The Rolling Stones

They met on platform 2 of Dartford Station. Keith Richards on his way to Sidcup Arts College and Mick Jagger travelling to London School of Economics. Later Mick dropped his studies to pursue music and The Rolling Stones followed. Both went to Wentworth Primary School but lost contact before the chance encounter at the railway station. Mick had considered becoming a journalist or a politician. How different the world of music be if he had! Dartford Grammar School today proudly carries the legacy of their former pupil as the Mick Jagger Centre opened in March 2020.

Apparently Bill Whyman, the former Rolling Stones bassist, was not amused about the plaque at Dartford Station presumably because he didn't feature on it. Dartford Council did not wish to incur his wrath and vowed to get it changed but it looks like it's still there.

Source: Wikimedia

In Dartford Central Park there is a rusty looking homage to Sir Mick lest we forget where he came from. It is located towards the tunnel that goes to Brooklands Lake should you wish a visit. There's a man called Ken Pimm who does 'Satisfaction tours' of Dartford for tourists. I guess that must be really fun if you are a Rolling Stones lover!

Mick looking a little overgrown at Dartford Central Park

Comments

Wat Tyler

Wat Tyler or Walter Tyler was the leader of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. This was a protest against the poll tax of the time and a push for social reform and greater equality. As a result of the revolt Wat Tyler became a local hero. There is a pub in Dartford named after him where it is suggested he spent time. The Peasants' Revolt began 35 years after the Black Death had decimated Europe resulting in labour shortages. Peasants realised that there was a shortage of people to work the land and wanted better pay and conditions. The government passed a law to stop wage rises and to make matters worse a poll tax was introduced to support the war with France. Three times in four years the tax was demanded so that everybody over the age of 15 irrespective of their earnings had to pay 4 pence. This disproportionately affected the poor and peasants encouraged by the teaching of John Ball a radical priest were led to take action. When a tax collector arrived in a...

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...

Burroughs Wellcome & Co

Burroughs Wellcome & Co at Dartford was founded in 1889 by Silas Burroughs and Henry Wellcome who were business partners originally from America. They refurbished the former paper mills and using the latest technology created a factory renowned for manufacturing pharmaceutical products. There was a small lake in front of the mills which was drained and cleaned, and the brick mill was converted to laboratories. An analytical department was added to the complex by 1897 to test raw materials. Often plants were grown on the company’s farm including deadly nightshade, foxglove, henbane, thorn apple and aconite . (Source: Wayback Laboratories) Burroughs Wellcome & Co. Factory, Dartford Photograph c1890-1900. Source: The Victorian Web One range of products manufactured at Burroughs Wellcome Dartford were their medicine chests which were supplied to explorers, expeditions, and royalty. The medicine chests were tailored to the needs in the part of the world that they would ...

My Secret Dartford

Search This Blog