Watson or Edwards?

Many family mysteries are best left unsolved, but when the mystery relates to people long since gone, there really shouldn’t be a danger of causing anyone upset. This particular mystery starts some 177 years ago, so I think I’m safe.

Last week I met-up with Mick Edwards (pictured below), who has lived in Hoo all his life. We spent a couple of hours drinking coffee at TAGGS in Hoo village centre, talking about our shared Great-Great-Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Edwards (nee Watson).

Elizabeth Watson married John Edwards in September 1833, when she was 19 years of age. Only months before the marriage, she gave birth in Allhallows to a son, John, who was given the surname Watson - her maiden name. I am a direct descendant of John Watson. Following their wedding, Elizabeth and John Edwards had other children, including a Charles Edwards (John Watson’s brother). Mick is a descendant of Charles.

Both Mick and I have spent many hours trawling through historic records to find out why John Watson was named Watson instead of Edwards, especially when there is plenty of evidence to suggest he was the son of John Edwards.

Does it matter whether I’m really a Watson or an Edwards? Of course not, but it’s quite strange to think of myself as Tony Edwards, if not for an ‘accident’ of birth in 1833.

Without the fantastic resources available at the Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre, none of this would have been known to us.

 

Bat and Trap – full results of the Peninsula League 2010

My father recently found his old bat and ball (pictured below) which I remember using when playing Bat and Trap at his pub near Canterbury. With this bat we triumphed in a local league championship in the early 1990s – a victory which to us beat any Ashes glory!

Digging out these items from my Dad’s house reminded me about the Peninsula Bat and Trap League, which I mentioned on this site last October, publishing details of the League Finals Night on 3 October 2010.

Before Christmas I received more information from Danny Gibson, who co-ordinates the Peninsula Bat and Trap League. He sent the End of Season Tables, which includes information about all local league teams – click on the images below to enlarge.

End of Season Tables (Sixes):

End of Season Tables (Trebles):

The 2011 season will start in April/May and finishes at the end of September. Games are usually held on a Wednesday evening, commencing at 8pm. Any pub wishing to submit a team should contact Danny Gibson on 01634 290079 or 07988 769604. Or Danny can be emailed here.

Diary Date: Spring Concert (Hoo), Saturday 5 March 2011

Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church present their Spring Concert on Saturday 5 March at 7.30pm. The concert includes international soprano Christine Hubbard, who will perform songs from the classics, shows and proms.

To book tickets, or for more information, contact Stuart on 01634 251705.
 

New Year’s Day Walk - Cliffe

On New Year’s Day, I headed for another RSPB Nature Reserve, this time at Cliffe Pools. I started out from Cliffe village on Pond Hill and then onto Pickles Way. Unsurprisingly, there were lots of people enjoying the fresh air and taking the opportunity for some exercise.

Although there are many trails to choose from, I opted for the Saxon Shore Way – heading through pools and lagoons towards Cliffe Creek.

When I arrived at Cliffe Creek, I had a look for Cliffe Fort, which was built in the mid-nineteenth century. Although derelict and closed to the public, it is still possible to view some of its exterior walls from the footpath. There are also the 100-year old remains of the Brennan Torpedo installation (on the shore side). Such a shame that these once important naval defences are now largely forgotten.

Within a couple of hundred yards of the fort rests the wreck of a Danish schooner, the ‘Hans Egede’. Although damaged by fire in 1955, she was used for many years as a coal and grain hulk on the Medway.

Heading back to Cliffe village, I took the less scenic, but more direct, route along Salt Lane, West Street, Higham Road and Church Street.

An excellent few hours spent exploring a small part of RSPB Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve, with some interesting local history along the way. I’ll certainly be back soon, as there are plenty more routes left to explore!

More information about RSPB Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve can be found by clicking here.

 

Kent Wildlife Trust receive award from Medway Council – Isle of Grain

As a member of Kent Wildlife Trust, it’s excellent to read in their latest magazine (Wild Kent) that they have been awarded £35,000 by Medway Council to help with the development of a country park on the Isle of Grain.

The site, which is designated a Local Wildlife Site and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is populated by some invertebrates (including the Shrill Carder Bee) and is a well-known spot for watching winter waders.

The Trust has also received £3,500 from Natural England to help with the running of a young rangers scheme. The Trust will work with young people to develop a long-term site management plan and to improve facilities for visitors.

More information about Kent Wildlife Trust can be found by clicking here.
  

New Year’s Eve Walk - Northward Hill

On New Year’s Eve, I went to RSPB Northward Hill, between Cooling and High Halstow, to explore some of their trails. After checking the detailed information board at the main car park at Bromhey Farm, I decided on the Heron Trail.

Starting from Bromhey Farm, it wasn’t long before I met others out enjoying the fresh air on the last day of 2010. Although there was poor visibility across the marshes, the views were still very interesting.

When I arrived at the Heronry viewpoint, at the end of the Heron Trail, the site and sounds were remarkable. There were hundreds, possibly thousands, of rooks making noises that could be heard for miles. On checking the RSPB website later at home, this is described as a “4,000-strong rook and jackdaw ‘spectacular’ preparing to roost in the wood”.

More information about RSPB Northward Hill can be found by clicking here.

Beauty and the Beast - Dramarama (High Halstow), 13/14/15 January 2011

Dramarama, the High Halstow dramatics group, present ‘Beauty and the Beast’ on January 13 (Thursday), 14 (Friday) and 15 (Saturday). Performances begin at 7.30pm and tickets are £4. A matinee performance will be on the Saturday at 2pm. The show will be held at the Recreation Hall in High Halstow.

More details can be obtained from Fred and Hazel (01634) 251135, Noleen (01634) 271026, Joanne (01634) 250911 or Wenda (01634) 253169.
 

Christmas Day Walk - Allhallows

With festivities over and life returning to normal, Christmas Day seems like a long time ago. The weather has improved a bit, for the time being, and no doubt everyone has been busy making resolutions.

I made an early pledge – to do more regular exercise! On Christmas Day I went for a long walk from Allhallows and was joined by friends and a dog called Jake.

We set out from Allhallows at 10.30am and went through the Leisure Park and along the beach, past the Yacht Club, aiming for West Point and St. Mary’s Bay. We hoped to get as far as Egypt Bay, before returning to Allhallows, but it took much longer than expected to walk to St. Mary’s Bay (due to long sessions of playing ball with the dog). At 12.30pm, with lunch still to cook, we took the decision to abandon the attempt to get as far as Egypt Bay. We headed back to Allhallows, cutting across footpaths that led through marshes and fields, eventually passing behind Dagnam Farm.

We arrived back at Allhallows at 1.30pm and headed home for the usual Christmas Day excitement and to finally open some presents!

Christmas Eve 2010

With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve, today’s dog walk along the Stoke Saltings didn’t start until dusk and the sunset was quickly turning into a dark, crisp and wintry evening - hence the lack of photos. Happily though, the smell of rabbit trails seemed to keep the dog entertained and there was just enough light to find our way back to the car.

The plan for tomorrow is for an early morning walk towards Egypt Bay, before lunch and a few seasonal beverages.
 

Winter Walk - Hoo to Kingsnorth

Another day, another dog walk. This time from Hoo to Kingsnorth walking along the riverside. Beautiful views of the mud flats, even with the ever present power station dominating the skyline.

Winter Walk - Hoo to Cooling

With a friend (plus Dog!) staying for Christmas, we decided to pre-empt the effects of many mince pies with a long walk from Hoo to Cooling yesterday. Here are a few photographs.

After a look around St. James’ Church and the famous graves featured in Great Expectations, we stopped for some tasty chips and a pint in the Horseshoe & Castle pub.
 

Information: Salt Bins on the Hoo Peninsula

   

Medway Council has informed me that Salt Bins can be found at the following locations on the Hoo Peninsula:

Allhallows
Avery Way (outside the Pilot pub), Binney Road (junction with Jutland Close), St. David’s Road (on grass verge).

Chattenden
Beacon Hill Lane (junction with Four Elms Hill).

Cliffe
Church Street (adjacent to no. 199), North Road (rear of no. 21 Reed Street).

Cliffe Woods
Brewer Road (junction with Brookmead Road), Brookmead Road (opposite no. 3), Brookmead Road (junction with Englefield Crescent), Englefield Crescent (side of no. 27 on recess by manhole cover), Hale Road (junction with Ashwood Close), Sedley Close (junction with Brookmead Road), Thames View (top of hill by lamp column).

High Halstow
Harrison Drive (outside no. 11), Longfield Avenue (junction with Northwood Drive), Marsh Crescent (junction with Northwood Drive).

Hoo
Moremont Road (on grass verge near garages), Pottery Road (on slope near school), Rochester Crescent (junction with Pankhurst Road).

Upnor
Admiralty Road (top of road near footpath), Castle Street (near telegraph pole outside no. 30).
 

Carols by Candlelight - Hoo St. Werburgh Church (Hoo), Sunday 19 December 2010

A festive Carols by Candlelight event will be held this Sunday (19 December) at Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church (Church Street, Hoo). The event will begin at 6pm - pop along for an enjoyable evening!



Carol Service at St. James' Church (Cooling), Saturday 18 December 2010

The Friends of St. James' Church Cooling (Main Road, Cooling, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8DG) present a Carol Service this Saturday (18 December). Beginning at 6pm, the event will be followed by a serving of mince pies and mulled wine at Cooling Village Hall.

 

 

Carols by Candlelight - St. James' Church (Isle of Grain), Saturday 18 December 2010

The Salvation Army will appear at St. James’ Church (High Street, Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent, ME3 0BS) this Saturday. Pop along for an enjoyable and festive evening. Carols begin at 6pm and there'll be hot drinks and mince pies after the concert!