RUSTHALL LETTERS

January2020

Dear Nigel

I have just visited your Crescent Moon site. Thank you for a great web page and your work on it. It has bought back many memories.

I moved back to Rusthall in 2000 after a long time away. I remember living with Dad and Mum in my Gran's house which was in Cranwell Road, in the prefabs, in the 50/60s. My Dad lived as a boy in Grange Road.

Then we moved to Parsonage Road into the white pebble-dash houses (where there are now eight houses built on the same plot of land where our semi stood. Then we moved to a new-build near the Red Lion. We had five apple trees, two pear trees and a cherry tree in the back garden, plus lawns and a veg patch. This house had the fire brigade call many times as Mum used to catch the chimney alight because we always burnt wood on the fire as Dad got logs from work. Next door to us lived Mrs Wilson at number 44.

One of the letters on your page refers to man with a bike who sharpened knives. I remember him well as Mum always asked us to look out for him.

I went to school at (boys only) St Pauls, a walk over the Common. The head teacher took us for nature walks around Happy Valley to teach us which berries you could eat and which ones would make you ill: i.e. Deadly Nightshade. He also named trees and flowers and their uses.

When we were young in the 60/70s we used to go over to the Scotch Fields when the snow was laying and home-made sledges were used to the full as it is quite steep. We also used to catch fish in the stream at the bottom of the field using jam jars with an inner tube over the opening and a bit of bread as bait.

Saturday was always fish and chip day from the chip van which parked by the school in the High Street (now the library).

Hurst woods was our main playground but you had to be back by dark. Long Meads was then a dead end road. There was a post office opposite the Red Lion.

In later years I played Bar Billiards for the Morning Star. The landlords were Wally and Winnie if I remember rightly.

That's all for now

Best regards and a very happy New Year to you.

Dave Fenner.

August 2014

Hi,

I have been meaning to write this letter for some time, ever since I happened by chance across your web-site actually. I have very fond memories of Rusthall and my connections with the village go back beyond my own generation.

I myself lived in Rusthall from approximately 1964 until 1969. Only 5 years but it seemed longer because it covered one of the most formative periods in my life, my teenage years. In those days my name was Gail Goldsmith and together with my Mum and Dad and my younger sister Elaine we lived at No 54 Shirley Gardens. In the early days there was only an open field opposite our house but I remember when they developed it and built the houses there. As it happened my friend Sally Arnold (who lived with her family at, I think, No 83) and I were, shall we say, reasonably well acquainted with some of the lads working on the site. I remember one evening, after the site was closed for the day a wagon load of bricks being delivered (the driver had been held up en route) and not only did Sally and I contact a couple of the more local lads from the site to come and help unload but we stayed and helped unload the bricks too. Delivery wagons were not equipped with the lifting gear they are today so it was a long job.

Across the road, in the other direction, from our house (I think it was 59) lived the Wenn family with their daughters Melanie and Jenny. The Arnolds, the Wenns and us all knew each other because we girls all attended Fosse Bank School in Tonbridge. I am still in touch with Sally but lost contact with Melanie many years ago.

Sally and I were regular members of the Youth Club, though I must admit that in the later years, when we were a bit older, more time was spent in the White Hart and the Morning Star. Before that, in my earlier teenage years I used to go and work at Redsheen Kennels at week-ends and in the school holidays. There were so many of us that wanted to go down there to 'help' by walking the dogs etc that most of us did it on a voluntary basis. However I remember that I was so keen that I spent just about all my spare time there and so Anne Moon, the owner said that if I worked there during the Summer holidays and came every day she would pay me a small 'pocket money' wage. I loved it so much I would have gone for nothing so that was a real bonus. One of my fondest memories is of staying overnight in the kennel-maids accommodation and getting up, with one of the full time kennel maids, at 4 o'clock on a dark winters morning to go down to the hospital block to make sure that a litter of puppies that were needing help were feeding properly from their mother. Lumpy cocoa in the freezing cold listening to the squeaks of very young puppies under a heat lamp was my idea of heaven even if my Mum did think I was mad and told me I stunk of dogs and disinfectant every time I came home.

But my family connections go back even further than my teenage years. One of the reasons that my family moved to Rusthall (from High Brooms) was that my Dad had spent a lot of his growing up years there. I am an amateur genealogist and as far as I can tell from the records I have it was his earliest years that were spent there. He certainly attended Rusthall Primary School. I have some of his old School reports the last one of which is dated 31 March 1931. I know he went to Skinners School after that and the family later lived in Dynevor Road in the High Brooms area but I don't know the date they moved from Rusthall - yet. I have a lot more old family papers to go through and I may get some clues from them. And if I do I am delighted to note that you have an active historical society with whom I may get in touch to clarify issues or answer my questions.

In the meantime I would be delighted to hear from anyone who remembers me or my family. Having initially left Rusthall to get married and live in the Lake District (which I did for 20 years) my husband and I now live in Dorset. Strangely my daughter and her husband have found themselves living in Crowborough, so near my home roots. Still it gives me an excuse to revisit the area from time to time. If anyone in the area does remember me and wants to get in touch they can reach me on this e-mail address gail.cropper@yahoo.com

And thank you for the lovely web site that not only keeps Rusthall locals up to date but also keeps us ex-pats in touch as well.

Yours sincerely
Gail Cropper (nee Goldsmith)

November 2013

Hi,

It's been a while [September, see below] since I've been in touch in connection with ancestral connections to TW/Rusthall. You may well remember my interest grew having found some old photos over the summer - well, another photo album has turned up and among these is possibly a half-interesting photo (attached) - as to be honest, looking at Google Streetview of the same location, it looks like little has changed. It is of course 18 Woodside Road with my great Grandmother standing on the front path. I think it was Dennis Penfold that told me my grandmother lived at 2 Harmony Street - but further research since has obviously thrown up this address and also 7 Spring Gardens. As for the Schmidts, I now believe I've found "Johann Thomas Schmidt" born in 1800 in Holstein (currently Germany, but believed to have been under Danish rule at the time - possibly with the transfer to Germany causing the migration to England). You may find you can see the family tree HERE, with 'John' being the first named and being the grandfather of the Fred that married Ruth Potter that appears in the photo. Clearly we know exactly where the photo was taken but haven't a clue as to when.

Not being content with the interest in the named properties (Alma Cottages), it is interesting to see the state of the gate and front walls. However, of particular note is the Fire Service's 'badge' detailing the fire hydrant being four feet away ! I bet it's still there. Having looked at Google Streetview, it looks like the hydrant's moved 2 doors down (14/12) ! I suspect Dennis would be interested in this image too and if you agree, feel free to let him see it. Any opinions of a date would be appreciated !

I've still other branches of the family to research but this has been a very good start. One of the biggest helps has been via the website "The Weald" and Peter that maintains it. I think it'd be good to give him credit for his efforts - even if we've a bit of questionable data I've still to nail (a wife has 2 possible names and it looks like there's a bit of confusion as to which one was married to our family!) I'll check with Peter possible acknowledgements on either of the websites I know you're involved with.

Cheers for now.

Mike Paley

October 2013

Hi - I have just stumbled upon your website, as one does whilst googling! I lived in Rusthall from the age of five until we moved to Brighton in 1970 when I was fifteen. We moved into 5 Rusthall Road in 1961. The house was actually in Bretland Road, on the other side to the old vicarage. I went to Rusthall Church of England Girls' School until going to the Grammar School in Tunbridge Wells, at the age of eleven.

I have many memories of the village, Denny Bottom, and the common. If anyone is interested in hearing more, I would be very pleased to contribute to the website. My family comprised my parents, Sheila and Joe Haines, myself, Sally Haines and my younger sister Alison.

I am very intrigued by the entries by Mr Dennis Penfold, on the history of Denny Bottom. The Mr Penfold I remember was (to me) very tall, and was a painter and decorator, as well as a window cleaner. He was famous to us children for having a cat that was 22 years old….probably sheer coincidence of names, but strange.

Best Wishes
Sally Macgregor (nee Haines)

September 2013

Hi,

I'm in search of the school in Rusthall with the name of "Rusthall Standard VI" (That's 6th to the Romans) (which of course may be a fictional name for a factual school) but we're talking "about 1909" when my gran would have been "about 12-ish" and attending this 'ere school along with the other posh girls. The attached image shows said girls along with teacher Miss Dunham. My gran is at the left-hand end of the row with the teacher - well that's wot it ses on the back ! And since it's you, I've attached the back too !

Feel free to use the images on the website as I'm confident the copyright holder will be a few feet under by now. There could be people in the area that are related to the names thereon - so a bit of local value for the site.

All I want to know is which /where's the school!

We believe Gran was born in Denny Bottom (possibly), either way, she was brought up there.

Of course, anyone with links to Edith May Schmidt (b 1897) can get in touch with me.

Mike Paley

The writing on the back of the postcard reads:
Grace Easterfield, Kate Household, Hilda Hollamby, Alice Savage (?)
Eva Coppard, Lela Chapman, Gladys Denham, Mildred Hosler, ? Longfield
Edith S[chmidt], Nellie Martin, Miss Denham, Hester Wood, Nellie Denham
Maria Damper, Lucy Benton, Phyllis Denham, Dot Boxall
Doris Hosler

Rusthall Standard VI
at about 1909

June 2013

Hi, I am David Blake and lived at no 12 Grange Road till the late 50s, after being bombed out and living in Culverden Hill House in a flat. My father is buried in Rusthall Cemetery. I belonged to Rusthall Scouts and used to go camping behind a house at the top of Teagarden Lane [Beacon Hotel]. There were lakes and we used to camp on one of the islands. I went to Victoria School and Tunbridge Wells Technical Institute, and then worked at SH Muffett.

I would like to make contact with anyone who remembers me.

I lost contact with the area after getting married and moving away after my mother died.

David Blake

Posted to Rusthall Bonfire and Fete Group June 2013

Hello folks, you may think it a bit odd that someone resident in Lincoln would want to join your group? I was once resident in Rusthall, I went to school there (now the library I believe). I lived at 145 Grange Road, left there for Southborough in 1955ish when I was nine years old, but there are some names that I remember, Frank Seal, Robert Hayman and his sister Carol?, Alan Weightford (not sure of any of these spellings). There is a photo, on my profile, of me and my sister taken in Grange Road.

My mum made me a trolley from and old bed frame and some pram wheels, quite common in those days. I remember her 'drilling' the holes with a red hot poker that has been put in the fire for the purpose, no posh drills then. It had four seats, and I recall speeding down Harmony Hill fully loaded, straight across Woodside Road and into Grange Road. Was a bit hairy I recall, no brakes other than the heels of your shoes. No cars about then, just the occasional visit from Demashio's Ice Cream van and the bin men.

The shop on the corner of Woodside and Grange Roads was Beaumont's, I clearly remember the bacon slicing machine and the tin of broken biscuits at the front of the counter, I can even recall the lovely smell in there? Funny things, memories?

Hope to visit you one day, perhaps when you have a fete or a bonfire on the go?

Best regards,
Malcolm Douglas Porter

May 2013

Hello,

I have stumbled across your website in my search for my birth place. My birth certificate is from Tunbridge Wells, but does not have details of the maternity home name or address. I was born there in July 1943. My Mother, who was living in Broadstairs, went to Tunbridge Wells as it was considered to be safer due to the war. She told me that the “Nursing Home” was a converted mansion in Happy Valley.

During my searches for the name of maternity homes in Tunbridge Wells, the two names that come up are... '”22 Broadwater Down” and “ Northfield Maternity Home. From what I can deduce is that “Northfield” sounds like the one.

Does anyone have any information about the history of this place? Is it still there? Any 1940s photos of Northfield? Look forward to hearing.

Thank you Danny Maguire

PSThank you Nigel, Must write and let you know that I have definitely established my place of birth was 'Northfields" Speldhurst, TW. This was information I received from Brian Dobson who is involved with the Tunbridge Wells Family History Society. I still don't have an address though or any pictures. Can anyone help with these? Many thanks for your interest..... Danny

August 2012
Ann Fowkes writes

Hi my name is Ann, I now live in Bribie Island Queensland Australia and have just found this wonderful site when searching for my Bull Family.

I spent many happy holidays at my Aunt & Uncles at 8 Erskine Park Road Tunbridge Wells.They were the Gearing Family George & Dorothy & Phillip, Brian( who became a fleet street reporter) and Peter who we still have a little contact with and now lives in Somerset.They loved sport and played Cricket & Football regularly. I too spent many hours at Toad Rock; we also used to go for long walks and used to eat nuts afraid I cannot remember the name of them. Your letter brought back many memories. As we were Children in Eastbourne during the WW11 my Mother, Sister and I evacuated to Rusthall but did not stay long as it was almost as bad with bombing as on the coast.

Now to get to my elusive Bull Family Ann Bull christened 1799 in Speldhurst married Richard Hodd 13 Novenber 1823 in Lewes Sussex, I have details of the Gearing side as my Maternal Grandmother was Alice Gearing and lived with us most of my childhood years. I have found a Thomas Bull and Rebecca of Speldhurst who were the Parents of Ann Bull but have not confirmed they are my Ancestors. It was with great interest I read on this site about Bull's Hollow. Anyone who has any information about the Bull family I would appreciate hearing from.

Thank you so much for this site it is now saved for future reference.

Ann Fowkes

December 2011
Howard Rockley writes

Hello,
The attached document is extracted from Colbran's New Guide to Tunbridge Wells of 1840.

It shows a building which features on Tunbridge Ware & which is known to collectors as Hurst Wood Cottage. However, in Colbran it is described as a ‘Tudor Style farmhouse' in the vicinity of Toad Rock.

Do you have any idea where it was or what it was actually called?

Best regards, Howard Rockley

July 2011
Hi, my name is mark irwin and I have just been looking at your website – it bought back such vivid memories of my childhood I was really moved.

I moved to Asher Reeds when I was six in 1968 – well my mum and dad moved and were good enough to take me (and my 2 brothers) with them! I was in the Rusthall Cub Scouts which used to be held in St Pauls church hall which was opposite what was then the Morning Star Pub. We used to play on the common opposite and buy 10p of chips in Rod’s fish and chip shop on the way home – there was another chip shop opposite the Methodist (I think) church hall which is now a Chinese take away and has been for a few years.

When I graduated to the Rusthall Scouts I cycled to the parades which were held at Toad Rock in the big house opposite the Toad Rock Retreat. The pictures of the area – Deny Bottom etc immediately took me back – the painting of the corner of Upper Street and Apsley Street where they become a footpath and the light is particularly evocative - I could feel the bumps in the sandy stoney path as I rode my bike along it. In those days there was an off licence shop very near what is shown in one of the photos of the area as Jude Hanbury ‘Toad Rock Cottage’. There was also a corner shop opposite the Toad Rock Retreat.

I used to spend a lot of my weekends and holidays at Jockey Farm in Nellington Lane with Dave and Andy Rustbridge, in those days Mr Harris was still alive and I can remember him with a roll-up cigarette always in his mouth. At the time I think the milk round he used to do was just coming to an end but I can remember the milk being pasteurised at the farm. There used to be a fantastic allotment opposite the farm with loads of vegetables and fruit being grown – I think it is overgrown now.

I left the area in 1980 when I was 18 to join the Royal Navy. I’m currently living in Norway but will return to the UK next year.

A waffle and ramble I know but I just had to write something and send it in!!! Thanks for stirring up many happy memories

Mark Irwin

Richard Marshall writes
I am writing with regard to the Rusthall FC under 7's football team, who my son Harry plays for, and who are desperately looking for a new sponsor for the 2011/12 season (by which time they will be the under 8's team).

The current sponsor (Gleeds) will no longer be sponsoring the team as of the end of this season, and I wondered if you might be able to offer some publicity on your website to assist our plight. Without a sponsor for the next season the team will not have a football kit to play in.

Ideally a local business from the Rusthall area would be the perfect sponsor. The total amount to sponsor for the season is around £800.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Kind regards
Richard Marshall

Former Rusthall resident Mick Bean writes:
I'm now a once in a blue moon visitor to my home village of Rusthall. I thought I would write a few lines rescaling a few childhood memories. Perhaps others could do the same ?

Rusthall when I was a little boy stopped where the raspberry/blackberry bushes and stinging nettles started. A barbed wire fence marked the boundary between village life and nature.

Nellington Lane ran alongside the field before turning sharply right, down past the cemetery and onward to the more outlying villages.

Little could I have known then that this wonderful field full of grasses, bushes, trees and wildlife would one day become yet another concrete slab helping house the 1970s population explosion.

Nellington lane survives but is no longer the winding country road, more a short cut for speeding taxis carrying fares from middle class housing estates to the busy commuter belt railway station in the local town.

The lane, once lined with green hedges and buttercups, now show scars of skidding car tyres and wing mirror damage along an oily polluted hedgerow. Pheasants no longer roam the lane safely; bird’s nests that once littered the nearby trees have gone and bird song has been replaced by the never ending drone of the motor-car.

The first thing I noticed as a young boy when walking past the Church hall into the village was the smell of fresh baked bread from the bakery near the Morning Star pub. The rickety old green van with its back doors open displayed rows upon rows of cakes, loaves and bread rolls on wooded slats ready for the morning delivery.

I could walk the length of the high street and never see traffic. The 81 bus turned around at the end of the village where the fields began before making its way back to TW. Most of the locals used the bus service; cars were a rarity and only used by the wealthy few.

The bus route back to town would take you past the marl pit then onto Sandy bank (top of Bretland Road) before reaching the Toad Rock bus stop. By that time the bus would usually be full before continuing on past Dingly Dell, the Spa Hotel and onward down Major York’s road to the Pantiles.

As well as the bread van you could well see the coal lorry, milk floats, one man dust carts, the fish van, the rag-and-bone man, the swill-man (collecting spud for his pigs) and once every few months a man of the road (tramp) would walk through the village singing and whistling with cap in hand hoping for a few pennies from the more well off folk in the village. A twice a year visitor to the village would be the knife sharpener-man, he would up-end his bicycle in the middle of the road and spin the rear wheel which had a sharpening stone attached. He charged one shilling (1/-) for all the knives you could carry to him and one and a tanner (1/6) for sharpening garden tools like shears or mowers.

Over to you lot...............
Mick Bean
February 2011