year and an organisation free from debts. It is a promising start. In that result can be seen the practical outlook and adice of one of its prominent promoters. I have not by any means exhausted Mr Gray's interests, which are many. He is, for instance, one of the famous back row baritones of the Hartley Choral Society whose sweet music can be heard on the evening air in Ash Road on any Friday night, and at most Church functions. He is also an active member of the Church Parochial Council David Gray is a useful member of the community, and a pleasant man with a sense of humour."
11 Apr 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
The late Mrs Stuart
Funeral at Fawkham of Fanny Stuart, 87, of Culvey Down [Castle Hill]. Family have lived in Hartley 23 years. Her husband died about 7 years ago.
Hartley Agricultural Co-Operative Society
AGM. Turnover up £858, tonnage up 84, membership up 22 at 225. Features picture of chairman F J Bartholemew.
Hartley Man Fined for Petrol Theft
"PC O'Regan, Longfield, was congratulated by the Dartford Bench on Monday on the creditable way he had given his evidence. The case was one in which Harry Kay, 28, married, Ash Road, Hartley wasfined £2 for stealing 2 gallons of petrol belonging to HA Clarke Ltd, builders. PC O'Regan said that defendant, who denied that he had any intention of stealing, hit the petrol in a coal bin at the rear of an unoccupied shop in Church Road, Hartley."
17 Apr 1936 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Governess Required
"Daily Governess required; boy 5, girl 6. Mrs Stickland, Old Downs, Longfield, Kent. Longfield 9".
18 Apr 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Wedding
Picture of Francis William Inkpen and Margaret Jane Stanley married at Longfield Church.25 Apr 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Speeding Offence
William Wakelen of Fawkham Green fined £1 for travelling at 40-45mph on London Road at Stansted.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Fire hydrants at Hoselands Hill and Hartley Green out of order for a fortnight. (2) Rev Lenton has "made considerable alterations and improvements to the present churchyard and he estimated that the space available would last about 10 years" (3) New heating stove to be installed at Primary School in summer holidays. (4) Bank cut back slightly opposite Stocks Farm to made road slightly wider for traffic. (5) Another footpath at back of Manor Drive obstructed.
People who count
Frederick Welch wrote to ask why no sportsmen included in the series. Paper replied series is at an end and some didn't want to be included.
02 May 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Country Club's Rosy Prospects
There are now 4 grass courts. Gomer Davies appointed secretary of Tennis section and membership is said to be increasing.
Fawkham Parish Council
(1) Prospect of Electricity supply to be discussed at public meeting. (2) Dartford RDC to be asked how much it would cost to have a rubbish collection. (3) Complaints about high bus fares to Dartford, possibly because it is routed through Bean. They think a Dartford - Farningham - Kingsdown - Fawkham - Longfield route would be better.
07 May 1936 Sunderland Daily Echo
Coroner's Decision - Husband of Woman Chemist
'Nothing to Hide' says Widow
Owing to the decision of the NW Kent Coroner to hold and inquest, arrangements for the funeral of Ernest Edgar Crofts (74), husband of a woman chemist, of Station Road, Longfield, near Dartford, which was to have taken place today, have been cancelled.
Mr Crofts died suddenly on Saturday morning. A Home Office pathologist has, it is understood, carried out a post mortem examination and has taken away certain organs. The inquest will be held at Dartford tomorrow afternoon.
Mrs Parkes [Should be Pounce], a sister of Mrs Crofts, speaking to a Sunderland Echo representative, said, 'Although Mr Crofts died suddenly last Saturday, he had been under the doctor since February'. The family were all upset as a result of the 'unnecessary trouble'. 'My sister has had a harrowing time of it,' she said, 'and we simply cannot let her be troubled with callers. There is nothing we can say. There has been a great deal of misunderstanding. My sister thought she had arranged for the funeral to take place today. Apparently there had been some misunderstanding on this point with the undertaker, and it is because of that the interment has been delayed. A doctor had been attending Mr Crofts throughout his illness. The whole thing has come as a complete shock to us.'
A tradesman in business close to Mrs Crofts said, 'Mrs Crofts and her husband came to Longfield about 4 years ago. She is charming little woman, and is very popular. She looks after the shop and we knew that Mr Crofts, although he was always about the place when he first came, had been in indifferent health for some time. They were very happy together.' Mr Crofts was a retired post office employee.
The widow is deeply upset over the development. 'I am at loss to understand it,' she said, 'I have absolutely nothing to hide. I will welcome the inquest proceedings, because they will be the means of everything being cleared up. It has been a very trying time for me.' Mrs Crofts, a flaxen haired, middle aged woman, was attending to her shop when interviewed. She was behind the counter and wore a dispenser's white overall.
Mr Crofts acted as Chairman and Treasurer of Hartley Social Club. 'One of the best officials the club has ever had,' was how Mr Watson, a member of the committee, described him. 'He regularly visited the club,' said Mr Watson. 'As a result of an incident which involved which involved litigation last November, Mr Crofts was very upset and he fell ill a short time afterwards.'
The superintendent of Brookwood Cemetery said, 'The funeral of Mr Crofts was to have been today, and the grave and everything were prepared. 'Last night we received an order cancelling the funeral, as there was to be an inquest.'
[Bradford Observer 8.5.1936 added Mr Crofts's pension was £2 a week; KM (Maidstone Telegraph) 9/5/1936 said the inquest was necessary because his doctor couldn't ascertain the cause of death]
08 May 1936 News Chronicle
"Porridge pan for analysis - Dead man worried by 'poison pen' notes
Longfield (near Dartford, Kent), Thursday. Ernest Edgar Crofts, the 74 year old husband of a woman chemist whose shop is in the main street of this village, died early on Saturday after a 3 months' illness.
He was to have been buried today. Wreaths were ordered and the grave, his family grave, at Brookwood Cemetery had been prepared.
At the last minute the village heard that the burial had been stopped. Dr J L Priestley, of Longfield, who had attended Mr Crofts since last February, was unable to sign a death certificate. The West Kent Coroner has ordered an inquest and Dr Davies, Home Office Pathologist, has made a post mortem examination. I learn tonight that a saucepan in which porridge was cooked for the dead man, his wife and his wife's sister last Friday, has been taken from the shop for analysis and that 2 or 3 medicene bottles are also being examined.
The sign over the little brick built shop in Station Road, Longfield, says 'Dorothy Crofts MPS.' I found Mrs Crofts, small, fair haired, dressed in a dispenser's white coat, behind the counter. She has the help of her sister Mrs Pounce, and a girl assistant. Mrs Crofts told me 'I know that my husband absolutely worshipped me. We have been married 12 years, and the more I lived with him, the more I loved him. I felt last week that he was a dying man.....' Her voice faltered and she burst into tears. Mrs Pounce said: 'I don't know - none of us knows - what brought about his death, but I am perfectly sure what was helping to make him so ill.' Then she related an incident which she said 'had a terrible effect' on the old man. Towards the end of last year he was involved in a police court case concerning a dog which had been brought to the shop to be destroyed. It was alleged that the dog was treated cruelly and a heavy fine was imposed. 'Since that time 200 letters, mostly anonymous, have come in,' Mrs Founce said, 'and you could see it was worrying him. In some of the letters he was advised to 'go and take cyanide of potassium' Most of them were written in the same handwriting. While the Post Office stopped the anonymous postcards, they could not interfere with the letters which kept arriving.'
Mr Crofts had suffered other anxieties and misfortunes. He was a retired Post Office official on pension. He married earlier in life; he lost 2 children and his first wife died. Mrs Crofts, whose maiden name was Clayton, was 29 when they were married [they married at Birmingham in 1924]. They lived in London and then in Manchester before they came to the Longfield shop, where Mrs Crofts began to dispense most of the village medicine. The inquest will be held tomorrow afternoon at Dartford Fire Station."
[Dorothy Crofts, nee Clayton, married Ernest at Birmingham in 1924. In 1936 Q4 she married Amos Whittam (1881-1957) at Burnley who had lost his wife in December 1935, who moved in with her at Station Road. She died in 1943 and is buried in Burnley cemetery in the same plot as Amos and his first wife. The Chemist's shop was about where the vets is today in Longfield]
08 May 1936 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail
"Wife's Evidence - 'Not been well during the last few months'
Collapse after card game - 'Went funny colour: I thought he was dying'
Mr W A Thomson, the NW Kent Deputy Coroner, opened the inquest at Dartford today on Ernest Edgar Crofts (74), a retired postal employee, whose funeral was stopped a few hourse before the time fixed for the service. Mr Croft's wife is the owner of the local pharmacy in the village of Longfield, near Dartford, whre the couple lived. Mr Crofts, who had been ill since February, died on Saturday. The grave had been dug at the Brookwood Cemetery, and friend of the family had ordered their wreaths. The Coroner sat with a jury.
Mrs Crofts, a fair haired woman, came into the court without a hat. She was obviously very upset, and for a time had to be partially supported. The Coroner said that the dead man was a retired postman and his wife was a qualified pharmaceutical chemist. Mr Crofts had been under medical treatment since the end of February and had been attended by Dr Priestley. Apparently the doctor was in some difficulty in diagnosing the trouble, and on Friday it was decided that he should go on the following day into hospital for observation. Unfortunately before that could be done he died suddenly on Saturday. 'Dr Priestley was unable to give a certificate as to the cause of death,' and the case, said the coroner, 'was presented to me as one in which the cause of death was unknown.'
The Coroner pointed out thtat the inquest had been fixed for this afternoon without any knowledge of the funeral arrangements having been made. 'In fact,' he said, 'I had no knowledge that the funeral arrangements had been started, and therefore there was no question of stopping the funeral excepting, of course, that this could not take place without the death certificate.'
Mrs Crofts said that she and her husband had lived at the chemist's establishment about 3 years. Her husband had not been well during the last few months. His illness began in February. He kept to his bed for a little while, but would get up at short periods. He went to church on Sunday before he died. He was not able to walk much. If they went out they had to have a car. He seemed to be suffering from general weakness, and always appeared to be short of breath, but there did not seem to be any specific complaint.
The Coroner: Was he better or worse the week before his death? Witness: He seemed to get down in health. He did not take his food very well and had had very little for some time. He had a tonic which Dr Priestley prescribed and which she made up from a book of formulas. The Coroner: Was it anything more than a tonic? Witness: I don't think so. It was the usual tonic. He was sick in February, but not again until last week. The Coroner: Was this sickness after taking medicine or food? Witness: After taking food.
Mrs Crofts said that the doctor saw her husband on Friday about 6 o'clock and he returned about 8 o'clock with another doctor. They examined Mr Crofts and decided he should be sent to hospital for an X-Ray examination. The Coroner: You made no objection to that? Witness: Certainly not. She added that Mr Crofts was downstairs on Friday morning, but he had had some difficulty in getting from his bedroom. On Friday night he was very restless, but suddenly sat up and said, 'Come along and let us have a game of bridge. It will be long time before we have another.' They had a game of bridge, but he went a funny colour - a bluey grey. 'I thought he was dying,' she added. 'He returned to bed,' Mrs Crofts continued, 'and then I could see he was going. I said, 'he is dying,' and dashed round to the telephone and rang up the doctor.'
The Coroner: Have you ever known your husband to take any medicine or drugs other than those prescribed for him? Witness: No. Your husband would know where to find any drug if he wanted one? - I do not think he knew much about the drugs. He could not read the Latin labels. The poisons were kept in a cabinet, which was locked. Mrs Crofts said that her husband had an attack in the middle of April and fell down. 'I have never seen anything like it,' she said. 'He was fighting for air, I thought he was dying then.'
Replying to Mr R H C Parker (for the relatives) Mrs Crofts said that her husband was concerned in a case about a dog some time ago, and it broke his heart. He received a lot of anonymous letters and worried right up to the end. Answering Mr Parker, she said that both her sister and herself had some of the porridge which Mr Crofts had had for breakfast.
Mrs Emily Pounce, of Gibbons Road, Wolverhampton, sister of Mrs Crofts, said that she had an idea for the last 2 years, and particularly in the last 6 months. She visited her sister last Thursday, and was surprised to see Mr Crofts looking so well. She expected to find him in the last stages. She made the porridge on Friday morning. She returned home on Friday, and at 6am on Monday received a message from her sister saying, 'Ernest gone. Will you come.'
Dr J O Priestley said that he first saw Mr Crofts in February at the request of Mrs Crofts. He was suffering from gastritis and a chill and made a slow recovery. 'At no time did I think he was likely to die in the near future,' said the doctor. 'On several occasions Mrs Crofts said to me that he was very ill and likely to die.' On April 15 and 24 she hold him her husband was dying. On April 30 she said that her husband was very ill and could not live long. 'I repeated that I must have a second opinion if I was to continue with the case,' said the witness. 'She said she would think it over.'
[Edition of 9 May says jury reached natural causes verdict without the need to retire to consider a verdict]
08 May 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Dangerous Driving
Harry Myers of Church Rd fined for dangerous driving at Southfleet
09 May 1936 News Chronicle
"Heart disease, says specialist. Natural causes verdict
A verdict of death from natural causes was returned at the inquest yesterday on Ernest Edgar Crofts (74) of Longfield, near Dartford, Kent, whose funeral was stopped on Thursday a few hourse before the time fixed for the service.
The doctor who attended Mr Crofts said he was unable to diagnose the cause of death and suspected poisoning. Dr Arthur Davies, a Harley Street specialist who made the post mortem examination, told the coroner there was nothing to suggest poisoning.
Opening the inquest, the coroner said that the dead man was a retired postman and his wife a qualified pharmaceutical chemist. Mr Crofts had been under medical treatment since the end of February. The doctor had difficulty in diagnosing the trouble from which Mr Crofts suffered, and on Friday last it was decided that he should, on the following day, go into hospital for observation. Before that could be done he died suddenly on Saturday.
The coroner pointed out that the inquest had been fixed for Friday afternoon without any knowledge of the funeral arrangements having been made. 'In fact', he said, 'I had no knowledge that the funeral arrangements had been started, and therefore there was no question of stopping the funeral, excepting, of course that this could not take place without the death certificate.'
Mrs Crofts said that her husband had not been well during the last few months. His illness began in February and he had been under the care of Dr Priestley. He kept his bed for a little while, but would get up at short periods. The Coroner: Was he better or worse the week before his death? - He seemed to get down in health. He did not take his food very well and had had very little for some time. He had a tonic which Dr Priestley prescribed and which she made up from a book of formulas. On Friday night he was very restive, but suddenly sat up and said, 'Come along and let us have a game of bridge. It will be long time before we have another.' He sat up and they had a game of bridge, but he went a funny colour - a bluey grey. 'I thought he was dying,' she added. 'He returned to bed,' Mrs Crofts continued, 'and then I could see he was going. I said, 'he is dying,' and dashed round to the telephone and rang up the doctor. The doctor came shortly afterwards.' She had never known her husband take drugs. Poisons in her shop were kept in a cabinet which was locked.
Replying to Mr RHC Parker, for the relatives, Mrs Crofts said that her husband was concerned in a case some time ago and it broke his heart. Mr Parker: I understand that he received a lot of anonymous letters? - Yes. The case was one of killing a dog by improper means. Her husband worried right up to the end.
Dr J O Priestley, who had attended Mr Crofts, said he told Mrs Crofts that he would require to have another opinion on the case. He called in Dr Hasler, and they decided Mr Crofts should be taken into hospital for observation. Before that could be done he died. The Coroner: Have you any reason to suspect that Crofts has taken any drugs or poison of any kind? Dr Priestley again hesitated for a few moments, and then replied quietly: 'Yes'. Crofts, he added, had said to him: 'You are not poisoning me, are you?' On a subsequent occasion he said: 'This is another Nurse Waddingham case.' [This refers to the case of Dorothea Waddingham, who was hanged a few weeks previously for murdering a patient who had written a will in her favour. In the Waddingham case there was clear medical proof of poising]. His presecriptions, he said, were not written, but verbal. 'You must have had great confidence in Mrs Crofts, then,' commented the coroner.
Dr Arthur Davies, pathologist, of Harley Street, who made a post mortem examination, said that he found signs of heart disease in Mr Crofts. The coroner: Any suggestion of irritant poisoning may be elimated? - My examination shows no sign of irritant or corrosive poisoning. Do you think as a result of your examination, that he might have been wandering at times? - The condition I found would certainly be associated with a definite impairment of his mind and body. The condition of Mr Crofts was quite consistent with death from natural causes."
09 May 1936 Daily Mirror
Life made misery by unknown writer
Longfield (Kent), Friday. 'These poisonous letters killed my husband as truly as if the writers of them had given him poison'. Her eyes flashing with scorn, Mrs Dorothy Crofts, the woman chemist, of Longfield, said these dramatic words to me soon after the verdict of death from natural causes had been recorded at the inquest on her husband at Dartford today.
The funeral of her husband, Mr Ernest Edgar Crofts, a 74 year old retired Post Office official, was stopped yesterday by order of the coroner.
As I stood chatting with Mrs Crofts, a 41 year old blonde, neighbours kept coming into the little shop to shake her by the hand and say how glad they were that her ordeal was over.
The poisonous letters of which Mrs Crofts spoke were received by Mr Crofts after a police court case concerning a dog which had been brought to the shop to be destroyed. It was alleged that the dog was treated cruelly. 'The truth about the dog,' Mrs Crofts tole me, 'was that both my husband and I left it for dead, but some spark of life must have remained in it, and it was later found suffering. Had we known, we would never have dreamed of leaving it in that condition. I have often put cats and dogs to sleep out of kindness for people, but I shall never kill another animal for anybody. When these letter began to come, it hurt my husband terribly, for he was a most tender hearted man. When they continued - nearly 200 of them - they made his life a misery. They broke his heart. They were not not written by Longfield people - nobody who knew him could have written them. I am sure the people of Longfield have not indulged in malicious gossip about him, they have been very kind to me, but there has been this post mortem and the inquest. It has all be very terrible for me. My husband and I were just happy simple people.'
With Mrs Crofts was her sister, Mrs Pounce. 'It is all over now my dear,' said Mrs Pounce. Mrs Crofts, despite the fact that her eyes were weary from lack of sleep, and her face drawn with suffering, managed to smile back at her sister, and say how grateful she was for all the comfort Mrs Pounce had given to her. 'And now let us have a cup of tea,' she added.] Article includes picture of Mrs Crofts behind the chemist shop counter.
09 May 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Kent Artists in the Academy
List of Kent Artists exhibited in Royal Academy, includes 'Summer Landscapes in Austria' by William B Dalton of Longfield.
16 May 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Small piece of land to be taken off green at Stocks Hill has not happened. District Councillor Bignell promised to put it in hand. (2) They agreed with Ash, Fawkham, Ridley, and Kingsdown to set upp a Sanitary Committee with appliances to empty cell pools to be stationed at Ash. Contractor said the charge would be £2 10s per day. (3) They propose moving the Fire Hydrant on the Green to be fixed to the wall of the school if school agreed. There were also complaints about cars parking on the Green. Paper of 11/7/36 noted Rector had refused the hydrant request.
Grazing to Let
"For 6 months, 12 acres of good grassland, may be hayed if required; rent £10. HIckmott, Longfield [Court]"
30 May 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Railway Electrification and its Consequences
"The coming electrification of the Southern Railway to Gillingham tempts one to speculate as to the consequent developments in the district affected, although I understand nothing will be done until the line from Sevenoaks to Hastings is completed, which will not be for at least 18 months. [and some - electrification was not done until 1986!]
On the main line from Swanley to the Medway Towns, it is probable that several new halts will be provided. Rumours says, though I cannot say whether with any foundation in fact, that one of these may be about a mile east of Fawkham Station, to serve New Barn and Hartley. This would of course, necessitate the construction of new roads both from New Barn and Hartley and would open up a very pleasant district for residential development."
13 Jun 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Chairman said St John's Lane was a hazard to pedestrians and needed widening. (2) Complaints about 80 to 100 per cent increase in All Saints' burial fees, when no change at Fawkham or Longfield. (3) Council to suggest to Post Office that phone box should be in Ash Road opposite Maclean. Paper 11/7/36 - Post Office agrees to put it in hand. Dartford Chronicle 10/7/36 says site is former pond at end of Stack Lane. (4) Council accept offer of bench from J Wells Thatcher at end of Marion Drive [sic - probably means Manor Drive] for those waiting for buses. (5) Clerk's salary to rise from £10 to £15 per annum.
20 Jun 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Obituary of George Mannington
Funeral at All Saints of George Gerald Mannington, 57, of Manor Drive. He was taken ill umpiring for Hartley CC and died later that evening. Had lived in Hartley 10 yeasr and was attached to the Audit Accountant's Department of the Southern Railway. 20 of his colleagues attended the funeral.
Cherry Crop for Sale
(advert) about ¾ acre. Phone Longfield 221 Sunday or after. Gayes, Demyon, Manor Drive, Hartley. [Probably 2 Hartley Wood Corner]
Bungalow for Sale
"Modern bungalow, nursery business, 110ft, glass etc. Price with all stock £850. Apply Keston, Church Road, Hartley, Longfield, Kent." [later advert KM 9/1/37 makes clear the 110ft refers to the greenhouses, as the Keston plot is 200ft long]
Longfield Gardeners' Association
"At a time when so many old established horticultural societies are struggling for existence, it is refreshing to come across those which keep forging ahead and winning fresh renown. Longfield and District Cottage Gardeners' Association is one of the most flourishing in North Kent......" AGM.
Longfield Bakery
"Bread baker wanted; village bakery, night work; please state wages and references - The Bakery, Main Road, Longfield."
26 Jun 1936 Dartford Chronicle
No Licence
William Ball of Haselhurst (Haselholt) fined for driving without licence
Holidays in Hartley
"Camping field (private) - 2s 6d weekly each person, conveniences, nice surroundings, 23 miles London. Frenli, Hartley Hill, Longfield, Kent" [now Brindles, Church Road]
27 Jun 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Wedding Bells
Marriage at Congregational Church of Henry Duncan McDonald of Newbury [Ash Road] Hartley and Violet Griffin Hodson of Orsett, Essex."The wedding was the first in the new church."
Accident
Henry Baldwin of [Gorsewood Road - Dartford Chronicle] Hartley was involved in a collision between his motorbike and a bus outside Tudor Lodge in New Barn Road. Taken to Gravesend Hospital and detained.
11 Jul 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Fire
"a fire broke out on Monday night at Melbourne [12 Main Road], the home of Mr W Wright. It started in the room which Mr Wright uses as his office, and the telephone, typewriter and most of his papers were destroyed. Luckily it was put out before it reached the upstairs rooms. The cause of the fire is unknown."
Longfield Request for JP Rejected
Longfield Parish Council's request for a resident JP so that they don't have to go to Darenth to get papers signed was rejected. Their opposition to banning pedestrians and cyclists from the Dartford Tunnel was supported by Southfleet, rejected by Hartley [Paper of 9/5/1936 criticise the PC, saying it makes sense not to have pedestrians in the tunnel, lots of government expenditure won't help Longfield much for example "It has never, one imagines, occurred to Longfield Parish Councillors to object, for instance, to Government subvention of Imperial Airways, although few, if any, of the parishioners, are in the habit of flying to Paris now and then for the weekend!"
18 Jul 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Alleged theft from Hartley Store
"Four men were remanded in custody at Dartford Police Court on Monday on a charge of breaking into Hartley Co-Operative Society's store on or about July 11th, and stealing 1,420 cigarettes, 8 ounces of tobacco, 3 dozen light bulbs and other goods and money valued at £5. They were Frederick Joseph Coombs (21), insurance agent, Greenlaw Street, Woolwich; George King (23), labourer, Sun Street, Woolwich; Joseph Alderton Mitchell (22), fitter's mate, Fairfield Road, Charlton; and Ronald Styles (33), foreman, Montcalm Road, Charlton. Det-Constable White, Dartford, said at 8.15pm on Saturday he saw Coombs at Woolwich and told him he would be taken into custody on a charge of being concerned with others in breaking into the stores. He said, 'I admit the offence.' On Sunday he arrested the other defendants, and took all four to Dartford Police Station. When charged they made statements admitting the offence."
Paper of 1/8/36 reports on the trial. Mitchell pleaded guilty to stealing and receiving, other 3 had charges reduced to receiving. They were caught because a passing constable had taken the number of a car seen outside the shop and it was traced when the burglary became known. King and Mitchell had previous convictions, King was sentenced to 2 months, Mitchell to 1 month, others bound over.
31 Jul 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Fairby Grange
Bermondsey BC objects to Dartford RDC's planning scheme re Fairby grange
Hartley Guides
Guides - Miss J Fielder captain, wants more members
01 Aug 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
A Frenchman's Views
I had the pleasure of meeting a French journalist this week. He was M Andre Bach, chief reporter of the L'Echo Rochelais. Mr Bach, who lost his left arm at Verdun is the father of Mrs Cruikshank, wife of the principal of Hartley Preparatory School. He was staying with his daughter. [Wilfrid D G Cruikshank married Genevieve C Bach at Bromley in 1933] Mr Back told me he had not been in England for 8 years, and said he was impressed by the fact that this country seemed much sounder and healthier than during his previous visit. He also commented upon the 'wonderful honesty' of our shopkeepers. 'I would mention it in my paper,' he said, 'only I would be afraid of losing advertisers.' Mr Bach is very pround of hte fact that he has an English grandson. He liked Gravesend, which he described as a 'very clean town'. He came with me to Gravesend Police Court and was interested in the procedure. 'The police would not have brought this case in France,' he commented, when a motorist was summoned for driving without due care and attention. He went on to explain that in France motorists are seldom brought before the court unless there is any personal injury or damage to property......"
[Hartley Preparatory School appears to be shortlived. Wilfrid Dudley Gordon Cruikshank had been recently a teacher in Beckenham and was made bankrupt in 1934 [Bromley & West Kent Mercury 10/8/34. Hartley Preparatory School is listed as being in Church Road in the 1936 Phone Book, Longfield 111, but was not in 1935 or 1937 phone book]
08 Aug 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Council complain of low water pressure near Green Man, but Mid Kent Water Co said they had received complaints of high pressure leading to burst pipes there! (2) No news about new system of refuse collection (3) PC wants larger danger signs near school, also to ask Police to attend occasionally at school closing times to make sure there is no speeding traffic.
15 Aug 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Dartford RDC looking at blocked footpaths at Strawberry Valley and the Manor Field. (2) Cost of rubbish collection said to be "prohibitive". Council to look at Contractors. (3) Hartley Green, boys said to be standing on the plaque in front of the chestnut tree. Mr Nairn asked to fix it in a more suitable place.
Hartley Country Club's Big Win
"Having only one fixture on Saturday, Hartley Country Club placed a fairly strong side in the field against the Old Gravesendians II. They pleased the local supporters with a fine batting display and won with plenty of time to spare by 146 runs. D Sleep scored the majority of the 45 runs put on for the first wicket, bu the feature was the stand of 94 for the 4th wicket between W G Cruickshank and L Bishopp. The latter hit a 6 and 14 fours in his 66, and Cruickshank's 77 not out included two 6s and ten 4s. It is unfortunate for the Club that Cruickshank has now left the district, as his batting has been of much value during the season. The innings was declared closed with a total at 222-7. The old boys were dismissed for 76, only three reaching double figures. L Bishopp took 3-41, L Gable 3-6, O Beadles 2-9 and J Rich 1-9. On Sunday there was a whole day fixture with Clapham, who were beaten by 85 runs. Clapham took a long time to score 90 against some accurate bowling. R Broad took 5-21, P Hicks 3-15 and C Ellerby 2-17."
21 Aug 1936 Dartford Chronicle
National Insurance Case
Frank E Hewitt fined for not paying employer's NI contributions
22 Aug 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Father and Son View for Honours
Longfield and District Cottage Gardeners' Association Summer Show. Father J W Rich won cup for most prize money in Division A and son E J Rich a cup for most points in Divison B. "There were 326 exhibits of an extraordinarily good quality considering thte adverse conditions which growers have had to contend with this summer. Many were greatly admired by the hundreds of people who attended and none more so than some fine dahlias, measuring nearly a foot across shown by Mr J W Rich." Further details plus group picture of organisers, and individual photos of hon sec Walter Wright and chairman H C Hickmott.
05 Sep 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Land at Fairby Lane
(Advert) "To be sold at Hartley, valuable freehold orchard land, 400 feet frontage by 150 feet, ideal for building, private road, water, electric light and phone laid on. Leslie Cottage, Ash Road, Hartley, Longfield, Kent (Fawkham Station). No agents. [This is the site of 1-17 (odd) Fairby Lane]
11 Sep 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Social Club
Club hold their first Flower Show
Hartley Wedding
Marriage of Frank Cox of Black Lion
12 Sep 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Post Office suggested putting phone box by War Memorial [then at junction of Ash Road and Church Road], parish council said it was not central enough, original suggestion was outside the Co-Operative Stores [now Hartley Garage]. (2) 19 of the 21 houses on Hartley Hill have mains electric light now. (3) Covers of old minute book damaged in fire at clerk's house. They agreed to have it rebound and stipulated papers must be kept in a fireproof box. Clerk said it had already been done. (4) Short iron posts on Hartley Green had already caused accidents to pedestrians and motorists in the dark.
Longfield Parish Council
(1) For first time in 14 years they will hold a beating of the bounds. (2) Complaints of inadequate bus service to Longfield Hill on Saturday Evenings. K Woodward said "Last Saturday he tried to board a bus at 7pm to come home, but could not do so as it was full. Ohter buses which came along were also full. In the end he got a bus to Southfleet and had to walk the rest of distance, arriving home at 10.30." (3) District Council want to buy land in Darent Valley as memorial for George V. Longfield PC say it would be better to provide playing fields in each parish.
Late Mrs Coulson
"The funeral took place on Tuesday at St Mary Magdalene of Mrs Esther Jane Coulson, 80, of Station Road, who died on Saturday." Long time member of Mothers' Union.
25 Sep 1936 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)
Terrifics lost at Hartley on Sunday by 5 wickets
[it seems Hartley carried on batting after they had won]
Terrifics 97 all out, Broad 5 for 47, Jones 4 for 28.
Hartley Country Club: B White 23, D Rose 4, N Martin 0, D Hitchcock 36, A Jones 24, F Gable 0, C Beadles 10, C Ellerby 3 *, R Broad 10*, J Sheppard dnb, E Linford dnb, Extras 17. Total 127-7."
26 Sep 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Accident
"A nasty accident occurred to Mrs H Parrett, Hothfield Dairy, on Saturday. While walking across a room at the dairy, she slipped and disclocated her shoulder. She was taken to hospital and detained."
Church of England School
(Hartley) "During the recent summer holidays the interior of the school has been repainted, and two skylights have been inserted in the infants' room. It is interesting to note that this room, which now accommodates about 30 infants, was at one time the school fo rthe village, all the children being taught in one room."
03 Oct 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Land for sale
(Hartley) "Land about 3 acres frontage - Deravona [Harefield, Church Road], Hartley, Longfield, Kent."
10 Oct 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Complaint received about small size of post box at Black Lion, suggested two opening letter box for letters and parcels. [KM 14/11/36 Post Office reply the sizes are standard and people should take parcels to the post office to send] (2) Telephone box to be outside the Co-Operative Stores.
Village Boundaries that take some Beating
"There are anomalies in most villages... but I think Longfield takes the proverbial biscuit, so far as Kent is concerned. On Saturday, in dleightful autumn weather, the bounds of the parish were beaten, and as I went around with member of the Parish Council, schoolchildren, boy scouts and girl guides, I learned some remarkable things about Longfield. In the first place, Longfield Rectory is in Hartley, and part of the land belonging to Hartley Rectory is in the parish of Longfield. Then there are the railway stations. Longfield Halt is in the parish of Southfleet, and Fawkham Station is in Longfield! No wonder Mr W M Partridge, the leader of the party, carried a huge Ordnance Map to help him find the way!
The boundaries of Longfield pass through three very steep railway cutting and a railway viaduct. We came to the first cuting at Whitehill, which was the starting pint of our 10 miles tour of the parish. Here Frederick Inkpin, a schoolboy, was drawn up one side of the 60 feet deep cutting by a stout rope. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Whenever I go beating the bounds I feel that I am going around in circles. I had the same feeling at Longfield (before opening time!), and came to the conclusion that Longfield was round. Btut Mr A Adams, the genial clerk to the Parish Council, told me that Longfield is shaped roughly like a jackboot.
Before we began the time honoured custom of beating the bounds, we attended a service, conducted by the REctor (Canon W Parker), at the centuries old parish church. Canon Parker reminded us that in the olden times, on Ascension Day and Maunday Thursday the parish boundaries were perambulated, and at various points prayers were offered. There are people, he said, to whome the traditions of the past mean very little, but they could derive from old traditions and customs something that was of real value to their lives. They were reminded of the anicent history of th eparish, and of the fact that they were not the only people who had lived there. For a thousand years at least the parish church had been the meeting place of the parish. The custom of beating the bounds went back to the time when the perambulation of the parish was a religious rite, and he was glad, therefore that they should start their day with a service in church. It was up to the present generation to see that they were better than their forefathers, because they had greater opportunities. Those who belonged to the parish were not a mere conglomeration like the sands on the seashore, but men and women whose business it was to cooperate for the good of all.
From Whitehill the party crossed the railway cutting near Longfield Halt and wended its way by Longfield Brickfield to Salt Farm via Hartley Rectory. Crossing the railway line they passed Longfield Rectory and Longfield siding, Red Cow Farm and Holly Bush Bridge, arriving at Longfield Hill in time for lunch at the Green Man Inn. Then they went on through New Barn, the tour finishing at Whitehill. The children accompanying the party were provided with tea.
Among those who took part were the following members of the Parish Council: Messrs A G Letchford (chairman), F R Langford, W M Partridge, A E Potter, K C W Woodward, Canon Parker and Mr A Adams (clerk), Mr W H Chase (headmaster, Longfield Schools), Miss Lody, Mr Donald Woodward and Mr W Wright (Longfield's representative on the Dartford Rural Council."
Article includes picture of the party of about 40 with Canon Parker being bumped on the first stone.
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Council had not heard from Dartford RDC about their request to spend £5 to orginise the beating of the bounds, so they went ahead anyway, only to find permission was not granted. They decided they would have to wait for the auditor's report. (2) Rubbish collection, Longfield to take up Dartford RDC's suggestion for parishes to combine for that purpose, and will talk to its neighbours.
Stocks Hill Land
"Land about 3 acres frontage - Deravona [Harefield], Hartley, Longfield, Kent.
16 Oct 1936 Dartford Chronicle
WI Produce Show
"At the recent exhibition of flowers and produce, held by the West Kent Federation of Women's Institutes in the Corn Exchange, Maidstone, competition was undoubtedly keen and the standard reached by many of the exhibits on the various stands was so high, that the exhibits on the various stands were sudded with little yellow and red stars, yellow equalling a percentage of 95-99 and red equalling 100! It was indeed a day of triumph for the country housewife, and women visitors to this show who have not yet been initiated into the ways of WIs in West Kent were amazed at the variety and quality of the entries, which ranged from jars of preserves , pickles and honey to plump geese and chicken trussed for market; and from bowls of aromatic pot-pourri to magnificent blooms of dahlias and Michaelmas daisies.
The West Kent Federation i subdivided into 15 Districts, one of which is Swanley district, which itself comprises 11 institutes, situated at Ash, Crayford, Darenth, Eynsford, Farningham, Hartley, Hextable, Horton Kirby, North Cray, Sutton at Hone and Swanley Junction.
In common with the remaining districts, Swanley competed in a new venture - a district cooperative exhibit, which consisted of practically everything that a competent country housewife is able to prepare for her larder and store cupboard during the year. It was creditable to note that every Institute in Swanley District contributed something towards this cooperative exhibit, which was made up of the following: 12 bottles of fruit, 6 bottles of vegetables, 6 jars of marmalade, 12 jars of jamand fruit jelly, 6 jars of pickles and chutney, 3 jars of fruit syrup, 2lbs of butter, 2 soft cheeses, 2 prepared poultry, 3 cakes, 3 loaves, 6 wholemeal scones and exhibits of herbs and honey.
Competitors gaining 90 per cent marks and over in this exhibit are as follows......." [Local Winners]
Jam: Mrs Robertson (Hartley)
Fruit Jelly: Mrs Tate, Mrs Gates and Mrs Cuff (Hartley)
Marmalade: Mrs Poole (Ash)
Bottled Fruit: Mrs Gates (Hartley)
Vegetables: Mrs Martin (Ash), Mrs Gates and Miss Chisholm (Hartley)
Syrups: Mrs Cuff and Mrs Goodwin (Hartley)
Poultry: Mrs Skeath (Hartley)
Cheese: Mrs Townley (Hartley)
Honey: Miss Robertson (Hartley)
Cakes: Mrs Gates (Hartley)
Scones: Miss Laybourne (Hartley)
.......................Of the 114 Institutes in the Federation, Hartley WI were placed first with a total of 274 marks.......................... Members in the Swanley District gaining 100 per cent in individual classes were as follows: ....... Miss Robertson (Hartley) - vase of dahlias; Mrs Costen (Hartley) - basket of apples; Mrs Gates (Hartley) - basket of plums; Mrs Cuff (Hartley) - gelatine."
17 Oct 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Choral Society
"A large number attended the first meeting in the WI Hall on Friday. Mr Cyril Worsley presided and again consented to act as conductor….. Committee elected were Mrs G F Oldrey (pianist), Mrs Keen (treasurer), Mr D T R Gray (secretary), Mrs N Tate and Mr Townley."
Ash Parish Council
(1) Ash to speak to landowners who have blocked footpaths from Small Gains to Idleigh and Hartley Bottom to North Ash. (2) PC wants to know costs of repairing council houses in Ash, found that Dartford RDC avoided the question. PC thinks they had faulty foundations.
Scout Troop Reorganising
"The 1st Longfield Scout Troop is now reorganising and an attractive programme has been arranged for the winter. Teams have been entered for the District Football Cup and District League competitions, and some of the boys are in training for the Association Boxing competition in November. Mr A D Colleridge ASM of the 1st Leatherhead Group, has consented to lend a hand in the reorganisation. It is hoped that he troop will be able to reach a membership of 30 for next year's coronation celebrations, and a special drive with this object in view is being launched in the near future. Any boys over the age of 11 are welcomed at the Village Hall betwen 7 and 9pm on Wednesdays."
Longfield in Danger of Losing its Hall?
"Alarm was expressed at the 27th annual meeting of Longfield Village Hall on Monday, when Mr W Wright pointed out that the 'ridiculous' wording of certain clauses in the trust deed of the hall would in time take the building away from the villagers and make it the property of any future rector and churchwardens...... Mr H E Hickmott wrote submitting his resignation as a trustee and it was then discovered that a clause in the deed stipulated that when one trustee resigned, another must not be elected to fill the vacancy. The deed also stated that the Rector and Churchwardens of the parish automatically became trustees. Mr Wright: The wording of those clauses is ridiculous. As the trustees die off one by one, the Hall will gradually become the property of any future Rector and Churchwardens. Mr Wright proposed and Mr Hall seconded that the deed should be perused by the Kent County Social Service Committee for advice with a view to having certain clauses amended...." Hall £39 in credit but requires internal painting and improved hieating. Canon Parker regretting not more interest taken in the hall, evidenced by low attendance at the AGM.
Former Northfleet Schoolmaster Passes
Funeral at Longfield of Harold H Groves, 44, of 27 Sun Lane, Gravesend. He taught at Longfield until 1921 then went to Northfleet until 1934. Also football referee.
24 Oct 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Watling Street Claims another victim
"A girl cyclist, who had neither red rear light nor reflector on her machine, was killed in a collision at Watling Street near Springhead Northfleet, on Sunday night. Only a few weeks ago another girl cyclist met her death at the same spot. The victim of Sunday's accident was Emily Fiore, 17, a parlourmaid employed at Fairby Grange Convalescent Home, Hartley. Her mother lives in Mitcham.
An inquest was held at Gravesend Town Hall on Wednesday. Dr J King Kelly, house surgeon at Gravesend and North Kent Hospital, said Miss Fiore was dead on admission. Her skull was fractured. Irene Amos, 15, domestic servant at Hartley Green, Longfield, said that she and Miss Fiore had cycled to Gravesend. During the return journey along Watling Street her friend rode on the outside, some distance from the kerb. When told by the witness that there was no reflector on Miss Fiore's cycle, and that she had made several previous journeys to Gravesend without one, the Coroner (Mr G Evans Penman) remarked 'It is a wonder she had not been killed before.' Witness said she heard a motorcycle coming behind and then the crash occurred. William Lavell, 44, Mill Lane, Brixton Hill, who was heavily bandaged, said he was driving a motorcycle combination his wife being in the sidecar. It as a dark night. He saw a cylist going in the same direction, and swerved to avoid her. It then seemed that his machine catapaulted over and he knew no more. He had his sidelights on, his headlight was dimmed. He did not see the cyclist who was struck. Replying to the Coroner witness suggested that a few overhead lights would make Watling Street safer at night. The jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death' with a rider that the lights on Lavell's combination were insufficient."
[KM 31/10/36 Northfleet Council ask for streetlighting between Tollgate and Pepper Hill as a result]
Longfield HIll Cricket Averages
1936 season Played 28, W16, D6, L6. F Wood topped batting averages with 21.8 from 22 innings and top score of 108. D Woodward topped bowling averages 113.4 Overs, 304 runs, 45 wickets, average 6.8.
30 Oct 1936 Kentish Express
Alleged Bigamy of Former Lodger
"At Folkestone on Wednesday, William J Dilworth, arrested at Southwark, was remanded until Tuesday on a charge of bigamously marrying Agnes R Russell. Mrs Russell, a widow, of 326 Cheriton Road, said that he came to her house as a lodge at the end of February 1935. In April he asked her to marry him and told her he had some money coming to him on June 1, and that he had some land at Hartley, near Dartford, where he was having a house built. He told her he was a bachelor. They went through a form of marriage at Christ Church, Folkestone, in May last year."
Thrice Bigamist
(Kentish Express 20.11.1936)" 'You seem to have a foible for this kind of offence. This is the third time you have been convicted,' said the Judge to William Dilworth (65) who pleaded guilty to bigamously marrying Agnes R Russell, widwo at Folkestone in May. Mr L S Fletcher, prosecuting, said that prisoner was first married in 1898 and deserted his wife in 1905, and in July 1907 was sentenced to 12 months' for bigamy. His wife forgave him and took him back, but he again deserted and in 1915 was sentenced to 2 years for bigamy. In 1917 a single woman obtained affiliation orders against him in respect of 4 children. When he went through the bigamous ceremony at Folkestone, he said he was a batchelor and got Mrs Russell to get rid of lodgers, as he would keep her, but later he left the house. The police said that when arrested, prisoner had letters which showed he was writing to another woman with the intention of marrying her. As a result of the bigamous marriage, Mrs Russell had lost her means of livelihood. His lordship said that prsioner had deceived a respectable woman, who had now been left in poor circumstances. He took into account his age, but he would have to go to prison for 18 months hard labour."
[Can't find any reference to Mr Dilworth at Hartley, so not sure if he was telling the truth]
03 Nov 1936 Belfast Telegraph
Money in Dustbin for Safety
"Fearing thieves who were known to have been operating in the district, a girl shop assistant in London Road, Borough, London SE, put the day's takings in the dustbin when she closed the shop for the night.
When she arrived the next morning the dustbin had been cleared by the scavengers. She reported the matter to the owner of the shop, who hurried agitatedly to the refuse depot.
But the Southwark Borough Council is expeditious with its refuse disposal; the consignment had already been loaded into trucks. Where amongst the 200 tons of unwanted trifles wer the day's takings?
The scavengers got busy and traced the refuse from London Road to a certain truck out of the 40 that had been loaded so far. A man put in a day's hard work and eventually, nearly at the bottom of the truck he found a cardboard box. The money was intact.
'It is remarkable how we meet with success in cases such as this,' Mr CF Tyne of the Borough Engineer's Department, told a reporter. 'Some people are foolish enough to regard the dustbin as a safe deposit. I remember a case in which the wife of a tradesman put the takings, about £6 in the dustbin for the weekend. The husband knew nothing about it, and on Monday morning he actually helped the Council employees to carry the dustbin away. Fortunately within an hour the fact came to light, and the money was found at our place at Longfield, Kent."
06 Nov 1936 Dartford Chronicle
Cricket Club Annual Supper
"At the annual cricket supper at the Hartley Country Club on Saturday, Mr A Witt (captain) presided over a large gathering which included visitors from Gravesend, Old Gravesendians, Dartford, Longfield Hill, Heath and Oakwood, Dimanchian, Gravesend Banks and NALGO. The loyal toast having been honoured Mr John Hitchcock submitted the toast of 'The Game'." [various other toasts] "The chairman, making a presentation to Mr Don Weeks, said the members all felt that some recognition was due to him for the service he had rendered the club and the cricket section in particular. He was a respected member of the club and a jolly good sportsman, and it gave the chairman much pleasure to had to Mr Weeks a silver musical tankard. Mr Weeks briefly expressed his thanks. Another item on the programme was a speech by Mr C Ellerby on the merits of 'The Muffin Man' (the club anthem) and a repsonse by Captain CS Bignell. Those who contributed to the musical part of the programme were Mr Don Green, Mr A Tidmarsh and Mr Billy Burgess, the pianist being Mr Cyril Boston."
07 Nov 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Motorist Hurt
Peter Hawtrey Mainprize, Gorsewood House, suffered concussion on Thursday night last week as the result of a collision at Gravesend between his car and another driven by Norman Victor Hodges, Tollgate Hill, Gravesend. He was taken to Gravesend Hospital and detained." KM 28/11/36 Both parties fined £3 for Careless Driving. Witnesses included Mainprize's passenger William George Day of Downs View [11] Ash Road.
Hartley War Memorial
(Dartford RDC) "Captain C S Bignell, Hartley, referring to the local memorial, said it was a sort of 'nobody's property', and it was nobody's duty to keep it tidy. For many years the work had been done by voluntary labour, but now volunteers were difficult to find. Was there some way by which the memorial could be taken over by the council and kept clean? Mr F Ladds said if the council took over one memorial it would have to consider taking over the lot. When Captain Bignell asked if the council could give permission for a man to spend 10 minutes on the Hartley memorial occasionally, the chairman replied, 'No, I am afraid not.' The matter then dropped."
14 Nov 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Hill Community Hall
"The Rector, Canon Parker, presided t the 4th annual meeting of the Longfield Hill Community Hall Committee in the Green Man, Longfield Hill, on Tuesday. The report stated that progress had been made by the acquisition of a polot on Longfield Hill on which to erect the hall. The property was being conveyed to the Charity Commissioners, who would hold it in trust subject to the provisions of a trust deed. Under this deed a council would be appointed to manage the property similar in almost all respects to the present committee. The hall will cater for the younger generation with a gymnasium and handwork tables. The report and accounts were adopted."
Hartley Players
PIcture of the cast of their latest production 'Other Men's Wives' Paper of 21/11/36 has critical review "Hartley Players need more men who can act", which they think the Players acknowledge with a recruitment plea after final curtain by Andrew Kerr. Full of praise for Pat Priestley though. "It must be quite two years since this talented actress stepped into a minor role at moment's notice and, without rehearsal, gave a faultless performance."
[One of those pictured was (Albert) Buford Sleep of Weird Wood, New Barn, where he lived with mother Amy and two brothers David and Robert. David was a star batsman for the Country Club. Buford joined the RAF (90 Squadron) and died after being injuried in a Lancaster bombing raid over Stettin on 30/8/1944. Another New Barn thespian pictured was Andrew Kerr of Sherwood. The only 2 pictured living in Hartley in 1939 were Cyril Boston of Eversley, Gorse Way and Gomer Davies of Treveor Ash Road.]
Longfield Glory of Chrysanthemums
"Two huge masses of potted chrysanthemums were the centre of attraction at Longfield Village Hall on Saturday, when the local Horticultural Society held its 6th annual Autumn Show. The exhibitors were Mr W Wright (secretary to the Society) and Mr H Hickmott, who were both awarded certificates of merit from the National Society...." Chryanthemums of T W Elliott and G Jenkins were also mentioned. PIctures of Members of the Committee and another of {NAME} (aged 4) with some of the award winning blooms..
Longfield Airs Bus Grievances
"Longfield grievances agaisn thte bus services of the LPTB were airs on Monday, when Mr W J Henton (district superintendent) attended a meeting o fthe Parish Council to listen to complaints. Mr W M Partridge said that people living in Longfield were sometimes unable to get on buses in Gravesend on Saturday evening, owing to the vehicles being filled by short fare passengers. Mr Henton said that matter had already been considered, both by the Board and the Gravesend Passenger Transport Committee, and as a result an inspector was on duty in the evenings outside the Regal Cinema. It was his duty to see that Longfield people were not left stranded, and he should be immediately informed by people failing to get on a bus.
Mr Partridge quoted a recent case where 20 schoolchildren got on a bus and because it was then full the conductor refused the teacher - the person looking after the children - permission to get on. Mr Henton replied that a conductor had to abide by the law, although in an instance like that some discretion should have been used. A 20 seater bus was not allowed to carry standing passengers.
Questions as to return fares, cheap workmen's fares, less complicated timetables, connections with trains arriving at Fawkham Station, connections between bus services and earlier or later buses at the weekends wree also discussed. Mr Henton gave an assurance that the matters would be carefully considered.
With reference to the proposed recreation ground at Whitehill, Dartford RDC wrote that, being a refuse dump, it would not be a suitable site."
21 Nov 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Man for Trial on Drink Motor Charge
"Francis Charlewood Willes, 48, June Hill, Hartley, described as an inspector of Naval Ordnance at Woolwich Arsenal, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, elected, at Woolwich on Saturday, to go for trial on a charge of driving a motor car when under the influence of drink and with driving in a dangerous manner. Willes pleaded not guilty, reserving his defence and was allowed bail. Police evidence was that about 11pm on November 6th Willes drove a car towards Hare Street, Woolwich, at a speed of about 12mph on the crown of the road and in a zig-zag manner. It was allegedthat he ignored a signal to stop by a police car until it got in front of him in Brewer Street. PC Wells said that when defendant alighted from his car he was unsteady and smalled of drink. At the police station defendant said he was 'prepared to abide by your police doctor's decision.' Dr W Remington, police surgeon, declared that defendant was suffering from the effects of excessive alcohol and was not fit to be in charge of a car. He seemed more sleepy than nervous. Mr Griffth Jones (for defendant): If you had known that he had nearly had a breakdown in health, that he had been suffering from overwork, and that he had had nervous fits in which he trembled all over, would that have modified your opinon? Witness: No, but he gave me the impression of being a very tired man. He answered questions directly and to the point, and he recognised me as having vaccinated his daughter some time ago. Defendant was allowed bail in his own recognisances of £50."
Hartley Lieut-Col Acquitted (KM 12/12/36)
Summary of magistrates' court evidence. Trial at County of London sessions, both sides employed 2 barristers. ".... Dr Remington, police divisional surgeon, cross-examined, agreed that the defendant's writing at the time was good and and he had seen worse writing from sober men. He would not say he was very drunk, but drunk. Defendant in evidence, said he lived with his wife and two children. He joined the RN Artillery in 1904and served in the North Sea as a captain during the Great War. He went to Woolwich Arsenal as Assistant Experimental Officer in 1920. In 1927 he was stationed at Dorset as Admiralty Inspector of cordite explosives. He was made experimental officer a tthe Arsenal in 1932. The following year he retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was now Naval Ordnance Inspector at the Arsenal. REcently he had been suffering from insomnia. He denied that on the day in question he was under the influence of drink. AT the time he was suffering from nervous exhaustion. The erratic driving of the car was due to the fact that he had to hold the choker with one hand and steer with the other. He did not hear the gong. At a later stage the chairman said that the jury could stop the case if they had heard enough, and the jury thereupon returned a verdict of 'not guilty' on both counts."
21 Nov 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Women's Institute
"The country dancing section, which is under the leadership of Miss Hazel Chisholm, gave a delightful display on Saturday evening last. About 70 took part, among the visitors being the Morris dancers and the country dancers from Stansted. The young people gave some excellent dancing, entering fully into the spirit of the old world ideas, gaining much applause...."
[The Stansted Morris Men would eventually be renamed Hartley Morris Men]
28 Nov 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Late Mrs Smith
Funeral at Longfield of Mrs Jane Elizabeth Smith, 75, of Essex Road. Leaves widower
Television Demonstrations at Gravesend
"Television in the home will be as universal in the future as radio sound reception is today. Everyone is anxious to see for themselves the stage it has reached today, and this opportunity has been provided by Messrs Bennett and Brown, 96a&b, Old Road West, Gravesend. They have arranged daily demonstrations from 3-4 and 9-10pm with the Marconiphone EMI television receiver, a marvellous instrument which combines normal sound reception with picture receiving equipment for both the alternative systems radiated from the BBC Station at Alexandra Palace. Messrs Bennett and Brown invite all who are interested to attend these demonstrations, which are entirely free and involve no obligation to purchase."
KM (MT) 20/2/1937 Television for £1 a week!
Bennett and Brown now offering hire purchase terms of a small deposit and £1 a week.
KM (MT) 5/12/1936 Television at Gravesend
"In a tiny darkened theatre, overlooking Stone Street, Gravesend, this week people have been seeing and hearing entertainments taking place simultaneously at Alexandra Palace. For television has come to Gravesend. I was one of those who visited the Rainbow Stores at the invitation of Mr A E Barnes, the proprietor this week, and was amazed with the quality of the reception. The artistes and speakers could be plainly seen and heard. A news film was also sent over the air, and reproduced on the tiny screen as quickly as a person can think.
There can be no doubt that television has come to stay. At the moment small white spots appear and disappear on the screen, but unceasing efforts are being made to make reception perfect. When that is achieved the possibilities are boundless. One can visualise cinemas giving television entertainments on their screens, and dispensing with celluloid films. A film shown in London, for instance, could be televised to every cinema in the country! The televisor being demonstrated at the Rainbow Stores costs 85 guineas - beyond most people's pockets - but the firm is at the moment simply bringing hom the fact that television is the thing of the future." {85 guineas in 1936 is the equivalent of over £5,000 in 2025]
29 Nov 1936 Daily News
Arthur J Pye, Consulting Hair Specialist
Whole page advert for his diagnosis and treatment for baldness. Includes letter from Mrs Rich, 7 Pondown Villas, Dartford Road, Longfield, Kent. "A mother's gratitude. I have used your wonderful hair treatment for my son's hair for 3 months and I feel very grateful. His hair had come on all over his head beautifully where before there were large bald patches. He looked quite an old man, instead of a young lad of 14 years. I am sure your treatment is a great success, and I will always be willing to recommend it to anybody. My son will also be only too pleased to do so. With the greatest of pleasure, you are welcome to use any of the letters I have written to your since using your treatment for my son's hair."
[Apparently Arthur J Pye kept a hairdressers in Blackpool until 1976, and continued to advertise his alleged remedies for baldness]
05 Dec 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Dartford Rural District Council
(1) Air Raid Precautions. Dartford RDC and Swancombe to combine as Kent area 6. Dartford Borough Council withdrew to organise their own scheme. (2) Councillor C S Bignell, Hartley, referred to the serious problem relating to unburnable rubbish in outlying parishes, where old stoves, prams and other things were scattered. If the council took up the matter, he said, it would cost a ninepenny rate, which was prohibitive. The question was referred to the Health Committee. (3) Prizes to two members of the Eynsford Rat and Sparrow Club for their catch during Rat Week, one was George Officer, bailiff, of Speedgate, Fawkham, who caught 97 rats.
Scouts' Party
"On Wednesday last the Scouts held their 9th birthday party in the village hall. There were a good number of friends present, also some of the old Scouts. The evening opened with camp fire songs, short sketches were given and a magic lantern was thoroughly enjoyed. Refreshments were also relished, especially by the children. {NAME} the Scoutmaster's 4 year old daughter, cut the birthday cake and blew the 9 candles out. The Rector, Canon W Parker, spoke with regret that Mr Hale, who had worked so hard as Scoutmaster for so long, was leaving the village. Mr Hale was presented with a cigarette case from the scouts and a picture from the Cubs. Mr Hale, expressing his gratitude, said he hoped that his 9 years work would not be wasted, and that the boys would try to take more interest than they have done."
12 Dec 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) 8.12 bus from Hartley Court not big enough, o 2 December 4 people left behind at St John's Lane. Council to suggest to LPTB that 2 buses were ncessary due to large number of schoolchildren using it. (2) Dartford RDC hope to widen St John's Lane in the near future.
Late Mrs E T McDanell
"The funeral took place at Hartley Church on Saturday of Mrs Elizabeth Tabitha McDanell, 83, of The Knoll, Church Road, Hartley, who passed away on the previous Wednesday. Mrs McDanell came from Hackney to Hartley in 1923. She lost her husband in 1928. Five sons are bereaved."
Congregational Church
Sale of work raises £116. Mr S H Ellerby said church had raised £2,000 in 10 years and they only have £130 debt to clear.
Church of England School
"An entertainment was provided on Friday of last week by the schoolchildren...." 73 children named which must have been practically the entire roll, as the school only had 59 on the roll in 1939.
Longfield Thrift Club
Paid out £482 on Tuesday which was in addition to the £97 withdrawn earlier in the year.
Longfield Wants Recreation Ground
(1) Parish Council now trying to buy land by stone quarry, and to have land safeguarded in town plan. (2) "Notice and a plan were received from the Southern Railway Company regarding the erection of a bridge etc at Fawkham Railway Station." [Parliamentary Notice appeared in paper of 5/12/36] (3) DRDC Sanitary Inspector to take steps to exterminate rats at Whitehill Road dump. (4) Precept for half year from 1 October 1936 to be general expenses £40, lighting £30.
19 Dec 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Late Mr W T Boucher
"The death occurred on Sunday of Mr William Thomas Boucher, 79, of Church Road. Mr Boucher, who had been in bad health for some time, was a member of Messrs Drake and Boucher, architects, of Rochester, and had lived in Hartley for about 16 years. He leaves a wife and 4 daughters. The funeral took place on Wednesday."
22 Dec 1936 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Girl to Broadcast her own songs
"Miss Gillian Worsley, aged 16, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Cyril Worsley, Andobon [Highfields] Manor Drive, Hartley, Longfield, is to broadcast some of her own songs at the piano in a Young Artistes' programme in the Children's Hour on January 12th at 5 o'clock. Miss Worsley obtained an audition at the BBC some weeks ago, and was later notified that her songs had greatly pleased the selectors. Miss Worsley, who has composed many songs, words and music. began her tuition under Mr Roy Chisholm LRAM of Hartley. AFter leaving Cliffe House School, Gravesend, she went to London and studied under Miss Mabel Cahell for harmony and music generally. She has passed the Associated Board's examination with distinction on four occasions in piano, and done equally as well in the singing examination she has taken under her father's tuition. Last year she gained the composition prize at the London Festival (Junior Section).
KM 16/1/37 reported on the broadcast. Said she more than justified her inclusion, and particularly liked her song 'Slumberland'.