Shantyjohn- if you'd been there when we were (19981-83) there were thriving hop fields around Cobham, only a few miles outside Gravesend.
We lived in an oast house- I am a bit of a country joiner but the concave walls were a bit much when making shelves, hanging pictures etc....

It's all gone now, as have the ancient orchards on the lovely walk over to the pub in Luddesdown. However the wonderful aroma from the working oast house at the top of Battle Street will live long in the memory- a great place for a good night's sleep.

The hop-pickers then slept in the oast house & were mostly students at that time...
I also well recall hearing Louie Fuller at Elsie's pub around that time- with her family who were more interested in talking about football & horse racing rather than listening to a fine singer..... bit like Ireland 2016!