Saxon Shore Way, Hoo St. Werburgh

Having completed a small part of the walk along the Saxon Shore Way last week, between Upnor and Hoo St. Werburgh (described in another post), I completed another section today. This particular walk, centred around Hoo, is ideal for a Sunday morning stroll and takes less than a couple of hours to complete, especially if stopping to look at the views.

Information about walks on the Hoo Peninsula, including this one, can be obtained by clicking here.

I walked down Vicarage Lane to Hoo Marina and joined the clearly signed Saxon Shore Way path that runs along the River Medway to Kingsnorth. Soon after joining the path, you come across excellent views of Hoo Fort and Darnet Fort (in the middle of the River Medway). There are three WW2 pillboxes during the walk - an indication of how strategically important the area once was.

Altogether very enjoyable and a good mix of sights!

Miss Fry Postcard (Lower Stoke), 1910

I recently purchased this postcard, date stamped 1910, sent to Miss Fry of 4 Gravel Pit, Lower Stoke. I have not yet been able to identify the sender, but assume it was someone living on the Hoo Peninsula, specifically around the Stoke area. The postcard was posted in Southend-on-Sea and contains a photograph of Westcliff seafront and bandstand. The half-penny stamp shows Edward VII, who died in May 1910.

I have traced Watson ancestors living at Gravel Pit in Lower Stoke in 1911 and 1925, so this postcard is reasonably interesting. With regards to the identity of 'Miss Fry', I believe she was in fact Ellen Grace Fry (b1880). According to the 1911 census, Ellen Grace Fry was living at Gravel Pit with her mother, Mary Ann Fry, a widow.

High Halstow and District Gardening Club (High Halstow), Tuesday 14 September 2010

The High Halstow and District Gardening Club are meeting on Tuesday 14 September at 8pm, to hear a talk about 'Winter Tubs and Containers'. The event will be held at the Memorial Hall in High Halstow and anyone is welcome to attend.

St. Margaret's Church, High Halstow

I was in High Halstow earlier this week visiting friends and had another look around the grounds of St. Margaret's Church, located on Cooling Road. Built on the highest point of the Hoo Peninsula, the Church dates back to the 10th century and is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086).

The churchyard is in a good state, but I noticed that the grave of Alfred and Minnie Spencer (from the Spencer side of my family) is now very much overgrown. I took the following photographs several years ago - showing the Spencer grave (at the rear of the churchyard), albeit in a damaged condition.

Annual Fete - Cross Park Association (Allhallows), Sunday 12 September 2010

On Sunday 12 September, from 11am until 4pm, the Cross Park Association will hold their Annual Fete at Cross Park in Allhallows (access via Avery Way and Avery Close). The event will be attended by the Mayor of Medway, Councillor David Brake.

Attractions will include a pet show (bring your pet to win prizes), a model aeroplane demonstration, tug-of-war, a fortune teller, face painting, line-dancing, a champion pole-dancing demonstration and lots lots more. Refreshments, cakes and burgers will be available.

RSPB Wildlife & Country Fair (Cooling), Sunday 5 September 2010

With the weather holding-out (yesterday) and with family visiting for the weekend, it was off to the RSPB Wildlife & Country Fair at Bromhey Farm in Cooling (Northward Hill Reserve). Thankfully, many hundreds of people started arriving soon after the event opened at 11am - guaranteeing a success!

As well as enjoyable country walks and views, there were many stalls and entertainments provided - from a lively funfair for kids to sheepdog trials, insect sweeps and ditch-dipping (photographed below). Stalls included demonstrations of arts and crafts, such as carpentry, pottery and card-making. For a small charge, tuition was given in some of these activities!

Many groups and organisations attended, including: Medway Neighbourhood Watch, Kent Fire Brigade (Cliffe Division), Medway Spinners, Dyers & Weavers Association, Dickens' Country Protection Society, English Heritage and the Medway Bee-Keepers Association! Also in attendance was talented photographer Sam Baylis, a teenager from Cuxton, who was displaying, and selling, his own original pictures from around the world (I bought a few).

As can be seen from the last photograph, the event was well attended. Well done to the RSPB and to everyone for organising such an enjoyable event!

Roadworks (Kingsnorth Development) - Ropers Lane and Stoke Road, Hoo and Kingsnorth

Roadworks off the A228 (reference ZT9981893 and ZT9981894), including Ropers Lane and Stoke Road, towards Kingsnorth, seem to be progressing. Completion of the 're-alignment' work is expected in February 2011. Updates and further information can be obtained by clicking here.

The Ayers Family of Stoke, Ernest John Ayers (Cart and Carriage Proprietor)

Whilst researching my family history, on the Hoo Peninsula, I have identified many interesting characters. One such individual was Ernest John Ayers. He was born in Stoke in 1875. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Ayers. Ernest's father was a farmer and the family lived at Vine House in Middle Stoke. They also owned neighbouring Vine Cottage. In 1899, Ernest married May Gertrude Spencer, my Great-Grandmother’s sister.

In May 1897, an advertisement appeared in Stoke Parish Magazine, which described Ernest as a ‘Cart and Carriage Proprietor’. His address was Vine House in Middle Stoke. In December 1899, another advertisement appeared in Stoke Parish Magazine, which described Ernest as a ‘Coal and Coke Merchant and Furniture Remover’. His address continued to be Vine House.

Below: A re-construction of the advertisement from Stoke Parish Magazine (May 1897).

Below: A re-construction of the advertisement from Stoke Parish Magazine (December 1899).

In 1907, Ernest (then aged 32) emigrated to the United States of America with his wife and young children - Ruby (born in 1902) and Edith (born in 1903). They settled in the township of Enfield, Grafton, New Hampshire. Ernest worked as a salesman in a local department store. Later in life, he became a janitor. However, in 1918 Ernest had enlisted in the US Army.

Referring back to December 1899 and Stoke Parish Magazine, other advertisements were placed by members of the Ayers family. These included Herbert L. Ayers and George E. Ayers - siblings of Ernest John Ayers. These advertisements have been re-created (below).

Saxon Shore Way, Hoo St. Werburgh to Upnor

With a few hours spare this morning, I decided to go for a walk along part of the Saxon Shore Way, from Hoo St. Werburgh to Upnor. A pleasant walk made even better by the warm sunny weather. From Hoo Village Centre, I walked along Vicarage Lane and then followed the signs through Hoo Marina Village and along the River Medway.

When I arrived at the ruins of Cockham Wood Fort, which overlooks St. Mary’s Island, I took a break and enjoyed the sun for a while! Cockham Wood Fort was built in the late 16th century, as a direct result of the Dutch raid in 1667. Originally, the fort held 48 guns, but the arsenal was removed within 100 years.

Information about walks on the Hoo Peninsula can be obtained by clicking here.