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Barham memories

Here are memories of Barham and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Barham or a Barham photo.

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!

The Sportsman's Arms

The Village And Church 1903
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My parents had the pub "The Sportsmans Arms". I was only 5 or 6 years old when we lived there so I don't remember the fine details but I do remember Mrs. Mac at the shop on the corner. I used to spend quite a lot of time with Mr. and Mrs. Doubleday. He was an artist, I think, and he painted a picture of me sitting on his lounge floor with toys around me. My mother (Mrs. Maxie Attoe) wanted to buy it from him but he didn't want to sell it. I've often wondered where it ended up and have dreamed of finding and owning it. Living in Barham was one of the happiest times in my life - it's such a shame that my parents divorced and we all had to move away. If you remember me, my parents Maxie and George Attoe, my brothers David, Tony and Philip, or my grandmother Alice Wright, I'd be thrilled to hear what you remember of us. I can be reached... Read more

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.

Memories of Kent

Moving to Kingston

I moved to Kingston in 1976 from London, we lived in a caravan with our three children for six months as the house had no proper water supply, no electricity a decaying roof and no toilet. I had another child in 1977. We did not get an electricity supply until August 1982. I live up on the downs at Ileden and things have changed greatly over the years. When we came it was a working farm and a great place to bring up children. Now all the farming is done by contractors and there are no sheep, cattle or a shepherd. I am the only person here from the 1970s, all the houses that were for farm workers are long since sold. Every year until last year there were shoots from October to February but the land is gradually being returned to its natural state and habitat. This is very nice but the pheasants were great watchdogs and I would know if anyone was about as they would make a... Read more

Frank Wood

I used to visit Woolage village as a very young child where I used to stay with my grandfather Frank Wood. My father is Alan Wood who was brought up in the village from 1947 and I would be very interested to hear from anyone who knew either of them and has any stories. Thank you

Bishopsbourne School

I loved school. There was one teacher, Miss Castle, she lived with her sister in a house attached to the school. One day Miss Castle gave us all a small Union Jack flag and told us to stand beside the school wall as someone important was coming by and sure enough along came Winston Churchill, we all waved our flags and he gave us the V for victory sign. The purpose of his visit was to inspect a railway gun (The Bosche Buster) which was housed in an old railway tunnel further up the road.

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?

Once Upon A Time

I lived in Gate Cottage for 2 years after my parents moved there from Surrey. They moved to return to dad's home county and to be close to my uncle and aunt who lived in Holt Street, Nonington. At one time there were 10 Packers living in Nonington/Frogham. I married a girl from Nonington College who I met in the Royal Oak at Nonington and my sister married in Barfrestone church. A lovely part of the world. I remember the Bridge Club (village, not cards!), Duck Inn at PettBbottom and Dirty Dick's Cafe in Sandwich (best steaks ever). Great pubs including the Blazing Donkey and the Black Pig. I lived in Shepherdswell for a while after marriage but moved to Sussex then Wiltshire in later retired life. I have a feeling that history will agree I lived in the best of all times.

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