Childhood In The Darent Valley

A Memory of Sutton at Hone.

I was born at 6 St. Johns Terrace, 3 doors away from Mr Bird's Post Office and store (which is shown in your photo). How many hours have I sat on those steps outside? We used to play in the road and when we heard a vehicle coming we would sit on the steps while it passed - I don't think you can do that today. Directly opposite the Post Office was G.J.Garret Agricultural Implement Depot and the only public telephone box in the district. At a regularly appointed time, in the best British police tradition, Frank Cox our local bobby would arrive on his bike and make his report to the police station in Highfield Rd, Dartford. Later Constable Cox was transfered to Tunbridge Wells, then back to Dartford until he retired to Herne Bay. I know all of this because his son Alan was and still is my best friend. Alan and I had a wonderful childhood in and around Sutton at Hone where we progressed from walking everywhere, to push bikes, to motorbikes and finally to cars. We both attended Sutton at Hone Cof E Primary School. During our time the teaching staff were; Mrs Beadle (Infants) Mrs Everest (girls) and Miss Rogers (boys - although she had also taught my mother), later she was replaced by Mr Westbrook. After the 11 plus exam I was sent to Dartford East Secondary School, in my class at secondary school were Alan Wise whose mother ran a cafe in Sutton at Hone and David Ward who lived in St Johns Terrace, Sutton at Hone. I've got lots more memories which I'll save till next time. Mike Hyland.