1946 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1940-1949
04 Jan 1946 Gravesend Reporter
House for Sale at Hartley
For Sale: modern bungalow (2b, 2r,bath,kitchen,200' gdn) £950
04 Jan 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Disposal of Civil Defence Blankets
(Public Notice), Longfield PC invite applications from residents of parish most needing them to be able to buy one of the 18 at 12s each.
11 Jan 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Hartley Green - gun site not yet filled in. (2) Footpaths - suggestion to have more signposts deferred to new council. Landowner who had blocked footpath with barbed wire said they didn't realise it was one and will replace it with stile. (3) Buses. Request for direct Hartley to Dartford service. (4) WI to allocate 18 Civil Defence blankets to deserving residents. Paper of 15/2/1946 reported that 10 of the 18 had been sold. (5) Election. Cost of holding ballot to be £20. [paper of 8/3/1946 said poll to run from 12-8pm in areas with less than 2,000, otherwise 8-8. All Dartford RDC parishes except Longfield and Fawkham to replace elections by show of hands with nomination and poll.]
Late Mrs Alice Maud Caller
of 4 St George's Cottages, [18] Whitehill Road, widow of James Caller, leves 4 sons and 5 daughters.
Hay for Sale
"Three tons of baled hay for sale. Dearn, [The Elms], Station Road, Longfield."
18 Jan 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
The late Harold T Green
Of West Yoke Corner Farm, aged 49, licensee of Prince Alfred Hotel, Bayswater. "Mr Green, who was the proprietor of various hotels in London and a partner in a fleet of Thames up river steamers, died suddenly on January 6th at Twickenham. He acquired West Yoke Corner Farm 5 yearss ago...." Keen sportsman and mason. Leaves widow and 3 sons.
Coming Home
"News has been received by Mrs George Clark, licensee of the White Swan, that her husband Sgt Clark, of the Intelligence Corps, who has been in the far east for about 15 months, is coming home. Prior to joining the Army, he was sergeant of Ash platoon of the Home Guard."
Ash WI
12th birthday party at parish hall.
25 Jan 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Proposed Social Centre
"A public meeting was held on Wednesday last week to discuss the formation of a centre for evening social and recreational activities. The Rev J W Henderson was unable to be present and Miss Hazel Chisholm presided. A large number attended and a committee was appointed....."
08 Feb 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Dartford RDC oppose Meopham new town, preferring for Hartley, Longfield at Kingsdown to be developed as larger villages; (2) 423 bus to have improved peak hours service, Sunday am buses restored
15 Feb 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Church Field, Fawkham
Fawkham: building scheme for Church Field by Sir Thomas Hohler rejected by RDC, because of ample land for development at Hartley
15 Feb 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Presentation
"A presentation was made on Friday at the C of E [Longfield] schools by the scholars and staff to Mrs U Phipps, who is leaving after nearly 7 years as assistant canteen cook. The presentation took the form of a case of knives and forks."
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Footpaths, satisfactory solution reached regarding footpath on Mr Warren's land. One of the paths at Hartley Manor (2) Additional buses running.
22 Feb 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Sergeant Retires
"After 26 years in the Kent Constabulary, Sergt A Udall, who has been stationed at Longfield for over 10 years, has retired. He previously served at Deal, Sandwich and Alkham." [Paper of 8/3/1946 says his replacement is Sgt D Lynch of Dartford]
Objection to Meopham Plan
Kent County Council object to Longfield-Meopham new town, Lullingstone Airport, Electrification of the Railways. "The committee's report says that the most important objection to any site near Meopham or Longfield is that it would be too near and too conveniently situated to London, Gravesend and other urban centres to become a true satellite town instead of a predominately dormitory community."
22 Feb 1946 Kentish Express
Kent County Council
"Planning - The council had before it a detailed report from the Town and Country Planning Committee on the Prof Abercrombie plan for Greater London in so far as it affects Kent. Maj Pym said the proposals included the accommodation in the county of a number of decentralised persons and the setting up of the satelite town at Meopham. Teh committee recommeded that Kent should content 'that there would appear to be no adequate basis for an argument that 50,000 decentralised persons (40,000 allocated to Meopham and 10,000 to Ashford) and supporting industries could not be accommodated in Ashford and other existing towns equally conveniently situated in relation to London.' On Prof Abercrombie's own figures, the new town in Kent would not be justified. The proposal to establish such a town anywhere near Meopham or Longfield could not be supported. After a discussion, it was decided to propose more wharfage on the River Medway, the continuation of the electrification of the Southern Railway to the coast, and to object to the proposal to establish an airport at Lullingstone."
01 Mar 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Country Club
AGM. Director's vote won by Mr Witt (58 reelected) and Mr Boston (45 to replace Maj A V Tarnow who has resigned). "The chairman said that hard courts for tennis are envisaged in addition to the grass courts, an dthe cricket pitch is being prepared for a resumption of the game after occupation by the RAF as a balloon site..... Recently the playing field had been enlarged 5 acres by clearance."
08 Mar 1946 Gravesend Reporter
KCC Election
KCC elections: GE Leavey (ind) wins Dartford Rural E; Hartley ballot; box had to be rescued from snow drift at Kingsdown
08 Mar 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Youth Club
3rd meeting held in WI hall with first round of table tennis tournament.
15 Mar 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Percival L Harris [1900-1983], summoned by wife Mary [prob 1896-1968] of Stack Rd for desertion; (2) Longfield Young Farmers: {NAME} (chm); cttee incl Kenneth Glover
15 Mar 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Young Farmers Club
"The future programme was discussed at the annual meeting held in the Youth Centre. The secretary reported that arrangements had been made to give talks, and for members to practice judging dairy cows and fat stock, horse work, ploughing, thatching, hedging and tractor maintenance." List of officers.
18 Mar 1946 Daily Mirror
Child Missing for 20 Minutes, Found dead on Live Rail
"A child aged 2 years 8 months, John Alistair McDonald was found dead on a live raid on the Southern Railway line north of Fawkham Station, near Gravesend, Kent. John had been missing from his home at Hartley Old Rectory, Longfield, only 20 minutes." (Reporter 29.3.46 mentions inquest)
22 Mar 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Burma Pantomime
Mr K S Morgan, son of Mrs F M Morgan of Greycote, Manor Drive, who was a former leader of Hartley Boys' Club, acted as stage manager at a pantomime 'Red Riding Hood' which was given by his regiment - the 4th battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, in Burma. BEfore joining up he was at Dartford Grammar School."
29 Mar 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Annual Parish Meeting
Chairman Mr Sizmur said he would not stand again, and Mr Passmore Bishop has died. 11 candidates for 7 places. A somewhat cryptic advert above the article says "If electors vote on Monday for the candidates, up to 7, whom they personally consider best fitted to be councillors, a truly representative council will be elected."
05 Apr 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Parish Council Election
Parish Council election results: James Grieve [1882-1968] tops poll with 166 votes. Elected: J Grieve, J P Tate, W Ball, F E Todd, A E Edward, J Phillips and H T Withers. Not elected Mrs M J Gates, D T Gray, Mrs G Brain and Mrs E Willsmore.
12 Apr 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Final meeting of council [elected in 1937]. The new council has entirely new members. (2) Library. 50 new volumes granted from County Library to meet needs of Social Centre.
19 Apr 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Gardener's Death
Funeral at Longfield Church of George Shipman, 78, of 1 Valley Villas [207 Main Road]. Came from Notts and moved to Longfield 19 years ago. Was jobbing gardener and member of the British Legion.
The New Hartley
"Mr C H Webb, engineer and surveyor to Dartford RDC, told members and visitors at the Social Centre that the future of Hartley was in the hands of the rising generation. They had to visualise what kind of a village they wanted. In the planning proposals new housing would be limited to 6 to the acre. The Dartford Tunnel speed road which would run about 4 miles from the village, would provide 6 lines of traffic with entrances every 5 miles. This would influence development in Hartley to a limited extent. The land exploitation experienced after the last war would not be permitted...."
26 Apr 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Obituary of Sir Thomas Hohler
Obituary of Sir Thomas Hohler of Fawkham Manor
26 Apr 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) J Grieve elected chairman, A E Edward elected vice chairman. (2) Phone service. Several councillors unhappy with service. (3) St John's Lane. Plans for widening said to be well progressed.
Hartley Co-Operative Society
Frederick Goodwin re-elected chairman, but he said ultimately he would like Frank Tate to have the job when he was demobbed. Dividend of 1s 6d in the pound paid. Former manager W Wise doesn't want to return. Thanked for his valuable work.
10 May 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Council not to proceed with VE+1 celebrations as not much support for one. (2) Mr Todd thought there should be a fire alarm in the village and a fire engine should be stationed closer than at present. (3) Hole where gun site was on Hartley Green still not filled in, steps to be taken to retore the plates removed from the war memorial for safety early in the war.
Children to Bless You!
Favourable review of Hartley Players' performance at the Country Club, which "was well up to the standard of the company's previous shows."
17 May 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Fatal Accident at Longfield
"When cycling at Longfield with his daughter on Sunday, Mr Albert Henry Hilder, 54 of 926 Rochester Way, Sidcup, fell from his machine. His daughter, Miss May Hilder, who was riding in front, looked round and saw him lying in the road. He was taken to Dartford County Hospital suffering from head injuries and died the same evening. The accident occurred at Pescot Hill."
Longfield First Aid Post Knitting Group
(by Woodville) "I was much interested to hear of the splendid recordof the former Longfield First Aid Post Knitting Group, of which Mrs Gomer Davies was the organiser. From January 1940 to April this year, they made 3,607 garments, pairs counting as one. They raised over £363 for the purchase of wool, and contributed nearly £218 to the Red Cross. Members also invested over £5,000 in War Savings."
A Distinguished Diplomat
Funeral at Fawkham of Sir Thomas Hohler of Fawkham Manor, former ambassador to Denmark [1928-1933]. Ashes interred in family vault in churchyard. Many mourners including representative of Danish government, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, masters of the Pickwick Lodge of Freemasons and Hartley Ratepayers' Association.
24 May 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Nursing Association
26th AGM. Deficit of £58 due to purchase of gas and air apparatus for midwifery, 3rd association in North Kent to do so.
14 Jun 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
They have received a reply to their complaint about the phone service. Post Office denied there was a problem. They said conversion to an automatic exchange was planned but may take years. [It did! Longfield didn't become an automatic exchange until 1952]
05 Jul 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Claremont, Church Road
Robert R Wilson [1898-1971] cleared of building Claremont, Church Rd too big
Gorsewood Road Planning Appeal
(1) Planning appeal by LJ Griffin [1914-2000] of Maxwelton, Church Rd against Dartford RDC's refusal to allow him to build on his plot at Gorsewood Rd. Reporter 30.8.1946 reported that the appeal had been allowed
Dartford Chronicle
Paper renamed "Dartford and Crayford Chronicle"
05 Jul 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Ladders for sale
(advert) "Tubular steel extending ladders. Strength without weight. Ladder composed of 2 sections each 12ft long, 15 staves in each section. Can be extended stave by stave to 28 stave ladder. Lighter than wwood and ideal for all purposes: every joint welded and whole ladder rustproofed before being painted. Cannot warp or deteriorate, everlasting and immune to weather conditions. Apply to Steelex, Woodlands [Ash Road], Hartley, Longfield. Tel No Longfield 2174."
12 Jul 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Murder at Fawkham
Murder of Sheila Martin (11) at Stony Field Wood, Fawkham (cont'd 19/7 and 16/8)
12 Jul 1946 Kentish Express
Cycle Convoy for Children at Fawkham
"Because they fear a murderer may be prowling about Fawkham, mothers have restarted their wartime cycle convoys to protect children on their way to and from school. The convoys began originally during the flying bomb raids. They have come back again since 11 year old Sheila Martin was found strangled with a piece of her hair ribbon on Sunday. Supt Smeed, Chief of Kent CID has charge of the investigations into the murder of Sheila."
12 Jul 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Was head warden of Ash
"Head warden of Ash and Ridley from 1937 when Civil Defence was started, until the end of the war, Mr Harry Benjamin Nicholls [pictured] of High Leigh, Ash was buried at Ash on Friday following a service in teh parish church conducted by the Rector (the Rev J R Vigo) and the Rev A Wills Rector of Didcot (son in law). Mr Nicholls had lived in Ash for 12 years and was very popular in the district.
A native of Grays, he was for 40 years in the service of the Westminster Bank, being manager of St Paul's branch from 1921 to 1933 when he retired. Since coming to live at Ash, Mr Nicholls, who was known to his many friends as 'Nick' had taken the greatest interest in local affairs. He was a member of Hartley Country Club.
During hte war he was on duty every night. He rested on a camp bed beside the telephone. Mr Nicholls who leaves a widow, 2 sons and a daughter, was a freemason....." [list of mourners and flowers]
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Condolences sent to H B Nicholls of Ash who had reported on council meetings for some time. (2) LPTB refuse request to allow standing on buses. (3) Dartford RDC said rubbish collections will improve when more staff and vehicles were available.
Lord Winster Runs his Rule over Cliffe
Garry Allighan MP for Gravesend) writes about the New Towns Bill. He says there land speculation "....already to my personal knowledge, the manoeuvrings that have been going on since Meopham was mooted are most eloquent. All that remains is to await the squeals of thos who are burning their fingers. No decision has yet been taken. Apart from Meopham, sites have ben advocated at All Hallows and in the Longfield district...." He offers land speculators the following tip, that the MInister for Aviation has been seen at Cliffe, so he thinks All Hallows is a good bet for development.
19 Jul 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Land Girls' Lucky Escape
"A lorry taking 30 land girls to work on Wednesday crashed into Mrs Shepherd's General Stores at Longfield [1 Main Road] and came to a sotp near the counter. No-one was hurt, but the shop was wrecked. Mrs Shepherd's daughter told a reporter that, had the accident happened an hour later, she would have been dressing the shop window." [Also in previous day's Daily Mirror which said lorry was avoidng cyclist]
26 Jul 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Maintenance Arrears
William J Gillman [1886-1962] in arrears of maintenance for wife Evelyn [1880-1968] of Acacia Gorse Way
02 Aug 1946 Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News
Pea Picking in Kent
"Pickers, here at work near Longfield, are paid 4 shillings for a 40lb bag. A family of 8 recently earned £86 in another part of the county" (picture of the pickers at work in Longfield on Brickfield opposite approximately 225 Main Road)
02 Aug 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Rabbit show
Hartley Rabbit Club. Best adult rabbit in show won by "Miss Birkett" [possibly Mrs Birkett of 2 Ash Road was meant]. Event raised £18 which was sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
09 Aug 1946 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
John Wells Thatcher
"The death occurred on Friday of Mr John W Thatcher, aged 90, of 48 London Lane. Interment was at All Saints' Hartley Kent on Wednesday. Messrs H G Dunn & Sons were the undertakers."
[Mr Wells Thatcher was former Churchwarden and editor of the Parish Magazine]
Telephone Coins Ring a Gong
"When coins are dropped in a telephone coin box they ring a gong. There is a different gong for each type of coin. Among the many different things that fugure operators have to learn is to be able to recognise the different sounds made when a call office subscriber inserts a penny, a shilling or sixpence. Operators are trained at actual switchboards in many exchanges, but calls they receive do not come from the public but from experience teachers at a switchboard elsewhere. These teachers can send out to the trainees all kinds of calls, and they even have certain switches that will imitate to the new operator the sounds made by the dropping of different coins in a box. Was that two pennies or was it a sixpence put in the shilling slot? The coin must not only fit the slot but it must ring true to the operator. In the General Post Office, Home Counties Region, there are telephone operator schools at Guildford, Canterbury, Slough and Norwich. At other centres in the region are schools for postal workers and engineers."
16 Aug 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Boundary Commission reccomends Dartford RDC should be in Dartford Const; (2) Ronald Rich [1920-2009] of Longfield - illegally sold roller loaned by Hubert Gladish [1890-1966] of Church Rd; (3) Prize winning spaniel of Mrs Dorracott [prob 1909-1980]: "Philemon of Thatchend"
30 Aug 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Protest to Minister
"Because the Minister of Town and Country Planning has allowed an appeal against one of its decisions, the North Kent Joint Planning Committee is sending a letter of protest to him. This was agreed at a meeting of the committee at Gravesend on Monday, when it was explained that a man had been given permission to build on land at the Gorsewood Estate, Hartley, outside the area scheduled for development....... The Rev Stanley Morgan suggested that the committee should submit gracefully in the same way as members of the public were expected to do when their applications were turned down by the committee."
'Robinson Crusoe' Cottage: Reader's plea for plaque
"A plea that a plaque be ereecte on the site of an old cottage at Hartley near Gravesend [pictured] in which Daniel Defoe is reputed to have written 'Robinson Crusoe' is made in a letter from {NAME}, of 15 Hindman's Road, East Dulwich. {NAME} writes: 'Recently I spent a day in the Wrotham area and among the places visited was the small village of Hartley. I had previously read in Burrows County (RAC) Guide for Kent that a small cottage existed there in which Defoe is reputed to have written the classic Robinson Crusoe. After making enquiries on the day of my visit, eventually I found a derilict cottage. The man to whom I spoke in a nearby cottage rightly described Defoes Cottage as an eyesore, more particularly as the roof had recently fallen in. Even if there remains some doubt as to whether or not the author actually wrote his book there, I want to suggest that steps be taken for the demolition of the cottage, and that, if possible, in its place a plaque be erected suitable inscribed. Some folks may not regard a plaque as worthy of a literary pilgrimage, but I am sure that it would be preferable to seeing the cottage in its present deplorable condition."
13 Sep 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Estimate received for repair to seats at Hartley Green and St John's Lane. (2) Airey Houses. Presently likeliest site is at Merton Avenue. (3) Gorse Way. Owners willing to lop overgrown hedges. (4) Gorsewood Road. PC told it would be too expensive to build bridge over railway. (5) Manor Field. PC to ask Dartford RDC if "Gun Station Field" can be reserved as a playing field. (6) Stamp Machine to be installed at Hartley Post Office.
Southfleet Parish Council Clerk
Council appoint L U Judge as clerk. He is already clerk to Eynsford, Horton Kirby, Darenth and Hartley PCs. {Paper of 15/11/1946] reported his appointment to Farningham as well]
20 Sep 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) All Saints/Congr Ch/Social Centre fete at Hartley Manor, rain; (2) Minor Changes to timetables of 423 and 490a
20 Sep 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Their Dream Bungalow is Coming True
"A snug red tiled bungalow at Castle Hill, Hartley, near Gravesend, now well on the way to completion is to be called 'Perseverence' [now Brianne]. It is the work of a man and his wife who dreamed years ago about a little home of their own in the country and were determined that their dream should come true. Perseverence Bungalow is being built by Mr John Free, 61, a gardener and his wife who is 52.
20 years ago they moved into a small asbestos and wood cottage in Castle Lane [sic], but made up their minds that they would build a better a home. First step was to purchase a plot of land next to their cottage. At night they would sit talking about the new home they intended to erect.
Shortley before the late war broke out plans for their bungalow were drawn up and duly passed and Mr and Mrs Free started to lay the foundations. Then the war came and the work had to stop. During the war years they often looked at the foundations of the bungalow and wondered how long it would be before they could recommence the work on which their hearts were set.
Last April they restarted work. The bungalow has 3 good sized bedrooms, a large sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and scullery. The roof has just been completed. A reporter who called at the bungalow this week found Mr Free painting the exterior woodwork. He called his wife, who appeared carrying a paint brush. She was putting the first coat on a door. 'I want to move into the bungalow on New Year's Day' said Mrs Free. It's been hard work building this place, but it has been well worth it. I've had quite a busy time running up na ddown ladders carrying bricks and tiles. I nailed some of the tiles on the roof. We were determined we would have a brick bungalow and we are quite pleased with it." [article includes a picture of Mr and Mrs Free at work on the exterior of the cottage]
11 Oct 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Hartley Parish Council
Parish Council: complaints about postal service and derilict orchards
11 Oct 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Schools. Older children at Longfield School will attend either Swanscombe or Northfleet Secondary Schools from January 1947. [Paper's editorial of 22/11/46 say Longfield PC is unhappy about this, but acknowledge until new schools are built this is unavoidable] (2) Buses 10.06pm bus from Dartford to Green Street Green to be extended to Essex Road, arriving 10.36pm.
Longfield Village Hall
AGM. £110 in credit. Inventory of articles to be taken because breakages had not been replaced. Praise for caretaker Mrs Scarrett.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Airey Homes. Chairman J Grieve said Dartford RDC Architect said the proposed site at Merton Avenue was not suitable, but higher land nearby would be better. (2) Gun Field - Dartford RDC confirmed it has been scheduled as a playing field. (3) Council want polls to open later as they close too early for some people to vote.
18 Oct 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Brands Hatch
"Motor Car Racing at Brands Hatch?" (motorcycle circuit then) 15.11.46
18 Oct 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Art Exhibition
"An exhibition of the first year's work of members of the Hartley Art Circle, at the local WI Hall on Saturday, surprised and pleased the many residents who went to see it….... The Art Circle, which was formed last year, has a membership of 12, but art pieces were also contributed by friends. Miss Robertson, one of the organisers, said the members met at each others' homes once a week."
01 Nov 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Clubs
Youth Centre Whist Drive. Talk on recording at the Kent House Club. Mothers' Union outing to Rochester Cathedral. Paper of 22/11/46 mentions Home Guard Association.
Monkreed Radio Service
"Released from the service. W Brewitt, now reopening Monkreed Radio Service, Longfield Hill. Modern test equipment. Good stock of valves and spares. Accumulator charging. Postcard will give prompt attention."
15 Nov 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Airey Homes. Dartford RDC report site in Merton Avenue has been approved and now just waits sanction from the ministry. PC unhappy they have no say on who the tenants will be. (2) Elections. DRDC said poll times would be Saturday 8-8. (3) Post Collections. PC unhappy that Post Office box is cleared before the Post Office opens which inconveniences those needing registered post. PO replies people can give registered letters to their postman who had a receipt book for this.
22 Nov 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Inefficient Brakes
Walter E Busby [prob 1897-1970], Chelsham Church Rd: inefficient brakes
22 Nov 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Development of Villages
"North Kent Joint Plannign Committee is prepared to do battle with the Minister of Town and Country Planning over his ruling that rural communities should be zoned compactly so as not to giv too much room for fresh development. At a meeting on Wednesday last week, despite the opinion of regional planning officers and rural land utilisation officers that plans prepared in consultation with the local authorities concerned shoudl be redrawn the committee decided to stick to its original zoning scheme and , in the words of Cllr E W Boucher of Northfleet, 'will fight the minister if he refuses to accept it.'
Alderman the Rev S Morgan disagreed with urbanisation of villages. He said the principle would stop people going to live in the country.
News that Dartford Town Council hoped to build several hundred houses at Hartley in the future, to relieve congestion in the industrial area, was given by Alderman E T Landeryou. Mr H Anthony Mealand (Planning officer) pointed out tht as it stood on the present plan, Hartley was zoned to be about a third the size of Gravesend. He said that it was fairly certain that there would be opportunity to amend planning schemes from time to time in the light of changing conditions."
[Paper of 10/1/47 said the parish council was "perturbed" at Dartford proposal and called for local consultations first.]
06 Dec 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Dartford Rural District Council
(1) Medical officer reports increase of rats in Longfield. Mr W Wright blamed rubbish pit filled in with sweepings from the shops. (2) "Longfield Parish Council has been offered 38 acres of land for use as a recreation ground. The RDC agreed to raise no objection to its acquisition for providing a community centre in the form of a village hall, recreation Ground etc as a parish war memorial."
Amenities at Longfield
"A plan for a proposed recreation ground and memrial hall for the village is to be submtted to a committee consisting of representatives of all organisations in Longfield at a meeitng provisionally fixed for Monday December 16th..... The county valuer is to be asked to value it. It was agreed that the council should meet on the site at an early date and prepare a plan showing the layout in detail.
The clerk (Mr A Adams) reported on a public meeting of Longfield Hill residents at which it was agreed to accept the offer of an Army hut leased for a period of 3 years with the option of purchase at the end of the period, and also the offer of a site for its erection on the cricket ground at Longfield Hill. It was understood that it would be used as a village hall.
Members of the council expressed concern about a letter from the Kent Education Committee stating that it was its intention to close Longfield School at some future date and replace it with an infants' school somewhere on the New Barn estate and another elsewhere. The council proposes to lodge a strong protest against the proposal provided it has the support of the parishioners. A circular letter is to be sent to them containing questions for them to answer...."
13 Dec 1946 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Hartley Players "Charity begins...." a triumph; (2) All Saints: sale of work at WI hall raises £100; (3) Hubert W Gladdish of Stocks Farm, fined £24 for taking car; (4) Case against 15 year old girl for brawling in bus queue dismissed
13 Dec 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Charity Begins
Paper's reviewer said Hartley Players gave a "creditable" performance but that it was a poor choice of play.
Vacancy
"Hartley CE Primary School Canteen. Cook in charge wanted. Approximately 20 dinners served in school and 50 dinners conveyed to reception schools. Wages £3 2s 1d weekly all year round plus free mid-day meal during term time. The person appointed will be responsible for the suprervision, clerical work and cooking......."
20 Dec 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Theft of a Car
"A former member of Birling Parish Council and Malling Rural Council, Hubert William Gladdish, Le Stocks Farm, Church Road, Hartley, was fined a total of £24 at Dartford on Friday for stealing a car belonging to Conroy Clarence John Lewis, fraudulently allowing the registration book of a car to be used, and fraudulently using a mark for identifying the vehicle. Mr Gerald Thesiger defended and pleaded not guilty.
Mr Eric Weale, prosecuting, said Lewis gave a friend permission to use the car and this man left it with Gladdish. Lewis lost touch with the man and did not make any enquiries until he had been demobbed. Gladdish told him he had only the number plates and that children had taken away all the removable parts and damaged the car beyond repair.
In an alleged statement to the police he said the car became a wreck and wheels were stolen. He later said that he was firmly of the opinion that he had put a notice in a paper but his wife had informed him that he did not. Lewis denied that he had been 'rather hostile' throughout the business. Mr Thesiger submitted that Gladdish had every reason to believe that the car had been abandoned on his premises and was worth nothing except for a few spare parts. Gladdish said that after some soliders had borrowed his tourer car and crashed into a lorry they made up a car with parts of it and parts from teh one alleged to have been stolen. He used it for 2 months before he sold it. He did not think it was dishonest to use the car. He kept the number plates and gave them to Lewis when he came to his house in August. Mr Weale: Why did you not give to the police officer the very natural explanation you have given to the court? Gladdish: I think I did."
27 Dec 1946 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Goat for Sale
"Milking nanny, 1st kidder, over gallon milker; in kid now giving 2 pints £10. Scotgrove, Fairby Lane, Hartley. Longfield 3249."