Hop Picking (1950-1959)

[@zonya2768]

Went there for 40 years my family from Brighton

[@kenh3344]

Quiet a bit done around us here in tembury as well ?? 1960s.

[@peterbillionaire]

Somerset Maugham brought me here.

[@terryofford4977]

This Hop Picking was almost exclusively limited to families from the London kent areas,an entire family worked thru a two/three weeks period (this was the closest those folk enjoyed as a holiday) and even thru the war. I have no idea whether Hops are grown in England these days, perhaps someone could enlighten me. Terry Offord

[@pipbeale]

Terry Offord Yes, still farmed but obviously not the the extent. It has in recent years had a slight boom with more people into local craft ales now than previous. Near me, Faversham, there are and have always been a few hop field though most are apples, cherry, plums etc.

[@Laura55sere]

My friend used to go hop picking regular ,her mum had 5 kids, so it was a bit like a holiday, I only went once when I was about 9 , anyway, some years later as teenagers we found our way to the Kent hop fields we nicked a string of hops each and I took mine round to my nans house, I can still see the look on her face when I presented her with the hops.

[@nicolettemcguire1155]

Not entirely true! There were also local people - my Mum included, plus gypsies and travellers.

[@Eric-the-Bold]

West London Chiswick , Devonshire Road/William Street. A relation had an open backed lorry, he and his wife would take us all down to Paddock Wood, leaving his wife with us. Open fires spuds on a stick, black pot cooking rabbit stew. Cant wait for the Fish and Chip van. Tucked up, on the straw the rain bashing off the corrugated roof. Outside the Pub, bottle of Lemonade and crisps. Our own kids gang, didn’t know that East London existed, but kids are kids we all mixed, even with the Gypsy kids , our Chiswick heritage, Hawkers etc . Off scrumping. Being told off for putting leaves in the bin. Whats that your cooking? On the Gypsy fire? First you gut it son , then roll it in clay and when its cooked pull off the clay and off comes the spines? It was an hedgehog. I was not offered any. Mum said if your hungry enough. Off down to Paddock Wood summer 2023, down memory lane.

[@spockspock]

Long, tedious, grumpy work to quench the beer drinker’s thirst God bless.