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Paper mills in and around Maidstone
In my young days the paper industry was huge around Maidstone; most children had a father or uncle working at one of the paper mills. We had plenty of paper and I can remember fathers bringing in coloured paper and used in our schools for special projects.
Tovil Paper Mill
The nearest one to Maidstone being Tovil and many a man and boy served their entire lives here. The mill closed in the seventies and was a huge blow to the town’s workforce. If anyone served a long term here I would like to hear from them. We referred to Tovil paper mill as Tovil treacle mine, can't think why, and perhaps someone can enlighten me.
Aylesford Paper Mill
Aylesford or “Reeds Paper Mill” another huge employer and in retrospect served the community admirably well, it had a marvellous sports club and leisure club in it’s hey day. This mill is the largest paper re-cycling plant in Europe these days. It was at this mills sport club that I met and practised judo with the now famous James Burke. Turkey MillTurkey Mill a privately owned mill on the edge of Mote Park by Major Pitt (I am told that he was the grandson of Pitt the prime Minister). Many years later I would have the privilege of meeting Major Pitt; he was always immaculately dressed in a three piece suit and carried a silver topped walking stick, to make this appearance even more distinguished he had a waxed moustache.
It was a sad day when he died not only for the mill but for Lenham where he lived in Lenham Court. The mill and house sold as he had no immediate family to take over.
Paul Brazier
Maidstone I remember it well: The day we moved to Maidstone, to the village of Lenham, 10th January 2006, to the former home of Major W. Pitt, Lenham Court. The house hadn't been lived in for sometime and it was snowing. The heating didnt work properly, we had no cooker and it was freezing cold! We sat and wondered if we had done the right thing as there was so much work to be done. 18 months later there is still much work to do but we are really glad we moved as we love living here and in the village of Lenham.
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