The lost Village of Paddock Wood

What was once a lovely place to grow up and live and work in, has long been demolished. Many industries and major employers, including all the farms, have all now gone and only the photographs and memories remain.

[@johnnyjarmaine5897]

What a time to be alive, simpler times!

[@leslieaustin151]

Thanks Dean. That was a blast! I used to live in PW in the early part of my second working life, before moving North. These photos illustrate some of the things I was told by older folk in the village (now a town). A change from your green lane rides which I also very much enjoy. Thanks, Les

[@thra5herxb12s]

Thanks for watching. You may remember the cycle shop over the Railway bridge. Evernden Cycles. Sadly My Roy Evernden passed away last night.

[@DrDaveWrestling]

The town is now just high-priced flats and unaffordable housing. Quite depressing.

[@Gilbonaut]

Thank you for posting this. I was born and bred in Wateringbury and still live locally so I recognise many of the locations and it was of great interest. My first pedal bike came from Evernden's in the 1960's when it was a long shed down the side of a house. As you will be aware that was before they moved into the site previously used by Paul Smart Motorcycles. I noted your comment below about Roy Evernden, was that the gentleman who owns the current location or was that his father?

[@thra5herxb12s]

The original business was started by Percy Evernden in the late 1930s, and his son Roy worked for him until taking over the business in the 1960s. Tony Evernden then took over the business and moved to Paul Smarts old motorbike shop. Paul Smart was still the owner of the building and was the landlord. Tony Evernden is now retired and the business has been sold to Cadence Cycles.

[@Gilbonaut]

Thank you for the full chronology and information. When I was growing up in the 1960's every kid in the area who was lucky enough to have a new bike got it from Evernden's with the "Supplied by Evernden's" sticker somewhere on the frame.@@thra5herxb12s