Chilham, Godmersham and the Stour Valley walk.

Off message but Gill and I had a marvellous walk 2 weeks ago in Kent. Check out the route and map in this Pathfinder book. It is a 10 mile circular walk (graded as a "Orange walk" - which are described as "a more challenging walk"). 

Start of walk is in Chilham which is a very pretty "chocolate box", medieval hill top village with a square, a pub, a church and an impressive Jacobean Mansion. 

You soon join the North Downs Way uphill through woods and tracks then leave it to join a track into Godmersham Park. Some great views and a real sense of isolation.  The park Manor House was once owned by the brother of author, Jane Austin, who used to visit him here and used it to provide details for some of her novels. 

The main picture above is of the weeping willows and the River Stour is from the park. 

You later follow the Stour Valley path and come across many superb views but hardly any other walkers. 

While there is lots of ups and downs, there is nothing too strenuous but 10 miles is a bit of a stretch but you can shorten the route if necessary. As a reward at the end, the village pub has a very nice beer garden, while the café does great coffee and cream teas.  

I will post lots of other photos from the walk on Facebook. 

 

The Isle of Harty Walk

Off message but on Saturday Gill and I went on this marvellous 8 mile Pathfinder walk around the "Isle" of Harty in Kent (now part of the Isle of Sheppey but once separate). Definite "Big Sky" country with panoramic views. Very quiet and remote walking along marshland, dykes and seacoast. Stopped at the lovely ancient Harty Church. We had lunch in the hide (see photo above). 

It is about 1 hr 15 by car from East London. We stayed the weekend in a hired Caravan in Leysdown-on-Sea.

The Isle of Sheppey is probably the last part of mainland Britain to be seized by a foreign power. It was briefly occupied by the Dutch Navy in the 17th century and ransacked. 

The walk went past UK aviation history. The first powered flight was here and the Short Brothers also built her the first ever aircraft factory. Now nearly all traces of such industry is long gone. 

Other photos on Facebook. 

Knole Park, Godden Green & One Tree Hill Walk

Gill and I went on a superb Pathfinder walk in Kent today. We had an old version of the booklet but hopefully the new Kent Pathfinder has the same walk in it.

It was supposed to be only 51 minutes by car from East London (but we missed the turning for the A21 - I blame google maps of course).

It was a marvellous 6 mile circular walk with lots of ups and downs but nothing too strenuous. It was cold but mostly blue skies and sunshine. 

The deer in Knole Park were very dismissive of us walkers and carried on munching grass or scratching their antlers on trees, regardless of us gawking at them. 

There was such a variety of scenery and vista in this walk. Lots of wide open spaces, hillside views and wooden paths. Go in a week or two to see the bluebells at their best. 

We bought 6 duck eggs at a honesty stall which also had chicken and quail eggs as well as bramley apple juice. 

The flag of Ukraine was proudly being flown next to the village war memorial in Godden Green. 

Octavia Hill who was an early supporter of social housing and the role of women in such housing management is closely connected with this site and the National Trust who run the impressive Knole House. 

We finished off the walk with a drink at the White Rock Inn in Underriver. Who had a great Sunday roast menu. Next time. 

I will post more pictures of the walk on Facebook. 

View from my Chair: Northward Hill and Halstow Marshes

If you like big skies, bird song, isolation and spring blossom, then this 8 mile energetic circular walk is for you. Gill and I drove down from East London in around 51 minutes (sorry, public transport is not great for this walk) and parked in the RSPB Northward Hill car park (warning - search on this address only). 

We used this "Kent Walks - pathfinder" which is out of date but the latest version doesn't appear to have this marvellous walk, which is an incredible shame. 

It was cloudy and cold in the beginning but later brightened up and the wind dropped. We hardly saw a soul during the walk, the sense of peace, quiet and remoteness was incredible. You could see for miles and miles. 

The walk along the embankment next to the River Thames in the bracing wind was exhilarating. We did this same walk 4 years ago and can still see why Dickens used this location for the famous beginning of "Great Expectations". 

The car park was supposed to close at 4pm so due to my mistake about timing, we had a tough yomp up the hill to get back in time (there is a gate which can be closed). 

Afterwards, we stopped off for a drink at the Red Dog, which was full of families celebrating Mother's Day. 

I have posted further photos on Facebook.

View from my seat: Hollingbourne & Thurnham Pathfinder Walk

 

Gill and I went on this amazing walk today in the North Downs. Hollingbourne is about 1 hour drive from Newham (also accessible by train). It is a 8 mile circularly walk from the "Kent Walks" Pathfinder Guide. 

I would get the latest version of this guide since the right of way has been changed a little. Better still, subscribe to the online Ordnance Survey Map service  which is a little annoying at times, but tells you where you are in real time and not were you think you are. 

The first half of the walk is really easy, along level quiet country roads and paths. There was some low level road noise from the M20 but it would have been hypocritical of me to complain. Apart from the odd car and cyclist we did not see a soul on the first part of the walk. 

There was however a fairly steep climb up to the North Downs Way, where there was more walkers (but not that many). 

The views from the top of the North Downs were simply magnificent. The cold blue skies and sunshine helped but this was the best walk I have been on for ages. There are lots of ups and downs, and you definitely need decent footwear and warm clothing. 

We had to get back home for a Tesco delivery so did not stop off for a drink at the "Dirty Habit" but it looked like a great pub with a fantastic menu. 

Check out further photos on Facebook

Walking in Otford, Kent

Off message. Last Sunday we drove to Otford for a marvellous 6 mile circular walk. It took 50 minutes but there is also a local train station. I had thought that I knew this part of Kent well, but this website https://kentwalksnearlondon.com/ was a real find. 

It was quite hilly for southern England but nothing too strenuous. Superb bluebell woods, great views and some secluded picnic spots.  

Labour rebuilding Burham and Wouldham - May Council elections

Today I attended the UNISON National Labour Link Committee and offered support for Labour Council candidates, who are standing in May 2 in our UNISON East and South East regions. London does not have any "planned" elections this year, so we hope that London activists will go and help out comrades elsewhere.

The Eastern and South East regional reps present were more than happy with this offer.

In the meanwhile may I pass on a plea for help by my UNISON branch assistant secretary, Lola Oyewusi, who is standing in Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for Labour. It is currently a Tory ward but anyone who underestimates Lola - does so at their peril!

Obviously we will target marginals but I will be off to Kent at some stage to help out my branch colleague.

Check https://twitter.com/lab_ton_malling?lang=en  and https://www.facebook.com/LabTonMalling/

Great Expectations Met: Northward Hill and Halstow Marshes walk

Off message. Please excuse the "Great Expectations" pun but we went for what turned out to be an unexpectedly lovely walk yesterday near Rochester in Kent. The guide book claimed this was the countryside described by Charles Dickens in "Great Expectations". We did not see any Abel Magwitch, in fact we hardly saw a soul once we left the High Halstow RSPB reserve at the start of the walk.

Despite the sight of the docks across the Thames in the far distance,  the sense of isolation and solitude was a perfect break from the manic election campaigning of recent weeks.

A wonderful lush, varied and surprising "up and down" (for Kent coast) walk. It is 8 miles long and you go through woodland, meadows, arable fields, plantations, quiet country roads, white shell beaches, marshes and coast line. Weather was very warm but there was a cooling breeze. Only 50 minutes by car from East London.

The guide book instructions were a little unclear at times and may be outdated but head for "Saxon Shoreway path " sign at beginning to start the walk and if in doubt check the map.

A 8/10 walk! Recommended.

Black History month & National Older People Celebration in Kent

This celebration event is being organised by one of my branch UNISON Housing Association Executive Committee members who is also a Labour activist in Kent and a volunteer for a Christian charity.

"Smuggling, cockfighting, outrage and robbery" - A Kentish Walk

Yesterday (Sunday) was my first day off after the election campaign. I was going to sleep all day but the weather forecast was good and for the Bank holiday Monday was (is) miserable.

So I went on this 6.5 mile circular walk in the heart of the Kentish Weald between Cranbrook and Sissinghurst.

As you can see from the picture it is beautiful, lush, green rolling countryside.

Sissinghurst is now a lovely peaceful village. I was surprised to read that it changed its name in the 1850's from Milkhouse Street because of its reputation in the previous century as a centre of "smuggling, cockfighting, outrage and robbery freely committed by rogues who infest this corner of the road".  Modern day Newham Tories would have been at home here.

Apparently it was a stronghold of the notorious "Hawkhurst Gang".  There were a number of vicious murders and gun battles between smugglers, revenue men and local militia's.

I also found out that this area used to be a favourite with working class Londoners who came down to pick hops for their summer "holidays". In this area it was families from Bermondsey and East London who would every year stay in local "Hopper hut camps".

I'll post on Sissinghurst Castle Gardens another time.

UPDATE: I copied this post onto Facebook. "Retired" UNISON
steward Paul McCabe, who was born and bred in Bermondsey posted these pictures of his family while "hopping". He is not sure of where or when but this could have been in Sissinghurst.   Photo left of his Nan, his Mum (Mary Clifford - with hairnet) and her sisters while on the right is his Dad. On a Sunday the best table cloth was always brought out.

Private Thomas Highgate - the First to be Shot at Dawn

I think people know that on the 28 July this year it will be the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. Not many will know that within a few weeks the first British soldier had been shot by firing squad for desertion.

This morning I was looking for a Sunday walk in the country and picked this 7 mile circular route starting in Shoreham, Kent.

Before I left I checked google for Shoreham and on Wikipedia found this "Shoreham was the birthplace and home of Private Thomas Highgate, who was the first British soldier to be shot for desertion during the First World War on 8 September 1914, following the Battle of and Retreat from Mons. In 2000, Shoreham Parish Council voted not to include his name on its war memorial. However, after a posthumous pardon in 2006, it was considered that his name might be added.^[1]"#

I wondered if 19 year old Thomas's (see picture above) name had indeed been added to the War memorial and decided at the end of the walk to have a look.

The walk itself was wonderful (click for photos) and I would recommend it. Lots of up and down hills with great views and different scenery. You go past the historic Roman villa and Castle at Lullingstone. The only significant downside being some noise from nearby (but very largely unseen) motorway.

At the War Memorial near the old village bridge there was no sign of his name on it. I have since found out via the Internet that the issue has been hugely controversial in the village. It appears that 2 (or 3) of his brothers were later killed in the War but also that Thomas had deserted once before while in the (peace time) Army and had been imprisoned for 42 days.  It is reported also that Thomas had no witnesses for his defence at his trial for desertion since the rest of his unit were killed in the Battle.

I think that this is at the end of the day a matter for the local community and no-one else.

I will say that on the way out of the village I noticed 3 local teenage boys sitting on a wall near the village shop, probably aged about 15, looking bored and fed up as only adolescent boys can be. They were only a couple of years younger at most than Thomas was when he joined the Army at 17. I do wonder how they would have dealt with the aftermath following the carnage at the Battle of Mons?

UPDATE: BBC report 31 May 2014

UPDATE: visit 2020 John's Labour blog: Private Thomas Highgate - the First to be Shot at Dawn (2020 update) (johnslabourblog.org)

UPDATE visit 2024 John's Labour blog: Shoreham & Lullingstone Park Walk (& the 110th anniversary of the "shot at dawn" youngster) (johnslabourblog.org)

A Kentish Walk, Class Cleansing & Downton Abbey

Back from a lovely day walk in stunning Kentish countryside.  6 mile up and down circular stroll along the 
Wealdon Ridge - "Mereworth Woods and West Peckham".

At the end of the walk I went and had a look at Mereworth Church (see picture). Which is very impressive but as you can see, not the usual rural countryside church you will find in a village mentioned in the Domesbury Book of 1086? 

It turns out that the village and Church use to be half a mile away near to Mereworth Castle (or rather a fortified Manor house).

In the 18th century the owner John Fane, 7th Earl of Westmorland, decided he didn't want poor people to over look his home. So he moved the entire village and built a new church (and destroyed the old).

At the risk of upsetting my two sisters (this is always a very dangerous for a brother to do regardless of age) who are ardent fans of the popular romanticised Television series "Downton Abbey". I do think that we ought to remember what being a rich and powerful landowner actually meant in the past (and arguably even now).

Stretching the point I know, but the sons of rich landlords play a disproportionate role in the Conservative Party, who are responsible for bedroom tax and total benefit cap, which will soon make it impossible for many poor people to continue to live anywhere in London. They will be forced to live elsewhere (ironically many in cheap unfashionable Kent seaside resorts - run by Tory Councils!). 

By a complete East London coincidence, the architect of the redeveloped Palladian Mereworth Castle, Colen Campbell, also redesigned Wansted House which was built to rival Blenheim Palace. Ironically Wansted House was completely destroyed by aristocratic gambling and spending excess and it is now a public park managed by ....the City of London.

Update: check Facebook here for more pictures on walk