Aylesham, Kent

Lamberts Laundry

I called on many customers in Adisham village before the popularity of the automatic washing machine affected the laundry trade. I served all the main traders: Hosking Post Office, Best Bakery, Colmans Farm, and numerous private households. The generosity of the customers in providing tea and cakes added pleasant hours to my journey and I sometimes took the Sunday service at the Baptist Chapel.
My Monday round included Aylesham, Nonington, Elvington, Ash, Wingham, Ickham and Wickanbreaux, Littlebourne and stops in between. Adisham had its own charm [apart from the refreshments mainly offered by Mrs Hoskins at Hazlewood Bungalow], and made I several frends in the village. I left the laundry trade in 1964 to join the legal profession - but have fond memories of the welcoming folk of Adisham. This record will not enhance the village history but the recollection is quite dear to me. I seem to recall a person of my surname resides there still - any connection?

Great grand parents lived in Barhamn "Black" Mill

my ancestoers richard walter and family lived in Barham mill. The mill is also the "location" for the movie Raising a Riot.

Through the Kitchen window

I was born in my Grandparents house - "Wimbourne" - in the valley below the Mill. Many pleasant hours have I spent sitting in the kitchen with my grandmother shelling peas that granddad had grown in the garden. The Mill could be seen from the kitchen window high on the downs. When travelling through Bridge on the Canterbury Road, we would all try to see who could spot the Mill first, a sure sign that we were home again!

Family History

My family history reveals that the name of Piddock was once known in Knowlton and the family name linked with the Church. Piddocks were also to be found at Nortbourne in the 1500s - do such facts have interest for anyone?