Old BAE Club to be demolished

Following the recent purchase by Bellway Homes Limited of land at the top of Bells Lane in Hoo, previously occupied by the BAE Sports & Social Club (later known as The Village Community, Sports & Social Club and, prior to its closure, as the Peninsula Club), demolition of buildings on the site is about to commence.

According to a notice on the perimeter fence the buildings could be demolished tomorrow (28th December) or thereabouts.  It will mark the beginning of a process involving potentially hundreds of new homes being built in this part of Hoo, although at the time of writing I have not seen a formal planning application.

My own memories of this site are relatively recent.  Back in 2013 I was one of the organisers of the semi-successful Hoo Village Fun Day.  We welcomed special guests Cllr. Josie Iles (then the Mayor of Medway), Mark Reckless MP and Rochester Town Crier Robin Burfoot, and we enjoyed many attractions, including the fabulous Big Sing Choir (under the instruction of T Jae Cole), a strongman contest and a helicopter flypast.  It was an exhausting day.

It is sad knowing that this once popular facility, including its double recreation ground, will not be hosting such events ever again.

Fun Day photographs appear courtesy of the Village Voices Community Magazine.

  

Meeting for The Chimes and Pastures Residents’ Association

Residents from the new developments east of Bells Lane in Hoo will be meeting on Saturday 25 May at 12 noon, at The Village Community Sports and Social Club (top of Bells Lane).

A number of topics will be on the agenda for discussion, including concerns about service level agreements with OM Property Management. The meeting will also, hopefully, elect a new Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Association.

If you’d like further information, send an email here.

  

Have your say on the 'Coleman Land' development in Hoo!

Bellway Homes say that they will soon submit a planning application to build on the last remaining field along Bells Lane in Hoo, known locally as the 'Coleman Land'.

Their application is likely to offer 119 new homes, between two and three storeys in height.

Bellway will next week hold a 'drop-in' session for local residents, where they will unveil their proposals.  A team of experts will be available from the development team to answer questions.

The event will take place on Wednesday 13 March, from 5pm to 9pm, at The Village Community Sports and Social Club, Bells Lane, Hoo, ME3 9JD.

If you'd like any further information, contact Patrick Clark on 07525 031276 or email here.

  

Doing ‘The Windmill’ walk

We’re very lucky on the Hoo Peninsula to have so many good, and sometimes quite dramatic, walking routes. However, a popular walk for many people living in Hoo is what I call the ‘triangular walk’ around the village.

This includes Bells Lane, the old Ratcliffe Highway and Main Road. I’ve met a good many locals whilst out enjoying the fresh air and views.

Conveniently, The Windmill pub is on the old Ratcliffe Highway and marks the half way point of the walk.

Just along from the pub, in the direction of Chattenden, is the now rather dilapidated Mill House - believed to have been built in 1799 and, according to Philip Macdougall’s book about the Hoo Peninsula, the home for many years to the Ballard family, who were a local farming family.

I like this building a lot, and only wish that I could win the lottery to pay for its renovation, before it collapses!

Depending on how fast you walk, I’d say this walk takes about an hour to complete - that’s without stopping at The Windmill for a swift pint!

  

2012 Summer Boot Fairs return to GEC Bowls Club in Hoo

Sunday Boot Fairs, organised by the GEC Bowls Club, will be taking place on the first Sunday of every month throughout the summer (except in May, when it will be on the second Sunday).

Held in the sports field, next to the club at the top of Bells Lane, the first Boot Fair will be on Sunday 1 April. Other dates include: May 13, June 3, July 1, August 5 and September 2. Trading from 6am, bargain hunters are encouraged to get along early!

If anyone would like a pitch - just go along on the day (as early as possible). There is a charge of only £5 per pitch.