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Kemsing, view from the Cross Roads, Childbridge Lane c1960
Kemsing, view from the Cross Roads, Childbridge Lane c1960 Ref: K122018
Memories of Kemsing, view from the Cross Roads, Childbridge Lane
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Kemsing & local memories
Read and share memories of Kemsing and Kent inspired by Frith photos
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Year: 1940s
During Wwii A memory of Seal, Kent I lived on Seal High Street (pretty well opposite the half timbered building & the horse trough in the photograph) from 1939 to 1951. My father was in the fire brigade. In those days you auditioned to become a choirboy. The Church music was very elaborate & mostly we enjoyed it - although we were discreetly naughty, especially during the vicar's deadly boring sermons. Wide knicker elastic & tiny black throat sweets provided excellent catapault material. We got paid - about 3/6 (17p) I week I think although most of got lost in 'fines'. Society weddings were very lucrative. Seal was a feudal kind of place with very wealthy people in big houses served by the 'village'. Although the battle of Britain raged overhead nothing much got hit until the V1 (Doodlebug) & V2 rocket came along. The biggest danger was stray bullets from the fighting & an occasional strafing of the road. There was very little petrol - even for the rich - and we made our own entertainment as kids. As we got older we were allowed to caddy at the Widerness Golf Club which was very expensive & exclusive for its Members. We were allowed to play golf after 6p.m. on Monday to Friday. No Gentleman played Golf in the evening in those days. Last edited: 11/03/2008 10:22 by Mike Turner |
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Year: 1920s
Re Meddicks In Knatts Valley A memory of Knatts Valley, Kent My parents bought land and built a house in Knatts Valley named Holmwood in 1926. My mother was the first postmistress in the valley. My brother and I both attended Kingsdown Primary School from 1932-42. We grew up knowing the valley like the back of our hand. We left the valley in 1942 and have lived in Australia for the last 58 yrs My grandparents are buried in Woodlands Cemetery. My grandfather Meddick was the chief air raid warden in the first part of the war and died in 1942. Last edited: 18/06/2008 10:58 by Ronald Meddick |
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Eagleton Family Living In Otford A memory of Otford, Kent My Grandparents, Thomas & Marie Eagleton lived at The Charne in Otford. As a child I would always play amongst the weeping willows that grew by their house. My grandad would take me for long walks across the fields where we would occasionally pick corn on the cob and even some hops. We would search for owl pellets to retrieve the tiny skeletons of small vermin and birds. We never did make it up to the chalk cross on the hill. My Nan worked in Mrs Mac's Tea room on the round-a-bout by the pond. My father, David Eagleton attended Otford Primary school. I'm told that an Eagleton also lived in the bungalow next to the ruin. My grandad and his daughter Janet are buried at Otford cemetery. My heart will always be in Otford, I have good memories there and I try to visit at least 7 times a year. Posted: 14/10/2008 21:02 by Faith Nicholson-Eagleton |
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 Romney Street, c1955 (ref: R365006) |
Year: 2008
My Subsequent Visit 29.10.2008 A memory of Romney Street, Kent My wife and I had pre-arranged to meet my sister and her entourage in the Fox and Hounds at midday yesterday. The long and winding lane from Eynsford became muddier and narrower with each passing mile and we were suddenly confronted with a large lorry coming in the opposite direction. The driver couldn't back up because he was being closely followed by a white-van-man so we had to reverse for about 50 yards into what passed as a layby which tested my wife's driving skill to the utmost. However that little episode quickly passed and we continued uphill until we saw the sign for the Fox and Hounds, I swear that particular sign was the one that I first saw in 1955. On entering the pub I noticed that it was much larger than before and according to Jeff the publican it had been merged with a former cottage that once stood there. There were some of the features from my first visit, for example the pews and the fireplace. The pub itself is well documented, particularly its recent history so I will not comment on that except to say that the encumbent couple, Jeff and Fran, who have been there for the last 5 months are an extremely nice pair and I wish them well, they certainly made us all very welcome and the food was first class. I knew about the carvings on the front of the bar but forgot to look for them so I suppose that I might have to drag myself back up there to check them out, what a chore! As for Romney Street itself where have all the caravans gone? Little has changed except for some new buildings but my wife did spot what appeared to be a vacant house up for sale just a little way down the hill towards Eynsford so we might become Romney Streetians soon. Last edited: 31/10/2008 09:38 by Peter Collihole |
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Year: 1956
The Fox And Hounds A memory of Romney Street, Kent I remember when my first racing bike was bought for me. I bought a survey map of north west Kent and decided that I would go to Eynsford as I had been there many times by bus and now I had independant means and no limit as to where I could travel. After arriving at Eynsford I looked at my map and decided to go to Cotmans Ash and on the way passed Romney Street with its pub and collection of houses and caravans. I liked the area because it was a backwater with little or no traffic and I could cycle without the fear of heavy lorries and other large vehicles. I logged Romney Street in my mind and a few years later on New Year's Eve with a few friends we decided to call in at the Fox and Hounds. I could not believe that in the early sixties such a place could exist, there was no electricity, there were oil lamps on the bar, candles on the tables and night lights in the toilets. There was an old settee which was well passed its sell by date in the bar but there was a large fireplace with a roaring fire. The pub was run by a family, the daughter wore black, even her lipstick was black, local legend has it that she was formerly engaged to an airman who was stationed at nearby Biggin Hill in the war and was tragically killed. The landlord had a huge growth on the back of his head and both he and his wife were very quiet. That visit took me back in time and was a far cry to the modern world of the sixties. I have been an infrequent visitor over the years and have noted a few subtle changes but tomorrow I am visiting the area again, intending to visit the Fox and Hounds which I understand now does very good meals and I only hope that the fireplace has been untouched and still roaring. Last edited: 28/10/2008 12:57 by Peter Collihole |
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