Mills Grocers

A Memory of Dartford.

Does any one remember me? John from Norman Mills the grocers I work there for 50 years It was one of the very last real grocers in the town. It was the first shop to sell frozen foods, and the first Health food store in the area. Well known for their (taste and try before you buy).
There was a wonderful window display at Christmas, and people came from miles around for their ham.
John was well know for his April Fool Jokes.

John Rank

Hi David yes it is the same John,great to hear from you,give my love to Shirley


Added 12 October 2015

#338563

Comments & Feedback

Is this the john rank from Willow rd?
This is david Letchford from next door , do hope you and your family well, you were a good family .
Regards
David and mum Pat
I remember Mills. I lived on Wilmot road from 1972 until 1990 and my parents were there from 1957 until 1993. I loved the smell when you walked into Mills and the ham was to die for. Also shopped across the road at Andrews butchers, the co-op, the greengrocers by Havelock rd.
Hi Sarah I do not remember the name Lyman but yes the smell of ham cooking filled the shop.At Christmas I cooked 200. Now I still cook a small piece each month.I pass the shop site each day as I live in Tudor Close.
Great to hear from you
John
I remember Normans daughter, Andrea Mills.
Hi Issy ?? Bardell.I have been in contact with Andrea and she was so pleased to hear that you remembered her,she now lives in Witney,she is not a very fit person.She said you lived in Roseberry Gardens ?
Regards J R
Hi John, I don't know if this will reach you but I remember you very well. I used to live over the road from you in Tudor Close; you were very kind and helpful to us when my father died; a long time ago now, back in 1975/6. We moved away and now live just outside Cambridge. Best wishes Heather Pike nee Lloyd.
Hi Heather I remember the Lloyd family well, your brother was training to be an Osteopath and worked on my wife Rosemary and we also went to his home but not sure if it was in the area of Carshalton?.We still live at No 5.Do you remember Albert and Betty Bennett at No 5,he died on Mon at a few day off 102 John
Not my brother but my husband and he is still working! He had a practice in carshalton Beeches. I don't recall the lady you mentioned perhaps she is after my time. Do you remember my mum Gladys and our slightly psychotic dog Rufus?
Hi Heather,sorry about the husband mixup,my son Andrew remembers the dog.I remember your mum and dad they liked health foods John
Hello John, Alf Griffiths we were at school together
My wife and I visited you shop very often when we used to have a chat. I wish a shop like that could come back but no chance. I am now known as Alf Ward which is my biological birth name but that is a long story.
Cheers
Alf
Hi Alf long time no see I often saw you when I was with Ron Allen
Do you still live in Princes Road near the traffic lights. I have a feeling that my wife Rosemary went to school with yours.Do you remember poor old Denis Webber,I am still in touch with his family.Denis fell when he was helping to clean a gutter on a church building, he fell 6 feet onto his head and died at once leaving 2 young children,he was a policeman.
Not so many of us left now.All the best
John
Hello from Adelaide, South Australia. I still have contact with friends from the old Dartford days. John Manning and Della Jordan. Does the name George Griffiths and the "South Street Gang" mean anything to you. Love to hear from you.. Bye for now Barb

Hi John Rank. If you ever pick this up give my regards to Andrea. I live on The Chilterns. 3 grown kids. Sorry to hear she's not well. We re getting older sadly. Tell her there's a West Hill School page on fb.
Many thanks

Lesley Bardell
Hi

I was in the same class as your son, Stephen. I'd love to know what he's up to now.

Colin Young
Hello and thanks for the info re George Griffiths. I'm having trouble finding it again Keep in touch. Bye for now barb
Hi Colin,
This is Steve R. I'm back in Dartford at the moment visiting my folks and yes, I remember the regular walks home from DGS along Dartford Road. I now live near Bristol working as a technical translator but come back here every few weeks. Prefer not to put personal contact details on an online forum like this but you can message me on my YouTube music channel (if you fancy a laugh and wish to marvel at how I look a few weeks shy of 50) I will get back to you, Search on Google or on YouTube for "Slaphead Steve". Hope to hear from you. Steve
Hi john.I am your cousin roger rank , son of cyril .my sistet mavis has been in contact withyou I think.good to hear.from you , hope your keeping well. RegardsRoger
Hi Roger great to hear from you good to see that you are still alive.83 last week.Michael is fine and his daughter Rebecca has a baby daughter. We have 4 grand children.Rosemary has Dementia.I have no contact with Mavis.Did we last meet at Glads funeral? or was that Ramond?
Still living at the same address if you are ever in Dartford.
Regards John
Hello Barb I went to Dartford West, lived in Willow Road, I know the name Johnny Manning but not the other people or the South St gang, was that lower Heath Lane? I have a Brother Michael four years younger than me. Does the name Brian Gregory or Raymond Lee ring a bell.
John
Hi john,thanks for your reply, Glads funeral was my brother raymond ,I have been living in cornwall for last 26 years and now in gravesend.very good to make contact once more .stay in touch .Roger
Hi John. The names Brian Gregory and Raymond Lee don't ring any bells. South St., would have been lower Heath Lane. I'm emailing John Manning shortly, so I'll see if knows the names.
He might remember yours. Here's hoping. I'll keep you posted. Bye from Adelaide, Sth Australia. Barb
Hi Barb nice to hear from you again. We don't see many of the old school boys now most have gone to a better place.
You would not recognise Dartford now ,all the shops in Lowfield St are closed, there was going to be new shops and houses but they all fell through after 10 years of planning.
I have family living in Melbourne so am often in touch with them.
Special event next month we will have been married 60 years
All the best from Dartford.
John
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary. Barb Lucey

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