Memories of Romney Street
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Shared Memories of Romney Street
 Romney Street, c1955 (ref: R365006) |
Year: 2008
My Subsequent Visit 29.10.2008
My wife and I had pre-arranged to meet my sister and her entourage in the Fox and Hounds at midday yesterday. The long and winding lane from Eynsford became muddier and narrower with each passing mile and we were suddenly confronted with a large lorry coming in the opposite direction. The driver couldn't back up because he was being closely followed by a white-van-man so we had to reverse for about 50 yards into what passed as a layby which tested my wife's driving skill to the utmost. However that little episode quickly passed and we continued uphill until we saw the sign for the Fox and Hounds, I swear that particular sign was the one that I first saw in 1955. On entering the pub I noticed that it was much larger than before and according to Jeff the publican it had been merged with a former cottage that once stood there. There were some of the features from my first visit, for example the pews and the fireplace. The pub itself is well documented, particularly its recent history so I will not comment on that except to say that the encumbent couple, Jeff and Fran, who have been there for the last 5 months are an extremely nice pair and I wish them well, they certainly made us all very welcome and the food was first class. I knew about the carvings on the front of the bar but forgot to look for them so I suppose that I might have to drag myself back up there to check them out, what a chore! As for Romney Street itself where have all the caravans gone? Little has changed except for some new buildings but my wife did spot what appeared to be a vacant house up for sale just a little way down the hill towards Eynsford so we might become Romney Streetians soon. Last edited: 31/10/2008 09:38 by Peter Collihole |
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Year: 1956
The Fox And Hounds
I remember when my first racing bike was bought for me. I bought a survey map of north west Kent and decided that I would go to Eynsford as I had been there many times by bus and now I had independant means and no limit as to where I could travel. After arriving at Eynsford I looked at my map and decided to go to Cotmans Ash and on the way passed Romney Street with its pub and collection of houses and caravans. I liked the area because it was a backwater with little or no traffic and I could cycle without the fear of heavy lorries and other large vehicles. I logged Romney Street in my mind and a few years later on New Year's Eve with a few friends we decided to call in at the Fox and Hounds. I could not believe that in the early sixties such a place could exist, there was no electricity, there were oil lamps on the bar, candles on the tables and night lights in the toilets. There was an old settee which was well passed its sell by date in the bar but there was a large fireplace with a roaring fire. The pub was run by a family, the daughter wore black, even her lipstick was black, local legend has it that she was formerly engaged to an airman who was stationed at nearby Biggin Hill in the war and was tragically killed. The landlord had a huge growth on the back of his head and both he and his wife were very quiet. That visit took me back in time and was a far cry to the modern world of the sixties. I have been an infrequent visitor over the years and have noted a few subtle changes but tomorrow I am visiting the area again, intending to visit the Fox and Hounds which I understand now does very good meals and I only hope that the fireplace has been untouched and still roaring. Last edited: 28/10/2008 12:57 by Peter Collihole |
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Romney Street, c1955 (ref: R365006) |
Romney Street
This photo shows in the foreground the rather substantial house lived in during the 1950s by the Barkus family, who owned the adjoining caravan site (to the right of the photo) and who served teas and refreshments for the benefit of the regular rambling and cycling passers-by; for my brothers and me it was the nearest place to buy sweets, lemonade and ice cream. The Fox and Hounds pub (just beyond the further cottage and set back from the road) also benefited from the passing trade as well as the local trade and (allegedly!) late-night customers from near-by Eynsford. The Barkuses' house was later demolished after they sold it and it made way for the two rather disappointing self-built bungalows that now occupy the site. In the right-hand foreground of the picture the figure of my younger brother can just be made out. He was born in 1949 and I believe he must have been around three or four when this picture was taken. He was a close friend of the Barkuses' son of his own age. What I find fascinating about it is that it reminds me that he would go to visit his friend on his own (and vice-versa), a walk of a quarter of a mile or so, with no qualms or supervision. Would that happen today? Last edited: 27/10/2008 09:48 by Edgar Lukes |
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