Why Wye?

 Why not? Twice a month, Wye has a smashing little Farmers' market. And unlike some of them, the stalls are all local produce. The stall holders are all lovely people, and every stall is different. 

I needed to go and top up on some of the things I buy regularly, and I had nothing else on today, so I thought I would combine it with one of my urban walks, and poke around a bit.

By the time I got there, it was drizzling quite badly, so I bought my produce and then decided to confine my research to just the old college buildings and the church, conveniently opposite the market.

You know what Rabbie Burns said about 'the best laid plans of mice and men?.......... the buildings are currently shrouded in scaffolding, and the church was closed today because some sort of audio recording was taking place.

I definitely need to return, as there is a lot of important local history contained within those walls, and the town itself is very old and well worth a look in depth. 

So for now, I'm putting a chapter on the Kent2 page for Wye, but it will only hold a picture of the outside of the church, and a little bit of tantalising history to be going on with.

Spring is on its' way.......curiously!

 Well now, the weather is showing signs of warming a little, and hopefully, we shall soon have a few dry days, so that I can start exploring again.

My researches over the gloomy Winter weeks, has thrown up some real oddities. I know every county has its' curiosities but I've found several in Kent. Sussex and Surrey that are just begging me to go and find them.

Obviously, I have yet to go and photograph the worlds famous 'Ham Sandwich' sign just outside Finglesham, but I can add another 'street oddity' - just outside Sevenoaks, is a road called 'Labour-in-Vain'. Need to find out why.

I've decided to add follies too. Of course, there are the famous ones such as Calton Hill in Edinburgh, and those that were built purely to 'enhance' the aspects of country houses and stately homes.

There's lots of others locally, but Brightling in Sussex outshines them all. The little village is littered with them, all thanks to a gentleman known as 'Mad Jack Fuller'. He will probably end up with a page all to himself!

Most curious of all, are my starting points of any place - churches.  Most churches have a dedication to a saint. The land is littered with churches to St. Mary, St. John etc., and most are to well-known people or events. However - there are one or two that have piqued my interest and curiosity to know more.

I've already visited the tiny church of St. Rumwold on the edge of Romney Marsh, one of only two in the country dedicated to the infant saint. That is likely to become better known as the burial place of Paul O'Grady. I just hope it doesn't generate too much interest, as it is a lovely, peaceful place. 

Dedications to St. John, and variations (St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist etc.) are plentiful, but how about a church dedicated to 'The Beheading of St. John The Baptist'? There's also one dedicated to 'King Charles the Martyr'.  (obviously Charles I who was also beheaded). Gory eh?

So there we have it. I think I've made enough notes over the Winter to keep me going for a good few years, let alone this Summer.