South Darenth
South Darenth maps
Historic maps of South Darenth and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all South Darenth maps
South Darenth photos
We have no photos of South Darenth, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Sutton At Hone| Farningham| Swanley Village| Fawkham| Hartley| Southfleet| Eynsford| Brands Hatch| Dartford| Swanley| Greenhithe| Lullingstone| Longfield Hill| West Kingsdown| Northfleet| Crayford| Romney Street| Bexley| Meopham| Purfleet| Shoreham| Foots Cray| West Thurrock| Barnehurst| Gravesend| Woodlands| St Mary Cray| Chelsfield| Northumberland Heath| Cobham
South Darenth area books
Displaying 1 of 24 books about South Darenth and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of South Darenth
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of South Darenth.
Add your memory of South Darenth
or of a photo of South Darenth.
Housemother
Approx 1955 my mum was a housemother, Pam Parkinson. We went to school in a white double decker bus and scrumped in the farm, fished in the creek down the hill. I want to contact boys who were living there at the time. Good memories. My sister and dad were there as well. We are in Australia, mobile 0418120229.
South Darenth Home For Homeless Boys
My grandfather was registered at the South Darenth Home for Homeless Boys in 1911. His name was Eric Joseph Ormiston. Does anyone know if there are records for the home that would tell me why he was there and when he arrived and left?
Simon.
Farningham Home For Little Boys
Hello, my name is Fred Clarke. I was at the boys' home in the middle 1940s, also my brother Daniel Clarke was there at the same time. The house I lived in was run by a lady we called Nana Crane. I went to the school at the home and I also was a member of the choir in the chapel. I became head choir boy. My brother did an apprenticeship in the tailor's shop, I used to attend classes in the printing shop. We used to go to Dover in the summer to a boys' camp on the southern heights, and play in the underground tunnels. It was very scary. If you have memories of these times please contact me, you can email to: frederick.clarke1@btopenworld.com
I look forward to sharing these times with you.
Thank you,
NOBBY CLARKE. TEL 01252314668
Children's Home.
I have been researching my family tree and have found from the 1901 Census that my great-uncle Frederick J Voller was an inmate at the 'Home for Homeless Little Boys'. This was in the parish of Horton Kirby St. Mary, South Darenth. He was sent here alone at the age of twelve despite having eight siblings, following the death of his father aged just thirty-eight years. I wonder what kind of life Frederick had at Horton Kirby and if he was taught a trade so that he could make his own way in the world. Does anyone else recall stories about the 'Home for Homeless Little Boys? It must have played a large part in the local community at that time.
Kent memories
After School
This little ford and bridge over the silver Darent river was, and still is, my favorite place in England. When I attended the Sutton at Hone Primary School in 1947 -1953 we often took nature walks down the gravel path beside the old Village Hall. The narrow lane led through large Horse Chestnut trees on the right (still there) and a high bushy hedge on the left. The path was stoney with large flints sticking up everyhwere. After about a hundred yards we came to the ford and single wooden plank bridge. Crossing the bridge we came to the watercress beds built by the Romans and on to the site of the Roman Villa. After school I often took that same path home to Hawley. I would stand alone on that bridge for a long time - it was so peaceful there. I would then walk home through Darenth village past the Chequers Inn and across the fields to Hawley. Although I live in America now I always visit the... Read more
D & W Dovey Brass And Copper Shop
Does anybody have any photos of the old Brass & Copper shop "D & W Dovey" that was where the Sutton Fish Bar is now located? It was owned by my grandparents and they also owned it when it was the Betta Cafe at the time when the Rolling Stones were just starting out and used to pop by for a cuppa and an egg sandwich!!!
Good Teachers
Does anyone remember the teachers at the Sutton Primary School? The Headmaster Mr. Curwen, Mr. Andrews, Miss Staines, and Miss Walker. In those days we spent a lot of time outside in the countryside studying nature, dancing around the maypole, doing art and craft, and listening to the piano in assembly. Some of my school friends were: John Barber, Catherine Weeks, Barry Payne, Dorothy Widdows, Sandra Adams, Rebecca Clarke, Angela May, Pat Watts, Dennis Falvey and Mavis Smith. I have very fond memories of those post war days....and getting into trouble for going in the air raid shelters. I have valued the fine education of those teachers all my life. I have taught art and design for 44 years and it all began at Sutton. Please drop me a line if you remember me - best wishes, Alf Ward. South Carolina, USA.
