Reminiscences of Smarden at Christmas and New Year

Gill Bromley is gathering reminiscences which will be passed to Smarden Local History Society for the archives. In November Gill began gathering reminiscences for a short presentation to the WI. She was inundated with contributions and has decided to extend her search for memories of Christmas and New Year, including events and activities, parties and reminiscences of celebrations in Smarden.

So far she has received memories dating from the 1930s until the 2000s of carol singing, parties at Hamden, Father Christmas's grotto in Boorman's shop (now the Gallery), Christmas shopping at Grant's shop, Smarden school parties, snowball fights inside and outside the Chequers, fancy dress in the Flying Horse (including a punch up in the road between Dracula and Micky Mouse), floods, skating on Town Pond in early 1963, Jim and Juliet's pony and trap delivering presents, and quite a lot of bad behaviour in and around the village!

Here’s an example to whet your appetites:

Janice Wickens recalled Parties at Hamden Farmhouse which were laid on by spinster sisters Marjorie and Vita Millen in the 1940s and 50s for the children that went to Tilden Chapel Sunday School.  She writes:

‘There was no electricity at Hamden and just cold tap water in the kitchen. There was an enormous inglenook fireplace with a huge fire blazing. Lights were just tilly lamps and candles.

The toilet was outside but we were allowed to go upstairs to use one of the pots under the beds.

We sat round the huge dining table which seemed to absolutely loaded with food even though rationing was still in place. Everything was homemade. After we had stuffed ourselves the table was cleared and pushed to one end of the large living room so we could play games. Hunt the thimble, Orange and Lemons, musical chairs, pass the parcel, Spin the breadboard and a game called Stations which involved rushing around!’ 

Please e-mail your memories to Gill by the 31st January.  Photos are very welcome too. Thank you!