TRADITIONAL STREET CLEANING BARROWS RETURN TO DARTFORD STREETS

them at first but we noticed more and more posts on social media and it was all very favourable. Residents seem genuinely delighted to see them and got in touch to praise their work.

“Traditional street cleaning barrows used to be a regular sight on local streets but over time many councils stopped using them. We decided to bring them back because although modern sweeping vehicles may be faster, our great people do a much better job armed with a barrow and a broom. They can get to places that machines can’t reach and deal with the very modern problem of cleaning between parked cars. These great people work incredibly hard and it’s lovely that residents are taking the time to tell them, and us, how much they appreciate them.”

The barrows are initially focussing on some of Dartford’s urban neighbourhoods where litter is a real problem but the Council wants to deploy them on a regular basis to more areas across the borough.

Residents are praising Dartford Borough Council’s new street cleansing barrows and the ‘splendid’ hard-working crews who are helping to keep streets clean across the borough.

The Council has worked with waste contractor Urbaser to bring back traditional ‘hands-on’ street cleaning that many might have thought was a thing of the past. Crews are using carts and brooms to tackle litter in roads around the Borough and it’s clear that residents couldn’t be more pleased.

Council Leader Jeremy Kite says that the new crews started work some time ago and the council began to notice local social media users commenting about them.

He said: “People seemed a little surprised to see

Cllr Kite added that a word of thanks and appreciation to the crews can make all the difference: “These hardworking men and women are out there rain or shine to keep our streets clean and I thank them for the brilliant job they do. There are lots of compliments online and our waste team have had great feedback too with one resident getting in touch just to say the work the barrow beats team are doing is ‘splendid’.”

PILGRIMS, PILOTS AND PROVIDING FOR THE POOR: WALK THROUGH DARTFORD’S EASTER HISTORY

By Clair Humphries

With April upon us and Spring (at last) in the air, why not discover some of Dartford’s history and traditions from the Lent and Easter period? A walk across Dartford Heath, down Watling Street or through the Brent will connect you to generations of Dartford residents past: pilgrims, plucky pilots and providers for the poor, each one part of the local Easter heritage. So, step away from the chocolate and get those walking boots on as we explore some of their stories…

Did You Know?

The bright yellow gorse plants on Dartford Heath were once used to colour Easter eggs?

Gorse has long been associated with Easter eggs and is pretty useful for wildlife generally, as a source of food and to provide cover for birds (including our very own Dartford Warbler). Its bright yellow flowers are at their best between January-June, making the Easter holidays an ideal time to explore the Heath in all its colourful glory.

Easter pilgrimages have long been associated with this part of the country, with Dartford’s key position on the route from London to Canterbury and Dover. In fact, its original name can be translated as ‘Key Street’ from Anglo-Saxon and, thanks to the Romans, the Great Dover Road (still named Watling Street in parts of Bexley and Dartford) provided a direct route for travellers to Canterbury Cathedral. In 597, St Augustine has been credited with re-introducing Christianity to largely Pagan Britain, after arriving with missionaries in Thanet.

Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and his followers set about winning the hearts and minds of Britons, including the conversion of Pagan festivals into Christian celebrations – Easter being one.

Can You Spot?

Signs of Augustine’s influence throughout Kent, with streets, churches and schools named after him both locally and across the county?

The notion of Christian charity has continued throughout the centuries in Dartford. Local landowners and parish churches worked together, providing for the poor in various ways – whether contributing to the work of almshouses or on a more individual basis. In ‘The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent’ (1797) historian Edward Hasted cites a whole list of landlords who bequeathed gifts to their tenants over Lent and Easter. Amongst them, John Barton, Robert Rogers and Anthony Poulter instructed that twenty shillings be paid annually to the local poor, distributed by the clergy and church wardens. Hasted’s work waxes lyrical on the Dartford parishes – he was very admiring of St Michaels’ and All Angels church – and he was a big fan of Wilmington, declaring that:

‘In the Spring, when the trees are in blossom, it seems a continued range of gardens.’

Residents of the Brent area can be proud of another historical April legacy from the First World War. In April 1916, the Lord Mayor of London offered a £500 prize to the first pilot or air crew able to shoot down a Zeppelin. Members of an anti-aircraft gun crew led by John Clifton and stationed on the Brent heath took up the challenge, bringing down a Zeppelin L15 and making military history. As well as the Brent, Joyce Green airfield played an important part in wartime defence operations (it’s worth an Easter trip to the Imperial War Museum for more information, or read John Clifton’s testimony on their website www.iwm.org.uk)

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom in the early part of the twentieth century – you’ll be pleased to know that Dartford folk enjoyed their Easter holidays too! I’ve mentioned local blog www.suttonathonehistory.co.uk before and again it’s come up trumps with some fascinating recollections of Easter excursions by rail. Adverts for the South Eastern and Chatham Railway in 1914 boast of cheap fares for ‘Easter on the Continent!’ with trips to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Alternatively, locals could stay closer to home and enjoy Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday on the Kent coast, with a ticket to Herne Bay a bargain at seven shillings for a third class seat (taken from the Dartford Express, April 1914).

So, whether your Easter weekend centres around religious reflection and celebration or a fun family day out, you’ll be continuing traditions enjoyed by Dartford residents for centuries. Just to warn you: a train ride to the seaside might set you back a bit more than seven shillings these days…

Clair Humphries is a Script Consultant for ATS Heritage and Content Partner for Ordnance Survey.

Twitter: @clairhumphries

Instagram: clair_humphries