Along with a surprising number of people ‘enjoying’ the frost, the weather wasn’t enough to stop me from getting out for some fresh air this morning.
Setting-off from Upper Stoke at 9.30am, I followed walking route RS35 across open fields to Middle Stoke, and then towards Stoke Saltings – crossing the railway line and passing the micro-light airstrip.
I continued along walking route RS34, taking a quick look at the boats moored near Creek Lane. Continuing past some rather cold looking horses, it was then over another railway crossing connecting me with a farm track up to Stoke Road (RS33) – arriving back in Upper Stoke after just over an hour.
Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church (Church Street, Hoo) present their Christmas Fayre on Saturday 27 November, from 10am until 1pm. There will be cakes, books, bric-a-brac, fresh produce, crafts, food, refreshments and much more.
A Village Christmas Fayre will be held in Hoo on Saturday 11 December, from noon to 3pm. The Gravesend Borough Band is set to perform a selection of festive tunes (for an hour from noon) and other live entertainments will follow until 3pm.
Many treats will be available on the day, including: mulled wine, mince pies, sausage rolls, roasted hot chestnuts, homemade pickles and other goods, refreshments, festive crafts and a tombola! The Rev. Andy Harding (from Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church) will be switching-on the Christmas tree lights.
Anyone wishing to book a stall should contact Linda Perfect (Event Organiser) on 01634 252795.
These photographs were taken earlier this week near Kingsnorth Power Station, looking across the River Medway towards Gillingham and Chatham. Although a very cold evening walking from Hoo to Kingsnorth, the sunset views made it worthwhile.
There will be a Farmers' Market at Hoo Village Hall (Pottery Road, Hoo) on Saturday 20 November, from 10am. Pop along for local produce, pet food, jewellery, a range of crafts and much much more!
I went along to Allhallows Primary School this week to join their special Remembrance Assembly. It was really nice to see the children taking time to think about the sacrifices made on our behalf by previous generations.
Afterwards I walked around Allhallows, from the border with Lower Stoke to the Leisure Park. The weather was terrible, but knowing I was heading for lunch at The British Pilot made the soaking bearable!
The British Pilot (above) is open from 12 noon every day, serving food from 12 noon to 2.30pm, and then from 7pm to 9pm (Monday to Saturday). On a Sunday, food is served from 12 noon to 6pm (for Sunday Roast). The British Pilot is on Avery Way, Allhallows-On-Sea, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9QW. Telephone: 01634 272198.
There will be a series of public exhibitions next week about the proposed Lodge Hill Development at Chattenden. For more details about these events, click the image below.
There will be a bonfire and fireworks event (sponsored by Allhallows Parish Council) at Allhallows seafront tonight (Friday). A 'judge the guy' competition will commence at 6.30pm, followed by the lighting of the bonfire at 7pm and a fireworks display at 7.30pm.
Pedestrian access to Allhallows seafront is via Allhallows Leisure Park. Refreshments and other goodies will be available throughout.
Two nephews of my Great-Grandfather Herbert Watson joined many others from the Hoo Peninsula in putting their lives on the line during World War I.
So today, when everyone in Britain is thinking about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, I’m remembering William Watson (Lower Stoke) and his cousin Harry Stratford (St. Mary Hoo) who left their respective villages, and families, to fight for King and country. Never to return.
Private William Stephen Watson
- 3 Gravel Pit, Lower Stoke -
1st Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry
A Christmas Market will be held at the Recreation Hall (Village Hall, The Street) in High Halstow on Saturday 13 November, from 12 noon onwards. Plenty of festive fayre will be available and a special visitor from the north pole will be making an appearance!
The Grain Over Forty Fives Group (GOFFS) will hold their Winter / Christmas Fair on Saturday 13 November, between 11am and 2pm. The event will take place at the Village Hall, Chapel Road, Isle of Grain. To book a stall or for further information, phone Jenny on 01634 271759 or Cynthia on 01634 272478.
I joined the High Halstow Hikers this morning for a nine mile trek along country lanes and farm tracks between High Halstow and Cliffe - with the farmers’ permission where there were no public footpaths. The weather was crisp and sunny and almost 20 people turned-up. We set-off from High Halstow Village Hall at just after 9.30am and headed down Cooling Road, turning into Wybournes Farm and then towards Cooling. After stopping for a quick look at St. James’ Church in Cooling, we headed for Cliffe, passing through Rye Street. The return journey to High Halstow took us through Morning Cross, Cooling Street, Spendiff and Cooling Court, before a pit-stop at The Horseshoe and Castle, in Cooling. We arrived back at High Halstow at just after 1pm.
It was nice to meet so many people enjoying a really well organised walk. High Halstow Hikers’ next event will be held in early December and posters will be displayed around High Halstow village.
There will be a Bonfire Night Party and Sing-a-Long at Allhallows seafront tonight (access via Allhallows Leisure Park). The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and there will be refreshments and other goodies available.
A second bonfire event will be held next week, on Friday 12 November, sponsored by Allhallows Parish Council. More details will follow on this site shortly.
Medway Neighbourhood Watch would like to hear from residents concerning the setting-up of new Neighbourhood Watch schemes on the Hoo Peninsula. For further details and an information pack, please contact John Haddaway (Watch Liaison Officer) on 01634 792131.
The November edition of The Beacon Parish Magazine is out now! The magazine is full of information about local events and community articles. Although delivered to many areas in the village, copies can also be obtained from some local shops, including: Choicemeats at 1 Fourwents Road and the Newsagent at 35 Knights Road.
For further information, contact the Editor (Mrs Muriel Bewsey) on 01634 252129.
There will be a Farmers' Market at the Village Hall in High Halstow (The Street, High Halstow) between 9am and 11.30am on Saturday 6 November. Pop along for fruit, vegetables, cakes, honey, gifts, plants, bulbs, pickles, chutneys, sweets, pet food, jewellery, greeting cards and much more!
High Halstow Farmers' Market is held on the first Saturday of the month at the Village Hall.
I went along to the High Halstow Autumn Fair yesterday afternoon, held at Memorial Hall. It was good that lots of others had turned-out, despite the weather. Amongst a variety of stalls, I can happily report there was a great selection of tasty homemade cakes!
Following the Autumn Fair, it was a short walk along the road to the Red Dog. It was nice to see the pub so busy after only a few days of being re-opened.
A special welcome and every success to Lee Atkinson, the new licensee of the Red Dog pub in High Halstow.
The pub re-opened its doors to the public this week, following a period of refurbishment. Lee is hoping to make the pub a place to be proud of and is serving-up a variety of quality real ales and good food. Having been fully transformed, the pub's interior offers a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere.
I used to play in a Bat and Trap team that won a league championship in East Kent, so it was good to hear about the thriving Peninsula Bat and Trap League, of which the 2010 season ended on Wednesday 3 October. The Finals Night was held at the Evening Star pub in Cliffe.
The following pubs were awarded with cups and trophies:
Royal Oak (Wainscott) - 53 Cooling Road, ME2 4RP. Six Bells (Cliffe) - 181 Church Street, Cliffe, ME3 7QD. Tudor Rose (Upnor) - 29 High Street, Upnor, ME2 4XG. Evening Star (Cliffe) - 128 Church Street, Cliffe, ME3 7PY. White Horse (Upper Stoke) - The Street, Upper Stoke, ME3 9RT.
The 2011 season will start in April / mid May and finishes at the end of September. Games are 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 you can email Danny here.
Bat and Trap is an old Kent game, dating as far back as the 1700s - according to Ye Olde Beverlie pub in Canterbury! The Canterbury & District Bat and Trap League was the first to be set-up, in the 1920s. If you want to know more, their website provides detailed information about the history of the game in Kent.
Click the video below to see how Bat and Trap was played in the 'good old days' - not that much has changed, although it isn't necessary to wear a suit anymore!
I was recently contacted by Chris Fenner, who runs a family history website. The site includes information about numerous family members that lived on the Hoo Peninsula. Click here to visit the website.
The Isle of Grain Youth Soccer School started in September 2010, for children aged 4 to 15. Meeting on the St. James' C of E Primary School football field, behind the Church on the High Street, kick-off is at 9.30am every Saturday morning. Cost per child is £2.50.
For membership details and other information, contact Paul on 07818 558036. The Isle of Grain Youth Soccer School recently obtained sponsorship from E.ON.
On Sunday 31 October, from 2pm until 5pm, there will be an Autumn Fair at Memorial Hall, The Street, High Halstow. 20p entry fee for adults with free raffle. All proceeds go to CPC Kent, registered charity number: 1041434.
Pop along and purchase presents and gifts, including: gift baskets, gift mugs, homemade cards, candles, handbags, bracelets, necklaces and much more! Refreshments available.
To book a table, please call Emma-Louise on 07860 144010.
Making the most of the sunny weather, I headed to St. Mary Hoo this morning and joined public footpath RS22, before linking-up with the ‘curlews, convicts and contraband’ walking route. There were great views of the estuary as I walked across St. Mary’s Marshes and Halstow Marshes to St. Mary’s Bay and Egypt Bay. A favoured landing spot for smugglers, Egypt Bay was also home to Napoleonic prison ships.
From St. Mary Hoo (The Street), I walked towards Ross Farm and followed the road past The Old Rectory, where walking markers are placed. I followed these markers down through a number of fields before reaching St. Mary’s Bay.
The route between St. Mary’s Bay and Egypt Bay is clear, offering numerous opportunities to enjoy the views.
Although both St. Mary’s Bay and Egypt Bay are similar looking, Egypt Bay has had concrete sea defences added.
There will be a Farmers' Market at the Village Hall in Lower Stoke (Mallard Way, Lower Stoke) between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 9 October (tomorrow). Pop along for local produce, pet food, jewellery, cards and much much more!
Taken from the September 2010 edition of the High Halstow Times (the date on the advertisement should read Saturday 9 October) - please click the image to enlarge:
This week I’ve been looking at how the area has changed over the years, comparing recently taken photographs with a small collection of old postcards I’ve come across.
The last postcard shows the White Horse pub in Upper Stoke. The farmhouse belonging to Court Lodge Farm can be seen on the other side of the road, which is obscured by trees in a more recent photograph.
Do you have any old postcards or photographs of the area? Would you like to share them on this website? Please get in touch using the contact page.
Following other posts made this week, it's time to look at another old postcard of the local area. This time the postcard shows the High Road in Stoke - now known as the High Street.
Compare the old postcard to the recently taken photograph below - both were taken from just outside Mackay's Court Farm and point towards the centre of Lower Stoke.
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