Not only is that the place - but the date 18th September 1960 is spot on, during the 6 week 'opping season. Exactly the time I was describing. I was 5 years old - probably with my Mum and Nan picking hops when the photo was taken.
Sundays was when my Dad and uncles came down to see us - they would be at work during the week.
There's loads more I can remember with a bit of prompting - but as it's a football forum, I'll spare you my ramblings.
Glad it was o.k Oggy. After much searching and a visit up in the loft to go through some unpacked boxes I've finally found the book/photo I was looking for when I found the other one. My staff have to do tricky things like scanning and she's got her feet up for the evenng so it'll be done in the morning. Don't tell those other Lifer people but it's got a steam loco in it: they wouldn't understand.
Yes, it's officially opening on 23rd. March and they've got a two week festival lined up to celebrate. The first 'Real Ale Special' runs from East Grinstead on 5th. April.
I've been commissioned to write a book about the history of gypsy life in Kent, but its subject matter includes the memories of the non-Romany gorgio families who came down from the East End to pick hops alongside the gypsies.
I've spent a year researching and interviewing so far and it sounds like I need to add you to the list of interviewees.
It was long before your time, but one of the key events I'm writing about is the Hartlake Bridge tragedy, in which 30 hoppers died when their wagons were washed into the Medway by a flash flood as they were coming back from the hop fields.
The tragedy took place at Golden Green, only three or four miles from Beltring and the Hop Farm and and it is a legendary - and tragic - part of hopping folklore. Long before your time but, in addition to your other memories, I'd be fascinated to know if you remember anybody talking about it. To this day Romany folk still lay wreaths of hops every Oct 20 on the memorial in Hadlow churchyard to those who died and I know descendants of those who died were still picking hops in the district during the 1960s when you had your experiences.
WARNING: The following post contains scenes of steam motive power that younger viewers will not appreciate. DO NOT READ if you don't like 'em!! If you do look, make sure you've got your duffle coat and bobble hat on - it's cold out on those platforms today. Well, here are the other photo Oggy, and the hoppers even get mentioned in the text.
There was another type, with the coal truck behind. I remember it well as it was speeding along on it's own, without any coaches or wagons, which made it unusual.
Comments
Not only is that the place - but the date 18th September 1960 is spot on, during the 6 week 'opping season.
Exactly the time I was describing. I was 5 years old - probably with my Mum and Nan picking hops when the photo was taken.
Sundays was when my Dad and uncles came down to see us - they would be at work during the week.
There's loads more I can remember with a bit of prompting - but as it's a football forum, I'll spare you my ramblings.
Thanks for your kind comments, everyone.
I've been commissioned to write a book about the history of gypsy life in Kent, but its subject matter includes the memories of the non-Romany gorgio families who came down from the East End to pick hops alongside the gypsies.
I've spent a year researching and interviewing so far and it sounds like I need to add you to the list of interviewees.
It was long before your time, but one of the key events I'm writing about is the Hartlake Bridge tragedy, in which 30 hoppers died when their wagons were washed into the Medway by a flash flood as they were coming back from the hop fields.
The tragedy took place at Golden Green, only three or four miles from Beltring and the Hop Farm and and it is a legendary - and tragic - part of hopping folklore. Long before your time but, in addition to your other memories, I'd be fascinated to know if you remember anybody talking about it. To this day Romany folk still lay wreaths of hops every Oct 20 on the memorial in Hadlow churchyard to those who died and I know descendants of those who died were still picking hops in the district during the 1960s when you had your experiences.
So which one is you in this pic, Oggy?
Well, here are the other photo Oggy, and the hoppers even get mentioned in the text.
Yep, that was the sort of engine I remember.
There was another type, with the coal truck behind.
I remember it well as it was speeding along on it's own, without any coaches or wagons, which made it unusual.
Blimey, all these memories, eh?