Hubert Verrall at the forge, 1930s

With increasing numbers of cars, vans and lorries appearing in the late 20s and early 30s, and a steady decline in horse-drawn traffic, Verrall had sensibly diversified and by 1936 was advertising his trade and business as ‘Hubert H. Verrall RSS ‘Ye Olde Smithy’ machinist, shoeing and general smith’s work, implement agent, stove & range work, locksmith, tyring, fencing etc.’ With a respectful nod towards tradition, however, he declared himself a member of the ‘Kent Rural Industries Co-operative Society Ltd’.

George Wells had fond memories of the blacksmith’s forges of Verrall by Mill Lane and the Nicholas’ Brothers in their yard in the High Street, opposite New Street. “…when I was a lad we used to go into Mr Nicholas’ yard and have a look at what they were doing – he didn’t mind, he used to talk to us, explaining what he was doing and it was nice. I remember Mr Verrall down the bottom used to have the big old horses in the yard and it was busy there… Verrall carried on into the 1950s, but Nicholas packed it up earlier and Burgess took the yard over…”

Hubert Verrall did indeed run the forge until 1950 when he retired and sold the business to James Williams.