Newspaper Stories 1970-1979 - Hartley-Kent: The Website for Hartley

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Newspaper Stories 1970-1979

History > Newspaper Stories 1940 - 1979
Summary of Articles


01/05/1970Dartford Chronicle"Rail Travel - it will get worse!" Hartley PC Meeting (1) Concerns about withdrawal of 8.04 Longfield train even though more houses locally, Mr Irving MP has arranged meeting with BR. (2) Development at Fairby Lane refused. (3) Mrs B Thompson is leaving as clerk, replaced by Mrs D Evans. (4) Sports Facilities - call for swimming pool locally. (5) PC Noticeboard to be put up at Library. (6) War Memorial will be moved to Green within a fortnight.
01/05/1970Dartford ChronicleHartley Churches Association to hold regular Whit Sunday service at Hoselands Green
15/05/1970Dartford ChronicleHartley Churches Association cancel Whit Sunday service, raise record £85 6s 7d in Christian Aid House to House Collection
15/05/1970Dartford ChronicleMarriage of [NAME] of Orchard Cottage, St Johns Lane to [NAME] of Northfleet at All Saints (picture)
29/05/1970Dartford ChronicleHartley PC: (1) Complaints of overcrowding on 8.09 train from Longfield, standing room only at Farningham Road. (2) War Memorial has now been moved "everyone agreed this was a more fitting place than the junction of Church Road and Ash Road, with continuous traffic passing by. The now vacant island at this spot will be reconstructed when Church Road is widened." (3) Mr Metcalfe has given a seat to be placed half way up Hoselands Hill. (4) Concerns about safety of children riding horses in widened part of Church Road, felt to be an issue for the parents. (5) St Johns Lane residents complain about concrete post and chain link fence erected opposite them, which they consider gives it a 'Belsen' look, ask for hedge to screen it.
29/05/1970Dartford ChronicleRC Church fete opened by Fr Bonaventure Fitzgerald, parish priest, raises £500. 1st prize in raffle was a sail boat.
29/05/1970Dartford ChronicleLongfield and District Choral Society became Hartley Choral Society in autumn 1969 holds concert in WI Hall.
29/05/1970Dartford ChronicleInaugural meeting of Hartley and District Handicapped Youth Club, opened by Dartford RDC councillor Mrs Yvonne Fry.
05/06/1970Dartford ChronicleAuction of Hartley Hill Cottage, 3 bed and 5 acres (picture)
12/06/1970Dartford Chronicle10th anniversary of Union of Catholic Mothers in Hartley
19/06/1970Dartford ChronicleWedding of [NAME] of Felsted, Church Road to [NAME] of Fawkham at St Mary's Church
26/06/1970Dartford Chronicle50-60 people can't get mortgages to buy in New Ash Green, apparently because of the slow pace of the development.
26/06/1970Dartford ChronicleH V Green Ltd - New Detached House - 4 bed, bathroom, lounge, kitchen, bathroom, gas CH, garage £10,250
18/08/1970Times3/4 bed house for sale with garage £7,000 (probably 21 Springcroft)
06/09/1971Reading Evening PostAccident to [NAME] aged 10 on A4 at Newbury
07/01/1972Dartford ChronicleHartley Swimming Club has average of 60 at Swanley Pool in winter, 80 in spring and 100 in summer
14/01/1972Dartford ChronicleNew Ash Green Post Office ready but can't open due to objections from National Association of Sub-Postmasters, Hartley and Ash PO said to be against.
21/01/1972Dartford ChronicleFears cyanide may have been dumped in Longfield prove to be unfounded but gates will be fixed to the site to prevent illegal dumping.
28/01/1972Dartford ChronicleCouncillor [NAME] of New Ash Green, owner of the Grapevine, cleared of acting in a pecuniary interest by DPP regarding planning application by Bovis said to favour his business.
04/02/1972Dartford ChronicleProtests after station gate shut before 7.49 Rochester train came, so people missed exams; HPC also against link Wellfield - Gorsewood Road access; council want to take over Hartley Wood and are discussing land between Hartley and New Ash Green; 426 pupils in Hartley Schools. (see article)
04/02/1972Dartford ChronicleA View of a Loo Wins Reduction - rates reduction for Wild Barfield, Merton Avenue (see article)
04/02/1972Dartford ChronicleNW Kent Town Draft Town Map still envisages a new road through Fawkham Green (presumably the bypass road from New Ash Green)
04/02/1972Dartford ChronicleAll Saints Church APCM. Electoral roll has 237 names. David Sergeant and Dennis Rumley elected as churchwardens. Record number of communicants on Christmas Eve. Names of PCC members also listed.
04/02/1972Dartford ChronicleEnforcement Notices' Plea Lost - Websters Whiting Works, Hartley Bottom Road loses appeal against all uses other than chalk extraction and treatment. Extraction began in 1954 and is expected to be exhaused in 1978. Claims company had installed machinery related to engineering, welding, joinery and building work
04/02/1972Dartford ChronicleTheft of car radio in Hartley Bottom Road
04/02/1972Dartford ChronicleConfirmation service at All Saints' Church, candidates named
11/02/1972Dartford Chronicle10th anniversary of the Fawkham and District Archaeological Group. Meeting showed "The Pilgrims Way" film by Hartley Cine Club
11/02/1972Dartford ChronicleLongfield Parish Council - 33 new sodium streetlights for Longfield (£670); concerns about withdrawal of bus service to Longfield Hill, they were told only 7 schoolchildren there used the bus, but 30 under school age live there too, trying to get school bus at least for area; they are also writing to Thames Weald buses to see if they are interested in providing shopping buses
11/02/1972Dartford ChronicleHartley and District Choral Society performed Handel's Judas Maccabeus at Church Hall
11/02/1972Dartford ChronicleFeature on Bow Arrow Hospital for long term diseases such as MS, Chest Disease, Old Age
18/02/1972Dartford ChronicleOld Time Dance Group ran for 16 years by Mr and Mrs M Venus
18/02/1972Dartford ChronicleDeath of Ida Somerton Bellerby aged 80. Born Yorkshire, well known pianist and taught local children. LRCM. Served in ENSA in Middle East in WW2. Lived in Hartley for 20 years
25/02/1972Dartford ChronicleMystery killing of family pets in Hartley and Longfield. Included 10 rabbits in a hutch at 44 Essex Road, Longfield belonging to [NAME 1], where wire had been ripped off. [NAME 2], naturalist of Grasmere, Gorse Way says it is probably badgers or foxes.
25/02/1972Dartford ChronicleFeature on Longfield School rural studies department.
03/03/1972Dartford ChronicleSave village plan put to parish council to form Hartley Preservation Society; problems with traffic at School times in Round Ash Way and Stack Lane; dumping of rubbish at entrance to Hartley Wood (see article)
03/03/1972Dartford ChroniclePlans to demolish Middle Farm to build RC seminary. Application for the building to be listed (see article)
10/03/1972Dartford ChroniclePlanning enquiry; Billings say they will go bust if not allowed to build Downs Valley (see article)
10/03/1972Dartford ChronicleHartley Man is Labour's new leader. George Amos BEM elected chairman of Sevenoaks CLP
10/03/1972Dartford ChronicleObituary of Beatrice E Temple of 34 Brambledown, Hartley. She was born in Hampshire, lived in Ash for a while and was one of Hartley's oldest residents. List of mourners.
17/03/1972Dartford ChronicleRochester Diocesan Synod voted 136-72 in favour of union with the Methodists.
24/03/1972Dartford ChronicleZig Zag lines to be added to zebra crossings
31/03/1972Dartford ChronicleSpeakers at annual parish meeting say youth facilities are practically nil
31/03/1972Dartford ChronicleCountry Club - membership 600, profit £2,000 (1971 report)
31/03/1972Dartford ChronicleLondon Country bus fares to rise from 19 April, 5p, 7p, 9p, 10p adult fares to rise by 1p
31/03/1972Dartford ChronicleMarriage of [NAME] of NAG to [NAME] of The Croft, Ash Road (picture)
31/03/1972Dartford ChronicleFeature on Livingstone (old cottage hospital); Mabledon (polish psychiatric hospital in WW2 now open to all)
31/03/1972Dartford Chronicle"Youths who turn to vandalism". Hartley PC meeting told of lack of facilities for the youth of the village. Seat at Cherry Trees donated by Mr Heale has been vandalised. Traffic island at Church Road/Ash Road junction has been completed.
14/04/1972Dartford ChronicleNew Hammond electric organ at All Saints Church, will release space for much needed new pews; fundraising committee led by Geoff Mayer
14/04/1972Dartford ChronicleDiscoveries at Scotgrove (see article)
21/04/1972Dartford ChronicleOrgan fund coffee morning, Mrs Tyrrell ran trading stall
21/04/1972Dartford ChronicleMarriage of [NAME] of Les Marecottes, Woodland Ave to [NAME] of Bexleyheath (picture)
21/04/1972Dartford Chronicle"Residents band Together". Meeting of 90 set up Associaion to protect villagers' interests. Cllr Yvonne Fry told them she thought parish council already does this. Disbanded Hoselands View Association donates their leftover funds.
28/04/1972Dartford ChronicleNoel Coward play "Look after Lulu" is their 100th production
28/04/1972Dartford Chronicle[NAME] and [NAME] of Church Road married at All Saints' (picture)
28/04/1972Dartford Chronicle"3 Way link for super council" Proposed new council to be merger of Dartford BC, Dartford RDC and Swanscombe RDC. Swanscombe welcome proposal, Swanley opposed. RDC chairman says they wanted to remain unchanged but will live with it. Dartford Labour say the boundary for Dartford should be the parliamentary constituency, meaning half the RDC will go to Sevenoaks. (see article)
11/08/1972Dartford ChronicleProposed wards for new Dartford Borough (at this point all of Dartford RDC was due to go to Dartford): Fawkham & Hartley - 2 councillors (Electorate 3,112), Longfield - 1 (1,665), Ash cum Ridley - 1 (1,442), total number of seats 61.
16/11/1972TimesMarriage of [NAME] to [NAME] of Westerham
01/12/1972Dartford Chronicle"2 Villages are now really one" Attempt by developers to remove land west of Downs Valley out of the Green Belt (see article)
20/07/1973Gravesend Reporter"Lots to see and do at the Fete" Long article and picture of Hartley Fete which raised about £1,000 for the NSPCC and Pensioner's Party. It was run by the Hartley Churches Association under the chiarmanship of David Seargeant. The winner of the Mote House Cup for the best dressed stall went to the Hartley and District Handicapped Youth Club wiht the All Saints' Women's Fellowship and Hartley and District Swimming Club highly commended. The raffle had 40 prizes including a sailing dinghy. There was a children's art competition. Fete week included (Mon) Fashion show by Moods Boutique; (Tue) Dancing Display by Audrey Tutton School; (Weds) Hartley Primary School Musical Evening; (Thurs) Hartley Morris Men at Village Green followed by Hartley Cine Club film evening; (Feb) Disco organised by Club 73 and a Cheese and Wine Party by Hartley Conservatives.
22/02/1974TimesMarriage of [NAME] of Ashleigh, Church Road
08/03/1974Gravesend ReporterFor Sale: Det chalet house at Dickens Close, 4b, 1r, 2bath £19,950 Prall Champion & Prall
08/03/1974Gravesend ReporterFor Sale: Det house at Conifer Avenue, 4b, 2r, 1 bath £23,000 Prall Champion & Prall
08/03/1974Gravesend ReporterFor Sale: Det chalet at Stack Lane (probably house called Cherry Trees) house 2 years old, 3b 1r 1 bath £16,250
15/03/1974Gravesend ReporterSevenoaks domestic rates 42.57p in the pound; HPC 1p in the £; Longfield 0.8p; Ash 1.1p; Fawkham 1.2p
19/04/1974Gravesend ReporterSpeed track nightmare in death-trap village - complaints about speeding on Ash Road, picture of road by green and interviewee Raymond Woodall.
28/06/1974Dartford Chronicle£41,000 underpass at Gorsewood Road opened. HPC says it was needed because of a number of near misses
28/06/1974Kent & Sussex CourierAdvert for new houses at Chantry Avenue from £16,000 (2 bed bungalows, 3/4 bed houses)
11/07/1974Dartford Chronicle"Council to Fight for Name" - possibility that Hartley and Longfield will be one council ward (see article)
04/10/1974Dartford ChronicleStack Lane may be made one way say KCC, they have asked RC school to make up road outside school
04/10/1974Dartford ChronicleHartley Village Association complain of motorbikes in woods
04/10/1974Dartford ChronicleRumours of pylons being built from Longfield to NAG
02/01/1975Dartford ChronicleParish council concerned after fire engine took ½ hour to come from Sevenoaks.   Calls for them to come from Dartford or Gravesend.
09/01/1975Dartford ChronicleRev Williams penned 6 poems and circulated them to all 1,250 households with request for donation If they liked them.   £330 raised.
09/01/1975Dartford ChronicleNew homes for sale for £10,550.   Deposit £560
09/01/1975Dartford ChronicleMemorial at Primary School requested for Mr Hellard, cycling proficiency teacher.
09/01/1975Dartford Chronicle"Ancient Wall Art Comes to Light" during restoration work.   S wall of nave thought to be St Christopher and Jesus.   In addition to the one that mysteriously appeared on Christmas Day a few years ago.
09/01/1975Dartford Chronicle100th edition of "The Grapevine" started by Peter Wilson in 1966
10/01/1975N/AScouts: 100th edition of the Grapevine, founded in 1966. First editor Peter Wilson, current editors Joan Delf and [NAME]
10/01/1975N/AMemorial fund to be set up for E B Hellard, who trained so many children in cycling proficiency
16/01/1975Dartford Chronicle1975 Fete beneficiary to be Boys Town after the WI and Hartley PCC withdrew.   P Hewett to be chairman.
16/01/1975Dartford ChronicleHCA Christmas Dinner for 120 elderly at Long Valley Hall
16/01/1975Dartford ChronicleOld bank at Longfield to become library.   Total cost £10,500
17/01/1975N/AFete: after withdrawal of nominated charity, this year's fete will now be for Boys Town
17/01/1975Gravesend ReporterAncient pictures found in All Saints' Church, dated by expert to c12th to c14th but unrecoverable. Old tombstone found at base of font. Picture of Rev Roger Williams
23/01/1975Dartford ChronicleHPC told the fire engine did arrive on time but then couldn't find the house.   Mr Ball said it demonstrated the need for numbering
31/01/1975N/AScouts: Hartley scout [NAME] to represent area at Norway jamboree.
31/01/1975N/A91st birthday party for Hetty Rimington of Gorsewood Road (picture)
31/01/1975N/AExhibition in library by Charles Ellerby and his sister. Picture of Charles and librarian
06/02/1975Dartford ChroniclePrall Champion and Prall marketing 3/4 bed houses and 2 bed bungalows from £16,000 at WF Blay Ltd's new development at Chantry Avenue
06/02/1975Dartford ChronicleObituary of Barbara Goodwin (92) of Whiffens Cottage, latterly of Fairby Grange, born West Yoke
06/02/1975Dartford ChronicleProfile of Herbert (Skip) Wickham, retiring after 36 years at Lloyds Bank Dartford Branch (picture)
06/02/1975Dartford ChronicleCampaign against plans for British Pregnancy Advisory Service to take over Fawkham Manor
13/02/1975Dartford ChronicleCanteen assistant at NAG primary runner up in competition to design menus for 'visit of boss and his wife to dinner'.   Prize lambskin jacket.
13/02/1975Dartford ChronicleFawkham and Hartley ward to increase from 2 to 3 seats on Sevenoaks Council.   Ash to increase from 1 to 2.
20/02/1975Dartford ChronicleDiscovery of Steward's tomb at All Saints' Church
20/02/1975Dartford ChronicleReview of Hartley Players "They Came to a City" (picture)
27/02/1975Dartford ChronicleParish council have bought Manor Field but they don't like KCC's suggestion to widen road up to entrance.   They hope for public access in Foxborough Wood.   Say MF nothing to do with proposed golf course
27/02/1975Dartford ChronicleCalls for high kerbs at Hartley Court Green as the bench keeps getting damaged by cars speeding round the corner
27/02/1975Dartford ChronicleFeature on Longfield Church
28/02/1975Gravesend ReporterDiamond wedding of Samuel Crow (79) and wife Harriet (80) (of Dawsland, Church Road). Brief biographies and picture, he was an LCC decorator who had once worked at Buckingham Palace (picture)
28/02/1975N/AParish council urged to buy Rectory Meadow
28/02/1975N/AStack Lane: problem with diseased trees.
28/02/1975N/AManor Field: plans to buy land for recreation ground
03/03/1975N/APicture of RC Church and Little Shop
06/03/1975Dartford ChronicleBus passes available for OAPs and Disabled only if they earn less than £19.35 (single) or £26.75 (married)
06/03/1975Dartford ChronicleDiamond wedding of Samuel Crow (79) and Harriet Crow (80) (of Dawsland, Church Road).   Married 28.2.1915.   He worked for GLC as a renovator for 27 years and papered Buckingham Palace in 1925.   She has been in hospital for 17 years.
06/03/1975Dartford ChroniclePicture profile of Rear Admiral John Bell (d 2004)
06/03/1975Dartford Chronicle"Village hit by parking epidemic" Longfield affected by commuters' cars from outside village. Plans to have double yellow lines once car park by station built.
07/03/1975N/APlans by Barry Richards to build golf course next to Manor Field
13/03/1975Dartford ChronicleHealth centre to be built in 1976
20/03/1975Dartford ChronicleMetrication of stamp charges from 27.9.1975
20/03/1975Dartford ChronicleDecision soon on appeal case concerning who should maintain Fairby Lane
21/03/1975Gravesend ReporterCountry club membership at record high of 920 (only 400 in 1969)
27/03/1975Dartford ChronicleOfficial notice of prohibition of traffic order
27/03/1975Dartford ChronicleRates to be 14.53p (SDC), 46.27p (KCC), 4.92p (water), 1.5p (HPC)
27/03/1975Dartford ChronicleAppeal court finds in favour of KCC that Fairby Lane is not a publicly maintainable highway.   Lord Denning said the tithe map proved it wasn't a highway, and hadn't been maintained since
27/03/1975Kent & Sussex CourierArted & Co of Woodland Avenue, scaffolding hire (ad)
27/03/1975TimesHouses in New Ash Green selling for £11,675 to £17,000
27/03/1975Gravesend ReporterParish council asks for Ash Road and Church Road to be numbered
27/03/1975N/AFairby Lane: Appeal Court under Lord Denning reverses High Court decision and finds for KCC
27/03/1975Gravesend ReporterWl Choir "Yeoman of the Guard" (picture)
03/04/1975Dartford Chronicle"Alcoholism - a helping hand" - feature on the Helping Hands Charity (now called Turning Point) founded by Barry Richards of Hartley, a retired mill owner, after he lost many friends to alcoholism.   Chairman of charity, Peter Harle, also lives in Hartley
04/04/1975N/AGang Show. Picture of three of the performers (named)
04/04/1975N/ARangers clean road signs, picture of 6 of the helpers (named)
10/04/1975Dartford ChronicleSoaring cost of neighbourhood fees.   Article says Coltstead fees up from £35 to £54 in one year, some charge £70, while others have abolished communal maintenance to keep the fees down.
10/04/1975Dartford ChronicleRonald Billings, a "farmer" offers to build car park at Bramblefield on 2½ acres for 400-500 cars, so long as he can also build a petrol station.   His application for a car park there 3 years ago was refused.
10/04/1975Dartford ChronicleSevenoaks Council advertisement for phase 3 of the Wellfield estate - 8 x 2 bed and 26 x 3 bed houses
10/04/1975Dartford ChronicleProposal to make Station Road, Longfield one way scrapped after objections
11/04/1975N/ARangers clean road signs. Picture of two of the helpers
17/04/1975Dartford ChronicleBazes Shaw gets planning permission, no woodland to be lost
18/04/1975N/AGang Show: picture
18/04/1975N/AKent Cricketer Derek Underwood visits Country Club
18/04/1975N/AHorticultural Spring Show winners. Overall highest points winner was Keith Scott
18/04/1975N/AHartley Village Association faces disbandment
24/04/1975Dartford ChronicleObituary of Doris Hemesley (72) who had lived at Woodlands, Ash Road since 1931.   She was widow of T C Hemesley (d 1960) and director of D Hemesley Ltd , fruit merchants
24/04/1975Dartford ChronicleHartley Old Rectory Planning Appeal - 3 different applications (a) 5 (b) 20 and (c) 75 houses.   Applicants point out permission was given for houses on green belt land just to the south.   Sevenoaks Council says it would mean Hartley and Longfield coalesce and would cause overcrowding on the trains as a survey had found that half of the employed newcomers in Hartley and the surrounding villages commuted to London.
01/05/1975Dartford ChronicleAsh Parish Council complain that Sevenoaks now want to charge for cesspool clearance when the 9 northern parishes used to get 18,000 gallons emptied for free.
01/05/1975Dartford ChronicleAsh Parish Council calls for all of NAG to be in Ash parish
01/05/1975Dartford ChronicleHartley Village Association may close
15/05/1975Dartford ChronicleComplaints about level of water charges in Hartley, said to have risen 216% in last 7 years
15/05/1975Dartford ChronicleBritish Empire Medal for 49 year old employee of Halls Thermotank Products of Dartford, who lives in Ash Road
15/05/1975Dartford ChronicleLocal man [NAME] complains that water rate has risen 67%
05/06/1975Dartford Chronicle5th anniversary of the Hartley Mentally Handicapped Youth Club
12/06/1975Dartford ChronicleSevenoaks Council propose to allow 4,000 of cesspool clearance free, then £4 per 1,000 gallons.   Previously locals had 18,000 gallons free and then £2 per 1,000 gallons.   "Councillors had to contend with interruptions from angry ratepayers in the public seats".
12/06/1975Dartford ChronicleLongfield PC using 1857 Enclosure Act to stop motorbikes on recreation ground
13/06/1975N/AMarriage of [NAME] of Ash Road (20) to [NAME]. Picture includes [NAME] (10) of Dickens Close
19/06/1975Dartford ChronicleObituary of Muriel Priscilla Cloke (67), died while on OAP outing to Weymouth.   Born Longfield, lived many years in Hartley
19/06/1975Dartford ChronicleKent County Structure Plan Report "Conservation and Character of the Built Environment" says Hartley and Longfeild are "below average" and "few or no constraints will be made on future planning growth". Dartford, Swanley and W Kingsdown are classed as "poor visual quality".   Only Southfleet is thought worth preserving locally. It may allow small scale expansion of Hartley and Longfield.
19/06/1975Dartford ChronicleBaldwyns Green (Commons number CL103) listed as having no known owner by KCC
19/06/1975Dartford ChronicleThreat to build road through Central Park, Dartford
19/06/1975Dartford Chronicle[NAME] (28) of Dartford, managing director of EG Porter & Son Ltd, builds and races hovercraft
20/06/1975N/ARC Church: value of being a Carmelite Parish questioned
26/06/1975Dartford ChronicleSevenoaks Council not collecting paper for recycling because they say it isn't worth it
26/06/1975Dartford ChronicleBR announce more off peak trains in 1976 timetable
26/06/1975Dartford ChroniclePlans for housing at Old Rectory refused on appeal
26/06/1975Dartford ChronicleNew middle school at NAG announced.   Site unknown
26/06/1975Dartford ChronicleCesspool charge rethink after conservatives defeated when some including Sheila Eames, vote against their party
26/06/1975Dartford ChronicleBillings Hill Shaw site bought, council uncertain whether to put play equipment on it.
26/06/1975Dartford ChronicleNew Ash Green resident [NAME] says primary school should not be used for elections
27/06/1975N/APolice: chief constable announces land bought for police house in Longfield/Hartley area
03/07/1975Dartford ChronicleSevenoaks Council refuse application to create Eureka Naturist Club
03/07/1975Dartford ChronicleFete week - (Su) Car gymkhana at Longfield Car park; (M) Fashion Show; (Tu) Dancing display; (W) Hartley Choral Society Concert; (Th) Whist drive; (F) Disco
03/07/1975Dartford Chronicle[NAME] appeals against planning refusal for 1st floor extension at Springcroft
04/07/1975N/APetition of 500 to withdraw Longfield School from Thameside Scheme.
10/07/1975Dartford ChronicleMP Sir John Rogers only holds surgeries in Sevenoaks, claims no demand from Swanley
17/07/1975Dartford ChronicleHPC (a) extension of 100 houses to Wellfield Estate, some allotments may be lost for new road. Concerns over loss of woodland; (b) proposals for RC church on Priory Meadow to accommodate congregation of 200; (c) buses not going via Wellfield during the day as they are supposed to; (d) new road surface at Ash Road said to be noisy due to large pieces of tarmac
17/07/1975Dartford ChronicleReports of buses not going round Wellfield during the day, like they were supposed to
17/07/1975Dartford ChronicleNew road surface of Ash Road said to be noisy because of large pieces of tarmac
17/07/1975Dartford ChronicleProposals for new RC church on Priory Meadow Stack Lane, to accommodate congregation of 200.
17/07/1975Dartford ChronicleParish council informed of 100 houses to be built at the Wellfield Estate, some allotments may be lost for new road, concerns over loss of woodland.
24/07/1975Dartford ChronicleSevenoaks Council Policy committee refuse to discuss cesspool charges, even though residents had been waiting 3½ hours.   Current proposal is £2.50 per 1,000 gallons.   An average cost of £60 pa.
24/07/1975Dartford ChronicleFete week raised £600. Cancer Research House to House collection raised £123
24/07/1975Dartford ChronicleHellard plaque instituted for those who got highest score in cycling proficiency test
24/07/1975Dartford ChronicleConcerns that people buying land are being hoodwinked
31/07/1975Dartford Chronicle423 bus will now run Swanley - Watchgate, 400 bus will run from Dartford to Longfield
31/07/1975Dartford ChronicleCesspool charges will now be: rateable value £1-200 (£10 pa); £201+ (£15 pa) for 12,000 gallons, then £3 per 1,000 galls. Mid Kent Water Co concerned it may encourage people to knock holes in them. SDC say flat rate will stop this kind of evasion
31/07/1975Dartford ChroniclePeggy Wilson and [NAME] from Hartley attend Buckingham Palace Garden Party
31/07/1975Dartford ChronicleHartley Footpaths group founded at a meeting at Lyndon Stack Lane on 24th July. G Amos (chairman), Don Bishop (secretary), Mr & Mrs McGrath, H Wickham, [NAME1], Mr & Mrs [NAME2] committee members
31/07/1975Dartford ChronicleStack Lane prohibition of traffic order - official notice
31/07/1975Dartford ChronicleGolden wedding of Olive and Harold Mayer of Birchwood Road (picture)
07/08/1975Dartford Chronicle[NAME1] (10) of Copse Side fell down drainage shaft at new development off Ash Road. Friend [NAME2] raised alarm.
07/08/1975Dartford ChronicleMr and Mrs [NAME]'s bungalow at Briars Way has roof destroyed in fire. They had only just moved there 18 months before and had just refurbished it. Fire brigade from Dartford, Swanscombe and Strood attend. Mr B Cory helped rescue furniture
07/08/1975Dartford ChronicleNew Ash Green shopping centre said to be too small, 30 shops fully tenanted, but extension put on hold due to economic climate.
07/08/1975Dartford Chronicle"Discord in village shangri-la". NAG said to leave older people feeling left out, and they have to go to Hartley. VA fees have risen from £24 to £65 in 4 years says one couple.
07/08/1975Dartford ChroniclePublic notice - convent application will affect setting of Middle Farm and RC Church listed buildings
07/08/1975Dartford ChronicleVandals wreck play equipment at Whitehill Road, Longfield
14/08/1975Dartford ChronicleThe Badger Pub at New Ash Green opens, named after 2nd Royal Tank Regiment who recruit in this area
14/08/1975Dartford ChronicleSDC cesspool charges - complaint to ombudsman
14/08/1975Dartford ChronicleMarriage of [NAME] of Round Ash Way to [NAME] of Harrogate at All Saints'. (Picture)
21/08/1975Dartford ChronicleEvening WI needs help cleaning second hand wooden blocks bought for floor of new hall
21/08/1975Dartford ChronicleLevens Fox advertise 4 bedroom Billings House (?Round Ash Way) for £22,000
28/08/1975Dartford Chronicle"Village Spy Trap for Big Lorries". Complaints at the number of lorries in Ash Road
28/08/1975Dartford ChronicleBus changes. 423 to terminate at Watchgate. 400 Belvedere route to be extended to Longfield
04/09/1975Dartford ChronicleFawkham and Hartley by-election following retirement of Don Rice (Con) due to ill health. Profile of candidates George Amos (Lab), Peter Loftus (Lib, 47, moved to Hartley 11 years ago, but claimed to be "associated" with H since 1937, Frank Shubert (Con, 46, lived in H for 8 years, sales executive with Standard Telephone and Cables)
04/09/1975Dartford ChronicleBus fare from Penenden to Longfield up from 8p to 12p in one year. At this rate it will be £1.41 in 6 years.
11/09/1975Dartford Chronicle"Residents stymie golf course plan for Hartley" at Manor Drive. [NAME] said good farm land producing 115 tons of grain and 12 tons of beef would be lost. Barry Richards said it could be returned to farming later, KCC said there was need for 2 new public golf courses in NW Kent
11/09/1975Dartford ChronicleSDC to take enforcement action against 4 caravans at Westfield, Church Road
18/09/1975Dartford Chronicle"Hit and run thief spoils Roman holiday" Mr and Mrs [NAME] of Gorsewood Road were in Rome, when man statched Mrs [NAME]'s handbag when she was sitting on a bench and fled on a scooter. Contents worth £150. During the commotion their camera was also stolen.
18/09/1975Dartford ChronicleHartley Footpaths group to conduct survey
18/09/1975Dartford Chronicle12 acres of green belt at Ash Road proposed to be released for development by KCC, and also 10a at West Yoke
19/09/1975N/ASlimming Magazine Club members have lost 1,000lb since being founded in March
19/09/1975N/AHorticultural Autumn Show. List of winners.
25/09/1975Dartford ChronicleAsh Parish Council against West Yoke development plans
25/09/1975Dartford ChronicleLocal doctors campaign against metrication of medicines
25/09/1975Dartford Chronicle"School for 500 planned". 8¾ acre site needed in Hartley for Middle School, Northield appears to be only candidate. Cllr Shubert said another middle school planned for New Ash Green. Site by Longfield Station also proposed.
25/09/1975Dartford Chronicle"£80,000 Village Hall a gift" picture and article of opening of New Ash Green Village Hall, built by Bovis.
26/09/1975N/AFootpath survey walk led by George Amos
26/09/1975N/AMiddle School for 500 planned. 814 acres needed, likely site to be just south of Billings Hill Shaw.
26/09/1975Kent & Sussex CourierSevenoaks Council by election for Fawkham and Hartley: Frank Schubert (Cons) 803, Labour 305, Liberal 122
02/10/1975Dartford ChronicleApplication to convert Kent House, Longfield from residential to doctors' surgery
02/10/1975Dartford ChronicleLevens Fox advertise 1 year old 3 bed, 1 bath house, bow window (?Chantry Avenue) for £28,000
09/10/1975Dartford ChronicleAfternoon WI dance classes at Scout Hut. WI Hall nearing completion but fundraising still required for heating
16/10/1975Dartford ChronicleFete proposals - Children's Country Holidays Fund, Rivendall, a hostel being set up in Gravesend for battered wives
16/10/1975Dartford ChroniclePrimary class sizes: Longfield 30.6, Hartley 25.4, New Ash Green 22.9. Hartley school said to be "pretty full" but nuimbers falling
16/10/1975Dartford ChronicleDartford Swimming Pool under construction
16/10/1975Dartford ChronicleLevens Fox - 4 bed 1 bath Billings corner house (Round Ash Way?) - £26,000
16/10/1975TimesDisgruntled ex-employee living at Pitfield, Hartley (18) given life for £242,000 arson of Westminster Mills.
16/10/1975Dartford ChronicleMention of Stuart
23/10/1975Dartford ChronicleDisgruntled ex-employee [NAME] (18) given life for £242,000 arson of Westminster Mills.
23/10/1975Dartford Chronicle"Satirical Parable is set in 'black' mood". Picture and review of 'Everything in the Garden' staged at Country Club Hall
23/10/1975Dartford ChronicleObituary of A O Bassett (90), last surviving son of Kentish Times' founder Rowland G Bassett (paper founded 1881)
30/10/1975Dartford ChronicleLocal opposition leads to reduction from 88 to 70 new homes at Wellfield - KCC also say only 1¼ parking spaces required instead of two.
06/11/1975Dartford ChronicleWinners at Swanley Swimming Gala for Scouts
06/11/1975Dartford Chronicle"No power, no roast, but plenty of beef!". Power from Sutton at Hone to Hartley cut. For most it was off 4 hours from 1.45 pm on Sunday. Attributed to 'mystery' fault in HV cable
06/11/1975Dartford ChronicleScout prizes
06/11/1975Dartford Chronicle"Carve up - M-Way threatens N Kent Countryside". As Swanley to Dunton Green section of M25 planned. M25 will be the title for the whole road, replacing the M16 in London.
13/11/1975Dartford ChronicleObituary of Florence Gay, who died at her daughter's home in Frankston, Australia. They were stewards of the Country Club until her husband's death in 1950. She moved to Southfleet and became home help before emigrating to her daughter and husband in 1966.
13/11/1975Dartford ChronicleFete raises £508 for Boystown and £127 for OAP's Christmas Party
20/11/1975Dartford ChronicleHorticultural Society's 11th annual meeting.
27/11/1975Dartford Chronicle1976 Fete to be for Rivendell
27/11/1975Dartford ChronicleBuilding of Police House in Hartley postponed
27/11/1975Dartford ChronicleLevens Fox Advert - 4 bed, 2 reception, 1 bathroom house (St John's Lane or Grange Way) - £26,950
24/12/1975Gravesend ReporterCaxton Close named. Parish Council's choice of "Valley View" rejected by Seveoaks DC.
24/12/1975Gravesend ReporterBuses to be routed through Wellfield
02/01/1976Gravesend ReporterProfile and picture of PC [NAME], local PC for Longfield and Hartley. Ash Road Traffic and poaching mentioned as problems.
09/01/1976Gravesend ReporterRoman farmstead found at Wellfield, dated to c1/2 AD discovered by Brian Tremain (2 pictures of dig)
05/03/1976Gravesend ReporterPicture of RC school visit to newspaper offices
12/03/1976Gravesend ReporterPublic notice of changes in local schooling
26/03/1976N/AConcerns about state of Middle Farm
26/03/1976N/AParish council offered remainder of Gorse Wood
26/03/1976Gravesend ReporterPicture of prizewinners at Tunbridge Wells festival from RC School
15/04/1976Gravesend ReporterHartley told they must wait for bigger buses.
15/04/1976TimesMarriage of [NAME] of Hartley to [NAME] of Inverness
30/04/1976N/AQusestion of Ash Road relief road raised every year since New Ash Green built.
21/05/1976N/ALetter by P Wilson of The Seasons, Gorse Way about relief road. Reminding readers they were told New Ash Green traffic would go via A20
21/05/1976N/APost box at end of Stack Lane to be replaced
21/05/1976N/AProblems of horse riding on footpath 301 from Billings Hill Shaw to Church Road
28/05/1976N/A6th anniversary of Hartley Mentally Handicapped Youth Club
11/06/1976N/A[NAME] (18) of Ash Road to take 4 month US tour
15/06/1976TimesDeath in Brussels of James Appleton, ex grp capt RAF, memorial service in Hartley
05/07/1976N/AGorsewood - Trees threatened with felling
05/07/1976N/AObituary - Mrs Dororthy M Cook of 7 Ash Road. Aged 66, born Battersea. Midwife. Husband Alfred was retired farmer, d 1970.
16/07/1976N/AFete - Opened by Lady Astor. Beneficiaries Rivendall Hostel, Gravesend; Children's Country Holiday Fund; HCA Welfare Fund
16/07/1976Wedding - [NAME] of Treanbrea, Briars Way to [NAME] of Norfolk. Bride went to Cambridge to study Maths, and was member of Kent Youth Orchestra. To live in High Wycombe
23/07/1976N/ABillings Hill Shaw - Preparations of land: 200 "diseased" fruit trees to be removed.
23/07/1976N/AManor Field - Parish council decides to appeal against refusal for public open space.
30/07/1976N/AScouts - Presentation to Skip Wickham for 30 years' service (picture)
06/08/1976Gravesend ReporterOld Downs - Pupils (named) from Primary School raise £10.50.
20/08/1976Gravesend ReporterGorsewood - More trees felled as bid to save them fails.
20/08/1976N/AChildren's summer playscheme (picture)
03/09/1976N/AGorsewood - Sevenoaks DC rejects public enquiry.
24/09/1976N/ABillings Hill Shaw - Parish council request to build "pop in" for elderly on site of old nissen hut inpractical. Wimpeys say the land must be natural habitat, except possible restoration of tennis court
15/10/1976N/AHartley Players - O What a lovely war (picture) -50th year
22/10/1976N/AHartley Wood - Proposed gypsy site on Southwark land opposed.
22/10/1976N/AStack Lane - Mr J McGrath on behalf of residents oppose making up of lane to highway standards. Concern about felling of willow by RC church.
22/10/1976N/AParish council suggest land at back of Billings Hill Shaw for middle school.
29/10/1976N/AAll Saints' Church: Presentation to Roger Williams who is leaving to become chaplain of Bromley College (picture)
19/11/1976N/AFete - Vote 29-1 for Home Farm Trust to run next fete.
23/12/1976N/ABillings Hill Shaw: Logs given to elderly after fruit sold for mentally handicapped.
23/12/1976N/AManor Field: Parish Council wins planning appeal
21/01/1977N/AHartley welcomes new rector - Peter Lock (picture)
28/01/1977N/ANew Ash Green: Tree planted in thanks to [NAME], who steps down as chairman after 5 years of VA
25/02/1977Gravesend ReporterParish Council Resignation of Robin Fielding (ill health)
25/02/1977Gravesend ReporterParish council unhappy about proposed site for Middle School on west side of Ash Road at Hoselands Hill.
02/03/1977N/AScouts: Gang Show hits target (picture)
04/03/1977Gravesend ReporterStack Lane: Village split over problem lane. Parents at school want it made up, residents do not (picture of James McGrath)
18/03/1977Gravesend ReporterStack Lane: Letter from [NAME] of Kamiros reminds them pavement promised when school built
01/04/1977Gravesend ReporterStack Lane: Letter from George Amos to respect No Access signs
22/04/1977Gravesend ReporterParish Council: Chairman William Ball to retrire as chairman
29/04/1977Gravesend ReporterParish Council: Party to mark retirement of W Ball after 26 years as chairman (picture)
29/04/1977Gravesend ReporterNew Ash Green - Fawkham - Longfield relief road planned for 1981
06/05/1977Gravesend Reporter100th birthday of Miss Marjorie Capper of Fairby Grange, biography and picture
20/05/1977Gravesend ReporterJubilee: Details of celebrations
27/05/1977Gravesend ReporterParish Council: John Tate elected chairman
27/05/1977Gravesend ReporterBad accident near Black Lion, poor reflectors blamed
27/05/1977N/AAllotments on 2a land allocated by Bovis; [NAME] elected director of VA. Association bans horse riding on grassland
17/06/1977N/AMerton Avenue: Residents Association formed
17/06/1977N/ATree planted by William Ball in grounds of Primary School for Jubilee. School PTA gave jubilee crown to all pupils and staff.
08/07/1977Gravesend ReporterFete opened by Peter Glaze, over £1,000 raised.
29/07/1977N/AYouth centre to be built in New Ash Green on land in Hartley parish. Parish Council discussion on use it could be put to.
12/08/1977Gravesend ReporterSummer playscheme: picture of 4 children
25/08/1977Dartford ChronicleObituary of Sam Dreyer of Stack Lane (see article)
02/09/1977Gravesend ReporterMerton Avenue: Residents protest about KCC attempts to charge them £27,000 to make up road, when they don't want this (picture)
09/09/1977Gravesend ReporterHartley Grange Cottage now let by PC to tenants, members of staff at RC Primary School. Much of furniture contributed by clerk and councillors
16/09/1977N/AStack Lane: Pavement in lieu of making up road accepted by residents.
16/09/1977N/AChief scout awards to [NAME1] and [NAME2] (pictured)
23/09/1977Gravesend ReporterHorticultural Autumn show, picture of 3 competitors
23/09/1977N/AAssociation of Friends of Old Downs to invite residents to tea in their homes
30/09/1977Gravesend Reporter50th anniversary of cubs included 6 of the original pack: Ernie Earl (pictured), Tom Crouch, Horace Day, Tom Hollands, Fred Gardner and Len Simes. History and photos (including Skip Wickham)
28/10/1977Gravesend ReporterVillage appraisal launched.
18/11/1977Gravesend ReporterHorticultural Society: Annual meeting, membership up from 155 to 198. Officers listed.
18/11/1977Gravesend ReporterObituary: Edward G Wall of Erceldoune, Church Rd, aged 82. Lived in Hartley since 1939 and had worked at Standard Telephones & Cables at Footscray.
25/11/1977N/AAsh Road: Requests for "drive carefully" signs and rumble strips.
25/11/1977Gravesend ReporterFears that Hartley, New Ash Green and Longfield will coalesce.
02/12/1977N/AVote to share 1978 fete between HCA Welfare Fund, MS, and Friends of Old Downs.
06/01/1978Gravesend Reporter10 year old house 5b 2r 1bath, backs onto open land £33,950 (later reduced to £33,250 3/2/78)
13/01/1978Gravesend ReporterNew chalet style 4b house at Dickens Close £32,950 - Porter & Cobb
13/01/1978Gravesend ReporterLongfield PC say they can't identify suitable site for skateboard park
13/01/1978Gravesend ReporterHartley Conservatives claim success in membership drive
13/01/1978Gravesend ReporterLongfield PC don't want the railway to be the dividing line for their parish, as they would lose a lot of rateable properties to Hartley
13/01/1978Gravesend ReporterParish Council there opposes making railway line border with Fawkham, as it would set unwelcome precedent.
19/01/1978Dartford ChronicleBovis Advert: "Anyone looking for a new house must visit New Ash Green". 3 bed houses from £14,250, 3 bed detached houses from £19,250, 4 bed detached houses from £27,750
20/01/1978Gravesend ReporterBritish Pregnancy Advisory Service appeal against SDC's refusal for sewage purification plant at Fawkham Manor
27/01/1978Gravesend ReporterCouncil likes idea of Garden of Rememberance
27/01/1978Gravesend ReporterHartley PC sets rate of 1½p in the £ for 1978/9
27/01/1978Gravesend ReporterSchools approached for site, unwilling citing supervision
02/02/1978Dartford ChronicleMerton Avenue "Residents win 6 year fight: After a 6 yar battle over the fate of Merton Avenue, Hartley, it looks as thought he road's House and Landowners' Association has won th fight to stop the road being made up. At a meeting of kent County Council's Works and Porjects sub-committee recently, members decided to reverse tehir original decision made in January 1977 and passed a resolution to leave the road as it is. This issue has been the subject of countless heated arguments between Hartley Parish Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Kent County Council and the Merton Avenue House and Landowners Association since 1972. When KCC Works and Projects sub-committee finally passed a recommendation to have the road made up in January 1977, members agreed that the total cost of about £27,000 should be met by the frontagers. This would have cost them about £6,000 each for a road they did not want. [NAME], spokesman for the association said, "It has taken us a whole year to get the Works and Projects sub-committee to undo what they did last year." Sevenoaks District Council decided in June 1977 that they wanted the road made up to create a second access to their Wellfield Estate. When KCC realised the road would serve as an access road to the District Council's estate, they asked SDC to meet the cost. It was in September of that year that SDC Planning Committee had a sudden change of heart and decided to let the residents have their own way. Speaking on behalf of the Association, [NAME] said 'We are all very happy that after so many years both Kent and Sevenoaks District Council thin it wise to leave the road as it is just as KCC and the old Dartford Rural Council wanted back in 1972. We feel that at last we shall be left alone.' "
03/02/1978Gravesend ReporterHartley Labour claims to have doubled membership in last year. List of officers
03/02/1978Gravesend ReporterFeature on old Convent School in Woodlands Avenue (picture), closed 1976 and nuns moved to Gravesend.
09/02/1978Dartford ChronicleDr David Owen, Foreign Secretary to address Hartley Labour Party.
17/02/1978Gravesend Reporter"A good evening's entertainment" review of Hartley Players production of Absurd Person Singular
17/02/1978Gravesend ReporterHartley Players: Absurd Person Singular (picture of several actors)
23/02/1978Dartford ChronicleAmendment to Town Map approved by Minister to develop 8 acres at Butler's Place, "rounds off New Ash Green" with minimum impact.
24/02/1978Gravesend Reporter10 year old det bungalow, 2b 2r 1 bath at Quakers Close £23,000
24/02/1978Gravesend ReporterCllr Sheila Eames says HPC not correct to say that Sevenoaks had granted permission for 500 houses at Wellfield without considering traffic. They had stopped a lot of feeder roads to Wellfield
24/02/1978Gravesend Reportercllr Hitchen of HPC suggests removing the strip at Cherry Trees to improve parking.
24/02/1978Gravesend Reporter[NAME], teenager, puts plans before HPC for skateboard park
24/02/1978Gravesend ReporterWellfield: Councillor Sheila Eames complains about traffic there.
02/03/1978Dartford Chronicle[NAME] of Caxton Close given 120 hours community service for taking car without consent
03/03/1978Gravesend ReporterVolunteers led by George Amos, who would have helped if fire had broken out in Wellfield/Old Downs/Fairby during firemen's strike, are stood down
03/03/1978Gravesend Reporter17 year old from Over Minnis, New Ash Green, ordered to do 100 hrs community service for attempted robbery of Egyptian Tourist at Clapham Common
03/03/1978Gravesend ReporterLabour parliamentary candidate Richard Redden calls for street lights in Hartley after falling in Ash Road and needing hospital treatment (picture)
19/03/1978Dartford Chronicle[NAME], Hartley resident for 17 years, complains of motorbikes in Hartley Woods.
23/03/1978Gravesend ReporterTrustee Act notice re Ethel Wragg of 61 Cherry Trees, died 12.2.78
23/03/1978Gravesend ReporterOver 100 names on electoral roll for All Saints', anyone else has until 31st to register
23/03/1978Gravesend ReporterParish Council told district council members are not ex officio members as they thought. Proposal for Standing Orders remitted to committee.
23/03/1978Gravesend ReporterMarriage of [NAME] to [NAME], both of Crawden Bank, Merton Avenue
30/03/1978Dartford ChronicleSevenoaks Rates: General Rate 93.09p in the pound (reduced by 18.5p for Domestic premises), plus parish rates Hartley (1.25p), Longfield (1.35p), Ash (1.00p), Fawkham (3.95p). In addition 6.33 in the pound for sewerage to Thames/Southern water
30/03/1978Gravesend Reporter11th anniversary of Hartley and District Swimming Club. [NAME1] (president) said it was a testament to their enthusisam that they keep going in spite of the distance to the nearest pools.   [NAME2] chairman (pictures)
30/03/1978Gravesend ReporterSeeboard tariffs from 31 March: Domestic 2 part (Standing Charge £2.63 per qtr, 2.67p per unit; White meter £3.96 per qtr, 2.79p daily units, 1.14 night units)
30/03/1978Gravesend ReporterTimetable changes - fewer 489/490 buses to Gravesend but more in peak hours between Longfield and New Ash Green
07/04/1978Gravesend Reporter1 year old house at Banckside, 4b 2r 2 bath.   £42,500 Porter Cobb
14/04/1978Gravesend ReporterVillage angry over bypass delay after young cyclist knocked down.   KCC councillor John Barnes said it wouldn't be built until 1984 at the earliest and possibly not at all in 1980s.   He said accident figures don’t justify extensions of speed limits.   Some call for streetlighting.
14/04/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh Road: "Village angry over bypass delay".
14/04/1978N/AObituary of Winifred G Brimble of Broughton Ash Rd, formerly Ardgowan, Church Rd, aged 80. Came to Hartley in 1954, was village reporter for 8 years.
21/04/1978Gravesend ReporterGolden wedding of Sid (80) and Ciss (79) Critcher of Quaker's Close, he was a postman and she worked for post office too.   They moved to Hartley about 10 years ago
21/04/1978Gravesend ReporterLabour parliamentary candidate Richard Redden refused permission to speak at annual parish meeting by chairman John Tate, because he didn't live in Hartley, but then allowed local county councillor who lives in Lamberhurst to speak.   Cllr Barnes has apologised to him for this.   Meeting votes against streetlighting. Mr Redden said that villagers laughed when they heard of his accident
21/04/1978Gravesend ReporterJoint use facilities to be provided at Middle School, campaigner for football pitches told.
28/04/1978Gravesend ReporterDevelopment at Perran and Colyton reduced from 9 houses to 8, HPC want it reduced to 7
28/04/1978Gravesend ReporterResidents of Ash Road may seek rates reduction due to traffic.   [NAME] said he has just moved opposite St John's Lane, difficult to get out, seen 2 serious accidents in 7 months and car has driven into his garden
28/04/1978Gravesend ReporterBus stop to be moved to junction of St Johns Lane and Ash Road
28/04/1978Gravesend ReporterParish council want to fence off access to Hartley Wood at Beechlands Close
28/04/1978Gravesend Reporter[NAME] writes to save our woods from motorbikes.   Hartley Wood is becoming the home of the Japanese Yamaha, Suzuki and clapped out old motor bikes
28/04/1978Gravesend ReporterPerran Close: Proposed 9 houses
28/04/1978Gravesend ReporterWellfield: Council to consult ombudsman over access roads.
28/04/1978Gravesend Reporter15th anniversary of Afternoon Wl, which has 67 members. Picture of Joan Brown, Enid Campbell, Olive Pearce and others.
28/04/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh Road: Residents to seek rates reduction due to loss of amenity through dangerous traffic.
05/05/1978Gravesend ReporterMonday's timetable will introduce new 20 min frequency between Swanley and Medway Towns in peak time
05/05/1978Gravesend ReporterHartley Morris Men at Meopham (picture)
12/05/1978Gravesend ReporterPicture feature on Longfield ATC camp at Lincs.   Interviewed [NAME1] of Wellfield, [NAME2] of Ash Road, [NAME3] of Hoselands View
12/05/1978Gravesend ReporterDon't sweep your traffic onto us'.  Letter by [NAME] of 49 Northdown Road, Longfield. Hartley as well as NAG is the problem, diverted traffic would end up at Whitehill Crossroads and then use totally unsuitable Whitehill Road.   Asks why Mr Logan moved to Ash Road in the first place!
12/05/1978Bex'heath &Village appraisal to be sent to 1 in 5 sample to ask whether they want village turned into new town.
12/05/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh Road: [NAME] of Longfield says problem is much wider than Hartley
19/05/1978Gravesend ReporterRetirement of Skip Wickham after 30 years in charge of Longfield and Hartley Scouts.   In his time they have moved from hall in Longfield to Social club to Scout Hut - army hut placed on filled in cesspool in Larkwell Lane
19/05/1978Gravesend Reporter[NAME] (10) of Church Road wins Express Dairy painting competition, wins prize of Stylophone (picture)
19/05/1978Gravesend ReporterGlebe House, Ash Road advertised for £49,500, built 1958, ½a land, 4b 2r 1bath.   2 mins from station
26/05/1978Gravesend ReporterHPC have received no reply from owner at Beechlands Close about their plan to fence off entrance
26/05/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh Road: 1,250 signatures for relief road, told it would be low priority by KCC
02/06/1978Gravesend ReporterMike Brown to become chairman of Ash cum Ridley PC
02/06/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh PC support bypass
02/06/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh Road: 1,400 signature petition sent to MP.
16/06/1978Gravesend ReporterMarriage of Rosemary Margaret Fry, hospital pharmacist, dau of Yvonne Fry of Rodings Briars Way to Martin Anthony Oakley of Middlesbrough
23/06/1978Gravesend ReporterWI Friday market to begin 30.6.78 at Jubilee Hall
23/06/1978Gravesend ReporterHPC suggest skateboard park at Southwark Tip.   No reply to suggestion from Longfield PC, Ash PC not interested because it is too far away
23/06/1978Gravesend ReporterHecklers from National Front disturb talk by Foreign Secretary Dr Owen to Labour group at NAG
23/06/1978Gravesend ReporterHPC looking at football pitches at Manor Field
23/06/1978Gravesend ReporterRound Ash Way - 4b 2r 1bath house for sale at £36,000
23/06/1978Gravesend ReporterManor Field: Discussion for building football pitches, currently barley grown there.
23/06/1978Gravesend ReporterPerran Close: Given name by PC
30/06/1978Gravesend Reporter[NAME] of Gorsewood Road suspects vandals might be to blame for wheel falling off his landrover
30/06/1978Gravesend ReporterBanckside (probably) - Large house on corner for sale 5b 3r 2baths.   £59,000
30/06/1978Gravesend ReporterVandalism of land rover of [NAME1] of Gorsewood Road (wheels removed), and theft of [NAME2]'s land rover from Gorse Way (pictured)
07/07/1978Gravesend ReporterHope to have raised £2,000 for MS Research and Old Downs
07/07/1978Gravesend ReporterComplaints over KCC plans to charge for school travel from NAG to Longfield
07/07/1978Gravesend ReporterMarriage of Lucy Barfield now of S Darenth.   She was teacher of music and dance at Hartley and Cobham Hall
07/07/1978Gravesend ReporterObituary of Ada Emily Eliza Burridge (52) of South View Church Road, accomplished florist, owned Kenways at Earls Court.   Killed in car accident at Maida Vale
07/07/1978Gravesend ReporterFire at former St Joseph's School.   Police say not arson, but locals report seeing people running away just before.
07/07/1978Gravesend ReporterFormer RC school burnt down, mentions witness [NAME] of Woodlands Avenue
07/07/1978Gravesend ReporterFete: Picture of 3 children attending.
14/07/1978Gravesend ReporterTraffic survey finds 1,200 cars between 8-9am at Wellfield, twice that at Fairby Lane.   Conclusion much of the traffic Hartley seeks relief from is from Hartley
14/07/1978Gravesend ReporterLibrary: garden planned.
21/07/1978Gravesend ReporterNew Barn votes 87% to be in one authority, 69% for Gravesham, 15% Dartford, 14% Sevenoaks.   Turnout 70%
21/07/1978Gravesend ReporterAll Saints': Monthly communion planned for Church Hall, and other schemes agreed.
28/07/1978Gravesend ReporterKCC to review priority of by-pass
28/07/1978Gravesend ReporterOfficial opening of Jubilee Hall, Longfield
28/07/1978Gravesend ReporterRetirement of Nora Drinkwater after 16 years at primary school
28/07/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh Road: KCC to look again
28/07/1978Gravesend ReporterJon Tate of Maynards Florists, Gravesend going to Interflora convention in US (Picture)
04/08/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh Road: 1,200 cars between 8am and 9am at Wellfield, 600 at St John's Lane at same time. NAG traffic thought to be using Church Road.
04/08/1978Gravesend ReporterGarden of Remembrance plans.
04/08/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh wants to take over all Bovis land into their parish. Poll found 131-92 to keep current boundary.
11/08/1978Gravesend ReporterGolden wedding of George and Louisa Taylor of Springcroft. Biographies.
01/09/1978N/A16 year old [NAME] from of Ash Road wins poetry prize (picture)
14/09/1978Dartford ChronicleWellfield: complaints about road access to estate.
15/09/1978Gravesend ReporterAll Saints': bishop of Tonbridge preaches sermon.
29/09/1978Gravesend Reporter"Your Right to Vote" letter by [NAME] of Johns Close and of local labour party.
13/10/1978Gravesend ReporterManor Field: William Ball defends his record on the development.
13/10/1978Gravesend ReporterChief scout awards for [NAME1] and [NAME2] (picture)
27/10/1978Gravesend ReporterParish Council votes narrowly to continue with Manor Field development.
24/11/1978Gravesend ReporterSocial Club: wording of shopper's parking sign agreed.
24/11/1978Gravesend ReporterBovis's plans for Northfield include garden centre, caravan park, cottage industries, housing, as well as open space.
01/12/1978Gravesend ReporterResidents of Gorse Way oppose application by Foven Construction Ltd for 9 bungalows.
22/12/1978Gravesend ReporterAsh and Hartley Parish Councils meet on Northfield
22/12/1978Gravesend ReporterBreakaway church from URC, called "Hartley Christian Fellowship" meeting at house of [NAME] of Old Downs.
23/03/1979N/AManor Field: contractor appointed to create football pitch and car park.
30/03/1979N/AEdgar M Sharp of Copse Side wins MBE. Biography, civil servant in CRO and Lord Chancellor's Department. Picture of him and son Christopher and dau in law June.
30/03/1979N/A[NAME] of Fairby Lane wins light middleweight title in karate (picture).
06/04/1979N/A"Village Split over relief road plan", Charles Ellerby speaks against road through Fawkham Valley. County Council says this is unlikey "before 1991".
12/04/1979N/AAnnual parish meeting votes to oppose housing on Northfield and to return land to agriculture.
04/05/1979N/A"Attendances up at All Saints' ", now 75 communicants for all services. 50 in Sunday School.
25/05/1979N/AComplaints of vandalism and motorbikes at Woodlands Avenue recreation ground.
25/05/1979N/AParish Council elections: complaints that Conservatives broke agreement with Labour not to run under party names.
15/06/1979Gravesend ReporterComplaints that new houses were too near existing properties in Chapelwood Road.
15/06/1979Gravesend ReporterParish council say dual use facilities for sport will be available in Longfield School.
15/06/1979N/A[NAME1] of Chantry Avenue and [NAME2] of Fairby Lane to go on Scout "Eurotrek 79". Picture.
14/09/1979Gravesend ReporterManor Field: 300 at meeting, which opposed council's plans to cancel contract for football pitches. The councillors concerned pointed out that people voted for them in recent election knowing they were against football pitches there; that the permission was still in effect and at the moment they were getting income and not having to maintain the land. [NAME1] and [NAME2] offered to do work free of charge and [NAME3] and [NAME4] also opposed council.
28/09/1979N/AManor Field: council decision to cancel project overturned. Cllr Freddie Eames said public meeting was appalling, emotional and unrepresentative.
28/09/1979N/AKarate star [NAME] (26) of Fairby Lane, runs for life from attack at Barcelona Disco.
05/10/1979N/AFence to be built to prevent vandals at Woodlands Avenue recreation ground.
16/11/1979Gravesend Reporter[NAME1] and wife [NAME2] of Church Road involved in accident on A2
30/11/1979Gravesend ReporterAnnual fete meeting votes to share proceeds between Leukaemia Research (prop Janet Collins), St Joseph's Hospice (prop R Jones of Coltstead) and HCA Welfare Fund.
07/12/1979Gravesend ReporterNew garden of rememberance to be dedicated.
4 February 1972 - Gate locked before the train came
Dartford Chronicle
Report of Hartley Parish Council Meeting

An over zealous British Rail official caused a crisis at Longfield Station last Thursday.  A number of schoolchildren were in the booking hall, sheltering from the cold morning and waiting for the 7.49 to Rochester when the door to the platform was locked just before the train came in.  The children were left behind, with a long wait for the next train.  One boy was too late at school to take his mock A level exam.  the scene was witnessed by several adult passengers and Mr Y Fry phoned British Rail.  A letter of apology was read at last Friday's meeting of Hartley Parish Council.

Members of the council are protesting at the rural Council's decision to go ahead with the link road between Wellfield and Gorsewood Road.  Local residents feel the increase in traffic through Wellfield will become a hazard.

A census has shwon that 5,000 vehicles a day now use Ash Road - an increase of approximately 40% over the past 5 years.

A report of a meeting between members of both Ash cum Ridley and Hartley Parish councils regarding open land between New Ash Green and Hartley was submitted and it was proposed that the two councils should discuss this question more fully.  It was also agreed to contact the woner of Hartley Woods, with a view to securing it as an open space for Hartley.

After investigation the Department of the Environment found that Hartley Churchyard was not a public health hazard, and it will, therefore not be closed....
There are now 426 pupils on the roll at Hartley Primary Schools with 3 mobile classrooms.

Financial estimates for 1972/73 showed it will be possible to reduce the rate from 2p to 1p.  Mr W Ball the chairman congratulated the clerk Mrs D Evans on a job well done.



4 February 1972 - A View of a Loo wins Reduction
Dartford Chronicle

A Hartley man, who claimed he could see workmen using a toilet on a building site when he looked out of his kitchen window, asked for a reduction in the rateable value of his home, at Kent Local Valuation Court at White Oak, Swanley, last Thursday.

[NAME] of Wild Barfield, Merton Avenue, claimed that there was high density development in the vicinity of his bungalow, which had sprung up since 1968.  [NAME] who said he had occupied his bungalow since 1961, claimed that the area in which he lived wa no longer rural in the strictest sense of the word because of the development.

He alleged that the road in which he lived, which is not made up, was awash with mud and water, particularly since contractor's lorries were using the road.

[NAME] also said it was impossible to walk along the road from May to September withotu wearing rubber boots.

Speaking about the development of 36 flats at the rear of his property, [NAME] quoted from an environment inspector's report which stated that the development would be of old people's bungalows.

He said Dartford Rural Council had obviously changed their mind after getting the planning permission.

[NAME] also complained that sheds which had been erected in 1968 for workmen were very unsightly and still had not been taken down.

Mr I E Salway, Deputy Valuation Officer, agreed that the development at the rear of [NAME] property had a higher density than elsewhere in Hartley.

The panel agreed to a reduction of £5.


3 March 1972 - Save village plan put to parish council
Dartford Chronicle

Formation of a Hartley Preservation Society was suggested to Hartley PC last Friday at All Saints' Committee Room.  The chairman Mr W Ball, ssaid that about 20 years ago the Council hoped to make a development plan for the area.  There were overruled.  He added that the parish council are given early notice of planning applications, and these are read at monthly meetings, when the public are allowed to attend, and at the end, invited to air their grievances.

Planning application for the residential development at the rear of Old Downs and Ash Road has been refused by the rural Council  Mr R J Billings has appealed to the Environmental Minister who has ordered a local enquiry at White Oak, Swanley, this week.

Mrs Y Fry reported that she had been approached by elderly residents, who were unable to cope with large gardens, about the possibility of building maisonettes on the sites.  Mr Ball said hew would put the suggestion to the Rural Council.

It was reported taht the parish council are making strenuous efforts to obtain land for open spaces in Hartley, and teh rural council are in sympathy with their endeavours.

After several years of pressure by the parish council, work has begun on Ash Road.  The next few months will see a wider road developed with two footpaths as far as St John's Lane, thus ensuring the safety of pedestrians in the busy village centre.

Attention was drawn to the chaotic state of Round Ash Way, when children are leaving school.  Cars are bumper to bumper, and residents are unable to get in or out of their drives.  It was also asked if traffic could be controlled through Stack Lane.

Another complaint concerned the dumping of girders and concrete at the entrance to Hartley Wood.  The council are taking steps to see that such dumping does not recur.

Owing to road works in the village, it was decided not to enter Kent Best Kept Village Competition this year.


3 March 1972 - Friary Plan put on ice
Dartford Chronicle
This article shows how close Hartley's oldest house came to demolition in this year (Middle Farm, Church Road).

Kent county Council have served a preservation order in respect of the Carmelite Friary, church Road, Hartley, which was threatened with demolition.  The Provincial, the Rev A Brennan, recently applied to Dartford Rural Council for planning permission to build a new students' residence on the site.  Now the application has been shelved, while Whitehall decide whether to include the friary in the list of buildings of architectural or historial interest.  When the rural Council Planning Committee first discussed it, Mrs Yvonne Fry, member for Hartley, said demolition would rob the village of a piece of its history.


10 March 1972 - Residents Fight Top People's Homes' Plan - But Builder tells of stark problems
Dartford Chronicle
The Billings Group appeal to build the Parkfield Estate.  Notable for their claim they might go bust if the development were not allowed.

Objectors to a proposed development at Hartley were told last week that he building of 48 executive type houses in the village would help a local builder to continue in business and provide houses to people without them.  

They were listening to a 2 day public inquiry into an appeal by Mr R J Billings against Dartford Rural Council's refusal to grant planning permission for land at the rear of Old Downs and Ash Road, Hartley.

Mr John Newey QC, representing Mr Billings, stated that the 8 acre site which his client owned was not good agricultural land, but part of it had been cultivated, Mr Billings was also a farmer, he said.  'Mr Billings used to build about 150 houses a year, but the position is at the moment that in the whole of Kent he has only 20 sites for 20 houses,' Mr Newey told the inspector Mr R Le B Shelton.  'That is a very stark and real problem if he is to continue his business,' he added.

The council's main objection to the development was that part of the site was within an area being considered for inclusion in the metropolitan green belt.  Mr James Milburn, for the council, said that only about 1 acre of the site was within an area designated for development on the Kent Development Plan.  He maintained that there were 2,000 private houses due to be built at New Ash Green and Swanley, and these would meet the demand in the rural area.  

Much of the evidence and cross-examination was concerned with possible aggravation of crowded commuter trains from the Hartley-Longfield area.  Mr Newey said it was not intended to have a greater density than 8 houses to the acre on the site.  They would be for professional, managerial or executive people.  And it would be wrong, he held, to suppose that the people who bought them would necessarily work in central London.

Mr John Porter, of Porter and Cobb, estate agents, told the enquiry that, although the houses would be more expensive than some in the area, he had no doubt that they would sell without any difficulty.  He added that the cost of plots of land in the area at the moment was 'fantastic'.

Mr R T Byrom, senior planning assistant of the rural council, referred to other appeals in the area that had been dismissed.  One of these, rejected by the minister in 1965, also an application by Mr Billings, concerned an area of 89 acres, which included the current appeal site.  'The appeal site is countryside and by remaining in agricultural as a barrier against the spread of development westward into the Fawkham valley, it plays an essential part in protecting the countryside and preventing the merging of Hartley with the village of Fawkham,' said Mr Byrom.

Mr Philip Bradshaw, a principal assistant with Kent County Council's Roads Department told the inquiry that residential development of the appeal site would be likely to cause hazards to road safety, mainly because of the restricted access onto the Ash Road.  He was questioned at length by Mr Newey, who did not agree with his estimate that the development could produce an additional 500 vehicle movements in the area.

The Inspector said he had received 22 letters from local residents who objected to the development.  Forty Hartley people were represented by counsel, Mr Bryan Prior, who said 'It would provide additional pressure on local facilities which are already suffering from excessive use', he told the inspector.

Among local residents to give evidence was Mr Robin Fielding, an electrical engineer and training officer, of Ash Road, who concluded 'I oppose any expansion whatever in the village.'

[NAME] of Fairby Lane, who travels to London by train each day spoke of the 'intolerable situation' which would exist on the railway if any more building were allowed.  

Mr K Willis, of Old Downs, Hartley, told the inspector that, even bearing in mind that the government were pressing local authorities in the Home Counties to consider the generous release of land, he would still be against the development.

Headmaster of Hartley Primary School, [NAME], referring to the situation at his school, said that every week this term a new child had been admitted to the school from families who had just moved to Hartley.

In his summing up, Mr Milburn referred to the government's go ahead decision for New Ash Green in 1964.  He quoted Mr Richard Crossman, who said that permission did not represent an abandonment of the green belt policy and was preferable to 'drips and drabs' and infilling development.  The appeal site was the sort of thing that this remark had in mind, claimed Mr Milburn.

Concluding his case, Mr Newey outlined 8 points in favour of the development, which included the great demand for housing, the shortage of building land, the fact that Hartley was not included in the Green Belt in the 1960s, the small agricultural value of the land, and the urging of local authorities by the government for the release of more land.
The Inspector made 2 visits to the site and will make the recommendations to the Environment Minister.


10 March 1972 - Residents fight 'Top People's Homes' Plan: But Builder Tells of Stark Problems
Dartford Chronicle
This article relates to the future Downs Valley, Banckside and Parkfield.  Remarkably the Billings Group claimed the firm might go out of business if they didn't get planning permission.  It is interesting to note that two of the objectors lived in houses built earlier by Mr Billings!

Objectors to a proposed development at Hartley were told last week that the building of 48 executive type homes in the village would help a local builder to continue his business and provide houses for people without them.

Thy were listening to a two day public enquiry into an appeal by Mr R J Billings against Dartford Rural District Council' refusal to grant planning permission for land at the rear of Old owns and Ash Road, Hartley.

Mr John Newey QC, representing Mr Billings, stated that the 8 acre site which his client owned was not part good agricultural land, but part of it had been cultivated.  Mr Billings was also a farmer, he said.

"Mr Billings used to build about 150 houses a year, but the position at this moment is that in the whole of Kent he has only 20 sites for 20 houses"  Mr Newey told the inspector, Mr R Le B Shelton.

"That is a very stark and real problem if he is to continue his business," he added.

The council's main objection to development was that part of site was within an area being considered for inclusion in the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Mr James Milburn, for the council, said that only about 1 acre of the site was actually within an area designated for residential development on the Kent Development Plan.

He maintained that there wre 2,000 private homes due to be built at New Ash Green and Swanley, and these would meet the demand in the rural area.

Much of the evidence and cross examination was concerned with possible aggravation of crowded commuter trains from the Hartley Longfield area.

At the start of the enquiry about 30 members of the public were present.

Mr Newey said it was not intended to have a greater density than 8 houses to the acre on the site.  They would be for professional, managerial or executive people.

And it would be wrong, he held, to suppose that the people who bought them would necessarily work in central London.

Mr John Porter, of Porter and Cobb, estate agents, told the inquiry that although the houses would be more expensive than some in the area, he had no doubt they would sell without any difficulty.

He added that the cost of plots of land in the area at present was 'fantastic'.

Mr R T Byrom, senior planning assistant of the Rural District Council, referred to other appeals in the area which had been dismissed.

One of these, rejected by the Minister in 1965, also an application by Mr Billings, concerned an area of 89 acres, which included the current appeal site.

"The appeal site is countryside and by remaining in agricultural use as a barrier against the spread of development westward into the Fawkham Valley it lays an essential part to protecting this countryside and preventing the merging of Hartley with the village of Fawkham", said Mr Byrom.

Mr Philip Bradsaw, a principal assistant wit Kent Couty Council's Roads Department, told the inquiry that residentail development of the appeal site would be likely to cause hazards to road safety mainly because of restricted access onto the Ash Road.

He was questioned at length by Mr Newey, who did not agree with his estimate that the development could produce an additional 500 'vehicle movements' in the area.

The inspector said that he had received 22 letters from local residents who objected to the development.

40 Hartley people were represented by counsel, Mr Brian Pryor, who said "In my view this appeal has not shown that there is any local need for this development."

"It would provide additional pressure on local facilities which are already suffering from excessive use", he told the Inspector.

Among local residents to give evidence was [NAME 1], an electrical engineer and training officer of Ash Road, who concluded, "I oppose any further expansion whatever in the village."

[NAME 2] of Fairby Lane, who travels to London by train each day, spoke of the "intolerable situation" which would exist on the railway if any more building was allowed.

Mr K Willis, of Old Downs, Hartley, told the inspector that even bearing in mind that the Government were proposing local authorities in the Home Counties to consider the generous release of land, he would still be against the development.

Headmaster of Hartley Primary School, Mr David Connick, referring to the situation at his school, said that every week this term a new child had been admitted to the school from families who had just moved to Hartley.

In his summing up, Mr Milburn referrred to the Government's go-ahead decision for New Ash Green in 1964.

He quoted Mr Richard Crossman, who said that permission did not represent an agbandonment of the Green Belt policy and was preferable to "dribs and drabs" and infilling devlopment.  The appeal site was the ort of thing that this remark had in mind, claimed Mr Milburn.

Concluding his case, Mr Newey outlined 8 points in favour of the development, which included the great demand for housing, the shortage of building land, te fact that Hartley was not included in the Green Belt in the 1950s, the small agricultural value of the land, and the urging of local authorities by the government for the release of more land.

The inspector made two visits to the site and will make his recommendations to the Environment minister.


14 April 1972 - New Road a Threat to Old Ruins
Dartford Chronicle

A 13th century medieval village found in a Hartley wood - the subject of 3 years' work by Fawkham Archaeological Society - will be bisected and partially lost when a new link road crosses the site.

Before the bulldozers move in on Chapel Wood, where the village, known as Scotgrove, covers 5 acres of cleared scrubland, the society have launched a rescue operation.

At Easter they started excavation and examination of one building, thought to be a chapel with surrounding boundary walls, which will typify the village.

"We shall save what we can", say s the society's leader, Mr Roger Walsh, a surveyor who is a keen archaeologist.

Mr Walsh feels that while they deplore the loss of remains, the society are not dedicated to conservation and must accept the need for new roads.

He sees Scotgrove as just part of the pattern of rmains uner threat in the new Kent Road Plan.  The society have launched emergency rescue plans.

Forming theselves into a corsortium with other neighbouring societies they are walking the lengths of the proposed roads and looking for signs of archaeological interest.

"I would bet that there is not less than a dozen sites of value on the route of proposed M20 between Wrotham and Swanley", he claims.

These could be Romano-British, medieval or from other periods.

"If we find something of outstanding value, we would fight to get the road rerouted," he says.

The society do not plan to fight over Scotgrove.

Although, says Mr Walsh, "It has not been too tampered with, and is of value."

It woudl have been a village in 1250, and evidence of flint walls, as well as those of the usual daub and wattle have been discovered.  Mounds, hillocks and ditches mark the spot.

The new road will carry traffic from New Ash Green (the Royal Oak West Ash) to link with Valley Road.


28 April 1972 - 3 Way link for super council
Dartford Chronicle
The Royal Commission under Lord Redcliffe-Maud had recommended unitary authorities for the whole country in 1969.  Hartley would have been part of the West Kent authority area.  However the Conservative government in 1970 repudiated the report and decided on a two-tier structure of county councils and district councils.  They did however reduce the number of district councils, Kent would lose two-thirds of their district councils.  The Boundary Commission then was set to draw up the new authorites and sensibly suggested the area that looked to Dartford as its main town should be one authority.  However the paper notes that political parties had their own motives in wanting to alter the proposals, and already the suggestion to make the then parliamentary constituency boundary the borough boundary too was raised.


Dartford Borough, Dartford Rural and Swanscombe Urban Councils will be combined in one big district if the Local Government Boundary Commission's draft proposals, published on Wednesday, are approved.  This follows the line up predicted by the Kentish Times.

The draft proposals ae, in effect, the government's blue print and could become law by the end of the year, with or without modification after written representations from local authorities and individuals.....

The proposals for Kent cut down the 47 existing authorities to 14 new districts.

In 1971 the census population of the new Dartford district was 119,290 it will cover 40,470 acres and have a rateable value of £5,133,700.

In the shakeup Gravesend and Northfleet combine with part of Strood Rural to form a new super district, and Chaham and Rochester merge with the remainder of Strood to form another.

The Dartford district will be one of 5 in Kent with a populatino between 100,000 and 120,000.

Elections for the new districts will be held in 1973 and the new authorities wil come into operation in April 1974.

When Dartford Borough was conservative controlled, the authority proposed a merger with Dartford Rural District.  This was bitterly opposed by the RDC.  Later, under Labour, Dartford Borough tended to look towards living with Swanscombe.  Now it lloks as if it will have the best of both worlds.

Mr F L Sturt, Clerk to Swanscombe UDC, said: 'This is what we suggested.  It is what we wanted.  Of course, we would rather stayon our own, but we know that is impossible, so I do not think we shall object.'

Alderman David Wise, Leader of Dartford Borough Council said: 'I have not yet seen the detailed proposals - the suggestion that Dartford Borough, Dartford Rural and Swansombe urban should be amalgamated in their entirety is administratively convenient and is likely to cause few problems when a changeover takes place.'  He continued: 'However, I still believe that the long term interests of the people throughout the area would best be served for those parts of the rural district which fall outside the Dartford Parliamentary Constituency and which have more rural affinity with the countryside to the south, to form part of the district council based on Sevenoaks.

The chairman of Dartford Rural Council, Councillor Eric Costin, said: 'We have opposed this all the way along and we prefer to be left alone and not merged with anyone.  If this is the Government's decree, however, we must accept it, pull together and work as one authority.'

Mr Richard Jones, clerk of Swanley Parish Council, said: 'My council will not like this one bit.   But it is a draft proposal and the argument will start all over again.  This blueprint will mean people of Dartford Rural District paying higher rates to provide facilities for Dartford Borough.'


1 December 1972 - "2 Villages are now really one
Dartford Chronicle
Another attempt in the long running battle by developers to build houses on the west side of Downs Valley.

"Hartley and Longfield had lost their separate identities since WW2, a chartered surveyor claimed at the NW Kent Town Map Inquiry on Tuesday.

The surveyor Mr J A Porter, claimed development had now connected the villages and for this reason green belt policy should not apply.

the written statement stated that a main aim of the Green Belt was 'to protect the countryside south of the A2 trunk road and prevent the coalescence of settlements in the area.'

Mr Porter added 'These two villages have already joined so how can this apply there?'

He was giving evidence to support an objection to a 7 acre plot of land in Hartley/Longfield being zoned Green Belt.  The land, off Castle Hill, Hartley Green, is held in trust by Barclays Bank Trust Company, who want it zoned residential.

None of the other aims of Green Belt - to protect the countryside, to provide a barrier against further expansion of London, and for people's enjoyment - seemed to apply in the case of this land, Mr Porter added.

Mr John Taylor, representing Kent County Council, said people going to thearea would have tier enjoyment spoiled by a view of the development 'From two footpaths on the opposite side of Fawkham Valley, the houses would be very conspicuous'.

'Surely you would agree,' he asked Mr Porter, 'that when you have a valley like this it is important that it should be preserved?'.

Mr E R Emery, representing the CountyCouncil's roads department, said even if 8 houses an acres were built on the site, roads in the are would be overloaded.

Mr john Grove, representing Barclays, claimed the site developers had accepted that Castle Hill would have to be improved and widened before they started work.

Mr John Simmons, a assistant county planning officer, said 'This is a very pleasant country lane for the most part and would be spoiled if widening were to take place.  It would mean felling trees, teh loss of 2 cottages and cutting the bottom of some people's gardens'.

The inquiry adjiurned until this Thursday.



11 July 1974 - Council to Fight for Name
Dartford Chronicle
I don't think Hartley and Longfield were ever a single council ward, so presumably this proposal did not happen.

"While accepting that amalgamation may be inevitable under the Boundary Commission's review of district council electoral requirements, Longfield Parish Council are determined that Longfield shall retain its identity.

At their meeting on July 3, members voted in favour of a resolution which they will send to Sevenoaks District Council, stating their views on the proposals, that all wards should be made larger to give 3 member representation.

They point out that they would prefer Longfield to remain as now, namely a one member ward, believing that mere increase in size and numbers of members representing a larger ward, does not lead to increased efficiency and any more than larger districts have or will lead to increased efficiency.

'If, however, the Boundaries Commission is set on larger 3 member wards, there is only one obvious suggestion, namedly amalgamation with the present 2 member Hartley Ward.  This will give approximately 1,500 electorate per member, as against 1,400 over the whole district', states the resolution.

But they stress that as Longfield embraces most of the public services such as railway station, telephone exchange, shopping centre and secondary school for the combined area, it must not lose its identity in any new ward name, which the Parish Council suggest should be Longfield - Hartley ward."


25 August 1977 - Obituary of Sam Dreyer
Dartford Chronicle

Mr Samuel Christian Dreyer of Berne, Stack Lane, Hartley, died on August 12 at Joyce Green Hospital, aged 78.
He was born at Daerstten, Near Berne, Switzerland, and came to England in 1920.
During part of his career he wrked for the Swiss Embassy in London and in Berne.  The main part of his working life was in the service of Sir Thomas Hohler of Fawkham Manor as his valet, during which time he travelled widely vistiting many countries, when his knowledge of several languages was a great asset.
During the war he was appointed local representative for the Ministry of Food.
After the death of Sir Thomas in 1946, Mr Dreyer worked in London before settling in Hartley.  He was a member of the Association of Friends, Old Downs, where his services will be greatly missed.
As relatives requested no wreaths, neighbours and friends collected and brought flowers which, with the help of Hartley Flower Club, decorated the Church for the funeral service.
The funeral was on August 18 at Fawkham Church, followed by cremation at Medway, the Rev A C Ford, Rector of Fawkham, officiating.


2 February 1978 - Merton Avenue Residents win 6 year fight
Dartford Chronicle
The residents of Merton Avenue faced having to pay for the road to be made up, when the main beneficiaries would be Sevenoaks Council.  

After a 6 year battle over the fate of Merton Avenue, Hartley, it looks as thought he road's House and Landowners' Association has won th fight to stop the road being made up.  At a meeting of kent County Council's Works and Porjects sub-committee recently, members decided to reverse tehir original decision made in January 1977 and passed a resolution to leave the road as it is.  This issue has been the subject of countless heated arguments between Hartley Parish Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Kent County Council and the Merton Avenue House and Landowners Association since 1972.  When KCC Works and Projects sub-committee finally passed a recommendation to have the road made up in January 1977, members agreed that the total cost of about £27,000 should be met by the frontagers.  This would have cost them about £6,000 each for a road they did not want.  [NAME], spokesman for the association said, "It has taken us a whole year to get the Works and Projects sub-committee to undo what they did last year."  Sevenoaks District Council decided in June 1977 that they wanted the road made up to create a second access to their Wellfield Estate.  When KCC realised the road would serve as an access road to the District Council's estate, they asked SDC to meet the cost.  It was in September of that year that SDC Planning Committee had a sudden change of heart and decided to let the residents have their own way.  Speaking on behalf of the Association, [NAME] said 'We are all very happy that after so many years both Kent and Sevenoaks District Council thin it wise to leave the road as it is just as KCC and the old Dartford Rural Council wanted back in 1972.  We feel that at last we shall be left alone.'


3 February 1978 - Refugee Nuns who began a Village School
Dartford Reporter
The article includes a picture of the wooden school in Woodland Avenue.  Given the amount of in-migration to Hartley in the twenty-five years preceeding, it is unlikely that half the population of Hartley in 1978 was taught at the school as claimed, although it would have accounted for a significant proportion of those schooled in Hartley at the time.  


The village Sisters of Mery have been part of the life of Hartley since the war.  Two generation sof children learned from them and grew under their care at St Joseph's Convent School.  But after some 35 years, the nuns are no longer a familiar sight in the village.

The school thy opened in 1942 with 30 people had grown ito such as size that the parish was entitled to a new grant aided Roman Catholic primary School.  It opened in September 1976 - and te five sister who stayed on in the convent returned to Gravesend last October when the building was sold.

The story of how 7 nuns, evacuated from Alderney when the Germans invaded the Channel Islands in 1940, became a much loved Hartley institution, is a strange one.

In fact, St Joseph's Hartley might nvever have been if the Sisters had not spotted an advertisement in the Catholic newspaper "The Universe" one day in 1942.

They had spent 2 years in convents in Bournemouth, Burnley, Leeds and Oldham after leaving their own convent and school at Alderney.

Both buildings were occupied by the Germans and there was no prospect of returning there.  So the sisters were looking for some work to do - and then they saw the advertisement.

It appealed for a community of sisters to consider opening a school in 'a remote country village n Kent', which Hartley was in 1942.

The advertisement had been placed by Miss Beatrice Davies-Cook, a lady who did much to establish the Roman Catholic parish in Hartley.

She owned a building which had once been used as the village school and she was willing to loan it any group of Sisters who would open a school in Hartley.

This work seems just right for the exiled nuns, but there was protocol to observe before they could go ahead.

First the sisters had to obtain permission to work in another diocese from the Archbishop of Portsmouth.  He gave his consent - but only on condition that the sisters returned to their own convent and school in Alderney when they could, and resume their work there.

Then, another Archbishop had to be consulted, this time the Archbishop of Southwark, under whose authority Hartley was.  He too gave his blessing to the project, but aske that the sisers seek amalgamation with another community in his diocese.

At last the nuns were free to open the school but there were plenty of problems to face.

First, they had no accommodation - but the Gravesend Sisters of Mercy soon solved that problem.  There was no furniture or equipment at all in Hartley, and the nuns had to appeal to other convents and friends for help.

According to Mother Francis Lennon, the last Sister-in-charge at Hartley, the response was "just wonderful".

"The Sisters also received much support and encouragement from the Carmelite Fathers and the parishioners in Hartley", she said.

At last the school was open and functioning, with a first intake of 30 pupils.  Sister Camillus, now aged 89 , was the first headmistress.

Over the next few years it went from strength to strength - then in 1946 came te news that their property in Alderney was empty once more.  Under the terms of their promise to their own archbishop, the nuns were bound to return.

Two sisters went out to inspect their old convent and school.  They found it in a 'deplorable' condition.

All the furniture was gone, adn that was the least of the damage  But it was a sroke of good luck for Hartley for their Archbishop told the sisters that there wa no possibility of reopening the Alderney foundation.

He offered to buy the property from them and release them from their obligation to return.

The year 1946 was notable for the Hartley nuns for another reason.  It was then that they were finally amalgamated with the Sisters of Mercy at Gravesend, as they had promised the Archbishop of Southwark.

The Gravesend Sisters assisted on the school staff and acted as headmistresses when theneed arose.  It was the Gravesend Convent too, that provided for a two classrom extnsion to be built when the existing building became too small to hold the rising number of pupils.

Mother Francis Lennon, the last sister-in-charge at Hartley, arrived from Gravesend in 196  She had been Headmistress at St Joseph's Convent High School for 25 years, but in Hartley she took charge of the convent rather than the school.

Though the sisters had been forced to charge fees in recent years, as prices went up, the school was immensely popular.

So may schoolchildren attended it - 130 by 1976 - that Hartley became eligible for a grant-aided Catholic school, and in July that year, the independent convent school closed its doors.

After the summer holidays, the pupils started at their brand new purpose built school  But 5 sisters stayed on for 15 months until the old building was finally sold in October 1977

For the village, it is the end of an era.  But about half the population of Hartley today was taught by the sisters of mercy  in the old building loans by a patron of the parish.

So the refugee sisters who started a tradition will not be forgotten for many years to come.



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