High Halstow Photographic Competition

I was really pleased to be invited along to join the judging panel for the High Halstow Annual Photographic Competition the other evening.

All the photographs entered into the competition were impressive and really showed off the unmistakable beauty of our local area. Many of the photographs entered will appear in the special 2012 High Halstow Calendar, with the winners in each category announced at November’s Parish Council meeting at 8pm on Wednesday 9 November (at Memorial Hall, The Street, High Halstow).

Above: an entry from last year!

The 2012 Calendar will also be unveiled at the meeting, with copies on sale. They’ll be priced at £6 (large) and £5.50 (small) and will also be available at the Village Shop on Christmas Lane and at the Church Market, taking place in Allhallows (more details on that event to follow shortly).

I was chuffed to help judge the competition and I’m looking forward to seeing all those who took part and congratulating them on a job well done!

…and judging these photos has prompted me to get out and about with my own camera again soon!
  

The Battle of Grain

Many thanks to Michael Dale, a Parish Councillor at St. James Isle of Grain, who recently sent me a copy of an old newspaper article (pictured below), with the headline ‘The Battle of Grain’.

The article appeared in the Chatham Standard on 28 May 1980 and showed events that the newspaper described as 'Medway's most dramatic industrial clash'.

Michael was a Rural Police Officer here on the Hoo Peninsula, from 1966 to 1992, and has many stories to tell about his time on the beat, some of which I will try and share on this site very soon. If he’ll let me!
 

High Halstow Hikers – upcoming walks . . .

A couple of walking dates for your diary . . .

November Walk

On Sunday 13 November the High Halstow Hikers will be walking along the Medway, taking in Teston, West Farleigh and Wateringbury - a varied walk with lovely views across the river. Just over 2 hours to complete, the distance will be about 5 or 6 miles. It might be muddy, depending on what the weather has been like, so wearing appropriate footwear is encouraged. Dogs will need to be on leads for much of this route. And for anyone interested - there’s excellent ale and food served in the Tickled Trout afterwards - so don’t forget to bring some money if you’ll be staying for food!

Setting out at 10am, the meeting point will be the public car park at the bridge by Teston lock - a short distance from the A26 on the B2163.

December Walk

On 18 December the group will be taking a local route right here on the Hoo Peninsula. It’s one of my personal favourites, taking in Northward Hill Woods and the farm tracks leading towards Cooling and the RSPB reserve at Bromhey Farm. This walk will take around 2.5 hours and cover 6 miles or so.

Meeting at 10am at the High Halstow Village Hall Car Park (The Street, High Halstow).

For further details contact Mitchell by emailing here, or phoning 01634 254428 - or if you want to join the group for one of these walks, just turn up!
 

Christmas Events on the Hoo Peninsula

I know it’s only October, but I thought I’d mention that details of Christmas events taking place here on the Hoo Peninsula will be added to this site soon. I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on opportunities to stock up on mince pies and other tasty festive treats!

Please let me know about any event you are planning by using the contact page.

 

Latest from Lodge Hill - Public Exhibition on 21 & 22 October 2011

Land Securities have arranged a final exhibition before submitting an outline planning application to Medway Council. The exhibition will be staffed by members of their development team and will take place later this week, on:

Friday (21 October)
3pm to 7pm - The Lodge, Lodge Hill Lane, Chattenden, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8NE

Saturday (22 October)
11am to 3pm - The Lodge, Lodge Hill Lane, Chattenden, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8NE

As part of the exhibition, Land Securities are offering a guided tour of the former Chattenden Barracks (now demolished) and part of the Lodge Hill Training Area. This will be by vehicle. Places should be booked in advance and will be provided on a first come first serve basis. The tours will run approximately every half an hour during the public exhibition sessions. Call 0845 683 2544 to book a place on the tour.

Visit the Land Securities (Lodge Hill) website by clicking here.
 

Diary Date: Hoo Christmas Fayre

Advanced notice about Hoo’s Christmas Fayre - this year taking place on Saturday 10 December in the Village Square. I’ve no doubt this will be another great success!

More details to follow soon . . .
 

Still time to vote for the UJ Community Partnership!

There’s still time to cast your vote for the UJ Community Partnership, from the Isle of Grain, in the Natwest Bank CommunityForce award scheme.

As I mentioned on this site a couple of weeks ago, your vote could help this group, which promotes social-inclusion by providing a range of learning opportunities and the chance for people to meet and share experiences.

A win would mean a £6,000 award. Every vote counts and those with the most votes (in each category) get the money - it’s as simple as that!

Please cast your vote before the closing date, which is next Monday (24 October) at midday. Just click here.
 

RSPB October newsletter (On the Marshes) out now!!

The October edition of the RSPB’s newsletter for the North Kent area, ‘On the Marshes’, is out now - just click the image below to download a copy!

Visit the websites of the local RSPB groups: Gravesend and Medway.
 

Allhallows - an award winning village!

The 2011 Kent Village of the Year awards were presented at a ceremony in Dunkirk last week - the Dunkirk near Canterbury that is!

It is great news that Allhallows scooped two of the awards up for grabs, picking up the top award in the Social Action category, and also being named Best Newcomer. (It was Allhallows’ first entry!)

Noleen Skudder, who is the Treasurer of Allhallows Youth Club and a Parish Councillor, submitted the bids and said: “our success is testament to the commitment, hard work and dedication of a number of volunteers within our community, whom all deserve recognition and praise. None of this work would have been possible without the generous funding and support we've received from a number of organisations and individuals and we thank them all.”

The annual competition is run by ‘Action with Communities in Rural Kent’.

Take a look at the website of Allhallows Parish Council by clicking here, where you’ll find more information about these awards and details of events taking place in Allhallows.
 

Neighbourhood Watch on the Hoo Peninsula - would you like to get involved?

Medway Neighbourhood Watch is keen to hear from anyone interested in helping to set up new schemes here on the Hoo Peninsula. If you'd like to get involved and want to find out more, contact John Haddaway (Watch Liaison Officer) on 01634 792131 for a chat. Alternatively, send John an email by clicking here.

Visit the Medway Neighbourhood Watch website here.
 

Cast your vote for the UJ Community Partnership!

Voting has now opened in NatWest’s 2011 CommunityForce awards programme. The scheme gives hundreds of community projects and charities the chance of winning a valuable £6,000 award. And there’s a fantastic group here on the Hoo Peninsula seeking your support and, more importantly, your vote!

The UJ Community Partnership (pictured below on a carnival float) is based on the Isle of Grain, but supports everyone living on the Hoo Peninsula. The group provides many different activities that promote social-inclusion, through organising events and learning opportunities.

The Partnership helps people learn, or improve, IT skills and runs first aid courses for young mums looking to work with children. A course is being planned that will help people with personal financial management and a new activity-filled Lunch Club is also set to launch.

Set-up in 2003, the UJ Community Partnership is run by a team of hard working local volunteers. They're always very busy raising money, which allows them to continue providing vital services to local people.

Veronica Cordier, who manages the group, told me this week: ‘We need everyone to go online and vote for us. If our bid is successful, we will use the NatWest award to install good economical gas heating at our Grain facilities, which will improve the atmosphere of our building and make us more financially efficient - meaning our cash donations can be much better spent’.

To show your support, and to find out more about this impressive community project, click here and look for the ‘Vote for Us’ button.

Please cast your vote for the UJ Community Partnership before the closing date on Monday 24 October 2011 (at midday).
 

Another fantastic fund-raising total from Macmillan High Halstow

Last Friday morning I joined a good many other local residents at the Memorial Hall in High Halstow, for the Macmillan Cancer Support 'World’s Biggest Coffee Morning'.

With it being another incredibly hot day, I opted for a cold orange juice rather than coffee, which went down nicely with some rather tasty homemade carrot cake - I only had the one slice I promise!

It was good catching up with Rena Digby, Ann Smith and Angela Forward (all pictured below), of the High Halstow branch of Macmillan, who worked incredibly hard to make the event such a great success.

Whilst I kept to one piece of cake, I do have to admit to buying some homemade strawberry and blackberry jams and a pot of marmalade - all looking very tasty and made of mostly locally picked produce. I can’t wait to tuck in. All in the name of charity of course!

It was good seeing a few familiar faces at the coffee morning. And it was good to bump into new High Halstow Parish Councillor Christine Watson (pictured below).

I don’t think we’re related, but it was really good hearing about the many exciting local projects that the Parish Council have in the pipeline.

I’m pleased to report that Macmillan High Halstow’s coffee morning exceeded last year's total (when they raised over £600), this time raising £750. The total might increase as more and more donations are received - I'll keep you posted. A really tremendous effort!
 

Wow, now that’s hot!

The record has been broken for the highest temperature recorded in October, at 29.9c (85.8f) in Gravesend at 2.42pm this afternoon.

This beats the previous 26-year record of 29.4c (84.9f) recorded on 1 October 1985, which was recorded in the market town of March in Cambridgeshire.

Of course, there isn’t a weather station here on the Hoo Peninsula, but we are usually slightly warmer than Gravesend - it certainly feels like it today.

Bring on the water bottles please!
 

High Halstow Times - October Edition

The latest edition of the High Halstow Times is now available. Just click the image below to see the full copy.

The High Halstow Times is the magazine of High Halstow Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here.
 

Allhallows Life - October Edition

The October edition of Allhallows Life is now available. Just click the image below to see the full copy.

Allhallows Life is the magazine of Allhallows Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here. The magazine now features items from St. Mary Hoo Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here.
 

It’s a scorcher!

I was in Grain earlier this week enjoying the scorching late summer sun, whilst taking in some of the views around Grain Coastal Park. I had a good look around many of the new and existing walks in the area and things are shaping up nicely.

I then headed off to walking route RS361 (photos below), which passes Port Victoria Road and Smithfield Marshes (towards Cockleshell Hard) located to the south east of Grain Coastal Park. Many thanks to Grain Parish Councillor Michael Dale for letting me know about this particular walk.

The warm sunny weather looks set to continue this weekend, so definitely a good time for everyone to get out the house and explore some of the many walks on the Hoo Peninsula. OS Map 163 (Gravesend and Rochester) is a very useful resource!

 

Can you smell something in Hoo?

If you live in Hoo or the surrounding area, you might have noticed an unsual smell sweeping across the village in the past few days. I can now confirm its cause - thanks to information supplied by the Environment Agency (below).

Press Statement - Odours from Chatham Docks

The Environment Agency, which regulates waste legislation in England and Wales, is actively working with the owner and operator of Chatham Docks, Peel Ports, to resolve the current odour issues being experienced in the area surrounding the docks.

The root cause of the odour is from stockpiles of wood chip that are being stored at the site prior to onward shipment to Sweden where the material is used in the generation of heat and electricity. Recent movements of the wood chip, that had been on the dockside for longer than is typically expected, resulted in the release of odours associated with the natural degradation of the wood. These odours have been carried off site by the wind, and have caused a nuisance to those living near the site.

We have prioritised our efforts on this site and the activities that are giving rise to the odours. We have recommended a number of measures to minimise the smell. Peel Ports have plans in place to ensure that the material will be moved to Sweden as soon as possible and are bringing equipment on to the site to minimise the problem in the interim. These measures will include suppression systems designed to control airborne particles and odours.

Jon Griffin, Senior Environment Officer said "We understand that strong odour can cause a lot of distress to communities. This site and the reported issues are a top priority and we are working with the operator, Peel Ports, to resolve the problems related to their activities as quickly as possible. In the interim we would appreciate anyone who is experiencing odour and dust problems to call our hotline on 0800 807060."

Environment Agency - Kent and South London
 

Kent Police Male Voice Choir - coming to Hoo in December!

Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church hosts many exciting concerts and performances, and that trend is set to continue. Following an enjoyable performance from Soprano Beatrice Danesfield earlier this month, the Kent Police Male Voice Choir (pictured below) will perform at the Church on Sunday 4 December at 6.30pm.

Book your ticket(s) early to avoid disappointment and to show your support - not least because the event will help raise much needed cash for the Church restoration fund.

For tickets (a donation of £7) contact Stuart on 01634 251705.
 

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning (High Halstow), Friday 30 September 2011

Having raised more than £600 at last year’s successful coffee morning (part of the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event), the High Halstow branch of Macmillan Cancer Support are aiming to do even better this year, with their coffee morning this coming Friday (30 September), from 9.30am onwards.

Macmillan High Halstow have raised a staggering £2,600 over the last 7 years - and you can help them add to this amount by popping along to show your support.

The coffee morning will be held at the Memorial Hall (pictured below), and there’ll be plenty of tea, coffee, homemade cakes and scones with jam and marmalade. There’ll also be a chance to buy bespoke greetings cards and jewellery. Not forgetting a raffle and a ‘Pick a Duck’ game where everyone’s a winner, it certainly looks like every effort is being made to exceed last year’s total.

If you’re unable to make it along and want to show your support, you can order a box of tasty cupcakes that will be delivered directly to your door - for only £5.

If you fancy ordering some cupcakes (local deliveries only, i.e. High Halstow, Hoo etc), get in touch with Ann on 01634 251914.

Find out more about Macmillan Cancer Support by clicking here.
 

Hundred of Hoo School - War Memorial Project

The Hundred of Hoo School is busy working on a programme of events to commemorate this year’s Remembrance Day - adding to the school’s ties with the armed forces and the support they show for the Help for Heroes campaign. The school is researching information about local people who gave their lives during the First World War and whose names are commemorated on the war memorial at Hoo Parish Church (pictured below with pupils from the school).

The school’s John Keeley said: ‘We feel that it is vitally important for our students to learn about, and appreciate, the sacrifices made by previous generations which enabled our young people to enjoy the freedoms and privileges they do today. By remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, our students are not only learning about their area’s history, but are also able to appreciate the very important notion that freedom should not be taken for granted, and sometimes demands a heavy price for its defence’.

If anyone can help supply information about any of those listed on Hoo’s war memorial (shown more closely below), please get in touch with Mr Sims, a member of staff at the school, by sending an email here.

11-11-11-11

Remembrance Day silence, when the nation pauses to remember all those who have given their lives for their country, comes with a special once-in-a-lifetime date and time this year, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in the 11th year of the decade.

Take a look at the Royal British Legion website by clicking here, or visit the Help for Heroes website here.
 

A message from the RSPB

I've been sent a brief update from the RSPB about their activities locally, supplied by their representative Rolf Williams (pictured below).

'Beefing up our birds'

It is a testament to the reserve teams’ expertise and skillful water management that 2011 has been a good year for breeding birds on the marshes. The unusual weather patterns in 2011, with a spring drought followed by early summer deluges, may be a portent of things to come since this matches leading climate models of our future. The RSPB’s North Kent reserves feel like wild places at the mercy of the weather but half of them are working farms, coastal grazing marshes that we manage in the interests of nature. They produce hay (for horses), wool, lamb, and beef, but, in a complex relationship between water, vegetation, and grazing, the right habitat is also created for internationally important wintering and breeding birds.

Through the hard graft of reserve staff, volunteers and contract graziers, and despite the unseasonal weather, the birds have done all right this year. We managed to utilize what water we had in such a way that breeding bird figures are as good, if not better, than normal years for precipitation. Numbers of breeding lapwing at Shorne Marshes, Cliffe Pools and Elmley Marshes were excellent, totaling 132. Redshank traditionally fluctuate in their breeding numbers but 180 pairs at Elmley Marshes broke a six-year record. The herons at Northward Hill are showing recovery after two particularly harsh winters - 96 pairs, and 45 nightingales filled the air with their song on the Hoo Peninsula reserves. Now we look forward to the winter spectacle as thousands of birds fly in to the Thames, Medway, and Swale Estuary… and why not join them for a wild day out?

Rolf Williams
RSPB North Kent Marshes Nature Reserves

If you'd like to find out more about the RSPB, take a look at their Northward Hill website by clicking here - where you'll find links to other RSPB sites in North Kent, including Cliffe Pools. You can get in touch with Rolf by clicking here.

Thanks for the update Rolf!
 

Hoo Peninsula Film Project

Over the past few years, I’ve been meeting lots of the peninsula’s longer-standing inhabitants, or ‘peninsula elders’ as I like to call them! And I’ve been recording on camera their stories and memories about living and working here.

Often more than just the typical - and edited - recollections you tend to read in history books, I’ve heard some fascinating tales, some of which have been truly shocking in their detail. Always unique and personal insights into everyday life in this often overlooked corner of Kent and Medway, it’s been a real joy and privilege to have listened to them.

I now have a growing selection of recordings, each of which is being very slowly and carefully edited. When finished I’m planning to donate them to historical archives and any interested local history groups for posterity and, hopefully, for watching by future generations of historians, and residents, seeking to expand their knowledge of local social history.

All those ‘elders’ I’ve had the pleasure to meet so far have been very generous in their willingness to be recorded on film. Not always an easy process, especially when an amateur like me is doing the filming!

I have a whole list of people on my list to get through in the coming months, but it’s always good to hear of anyone else with a few interesting stories to tell.

Just get in touch via the contact page.
 

Grain Coastal Park (Isle of Grain) - Michael Dale’s Photographs

Michael Dale (pictured below) is a Parish Councillor on St. James Isle of Grain Parish Council. He’s sent some of his photographs of Grain Coastal Park – kindly giving permission for their use on this site.

These photos show views of Grain Coastal Park, taken at different times of the year.

The old ‘dummy battery’ along Port Victoria Road.

A wintry scene with views towards Grain Tower and Queensborough Docks.

One of many walking routes.

Church Beach looking very calm at high tide.

A ‘Quay Crane Transporter’ passing Garrison Point at the mouth of the Medway (between the Isle of Grain and Sheerness).

Another crane transporter arriving for Thamesport from China.

Seaview Meadow.

Seaview Meadow with early morning mist.

These are really great photos and I’d like to thank Michael for allowing me to share them.

Do you have any photos of the area that you would like to appear on this site? Just get in touch via the contact page.

 

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning (Hoo), Friday 23 September 2011

Hoo Village Institute (Main Road, Hoo) will be putting on the kettle to take part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ event this Friday (23 September), from 10am till 1pm.

Pop along to Hoo Village Institute (pictured below) and show your support - all are welcome!

This local event is being organised by Heather Sherman - find out more about the work of Macmillan Cancer Support by clicking here.
 

More improvements at Grain Coastal Park

I was on holiday in Devon and Cornwall the week before last - probably enjoying too many cream teas than I ought to admit to! So I headed over to Grain yesterday afternoon for a brisk walk around Grain Coastal Park while the weather was nice and sunny - luckily it only turned dull when heading back home.

It seems that, whilst away, some more improvements have been made to the area. There are now a couple of nice looking picnic tables and chairs overlooking the beach and some smart, sturdy benches on the path by the shore (all pictured below).

I got back home just in time to avoid the downpour. What lovely weather we’re having!
 

Beatrice Danesfield is coming to Hoo!

Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church hosts many exciting concerts and performances, and that trend is set to continue, with Soprano Beatrice Danesfield (pictured below) presenting ‘A Night at the Opera’ on Saturday 17 September, from 7pm.

Whilst out doing a bit of shopping in Hoo this week, I bumped into Stuart Coombes, who helps organise events for the Church. Stuart told me he hopes that, in addition to residents from the Hoo Peninsula, there’ll be many others that come from far and wide to see Beatrice perform and to have a great evening - not least because the event will help raise much needed cash for the Church.

For tickets (a donation of £7) contact Stuart on 01634 251705.
 

Lodge Hill Consultation

Further to the public exhibitions held last November, Medway Council has produced a draft Development Brief for the proposed development of the Lodge Hill site. This document sets out the Council’s detailed objectives for the new settlement and its relationship to the surrounding area.

The consultation started last week and comments and feedback must be sent in to Medway Council by 5pm on Monday 14 October (the closing date).

There’ll be a series of consultation events taking place locally, where the Council’s Planning team will be available to talk about the draft Development Brief.

The consultation events take place during the next few weeks:

High Halstow Memorial Hall
Wednesday 14 September, 2pm to 4pm / 5.30pm to 8pm

Chattenden Community Centre
Friday 16 September, 2pm to 4pm / 5.30pm to 8pm

Cliffe Woods Community Centre
Monday 19 September, 2pm to 4pm / 5.30pm to 8pm

Red Cross Centre (Hoo)
Tuesday 20 September, 2pm to 4pm / 5.30pm to 8pm

Wainscott Memorial Hall
Monday 26 September, 2pm to 4pm / 5.30pm to 8pm

Click here to visit Medway Council’s website - where you’ll find more detailed information about the Lodge Hill development proposal.

Visit the Land Securities website by clicking here.
 

Big Dreams - Isle of Grain Youth FC

Isle of Grain Youth FC (pictured below on their float at the recent Grain Carnival) has gone from strength to strength since their creation in November last year. Starting out with just a handful of local kids, they now have more than 50 - coming from across the Hoo Peninsula to take part. A real local success story that is getting more exciting every month.

They entered the Real 60 Summer Football Tournament, held at Borstal last weekend. Their teams drew in two of their four games, sadly losing the other two. But one of the games was a thrilling 3-2 defeat to league champions, Chatham Riverside - so a really creditable set of results for such a new club and a fantastic effort from all the kids and coaches.

Isle of Grain Youth FC is part of the Sheppey Youth Sunday League, where they have teams for the U8s, U9s and U12s.

The Club’s Chairman Paul Peachey, told me this week: “I created the football school to give the Isle of Grain’s youngsters something positive to do. I am totally chuffed at what everyone has achieved to get us this far, both the kids and the adult volunteers. Of course, we now have a new objective - to achieve lots of wins within our league and, who knows, maybe even bring home a trophy or two - it’s time to put the Isle of Grain on the football map!”

The Youth Soccer School is still looking to welcome new members, aged 3 years to 16. Activities take place at Seaview Meadow (Lang’s Field) every Saturday from 10.30am till 12.30pm - pop along and get involved!

And the Club is also keen to hear from anyone wanting to get involved in their Sunday league team activities - this though is for those entering school years 7, 5, 4 and 3.

If you’d like to get involved, or know someone that would, contact Paul Peachey on 07818 558036.