Kit's House, formerly known as The Cottage on the Hill, on Plaxdale Green Road

Kit's House, formerly known as The Cottage on the Hill, on  Plaxdale Green Road. Dated between 1894-1918, postmark may say December 22, 09.

 

Turnpike by Vigo Inn crossroads

Information from an old book. This toll-house pre-dates the bungalow on the corner of Vigo Road/A227.

MIllers Farm / Tower Grange / Tower Folly

 

Here is some information I found in an old book, and stupidly I've forgotten to take a note of what book it was in.

Stansted Church, circa 1900

 

An old photo of Stansted Church, featuring on a postcard and dated approximately 1900. Such a pretty spire shape. 

Fire at Ridley Court Barn, and small image of the handsome Ridley Court House

 When out walking I always admire the fine looking old house next to the Church at Ridley. It looks fascinating, I'd love to have a look around it! I haven't found out much about it at all, but did find this press photo from when one of the barns burnt down in 1938. I also found a very small image of the house. 

The Green Man, Hodsall Street

 Here are a few other images I have found of the now sadly burnt down Green Man in Hodsall Street. I don't know what date they are, but the one showing the white painted front is obviously more recent. I also found a clear picture of the pub sign used on that image, which was taken in 1985.

Old Milk Carton from Haven Manor, Fairseat (HA & WM Harris)

Interesting little bit of history. Front, back and sides of an old Milk Carton - the milk was 'Farm Cartoned' at Haven Manor, Haven Hill, Fairseat, Kent. The milk is untreated ie. Raw milk. 

Digging about a bit, I tried to date this packaging. 

Firstly, I assumed that milk cartons were perhaps from the 50s era, but I was wrong. In fact milk cartons were invented roughly 1929, and my research led me to a fascinating website about Danish Carl Hartmann of Hartmann packaging, who apparently invented the Satona, a fully automatic carton making, filling and  sealing machine for milk. He also invented egg boxes! The Hartmann history page is a fascinating read, do take a look at this page www.hartmann-packaging.com/world/about-us/history/

 I also Googled 'when did mass pasturisation of milk become common?'

'One of the most deadly micro-organisms that can live in milk is bovine tuberculosis, which killed thousands of children before pasteurisation became widespread in Britain following the 1922 Milk and Dairies Act'

Hmmmmm... I could perhaps try and date the carton from the fonts used, but I think I'll leave it for now. Perhaps a relative of the Harris's of Haven Manor, Fairseat, will stumble across this post and tell me when H A & W M Harris were living at Haven Manor.

Anyway, do enjoy my funny little 'find'.