1948 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1940-1949
03 Jan 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) All Saints: big increase in Christmas Communicants; details of festival of 9 Lessons and Carols; (2) Church Rd: fire at house due to faulty wiring
09 Jan 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Plan to Split Dartford Rural Area - a protest
Letter objecting to Boundary Commission proposals to move Hartley from Chislehurst to Orpington Constituency from local Conservative Activist, Miss E Barker of Heortlea. "…. This scheme caused widespread protests from all over the rural area, and I undertand that, at the meeting called to deal with objections, an overwhelming case was made out against it. Despite that meeting, the scheme has once more been included in the Commission's report, and I feel that a vigorous protest is called for at this deliberate flouting of public opinion and the callous indifference shown to the interests of the people concerned. A glance at the map will show the absurdity of including the greater part of the area in the Orpington Division, and anyone with the smallest knowledge of administration will realise that such a grotesquely sprawling unit is unworkable. It seems the Dartford Rural area is to be split and sacrificed in order to make up the numbers of a division with which it has no mutual interests and no transport communications, and with which it can never form a homogenious unit. I hope others will join me in venting the opinion of an area, whos voice, democratically given, has been monstrously over-ruled in our fast developing dictator state."
[The author uses very colourful language, but appears to be aware that electoral equality is very important to the Boundary Commission under their statutory rules. However it is not enough to say people don't like the proposal, they need to propose something else which meets the statutory criteria. It might also be noted that the objections to Hartley and Longfield being in Orpington could equally be applied to their current constituency of Chislehurst. Alas it is the fate of this area to always make up the numbers elsewhere, like Hartley and Ash being added to Tonbridge in 2024. Miss Barker wrote again on 2/7/1948 to complain that Hartley's MP G D Wallace of Chislehurst had voted against an amendment to keep Dartford Rural District in one constituency. Looking at Hansard this was a Conservative motion to add another seat to the area which would have made all the seats below the electoral quota.]
10 Jan 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Wedding and picture of {NAME} [b 1925] of The Gables [Ash Road]; (2) Babies Clinic - Christmas party
16 Jan 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
PC opposed to County Fire Scheme, which will involve a 9d rate. Mr Todd said country areas where fire risk is less would be subsidising towns. A E Edward said Hartley would end up paying £275 when they only averaged 1 fire a year.
23 Jan 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Lecture
"The first of a series of Oxford University Extension Lectures on 'Local Government' arranged by the Hartley Social Centre was given by Mr Edward West, in the WI Hall on Thursday, last week." [See Wikipedia Article[
30 Jan 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Fawkham Parish Council
(1) PC asks for daily bus service to village. (2) Footpaths. PC thanked by Hartley for improvements to Castle Hill - Hartley footpath. (3) Accidents caused on Valley Road by dangerous tree stumps.
'Forgotten' Village wants Daily Buses
Fawkham annoyed that Hartley, Ash and Longfield get good bus services but they have to make do with a Dartford bus every 2 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. Clerk Eileen Bignold said there were no services to Gravesend where some people want to shop and that "Fawkham Station is of very little use to Fawkham people. It is right in the parish of Longfield, and if residents want to catch a train, they generally have to get a taxi to the station." Petition was signed by almost every villager. Bus company says service won't pay.
06 Feb 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Buses. Fare from Essex Road to Dartford to fall from 8d to 7d. (2) PC opposed to Nursing Associations being taken over by KCC. (3) Clerk's salary to rise from £60 to £70.
Broccoli under Coat
"Fined 10s at Dartford on Friday for stealing cultivated broccoli to the value of 3s,{NAME}, Ash Road, was said to be unable to read and write and was 'stone deaf'. It was stated that a policeman stopped {NAME} in Ash Road. He produced the broccoli from under his coat. A man who was with {NAME} in court, said he was an industrious worker and used to get up at 4am and walk to work at Swanscombe. Sometimes he worked 16 hours a day."
13 Feb 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
Bus shelter will be built on forecourt near war memorial if parish council turn out to own it.
Off the Record
"A lorry driver, John Whitehead, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend and his employer, William Heale, The Parade, Hartley, haulage contractor, where fined 10s each at Gravesend on Friday for offences connected with the failure to maintain a log book for a lorry."
20 Feb 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
'A Nuisance to Fruit Growers'
"For 17 months Hartley Parish Council has been hammering away at the Kent Agricultural Executive Committee to persuade it to take action to deal with orchards in the parish, which, the council alleges, are derelict and a nuisance to neighbouring fruit growers. The council now has a bulky file of correspondence dealing with the matter, including letters from the Minister of Agriculture and Mr G D Wallace, MP.
Mr A E Edward (Chairman of HPC) told a reporter this week: 'The KAEC has had these orchards under consideration since 1941. The parish council called attention to them in September 1946, but no effective steps wre taken until July 1947, and not until pressure had been put upon the committee. Since that date very little has been done and again this summer neighbouring plantations will suffer as a result of pests bred on these derelict orchards.' Mr Edward added that when an inspection was made some plots were so overgrown that it was impossible to walk through. Weeds were breast high."
21 Feb 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Social Centre: film called "Iron Duke"; (2) Country Club: famous flautist John Amadio [1883-1964] performs [see Wikipedia article]; (3) Social Club Dance with Alan Argent's Dance Band
27 Feb 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Ash Parish Council
(1) War Memorial. PC now responsible for it. (2) Mr Prime requests letter box at Hartley Bottom. (3) Request that address of parish be changed from Ash, Sevenoaks to Ash Dartford. (4) Fire Hydrant to be installed in Hartley Bottom Road, and one for Hodsoll Street being considered.
28 Feb 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Wedding of Vera Rose Willis [1927-1982] of Fairby Cottages; snowy day; (2) Congregational Church: 40 attend social event in hall; (3) Social Centre: talk on South Africa
05 Mar 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
60 Years in the Brickfields - and he won't Retire
"At 71, Mr Albert Whitehead, The Cottage, [9] Kent Road, who has spent 60 years in the brick fields nad estimated that during that time he has handled 54 million bricks, has no thought of retiring. 'Bricks are badly needed for houses,' he said, 'So I'm carrying on.' His father and two brothers all worked in the brickfields.
Mr Whitehead, who is a native of Strood, was only 9 when he started work as a barrow loader in the old Longfield brickfield. His breakfasts consisted of a little brown sugar and some bread.
Following a spell on a farm, working 12 hours a day for 10d a day, he returned to the brickfield. After 10 years there he went to Horton Kirby brickfield where he has worked for nearly 50 years. 'I used to carry 8,000 bricks a day to the kiln - each one weighed 7lb - andhave dried nearly 40,000 a day,' he said. 'I was paid 3d per thousand for carrying and 2s per thousand for drying.' Two years ago Mr Whitehead gave up this heavy work. He now does barrow loading and in the winter, when the brickfield is closed, he earns a living as a gardener.
Mr Whitehead can remember when one man could lay the bricks of a house in a fortnight. 'To get more production,' he said, 'Men should be paid for the work they do, not by the hour.'
Anyone who wants to know about Longfield 60 years ago should have a chat with Albert. 'Kent Road used to be a hop garden,' he said, 'I often went picking there when I was a lad. I can remember free bread being distributed to poor people in the parish, and walking to Hartley to collect the groceries. There were hardly any shops in Longfield at that time. Another event I shall never forget was the year the Thames froze and an ox was roasted on the ice.'
In the first world war Mr Whitehead served in France in the Royal Fusiliers and Queen's Own Regiment, winning the Miltary Medal. For 60 years he has been a regular reader of the Kent Messenger.
Mr H J Southey, Mr Whitehead's employer, said of him: 'No master ever had a better man. In spite of his age he still insists on working. If there were more Albert Whiteheads there would be no trouble about production. I am proud to call him my friend as well as my employee.' ". Features picture of Mr Whitehead. [by Horton Kirby, what is meant is the brickfields at Pinden Farm, when he married in 1921 he lived at Mile End Cottages, the row just outside Longfield on the road to Green Street Green]
07 Mar 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Country Club
Arts Council Concert at Country Club: John Amadio on flute
Hartley Parish Council
Parish council: plans for local entrant to "Miss Dartford"; Reporter 7.8.48 No Hartley entrant in "Miss Dartford"
19 Mar 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Apathetic Villagers
Longfield annual parish meeting only attended by 5 parish councillors, district councillor and one member of the public. Council to spend £10 on survey and estimate of levelling 11 acres regarded as suitable site for reacreation ground.
20 Mar 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Plots for Sale
Messrs Winnett - for sale: 200' deep plots on unmade road: £2 per ft [probably Gorsewood Road]
26 Mar 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Former headmaster defends small village schools
// Thameside Education Executive recommends that "existing schools should not be maintained or new schools built where less than three teachers were required, and that pupils from areas so affected should be grouped together in a larger school." Hartley, Ash and Fawkham cited as an example. For the proposal it was argued that it would improve attainment in rural areas, and it was better to teach a class of one age and standard, than a closs of all ages and attainments. Against it was argued "barrack schools" are just to save money and involve bussing children into towns.
Ash Parish Council
(1) Complaints about handling of telegrams at Ash Post office. (2) Post box confirmed for Hartley Bottom. [Paper of 25/6/48 said box was now in place, but not in a convenient location] (3) Rooks causing damage to crops in parish.
27 Mar 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
Dances at Social Club (Bill Colemans Band) & Country club (silver star band); (2) Social Centre Play "Down on the Farm" at WI hall; (3) All Saints -Stainer's Crucifixion by Hartley & Fawkham choirs; (4) Naturalist Club - talk by League against cruel sports
03 Apr 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Hartley Players production cancelled due to illness. (2) All Saints - Church packed for Easter Sunday service
09 Apr 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Fire
"A chicken shed at St Joseph's Convent was severely damaged by fire on Thursday last week. No birds were involved."
Late John T Warren
"Farmers and friends from a wide area attended the funeral at Hartley Parish Church on Friday of John T Warren, Manor Farm, Hartley, a well known exhibitor of fine cattle and pigs, who died the previous Sunday, aged 62. He was for 30 years farm bailiff at the City of London Mental Hospital Stone [Darenth Park]....."
[Another article in paper of 2/4/1948 said he died at the Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park and had retired 2 years ago, was an agricultural show judge, member of the Kent Agricultural Committee and a JP. He was sidesman at Stone Church and a member of the Country Club]
Dartford RDC Election Result
Longfield Ward: A Adams (Con) 255; E G Grant (Lab) 177. Mr Adams is clerk to Longfield PC. Turniout 51 percent.
10 Apr 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
Marriage of Ella Reeves of Sherard [now Cob Trees], Gorse Way [Margaret Ella Reeves (1917-1996) married Lionel W Goodchild (1923-1996)]; "Comedy at Hartley" - description of WI's 3 one act plays
15 Apr 1948 Evening News
Fixed a picnic with danger
"Parents at Longfield (Kent) are warning children not to go near the rural council's dump in the village since some children were found arranging a picnic at which it was intended to eat condemned tinned food and milk dumped there."
16 Apr 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Footpaths. Barry Richards denies blocked footpath on his land is a public right of way. Council proves otherwise. (2) War Memorial. PC authorised to spend £21 on improvements. (3) Hartley Green. Territorial Association to be asked to fill in gun pit. (4) Faulty Telephone box by Hartley Co-Op.
West Kingsdown
Parish wants to change its name from Kingsdown to avoid confusion with two other Kingsdowns in Kent.
17 Apr 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Clothes for Europe Appeal
Total of 562 articles of clothing for Rev Henderson's Clothes for Europe appeal
23 Apr 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Naturalist Club (Hartley)
Mentions "society now has an up-to-date library.
24 Apr 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Wedding of Eileen Cheary [prob 1926-2013] of 2 Darenth Cottages; (2) Youth Club Dance in Social Club Hall (Alan Argent's Band)
30 Apr 1948 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Land for Sale
"For sale - Two plots land 65ft x 99 ft. 1 plot 151ft x 99ft. Approved for building. 45s per ft. Apply T Graham & Co, Fairby Lane, Hartley, Dartford, Kent." Same edition has "For sale - 15 cwt Ford Truck, 1st regd 1947, mileage under 7,000; suit builder or farmer; perfect condition; £240. Apply T Graham & Co, Fairby Lane..."
30 Apr 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Longfield and District Nursing Association
"The annual meeting was held in the Village Hall on Thursday last week. The Rev H J Henderson, of Hartley, who presided, said he was sorry that it would probably be the last annual meeting of the association as it would be coming under State control. It was decided that officers and committee remian in office until July 5th." Gift for Mrs Lancashire who retired as secretary after 26 years.
Angora Rabbits for Sale
"Fine healthy youngsters, white, good strain, from 10/-. Brain, Fernholme, [Apple Tree Cottage] Church Road, Hartley. Tel West Ash 261."
07 May 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Fire authorities say water mains enough so static water tank at Whitehill not required. (2) Meals on Wheels delay due to staff and vehicle shortages. (3) Ministry of Health approve use of 1 acre of land at Fawkham Road for Airey Houses.
08 May 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
Dr Barnados collection raises £10; United Nations Appeal £9
14 May 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Naturalist Club
// AGM at Rectory, 9 new members enrolled, membership during year was 30 children and 9 associate members.
28 May 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Southfleet Land Owner
Obituary of Edward Charles Colyer Snelling-Colyer, aged 63, of Betsham [pictured]. Mentions that before the war he was stage manager for Hartley Players.
29 May 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) NSPCC collection raises £19; (2) Mothers Union "Wave of Prayer" at All Saints 4-6pm, 5th June
04 Jun 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
For Farm Workers
"Negotiations are in progress for the purchase of about 3½ acres of land fronting on Hoselands Hill and Haverstock Drive [Wellfield], for the erection of houses for farm workers for Dartford RDC."
05 Jun 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Dartford Rural District Council
Discussions re: merger of Dartford BC and Dartford RDC
11 Jun 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Day in the Country
"A party of between 30 and 40 children from Foley Street School [Now All Souls C of E primary, Fitzrovia, W1], London, where the Rector of Longfield's daughter Miss D Broughton, teaches, spent a day in the village on Monday. They played in the Rectory grounds and had lunch at the Longfield Youth Centre."
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Damage to allotments at Whitehill Road by rabbits from railway embankment. (2) Territorial Association said it was ready to build cadets' hut on land given by PC at Whitehill. (3) PC lukewarm on Sutton at Hone's request for better representation on Dartford RDC. [Because most parishes got 1 councillor, some were ridiculously over-represented e.g. Ridley with a population of 70 got one councillor as did Horton Kirby with 2,281]
Hartley Parish Council
(1) War Memorial. Relatives of parishioners who fell in WW2 asked to send details for inclusion. (2) Seats. Problems keeping them in repair. PC has no authority to pay for seats not on their land. (3) Council Housing. Site at Hoseslands Hill sugggested. (4) Burial Ground. [Foxborough Wood] site donated by Mrs Groom not required for years and a more suitable site may become available. PC to speak to her about it. (5) Speed limits requested for all of Ash Road and Church Road
Bishop's Visit
Bishop of Rochester to confirm 17 at Hartley Church.
Three Year's Sentence
Arthur Herbert Bryer, 25 years old motor mechanic, who pleaded guilty to stealing a motor cycle at Northfleet, a motor van at Ash and breaking into a house at Hartley in November 1946, was sentenced to 3 years' penal servitude at West Kent Sessions. He asked for 17 other offences to be taken into consideration. The value of the property concerned in these was £1,762 and approximately £500 worth had been recovered."
12 Jun 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Suspected unexploded AA shell found at Southdown, Hartley Bottom; (2) All Saints - 17 confirmation candidates (see also 19.6.48); (3) Young Conservatives AGM attended by 40, chairman: MA Metcalfe [1911-2004]
02 Jul 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Sad Ending to a Picnic
"The tragic end to a picnic on waste land at Hartley, was described at the Dartford Inquest on Saturday, on 5 years old Lesley Ann Hart of Lal-Bagh [Clover Patch], Church Road, Hartley, who wandered from her mother and was electrocuted on a nearby railway line. The mother was commended by Dr C Ilderton, Homefield, Meopham, who said death was caused by an electric shock. 'It was very brave of the mother to have pulled her child from the line,' he said.
Mrs Hart, in a low voice, said she saw Lesley on the line when she looked up from erecting a tent for the picnic. 'I thought she had fainted, but she breathed very queerly and I called for help,' she said. She carried the child to a bungalow and tried artificial respiration, but breathing had stopped befor the doctor arrived. There were other children on the further side of the railway track, and Mrs Hart thought Lesley was trying to get at them. Mrs Hart said she (witness) could easily get through the fence which was 4 feet high, and contained 4 or 5 strands of wire.
Mrs Lilian Pyrke, Main Road, Longfield, who was working in a field on the side of the line furhter from the picnic party, said her little girl and 3 others wandered by the side of the line, looking as though they intended to go through the fence. She ran to stop them, and just at that thime a train came through. The children returned to the field and she noticed Mrs Hart with the child in her arms screaming for help.
Mr Edwin Frank Stringer, station master at Farningham Road and Fawkham Station, said the type of fence at the spot was used throughout the system, except where there was a level crossing. Verdict: Accidental death."
Savings Workers Honoured
Mrs F Balchin one of those honoured with 15 year badge at event at St John's Jerusalem.
Reshuffle
"Among rearrangements approved by Thameside Educational Executive on Monday were that 23 Meopham children at present attending Dover Road Primary School should be diverted to Northfleet Modern School. It has been decided that the girls to be transferred to the Swanscome Modern School from Northfleet School should be those in the 1935 and 1936 age groups residing in Ash, Fawkham, Hartley and Longfield, together with the 1937 group from those areas due for promotion to a modern school in September. Girls living in Bean, to be transferred to Swanscombe in September, will have transport arranged for them."
Bishop at Scouts' Rally
"Eleven scout troops camped together in a meadow at Longfield during the weekend to celebrate 21 years of unbroken scouting by the 1st Longfield Troop.....The Bishop of Rochester addressed over 200 Boy Scouts from North Kent at a drumhead service at Longfield on Saturday... " (picture)
03 Jul 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Children sent to Fawkham School by taxi after unsolved murder at Fawkham Green; (2) Dancing display by pupils of Miss Marjorie Shade
09 Jul 1948 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
House for Sale at Hartley
"Immediate possession; Freehold, wellbuilt house at Hartley, 45 mins from town, in grounds over 2¼ acres; 3 bedrooms, 2 receptions, study, bathroom, electricity, water, phone, 3 greenhouses, storeshed, garage-workshop etc. Price inclusive of season's crops from over 2 acres mature apple, plum trees and low fruit. £6,000. Apply owner Waters, The Greys, Lynsted, Sittingbourne. Tel Doddington 247. [The Waters lived at Kingswood, Ash Road, which is only 1 acre, but there was an orchard of similar size between that house and Ryecroft, which presumably supplies the missing acreage]
09 Jul 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
For the old Folks
"At Tuesday's meeting of Dartford RDC, the Health Committee's recommendation that provision be made in the site layout of land at Hartley for a proporition of of old people's bungalows was accepted, and is to become a general principle throughout the district." [This refers to 1-2, 13-14 Hoselands View]
Golden Wedding
"Mr and MrsJohn H[enry] Crouch of Woodville [11], Kent Road celebrated their golden wedding on Friday. They were married in Fawkham Church. Mr Crouch who is 75, has been verger at Fawkham Chrch for 21 years. He was presented with a clock in appreciation of his prompt action on October 25th 1931, when he extinguished a fire which threatened the church. Born at Ash, Mrs Crouch is 72. She has been a member of Fawkham Mothers' Union since 1907. On Friday a special service was held at Fawkham Parish Church to commemorate the occasion. An electric table lamp, the gift of past and present members of the congregation, was presented to Mr and Mrs Crouch."
16 Jul 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Hartley Green: Territorial Assocation say they have no funds to fin in gun pit. (2) PC have no objection to local girls being transferred from Northfleet Modern School to Swanscombe. (3) Gorsewood Road. PC calls for new hydrant there and that Fire Brigade should bring at least 2,000 feet of hose to Hartley fires.
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Girls from Dartford Rural District transferred from Northfleet to Swanscombe schools due to overcrowding. (2) Streetlighting increased from 50 percent to 75 per cent. (3) Council tenants. Dartford RDC tell PC even with more welfare staff, applicants for council housing were still too numerous to interview individually.
17 Jul 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
Congregational Church wedding of Mr & Mrs Harry Turley of Longfield
23 Jul 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
'State Control Breeds Communism'
Hartley Conservative Fete and Poliitical Rally at Hartley Manor. Keynote speech by Lord Lloyd with the quotation in the headline. [Hereditary peerage created by Conservatives in 1925, but he died without an heir in 1985]
24 Jul 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
Youth Club easily win local sports tournament at Wombwell Hall
30 Jul 1948 Thanet Advertiser
Fine on Nurse Who Used Title
"'The profession must be protected,' said the Mayor (Alderman W J Perkins) at Margate magistrates court last week, when a fine of £1 was imposed upon a 50 year old nurse who unlawfully used the title of State Registered Nurse. Defendant was Mrs Ada Caroline Dawe of Ash Road, Longfield, Dartford [1898-1974, actually of Maclean, Ash Road, Hartley] , and Mr J W Girling who appeared for the General Nursing Council, alleged that she obtained an appointment as a SRN as sister in charge of the sanitorium at the Royal School for Deaf and Dumb Children. When she started work there in September last year, she wore the uniform of a SRN, and also used the initials after her name. After a doctor had visited the school in March this year inquiries were made and defendant, who was questioned about her qualifications, was given permission to to to her sister's house to obtain her certificate, but had not been seen since. In a letter to the court defendant said illness had prevented her sitting for her final examination and obtaining qualification as a SRA. She needed a job at the time she obtained the appointment and admitted making a mistake."
30 Jul 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Church Fete
In Rectory Grounds, raises £120. Featured miniature railway lent by J & E Hall of Dartford. Punch and Judy and magic shows.
Modern School for Longfield
(Kent County Council) "The Rev S J W Morgan asked two questions regarding the provision of a modern school for the Longfield area. The chairman of the Education committee, Sir W Rolfe Nottidge, in reply, stated that provision was being made in the amendments to the Development Plan to move the proposed rural secondary chool from Sutton at Hone to Longfield. There it would be nearer to the probable centre of development an dthere would be less difficulty in securing agreement by the Ministry of Agriculture. A site had been selected for a rural secondary school at Longfield adjoining an existing reservation for a primary school." [Longfield Secondary School was not to open until 1963. So schoolchildren from 1948 would be old enough to have secondary age children by the time the school was built!]
31 Jul 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Rectory Fete raises £120 - details; (2) Sydney W Morris of Friezland, Gorse Way - careless driving
13 Aug 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
A Golden Day for them
"On a visit to his grandfather at Meopham late in the last century, a small boy named James Hollett met and played with little Ada Waterman, who lived nearby. Their friendship grew and in 1898 they were married at Dacre Park Chapel, Lee. Mr Hollett 78 and wife 78, who live at Suncroft [28] Kent Road, Longfield, will celebrate their golden wedding on Sunday, August 22nd. For about 20 years employed by a Bromley grocer and at one time a commercial traveller, Mr Hollett is the son of a former Cobham blacksmith. Mrs Hollett's grandfather was bailiff at Meopham Court for many years. They have a son, who is an engineer, and a daughter, a school teacher at Reading. Mr Harry Langford, best man at their wedding is 100 years old."
21 Aug 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
New Barn man fined for shooting dog of Henry J Cracknell of Gorsewood Rd
10 Sep 1948 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Whinfell, Gorsewood Road for Sale
"Hartley, 1 mile from Fawkham Station, Kent, 3 bedrooms, 2 reception, kitchen, bathroom, electric, mains water, ½ acre well cultivated ground; price £1,600. May be viewed Sunday September 12, 11am to 6pm at Hillview [Whinfell], Gorsewood Road, Hartley. Further Particulars, H S Atkins, Antique Dealers 61 High Street, Chislehurst. Imperial 3950."
10 Sep 1948 Evening News
His £3 Kick
"{NAME} aged 22 of Watchgate, Darenth, near Dartford, was fined £3 and costs at Dartford today, for kicking {NAME}, conductor of a London Transport bus, at Longfield, Kent." [Prob 1928-1979]
10 Sep 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Fire Protection. PC told 4 fire hydrants to be installed in Gorsewood Road, and brigade carry 3,000 feet of hose. (2) Bus Shelter shortly to be erected at War Memorial. (3) Hartley Green. Gun pit filled in at no cost to PC.
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Mr S F Cornford has resigned on leaving the area, Mr Shrimpton, former councillor co-opted to fill the place. (2) Main Road, speed limit extended to Longfield Hill. (3) Bus drivers at Longfield Station told to wait up to 3 minutes for the train. (4) SEEBOARD to extend mains to Whitehill Road. (5) Footpaths. Nuisance of cyclists on Hartley Road - Station Road footpath.
11 Sep 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Accident to driver with Hartley water Company; (2) Local Arts Council concerts features Canadian soprano, Ann Watt
17 Sep 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
A Hartley Grievance
"Many residents of Hartley have complainted of repeated breakdowns in the village electricity supply in recent months. Several of these have occurred while meals were being cooked. The matter was discussed at last week's meeting of the rural council."
24 Sep 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Oldest Inhabitant
Death of Ash's oldest inhabitant, Mrs Mary Ann Packman, within a fortnight her 92nd birthday. Mourners at funeral at Ash included Mr De Fraine, son-in-law.
25 Sep 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Charles Young (24) of Hill view, Hartley Bottom-injured in road accident: (2) Hartley Players to perform "Fresh Fields" by Ivor Novello
01 Oct 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
County Secondary School
"At a meeting of Thamesside Educational Executive at Gravesend on Monday, it was reported that the Kent Education Committee considered the question of a secondary school site at Longfield should be left in abeyance until more definite knowledge was availabel of housing development to take place there. Owing to the difficulty of drainage, it might be impractical to carry out the development during the next 10 years, the committee pointed out. Mr N Goff mentioned that the sanitation work there was being given top priority and already surveyors had been at work."
02 Oct 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Hartley Arts Circle: exhibition of work at WI Hall; (2) Social Club Dance (Alan Argent's Band); (3) All Saints' Harvest Festival
08 Oct 1948 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Farewell Redistribution Party
"At the Hartley Country Club last Thursday a farewell redistribution party was held by the Chislehurst Division Conservative Association to mark the loss of a number of parishes situated in the Dartford Rural Area and in the Swanscombe Urban District, to the Orpington and Gravesend Divisions respectively. Mr Edward Moore, chairman of the Chislehurst Division, welcoming Majory Twyman, chairman of the Orpington Division, and Lt-Col Wilkinson, chairman of the Gravesend Division, said that for oer 30 years the whole of the Dartford Rural District had been in the Chislehurst Division and the loss which was probably grater to them as a party than any other redistribution in the country, meant the Chislehurst Division lost 50 per cent of their income and over 2,000 enthusiastic members. Major Twyman welcomed the Dartford Rural District into the Orpington Division. Mr Moore, introducing Pat Hornsby-Smith, the prospective Conservative candidate for Chislehurst, said that probably one of hte main reasons why they in the Rural District and Swanscombe felt so sad at leaving Chislehurst and going into the Gravesend Division was because it would mean losing Miss Hornsby-Smith as their candidate. Miss Hornsby-Smith gave a resume of her experience in the Division in the past 2 years. Miss Eira Barker, the Dartford Rural Area president, made a presentation on behalf of the three Hartley branches to Miss Hornsby-Smith and a presentation was made to her by Mr F A Penwarden on behalf of the Eynsford Branch. Dancing took place and entertainmenet was provided by Cal McCord and Joyce Stoker."
[Pat Hornsby-Smith seems to have been genuinely popular amongst party workers. She could hardly have welcomed the boundary changes as it meant she had a much more marginal seat to fight and indeed she would lose it in 1966. She regained it in 1970 but then she lost out when other candidates were selected for the redrawn seats for the 1974 election].
08 Oct 1948 South London Observer
Fairby Grange
"Lack of finance has forced Bermondsey Council to hand over the Fairby Grange Convalescent Home at Hartley, Kent to a new body of trustees, but, with the help of the Ministry of Health, it is hoped that the home can still be kept for the benefit of Bermondsey people."
09 Oct 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) CJ Gadd [1893-1969] of Monksilver, Ash Road, appointed Keeper of Egyptian & Assyrian Antiquities at British Museum; (2) All Saints: choir performs Cantata "Daughter of Moab"; (3) Conservative Club farewell to Pat Hornsby-Smith (picture); (4) Compulsory purchase order for land at Haverstock Drive & Silverdale
15 Oct 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Birthday Party
"The Longfield Boy Scouts held their 21st birthday party in the Village Hall on Saturday, when 60 Scouts and Cubs sat down to a tea which included a two-tier birthday cake made by Mrs Gilliam and decorated with Scouts' badges and colours. Among those present were Scoutmaster Thompson, Assistant Scoutmaster Marshall, ADC [..]oussey and Mr Harold Hale who was scoutmaster 21 years ago....... During the evening Mr Hale gave some of his reminiscences of scouting when he was SM of Longfield Troop...."
Lucky Hartley
"Of the 20 building licences granted by Dartford RDC to private individuals, five were allotted for houses in Hartley." [There were 100 applicants]
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Electricity Company say fewer outages when new transformer in Church Road completed. (2) "Work of removing dangerously place telephone poles in Church Road will soon commence, and luminous signs will be fixed pending their arrival. (3) Bus shelter at War Memorial probably completed by winter. (4) Difficulty in getting suitable housing accommodation for a resident doctor in the parish.
16 Oct 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) 5 building licences granted for work at Hartley; (2) All Saints: many requests for repeat of Cantata
23 Oct 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
Hartley Cricketer Weds (George Hitchcock of New Barn)
29 Oct 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
'Fresh Fields' Not New, But Hartley Players Shine in 41st Production
// Hartley Players "enhanced their reputation…. Although the trio of Australians had, it seems, but recently emigrated from the Old Kent Road!"
Paper of 5/11/1948 has complaint by "ELS" about the review. Paper defends their reviewer - complainant was wrong in claiming reviewer attended first night, actually he went on the 2nd night.
01 Nov 1948 Evening News
Local News in Brief
"William Day, aged 54, labourer, of Downs View, Hartley, Kent, was killed by a motor cycle near home."
04 Nov 1948 Otago Daily Times
Food For Britain
"Final Song, Town Hall, Wednesday, November 10, 1948, Proeeds: FOOD FOR BRITAIN. Admission free, but you can reserve a seat for 1s at Begg's on Friday, November 5.
A great programme for a great cause is being arranged. Famous trio in charge - Demmy, Himmy, Alfie.
Extract from a letter: 'Bay Lodge, Hartley, Dartford, June 8, 1948. I am a widow of a New Zealander who came to fight. He hoped to return to God's Own Country, but passed away before that could happen. I received today your lovely parcel, and am truly thankful for your extremely lovingkindness to the people of England. We all think you are wonderful. Yours very sincerely, Emmeline Waite."
[People from the Commonwealth were enormously generous in sending food parcels to Britain at this time]
05 Nov 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Chain fencing too costly
"British Railways, Southern Region, have told Dartford RDC that it is not considered possible to erect chain link fencing all along the electrified railway line between Longfield and Hartley. The probable cost would be about £2,500, and it was pointed out that the case of the child electrocuted on the line at Gorsewood, which initiated the council's request for the fencing, was the only accident of the kind in recent years. Several members mentioned the fact that the land bordering on the line where the accident occurred, although private property, was often used by children, and the Executive is to be asked to consider a modified fencing scheme at reduced cost."
Longfield Parish Council
(1) KCC say they have no power to draft by-laws to stop cycling on footpaths. (2) BR say rabbits are not living on railway embankments but in scrub in nearby brickfield. (3) Street cleaning neglected as roadmen put on other jobs. (4) PC complain to police of dangerous parking on both sides of the road.
Service of Remembrance
"After the service of remembrance in the Parish Church on Sunday, the names of 9 local men who fell in the late ar, which have been inscribed on the war memorial in the churchyard, will be unveiled by Capt F B Andrus, president of the Southfleet and Longfield branch of the British Legion...."
06 Nov 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Ash Road: complaints of speeding traffic; (2) BR refusing to fence railway (see 3.7.48); (3) Lecture by Dr Geoffrey Bush on "Henry Purcell" at Amphion [Avalon], Ash Road; (4) Article by "AEE" - 'So This is Hartley'
12 Nov 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Small bus shelter completed at War Memorial. (2) Footpaths. Landowner agrees to clear overgrown footpath at Hartley Bottom. (3) Ash Road. Speed limit extended to road, but PC unhappy no-one is enforcing it. (4) Fire protection. Hartley has only 7 hydrants, the rest are washout hydrants. PC to ask county if this is OK.
Hit by Motorcycle
A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest at Dartford on Thursday on Mr William Stephen Day, 54, builder's labourer, of Downs View, [11 Ash Road], Hartley, who was struck by a motorcycle when walking home from the Black Lion, Hartley, the previous Saturday. Beresford Charles Hay, nurseryman, Longfield Avenue, New Barn, described how he was walking from the Black Lion with his wife, with Mr Day slightly behind them. When he heard the motorcycle coming he said 'mind' to his wife and called out to Mr Day to 'keep in'. Witness saw a light shining on a gate and the motorcyclist about to enter it. He had not noticed a light on the machine as it passed, but the rider ran back and when a torch was shone witness saw Mr Day on the ground.
The motorcyclist, John Basil Sharpe [1928-2009], Gipsy Road, Welling, said his light wa by a cycle lamp fitted with twin cell battery. It was adequate for the speed of the machine, which he was 'running in'. He was going about 15-20 mph and the lamp picked up a man and woman and a third person. He pulled out away from them and did not notice a 4th person who was well in the middle of the road. 'Before I was actually aware of his presence I had struck him,' witness added.
PC Senneck said the lamp showed quite a bright light in the middle of the road for 30 feet and a semi-diffused light all over the road.
Mr Day was a member of an old Longfield family. A widow, two sons and two duaghters are bereaved.." Funeral at All Saints'.
13 Nov 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Country Club - 250 attend members night (Majestic Stars from Gravesend and Silver Star Band)
20 Nov 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Bankruptcy of Robert R Burnsten-Wilson of Claremont Church Rd, trading as Beehive Building Company (see also 25.12.48); (2) Fairby Grange - concern over fate in NHS reforms
26 Nov 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
These students have ideas about clothes!
Dress parade [picture] of Gravesend School of Art and Crafts. "…... The girls did not necessarily wear clothes they had made themselves…. Mrs G Balchin [prob Gillian 1920-2021] of Harltey, exhibited an exquisite white wedding gown, set off by a head-dress of delicate lace, which had been worn by her great-grandmother on her wedding day in 1879. Another of her family heirlooms, a misty grey crinoline gown dating back to 1850 - the year when the crinoline reached ist highest glory was also shown...."
03 Dec 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Late Mr Robert Shorter
Aged 93 of Ambleside, Ash Road, buried in wife's grave at Longfield. He came to Hartley from Thornton Heath at the beginning of the war, worked in a branch of the Hudson Bay Company.
10 Dec 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Assistant Divisional Fire Officer attended. He said washouts were just as good as hydrants for the fire brigade. An engine could reach Hartley in 10 minutes and every engine carried 1,000 feet of hose. (2) Blocked footpath at Hartley Court still not cleared.
Dartford RDC Housing
1949 Housing programme is to build 170 council houses (106 by direct labour and 64 by contract) and allow 40 private houses to be built. 26 of the council houses to be in Hartley. In 1948 there were 350 houses built, under construction or approved.
11 Dec 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) Obituary of Hedley Symons of Fairby Lane; (2) Cricket Club AGM attended by Les Ames (President A Witt)
18 Dec 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) "Teas and Morning Coffees at Last" at Hartley Post Office; (2) Sermon by Rev W T Jones of CMS at All Saints; (3) Messrs Winnetts: double fronted brick built modern shop: £3,000
24 Dec 1948 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Farewell Meeting
"The committee and officers of the Nursing Association held their farewell meeting at Bramblewood. A credit balance, due ot the County Council's purchase of the association's car and its nursing equipment was reported. A cheque was given to Nurse [Winifred H] Amos, who has been in the village for 13 years and Nurse Stewart will also receive one. Nurse Weislbart, who has been with the association a short while, was presented with a handbag."
Code of Conduct for Schoolchildren on Buses
"Because of many complaints about bad behaviour of schoolchildren on buses, Thameside Educational Executive is to ask head teachers to provide in the school rules for a code of conduct for their pupils while travelling...." Mr H Goff said there had been a lot of complaints about Longfield children, but these fell when the sexes were separated on the buses. Chairman (Ald G R Croft) said drivers were entitled to stop the bus and make culprits get off and walk.
25 Dec 1948 Gravesend Reporter
Local News in Brief
(1) All Saints: 9 Lessons and Carols; readers include F Tate; (2) Convent School Concert at Country Club: list of performers; (3) Three Plays performed by WI - details; (4) Youth Club Dance (Alan Argent's Dance Band)
31 Dec 1948 South London Observer
Trade Unions Answered Call
"When Bermondsey Council decided to ask for help in running their Fairby House convalescent home in Kent, which was getting 'in the red', they first addressed their appeal to what they describe as 'large ratepayers etc' - presumable local businessmen and industrialists. They had no response. Bu the trade unions responded nobly - 10 guineas from the General and Municipal Workers, £20 from the Amalgamated Leatherworkers, and £50 from the Electrical Trades Union. And London area of the TGWU are considering making a grant of £100 every year. With the consent of the Charity Commissioners, the council are to set up an independent body of trustees to administer the Fairby Trust Fund, and run the convalescent home."