Nostalgic memories of Dartford's local history

Share your own memories of Dartford and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 51 - 60 of 116 in total

Hi to all. The public house in the centre of town, where the policeman stood directing traffic was The One Bell. Next door was a shop called the Maypole and next to that was The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel. Richard Trevithick (1771-1833) was a british engineer from Cornwall; a pioneer and inventor of the high pressure steam engine in 1799, he died in bed in the Bull Hotel. It later became The Royal Victoria and Bull ...see more
Hi there, I couldn't see a name on this entry but the entry above it had the name Ted Stock, is that you? I don't remember that name but remember York Road School and the dreaded Mr S who also beat me most unfairly. I remember Mrs Clarke, Mr Parker, Mr Brown and the dreaded Miss E who taught the reform class - what a dreadful name for a class for poor achievers! Do you remember the McGills who had the little store ...see more
I knew Patrick Mackay well, he was 2 years older than me when we attended York Road School together. I have passed on everything I remember to the researcher.
Hi Jane Are your a sister of James? (or Jimmy Lawrence). He used to live in Colney Road, just around the corner from where I lived in the late 1950s to mid 1960s. I remember playing on our pogo sticks, and seeing who could do the most "jumps"!!. Great fun. I also remember going around to his house and playing in his back garden. I seem to also remember he was related to a Graham Dillaway? He lived in the next road to Mildred Close.
The Nissan huts on the heath became a teddy bear factory after the war. My aunt worked there making bears, I still have one, its been with me for 63years. Sad A. My aunt became a seamstress making nurses uniforms in Joyce Green Hospital.
Born Livingstone Hospital East Hill in 1947. Lived on Temple Hill from the age of 5 years, went to Temple Hill later Dartford East (The Downs) schools. First job at 14, was at Phillips toy and cycle shop. I also belonged to the Mephisto Cycle Club at this time. My second job was on vehicle maintenance for the Dartford Wharfage Co, in Lower Hythe Street. Spent lunch times in the café on the ...see more
I lived at 90 East Hill just by the corner of St Albans. In St Albans lived all my little pals; Robert Ball, David Shaw, Peter Richardson, Frankie Taylor and Graham Wilson. We played in the street on our tricycles in the early years and did wheelies in front of the Tiger Pub until we headed home. During the days we would roam in fields off East Hill and Darenth Lane with catapults and ...see more
Does anybody remember the Glory Bumps on the Heath? For those who don't they were a series of parallel trenches which had presumably been dug by Archeologists in the past. We as kids used to ride our bikes over the humps which remained, often resulting in 'head-on' collisions. I had been to the Heath on the day that sweet rationing ended and stopped at a shop in Wilmington and bought a packet of 'Polos' whithout having to bother with coupons. Mike Hyland.
My first job when I left school was with JC Beadles in Spital Street. During my lunch break I would often wander along Lowfield St and well remember the Fishing Tackle shop. I had bought one of their 2 piece Bamboo rods complete with bakelite reel a few years previously, which I used to catch minnows at Horton Kirby. I used to drool over the beautiful rods in the window which were beyond my means; Split Cane and ...see more
I was born and lived in Sutton at Hone and attended D.E.S.S. from 1949 to 1953. I remember the headmaster(R Shields Gill ) who also taught History. I also remember Mr A who taught PT, but I don't remember his prowess with the cane, thankfully. I can recall changing into our PT gear in the cloakroom knowing that the last one ready would get a slap accros the buttocks with a plimpsole. When I first ...see more