1955 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1950-1959
07 Jan 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
New Year's Honours List
CBE for Cyril Gadd - "One of the country's leading antiquarians, Mr Cyril John Gadd, Monksilver, Ash Road, Hartley, near Gravesend is keeper of the Department of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities of the British Museum, an appointment he has held since 1948. He was previously an assistant at the British Museum since 1919. Regarded as an authority on his subject, on which he has written several books, Mr Gadd has taken part in 3 major excavations in the Near East - Ur in 1923-24, Atshanah in 1946 and Nimrud in 1952. He was educated at King Edward VI school, Bath and Brasenose College, Oxford (Junior and Senior Hulme Scholar)."
14 Jan 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Election Time
Orpington by-election. Conservative candidate speaks to 50 in election meeting at Longfield Youth Centre.
Hartley Parish Rate to be doubled
Hartley Parish Council meeting. (1) Parish rate to rise from 2d to 4d, half of increase to cover cost of election. (2) War Memorial. Arrangements made to empty litter bin there. Large puddle in bus stop there reported. (3) Green Way. PC asked to suggest name for new road near school.
Footpath Rerouting
Official notice. Path from Green Street Green Road to Westwood Road to be stopped up and an alterative made. [appears to make way for chalk workings at Pinden]
28 Jan 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Road Accident Victim
"The funeral of Mr Alfred Percy Corder [pictured], aged 39, of Ashlyn, Gorsewood Road, Longfield, the Northfleet Council clerk-collector who died in Gravesend and North Kent Hospital on Monday last after his bicycle was in collision with a lorry, took place at Longfield Parish Church on Saturday....." Leaves widow and 5 children. Born Meopham, had lived in Longfield 15 years and worked for Northfleet council for 8 years.
Previous week's paper reported on accident. He was on his way to work at the junction of Watling Street and Station Road, Southfleet. He suffered a fractured skull.
04 Feb 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Prank puts villages in darkness
"Hooligans who threw wet branches of trees at electrical equipment on the pole mounted sub-station at Pinden Lane works, Longfield, on Saturday, caused a failure in supply at Longfield, Southfleet, Hartley, New Barn and Bean for periods varying up to 6 hours. The branches caused a short circuit in the 11,000 volt conductors and employees of Seeboard had great difficulty in clearing the obstructions. 'The failure started about 3pm' said [NAME], Oprington district manager of Seeboard, 'and it was about 9pm before the trouble was eventually put right. Several hundred homes in the district were affected and we are sorry that the householders were put to so much trouble and inconvenience. The matter has been reported to the police.'
The electricity failure caused a rush on candles and some shops were quickly sold out. Not many householders have an alternative supply of gas, but a number brought oil lamps into use which they keep for an emergency. Miss Marjorie Souter [1911-2002], who has a ladies' hairdressing establishment at Hartley said: 'Because of the electricity breakdown I had to cancel the appointments of several customers, Saturday is my busiest day. One customer was half-way through a perm, when the breakdown occurred. We waited to see if the current would come on again. It did after a while and I made another start, but it went off again. It was 10pm before I was able to finish the perm."
Better Walking
"The rural council is to sell a strip of land in front of new houses at Woodview Main Road to the County Council, so that a footpath may be provided." [113-143 Main Road]
11 Feb 1955 Dartford Chronicle
Road Accident
Thomas Derek Hemesley (24) [??1930-2017] fined £3 and £6 costs for careless driving at Whitehill Crossroads, Longfield, where a cyclist was knocked off their bike
11 Feb 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Rector to live in his parish
"Soon the rector of Longfield (the Rev C H Sutton) and his family will become parishioners of Longfield for the first time. Longfield Rectory has always been in the parish of Hartley, but under an arrangement of the boundaries which comes into force on April 1st, it will be included in Longfield Parish." [The Civil boundary may have moved in 1955 but to this day, the old Longfield Rectory off Pescot Hill is in the ecclesiastical parish of Hartley. See Church of England parish map]
Cooking the Sunday dinner is a problem at Longfield
Longfield Parish Council meeting. (1) "PC decided to make complaints to Seeboard about the way in which power fails between 6 and 11 o'clock in the evenings and for a about 2 to 3 hours at midday on Sundays." (2) Parking. Parking at Whitehill Crossroads and Main Road said to be a hazard.
Hartley Parish Council meeting
(1) Concerns about hazardous Gorse Way - Church Road junction which is on a bend especially if traffic increased by more building. It was suggested an alternative exit through Manor Drive might be better.
18 Feb 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Staff nurse from West Africa wins prizes
Prize day at Gravesend hospital. Prize winners included nurse Joan Burnsten Wilson for working hardest for her exams.
Geese for Sale
Three well developed White Roman Stock Ganders for sale 60/- each. Cooke, Eirene [Culvey Keys], Church Road, Hartley
25 Feb 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Obituary of Mrs Annie Mitchell Everard
Aged 63 of Greenhythe [The Birches, Ash Road], Hartley, wife of W J Everard of the Greenhithe shipowners. Born Scotland, she had been ill many years. In war she was superintendent of Women's St John Ambulance at Greenhithe. Leaves widower, son and daughter.
04 Mar 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
More suitable
"A road to be made on the new estate near Hartley Green is to be called Green Way. The developers of the estate suggested Clifton Close, but the Parish Council considered it unsuitable for the village."
Garages to go at the back
"If garages were built at the side of houses on the Wellfield estate, Hartley, the excellent appearence of the estaet would be spoiled, said Mr A R Lucas, Housing Committee Chairman, at Tuesday's meeting of Dartford RDC. The estate was the best looking one in the council's area he said. He was answering Mr L L Reeves who unsuccessfully sought to get a proposal to build 3 garages costing £200 at the back of the houses reconsidered by the Housing Committee. Some of the tenants wanted the garages at the side but had been refused, Mr Reeves said. A feature of the estate was the wall at the front of the houses, said Mr A E Edward, who represents Hartley. Breaking it up to put in garage gates would detract from the appearence of the whole estate." [presumably the garages in Larkwell Lane is meant here]
A year of progress
Country Club AGM. Small loss thanks to many repairs and alterations, but sports club, particularly cricket and hockey doing well. They hoped to extend the lounge-bar soon.
09 Mar 1955 Evening News
Boy who Threw Four Villages into Darkness
"A 15 year old Longfield, Kent, boy threw a piece of wood at an overhead electric cable and caused a short circuit which plunged four Kent villages in darkness - Longfield, Hartley, Southfleet and Betsham, it was stated at Dartford Juvenile Court today. The boy was fined £2....."
11 Mar 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Pantomime is gay and colourful
Positive review and picture of Longfield Amateur Players' production of Aladdin. Producer Emily Shade [1913-2001]. Cast all aged between 3 and 16.
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
(1) PC concerned about "alleged low architectural standard of building being permitted." They called it "repetition type building". (2) War memorial bus stop to be moved 15 yards north, to be set 2 feet off highway with proper landing site. Presently situated on muddy bank and the buses obscure view of traffic for vehicles turning from Church Road. (3) Trees being blasted on Hoselands Hill. KCC tell PC this is to bring the land in fit state for agriculture. (4) PC have got 500 signatures on petition against LCC plans for Hartley.
88 cases of embezzlement
"A former milk roundsman, Leonard George Smith, 38, of The Knoll, Church Road, Hartley, admitted 5 offences of embezzlement and asked for 83 others to be taken into account at Northfleet. He was fined a total of £25 to be paid forthwith or 28 days' imprisonment in default..... Total money involved amounted to £52 16s. At the time of the offences Smith was employed by ... Rochford Dairies, Longfield Road, Meopham, and his round covered Longfield, New Barn and Southfleet.... Smith collected money from customers, but kept it instead of paying it in. In the round book he accounted for the money by bringing it forward as an unpaid account.
In a statement to the police Smith said he was employed on the round from August 29th last year until January 19th this year. He had been ill for 2 years and during that time had acquired a lot of debts. The roundsman job in which he had to handle money, was a temptation. The offences came about in his attempts to get out of debt, he told the court. Smith was said to be a married man with 3 children. He had been earning £8 a week...." Bench said they had considered an immediate custodial sentence.
18 Mar 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
More Guide Leaders welcome
Letter from district commissioner of Darnley district said that two Guiders coming forward to start a new company at Hartley. Girls aged 11-15 who want to join should see Miss M Lack [Marjorie Clare Lack 1921-1988] at Far Ben Church Road.
[Paper of 1/4/1955 said 22 attended, so there is now a waiting list. Meetings to be in Congregational Hall on Thursday evenings]
Diplomat's Gift
"Sir Geoffrey Allchin, British minister to Luxembourg, whose home is Broomfield, Longfield, has presented a new notice board for the parish church there in memory of his parents."
25 Mar 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Constitutional Hall Limited
Public notice of voluntary liquidation, liquidator Herbert Stanley Bennett [1892-1966]. [The social club had recently bought the hall, which the club's only purpose]
New banner for Hartley and Ash Pensioners
Hartley and Ash branch OAP Association celebrated its first anniversary with tea at the Country Club. They have 37 members. Oprington Branch donated banner.
England rugby
"Sixth former Ron Prime [pictured, Ronald Clive Prime 1937-1974], who was in Gravesend Grammar School's successful seven, has been selected to play wing forward in the English Schools international trial at Northampton tomorrow...... Ron who is 17, is the first boy from Gravesend Grammar School to be selected for an international trial. He has played for Kent schools this season and was chosen for the London schools' side, but the the match was cancelled. He is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs C A Prime, Southdown, Manor Drive, Hartley...."
01 Apr 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Apathy kills Hartley Social Centre
"Apathy has killed Hartley Social Centre. The centre was founded in 1946 'to promote social, cultural and recreational activities,' and at that time there seemed a real need for it and it received enthusiastic support. Miss D M Day [Daisy Maud Day 1901-1973] undertook the work of secretary and for 9 years residents of Hartley have had the opportunity of enjoying music, films, travel and career talks, debates, quizes and many other attractions.
At the 9th annual meeting held in the WI hall at which the president, the Rev J W Henderson presided, Miss Day pointed out in her report that these programmes cost the committee a good deal of time and trouble to arange. Recently there have been imposed upon the chairman the embarrassment of introducing lecturers and entertainers to a handful of members and rows of empty chairs! This was probably due to increased facilities for entertainment, television and other interests, but the centre could not continue in such circumstances.
The vice chairman [NAME] put to the meeting a resolution from the committee that the centre should close. This was carried by a majority vot to the disappointment of many members who, while wanting to continue, were unwilling to act in any official capacity. The president paid a tribute to Miss Day, who was presented with a leather writing case and a bouquet in appreciation of her work.
The treasurer, Mr W L Gates [Walter Leslie Gates 1900-1973] reported that there was a balance of £35 in hand. On a recommendation from the committee, it was agreed that the sum be divided between other organisations in the village to include the Youth Club, Scouts, Naturalist Club, OAP Pensioners' Association and Darby and Joan Club. There was also a suggestion that Hartley Singers should benefit, but Mrs J Tate on their behalf declined, as they felt that others had greater need.
The evening ended on a happier note when the Hartley Singers with Mrs John Tate at the piano sang excerpts from The Gondoliers......."
[A possible early casualty of television. By the end of 1955 nearly a quarter of households in the UK had televisions (The valve page), and the figure in a more middle class place like Hartley would probably be higher]
Threat to Longfield Village Hall - Building is deteriorating through lack of interest
Public meeting told the hall may have to close if matters don't improve. It needs redecorating inside and out. However financial situation with balance of £30 best for years, thanks to regular film shows.
Editorial notes lack of social activities in Longfield, thinks people there prefer to go to Dartford or Gravesend. It says Longfield Hill is more go-ahead.
Taking of Birds' Eggs
"Flourishing" Hartley Naturalist Club sends 80 signature petition to Home Secretary as part of RSPB campaign to stop taking of birds' eggs.
Members of Hartley Agricultural Society are dissatisfied
Lowest ever dividend of 1d in the pound for members of Hartley Agricultural Cooperative Society. Chairman [NAME] blamed increased expenses, building repairs, replayment of loan capital and difficulties running an undercapitalised business.
British Legion AGM
They have 163 branches in Kent but three, including the Southfleet and Longfield branch, have "suspended activities".
08 Apr 1955 Kentish Express
County Council Election
Dartford Rural East result: W Simmons (Con) 2,126 (66.5%) G Mellor (Lab) 1,071 (33.5%). No change. Swing Lab > Con 5.7%
Labour hold Dartford Rural West, Dartford East, Dartford West
08 Apr 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Players' enterprise paid dividends
Picture and favourable review of 'The Heiress'
15 Apr 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
(1) KCC hope to include burning off and resurfacing Ash Road between the War Memorial and Hoselands Hill to solve surface water problem. (2) Bus Stop, the moving of the stop by the War Memorial will happen on 20 April.
New Rectory
(Longfield) "Work has begun on building the new rectory opposite the Parish Church. The existing rectory, which is about 100 years old, will be sold."
22 Apr 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Widow's fall from window
Inquest on Mrs Laura Agnes Mankelow, 76 of 5 Valley Villas, [215] Main Road, Longfield found that she took her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed. Doctor said she had anxiety and depression from giddiness and noises in the head. Son said he found her and asked her why she did it, she said it was her ear.
£4½ million school scheme for Kent
Draft 1956-57 programme includes £142,000 for a new 480 pupil school at Longfield.
29 Apr 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley School of Motoring
(Advert) "Hartley School of Motoring. Lady instructor. Moderate Terms. Pupils met by arrangement. Phone: Longfield 2174" [Number then was for Woodlands, Ash Road]
All set for flying duties
"Miss Elizabeth O'Dea [pictured, 1933-2005] of Gorsewood House [sic should be Gorsewood Farm], Hartley, has just completed 6 weeks' training for the most envied career among young women today. She has qualified as a stewardess with BEA and been posted to the Elizabethan flight."
06 May 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Community hall for Hartley?
Hartley Residents' Association AGM discussed a community hall for Hartley, suitable placing for road signs, danger to children crossing railway at Gorsewood Road crossing.
13 May 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
'New buildings are not unsightly'
(Hartley PC) "….. In reply to the parish council about the buildings, a letter from the county planning office, which came before a meeting of the council, said the plans had been approved and were not considered unsuitable, although a few departures from the original specifications had been made by the builders. The planning officer was of the opinion that the appearance of the dwellings would be improved when the road was cleared up, but this view was not shared by the PC. It decided again to express to the CC its opinion that the buildings were contrary to the characteristics of the village. It also deplored the fact that it was not consulted before the plans were passed.
At last week's meeting of Dartford RDC, Mr A E Edward of Hartley moved a resolution, which was carried, regretting the haphazard and uncontrolled development which was taking place in the Hartley-Longfield area. The resolution asked the county council to prepare a layout of the undeveloped area within the village zone, in accordance with modern planning principles, to ensure well balanced development. During the debate, Mr Edwar described the development going on in Hartley as 'glorified horse boxes.'
20 May 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Loses eye in accident
"Much sympathy is felt in Longfield for Mr A E Potter, chairman of the Parish Council, who as a result of an accident while at work on Thursday last week has lost the sight of his right eye. Mr Potter, a successful candidate in Saturday's parish council elections, is employed as a storekeeper by Dartford RDC. He was moving some material with a fork when a piece of steel suddenly hit him in the eye. Taken to Moorfields Hospital, London, he had an operation to remove the steel on Saturday. Mr Potter lives in Essex Road, Longfield. He is 61."
Tenant soon found!
"[NAME] a member of Hartley Naturalist Club, made a nesting box for a club competition and after painting it, hung it out to dry. When he went out to see if the paint was dry, he found a tit had already taken possession! [NAME] of Longfield School, the judge, had to visit [NAME] garden to inspect the box in order not to disturb the bird. He awarded [NAME] first prize."
21 May 1955 Times
General Election
Profile of Dartford Constituency for election made much closer by boundary changes. The safe Labour area of Erith and Crayford is removed, partly compensated by addition of Swanscombe. However 25,000 Conservative leaning voters have been added from the Dartford Rural District. Labour's current MP for Dartford, Norman Dodds, chose to fight the safer Erith and Crayford, so the seat is a battle between Sidney Irving (Labour) and Peter Walker (Conservative)
27 May 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
She plumped for PC 49
"What would you have if you were marooned on a desert island? This was the question asked of members of Hartley OAP Association at their weekly meeting. There was no shortage of ideas.
Mrs Marsh of Longfield plumped for 'PC 49'. Mr Dewhurst, Stocks Farm, Hartley wanted a saw, hammer and chisel, barrel of beer, a waitress and a monkey. From Mrs Meddick came these suggestions: an electric blanket, parrot, needle and cotton, leg of mutton, pair of skates and an overcoat. Practically everyone want to make sure of adequate supplies of tea, and a good many wanted the radio and TV. A Morse machine, a tine of tit-bits, a cow, canary, dog, comfortable chair and bananas were other things mentioned...."
Longfield Parish Council Meeting
Longfield FC secretary W J Atkins [prob William Jarvis Atkins 1916-1972] said club is likely to lose use of Rectory Meadow and may have to fold if no alternative ground. He said with all the building going on they need to find a ground unless something is done now. Whitehill Road ground useless for football he said. He had looked into laying out a pitch at the old dump by the KH Club but the £300 cost was more than they could afford. Rector said that Rectory Meadow had just been sold to the Kent Education Committee.
03 Jun 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Dog attacked chicken
"William Leslie Rodwell [1911-1985], Squirrels Haunt, Gorsewood Road, Hartley, was fined £5 at Dartford on Friday, for being the owner of a dog which worried poultry on agricultural land at Rossdene [Hartley Bottom Road], Hartley. He pleaded guilty. He denied a summons alleging he was the owner of a dangerous dog which was not keptunder proper control. An order was made for the dog to be kept under control. Mrs Dorothy Joyce West [prob 1922-1995], Rossdene, Hartley Bottom, said that she was in her kitchen when she heard a commotion. The chickens in an adjoining field were cackling, and when she went out she saw a dog with a chicken in its mouth. Another chicken lay on the ground adn there was a lot of fluttering. There were 3 boys in the field. She ran round the field and grabbed the dog and the hand of one of the boys. Mr Rodwell later came to the house. Two of the chickens had their breasts torn. PC [NAME] said he saw Mr Rodwell, who showed him a mongrel dog aged about 12 months. He told Mr Rodwell he had a report that the dog had killed a chicken and injured others in a field at Hartley Bottom, and Mr Rodwell said, 'Yes. It was out for a run with the boys.' Mr Rodwell told the court he did not think the dog was dangerous."
10 Jun 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Obituary of Henry Rippon Stewart Thompson
Of Bensham, Gorse way, aged 79. Retired businessman who came to live at Hartley in 1947. Belonged to Country Club Bowls section. Leaves widow, son and daughter.
Morris Dancers Active
(Hartley) "Once again the Morris Dancers are performing out of doors. On a village green already dimished in size through road widening and in view of new buildings, the Morris men brought a heart warming reminder of rural delights."
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
(1) Cement dust. Problem seems to affect north part of Hartley. (2) Footpaths. Sub-committee formed. Paths from Stocks Farm to St John's Lane, Fairby Lane to Fawkham and Hoselands Hill said to be overgrown. (3) Village sign. Not yet moved to reflect new boundary.
Temporary houses may last another 13 years
Dartford RDC say prefab houses built at the war will be around for a while. 50 "USA type" at Stone due to go in 1960-62. 50 "Uni-Seco" at South Darenth and 50 "Universal Type" at Swanley due to go in 1963-68. They plan to build 94 houses in the current year, 40 at Swanley, 30 at Stone, 12 at Sutton at Hone, 6 at Stone and 6 flats at Longfield. [2-8 Main Road, 1-7 Fawkham Road; Paper of 7/10/55 mentions 1955 housing programme revised number to 8 with estimated construction cost of £9,088]
24 Jun 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Road Signs
(Editorial) "According to experts the road signs in this country are not as good as they should be. It is said that many of them are not arresting enough and that it is about time that better signs were provided. Be this as it may, the fact is that at this time of the year a large number of road signs in the rural areas are almost completely hidden by hedges and foliage. Going through Ash, Hartley, Longfield and Stansted this week I found this only too true. Many of the signs at road junctions were obliterated. This is something that should not be allowed to happen." [It would not be until 1965 that the road signs we are familiar with today were introduced]
Attractive Modern Homes from only 41/1d weekly
Cooper Estates Advert. "Prices from £1,895 to £2,450. Deposits from only £190. Roads and paths are made." Now building - Bell Meadow, Maidstone. Coming Soon, St Katherine's Estate, Snodland, Longfield Court Estate, Longfield. Detached bungalows and semi-detached houses. [St Mary's Way, Oakwood Rise, Dene Walk]
01 Jul 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Famous shrine stands in a country lane
History of St Francis de Sales RC church. Mentions founder Miss Davies-Cooke, who originally had the idea of a van with an altar before Hartley was suggested to her. Similar to what is in Martindale's history.
08 Jul 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Sports FC
Picture of club president Mr W Sheppard presenting plaque to team captain [NAME] when team were runners up in Dartford & District League Division 1.
15 Jul 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Cooking the Sunday dinner at Longfield is a problem
Longfield Parish Council Meeting. (1) PC ask Seeboard to do something about unsatisfactory power supplies at midday and in the evenings, especially at Longfield Hill. It was said people had problems cooking Sunday dinner. Seeboard also said they don't have the resources to extend the mobile accounts collecting service from Longfield to Longfield Hill. (2) Recreation Ground. One councillor suggested acquiring the old gravel pit at the Whitehill Crossroads for one. Vice chairman said they had looked into this in the past but couldn't afford the £3-4,000 it would take to convert it to a playing field. [Subsequently it did become Longfield Community Park]
Diplomat to retire
Sir Geoffrey Allchin [pictured] of Broomfield, Longfield to retire from foreign service.
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
(1) Hoselands Hill, works nearing completion. (2) Village Hall. Residents' Assocation want them to make an application under the grant scheme, but PC thinks Hartley has enough halls. (3) RA also pointed out poor condition of handrail on steps to station path. (4) Planning. Dartford RDC say not practicable for PCs to see planning applications, HPC reply they would at least like to know about them before permission is granted.
22 Jul 1955 Dartford Chronicle
Dance disrupted
Four youths (named, 3 from Longfield, one from Ash Road, Hartley) fined £10 each plus £3 costs for disturbance at Hartley Social Club Dance. 17 year old from Essex Road took microphone and said "This is the Longfield Gang, if you want trouble you can have it." Frank James Crouch (1907-1993), club vice-president, and another were assaulted.
[KM Maidstone Telegraph 19/8/1955 mentions [NAME], 18 of Whitehill Cottage, Main Road was fined £5 wtih 3 guineas costs for this. A cross summons by him against one of the organisers was dismissed]
Obscene Language
Two youths from Essex Road fined for using obscene language at Station Road, Longfield (one was also charged with the Social Club Assault above)
29 Jul 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Something for everyone at Meopham gala
Included display by Hartley Morris Men [pictured]
Found jobs for thousands
"Miss D Catlett [1890-1979], first youth employment officer in the Gravesend area, who helped find jobs for thousands of children, retired on Tuesday after 31 years' service with the Kent Education Committee..... Miss Catlett, who lives at Hartley [Little Merrett, Ash Road], joined the KEC from the Ministry of Labour, Dartford. 'There is a much greater variety of jobs for children today that there was when I first became youth employment officer,' said Miss Catlett, 'and there are far more opportunities for young people to make headway.' At Monday's meeting of Thamesside Educational Executive it was decided to send Miss Catlett a letter of appreciation of her services and wishing her a happy retirement."
03 Aug 1955 Shields Daily Echo
Triplets
Florence Galt of Briars Way (35) (1920-1994) has triplets to add to brother and sister at West Hill Hospital.
[Grimsby Daily Telegraph of 9.8.1955 reported the sad news that two of the triplets had dled but that the third, [NAME] and his mother were doing well.]
12 Aug 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Gains honours degree
"In the recent Congregation of the University of Wales, held in the King's Hall, Aberystwyth, Mr Geoffrey G E Scudder FRES [1934-2023], 21 years old eldest son of Mr and Mrs George Scudder, 1 Eltham Cottages, Station Road, Longfield and formerly of Fawkham, received the degree of BSC with first class honours in Zoology. For his specialised course in the last year he studies entomonlogy, hleminthology and marine zoology, and at Easter visited the Freshwater Biological Association Laboratory at Windermere. During the past 3 years he has been carrying out a survey for the Nature Conservancy on the new Nature Reserve at Tregaron Bog at Cardiganshire.... At present he is working in the department of Entomology, Rothampstead Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts. In October he goes to Jesus College, Oxford, to do postgraduate research in the Hope department of Entomology, in preparation for the higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy...."
Houses for sale
"Rural Kent (yet accessible daily travel London). Longfield - 2 superior new semi-detached houses (building in process now). Lovely position. Edge of open country...... £2,540 freehold.... Sole agents. Andrews & Partners, 15 The Strand, WC2..." [63 and 65 Main Road]
13 Aug 1955 Meath Chronicle
St Francis de Sales featured
15 minute RTE radio programme about Our Lady of Hartley RC Church.
19 Aug 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Children's Dancing Classes
(Advert) "Miss Lucy Barfield (Associate of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) will hold dancing (Including ballet) classes at the WI Hall, Hartley, every Friday from Sept 9th to Dec 2nd inclusive.
Ages 5-7 at 4pm until 4.45pm; Ages 8-11 years at 5pm until 5.45pm.
Fees 3/6 for each class. 2 guineas a term.
For further information please write. Miss L Barfield, 28 Menelik Road, London NW2."
04 Sep 1955 Weekly Despatch
Oil Fire 'Will Burn for Days'
"60,000 gallons of waste peanut oil was burning itself out in a refuse pit at Brickfield Farm, Longfield, Kent, last night, while firemen kept watch. The pit suddenly flared up during Friday night and flames leapt 60 feet high. Loud bangs occurred as drums of oil exploded. At one time, six houses called Mabel Cottages, were threatened. Crowds thronged to the fire. Police had to clear roads to let traffic through. 'Tankers from London have been tipping the oil in for weeks,' said [NAME 1], a member of Longfield Parish Council. 'The fire is expected to burn for days yet. My wife [NAME 2] has been making tea for the firemen and I carry it up to them all day.'"
[KM Maidstone Telegraph 7/10/55 reported that people in Southfleet had to keep windows and doors closed and were unhappy dumping was still going on there. KM 28/10/55 - Dartford RDC vote 7-6 not to take action against owners of Cole's Farm, Main Road for nuisance. Local member said smoke is no worse than chimney now.]
09 Sep 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley childen organised and ran their own garden fete
Group of children aged 10-12 ran fete at Hartley Wood Cottage, Gorse Way. They raised £30 for Guide Dogs.
Council wants land at Hartley Court for burials
"At an inquiry at Hartley on Friday into the Parish Council's application for the compulsory purchase of about ¾ acre of land from Mr Geoffrey B Youard [1903-1987] of Hartley Court, as a burial ground, it was stated by Mr W Ball, chairman of the council, that the need for further burial space had been under discussion for the past 20 years. He said the matter had received continuous attention by the parish council since a warning was received by Dartford RDC from the rector (the Rev J W Henderson) in March 1952, tha the would have to apply for the closure of the churchyard.
The council's application was opposed by Mr Youard, who said that when he purchased Hartley Court and its 2¾ acres of land in 1952 he had planned on his retirement to develop the land extensively. The land required as a burial ground, he said, was very suitable to make into an enclosure for a pedigree herd of pigs owing to its sheltered position and easy access from the house; a point of particular advantage to himself in view of his leg disability.
Alderman G J Gully presided at the inquiry. Sitting with him were Alderman H Gooding of Gravesend and Lt-Col Newey of Orpington, a member of Kent County Council.
Mr Ball, for the PC, said the church council having declined for financial reasons to accept responsibility, the parish council had to take over the task as an urgent requirement. It considered first the land now under inquiry: but 9 other sites were considered at various meetings and found unsuitable. Among those was a site on land in Foxborough Woods donated to the parish by Mrs Groom. When this site was given to a previous council, such local feeling of apprehension was roused regarding its use as a burial ground that a Residents' Association was formed to combat the suggestion. The donor was willing for the land to be disposed of in some other way and it had been offered to Mr Youard in place of the acreage required. Mr Ball concluded his plea with the statement that the average burial rate in the parish over the last 10 years has been 8 per year. Making allowance for the increasing population, the acreage under discussion was estimated to be sufficient for at least the next 50 years, particularly in view of the possibility of a crematorium being established within reasonable distance.
Mr Youard explained that he had been interested in farming all his life and had already reared pedigree stock. He could not see his way to accepting the alternative sites mentioned. Additional objections were the loss of amenities. The burial ground extension would border on a tennis court; the nearness of the existing burial ground was often an embarrassment and this wold become more acute. Finally, on the personal side, he viewed with some misgiving the drop in value of his estate if it bordered on a burial ground. On the planning side he objected on the grounds that the acreage did not realistically provide reasonable burial space in an area which was rapidly increasing in population.
Closing the hearing Alderman Gully expressed the hope that whatever the outcome of the inquiry, good neighbourliness would not be affected."
[Paper of 7/10/1955 says Minister has called in planning application]
16 Sep 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley residents object to proposed housing scheme
"Hartley Parish Council, at its September meeting, decided to support a petition signed by nearly 60 residents protesting against a proposed building project in the Manor Drive - Gorse Way area [Springcroft]. The residents object on the principle of density, as it is suggested that 72 houses be built on 11 acres of land. This, the petition stated, conformed to street development, but was not at all consistent with rural development. The petitioners considered that detached residences should be insisted upon, similar to the bungalows and houses alrady in that area. It was agreed to forward the petition to the RDC with a covering letter endorsing the residents' remarks.
Another petition, signed by 60 residents, asked for the restoration of the bus stop below Merton Avenue. This was moved higher up the hill, as it was considered by the authorities to be in a very dangerous position. Teh council did not consider it could ask for a stop approved by the polcie to be moved, and it was decided to request the Transport Commission to erect an additional request stop near Merton Avenue......"
Hoselands Hill. No cats eyes since improvements made.
Longfield Parish Council Meeting
(1) Electricity. Seeboard say that now new substation at Nurstead Lane is on-line the problems of voltage at Longfield Hill has been solved. Councillor who lived there said he hadn't noticed, but his wiring may be faulty. (2) Whitehill Crossroads. Hedge cut back which was obscuring view for drivers approaching from Dartford.
Father's nightly 'talks' to son in Canada
Picture feature on Mr F H Hughes of Meopham, who talks to his son Peter in Canada by shortwave radio. Peter emigrated to Canada in 1951 with his wife the former Miss Evelyn Fuller of Longfield.
22 Sep 1955 Dartford Chronicle
Fare Evasion
[NAME] of Cherry Down, Hottsfield fined £2 for fare evasion. She got on at Longfield but told ticket collector at Bromley South she had come from Swanley and so was issued with a return from there. Plaform staff at Longfield asked for return excess fare when she got back to Longfield, but she would only pay a single claiming she had bought a single at Swanley when she changed trains there. Longfield staff checked and Swanley said they had not issued such a ticket.
07 Oct 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Fire Brigade was pride of village
"The really great days of Longfield Fire Brigade came after the firemen - all 10 of them - got their uniforms and brass hats which, needless to say, were kept brightly burnished. The brigade looked smart when it turned out at some parade, but before the days of the uniforms, the firemen carried out their duties in their ordinary clothes.
Longfield Fire Brigade existed for a good many years and made the village the envy of those nearby. It died some years before the last war and the only person who can talk about it from first-hand knowledge today is ex-fireman, Tommy Longhurst [pictured], 2 Fern Cottages, [20] Essex Road, Longfield, who was 76 years old on Saturday.
'The brigade was divided into two sections for strategic reasons,' he said. 'There were 5 members at Longfield Hill under the captain, Mr George Lynds, and 5 in the Essex Road area in charge of the vice-captain, Mr Fred Harris. I believe I am the only survivor of the brigade in which I served 5 or 6 years. It was an honour to belong to it and there was no shortage of recruits. We had no bright red engine to take us to a fire. Each section had a hand truck carrying a few lengths of hose and a stand pipe. We each received £1 a year as a retainer. Fortunately we were never called to any serious outbreak. Our calls were chiefly to stack fire and now and again we dealt with a chimney fire. But we turned out for practice every week, fire or no fire.'
If you want to hear something about the Longfield district of 60 or 70 years ago, Tommy Longhurst is the man to talk to. His memory is good and his ruddy weatherbeaten cheeks will break into a smile and light come into his keen blue eyes when he recalls the 'good old days'. His family has lived in the Longfield district for well over a century and he has spend all his long life there apart from 3 years in the first world war when he fought in France with the Royal Sussex Regiment and was eventually sent home with trench fever.
Born near Hartley Bottom, the son of the late Mr John Longhurst, a shepherd, who died with he was 83, Tommy has lived at 2 Fern Cottages for 52 years. He helped to build the cottages and many other houses in Longfield as well for he is a bricklayer. 'When I was young a bricklayer was paid 7d an hour,' he said, 'but rents were cheap and you could buy a pint of beer for 2d and an ounce of shag for 3d. I remember Fawkham Station when it was a small wooden building, which burned down when I was a lad. If you wanted to get out of Longfield, you had to walk to Southfleet, Fawkham or Farningham Road Stations. When I was at school I remember walking to the doctor's surgery at Sutton at Hone to get medicine when a member of my family was ill. Longfield was a tiny place when I first came to it. There was no Essex Road, Kent Road or Station Road, and we had to get our water from wells.'
For the last few years, Mr Longhurst has been working for his elder son Arthur [1904-1971], who has just disposed of his builder's business. His other son, Ernest [1911-1986], is a partner in a local building firm.
There is nothing decrepit about Tommy. He still climbs about on roofs and has never had a serious illness. Twice married, he is now a widower and lives alone. 'But I am never lonely,' he said, 'I have some good neighbours and just along the road lives Mrs Bennett, my eldest sister. Mrs Bailey, my other sister, lives in Kent Road, not far away. They pop in to keep an eye on things.'
Tommy Longhurst is a great believer in a pint of beer each day to keep you going. For nearly 60 years he has been going along to the Railway Tavern for an hour each evening to try one or two and chat with his friends. 'And if I am a little late,' he said with a chuckle,'they want to know what's happened to Tom. If I was very late, I dare say they would send a deputation to see I was alright.' No-one looking at Mr Longhurst would credit that he is now well past three score years and ten. But he is a friendly, cheerful man and his needs are few. And when one is contented the years touch one lightly."
13 Oct 1955 Evening News
Evening Students Can't Get Home
"Hartley and Longfield, Kent parish councils are protesting against the curtailment of the local bus service without adequate warning. Hartley Council was told that it was not until the day before the service was reduced that the new timetable was posted up. The curtailment of the service it was said, would cause great inconvenience to residents. Some of them attended evening classes in Gravesend and Dartford and would now be unable to get a bus home afterwards."
14 Oct 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Parish Council Meeting
(1) Brickfield Fire. Site still burning after a month. PC objects to uncontrolled dumping there, they fear it will be a breeding ground for rats and flies. (2) St Mary's Way Estate. Building work begun on 88 houses there. PC agree streetlighting scheme.
21 Oct 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Minister's axe falls on Kent School projects
New secondary school at Longfield is one of the schemes approved for the 1956-57 programme.
28 Oct 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley WI Group back with three fine plays
Review and picture of WI Drama Group's production. "The small stage in the WI hall has been enlarged, the curtains improved and with really good lighting effects the group gave a polished performance."
04 Nov 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Secondary School
(Editorial) "Brought forwad much earlier than most people had hoped for is to plan to build a secondary school for boys and girls who live in the country districts around Gravesend. It will be at Longfield, near the village centre. Work on the first stage is due to be completed within the 1956-57 Kent Education Committee programme. This instalment will be substantial - probably accommodating about half of the 600 pupils the school is intended to have eventually. Idea of this rural secondary school is for boys and girls who have started their education in the country to continue in the same atmosphere. At the same time it will reduce the strain on secondary schools in teh towns.
Children from villages such as Ash, Fawkham, Meopham, Hartley, Longfield and possibly Cobham and Shorne, as well as some of those in the Darent Valley area will go to the school. The new school at Longfield will be one of the first post war schools of its type. Before the last war, several central rural schools were built, the one at Snodland springing to mind. One of the problems of a school of this kind will be transport. It will be noted that the proposed Longfield site is near Fawkham railway station, on the line which run through several of the villages from which the children will come."
10 Nov 1955 Daily Herald
15 in a Car.. And the Dog Came too
"The police inspector gulped when he saw 52 year old Leslie Woodward driving a landrover along a Gravesend street. For there were 14 women piled in the car and a big labrador dog curled up on the bonnet. Woodward, a farmer of Longfield, Kent, yesterday told Gravesend Magistrates that the women were workers on his farm whom he was taking home after his 5 ton lorry broke down. He said he often took as many as 20 passengers in his landrover when driving on the farm. A charge of carrying an excessive number of passengers was dismissed, but Woodward was fined £5 for not being in a position to retain a full view of the road ahead."
11 Nov 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Bus Cuts: Longfield Council to call parish protest meeting
Longfield PC meeting. (1) Cole's Farm (Brickfield) Fire. PC not happy with Dartford RDC's decision to take no action. It was alleged that 150,000 gallons of waste palm oil had been dumped in the pit and it might contaminate ground water. Site still on fire. (2) Bus cuts. No substantive reply received from LT. WI had received a reply saying the services are back to what they were at the end of the war. (3) Letter Box. PC to ask for one outside Woodview, [113-133] Main Road.
Southfleet pays homage to its fallen sons
Service attended by recently revived Southfleet and Longfield British Legion branch.
Soldier gaoled
"Pleading guilty at Dartford on Monday to stealing a 100ft tape measure belonging to Mr John Pagram [prob 1925-2018] at Hartley, and being an absentee from the 4th Training Battalion RAOC Blackdown, Hants, Pte George Thomas Furlong [1935-2013], 20, was sent to prison for 6 months..... Mr Pagram was a builder at Shorne and was erecting bungalows at Gorse Way, Hartley. On October 18th, a bricklayer put the tape measure in a store shed and when he went for it later it was missing. On October 31st, Furlong surrendered himself as an absentee at Chatham police station. He was said to have 4 previous convictions."
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
(1) Buses. Police reject suggestion of bus stop at Merton Avenue. Bus cuts causing inconvience. Patients at Grafton House doctor's surgery are having to wait an hour for a bus back along Church Road. (2) Springcroft. PC object to any access via Gorse Way.
Accident on Hoselands Hill
(Picture) "This lorry turned over on Hoselands Hill, Hartley near Dartford on Monday, after a gust of wind shifted the load of wood."
18 Nov 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley's Unique Club - Naturalists' First Exhibition was full of interest
Picture feature on their exhibition at the WI Hall. Displays included fossils, skeletons, birds nests, wild flowers, leaves, bird drawings, bird tables, miniature garden, cacti, snakeskin. Rev Henderson welcomed visitors saying the club was unique. "It was formed during the war, to help, among others, children from London to understand and appreciate the wonders of nature to be found in teh countryside. He paid a tribute to Mrs Gates, who was mainly responsible for the club's inauguration and its present flourishing condition....."
Butler's fatal collapse
"There was a dinner party at Hartley Manor, Hartley near Dartford on Saturday and guests were being shown in by the butler, Mr William James Desmond. Later when an unusual noise was heard coming from the hallway, it was found that Mr Desmond had collapsed. He died shortly afterwards...." He was 45 and married to the cook at Hartley Manor. Death was due to natural causes.
Hartley Players
Picture of their latest production "Down Came a Blackbird".
[Paper of 25/11/55 has mixed review. While some performances were praised, reviewer thought action was slow, which they said was possibly due to last minute cast changes.
Burning Pit at Longfield
Dartford RDC vote again on taking action. This time it was 8-7 against. Those wanting action thought council didn't want to do this because of their own dumps. Cllr Baker said on his way to the meeting he had seen flames in the pit and people have to keep windows shut. The smell carries for half a mile. Another councillor who voted against said the owner had done what they can by dumping 64 loads of earth.
25 Nov 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Church Bazaar
Picture of Rev C H Sutton with some of the stall holders and customers.
02 Dec 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Church suppers of long ago
"Proposing the 'church and parish' at the annual supper of All Saints' Parish Church, Hartley on Friday, in the Country Club Hall, the Rector (the Rev J W Henderson) outlined the church's long history and said records showed that parish suppers were held centuries ago in a barn on Stocks Hill, which was the centre of the village.
Mr E R Collins, secretary of the church council, drew comparisons between conditions in the village today and events recorded in the church registers. In 1801 there were 24 houses nad 82 males and 69 females living in them. 90 per cent of the working population of the village were labourers. In 1831 insurances cost 7s 6d for the church, the figure today was near £20. In 1850 14 shillings was paid for half a ton of coal. Mr Collins was proposing the health of the rector......" Two pictures of the event. One has "E R Collins .... showing the Rev J W Henderson and his wife the pen he found in an old account book for 1745. It is thought to be the one that was used for recording births, marriages and deaths in teh parish and is over 200 years old...."
16 Dec 1955 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Every vote cost 4s 3d at Longfield Election
(1) At Parish Council Meeting it was questioned whether Longfield needed 3 polling stations for a parish council election which were underused and cost £41 6s 4d. Stations at Village Hall and KH Club hut are very close to each other. (2) Streetlighting. New contract with Seeboard means lights will be on until midnight all year instead of just August to May, increased cost £17 pa. (3) Cole's Farm fire still burning. (4) Post Office agree to put up post box at Woodview Cottages, Main Road in April. (5) PC not impressed with DRDC proposal to call the 16 bungalows in Main Road "Harvey Terrace".
New Longfield Rectory
"The Rev and Mrs C H Sutton and their 10 years old son, who moved into the new rectory at Longfield last week, are settling down nicely. One of the things Mr Sutton likes best about it is that it is nearly opposite the parish church. The old rectory was nearly a mile away from the church. The new building comprises 4 bedrooms and 3 reception rooms. It also has a garage. Early in the New Year the Bishop of Rochester will bless it. The old rectory, built about 1860 is a much larger dwelling and was too big for the needs of the rector and his family.... The old rectory has been taken over by Mr and Mrs P R Stevens [prob 1909-2006] formerly of Aldebaran, Nurstead Avenue, New Barn. They moved in on Thursday last week with their 3 children."
Hartley Club celebrates 21 years in present building
21st birthday party of Country Club at its present buildings. Of the 13 founder members in 1926 only Mr W J Bye is a regular members. Land for club bought in 1934 and in the war it was the headquarters of the Home Guard.
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
(1) Burial Ground. Nothing heard from the Ministry. Rector says closure of the churchyard is only months away. (2) Buses. PC told cuts in services needed for economic reasons. PC dispute claim from LT that adequate warning was given.
Hartley man twice warned by Registrar in Bankruptcy Case
Bankruptcy hearing at Rochester on William Shaw, 47, builder of Manor Drive. He had previously run Bexley Building and Welding Company at Hays Farm, Ferndell Avenue, Summerhouse Drive, Bexley but now works for another builder at Sidcup. His liabilities are £4,530 with a deficency of £2,268. He blamed the losses on garages built without planning permission. Registrar warned him about perjury when answering questions.