Mostly Anonymous Comments From The Old Village Blog

My dad Claude Dawkins grew up in newnham. He Worked as a boy for the faunce de launes he has loads of stories including when all the soldiers were camped out in the woods in the second world war waiting to be shipped to France. My grand parents jock and Mary Milton owned the chequers pub from 1959 to 1977 in doddington my dad Claude married their daughter Margaret. Mum and dad are still in contact with Peter jewson who owned the foam factory opposite the chequers. I have loads of fond memories as a child at the chequers
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My mother, Marjorie Doughty, and her family grew up in Yew Tree Cottage in Doddington. The Doughty family lived there throughout her childhood. James Henry Doughty and Edith Emily Doughty were her parents (my grandparents).

Craig Byron
Washington, USA

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My great grandparents,Jesse & Sarah Neaves,came from Doddington, and were living at " Little Grit " in Doddington in the 1881 census. Can anyone tell me anything about this place. They both worked for the Crofts at Doddington Place. Jesse was a shepherd & Saarah wes a dairy maid
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I was at Southdowns from Aug 1959 to March 1960. I was very happy. I remember Mr & Mrs Williams. I used to paly chess with the Vicar. I think the staff were Miss Mary Gowan (used to ride a scooter)and a man John Logan. Mrs Terry was the cook but she died soon after I left. My name is Gloria

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I remember staying at southdowns childrens home doddington early 1960,s,,I also spent sometime in hospital nearby due to a severe head fever,
The one thing that still sticks in my mind today was the suicide of one of the staff in the car garage outside,we heard the shot of a gun .we found out next day he had shot himself,because of personal problems.it was quite upsetting for us kids there.

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My Great Great grandfather is the "Mr. Longhurst" Who was master of the school Doddington College at number 25 south downs. If anyone has any information about him please email me! 
thesilverplatypus@hotmail.com

Thank You,
Estelle Clements.

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 Gloria Cathcart said...

Do you have any idea of the date of the Cartoon in the Doddington Bygone Picture Gallery? The Filmer in the bottom right is a cousin of mine. (1875-1956)

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Doddington College, later known as Highgate Wood Lodge, run by Sister Mary Broad, a Wesleyan Deaconess, around 1900's. Does anyone have any information about this?

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I lived in Southdowns in approx 1959 it was a childrens home run by Kent County Council. I was very happy there and left when I was 15 years old. Every Sunday morning we used to go to the Village Church, I remember everyone staring at us, as we were the children from the home on the hill. I looked at the photo of the building with fond memories. Some of the women that worked there lived in the village. The actual people that ran the home for the council were a Mr Mrs Williams.

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I am looking for any information regarding my relatives. I am told we originate from the Lynsted/Milsted/Doddington/Newnham area. The family name is Maxted. My grandfathers first names are Richard and Thomas.
I would appreciate any information.

Regards,
Rick Maxted
email drmaxted@hotmail.com

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Hello, I'm contacting the site about Southdowns. I don't have any information about the building itself but my Grandmother, Annie Louisa Biggs, lived there as a child. She was born in Hackney in 1894 and was abandoned by her parents. She was living at Southdowns, then known as Highgate wood Lodge, at the time of the 1901 census when she was 7 years old. I have her copy of The Pilgrims Progress which was given to her by Sister Julia Langone when she left the home.

Would any paper records have survived from this time? Any information would be gratefully received.

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Frances said...

I am researching relatives Thomas Lake and Elizabeth Hawker connected to Doddington around 1700. Would be pleased to learn anything about them or their relatives. Please send e-mail frances@bigpond.za.net

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