In my early years the Sandown Road area was an allotment site; indeed my grandfather (my father’s father) had a plot there.  The houses in Alma Road built in the mid 60’s formed part of this allotment site as did those on the opposite side of the road to our house where just three allotments existed - my father worked the middle one.  In those days most of the plots were in use and very productive.  Compensation was paid to plotholders for the loss of crops when the site was sold, but in reality most homes lost a really useful amenity.  We rarely had to buy vegetables; Dad made sure of that by growing a wonderful selection of year-round produce.

Before all this building work went on I also remember the area which now includes the newer of the houses in Fartherwell Avenue (just look at the brickwork, the original houses built in white while the newer in red brick) and Ewell Avenue being corn fields.

The Infant School just along from St Mary’s Church was my first school.  I recall this seemed quite big at the time but in reality was small but quaint.  I remember the head teacher was a Miss Hughes, typically greying hair worn in a bun.  Another teacher was Miss Ginn, she went on to the new junior school built adjacent to the cricket meadow (as the old cricket ground appeared called).  I think I managed to miss her teaching skills at both, but she seemed a formidable woman!

Talking of the cricket ground many a night was spent playing cricket (usually with my bat, ball and stumps) or football (with my ball) on the field.  I remember Keith Kemsley offered me two shillings if I could bowl him out but I had to bowl overarm.  His money was quite safe as I hadn’t mastered that action, however I was glad of Keith’s tuition which later enabled me to play many a game for Town Malling.  I am pleased to say that I didn’t inherit his rather quirky bowling action!  Keith was a great guy and we played cricket and football for the Town Malling sides.

Although I enjoyed my cricket I preferred Wednesday to Saturday.   The Durtnall brothers Peter and Bill readily come to mind, also Fred Hearnden, Bernie Forster, Roy Parks and someone named Don.  Sadly I cannot recall his second name but he took over the Viner’s Department Store in the High Street.  I played football for TM for less than a couple of seasons.  Derek Brimstead and Colin Wallis amongst others either had the honour or dishonour of being team mates!  I played almost any position, unlike my father who everyone that new him said he was a brilliant left back in the 30’s and 40’s.  Funnily enough one person who played with both of us was Percy Macey, who started his career just as Dad was ending his and with me about the time I started.  Perce was a terrific centre half.  Most of my football was played at Leybourne Grange Hospital where I worked 1966-1972.

Malling High Street was all pubs, Joiners Arms, Rose and Crown, The Bull, The George (which later with the old fire station became a supermarket), Five Pointed Star, not forgetting the Swan, Brewery Tap, Bear Hotel and of course the Working Men’s Club in Swan Street.  Plus a pub in Offham Road, seem to recall that was The Star.

The shopping area was practical.  The Colonade contained Frank Smithers Provision Merchants and a cycle shop.  Just around the corner in the High Street was Baldwin’s the Butchers run by Hugh Baldwin.  A couple of doors away from there was the newsagents.  On the corner of Norman Road/High Street junction was the Corner Café, plus the little jewellers shop.  Not forgetting in King Street the barbers shop run by Fred(?) Stone and later his son Barry.  Good for a short back and sides!  Also in the High Street was the Cabin, a sweet shop where I often used to go on Saturday afternoons with my cousin Pat.  Not for sweets though, usually to sit in the shop and have a drink.  Other shops that I remember were Vye and Son (later Lipton), International Stores and Co-Op - they had different shops for food and butchery.   Then of course there was Swan Street with the sorting office at the junction with High Street, the post office being further along on the other side of the road.  Must not forget Baldocks - how could I,  there’s a branch in Horsham where I live now.  The only thing that seems to have changed with their shops is that they now accept payment by credit card. Strictly cash for years.

No mention of Malling would be complete without a word or two about the woodland areas, Mayes Wood where we played some fantastic games and Stubblesdown Wood.   Both woods had a selection of chestnut trees and Dad and I could be found in the nut season out early on Sunday mornings, giving the trees a good shaking if the nuts hadn’t fallen!

It was not very easy to get lost in West Malling, most roads simply entered at one point and rejoined the same road at a different point. Try leaving the A20 at the bottom of Town Hill turning right into Norman Road passing the Colonade and simply continue along this road. Bearing right all the way one eventually went down Sandy Lane (where my cousin John lives) and rejoined the A20 a little nearer to London!  Or of course one could leave the old A228 at the Colonade turning, go left into Offham Road and by keep bearing left rejoin the same road at the point where the pub was near to the old King Hill Hostel.  Not so sure about getting lost in the woods though, I vividly remember being with my sister Barbara one day and talking to her about living on berries!   My sense of direction hasn’t improved with age.

I’m pretty sure I could go on but these are just a few memories of my home town. I left West Malling in 1971.