WHAT was Sevenoaks like in the last year of the decade before the onset of the notorious 1960s?

Like most towns in West Kent it had experienced mild problems with Teddy Boys, celebrated the end of the austerity years and saw the era of country-house living continue to fade.

In 1959 the urban council was battling with an ambitious, expensive new town plan which threatened to demolish centuries-old buildings and a decision had been made on the route of the long-awaited Sevenoaks Bypass.

It was the year that Harold Macmillan announced that "class war is obsolete" and then, having won the general election, set about forming the most aristocratic government that Britain had seen in years.

Here are a few of the local highlights from 50 years ago.

In January, Steve Smith, of 23 Shenden Way, Sevenoaks, played scrum half for England against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.

At the time Smith was captain of the Cambridge University XV and came through the trial matches at Twickenham to earn full England colours. He trained with Sevenoaks Rugby Club in the days leading up to the match which England lost 5-0.

Arthur Thwaites, clerk to Sevenoaks Urban Council for five years, collapsed and died at his home, 24 Argyle Road, aged 54.

Among the many tributes was one from Miss Dorothy Parrott, chairman of the urban district council.

Notable retirements included those of Royal Oak proprietor Richard Robinson after 21 years as an urban councillor, and Sgt John Tritton, after 32 years as a policeman in Sevenoaks.

In May, Leslie Ames, Kent and England cricketer, opened Holmesdale's new pavilion, and Ted Collins, of The Vine, received a special trophy for taking five wickets with five consecutive balls in a match against Bromley – a feat never before known in the history of the club.

In August, Vine cricketer Ralph Axten scored 189 against Gore Court, the highest score on the Vine.

James Richard, the seventh Earl Stanhope, announced that he was going to leave Chevening House, along with its great park and wonderful treasures, to the nation as he was without an heir. Stanhope, one-time leader of the House of Lords, had been anxious for some years that Chevening should continue to be a family home and a worthy part of our heritage.

The Rock and Fountain public house in London Road, Sevenoaks, next door to a popular fish and chip shop, closed to the dismay of many customers.

There was great concern at the loss of several inns in the town including the Rose and Crown, Odd Fellows Arms and the pending closure of the Holmesdale Tavern, all in the High Street.

In August, Shoreham Place, the former home of Lord Mildmay, was demolished by fire soon after the then owner had failed to get permission to turn it into flats.

Mildmay was Britain's greatest amateur steeplechaser, who had tragically drowned in the sea at the age of 41 in 1950.

He rode for Peter Cazalet, of Shipbourne, and famously persuaded Queen Elizabeth to buy a racehorse. She did, for her daughter Princess Elizabeth.

No local newspapers appeared in Sevenoaks from June 18 to August 13 in the longest national printing dispute ever known.

The Sevenoaks News attempted to keep readers up to date by producing, in abbreviated form, a duplicated sheet, written and printed by the editor Donald Hooper.

The conversion of Sevenoaks High Street from gas lamps to fluorescent electric lighting set on 25ft steel standards prompted letters of complaint from a wide area. A petition was also presented to the council describing it as a "tragic decision".

So vociferous were the street lamp critics that the council sought the advice of the Royal Fine Arts Commission which said they were "too big, too conspicuous, badly sited and completely disturbing the view of the Downs. Take them down". They did.

At various times during the year human bones were found on Polhill.

Dr Gordon Ward, an archaeologist, said the ancient skeletons might be the victims of two battles – in 776 when King Offa of the Mercians was engaged in battle with King Egbert of Kent, and in 1016 when Edmund Ironside came to Kent in an effort to prevent Canute from reaching the city of London.

Ernest Henry Evans, chief engineer to Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Water Company since 1932, died aged 55 and James Kirkwood-Browne, the popular, fiery editor of the Sevenoaks Chronicle for almost 40 years, died aged 67.

In September the "dangerous" Botany Bay Bridge on the A25 Bradbourne Vale Road was demolished to make way for a new bridge at a cost of £50,000.

No-one complained about this decision. Double bends were a hazard and this was considered to be one of the worst death traps in the district.