Dartford's WW1 Fire Brigade

British Pathé footage of Dartford's Fire Brigade WW1

During the First World War women had never before opportunities to work in occupations that were previously off limits in order to do their part towards the war effort. The war was not only an opportunity to serve country but also gain more rights and independence.

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The History of Bluewater

Bluewater is an out of town shopping centre located in Greenhithe just outside of Dartford. In May 1996 building of the Shopping Centre began at the site of a former chalk quarry. Tunnels were excavated under Bean Road to join the Eastern and Western Quarries allowing sand to be transported to the site. Its lakes were partially drained in preparation for construction of the basement levels and the cliffs were remodelled to permit vehicular access to the site. It is built across 20 hectares of lakes and parkland. Bluewater opened on 16th March 1999. The layout is a triangular design with a flagship store at each corner; Marks&Spencer, John Lewis and House of Fraser. This layout is considered easier for navigation. To reflect the surrounding lakes swathes of glass are incorporated into the architecture. The ventilation system is based on the traditional oast house with fresh air brought through rotating aluminium vents on th...

Dartford Creek Barrier - Will Dartford Flood Again?

Dartford Creek is one of the last remaining natural tidal creeks in London. It was built in 1981 to minimise flood risk from the Thames Estuary to Crayford and Dartford. There are two gates that travel vertically and are driven by a chain system. The gates are balanced by two water-filled counterweights. When they close, the barrier is able to withstand up to 7 metres of water above average sea level. Most of the time the gates are raised but when flooding is predicted by the Met Office both are closed. Raised embankments along the lower reaches of the Thames estuary also act as flood defences. Before the barrier was built Dartford flooded significantly in 1953 and 1968. In the face of global warming should we be worried about Dartford flooding once more? There is certainly a lot of new housing on floodplain and reclaimed marshland. Take a look at this map and judge for yourself. It shows the land projected to be below annual flood level in 2030. Clim...

The Workhouse

The concept of workhouses was a developing part of the welfare system back in Elizabethan times when parishes collected money from residents. In the 1723 parliament passed an act called ' The Workhouse Test Act ' which was a legal framework for running workhouses. The workhouse was a place for people whom handouts were not enough. If people were able to work they could earn their board and lodging. The cost of handouts was increasing so a new standard national system was introduced in 1834. It's aim was to bring down costs and if you were destitute but able bodied this is where you went and were expected to work. Families were not kept together. Men, women and children were separated accordingly. In order to be allowed into the workhouse you would have to live in the catchment. There was an official called the Relieving Officer who was able to offer people a place at the workhouse. Once in, those in its care were provided with clothing and their own clothes were place...

My Secret Dartford

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