Welcome to Shoreham in Kent

The Shoreham Society AGM takes place at the Village Hall on Tuesday evening, 27th November from 7.30pm. After the business of the meeting, there will be a general discussion of localism, neighbourhood plans and how residents can play a part in creating these for Shoreham. Ralph Abbott, chairman of the Parish Council, will  introduce the topic before the floor is opened for everyone to participate. There will be refreshments and an exhibition of photographs spanning the last 40 years. All are welcome.

The Shoreham Society has again contributed to a number of debates around different issues which have the potential to impact upon the lives of Shoreham residents. These have included the ongoing proposals for Lullingstone Visitor Centre, the Local Development Framework consultation and several planning applications, notable the two proposals to develop a site on Mill Lane. In addition, The Society gathered opinions from members and

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Over an inch of rain the day before the event, ensured brisk flows in the river Darent for the annual Shoreham Bank Holiday Monday Duck Race. Ducks of many colours, shapes, sizes and designs arrived, eager to take to the water. After the award ceremony for the various design prizes, the crowd assisted with the usual countdown, triggering an eruption of ducks downstream.

The early fast pace was slowed when the flock rounded the bend by the green, where they were greeted by a gusting headwind that spread out the field dramatically. Several ducks sporting a large surface area were actually being blown backwards (upstream), refusing all attempts to guide them in the correct direction – a few even elected to nest in the reeds for the remainder of the race. Elsewhere the leaders paddled duckterminedly on towards Mill Bridge where a capacity audience had gathered to cheer the winners home and encourage the trailing ducks across the finish line.

Congratulations to everyone who took part whether by designing, entering or simply cheering.. and thanks to all who help on the day to keep this splendid Shoreham event afloat.

Design Prizes 2010

Frisby Duck crafted by Sophie Burrows from Dunton Green

Eve 2 crafted by Graham Palmer from Shoreham

Captain Jack Sparrow crafted by Alphie Triggs from Shoreham

Fred crafted by Jasper Hollingworth

Race Winners 2010

First Place Strickly Come Duckling trained by Somer Lawson from Shoreham

Second Place Duck a lOrange trained by Jo Winder

Third Place Waste of Time trained by Robin Odell from Well Hill

The Shoreham Society has donated the 255 raised at this years Duck Race to the Restoring the View of the Cross from the War Memorial Fund

The Duckmaster

Shoreham Duck Race 2010 Report

Over an inch of rain the day before had ensured brisk flows in the river Darent for the annual Shoreham Bank Holiday Monday Duck Race. Ducks of many colours, shapes, sizes and designs arrived, eager to take to the water. After the awarding of the various design prizes, the crowd assisted with the usual countdown, that triggered an eruption of ducks downstream.

The early fast pace was slowed as the flock rounded the bend by the green, to be greeted by a gusting headwind that spread out the field dramatically. Several ducks sporting a large surface area were actually being blown backwards (upstream), refusing all attempts to

Read the rest of this entry »

Report to the Shoreham Parish Council AGM

28th April 2010

The Shoreham Society has again contributed to a number of debates around different issues which have the potential to impact upon the lives of Shoreham residents. These have included the ongoing proposals for Lullingstone Visitor Centre, the Local Development Framework consultation and several planning applications, notable the two proposals to develop a site on Mill Lane. In addition, The Society gathered opinions from members and residents about the proposals for new access facilities to the recreation field from a questionnaire and passed on the results to the Parish Council.

The Shoreham Society has continued in its attempt to identify any possible appropriate re-uses for the aging oak timbers rescued from Shepherds Barn and is currently exploring one option with the Shoreham Allotments Association – to construct a shelter on the allotments.

Once again we organised the enthusiastically supported annual Duck Race and The Society contributed to the operation of the village fete. We continue to promote and encourage the use of the Shoreham Village Web Diary www.shorehamvillage.co.uk and hope to organise another training event for those organisations or individuals unsure about uploading information onto this site.

But the most significant achievement by The Society during the year has been the publication and distribution of The Shoreham Village Handbook. Originally conceived as a booklet containing helpful information about Shoreham, it has been a long time in gestation. But it now provides a single reference point for locating the contact details of the many organisations and facilities that our community has to offer. Our committee hopes this publication will be of use to many, but particularly new residents to Shoreham and perhaps encourage additional membership of The Shoreham Society.

William Alexander (Chairman)

27th April 2010

Report to the Shoreham Parish Council AGM on 22nd April 2009

The Shoreham Society has enjoyed a successful year.

The committee has contributed to the debates around several current issues with the potential to impact upon our lives in Shoreham. These included the major residential & office development proposed at Fort Halstead, an application for additional car parking at the Lullingstone Visitor Centre and intentions for the Darent Valley to be promoted as a recreational Green Cluster, providing leisure facilities for the expanding population in the Thames Gateway.

Society members enjoyed a variety of social and educational events during the year. Firstly, a walk through Great House Meadow to view the archaeological evidence of the ancient irrigation system. Then on a fine June evening an orchid walk at Magpie Bottom was followed by a unique one-night-only opening of the Pig & Whistle pub. This ruined dwelling had a reputation of having once been an illegal smugglers inn, complete with an underground dean hole, where illegal booty was stored. In September our Fungi Foray, through Lullingstone Park, resulted in a magnificent display of mushrooms, laid out in the autumn sunshine, ready for identification. At our AGM the talented local artist Monty Parkin gave us a well-researched talk about Artists of the North Downs, illustrated with slides of many fine paintings.

In January 2009 The Society hosted an evening for various village organisations to explore opportunities to improve communications and share information and resources. One positive result has been the promotion of the Shoreham Village Diary on www.shorehamvillage.co.uk. All village organisations including Shoreham Parish Council (!) are encouraged to populate this internet diary, so providing a comprehensive resource for all residents.

The Society remains the custodian of Shepherds Barn, the timbers of which were recently physically moved to a new storage location. A public meeting was held to discus future options for the timbers reported in the May Gazette and elsewhere on this site.

Shepherds Barn what now?

Our public meeting in March to talk about Shepherds Barn was well attended and provided an opportunity for a considered debate about the future options for this rescued farm building.

We heard about the circumstances that led to villagers arranging for the barn dismantling and subsequent storage. Also we learnt that no one has been able to verify the supposed connection between the barn and Samuel Palmer – one motivation for the rescue. The people involved had high hopes of rebuilding Shepherds barn, at some future date, as a facility for the benefit of Shoreham. Despite many attempts to realise this original intention over the past 25 years, it has proved impossible to identify a suitable site, establish an appropriate use or find funding both for the capital required to rebuild and the ongoing maintenance of a reconstructed building.

In November 2008 the timbers were relocated to a new storage home and this provided an opportunity to re-examine the condition of the beams. We learnt that only a proportion of the original oak framework was present and that only a proportion of these are in a condition fit for re-use. Furthermore, the costs of reconstruction in full are likely to be prohibitive. At best, some of these timbers could be incorporated into a building being constructed from new materials. It was the unanimous view of the meeting that reconstructing Shepherds Barn, either in full or as a cut down version was no longer realistic or practical.

A wide-ranging discussion followed, considering possible future options. It was agreed that selling or disposing of these timbers would be unsatisfactory, but there was wide support for adopting more unusual and inventive ways to use the oak wood. Even crumbling or wood wormed timber can have an artistic value lateral thinking is called for! A number of ideas were thrown into the ring that evening: -

• Road bollards, a barrier or fence
• A small shelter – a suggestion already made is for something on the allotments
• A rustic public bench or table
• Craft items wooden bowls, cheese boards, picture frames
• An educational piece that demonstrated traditional beam jointing (perhaps for Shoreham School?)
• A piece of public artwork - one idea being to create a large piece of sculpture from the timbers to be located at or near the original site of Shepherds Barn a massive sheep?
• More ideas are required . ???????

The Shoreham Society will continue as custodian of all the timbers, but invites suggestions or applications to use some of this wood for an appropriate project, large or small. Our opinion is that an appropriate project will be one that benefits the wider community rather than only a private individual(s). So if you or your organisation has an idea that could use some oak, then please make contact – William Alexander 01959 525303.

In particular, is there a talented sculptor/designer out there, who would like to create a large wooden sheep?

Shoreham Gazette Copy May 2009 issue.