1960 News - Hartley-Kent: Covering Hartley, Longfield & District

01 Jan 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Old Downs Home

"In the newly decorated hall the residents sat down to Christmas dinner and drank a toast to the matron, [NAME], to whose efforts they owe many of the extra amenities enjoyed at the home.  The oldest resident, Mr I Watson, who is 95, together with the oldest lady resident, Mrs Mary Bratton, aged 90, handed the matron a present from all the 39 residents."

08 Jan 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield's 'antique' street lighting

"Improvements in street lighting in the village were discussed at Monday's meeting of Longfield Parish Council.  [NAME], a representative of the SEEBOARD told the meeting: 'the lamps you have at present are inadequate and antique.'  He said the maximum spacing for that type of lamp should be 240 feet, but from Whitehill to the Old Rectory, some lamps were 300 to 500 feet apart.  [NAME]  suggested the best solution would be to double the present number of lamps or have more powerful bulbs.  An extra 14 lamps costing £250 would make a satisfactory job, but 8 at a bare minimum would be an improvement.  These would cost £150 plus the cost of installation.  Teh council decided to leave the matte until the next meeting.

Mrs Hicks of Hicks Stores, station Road,   wrote complaining of the resiting of a bus stop outside her shop.  She said people congregated on her forecourt and left used bus tickets on the pavement.  Mr F Sims remarked that far from being a nuisance, the bus stop should be an asset to the shop.  No action was taken.

[Paper of 5/2/1960 says council decided to buy 11 new lamps and modernise 14 existing at Main Road, total cost £347.]

Late George Henry Ganden

Of Longfield.  Died aged 54 at friend's house in Gravesend after long illness.  Worked at Johnson's Cement Works, Greenhithe.  Belonged to British Legion.

His whist drives have raised £1,000 for charity

"Although he admits that the life of a sailor would never have appealed to him, Mr Arthur P Leney (pictured) [1893-1962], 53 Essex Road, Longfield, has spent many years raising funds for the King George Fund for Sailors by organising Whist Drives.  'I think the reason why I am so keen on this fund is because I had a great-uncle who was in the Royal Navy and one of my sons is serving in the Merchant Navy,' said Mr Leney.

Mr Leney's fame as an organiser of whist drives has spread far beyond the boundaries of Longfield.  It really began during the last war when the German air raids were at their worst.  Mr Leney was living at Fawkham during this period and residents of the semi-isolated village asked the parish council to arrange social treats.  Mr Leney was approached and formed a committee which started whist drives in aid of the Red Cross and St John Ambulance Brigade.  In four years these drives raised nearly £500.

Born in Brasted, near Sevenoaks, 67 years ago, Mr Leney served in The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in the First World War and came to Fawkham with his wife and two children, Trevor and Donald, after being demobilised.

The family moved to Longfield in 1945.  Ten years later the area secreatary of the King George's Fun heard about Mr Leney's prowess as an organiser of whist drives and came to ask him to run drives in aid of the fund.  He was glad to do so and so far his drives have raised £370 for the fund - the highest total raised by any Kent village.  Mr Leney has been awarded the fund's certificate of merit for his work and he and Mrs Leney are shortly to visit the newly opened home for aged seamen at Bexleyheath.

Mr Leney, who estimates he has raised £1,000 for charity through his drives, is employed at Dartford Cooperative Society's bakery, starting off for work at 5.45am each day.   He belongs to the local branch of the British Legion, and was an hon. secretary of the Hospitals' Savings Association for 10 years."

Sad Discovery

"Two workmen from a furnishing firm who called at Perivale, Church Road, Hartley, on Monday, found the occupant of the house, Mrs Jessie Robertson, aged 70, lying dead inside.  Mrs Robertson was a widow and lived alone.  Death was due to natural causes.

Director in fatal crash with lorry

"Mr Thomas Clifford Hemesley, Woodlands, Hartley near Gravesend, managing director of Messrs D Hemesley Ltd, wholesale fruit and vegetable merchants, of Covent Garden and Hartley, was fatally injured when his car was in collision with a lorry in Princes Road, Dartford.  Mr Hemesley was driving home when the accident occurred.  He was taken to West Hill Hospital, Dartford, but was dead on admission.  The lorry driver Mr H T Squibb [prob Henry Thomas Squibb 1910-1994] Bethnal Green was treated for shock.

Mr Hemesley, who was 62, had lived in Hartley for 28 years.  He started out in life as an errand boy in Liverpool.  In WW1 he served in the Royal Horse Artillery....."  He leaves a widow, 2 sons and a daughter.  Funeral at All Saints.

[Report of inquest in paper of 22/1/1960]  "A verdict of accidental death was returned at an inquest at Crayford.....His death said [NAME], pathologist, was due to a fractured skull.... Driver of the lorry.... said he pulled out slightly to overtake a car which also pulled out, so he took his foot off the accelerator to drop back. The next thing was that his lorry was spinning and although he tried to regain control he turned completely round....."

Ecumenical Assembly

"….and Terry Coulson [1936-?2007], Hartley Green Cottage, Hartley, near Gravesend will represent the Rochester diocese at an Ecumenical Youth Assembly at Lausanne from July 13th - 24th.  The meetings will be attended by delegates from over 20 countries, including 320 from Britain."

Tender for Big Scheme

"A tender of £143,974 for the construction of a drainage scheme for Hartley, Longfield and New Barn has been approved by Dartford Rural Council, subject to the approval of the Housing Ministry."

15 Jan 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield British Legion

Picture of members and guests at annual dinner in Longfield Village Hall.

Bit of Old Gravesend

Picture of Moore's Chemist Shop in New Road which is to be demolished to make way for an extension to Marks and Spencer

22 Jan 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Playways Party

Longfield Playways held 5th annual party in village hall.  Club is open for children between 7 and 11, and meets 6-7.30pm in Longfield Village Hall on Fridays.

29 Jan 1960 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)

Hartley Parish Council reject apartheid boycott

"Dartford Rural Council's resolution calling for a boycott of South African goods came in for severe criticism at Hartley Parish Council Meeting.  Instead of agreeing to the rural council's request to support the boycott, the council, on the proposition of the chairman, Mr William Ball, decided to dissociate itself from 'an unwarranted attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of another country.'  Mr Ball said he had first hand knowledge of local sentiment in South Africa, and thought that whatever individual opinions of South African policy might be, a proposal to express a protest by a local council in this country was most ill advised.  Mr A E Edward, vice chairman, protested strongly against members of local authorities using council meetings to disseminate political propaganda and said that such a proceeding was undignified and brought local government into disrepute.  Endorsing this view, Mr J Grieve said the parish council's reply should make it plain that Hartley would not agree to such a request.  Other members of the council spoke in similar terms.

With regard to the proposed playing field, the clerk reported that an objection to the council's proposal to purchase land in Stack Lane for this purpose had been received from the owners stating that the land was required for educational purposes.  The council agreed not to press its proposal, but to ask the County Council to find an alternative site.

With regard to the coordination of bus and train services at Fawkham, as London Transport had stated that no further alteration in bus services could be contemplated, it was decided to support negotiations now being undertaken by Ash Parish Council in this connection.  There will be no change in polling districts and stations in Hartley.  It was decided to raise a rate of 1d in the pound on both general and burial accounts, which together were estimated to produce £244."

Maidstone Telegraph 5/2/60 also reported that Longfield Parish Council attacked the boycott proposal for similar reasons.

[It is worth noting that just over a month after the parish councils had decided not to criticise South Africa, 69 black people who were protesting against apartheid were gunned down and killed by police at Sharpeville, a township where black people were being forcibly relocated to from Vereeniging.]

29 Jan 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Late Mrs Rosetta Sims

of 33 Main Road, Longfield, the proprietress of Sims Garage, aged 70.  Native of Northfleet, had lived in Longfield since 1911.  Leaves 4 sons and 1 daughter.

Fatal Collapse

Thomas William Drake, 74, of Burnt Ash, Gorsewood Road, collapsed and died in the road near his home.

Longfield British Legion

Picture of party they threw at Longfield Village Hall for boys from the Farningham Boys' home.

05 Feb 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Late Mr Horace ("Jack") Smith

of 54 Kent Road, Longfield, died at Joyce Green Hospital, aged 52.  Formerly foreman at Plaster Products, Greenhithe.  Leaves widow and 2 sons.

Laurels Poultry Farm

(advert) Day old pullets £12 for 100.  Cockerels £3 - Hart, Laurels Poultry Farm, Manor Drive, Hartley.  Longfield 2233.

Ready for the Show

Picture of [NAME] aed 5 grooming her Great Dane Imperial of Ashthorpe before it competes at Crufts.  [it won special beginners class]

12 Feb 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Players' newcomer makes impressive debut

Mixed review for "The Secret Tent".  Some actors praised, but they did note one did not know their lines.

[Paper of 5/2/1960 has a picture of the play]

19 Feb 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Trepily Orange Pippin

Picture of wire dachshund puppy and its 3 year old owner [NAME] of Bramblefield Wood, Longfield.

26 Feb 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley WI Birthday Party

Picture of founder member Mrs D Webb, cutting the cake.

04 Mar 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley playing field site not easy to find

Parish Council meeting.  (1) Council to ask if land for playing field available by proposed school site.  (2) Council unhappy with proposed Swanley Swimming Pool claiming people from this part of the district wouldn't use it.  (3) Post Office having trouble finding a phone box site in Church Road, PC suggest Hartley Court Green

For Refugees

Hartley is halfway to its £150 target for World Refugee Year, organisations contributing - WI (£38), All Saints' Church (£20), Scouts (£7 10s), Hartley & Ash OAP Club (£5 5s), plus other individual fundraising and donations.  Coordinator Doreen Wickham.  [Paper of 27/5/1960 said they had now raised £200 with £110 coming from WI]

Telephone Personality Girl Contest

Picture of [NAME] runner up from Gravesend exchange, of 82 Main Road, Longfield.

Young Composer

"Miss Lucy Barfield [pictured, 1935-2003], who lives with her parents at Westfield, Church Road, Hartley near Dartford, a teacher of dancing and pianoforte, has launched out as a composer.  Her first work is a Sinfonietta in 3 movements - allegro, moderato and presto.  The work which takes about 20 minutes to perform, has been commended by Mr Leonard Blake [1907-1989], Director of Music at Malvern College, and an Associated Board examiner.  He has promised Miss Barfield that as soon as she had completed the score, he will arrange for the piece to be played bythe Malvern College Orchestra.  Miss Barfield, aged 24, who was trained as a ballet dancer said 'I have completed one or two small ieces for the piano, but not for orchestral instruments.  I just felt like it.'  She is awaiting her final examinations for her LRAM."

11 Mar 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

New Church Hall

Hartley PCC meeting.  Rochester Diocese to give a substantial sum towards new church hall, so PCC decided they could build "a higher standard than the average type of hall".  This year's fete proceeds to go to World Refugee Year Fund.  Fete committee asked to make it more of a village than just church event.  [Paper of 10/6/1960 reported that 17 village organisations were now involved with the fete.]

Longfield Parish Council

(1) Council wants car park to relieve congestion in Station Road.  They thought minister would make Longfield a no-stopping zone if they saw it on Saturday mornings.  (2) Buses, some retimed to give people more time to buy tickets and catch trains.  (3) Longfield Tip - complaints about smoke and smell.

18 Mar 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Social Club

AGM.  Membership up from 146 to 184.  £261 spent on improvements.  Financially the position was sound.

Obituary of Wilfred Warren

Died aged 69 in London Hospital.  Came to Hartley as manager of Hartley Manor Farm 14 years ago, before then he was manager of Stone House Farm, Dartford.  Had won awards at Smithfield and other shows.  Leaves widow.

Longfield' new rector has filled many parts

"The Rev Reginald Bavington [pictured], rector of Milton next Gravesend since October 1954, has accepted the offer of the Lord Chancellor, patron of the living, to become Rector of Longfield.  He will succeed the Rev C H Sutton who leaves  the parish at the end of this month to take up the post of chaplain to the deaf and dumb in South East London.

A cheery bluff man of 59, Mr Bavington is a former factory worker, plumber, Army chaplain, missionary in one of the remotest parts of the world, and industrial chaplain.  After learning the plumbing trade he sarted his own business bu then felt the call of Church and the mission field.  After 3 years in a missionary training college he went to Central Asia as a lay missionary.  For 21 years he worked in the remote mountainous regions around the borders of Tibet and Afganistan, where he met a Swiss lady who became his wife.  They were married in Kashmir.  They lived for many years in a hut of mud brick in a place 20 miles from civilisation.  Mr Bavington was the first man to bring cement and glass to the area and also introduced the first bicycle.  For 8 years, Mr Bavington, ordained in 1937, was chaplain to British troops in teh North West Frontier province, now part of Pakistan, and in 1947 he accepted an emergency commission with the Royal Army Chaplain's Dept and was sent to Palestine.  Two years later he came to Croydon, where, for 5 years until he was offered the living at Milton, he worked as an industrial chaplain.

Mr and Mrs Bavington's elser son, [NAME], is soon leaving to be a medical missionary at Peshawar, Pakistan, where he was born.  His twin sister [NAME] who went to New Zealand as a nurse, is now married with a child.  [NAME] their 3rd child is assistant matron at a grammar school for children of missionaries at Swansea, and [NAME] their other son is at Loughborough College, working for his diploma in civil engineering.  He hopes to become an engineer missionary in Pakistan.  'I do not know when I shall be instituted to Longfield', said Mr Bavington, 'but both my wife and I feel we shall be very happy there.' "

25 Mar 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Pressing Need

"A meeting of members of all religious denominations in Hartley was held in the Congregational Church…..the most pressing need was to persuade more teenagers to take an interest in the Christian way of life."  It was suggested they concentrate more on spirit of Christianity and less on ritual."

Conservatory used as hairdresser's salon

"The west Kent Local Valuation Panel at White Oak, Swanley, confirmed the Valuation Officer's proposals that the assessment in respect of Kirkham, Church Road, Hartley, be increased from £55 gross value, £44 rateable value to £100/69.... The [Valuation Officer] said Kirkham, a pleasant detached house, situated in the best part of Hartley, was entered as a private dwelling under the 1953 Act.  There was a 100ft frontage and on one side of hte house was a garage. On the other side was a conservatory.  He said there had been improvements and alterations to the conservatory, which now formed a hairdresser's salon.  On two visits to Kirkham, one by himself and the other by his assistant, the garage was found to be housing items of machinery other than for domestic use.

After exhibiting photographs of the premises, [NAME] denied there was any sign at any time outside the house to indicate a hairdresser's business.  He said [owner] was concerned about his daughter, a qualified hairdresser, travelling home from business, and hit on the idea of turning the conservatory into a ladies' hairdresser's salon.  'It is a pin money job to keep [NAME] at home.  Her customers are friends and relations.  She does not depend on ordinary business,' he added.  [NAME] said there were 2 basins, but no cubicle.  He considered that the conservatoy being converted into a hairdresser'ssalon lessened the value of [NAME] property.  'To increase the assessment by double is unreasonable and unfair,' he added.

Replying, the Valuation Officer said: 'Whether it is to carry on this business for friends and relations, or for the whole community is irrelevant.' "

01 Apr 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Country Club AGM

Club has 432 members, tennis courts relaid with tarmacadam and should last 30 years.

Hartley Parish Council meeting

(1) Hoselands Hill Railway Bridge.  Currently a danger point for pedestrians, especially at rush hours.  KCC suggest a subway on the east side, but some councillors thought the station side would be better.  (2) Mains Drainage.  Hartley/Longfield scheme begun, reckoned to last 18 months.

Golden Wedding

Picture of Mr and Mrs Mark Webb of Ryecroft, Ash Road, Hartley, who celebrated their golden wedding on Monday.

08 Apr 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Parish Council Meeting

"At Monday's meeting a letter from the county surveyor regarding proposals for a bridge and subway on the Hartley Road, said he thought a footpath on the east side should be constructed to link up with the footpath to Hoselands Hill.  Dr P Read moved the council should ask if it was still propsoed to consturct the subway and if the continuation of the footpath from Oakwood Rise to Hoselands Hill woudl have to wait until the new bridge was built.  This was agreed...."

Hartley Women Conservatives

Picture of dinner at the Country Club.

15 Apr 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

He built Longfield miniature railway

"Mr Arthur Lunn, who was the envy of nearly every boy in the land because he had a complete miniature railway system in the garden at his home Littleholme, The Drive, Longfield, has died.

He had more than 350 feet of permanent way with stations, signals, watertanks and tunnels on which to operate his fleet of a dozen locomotives and scores of trucks and carriages.  And every bit of the 'Longfield Miniature Railway' he made himself, mainly from scrap materials, in his workshop.  Children loved to be invited into his garden to see the trains running, and now and again Mr LUnn would allow his wonderful hobby to be on public display to aid charities.

A Londoner, Mr Lunn became an engineer and was works manager of a firm making vinegar when he retired in 1938.  All his life he had been interested in model trains, indeed since the days of the Boer War when, a little boy, he was given an armoured train to play with.  On his retirement and coming to live in Longfield, he set about his hobby in earnest.  In his workshop he made the rails, the 19,000 'chairs' on which to base the track and the detailed models to run on them.  His locomotives were about a foot long and the other trucks and carriages were to scale.  The passenger carriages wer fitted with electric lights and the dining cars had little tables and chairs.  There were 56 levers in the signal box he made and 93 levers in the control box.

What will happen to the splendid model railway?  'We do not know yet,' his son told a reporter.  'But we ar hoping that someone will be able to take it over complete and that it will not have to be broken up.'  Mr Lunn, who was 70, leaves a widow, a son and a daughter.  He was sidesman at the parish church and often judged at the village school sports.  Cremation took place at Eltham."

Hartley Women's Institute

They have adopted a refugee family in Germany.  They had a speaker from KCC Planning Department on development in NW Kent.  He "referred to the Hartley - Longfield district as a problem area.  In the recent past KCC had not adopted a LCC proposal for a housing estate near Hartley.  The population in Hartley had increased during the last 8 years from less than 1,000 to nearly 3,000 and future development would depend to a large extent on the installation of main drainage."

Here and There in North Kent

"Work will start shortly on the building of a church hall at Hartley.  While reluctant to say exactly how much it will cost as the project is going out to tender, the Rector, the Rev R A Williams, in the current parish magazine says that the parish will have to find £500 more than the Church Council envisaged a year ago.  Such news would have come as a tremendous blow to many parishes and possibly even to Hartley a few years ago.  But Hartley, one of the pioneers of Christian Stewardship campaigning which is transforming church finances up and down the country, does not worry quite so much about the cash box as it used to.  Elsewhere in the magazine the rector mentions that there will be at least £1,800 of people's money to be used in God's service next year and that some 100 families at least will be contributing from £5 to £100 each towards the total.".

29 Apr 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Move for playing field at Hartley

Parish Council meeting.  (1) PC to apply to compulsory purchase 1½ acres of land near Larksfield for a children's playing field.  Cllr Edward thought not many would use it but it would "silence criticism of the council."  Scouts asked if they could have a headquarters there too.  (2) Black Lion to Church footpath.  PC reported horse riders to county council.  (3) Clerk to get estimates of costs of trees and shrubs for boundary of burial ground.

Early start on Hartley Church Hall

All Saints' APCM.  They hope work can begin on the church hall in the summer.  Church attendance up and electoral roll up from 194 to 231.

06 May 1960 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)

Obituary of David Patullo

"A well known agriculturalist and businessman, Mr David Langlands Patullo, aged 81, has died at his home at Wrotham.

Born at Forfar, Scotland, he was the son of the late John Patullo, who farmed as tenant on, and later owned, a farm on the Glamis Estate.

At the age of 17, Mr Patullo left his post in a solicitor's office and came to Kent to work under the late David Langlands at Wested Farm, Swanley.  With the outbreak of the Boer War he enlisted in the West Kent Yeomanry to serve in the campaign in South Africa, and after the war he returned to farming at Sutton and subsequently at Hartley, Chelsfield and Farnborough.  Apart from farming generally, Mr Patullo's main study was the production and distribution of Scotch seed potatoes, upon which he was an authority, and shortly after his marriage in 1910 to Miss Jessie Henderson he joing the late Mr C W Higgs to found the now well known agricultural firm of Patullo Higgs & Co Ltd of Hayes.  This company later took over the interests of the Sevenoaks Cattle Market, which is now run by Messrs Patullo & Vinson Ltd, of which Mr Patullo was the chairma of directors.  His other business interests were in Dundee, and for many years he had been a member of the Farmers' Club in London.

Apart from his work as a farmer, Mr Patullo enjoyed an afternoon out with his sporting gun, and in addition to hunting, has ridden at point to point meetings throughout the district.

He leaves a widow, son and daughter in law, daughter and son in law, and 8 grandchildren.  The funeral service was held at Wrotham, followed by cremation at Charing."

06 May 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Station Renamed

Longfield PC agree with the proposal to rename the station as "Fawkham and Longfield".  Chairman said it should have been done a long time ago.

For Refugees

"A meeting of representatives of various organisations in Hartley was held to discuss plans for the summer fete to be held in the Rectory garden on Saturday, July 2nd.  Those attending included representatives of the British Legion, Youth Club, Cubs and Scouts, Naturalist Club, Darby & Joan Club, Mothers' Union, Women's Institute, Congregational Church and the Roman Catholic Church.  The programme will include a flower show, Judo demonsration, country dancing by pupils of Hartley Primary school and a Whist Drive.  The proceeds will be devoted entirely to World Refugee Year."

Auction Results

Sale by Porter Putt & Fletcher at Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel Dartford included: freehold land at Church Road (£900); Cherry Orchard Farm Cottage, Church Road (£3,700).

13 May 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Late Mr Frederick Stephen Longhurst

Of 26 Essex Road, aged 65.  Employed by British Railways for 41 years, he lived most of his life in Longfield.  Wounded during WW1.  Leaves widow and daughter.

Sub-postmaster bereaved

Obituary of Mrs Gladys Rivington Hampson, aged 56, who helped run Longfield Post Office.  Also a member of the local Conservatives and British Legion.  A native of Manchester, she had lived here for 12 years.  Leaves widower and 3 children.

Anniversary

25th anniversary of Congregational Guild attended by other Women's guilds in Kent.  Congregational Church beautifully decorated with flowers.  [paper of 6/5/1960 includes a picture]

20 May 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Election Results

Dartford Rural.  Longfield FTC Sims (Cons) 420; W M Baker (Lab) 203.  No change to council Cons 11, Lab 9.

Three lively convicts made show

Favourable review of "My Three Angels" by Hartley Players, their 66th production. [Paper of 13/5/1960 has picture of cast]

27 May 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

School Thefts

"A record player, a pen and 10s were stolen from the infants' classroom at the [Longfield] Primary School

Mr F Goodwin [pictured] has served 50 years on parish council

"It was a happy day for the quiet little village of West Ash near Gravesend, when Mr Jabez Goodwin, in the hay and corn trade at Meopham, decided to move there with his wife and 6 children.  His eldest son Frederick, now 71, is affectionally regarded as the 'father' of the village, in which he has lived since the age of 6 years.

Mr Goodwin was 21 when he was elected to the parish council and has just completed 50 years on that body.  To celebrate this grand record he has been appointed chairman.  'At West Ash we believe in this honour going round,' said Mr Goodwin, 'and although I have held the office on several occasions, I was not due to be chairman this year.  But the vice-chairman kindly offered to wait another year so that I could take over.'

Mr Goodwin went to Ash village school, where there ws one master for 100 children.  When Mr Goodwin was 13 he helped with the teaching, in an unofficial capacity of course.  He is a manager of the school and is also a manager of the Longfield and Fawkham schools.

When he left school, Mr Goodwin went into his father's business and after his marriage at Ash Baptist Church in 1917, he took oever Janes Farm at Stansted for 5 years.  It was in the early 1920s that he went into his father's hay and corn business in partnership with his f4 brothers.  In 1930 he left the business and bought the 70 acre farm at Whitehouse, West Ash, which he still carries on.  For some years he also had a corn business.

In 1938 he wsa elected as West Ash representative on Dartford RDC and served on the council for 21 years.  For 7 years he was the member for Dartford Rural East on Kent county Council.  He resigned for business reasons.  Mr Goodwin was a member of the Thamesside Divisioal Education Executive from its inception after the last war until lsat year and has been a member of the Kent River Board for many years.  He is a founder member of the West Ash Village Hall comittee on which he still serves.  The hall was built 50 years ago.

In 1914 he joined Kent Special Constabulary and was head special constable for the village until a few years ago.  During the last war he was chairman of the the rural Council's Civil Defence Committee.  As a young many he played cricket for Ash and Stansted, being captain of both teams.  Now he beongs to Hartley Country Club's Bowls section.

Mrs Goodwin, a native of Netherfield near Battle, Sussex, has been a member of the West Ash WI for more than 30 years and is a member of the women's bowls section of Hartley Country Club.  They have 2 sons and 5 grandchildren.  Mr and Mrs Goodwin recently moved into a new bungalow close to their old home at Whitehouse, where they lived for 38 years.  'West Ash has not changed greatly since my boyhood days,' said Mr Goodwin, 'but naturally the population has grown a bit.  But I have seen some progress,' he added with a chuckle.  'When I first came to live here there was a carrier's van which took people into the towns to shop twice a week.  Now we have buses.'  West Ash folk have every reason to be proud of Mr Goodwin, who has devoted his life to the welfare of the village and its inhabitants."

Longfield PTA May Fair

Paper has picture of coconut shy and goldfish stalls

Water works

(Public Notice) "Medway Water Board.  Fawkham Scheme.  Main laying contracts.  Tenders are invited for the following main laying contracts:

Contract No 139 - 15 in diameter water main, Fawkham Pumping Station to Nurstead Reservoirs.  The work consists of laying at Longfield and Northfleet, Kent of approximately 3,800 yards of 15in diameter spun iron water main with Tyton flexible joints, together with ancillary work.

Contract 142 - 18in diameter water main, Meopham Pumping Station to Singlewell...."

Bowls

"To mark the official opening of the new 6 rink green, Hartley Country Club invited the executive of the Kent County Bowling Association to play them in a six rink game.  The county men found the green very much to their liking and won quite comfortably....."

St Francis de Sales Garden Fete

Pictures from fete.

03 Jun 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Stole from store

"Mrs Mabel Frances Gibbons [1887-1969], 73 of The Drive, Longfield, who was fined £10 at Dartford on Monday for stealing a tin of corned beef and a jar of Bovril from Longfield Self Service Store, pleaded not guilty.  She said, 'I get so confused shopping.'  Mrs Gibbons said she had no intention of stealing, but thought the articles were in the wire basket provided by the store.  Proprietor of the store, Mr R M Steavenson [prob 1933-1990], Station Road, Longfield, said Mrs Gibbons took some provisions - a tin of corned beef and a jar of Bovril - but he could not see where she put them.  When he checked out the items in her wire basket the two articles were not there.  He took her to the rear of the store and found them in her bag.  Then Mrs Gibbons broke down and said she had never done anything like it before."  [From the account it seems this is a case of forgetfulness which would be treated more sympathetically today.  Remember too that self service was quite a new concept then and did confuse customers.]

Hartley objects to station's new name

Parish council claim there is a covenant meaning it must be called Fawkham.  Cllr Metcalfe said though it made a lot more sense to call it Longfield.

Report of PC meeting in paper of 1/7/1960 said that after hearing of Longfield PC's displeasure at their objection, their objection now was lack of mention of Hartley in name.

Church Creche

"Mothers with small children who find it difficult to worship at Hartley Congregational Church on Sunday mornings will be able to bring their childen with them.  A creche, staffed by ladies of the church is bieng started and the children will be well looked after while their mothers attend the service...."

Subway safer than footpath

Hartley Parish Council Meeting.  (1) Railway Bridge.  Chairman continued to urge for subway on station side, extending the footpath up the hill to meet the Rectory Meadow footpath.  (2) County Council say they can do nothing about horse riders on Black Lion - Church footpath until gaps at each side of the gate in Ash Road were filled in.  (3) Recreation Ground - more land now available taking it to 2½ acres.  Youth club enquired as to whether organised games would be allowed there.

Rehearsing for the summer fetes

Picture of Lucy Barfield's School of Dancing at Hartley.

10 Jun 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Bishop installs new rector to Longfield

"The Rev Reginald Bavington…. Has been added to the long list of rectors of Longfield, near Gravesend.  At a reception in the village hall after his institution by the Bishop of Tonbridge, the bishop said of him, 'he is a good man.  Treat him well and I am sure he will treat you well.'

The little church of St Mary Magdalene dating back to the 12th century, was so crowded for the service that although extra chairs were brought in, several people had to stand...... 'You are about to start a new chapter in the life of your ancient parish,' said the bishop, 'You can thank God for all this church has meant to the people of Longfield throughout the centuries that have passed.  As you go forward into the future it is not sufficient that you should rest upon the traditions of the past.  What is needed is to move forward in the spirit of light, life and love. You need someone who will lead you and give you a real vision of the future.  I ask you to move forward as a united congregation.  Your responsibility is to work with your new recotr to turn this parish upside down, bringing to men and women the experience of Eternal Life and to help them to see the purpose of life...."

Article includes picture of local clergy.

His feat of strength amazed villagers

"A much loved Meopham personality who seemed to bring the tough but breezy pioneering spirit with him from Canada when he returned to North Kent 10 years ago, Mr Ralph Cleghorn Bensted of Horns Oak, Harvel, who had died aged 92, was buried at Meopham yesterday.

When well past his 90th birthday, Mr Bensted walked daily from his farmhouse home to the George Inn, Meopham for a glass of beer - a round trip of 4 miles.  On Sundays he regularly walked the same distance to go the parish church where he worshipped.

Born in the next parish at Longfield Court Farm, Longfield, his family also farming at Hartley, Mr Bensted went to Canada in 1889 to begin half a century of farming in Manitoba.  His early days were most rigorous.  He was given 160 acres of land by the government.  There was no shelter of any kind, and he spent the first days chopping down trees to build a log cabin.  Soon other friendly folk already settled in the area heard he had arrived and travelled miles to give him a hand.  Eventually he was able to double the size of his holding in Canada but those tough but comradely days had left their mark on him.

He was never ill - not so much as a cold - and when in England, although in his eighties, scorned the wearing of an overcoat.  Villagers were amazed when he carried a 28 pound sack of seed potatoes on his back the two miles to the George Inn - a feat which would have daunted a man half his age who knew the steep hill on the way.  In 1954 the Bensteds had a serious setback when their farmhouse was gutted by fire, the two brothers having narrow escapes from death.  A new house was later built on the site."

[Ralph Bensted was the grandson of William Bensted, who lived many years at Hartley Court; his father Henry lived for a while at Hartley House.]

Golden day for Kent clubmen's ex-president

"A former president of the Kent branch of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union and president of Hartley Social Club, Hartley, near Gravesend, for the past 5 years, Mr D T R Gray and his wife of Brumbleigh, Church Road, Harltey, have just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  Both are in their 76th years.

Mr and Mrs Gray came to Hartley in 1921 and for 9 years Mrs Gray was the village postmistress.  Mr Gray was a founder member of Hartley Social Club and helped to found the Kent Branch of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union's women's convalescent home at Whitstable 5 years ago.  Keenly interested in soccer as a young man, he was assistant secretary of Bromley FC when they won the Amateur Cup for the first time.  He joined the Territorial Army in 1910 and servedwith the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in India and France during the first world war.  He was in the colour party when King Edward VII presented colours to his regiment in 1910.  At one time Mr Gray kept wicket for Hartley CC.  He sings in the choir of the parish church.  Mr and Mrs Gray have a son and daughter and 4 grandchilden, all living at Hartley."

17 Jun 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Birthday Honours List - OBE

"Donald McKenzie, principal scientific officer, Armament Research and Development Establishment, War Office (Dartford).  A Scot, Mr McKenzie graduated at Glasgow University, where he gained his BSc and from 1924-28 did research work in the Belgian Congo.  He joined the Civil Service in 1928.  Mr McKenzie, who is married and has a son, has lived at [Whitehaven, Stack Lane], Hartley for 22 years."

[Paper of 11/11/1960 reports on his investiture at Buckingham Palace]

17 Jun 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

It's New

"The faster members of the newly formed Longvalley Cycling Club went to Wisley in Surrey, while the other travelled to High Beech in Epping Forest.  This Sunday the road burners leave the Railway Tavern Longfield at 8.30am for Hastings and the pathfinders for Scotney Castle at 9.30am from the Railway Tavern.  Anyone interested in joining this club should contact [NAME], The Retreat Stores, Main Road, Longfield."

Kindly Thought

"Customers of the Railway Tavern financed a coach outing to Herne Bay for 12 boys from Joyce Green Hospital, Dartford, who are suffering from a muscular disease.  At Herne Bay lunch and tea was provided for them by members of the WVS."

Publican-Angler is building his own boat

"Mr George White, landlord of the Railway Tavern, Longfield and Mr Leslie Dew [1919-2018], St Mary's Way, Longfield [pictured] are spending much of their spare time converting a 25 foot ex-naval launch for angling trips.  Mr White is a keen angler and is often fishing off Dover where he has made some notable catches......"

'Invisible' man opens fete

Over 300 attend New Barn Scouts fete at Longfield Primary School [pictured]

01 Jul 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Dog wins a refrigerator

5th annual fete of Longfield and Southfleet British Legion at Rectory Meadow, Longfield.  Raffle winning ticket was in the name of someone's dog [picture of pillow fight]

Lightning strikes houses at Hartley

"Houses were struck by lightning in two places a mile and a half apart at Hartley, near Dartford, during a storm. No one was hurt but people in the houses had unpleasant experiences.  A blinding flash damaged adjoining bungalows, 14 and 16 Greenway, where insultators were flung from a telegraph pole into the gardens at the front.  A television aerial was wrenched from the chimney and tiles blown off.  The outside of a casement window was burned, cracks appeared in internal walls, electric power points were blown out of walls, and fuses and television sets were burnt out.   Most of the interior damage was done to No. 14.  Fortunately, [NAME] who lives there and her two children, were in the front room next door.  [NAME] of No 16 in the kitchen at the time, said the room suddenly became like a vacuum and she felt a kind of blow in the back.

A chimney was damaged and tiles blown off when lightning struck a pair of semi-detached bungalows, Erclei and Newbury in Ash Road.  Inside damage was confined to blown fuses.  At Newbury, [NAME] and their 14 year old son [NAME] were slightly shaken, but Mrs Baldock [Alice Baldock 1907-1995], in the kitchen next door, although startled by the lightning and thunder, did not realise the bungalow was struck at the time."

08 Jul 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Fete was a triumph of village unity

"The fete held in the garden of Hartley Rectory which raised over £150 for World Refugee Year funds, besides being the biggest social event in the village for many years was also a triumph of parish unity.  No fewer than 17 organisations, including three churches, All Saints' Parish Church, The RC Church of St Francis de Sales and the Congregational Church worked together.

The fete, of which Mr John Fry was the presiding organiser, was opened y Lady Tallents of Sutton at Hone, who was thanked by the Rector, the Rev R A Williams.  Nearly 500 people enjoyed the entertainment provided, which included country dancing by children of the villae primary school.... and a display of judo by members of Bowaters' Sports Club...."

Also Flower show mentioned.  Article includes pictures of children around wigwams, and the judo display.

Inquiry told of Green Belt plans

"Reference was made at a local enquiry at White Oak, Swanley, on Tuesday to proposals to extend the Metropolitan Green Belt, and it transpired that such an extension, if approved by the Minister, would take in the whole of Hartley and beyond in a south-westerly direction towards Tonbridge.

[NAME] of Santons, Watling Street, Gravesend, was appealing against Dartford RDC's refusal to permit residential development of land at Rectory Meadow, Hoselands Hill, Hartley.  He was represented by [NAME] of Prall and Prall, Dartford, who said the land was shallow with a chalk sub-soil and was not suitable for agricultural operations.  In reply to the Inspector... [NAME] said his client proposed to build 40 houses on the appeal site, which comprised 6 acres.

[NAME] agreed with [NAME] of T G Baynes & Sons, Dartford, representing Dr H C Calvey [1909-1993] and 20 other local residents, that looking down on the site provided an excellent view against the woods in an attractive stretch of country.

Mr J H Millburn, clerk to DRDC said the council refused permission to develop on the grounds that it was intended that the existing use of the land should remain for the most part undisturbed.  It was felt that the proposed development would be likely to cause inconvenience and danger to traffic, and that the site lay within an area considered by the Medway Water Board to be within the gathering ground of the underground water supply from which water for public consumption was drawn and futher development might increase pollution danger."

Mental Health Week

(Advert)Open day at Stone House, Mabledon and Darenth Park Hospitals.  423 bus from Longfield goes to Mabledon and Darenth Park.

Crops suffer through drainage operations

Longfield PC complain to Dartford RDC about the state the mains drainage contractors have left the allotments in.  Land has been trampled down by machinery, and trench filled with stones and no top soil.

Situations Vacant

(Advert) "Good Cowman required - Fulford, New House Farm, Hartley, Dartford."

15 Jul 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Christian Stewardship

Progress report at All Saints' Hartley - attendance up, more people on electoral roll and £1,600 raised by direct giving.

BEA Stewardess

Picture feature of [NAME] of The Poplars, Church Road, Hartley, Longfield who has completed 6 weeks training to become an air stewardess with BEA.

Crusaders

"Members of the Church Army crusade visited Hartley and were welcomed by hte Rector... and church members.  The Crusaders spent the afternoon in house to house visiting and holding meetings for women and young people, finishing the day with an evening mission service in the church."

29 Jul 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Junior Youth Club

"Hartley youngsters of 11-15 years of age now look forward to their weekly evenings at the new Junior Youth Club which meets at the Social Club Hall every Tuesday.  Recently reconstituted under the presidency of the Rector (the Rev R A Williams) and the industrious leadership of [NAME]. .... Present membership is 52....." Activities planned are a coach trip to Margate, dancing instruction, fishing.

Peter, the python, was fete attraction

Longfield Church Fete opened by wife of George Cansdale, the "zoo-man" of Blue Peter TV programme [pictures]

05 Aug 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Main Drainage Problems

Hartley Parish Council Meeting.  (1) Station to be renamed Longfield (for Fawkham and Hartley) but Hartley are still pressing for it to remain as Fawkham.  (2) PC suggest the roads on the Cherry Orchard estate be called "Cherry Trees" but if the RDC want a separate name for the cul-de-sac then "Cherry Close" for that.  (3) Mains drainage week behind schedule.  PC unhappy that in neighbouring authorities houses are connected free of charge, in Dartford RDC they will have to pay.  They think Church Road will have disruption for 3 years.

Many attractions at Hartley Fete

Hartley and Fawkham Conservative fete at Country Club raised £80 for them.  Article includes 2 photos.

Church taxi service of old folk

"Hartley, near Gravesend, Church Council, is to run for a trial period of a month a taxi service on Sunday mornings to take old people to and from church.  The cost will be borne by the church council.  This was decided at a meeting of the council when a report of the Christian Stewardship revisitation programme stated that 10 lay members of the church were visiting 75 families, most of whom are new residents in Hartley.  The treasurer, Mr F F Tate [1905-1997], in submitting his report for the half year, said the financial position was reasonably satisfactory and provided nothing unforeseen occurred there should be a credit balance at the end of the year.

The rector (Rev R A Williams) announced that the group of teenagers known as 'All Saints' Sinners' had been disbanded and was reconstituted as the Hartley Junior Youth Club with himself as president and [NAME] as organiser."

12 Aug 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Bridegroom's Big Drink

"Mr Arthur Gear [1933-1992], 14 Essex Road, Longfield, who is serving in the Royal Navy, was married quietly at his parish church, but at the reception at the Railway Tavern in the village, he caused wonderment by drinking a quart of beer without drawing a breath.  In the picture Mr Gear is pouring out his big drink from a four-gallon bottle, the quart tankard being held by Railway Tavern landlord Mr George White...."

Longfield - new lock up shop

(Advert) "Longfield.  New lockup shop.  14 years lease with option, rent £2 10s per week rising to £2 15s only, consisting of greengrocery, general store, frozen foods, ice cream, sweets, cigarettes, cafe at rear, car park at rear, bring in to shop one third of takings, flourescent lighting, show cases etc, automatic till, building up area, profit approximately £20 [probably per week based on other business adverts].  £1,500 to clear.  Owner moving away."

[probably 55 Station Road]

Road and Sea

"Mr and Mrs [NAME], of Windycote, Gresham Avenue, Hartley near Gravesend, and their two children, [NAME] are leaving England at the end of the month for Australia.

Their departure will be slightly different from that of many families who seek a taste of life on the other side of the world.  They will go across the English Channel on the vehicle ferry, for they plan to start their journey with a fortnight's camping holiday in Europe, going by road to Naples.  There they will take their car with them on board the liner Oronsay for the voyage to Adelaide.

[NAME], an engineer, who has been teaching at the College of Advance Technology at Battersea, is taking up a similar appointment at Adelaide University.

The [NAME] have lived in Hartley for 7 years during which time Mrs [NAME] has played a full part in village social life, being particularly identified with the Thursday club."

26 Aug 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Spare Wheel Goes

"Mr Victor Bearman [1923-1978], haulage contractor, Gorsewood Road, Harltey left his new Ford 7 ton lorry in a yard at Longfield.  When he went for it later he found the spare wheel and tyre valued together at £60 had been stolen."

Southfleet show bigger than ever

Picture feature includes picture of hot dog stall run by Longfield and Hartley Scouts.

MP Acts to get road improved

"The work of laying mains drainage pipes in Church Road, Hartley, between thw war memorial and Gorsewood Road has roused a good deal of criticism from residents in the area.  They have complained not only about the slow progress of the work, but also about the state in which the road was left.

Work scheduled to be completed in 4 weeks wasstill unfinished after 6 weeks, and some elderly residents were practically marooned in their homes.  Others who had to go out had to wade through pools of water and over heaps of slippery chalk and clay.

Complaints about the state of the road was made to Mr Sydney Irving MP for Dartford, by a number of people living in the district, among them Mr D T Gray of Brumleigh.  Mr Irving paid a visit of inspection and agreed that the complaints were justified.  As a result of action he took the condition of the road where the pipes are being laid has been improved."

02 Sep 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

India his goal

Picture feature on [NAME], aged 17 who will be going to SOAS, London University to study Hindi.  His aim is to write about India.

08 Sep 1960 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)

Dream Home

"Although he no longer lives at Fawkham Manor in North Kent, Mr R J Billings, who has a substantial interest in the building industry, as well as farming, hopes to be living in the parish again before the year is out.

He is building himself a country house in Pennis Lane, Fawkham.  While having the last word in modern amenities, the new residence will look like a mellow Kent farmhouse to blend with the unspoilt surroundings.  Kentish ragstone is being used for the walls and the elevation will have old peg tiles.  There will be 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a servants' wing.  Farm buildings and 2 cottages are also being built.  It is typical of Mr Billings' thoroughness that, in the latter, he has made provision for a downstairs bedroom in each one.  'So often one finds agriculture workers care for an elderly relative and it will be a useful amenity,' he tells me.

The reason Mr Billings, as it were, is building a new farming centre at Fawkham is that, although he parted with Fawkham Manor and the 254 acres immediately around it over a year ago, he still retains some 800 acres of farmland from the original estate.  To compensate for the loss of acreage through the sale, he has bought 169 acres of arable land at Darenth not far away.  He has also acquired 230 acres at Brenchley.  Since Mr Billings sold the Manor at Fawkham and the land around it, they have come on the market again and will shortly be under the auctioneer's hammer.  Mr Billings is living at Wrotham Hill Park, Fairseat, while his new house is being built."

09 Sep 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Obituary of Alfred George O'Hara

aged 70 of 1 Thames View, [Church Road], Hartley.  "Had for some years worked for a local engineerin firmand spent his spare time inventing various garden devices.  He was an associate of the Institute of Patentees and Inventors and had intended to exhibit his latest invention, a plantoid distributor at the DIY exhibition at Olympia."  Leave widow and daughter.

State of Main drainage work angers council

Longfield Parish Council Meeting.  (1) Members say Dartford RDC have mishandled mains drainage work.  Allotments said to be "shocking sight" and nothing has been done despite repeated requests.  Complaints about dangerous trench by railway bridge.  (2) Station Road and Hartley Road to be numbered, PC ask that Fawkham Road should be too.  (3) Stamp machine installed by Longfield Hill Post Office.  (4) PC happy with BR's proposed name for the Station.  (5) Streetlighting in Kent Road said to be poor.  (6) PC to ask Dartford RDC if waste land on corner of Essex Road and Main Road [? Station Road] could be converted into a car park.

23 Sep 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Produce Guild

Picture of Hartley and District WI produce guild members at Harvest Supper at Ash Village Hall.  Paper of 30.9.1960 carried a report - 60 members from Ash, Darenth, Hartley, Longfield Hill and Southfleet were in attendance.  Ash Drama Group gave a play reading in costume of 'Strained Relations.'

1st New Barn Scouts

Picture of their bring and buy sale

Conservative Garden Party

Picture of stall at party held in Longfield

Sisters of Mercy: A century of service in Gravesend

PIcture feature on RC order of nuns.  Mentions they have a small convent at Hartley from which they run St Joseph's School.

30 Sep 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Parish Council Meeting

(1) British Rail say there is nothing in the deeds to say they can't call the station Longfield.  (2) Dartford RDC say new road off Gorsewood Road under construction will be called John's Close.  (3) KCC reject PC's suggestion of a traffic warden outside the school [on Hartley Green] to see children across road.  They say not many have to cross and traffic is light, which Cllr Edward disputed.

Hartley to wait for new school

" 'This is short-sightedness in the extreme', complained [NAME] at Monday's Thamesside Educational Executive meeting, when it was reported that a new primary school for Hartley had not been included in the 1962-63 building programme.  [NAME] said development of the area was proceeding rapidly and soon there would be serious overcrowding in the present building.  [NAME], chairman of the Primary and Secondary Committee, said the position at the school was already serious, and [NAME], educational officer, said it was not only overcrowding now which was worrying the executive, but what it would be like in 2 or 3 years' time.  The Ministry of Education is to be asked to reconsider its decision."

04 Oct 1960 Daily Herald

Pal Took GCE for boy with bad tooth

"17 year old [NAME] had toothache on the day he was due to face the French paper for his GCE.  He knew he wouldn't be able to concentrate.  In fact, he thought he wouldn't last 15 minutes.  Then he had an idea.  He asked his school chum, 16 year old [NAME], to sit in for him.  [NAME] - who had been to French speaking schools since the age of 6 - agreed.  But their 'French without tears' plan failed.  Yesterday the boys stood in court at Dartford, Kent, accused of fraud.  [NAME] of Church Road, Hartley, Kent, and [NAME] of Three Corners, Barnhurst, Kent, who went to the North West Kent College of Technology, Dartford, were each fined £20 with £5 7s 9d costs.  [NAME] told the court: 'I didn't know how serious it was.  I think [NAME] would have had a fair chance of passing.'  His brother, [NAME] said: 'The trouble is our family tend to be too kind to others.'  Mr A R Hills defending, said [NAME] wanted to become an accountant, but had resigned.  'He is without a job or qualification and will probably be barred from taking any university exam.'"

07 Oct 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Hill Green to be improved

Longfield Parish Council meeting.  (1) PC to returf Longfield Hill Green to make it more presentable and church asked to "brighten up" mission Room.

Trade losses mean sale of Hartley business

"Hartley Agricultural Supplies Ltd which was founded 50 years ago by people living in the village and was known  for many years as the Hartley Co-Operative Society, is to pass into other hands.  At a special meeting, called after the company's position was investigated by an accountant, the 32 shareholders present passed a resolution empowering the committee of management to dispose of the business.

Referring to current trading losses, Mr William Simmons, the chairman, said the action to sell was desirable to avoid further deterioration of assets.  In the last 6 months, no less than £800 had been refunded to shareholders who had asked for it under the rules.  It caused an impossible situation in a business which needed capital to buy stock.  With proper financial backing a profitable trade could be carried on.  There was no question of bankruptcy, he said.  The business could still be sold as a going concern and after all debts wewre paid it seemed probable that shareholders would receive a substantial premium on the value of their shares.

The old Co-Operative Society was originally formed by smallholders with a substantial acreage enabling them to keep pigs and poultry on a fairly large scale.  It was able to buy feeding stuffs and other needs at wholesale prices and shareholders benefitted by dividends on purchases.  Over the years however, Hartley developed gradually as a residential area, the smallholdings disappeared, and in consequence the main business of the society declined.  Other trading lines were taken up but were not successful owing to the lack of capital."

14 Oct 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield Parish Church Harvest Supper

Picture of diners in Longfield Village Hall.

No stiletto heels

"Work has commenced on the erection of All Saints' Church hall in the rectory garden.  This is the culmination of 10 years of raising funds and the financial help derived from the Christian Stewardship Campaign..... The hall committee have decided to ban stiletto heels.... Half the cost will be borne by the diocese and the other half will be on loan to the parish to be repaid over 10 years."

21 Oct 1960 Kentish Express

Sale of Speedgate Farm

"Fawkham, Kent.  London 21 miles, Farningham 2 miles.  The excellent dairy and stock farm known as Speedgate Farm.  Detached house containing 3 bedrooms, 3 reception, kitchen, bathroom, company's water and electricity.  Versitile buildings, 2 former cowsheds, calf shed, 4 bay Dutch barn, 5 loose boxes, 2 bull pens etc. 71 acres.  Principally well drained pasture with 15 acres of orchard (plums and apples).  Vacant possession, which Messrs E J Parker and Sons are instructed bu R Squire esq to offer for sale by auction at the Royal Star Hotel, Maidstone on Thursday 10th November 1960 at 3pm."

21 Oct 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Late Alfred Neilson

Aged 77 of Kurseong [now Tally Ho], Church Road.  "Mr Neilson had lived in Hartley for more than 32 years and occupied much of his time in his lovely garden and in his engineering workshop.  Before his retirement in 1928, Mr Neilson lived in Inida where he was an engineer in Government service.  In WW1 he served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Malta.  He leaves a widow."

Local Pictures

Paper has pictures of (1) Some of the RC mothers from St Frances de Sales Hartley on a diocesan pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory (2) Prize winners at Hartley District WI Produce Hall held in WI Hall.  (3) Penny on the Top.  "Mr George White, watching his 9 year old daughter [NAME] put a penny on the huge column of coins on the bar counter...." for Cancer Research

28 Oct 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Junior Youth Club

"The newly formed club continues to progress.  One of its main ambitions - the formation of a football section - is about to be realised.  The biggest obstacle, a football ground, has been overcome through the generosity of Mr Fulford, of New House Farm, who has placed one of his fields at the club's disposal.  As soon as this was known, [NAME], the club leader, received many offers of help.  Mr Willmot [1902-1974] of Highlands, Ash Road, Harley, undertook the preparation of the ground.  Mr Edwards of Longfield, offered to provide the goalposts, and local doctors promised to give shirts.  Donations for the provision of other equipment have come in from local traders and businessmen - Messrs Baker, Brearley, Clark, Self, Sizer, Carter, Hartley Electric, Talbot Estates, Mrs Sare and others.  Teh club has applied for admission to the Medway Youth Organisation League.  There are 24 youngsters anxious to play.  A trial game has been arranged for tomorrow.  The club is now pressing on with the formation of a girls' netball team."

Wed 50 years

Golden wedding of Mr & Mrs F Cole [pictured] of Frenli [now Brindles] Church Road.  Married St Judes, Queen's Park, London.  Was master baker in Charlton until 1941 when he moved to Hartley.  Until he retired 3 years ago he worked in electroplating at Vickers, Dartford. They have 5 daughters and 7 grandchildren.   Both are aged 72.

04 Nov 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Drainage work still unsatisfactory

Hartley Parish Council meeting.   (1) Slow progress of mains drainage at Church Road, Dartford RDC have tried to chase up the contractors.  PC worried about when the works reach the narrow part of Church Road when complete closure will be necessary.  They want connections to properties to be made at the same time, but were told that is up to the contractors.  (2) Speeding.  Police asked to do speed checks in Hartley

Shavian play well done at Hartley

Favourable review of Shaw's "Arms and the Man" (pictured).

£50 Theft

"Thieves broke into the house of Mr Harold Clarke, dairyman, of The Parade, Hartley, on Tuesday night, and stole £50."

11 Nov 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Blamed the Weather

Herbert Beatty Russell [b 1915] of Fawkham Road, plastering subcontractor, fined for not paying National Insurance for employee or himself, he said "bad luck with the weather and a lot of jobs not turning out right" was the problem.

Fireworks

November 5th fireworks display with hot dogs and baked potatoes at Country Club.

Longfield Hill Hall finances cause concern

Longfield Parish Council Meeting.  (1) Longfield Hill Hall is £85 in debt with a fall off in events such as dancing.  Can't afford the rates on the building.  Council agree to offer £20 or to pay the rates for a year.  (2) Longfield Hill Green.  Weeping willow to be replaced.  (3) Streetlighting.  Dartford RDC think they should improve lighting in Kent Road and Station Road and keep it on until midnight for the convenience of cars parked there.  PC refuse, saying they won't pay for the benefit of drivers outside the parish.

All Saints' Patronal Supper

Picture of event at Hartley Country Club.

Crane did Dave Charnley's job!

"A five feet high pile of pennies amounting to about £40 which has been contributed to by customers of the Railway Tavern Longfield over the past months, in aid of the Cancer Research Fun, has been demolished in an original - but unexpected way.  A steam roller used in road work immediately outside the tavern, not content with flattening bumps in the road, indirectly flattened the column of pennies in the pub too!

The pile was due to be officially knocked down by Dave Charnley, the British and Empire lightweight boxing champion on Tuesday this week.  Patrons of the public bar had hardly dared to breathe during the last few weeks for fear the pile would come down before the great day.  All was well until the steam roller chugging along outside suddenly subsided into a filled in trench loosened by heavy rain.  A crane was brought in to lift the steam roller from the trench.  It started to heave the roller but in the process set up vibration inside the pub.  The column of pennies sagged ominously then crashed across the bar and pitting the polished counter with deep scratches.  'If anyone had been standing beneath the pile at the time, he might have been seriously injured by the tremendous weight of pennies', said the landlord's wife, Mrs White.  'Now we have our work cut out rebuilding the column again.  Let's hope Dave Charnley will still be able to come when the pile is intact again'.  "

[Paper of 18/11/1960 Picture of boxer Dave Charnley, about to knock over tower of pennies at Railway Tavern]

Van overturns

"A van owned by Gravesnd Co-Operative Society, which was being driven by Mrs Dorothy Pinkerton, 55, of 65 St Dunstan's Drive, Gravesend, overturned on Hartley Hill, Hartley.  Mrs Pinkerton escaped with bruises.  No other vehicle was involved.

25 Nov 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

New Office

"An estate agents' office has been opened at The Parade, Station Road (adjacent to Fawkham Station) by Messrs Walker, Croft and Jarvis, auctioneers and valuers, 38 Windmill Street, Gravesend, who feel their servics can fulfill a long felt want in this rapidly growing residential area.  In addition the premises will also be a district office of the Woolwich Equitable Building Society, for whom Walker Croft and Jarvis have acted as special agents for many years in Gravesend."

[probably 55 Station Road, elsewhere in the paper is an advert for the new office]

A Shocking business

Pictures from the Longfield Parish Church Bazaar.

02 Dec 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Hartley Parish Council

(1) Woodland Avenue Recreation Ground Proposal.  PC still can't trace owners of southern part of site, to advertise for them to come forward.  [the advert appeared in the 16/12/1960 edition of the paper asking for the owner(s) of land on east side of Woodland Avenue, 200 feet beyond Point Garry]  (2) PC agree with Ash that they should be consulted on any local developments.  (3) PC think that Hartley should have more than one district councillor, particularly if it continues to increase in size.  [Representation in Dartford RD was altered in 1961, but Hartley remained (correctly) at one councillor]

All Saints' Hartley PCC

Church awaygiving was £100 to various charities including £54 to the Church Missionary Society.  They are to continue Sunday morning "taxi" service to get elderly or infirm people to church.

09 Dec 1960 Sevenoaks Chronicle

The Wrong Side

[NAME] of 167 Main Road, Longfield fined £5 for going wrong way round keep left bollard at Tonbridge on his motorbike.

09 Dec 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Longfield's Car Parking Problem

Longfield Parish Council Meeting.  (1) "Massive" car parking problem, from commuters parking in Station Road. BR to be asked to turn waste ground by station into car park.  (2) Fawkham Road.  KCC asked to plant trees on side of council houses "to improve the appearance of the area."

16 Dec 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Gay Cousins Advert

"Christmas gifts for the family - wools, haberdashery, ladies', men's and children's wear.  Gay Cousins of Longfield…. Agents for Ladybird, Tootal, Aristoc, Playtex and I & R Morley.  Longfield 2260."

23 Dec 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Late Mrs E L Smith

Funeral at All Saints.  Aged 52 had lived at the Knoll Church Road for 20 years but moved to Swanley earlier this year.

A Tudor Farmhouse appeal

Mr Brian F Kirby [1904-1971], Darford RDC's engineer and surveyor, was subjected to an intensive and searching cross-examination by both Mr T H Bingham [presumably Thomas Henry Bingham who later became Master of the Rolls 1933-2010] counsel, representing the applicant, and the inspector Mr J R M Poole [prob 1919-1985].  Mr G B Youard [Geoffrey Bernard Youard 1903-1987] of Hartley Court, Hartley, was appealing to the Minister of Houseing against the refusal of Dartford RDC to permit residential development at Hartley Court, Hartley.

Mr Bingham said the appeal site comprised a Tudor and early Georgian farmhouses, 3 acres of garden and 2 acres of derilict orchard, the fruit trees blossoming but no longer bearing fruit.  Thre was a frontage of 260 feet onto Church Road and the land stretched to behind All Saints' Church and to a wood on the eastern boundary.  A bus route was alongside the site and there were all main services except gas.  Pointing out there was an ovewhelming demand for houses in areas outside London, and that great expansion was taking place in Dartford rural area, Mr Bingham said that since the war 2,035 dwellings had been built by Dartford RDC and housing associations and 4,159 by private builder in Dartford Rural area.

He said Mr Youard bought Hartley Court in 1952 and since 1957 he had found it virtually impossible to sell it.  There was no demand for large country type houses standing in several acres of land in this area.  It was purely an outline applicaiton, with the proposed density of 16 houses, all of which, except one, would be screened from the road.  The applicant was prepeared to accept a larger or smaller density..  Mr Youard said that wehn he bought Hartley Court in September 1952, it was for the joint occupation for his aged parents, who were between 80 an d90 years of age, and for himself and his family.  That arrangement did not work out very well.  HIs parent, who were Sussex people, stayed until 1956 and then they felt they simply must go back to Sussex.

Mr Youard said the house contained 8 bedrooms, a dressing room and 3 reception rooms.  It was much too big for himself and he would never have bought it for himself alone.  Asked by Mr Bingham if any houses would be adversely affected by the proposed development, Mr Youard said: 'Yes there is one.  I am very concerned a about Hartley Court Lodge.  I have offered to give the owner Mr Casebow [1897-1993], a strip of land to separate the proposed development from his property.'

In cross examination, Mr J H Milburn [James Henry Milburn 1907-1985], clerk to Dartford RDC asked Mr Youard if he would call it infilling if another road was constructed.  Mr Youard replied: 'Yes I think so.'  Mr Milburn: It would be a wider use of the term infilling?  Mr Youard: Yes slightly.

[NAME] a surveyor of Porter Putt and Fletcher of Gravesend, said the small houses and bungalows in Church Road comprised a semi-urban development and were of quite a different character to the Georgian House.  Asked by Mr Bingham if he thought the proposed development would harm Church Road, [NAME] replied: 'Definitely not.'

Presenting the council's case, Mr Milburn said the application was refused on teh grounds that the site wa in an area included in the kent Development Plan (Part B) 1953, in which it was intended that the existing use of land shall remain fo rthe most part undisturbed.  The only development which was likely to be permitted was that which was essential for the interests of agriculture or forestry.  The site was also in an area under consideration for inclusion in an extension of the Metropolitan Green Belt, the purpose of which was to preserve an area of mainly open country available for the recreation and enjoyment of those living in heavily built up areas and to provide a barriedr to the further outward growth of the metropolis.

Mr Kirby, in reply to a question by Mr Bingham said the proposed development would create a community in an area where it was not intended.  It would mean increased public services, which were not envisaged in the Development Plan.  The council's case with regard to future applications would be considerably weakened if the appeal was allowed. The Inspector asked: 'Apart from teh fact that the proposed development is in a white area, what harm is it going to do?'  Mr Kirby: It would be a start of something towards a lager expansion.  The Inspector persisted in further questioning on this point.  He asked: 'The development as proposed would only demand a small extension of public sewers?'  When Mr Kirby repeated that the proposed development could mean further expansion, the Inspector said: 'I am asking you about this particular site.'  Mr Kirby replied: 'In that case the increased demand on public services would be slight.'  The Inspector: In view of the changes that are taking place of a sewer now being constructed in Hartley, the council's groudns of refusal in that respect are now no longer of substance?  Mr Kirby: No.

Mr L U Judge, clerk to Hartley Parish Council said his council supported the views of Dartford RDC in opposing furhter incursion effects in the whole conception of open spaces.  Mr F G Eames of One Acre, Church Road, Hartley and Mr A R Casebow of Hartley Court Lodge both spoke in opposition to the proposed development."

30 Dec 1960 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)

Former Postman

Obituary of George Andrews of 229 Main Road, Longfield, aged 67.  Was postman until he retired 7 years ago.  Joined Royal Navy as a boy in 1907 and served until 1932, recalled in August 1939 and served again until 1945 when he joined the GPO.  Leaves widow and 3 daughters.

Manor Farm Longfield sale

(advert) "Having sold the farm, are instructed by Messrs D & K Woodward Ltd to sell the above by auction on the premises on Thursday 26th January 1961 commencing at 11am (list of farm equipment)

One armed bandit under fire

Paper discusses their legalisation on 1 January.  D T R Gray of Brumleigh, Church Road, Hartley, president of the Hartley Social Club doesn't see any harm in them and said it was likely the Social Club would install them.