Hop Picking

A Memory of Rolvenden.

My memories of Rolvenden will never be forgotten. I was eight years old, we lived in Brighton on the south coast, but every year our families would go hop picking at Little Holden farm. The farm was owned by Mr/Mrs Hilder - they had three children Roger, John and Mary.
At eight years old this was adventure with a capital A. On a saturday we would go to the village, stop at the fish and chip shop and eat the food in the grounds of the Bull public house while the grown ups were inside downing a pint or two. I remember Mr Terry, he owned the butchers opposite the pub and about 150 yds up the road was a hardware shop like ARKWRIGHTS of 4 candles fame.
I went to that farm picking hops every year with now my own children who experienced the same adventures, it all sadly ended when the machines took over, about 1965. It was always nice to see the hop pickers from the East End of London who all loved ROLVENDEN thats for sure, p.s. I enjoyed the photos of Rolvenden

Royston
Brighton.