Life under the Stairs

By Local Resident, Jane Stevenson Firstly, condolences to the Royal Family on the recent death of His Royal Highness Prince Phillip. A man of strong views and witty retorts. A steadfast consort to the Queen and from all accounts a rather decent chap. Rest In Peace, Sir.

THANK YOU NHS REMAKE/REMODEL

I want to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Beech Ward at Darent Valley Hospital. Coping with the pandemic, all the extra work and protocols it has brought, all hospital staff have shown how magnificent they are. From the security guards at the entrance, to the housekeeping and portering staff to the medical teams, my recent experience while visiting an elderly relative has been highlighted by kindliness, efficiency, humour and professionalism. In this case, the outcome was not kind to our family, but the support we received was second to none. Thank you. I found an old diary recently. One written in my angst-ridden youth, full of righteous indignation and how the young could change the world. How awful Dartford was, and how it was being ruined by shops closing to make way for the original Priory Centre.

Fast forward many decades and the same depth of feeling is prevalent in some area about the remaking and remodelling of Dartford again. We bemoan the lack of quality shops, the poor parking, and the vast building project in Lowfield Street and beyond. anything, it is that times change, and sometimes for the better. I hated the Priory at first; the small shops had gone and here was this large shopping mall, crammed with (gasp) new shops. I soon got used to retail under one roof finding a bigger range of goods available, and the more modern, at the time, approach to retail. It took a time for me to fully embrace this new world, but now we all take it for granted.

I was a vocal protester about the state of Lowfield Street and the lack of investment in the town. I watched as the bigger retail names pulled out once Bluewater had opened. The mantra ‘Bluewater killed the town’, was often on my lips. Then came the stockpiling of land and promises from Tesco which came to nothing.

I’ve been into Dartford a few times lately, and I am going to have to eat humble pie. The Market Street area is clean and modern and the new housing will provide a range of homes for all sizes of household. It will revitalise an area which was fading and on life support. We may not like it, or hold strong views on its progress, but in time there will be a new generation of folk living in Dartford, using the park, Fairfield Pool the bars and restaurants. Once there is a demand for new shops and amenities, retailers and entrepreneurs alike will provide a wealth of new outlets for us.

It will highly likely be a café society – with the emphasis on cafes and bars, perhaps some clubs and a greater use of space for leisure. If we are honest we’ve nearly all changed how we use the shops during the past year. We search online for a wider range of goods than ever before. We are used

to seeing the delivery vans from the big supermarkets driving around at all hours, or having the ubiquitous Amazon, DPD or Hermes parcels delivered. We have changed and retailers must follow customer demands.

We might see a return to the smaller shops of my youth – perhaps artisan bakers or specialist grocers. Local designers and local businesses starting up. I much prefer to use a smaller business nearer to home than a large national company.

I know this sounds idyllic, but Dartford needed to change, just as it did all those years ago with the opening of the shopping centre. It’s a new time and place for a new generation. Rather than going into Mrs Grumpy mode, I think I’ll wait and see how it progresses. I might even like it.

LIFE IN GENERAL

Some observations this month, based on an event at Stevenson Towers. Just some questions and ramblings you understand.

Can anyone answer the following? Is cat litter the feline version of Lego bricks? It would seem so as far as my gang are concerned. I’m so fed up with treading on the stuff and hurting my feet.

Secondly, is it a given that any area I prepare to plant seedlings will go from being pristine and lovely the day before to a weed ridden disaster overnight? Just asking, you understand.

Lastly, why does it rain sand around here? The last couple of downpours have deposited a thick yellow coating on my newly washed car. The gods are against me!

Take care and enjoy your freedom safely.

Steve Cook postcard final:Layout 1 27/1/14 12:15 Page 1

STEVE COOK

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