Who knows what happened to Bradley’s Lane?

Sometimes we like to run stories illustrating how places have changed over the years by showing an old photograph alongside a shot of how it looks today. But that’s not a new idea. We recently received a donation of a small photo album showing a “before” and “after” picture of Bradley’s Lane in Bearsted.

The pictures were taken by J.A.Heaton, with the first shot dating from June 1938 and the later one dated May 1939.

Clearly the lane had undergone considerable development in the intervening year.

But when the Kent Messenger sought to take a photograph of Bradley’s Lane as it looks today, we struck a problem - it no longer exists.

We know the road originally housed Bradley Cottages, which were connected to Rose Acre Farm, where, we believe, in the 1920s, the farmer was one Mr Bradley.

It has been suggested to us that Bradley’s Lane was later re-named Plantation Lane, which now sits off Roseacre Lane and The Landway

If anyone can confirm this and provide any further details we would be most grateful.

You can call Alan Smith on 01622 69566, or alternatively, send an email to ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk.

In the meantime, readers can judge for themselves from the photo taken this week whether Plantation Lane and Bradley’s Lane are one and the same.