Penenden Heath, swings, fairs, putting green and sandpit

Yes, yes I know that people have been hanged on Penenden Heath but it was a little before my time. To me, it brings back happy memories of my young days. Not you understand anything to compare with Mote Park but it was closer for me to walk to, up Wheeler Street through the Hedges and down an alley onto the Heath.

My memories of the heath include such activities as football, cricket, putting green, bowls and tennis courts. Not that I would have used all those facilities, nevertheless I do remember going to the putting green on many occasions with a cousin only to be thrashed at the game. Not much good at ball games was one of those things that were often written on my school reports, and quite right too, what a waste of time I thought.

I remember my mother taking me to Penenden Heath when they had a Funfair, probably once a year I would think. I usually ended up to my mother’s dismay, taking home a poor little goldfish in a plastic bag. They never lasted for more than a few days anyway.

Before they built the Maidstone by-pass there was a sandpit at the top end of the heath on the road that connected to the Boxley Road. These days it is possible to walk through as they built an underpass when the motorway was constructed. I am sure that in my lifetime, they must have excavated sand but I can’t remember it. What I do remember is sliding around and down the banks of sand and on one occasion being present when two rival gangs with air rifles were battling it out in the dunes. Still nothing new then.

At the top of the heath, they had swings and a slide and a seesaw usually only used by the very young or older lads out to impress their girlfriends by swinging so high we thought they might go into orbit.

Shirley

Maidstone I remember it well: Penenden Heath was a nice stroll on a Sunday from where I lived, and I always clamoured to go there. When I was little there was only one big splintery old long swing, which the boys would rock till it smashed into the iron uprights at every move!! Elf'n'safety where were you!!! The Di Marco family had a little tea kiosk there, but often we couldn't afford a cup! When I was older, I played tennis very badly on the tennis courts. I adored the sand pit, despite my mother's lamentations about stains on clothing ( no washing machine then). A few weeks ago I was sitting in the car park by Brewers in the area, and realised that it was actually built in the sand pit and I could see a little of it in the corner!!! It brought a lump to my throat remembering the fun I had there.

Martin Baldock

Maidstone I remember it well: I grew up in a house that backed onto the Heath, from 1954 until I got married in 1970. My brother and I could run out of our back garden through a small copse to the swings any time we chose (when we kids of course!). A brilliant place to spend a childhood back then...