Nostalgic memories of Riverhead's local history

Share your own memories of Riverhead and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 11 in total

Rock House in chipstead lane i think. I, Tony Renwick, lived in marlborough crescent went to amherst primary school in the 1960s. I remember an amusing boy fred and another girl from rock house orphanage(?) in the class and teachers Miss Nunnerley, MIss Parsons, and Mr Reynolds, Mr Poole was the head. Rock house was in chipstead lane i believe. I moved out in about 1981 and the ...see more
There was another children's home in Hitchen Hatch Lane, Sevenoaks which I believe was called Hitchen Hatch House. I do remember calling there once, can't remember why. The Rock House home was in Chipstead Lane and I had a friend called Patsy who lived there in the 1950s when I was at Riverhead County Primary School. I also remember Under the Greenwood Tree as I took part in that particular production. ...see more
Dad moved from Old Bexley, where he had a butchers, to Riverhead, and owned the shop at 4 The Square. It was Challisis before him. I loved the village and its history. We lived above the shop, and I walked up to Tubs Hill Station to go to the art school in Beckenham. I later had a M/C and went all over the countryside. Unfortunately most of my photos were lost in flooding a few years ago, ...see more
Hi to the person who was enquiring about a children's home in Riverhead, in answer to that, yes there was a children's home I remember called Rock House, it was opposite the common in Chipstead Lane. Hope this proves to be some help to you. Angela Smith(nee Wells)
I still have fond memories of walking home from Amherst Primary School during the late fifties & early sixties. At the Shoreham Lane junction with Bradbourne Vale was a footpath which led down to the Darent....ideal for walking our dog and fishing for roach at weekends. I can vaguely remember a derelict brickyard in that area with what appeared to be a railway spur line.....did this belong to Marley Tiles or originate from earlier times? I would be grateful for any further info.
H,i my name is Mike. My sisters and I were placed in Hitch and Hatch Childrens Nursery around 1956. Can anyone tell me about the place, I would be very grateful.
I was born in 1941 after the death of my father Percy Challis, his father was George Challis who owned the butcher shop for many years. The photo of the church (St Mary's I think) brings back many memories as the father I never knew is buried there, as is his mother. I now live in Australia and have done so for 43 years. I have no contact with my father's family and ...see more
Was there ever a a children's home in Riverhead or near by? My husband's family use to have a little girl to tea called Iris, can anybody remember a place?
I lived in Riverhead from when I was 2 until we moved to Sundridge when I was 12. Our house was the one next to the church but hidden by the bus shelter in one of the pictures. Arthur Tye the butcher was my godfather. I also remember the steps up to 'The Heights' - when I was little, I used to watch the dustbins 'walk' up the wall of our back yard.  I went to Amherst Primary School too! Does anyone remember the pageant "Under the Greenwood Tree" in about 1958 or so?
I was born in Tunbridge Wells, but my parents had a flat in Riverhead and we moved to London Road, Riverhead when I was a baby. My grandparents lived at the Heights, next to the church. I remember the steps the way they are in the photograph, but also I remember when there was only the one road through Riverhead and there was a row of houses opposite us which were all pulled down when I was very young and the new ...see more