12 October 2025
Some will recall this poem by Mr. James King, reminding us of old times at Hatch.
.
Every now and then I catch
My memories of Mersham Hatch,
And all those trees we left behind,
Oaks and chestnuts, beech and pines
Deserted now that we have gone,
Just the memory lives on.
.
The beech tree, climbed a thousand times,
And the California pines,
And how about that splendid oak
Casting its shadow like a cloak,
Or ghostly Hornbeams in the wood
Frightening children (as they should).
.
All these were so familiar then,
But never to be so again.
Children's voices gone for good
On first or second lawn or wood.
But gladly now there'll never be
Sad smokers in the smokers' tree.