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Last Updated 25/3/08
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| About our town | Do YOU know the answers ? Can you help us to answer these questions ? | ||
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On
this page - your enquiries and some of your answers on the following....
The origins of the name Sittingbourne St Michael's School, The Butts |
If you have any questions, comments, answers or information which will help others and add interest to this web site then please e-mail them to us here and we will publish them. Whilst we will try to answer your questions from our own knowledge, we will rely upon the collective knowledge of our membership and associates. Many of these will be specialists in some aspect of Sittingbourne's history and we are indebted to them for the information volunteered. The museum will publish your comments, questions and answers received in good faith, but cannot be held responsible for any loss or incorrect information contained therein. We will however, endeavour to verify the information and correct any mistakes or inaccuracies. We also reserve the right to exclude or remove any comments for whatever reason. |
Hinchcliffe in Sittingbourne Grange Anglo-Saxon remains at Teynham Labour Fetes in Remembrance Avenue
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Gore Court Cottage
Good afternoon I'm wondering if there are photographs available of Gore Court Cottage where my great grandfather, Edward Fentiman and family were living at the 1861 census time period. The name Tunstall keeps popping up in conjunction with Sittingbourne. My grandfather's (Henry Fentiman) birth place is given as Tunstall, Sittingbourne, Kent. Are Tunstall and Sittingbourne one and the same? I'm looking forward to your reply. Al Fentiman Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada Al No photographs have come to light but I have had this reply from one of our researchers: "Tunstall is a village which is now more like a suburb of Sittingbourne. In 1861 it was still a separate community, about a mile from the town. It was actually a very small village. Gore Court was an eighteenth century mansion and the families who lived in it over the years employed quite a number of servants. They had two or three cottages close to the mansion and I wonder whether Gore Court Cottage was one of these. Gore Court House was demolished in the 1920s and only the stable block stands today. Part of its lands were saved as a public park. " Hope this helps |
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Genealogy
Many thanks for the hard work already done in providing the site for those of us born in the town but flung out into the wider world. May I suggest that consideration be given to adding a links page to the site that will take the viewer to other Sittingbourne material. I have transcribed the Sittingbourne & Milton Directory 1908/09 with the permission of the copyright holder and you can find it here together with Sittingbourne Land Tax 1780-1832 which was donated by another researcher. Many thanks and good luck Peter STUART |
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I am interested in finding out about the Plaques which were hung in the Avenue of Remembrance - specifically William John Hadlow. Do you know what happened to the original plaques, and are there still the replacements in the Avenue, please?? Thanks - Terry Whiffen Terry: We believe that they are still there with the new trees & that the web site Sittingbourne Remembers (see our links page) has information on William Thomas Hadlow (not William John Hadlow), including a photograph.
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Milton
Christmas Play 1906
I am trying to extend knowledge concerning
the Milton Regis Christmas play of the Seven Champions from 1906 using the
handwritten text held at Sittingbourne public library. My tools will
comprise the list of names of the actors stated at the end of the text.
Has anybody else carried out a similar appraisal? The names concerned are: Bill Crook, 'Stevey'
George, David Hodge, Bob Kemp, 'Jumbo' (possibly Edward) Kemp, Joe Stears,
Harry Whittington and Dick Whittington - all brickfield workers. I have
tried to biograph these using the 1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses, and work
is still underway (mainly because the microfiche text is semi-legible!) Is
there a directory of the day from which it would be easier to locate these
people? I hope to identify these people with their addresses using
Electoral Registers of the day using the CKS archives shortly. I have been in contact with Norman
Whittington (Harry's son) who placed a round robin request for information
in the East Kent Gazette in 1994, and it appears there was a revival at
around the time of the General Strike led by Harry and his brother Bill.
Is anything more known about this? My intention is to compile an article for Bygone Kent and bodies interested in Musical Tradition based on the social history of these actors. George Frampton |
Passing through the
town
I was pleased to see that you are now doing research and expanding the things that you do. I am doing some research on the areas population in the early modern period and am really interested in the amount of people just passing through Sittingbourne, which London companies were working the road and did the people traveling outnumber the people of Sittingbourne all through the year or at all? I would like to come and have a look at the records and information you have got on this time, I know Sittingbourne was pretty much all pubs at this time and hope you can show me more about them and the towns social make up. I know that this was one of the most important periods in the town's history and look forward to hearing about it. Brian Mitchell Thank you for your enquiry. Before we consider how best we might assist you, it would be helpful to be clearer on the period you have in mind. Could you give a beginning date and an ending date. In the 16th century the High St had many inns. In the 19th century people said Sittingbourne had a pub on every street corner! A gap of 300 years represents a lot of history ! Terry Fallon, SHM Most serious historians would end the early modern period in 1780s at the latest. To offer your correspondent some help I would look in the towns burial records as lots of visitors seem to be mentioned all the time, you could get an idea comparing the number of visitors being buried each month. Faversham library sells a booklet called Archive and a lot of burial records are shown in it. Maybe the writer could help you more? you would need to contact the library. Wendy C. Whatever dates are applied it represents a substantial period of history and it is not yet clear what is meant by persons "passing through". The burial records offer limited information. In one 20 year period, 29 burials of strangers are listed. This does not compare with the numbers passing through as travellers or as migrant workers if they come within the definition. Terry, SHM
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Rhode House
I am wondering on the history of Road house and also Mrs. Clifford's history (owner of the house) in Sittingbourne. My father and his sister have fond memories of the house, although they didn't live in Sittingbourne. You see when Mrs. Clifford got arrested for forging old men's wills, she left her house with everything in it. Her maids etc left and the house then fell into a mans hands whom I'm not sure the name of. My father would know. Then my father's auntie worked for this man as a maid and was the favorite of this man, he asked her too keep the house up to scratch but as he didn't pay her she was told to take anything she liked as a payment from the house. However she only agreed she would do it if she could have her sister, nephew and niece down to stay in the grand house. So they did and they spent all spring, summer and autumn there. We still have some jewelry and some ornaments from the property and know that they would of belonged to Mrs. Clifford. I know now that I think the house has been demolished but I would still like to find information out about the house. My father would be very interested as he has great memories of the house as a boy. However I know you may not know anything about it, thank you for your time and if you could please get back to me it would be much appreciated. thank you. Yours faithfully Alice |
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Railway
Station
I live in Preston, Lancs ( My wife and I lived in Sittingbourne when we got married in 1969). I am building a model railway of Sittingbourne as it was in mid 1950's. I have plenty of photos of the railway itself, as they are available from many railway books. However, what I am trying to get hold of, is a photo of the water tower which was in the station forecourt and photos of the 3 story houses that fronted the station forecourt. I am also trying to find out what colour the transhipment shed for Bowaters would have been painted, if it was painted at all in the 1950's and also what traffic was brought to this shed, presumably it was china clay for the paper making. inally, from the 1938 map, I see there was what looks like a brickworks to the western end of the station area with a narrow gauge line leading to one of the railways sidings, can anyone tell me if this was a brick works, and if so when it ceased working and what gauge the works railway system was. It is good to see that the original station buildings from 1860 are still largely intact. And I am pleased to see that there is a museum in Sittingbourne. Yours, Terry Tracey Dear Sir I note that, in your latest on line question
and answer session, Terry Tracey asks about the transhipment shed and and
narrow gauge line to the west of Sittingbourne Station. I am not able to provide information as to
the painting of the transhipment shed but it was used for china
clay traffic from Burngullow in Cornwall. The china clay was used in
the production of high quality glossy paper. The only narrow gauge line which made any
connection with the main line was the 2ft 6 inch (762mm) gauge line to the
paper mill itself and the onward connection to Kemsley and Ridham Dock. Of
course a significant part of this line still exists as the Sittingbourne
& Kemsley Light Railway. There were a number of brickfield lines in
the general area which appear to have been of 2ft (600mm) gauge. The most
notable of these ran from a brickworks in the vicinity of Church
Marshes and crossed the 2ft 6 in gauge near Burley Crossing. Bob Newcombe Managing Director SKLR Below is a photo of the Bowater siding for Terry. It was painted green at the time in the 1970s. I have tried to find pictures of the water tower and the buildings in the forecourt but without success.
Terry Fallon Chairman, SHM
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I was recently informed that the concrete supports for the seating
around The Grove cricket field was originally the supports for a small
railway track (I must admit that they do look like the track supports at
Any information would be much
appreciated. Yours sincerely Bob Harker Our enquiries on this one have so far drawn a blank and no-one seems to know. The email from Bob Newcombe of 10.11.04 suggests a possibility when he refers to narrow gauge lines in the brickfields The land behind The Grove was extensively used for brickmaking and it is a possibility that the supports came from one of these lines which had become disused with the decline of brickmaking. Terry Fallon, SHM |
Childhood in
Tunstall
I am Peggy Jacksons brother and i live in Australia and have since 1951. I went to Tunstal School until I was 10 then to Sittingbourne Council School til sep 1939. Thence to Sheerness Tech tho the first 3 months were half day a week at the council school each saturday morning then a week of homework. At the council we could get a small bottle of milk or horlick tablets for a halfpenny however the fatal attraction was the little shop where sweets were sold and you could get a lot for a halfpenny my favourite was dolly mixture. Any how just a bit of memory of schooldays. I shall keep in touch when I recall more. regards Gerald Dean, Australia see Gerald Dean's memories of Sittingbourne and the Mill I attach my own memories
of Tunstall School. I lived in Sittingbourne until I
left home in 1963, although I had friends and family there for many years
afterwards. I now live in Essex and have no real contact with the town. If
you feel that there is anything I might be able to further contribute,
please do not hesitate to get in touch. Yours, Margaret Lock Many thanks to Gerald and to
Margaret for their contributions above which relate to Peggy's memories on our "personal
histories" page. We would like a lot more anecdotes of life
in Sittingbourne. The history of our town and those who have lived here is
made up of small details which help us to build a picture of the town as it
was in years gone by. Whether you are nearby or far away we want to to hear
from you. You have our history in your memory. Do please share it with us. |
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hi, my Name is Dave Painter and i live on the grove park estate near key street the reason I'm writing to you is this we live next to the woodland over looking the cricket field and in these woods is remains of a manor house/ building and my mum is very interested in knowing the history and would be most grateful if you could provide some information on the history of this building thanking you in advance Mr D.Painter Dave: On December 3rd 2003 the East Kent Gazette carried a full page about this house with a picture of how it was in the early nineteenth century, so it would be worth looking at this at Sittingbourne library. The house was called Rose Hill and belonged for a while in the early twentieth century to an Admiral Herbert Doyne. The house fell into disrepair and was demolished in the 1960s. In the nineteenth century it belonged to the Rev George Simpson, vicar of Bobbing. You could find it in the census returns of Bobbing at Sittingbourne library and see the number of servants they employed and so on. Helen, SHM |
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The
origins of the name "Sittingbourne"
Hello I have been asked to research the origins of the name of the town for a school project. Can you help ? Anthony Yes, I have now put some information of the web site - go to the "Our Town" page. Allen, SHM |
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Woodstock Farm
I don't know if you can help at all but I have a relative whose address in 1955 was 6 Woodstock Farm, Tunstall Sittingbourne. Can you give me any information ? thank you Mrs Lyn Sullivan. Reference Lyn Sullivan's request re info on 6 Woodstock farm. I am surprised no one has answered. This was one of group of houses built by the farm yard to house farm employees and their families. They were fairly modern probably quite new in the 1950's. I cant be sure how many there were about 4 or 5 pairs of semi detached I think. If they are still there they are somewhere in the middle of the Science Park complex . Shell bought the farm way back early 60's I believe and built the original Research Station which is now called the Science Park. You can probably tell Lyn more facts than me .I left Tunstall in 1957. and didn't return to Sittingbourne until 1971. regards, Roger Harris, April 05 Shell took over Woodstock farm in 1947 and established a Research Centre on the farm. In 1968 there were at least two farm cottages on the site, a Mr. Tasker, a tractor driver on the farm, lived in one. The cottages were demolished in the following years. Peter, SHM, May 2005 |
Masters
of East Street
Dear Sir I visited your Museum 2 weeks ago and found
it interesting and your colleagues helpful and informative. I have discovered that my Great Great
Grandfather John Masters lived in 65 East Also John Masters and his father Stephen were
in the early 19thC Coachmakers I have yet to find out where John fits in to
this. If any of your members have any information on 'The Masters' I
would be interested to hear from them. I notice on your web page that
Sittingbourne was a Travellers town, half way from London to Dover on
Watling Street. Also that this ceased with the coming of the railways
and the change of emphasis to shipping of bricks to London by Barges on
Milton Creek. It is possible that my family were involved in this
change. Any data, information would be most welcome. regards Tim Timpson |
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Before
the Memorial Hospital
I was wondering if you have any information
at all about what use to be on the grounds of Sittingbourne Memorial
Hospital either before the hospital was redeveloped, or before there
was ever a hospital on the ground? The hospital is situated on the
corner of Bell Road and Highsted Road. Many Thanks, Ashley I have spoken to an elderly resident of Sittingbourne, now in her nineties, who used to play as a child, where the Memorial Hospital now is. Her friend Joyce Spice lived in a cottage there. The land belonged to George Dean of Whitehall, Bell road. There was a long low range of buildings which included stables with accommodation above and the Spice's cottage. There was a barn too. The entrance to it all, where the hospital entrance is now was a five barred gate with a large elm tree on each side. There was a barn too where an old horse drawn sleigh was kept. When the first hospital building was erected for Edward Lloyd these buildings were demolished.
Hope this helps. You could also look at the tithe map on CDRom at Sittingbourne library to see how it all looked in the 1840s Helen, SHM Hi Allen and Helen, Thank you very much for the information that I requested, it's fantastic, thank you so so much!!!!!!!!!!!! It is of a lot of help to me!! Many Thanks once again Ashley |
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Why
did Sittingbourne Grow ?
I'm a pupil at Highsted Grammar School and am doing a project of the history of Sittingbourne is it possible for you to answer my question? Why did Sittingbourne grow? E.S. Thank you for your enquiry regarding Sittingbourne's growth, which I have passed to our historians for a considered answer. In the meantime though, please browse our website, because I think the answers you need are there in the "about our town" page. Possibly the answers lie in the words, pilgrims, France, railway, bricks, paper and commuters ! regards (more
comprehensive answer follows) |
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My ancestors came from Sittingbourne. I have their records going back to Thomas and Ann Burley whose children were born between 1796 and 1810. My interest is in trying to understand their life in Sittingbourne and the environment in which they lived in the early 1800s. The census documents show that they lived in East End High street Sittingbourne. and most of them were tailors. There was also a Burley family in East End High Street some of whom were plumbers. I have no knowledge of whether these were joined to our "tailor" Burleys I.would be interested to know what your archives could show. I am a member of the Society of Genealogists and have a British Library Readers ticket sincerely, Peter Hollins |
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Pubs of the town
Does anyone have any information on the pubs of Sittingbourne and Milton. I have a list from the 1908 directory and have added to it from my own knowledge. Follow the link below to see this list, but all updates and or photographs would be most welcome ! e-mail the museum if you can help. follow this link to see the list. Allen, SHM I have had a number of responses to this, here are a couple: Reference your recent request for information about Sittingbourne Pubs. The Three Post Boys that you had listed as now being the Halifax building society was actually located a few shops down at what is now the Pet Shop with the alleyway by its' side running down to the back of the pub. The Halifax was at that time the London and County Bank (the 1908/9 directory of Sittingbourne confirms this and has a poor quality picture of them). In 1881 William Crayden (spelt Craydle in the 1881census) was Landlord with help from his Niece Frances Ransom (21) and Nephew John Ransom (16) the children of Moses Ransom who was Landlord at the Norwood Arms in Wormshill at the same time (took over as Landlord from his Father William). Hope this helps, Martyn Ransom Your
web site asks for 'snippets' of information, I hope this is of interest. |
Bailiffs in 1901
Would you know whether you or another local repository hold staff
lists for county court bailiffs around 1901 ? My ancestor was listed as such and living in Sittingbourne in the
1901 census. Thank you for your time in consideration of my request. yours sincerely Richard Wagland Unfortunately we do not hold this
information. The Centre For Kentish Studies, County Hall Maidstone, Kent
ME14 1XQ hold the Local Government Records for Sittingbourne and may well
have the information. Write to The Archivist. SHM
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Castles and Rivers
Dear Sir or Madam, I live in Manchester but grew up in Borden. When I next visit Kent in the summer I hope to make the most of it and learn as much as I can about my home town. Something that has intrigued me is the two 'castles' by the creek (Rough and Bayford). Do you know their locations so I could visit. In addition do you know what the flint structure is a few dozen yards in front of the football ground that I used to see on the way to work at the cement works. Last of all, I have heard notions of a river flowing under the cinema, is this true? Where can I see the river/stream and what's it called. Any help would be appreciated Greg Jones May 2005 |
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Found your site by chance (searched for "brickmaking" & "Sittingbourne") after finding an ancestor listed in the 1881 census: John Gibson of 30 George Street, Sittingbourne aged 54, with the occupation of "Brickmaker".
Your article on brickmaking was therefore very interesting - thank you. Penny Smith
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Bottles made by or for "Jacksons" Dear sir or madam, My friend has dug up some old glass bottles which were used to store minerals and aerated water. The bottles are intact including the marbles inside. The bottles have the name of "Jackson's, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne" on them and I was wondering whether you have any information concerning this factory such as where it was and when it may have closed down. If not you might point us in the right direction as to were we may be able to get this information. yours thankfully P. Collier I am researching the former Milton Mineral Works, also known as Jackson Mineral Water Works. When was this company established, how long did it operate and where was its factory, please? Do you have any photos relating to this firm? Many thanks, John Clancy The works were situated in St. Paul's St. The location is known but investigation is still in hand as to the direction the factory faced. We do not have any pictures, but we have found a note about the factory which first appeared in 1899 which I will forward to those interested. John Hull, SHM |
The Anchor Coffee Tavern,
Teynham
Dear Sir, I wonder if you, or visitors to the museum website might be able to help me to find a photo or memories of the Anchor Coffee Tavern, which used to stand in Station Road, Teynham. This was run on the early part of the 20th century by my G.G Grandmother Emma Hales. I am in the process of building a family website and would love to have some more information, a picture or memories of the Tavern and the Hales family of Teynham. Emma was married to William Hales and had 11 children: Ellen, William, Jane, Fred, Arthur, Flora, Alfred, Fanny, Albert, Henry and Nora. William owned the butchers shop at Periwinkle Mill, Ellen, Arthur, Flora and Albert all emigrated to Ohio, and the rest of the children all remained local to Teynham and Sittingbourne as far as I am aware. I would greatly appreciate any information you can offer. Many Thanks, Sharon Johnson, May 2005 |
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Military Hospital
Dear Sir/Madam, Could you please tell me where the Gore Court Military Hospital was situated? Regards S.Welling
In the grounds of Gore Court Mansion which was demolished after the First World War The grounds were opened as King George V Playing Fields in 1937 The area is today bounded by Woodstock Rd, Park Avenue and Park Drive. If you look carefully when in the Grounds you can still see the bases of the pillars of the house as shown in our website photo. Terry Fallon, SHM Thank you for replying to my email regarding the Gore Court Military Hospital, do you know of any building that was originally on the site of Roonagh Court/UK Paper's Sports Ground?
S. Welling
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St Michael's School, The Butts Dear sir/madam, I am trying to find out if there are any
photos in existence of St Michael's school, The Butts. My father attended this school in the
1950's and would be interested to see Can you help or recommend any books? Thank you Melanie Lonsdale Thank you for your enquiry. We asked a former teacher whom we thought taught at St. Michael's. "My help in replying will be limited since I actually taught at Milton Butts School. The Sittingbourne Butts School was demolished in the early 1950s. It used to stand in the middle of what is now St. Michael's Road near the former Adult School now used by the St. John's Ambulance Brigade. I did know the Headmaster Cliff Dolling and I have a photograph of him and some of his staff. I suggest the best course for the enquirer would be to contact the Centre for Kentish Studies, Sessions House County Hall, Maidstone, to see if they have the school log book and perhaps other records which could be viewed on visit." I am afraid his reply summarises all the information we have about the school in the period after 1945. If you would like a copy of the photograph mentioned, we can probably arrange this. The St. Michael's Butts Schools were built in 1847. They were really two separate schools, one for 222 boys and one for 221 girls. An infant's department was added in 1892 to accommodate 135 youngsters. Terry, SHM Hello: I have been reading some of your responses to peoples enquiries. I used to attend St.Michael's School in the Butt's during the 40's. The German planes flew over over us on the way to school. We used to hide in the lavatory when an Air-raid was sounded. I was wondering if you would have any old pictures of my school and the Butt's. We used to line-up out in the Butt's area for school. I used to go up to Gore Court that you mentioned in one response. We went rabbit hunting around the old mansion that was vacant then. Thanks J.C, Canada |
Paper Mills, John Smith
Sir, Sir: Do you have available any details about (Lloyds) Paper Mill in Sittingbourne? - where was it situated exactly? - I understand there was a fire c1908 - was it completely destroyed? - an ancestor who lived in Gibson Street was an employee at a paper mill in Sittingbourne in 1891 - so can I assume this was the only paper mill in Sittingbourne at that time? - are there any newspaper articles about the paper mill - ideally with photos and / or the fire? April Ashton, 2005 |
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I am currently in my second year at the University of Essex studying for a BA in Modern History. For my dissertation I was interested in looking at the history of cinemas in Sittingbourne (my home town) and the memories of people who went. I am back in Sittingbourne in the Easter Holidays and have not visited your museum before (rather shocking I know) so could you tell me where you are and what your opening hours are? In the meantime if you have any tips, hints or advice please let me know all help is much appreciated. Thanks a lot, Claire John Clancy's book on the Cinemas of Swale should be a great help if you haven't already got it (details supplied). If its personal recollections you are short of contact our secretary and he will surely find some memories for you ! Allen, SHM |
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The Woolpack, Iwade
I am a customer in the Woolpack and recently another customer mentioned the possibility of two ghosts in the pub. One of them being the ghost of a little girl named Isabella beileved to be about 11 years old she is wearing a pink nightie and possibly died on the premises of the pub. I am interested in finding out more about her and the circumstances of her death. Can you please help? D Tilley |
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I
wonder if you have any information to help me. I have been digging
over my chicken run at the bottom of my garden and have unearthed two metal
signs, in a poor state. They
both seem to be shop signs. They say Cleaver & Son, West Street,
Sittingbourne, and at the top left is the word 'Gents', the rest is not
easily read, but am guessing it should say 'Tailors' or 'Barbers'
in the top right hand corner. Firstly,
would love to know if I am guessing rightly about what they did, and
secondly wonder what happened to them. Would love to see a picture of
the signs in situ! Sally I`m wondering if the sign found in your garden is actually from the the workshop and garage of F.Cleaver & Co. 53 to 59 West Street,Sittingbourne.
John Crunden, SHM My grandad Victor said he had Cleaver cousins in Sittingbourne and believes our line is related to them. Frederick Cleaver (senior, Victors Grandad) I believe had 6 brothes/sisters and they may have moved there. My family tree is online at www.tribalpages.com/tribes/terrycleaver if you wish to see if there are any connections. If you have a family tree of the Cleaver's of Sittingbourne I would appreciate it if you could please send me a copy so I can see if there are any connections, or if there is any other information you have. Terry |
Iwade
School
Dear Sir/ Madam, Presently I'm researching some History of Iwade C.P. School, Iwade, Sittingbourne, Kent, as a project with some children. We have found lot's of information about the village it's self, although no definite dates as yet, but have found very little information about the school. I have trawled through lot's of old pictures and memorabilia that we have at school, and have uncovered several items, one being the punishment book dating back to 1901 I think? A picture of the wooden building on it's own dating back to 1950, before the present brick building was built, and more interesting a picture of the original school that was nearer to the junction of School Lane and The Street, later where the Farm Shop was situated. Unfortunately my research has slowed considerably. I have contacted Kent County Council, Swale Borough Council, been through Sittingbourne Library and photocopied very old maps showing the school site position in it's old and present position, and have trawled through internet sites but to no avail. Remembering a visit to your museum last year, it was to my pleasure that I found you on the internet, so here I am. I would appreciate any information you have or any suggestions of where to resource such information. |
Ruins Barn Road
I recently visited the roman museum at Canterbury with Tunstall school and was intrigued by information that there used to be some kind of Roman ruins in Ruins Barn Road where I now live. Does anyone have any information as I have been unable to find out anything on the net. Many thanks I think the
accepted view is that the ruins were those of the unfinished
mansion started by Sir James Cromer (obiit 27th March 1613/4 - see monument
at Tunstall church). He was the last of the Tunstall Cromers.
His widow married Sir Edward Hales and brought Tunstall into the hands of
that family. The mansion building scheme
having been abandoned after Sir James's death, I suppose that the ruins were
used as a barn by an opportunist tenant-farmer. Roman (& Prehistoric)
Graves were discovered beside Cromers Road about 40 years ago by those
excavating the chalk. I have never heard of Roman buildings in
the vicinity. PS Sir James's grandson
(Rev. Crowmer Steed of Steed Hill, Harrietsham) became incumbent
at Murston in 1630/1 Hope this helps. Phil Re your e.mail
regarding roman ruins in Ruins Barn Road. At the top of the road,
opposite the start of Woodstock Park, there were some parts of a wall which
we were told belonged to a barn which was built on that site. It was
from these ruins that the story of the ghost who supposedly road down the
road on a horse, arose! How much truth there was in this remains to be
seen. The site may now have been destroyed as I am talking of some
considerable time ago taking into account how ancient I am!!!!! It was
situated near a path which leads through orchards to what we called The
Larches, coming out near the old Tunstall Hall. If this lady is going
to look into this it might be advisable to remember that this road was
originally called Woodstock Road, but later changed to Ruins Barn Road
(which I presume was named after the barn) and Woodstock Road became where
it is now. When I have time I will look through some bits and pieces I
have of my mothers and might find the date when this happened. Peggy |
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