The White Horse (1904 to 1907), Upper Stoke

Long before researching my family history, I always had a love of country pubs. Not just because they are where you find the best quality real ales, but because of the sense of history and community that they normally evoke, where people know each other’s names and everyone is welcomed like a local.

My father owned a country pub for a few years near Canterbury and other relatives have been connected to different pubs over the years. My mother's grandfather ran at least three pubs and his father worked in a rural brewery.

So it came as no surprise to discover a longer history of pubs in the family!

I’ve discovered links on my father’s side to a couple of local pubs. The Ship Inn at Lower Stoke, which I have mentioned before and The White Horse at Upper Stoke. I talked about my links with The White Horse in another post, but I thought I would add some further information about the time my Great-Grandfather was the licensee.

My Great-Grandfather Herbert Watson (pictured above) became the licensee of The White Horse on 11 November 1904. The licence was transferred from a William Bradley.

Herbert was joined by his wife Maud Lilian (nee Spencer) and their three young children, Gladys (b1902), Dorothy (b1904) and Mary (b1906).

Herbert and Maud remained at the pub until 1 January 1907, when the licence was transferred to a James Rayner. I’m told the reason Herbert and Maud left the pub was because of financial difficulties, but precise details are not known. They left with only a tin-box of personal belongings seeking a fresh start in Dover. They went on to have eight more children, between 1909 and 1924. One of whom was my Grandfather!

 

A228 Ratcliffe Highway, Fenn Corner Roundabout

Good to see progress being made on the construction of the new roundabout at Fenn Corner, on the A228 Ratcliffe Highway.

The Story of the Hoo Peninsula, Philip MacDougall

I have finally managed to get a copy of Philip MacDougall's book 'The Story of the Hoo Peninsula', which was published in 1979.  I have been trying to buy this book for quite a while, so I am pleased to have my own copy at long last!  This book is said to be the 'first complete historical account ever written about the entire Hoo Peninsula', so I look forward to reading every page in the coming days and, hopefully, to learn more interesting facts about our local history.

Philip MacDougall has written many books.  To find out more about these publications, visit his website. 

Dickens Summer Festival (Rochester), June 2010

Not an event held on the Hoo Peninsula, but certainly one that involves many of its residents, either as participants or as visitors.  I thought I would give the 3-day Dickens Summer Festival a mention on this blog. I went along with my family yesterday afternoon (Saturday), following a busy morning on the Hoo Peninsula – visiting pubs, shops and other places of interest!

It’s great seeing so many people dressed-up in their Victorian finery in celebration of Charles Dickens. I believe the festival started in 1978 and is now attended by people from across Medway, across Kent, across the Country and, according to one gentleman I met yesterday, from across the World, which I can easily believe!

It was yet another fine event and everyone taking-part deserves heartfelt congratulations for making it such a fun experience for all those attending.

Below:  My Mother and Medway Councillor Ted Baker, who has been taking-part in the Dickens Festival since 1978.

Below:  This gentleman produced amazingly entertaining tunes with the simplest of instruments!

  

 

Below:  Of all the costumes, these people won it for me with their less glamorous approach!  Perhaps because of my own family history (on the Hoo Peninsula) and the hardships they endured - I always find the the dress of more ordinary folk the most charming.  Well Done!!!

 

Farmers' Market (High Halstow), Saturday 5 June 2010

With stunning hot weather, it was off to the Farmers' Market in High Halstow. I went with my family, photographed below outside the Village Hall, and we picked-up many goodies! I bought tasty biscuits, bread and a pot of honey marmalade. An enjoyable event, with plenty of produce available!

The Last Post, The Ship Inn, Lower Stoke

The other day I mentioned the history of The Ship Inn pub (in Lower Stoke), and how my Great-Great-Grandfather (Henry Spencer) ran it between 1889 and 1901.

In those days the pub looked very different to the building that was demolished recently, the original building having been knocked down in the 1950s. So the photograph below is quite literally 'the last post' - the final bit of evidence of a pub having been on this site.

Stoke Road / Eschol Road, Kingsnorth

Further to my earlier post (Jacobs Lane, Kingsnorth), these photographs were taken on Stoke Road, at the junction with Eschol Road. The first few images show Kingsnorth Industrial Estate in the distance, with the Power Station in the background. As well as photographs of open fields and pylons, there are also images looking out to Damhead Creek and beyond!

Parish Church, Hoo St. Werburgh

With plenty of spare time over the Bank Holiday weekend, I managed to have a look around the outside of the Parish Church in Hoo St. Werburgh - taking photographs as I went of course!  The Church stands tall at the end of Church Street, on the southern side of the village centre - near to the library and not far from The Chequers public house.  The Church website is packed full of fascinating local history and is well worth a visit. 

Jacobs Lane, Kingsnorth

Some spare time on Bank Holiday Monday and I decided to have a drive along Stoke Road, stopping at the junction with Jacobs Lane to look at the views out to Kingsnorth Power Station.  A gloomy old day, weather wise, but very nice to get out and about for some fresh air!  With these photographs, I seem to have a bit of a pylon thing going on . . .

Church of St. Peter & St. Paul (Photographs), Upper Stoke

The entrance to the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul is located on The Street in Upper Stoke. The structure has undergone many repairs over the centuries, but parts date back to 1175.  A major restoration was initiated in 1898. With views across the Stoke Saltings, the Church backs onto Stoke Road and Church Terrace.

There might be a number of my ancestors buried in the churchyard, but I have only found a couple of surviving headstones - they probably couldn't afford such things. In another post, I have already referred to one of these graves (belonging to Henry & Emma Spencer), but the other grave, which has been well hidden over the years, contains six of my Great-Grandfather's young siblings, who died between 1871 and 1882. I usually refer to these children as 'the Watson children', but their names and ages were:  Charles (19), John (14), William (2), Arthur (2), Ernest (1) and Clara (only weeks old). Perhaps in celebration of their lives, a tree has grown from their grave (first photograph below) - quite literally giving me a family tree!

All photographs were taken on the date of this blog.