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Ruckinge
Ruckinge maps
Historic maps of Ruckinge and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Ruckinge maps
Ruckinge area books
Displaying 1 of 23 books about Ruckinge and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Ruckinge
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Kent memories
My Memories of Bilsington
I can remember moving to Bilsington village when I was just over seven years old.
I attended Bilsington Primary School and have clear memories of Miss Fellows (the headmistress). She had a kind heart I think but at the time she seemed very strict to me. She would take us off for nature walks and it was during these times that I learned to love the soft greens of the countryside. She would point out to us the wonders of the wildlife and plants and we would pick grasses and wild flowers to take back and decorate our classroom with.
Our Sports Days were held in the field opposite the school ( the one with the monument in) and I can remember having to clear the field of sheeps' droppings so that we could take part in the sporting activities without fear of falling in sheeps' poo!
We had school outtings once a year, and the school would be closed the day before (much to my... Read more
School Years
I lived at Glebe House. I went to the primary school at Warehorne, the very strict head was Miss Sane (later to become Mrs Buxton) and my teacher was Miss Small. Most of Kenardington's children including myself got taken to school in Mr. Worsely's Taxi, a very old taxi that smelt of real leather. He used to be strict and would threaten to 'box your ears' if you didn't sit still. Manor farm was a beautiful mixed farm that housed every farm animal and at that time was tenanted by Mr. White who had a son called Alexander. I used to visit him at the farmhouse and watch 'Champion the Wonder Horse'. Steam trains used to run by at the crossing and my friend Linda's father, Mr. Kinane, used to be the crossing keeper. His wife used to take us to the cinema in Ashford and for this we would have to walk down the line to Appledore to catch the train! You could see the steam trains passing through... Read more
Collecting Runner Beans
My mothers' side of the family all come from Appledore and thereabouts.
I have 3 out of 4 of older sisters who were all born in Appledore. I was born in Wallsend on Tyne. My mother and father (he was stationed at Appledore in the second world war), moved up to Wallsend before I was born. But, when I was very young, we would travel down to Appledore during school holidays, I enjoyed these trips tremendously and have many happy memories of Appledore. In particular, I remember collecting runner beans from my Uncle Lens' smallholding along with other members of my family.
I still have cousins and an Aunt who live in the village and nearby but, unfortunately, we don't seem to see each other as often as we would like. I now work in a job which means I travel aroud the globe and all over the place. I last visited about 3 or 4 years ago and, although the village has changed over the years, it will always... Read more
Happy Days
My mother's family were from Appledore and although I was born on a visit up north to my father's family, I was only a few months old when we came back. We lived in various houses in the village, Canal Cottages and Hawthorn being two of them. My Grandad and Granny King lived at 3 Victoria, my dear Aunt Mary and Uncle Len (Gray) lived at 4 Griffin where my cousin Duncan and his family still live. Aunt Alice and Uncle Fred lived at 102 The Street. My best friend was Iris Terry and her mum and dad Doris and Charlie were good friends of my parents. I spent the next 10 years in the village in idylic surroundings for my childhood. I went to the village school, to which we walked, no lifts from mum's 'taxi' in those days! Many happy leisure hours were spent walking along the canal banks, fishing with pins on sticks and spying on the courting couples! Also going down into the bunkers, which were... Read more
Where Are You Now
On returning to visit Appledore over the years, not a lot has changed. There are a few new houses but mostly it is the same. This makes it such a peaceful place to remember when there are so many changes in the world today. I live in the north of England now but Appledore will always be 'home'. I am used to town life now, the hectic dash of having to get things done at certain times, everyone rushing about for this or that, but I long for the peace and quiet of the village life. Probably those living there would not agree but it really was the good life. A lot of the kids I knew then have left for pastures new. It would be great to hear from them and what they are doing and where they are now. I have married, had 3 children and also sadly been widowed. But I have a lot of good memories both from my childhood and also of my life as... Read more
Summer Holidays
Does anyone remember Woodchurch caravan park? We used to go every year from 1969 until its closure in 1973. My aunt and uncle had a caravan there. If you came up from the village it was past the windmill over the crossroads and then on the left hand side. If my memory serves me right it was owned by a Mr Patrick. After our last visit in 1973 he sold it. I remeber a couple from East London with a son Mark. I remember a family from New Cross. I can't remember what the girls' names were.
I do remember the caravan having gas lamps. The toilets were quite a way away... with lots and lots of spiders. There was also what looked like a swamp near the site. Obviously a car was needed. I think we walked to the village on one occasion... it seemed like miles. Eventually a shower block was put in. ... oh, and you could borrow old books from Mr Patrick. Most of the time... Read more
A Cinderella Story
On May 13th 2006 my husband and I were married in this charming villages beautiful church. My wonderful new family made all the arrangements. We hadn't had to lift a finger. Everyone in the village welcomed me as if I had been one of them all my life. I was walked through the village being escorted by Tony, the Woodchurch Morris Mens muscian. After a beautiful service our reception was across the street in the Bonnie Cravat. Hattie and Mike pulled out all the stops with the most perfect meal of roast beef, ham, turkey, potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire pudding, yum. The FA Cup was on in another part of the pub and a darling man by the name of Nevil played music for hours. Our both families both British and American, the American's that traveled so far to be a part of our day and the Woodchurch Villagers sang along to songs they all new and some they never heard before. To top off the day, the... Read more
