Hoo memories
Here are memories of Hoo and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Hoo or a Hoo photo.
The Flood
Our barge, Hambrook, was moored at Hoo in the early 1950s. There were quite a number of fully rigged barges there at the time, but ours had had the rigging removed and converted into a houseboad. Most of the barges were used as residence, and there were quite a lot of children living on them. My mother, brother and I were on board the night of the 1953 flood. I was woken up by the sound of things crashing, and realised the the barge was listing, but didn't register that anything was amiss until my mother came rushing into my cabin and ordered me to get out of bed and get dressed immediately. The barge was in the process of capsizing!
Many of the barges at Hoo were moored alongside lareg wooden piles, and the flood water had lifted Hambrook above the tops of them. The onshore wind had then blown the barge sideways, aided by the onshore mooring lines, and so when... Read more
The River at Hoo
In the late 1950s my parents had a small boat on the river here. My dad built it in the side garden of our house on the outskirts of the village. He painted it blue and named it 'Jeannie', after my mother. It had a small outboard motor, and our family of four spent many happy days both 'messing about in boats' down at the marina, and actually boating on the river, taking picnics on the river islands and admiring the Napoleonic fort. Funny how the sun always seemed to be shining in those days. Well, not always - one memorable trip to the Isle of Sheppy, undertaken in the face of small craft warnings, is particularly etched into my memory! I've often thought of those days on the river, partly because with the perspective of age I've realised that all the young men like my father who were so interested in making happy memories with their families had so recently fought in a terrible war and had other memories... Read more
Childhood in Hoo
This view is instantly familiar! There was a sweet shop right there which was a favourite destination on walks into the village. I lived with my family in Hoo for two or three years in the late 1950s. My father was Eric Cox; my mother, Mary Jane ('Jean') Cox, and my sister, Penelope. My name is Susan. I believe we left in late 1959. We were the first family to live in a small row of newly-built houses on the main road into the village, a short walk and on the opposite side of the road to what we called the 'Rec', or playing field. There were swings and a self-propelled round-about where we often played. Cricketers used the grassy space as well - perhaps they still do. Our next-door neighbour was a doctor, Dr Tilley, who seemed to have a thriving village practice and who, in the fashion of the day, had his surgery at the front of his home. The village proper had two sweet shops, a newspaper... Read more
Memories of Kent
My Happy Days as A Child When I Was Born in The Village
I spent many happy years with my nanny and grandad, Rossa and Phillip Munn of Hill View Cottages, during the long summer school holidays. Over the years since they have both passed away I still drive though the village to look at my nan's house and think of the happy days we spent together, and long for those days to come back again. My mum Janetta Munn was also born at High Halstow, aged 72 now, and she has had many happy years there. To anyone that reads this and remembers our family, please email me at my email address. Thank you for reading this.
P.S Rest in peace, Nan and Grandad x love u and always will x
Jane
Cooling Castle Farm
To the right of the photograph is a driveway into the interior of the original castle that was the entrance to Castle Farm operated by F.Elms & Sons and in particular my uncle Harry Elms.
He bought the Farm in about 1930 having moved down from Bexley/Eltham area where the family farmed an area from Sidcup to Dansen Park. My main memory was of being able to boast to my school classmates that we "owned a castle". A less pleasant memory of the late 50's early 60's was when a large imported labour force of women and children had been ferried in for pea picking. This was generally a pleasant midsummer treat promising a little extra cash for Mum being able to take the children along as well. The children often tended to wander off and play and the potential danger of the water in the moat was not appreciated. Sadly one of these children unfortunately drowned in the moat. I recall the incident because of the shock felt... Read more
Happy Safe Days
I grew up on a small farm called Rams Green, St Mary Hoo, on top of a hill over looking the sea... I think its now called Fenn Croft.. Those were the happiest days of my life. I often dream about playing on the marshes, riding my horses, going on picnics to Egypts Bay... In the holidays my mother would wake up and us kids were gone! She wouldnt worry as the area was so safe and everyone knew us. Even when we were locked in with snow, we loved it..cosy by the blazing fire...but having to go out and get logs wasn't much fun..lol I miss those days and wish every day that I could turn back time. When I die I want my ashes tipped onto the marshes so I can roam about...bit weird but it's the only way I'm ever going to go home! 1979-1989 oh happy days. Now I live in the Middle East...big difference, but I live on a small island...like the small village I will love forever. If you are... Read more
Name Search
I am looking for details of Florence Gammon, formally Dunk from Rye, Sussex. She was married to Herbert Gammon, also from Rye. The children were Arthur Eaton Gammon, 9 and Alice Gammon, 12. Her father was my great great grand uncle, Leaf Temple Dunk, 1834, from Rye.
The Day Family
Does anyone remember the Day family who lived opposite the Bell pub overlooking the River Medway? The late Fred Day, my uncle, was the skipper of the 'Arethusa' training ship. Yours truly, Clive Jeffrey, Mission City, Canada.
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