Sutton At Hone memories
Here are memories of Sutton At Hone and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Sutton At Hone or a Sutton At Hone photo.
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
Scrumping in Church Road
I remember the small apple orchard at the bottom of Church Road near the school, climbing over the fence and scrumping and filling my pockets, then getting back over the fence and with horror seeing the farmer (Mr Chaplin) coming round the corner with his 12 bore shot gun over his arm, he looked like Charlie Chaplin in a old black suit and hat, he gave me a look and I ran for my life dropping most of the apples in flight. Memories from Gerry Andress.
Oh Happy Days
I remember going to Mrs Howes sweet shop and buying a pennies worth of sherbert and eating it on the way home from school via the backfields. Going down to the vicarage and swimming in the river. Getting a bag of stale cakes from Fords the bakers, playing football at ship meadow. Trips to the Roman villa. Racing round on our track bikes. Oh happy days.
Memories of Sutton at Hone
Came across this website quite by accident very interesting and surprising! I too went to Sutton at hone primary and remember some of the teachers Curwen, Andrews, Rodgers, and Bex etc. When I left there at 11 I went on to Dartford East Secondary and then on to Gravesend School of Art, after being there for a couple of years I realised I wasn't as good as some of the others and money was in short supply so I left and went to work as a tracer of electrical circuits at STC Sidcup. I very well remember the little ford at Sutton and used to paddle there in the summer months! As you say, it can be remembered just like it was yesterday! We had much fun and games in those days, climbing trees, picnics, dances over the village hall, jiving to 1950's sounds! I remember quite a few names from those far off days - Mavis Bradley, Alfred Ward, Maureen Allen, Clive Muett, Angela Mills whom I still speak... Read more
School Memories
I was born in Sutton at Hone and lived there until I married in 1963. I remember many of the names recalled in the memories on this site. My maiden name was Bradley and I had two brothers David and Raymond. I went to school with Jean Widows and Ann Savidge plus Sylvia Attridge from Hawley. Jean was the daughter of the local dairyman. I remember well the school headmaster Mr Kirwin who lived close to me when I first married and Miss Rogers. My Mother was a dinner lady so could well have served many of you with your lunch in the Village Hall.
A few years ago a school reunion was held and a book produced of photos and memories. "A Parish Remembered, Sutton at Hone and Hawley". Although I do not visit Sutton often now I believe this to be available still from the library.
I remember well the Village Fete and have a few photos of... Read more
Sutton-At-Hone
I have fond memories of my childhood/early teens in Sutton-at-Hone. I attended the C of E Primary school in the early 1940s; I remember one of the teachers, a Ms. Rogers, the headmaster was a layman in the local church, I cannot recall his name. The Rev Karl Samson was the vicar. I was a choirboy with David Hill, David Hodge, Harry King (his mother was the church organist), Gwen Mullholland, Mr. Brown, Eric Baylis, a Mr Wilf Evans, Mr Johnson and a gentleman who lived in St. John’s lodge were some of the other members. A few years ago I revisited the village and was very disappointed, progress has not been kind to the idyllic place of my childhood. I was stopped from walking down to the ford, a frequent route to the watercress beds and Canon Powell’s residence, where he kindly allowed the Scout Troop to camp at weekends; the footpath mentioned is now private property, farm land has been taken up for housing. Nostalgia, Post Office (Mr... Read more
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.
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!!!
Memories of Kent
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.
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
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.
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.
Friends
I was stationed at RAF Sopley 1954 /1957. I used to stay with Mr and Mrs Cronk. Their son Alan was also in the RAF. I stayed with them a few times because I lived in the Midlands and it was a long way to travel. Alan also had a sister but I cannot remember her name.
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