Our Village in Years Gone By

We tend to think of history as being hundreds of years in the past, but things that happened only a few short years ago can be forgotten by most of us. Buildings which are no longer in existence, woodland and orchards which have been cut down and even things that villagers use on a day to day basis will be lost to future generations if we don't make records of them now.

Memories of a Bean Resident

The year is 1958. Next to number 8 Bean Hill Cottages at the top of the hill was a metal towered cylindrical water tank which supplied water to all the houses in the immediate area, that is except on Sundays and Mondays when there was no water at all. Close by or even running beneath the tower was a small stream. It crossed Southfleet Road which was then not made up and was just compressed dirt. It ran down the hill towards High Cross and this writer has noticed bricked-in arches on either side of Betsham Road where it would seem the stream continued over the fields beyond. 

A short distance away is the old school, now privately owned. In 1958 there was only one classroom and the school mistress was Mrs Bowmont. (It's not known if this is the correct spelling of her name) There were 48 children attending, 6 of whom were from Betsham who were picked up by a council bus at 8.30am and the rest were from Bean. Mrs Bartholomew from Stone used to bring the children their lunches on a daily basis. Her husband had a small holding in Swanscombe where he kept pigs which he fed with the food remains from the school.

There used to be a large house, at the bottom end of what is now Beacon Drive at the south corner with High Street/Ashwood Place. This was Foxwood House. If anyone can remember anything about this house or the people who lived there please let me know.

The village hall in those days was a small hut where the Doctor's surgery in Southfleet Road is now. It's thought that it was made of corrugated iron and that one of the activities that took place inside was regular card nights. I'm sure that's not all it was used for, so if anyone remembers other activities that took place there we can include the details in the next Beanstalk.

In 1962 there was a heavy snow storm and the bread and milk for the village was left at the village hall. Mary Bushell, who lived close by, acted as a good Samaritan and with a 'tin bath' delivered the groceries to all who required them.

Questions

1. On the footpath from Bean to Betsham one crosses the first stile. On the left is the remains of a brick house. Does anyone know anything about it? Is it "Drudgen Cottage"? [O.S. 1:25000 Map 1988].
2. I believe most of us know that the largest house in the village was Beacon Lodge which was situated opposite the school and lived in by the Borland Family. For more about the Borland family see here: - 4 NEW~Borland Family.
3. Can anyone remember the cottages that used to be where the car park of the Black Horse PH is now? See old Photo [Image 70 ]

If you have any memories you would like to share with others and have them published in a future Beanstalk, please Email us using the button below and we will pass them on to our contributor.