WE ARE TEMPLE HILL - EVENTS 2022 - PAGES 8

On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, Healthy Living Centre Dartford’s Community Hub takes place at 10:00 at Temple Hill Community Centre. We host the fantastic Repair Café team, who will try to help fix most things that need attention and our amazing sewing ladies who can sort out your material issues! Also at the Hub you can grab a cuppa and a cooked brunch, take part in arts and crafts, join in a board game or two and even relax and enjoy a taster therapy session with AMF Holistic Wellbeing by Annmarie. The Healthy Living Centre Community Hub events also take place at the Tree Community Centre in Cedar Road on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. If you would like to get involved, have a stall or run a demonstration at any of our events, please get in touch by email at info@ hlcdartford.org.uk. To learn more and stay up to date with all of our activities, please like and follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

MONDAYS

British Legion Hall Devon Road,South Darenth Da4 9ab 9.30am Sarah 07739 027161

VCD Sports Club Old Road,Crayford Da1 4dn 9.30am & 11am Sue 07507 599691

Fleetdown Community Centre Swaledale Road,Dartford Da1 6jz 3.30pm,5.30pm & 7pm Paula 07891 424401

Oakfield Primary Academy Oakfield Lane, Dartford Da1 2sw 5.30pm & 7pm Kate 07590 995948

Longfield Community Centre Fawkham Road,Longfield Da3 7qp 9.30am,11am,12.30,4pm,5.30pm & 7pm Lynsey 07764 191073

TUESDAYS

Greenhithe British Legion London Road,Greenhithe Da9 9ej 10.30am Paula 07891 424401

Geddes Place Church (Behind Nandos) Bexleyheath Da6 7dj 9.30am Adam 07730 405313

St.John the Evangelist Park hill Road,Bexley Da5 1hx 5.30pm & 7pm Adam 07730 405313

St.Anselms Parish Centre West Hill,Dartford Da1 2hj 9.30am Gillian 07957 135737

Oakfield Primary Academy Oakfield Lane,Dartford Da1 2sw 5.30pm & 7pm Kate 07950 995948

WEDNESDAYS

St.Edmunds Church St.Edmunds Road, Dartford Da1 5nd 9.30am,3.30pm,5.30pm & 7pm Bex 07494 813497

St.Peters Church College Road,Hextable Br8 7rh 5.30pm & 7.30pm Kelly 07904 759587

VCD Sports Club Old Road, Crayford Da1 4dn 7.30am,9am & 10.30am Liz 07900 213548

VCD Sports Club Old Road, Crayford Da1 4dn 5.30pm & 7pm Jo 07920 851475

THURSDAYS

St.Peters Church College Road, Hextable Br8 7hr 9.30am Kelly 07904 759587

Greenhithe British Legion London Road, Greenhithe Da9 9ej 5.30pm & 7pm Paula 07891 424401 St.Anselms Parish Centre West Hill,Dartford Da1 2hj 5pm & 7pm Gillian 07957 135757

Baldwyns Park Baptist Church Dartford Road, Bexley Da5 2ay 5.30pm & 7pm Del 07975 541082

FRIDAYS

Bexley Football Club Lesley Close, Bexley Da5 1lx 9am Del 07975 541082

SATURDAYS

Christchurch Centre Kingswood Avenue, Swanley 8.45am David 07729 504636

Oakfield Primary Academy Oakfield Lane, Dartford Da1 2sw 8am & 10am Sarah 07739 027161

GLORY BUMPS, GRAVEL AND GHOSTS: WALK THROUGH HISTORY ON DARTFORD HEATH

By Clair Humphries

Fancy a stroll across Dartford Heath this summer? Well, you’ll be following in the footsteps of military generals, landed gentry and medieval peasants – not to mention the numerous ghosts reported to haunt this historic corner of Kent. There are over 300 acres of heathland to explore, so why not get out today and walk its well-trodden paths? Just watch out for a few bumps and barrows along the way…

Designated as common land since Medieval times, the Heath’s history is evident all around. Prehistoric burial sites – otherwise known as tumuli or barrows – can still be found throughout. These banks of earth were piled up to cover the graves beneath and were often topped with rocks or stones. There’s been a lot more digging of holes since then, as the Heath’s resources have been excavated for all manner of building purposes – not least to supply the local brickmaking industry. Chalk, clay and gravel mining began in the nineteenth century, resulting in the many ‘glory bumps’ which still exist today. See if you can spot these mounds cut from trenches all over the Heath – they tend to be grouped fairly close together.

Animals and birds have always been a vital part of the Heath’s ecosystem so don’t be surprised if you stumble across rabbit droppings and spider webs! Apparently, even the notorious ‘Beast of Bexley’ has been spotted prowling around on one of its excursions along the A2 corridor (!) There are three ponds to discover, all teeming with wildlife and birdwatchers are spoilt for choice. However, sightings of the famous Dartford Warbler might be a rare occurence… Did You Know? The Dartford Warbler bird – often linked with Dartford Heath – was actually first recorded in Bexleyheath!