The Scarecrow's Wrotham Tour Guest Book

Please Click Here to leave your comments or messages in this Guest Book.

Marilynn Visser ( marilynn@kabelfoon.nl ) 22 November 2003 17:53
Netherlands
I enjoyed looking at your site and making the trip.This gives a very good idea of what the place looks like I think. I am into family history and would like to read some more about the history of the Church if possible. My ancestor James Websper came from Wrotham, was baptised ab.1804, although I have not been able to locate his baptism yet. Any help appreciated. Wonder if there are Websper families still living at Wrotham. Best whishes.

Ivan & Gill Mason ( mason@sagainternet.co.uk ) 15 November 2003 22:36
We enjoyed looking at your site and doing the walking tour, must come and have a real walk around now.   We used to know a friend - Bob Dagger (and wife Valerie)
who lived in Wrotham, at Greystones. We have lost touch years ago,do you have any clues as to their whereabouts ?  If so could you give an address or telephone number please.   With thanks.

David Fryer ( DAVE@fryer75.freeserve.co.uk ) 06 October 2003 10:21
hello, thanks for a  great site very informative, but, can any one out there help me in finding the whereabouts of wrotham manor my mother was evacuated their during world war 2. She remembers going to school in wrotham and on Sundays walking to trotiscliffe church. The occupiers of the manor she remembers as colonel wroxby (Roxby) and that the manor house was 400 years old, a postcard did exist with a picture showing the house but unfortunately has been lost. My mother remembers quite a lot more, but our recent trips out to find the manor have not been successful. My mothers maiden name is Edna Knight she would have been 11 years of age and hailed from Woolwich where she still lives.

Jaci Adams (jaciadams@cdum.fsnet.co.uk ) 18 September 2003 23:37
Wales
I've just fallen into your website and read through all the messages!!!Lots of things I remember from Wrotham.My Nan,Grandad and Aunties all came from Wrotham and I lived there for a number of years before moving with my family to Wales. Still got family in Wrotham and visit regularly. My cousin has now settled in Wrotham so I hope we will have roots in wrotham for a few more generations.I also think I have located some family through your site so thanks!

Pat Werner nee Chewning ( pwerner@htc.net ) 19 August 2003 01:34
New Athens, IL
I've just discovered that I may have ancestor that came over to the US from Wrotham and am thinking about visiting.  After this virtual tour I'm sure I will be there soon.  Great pictures!  Looks like the England we Americans dream about.It would be great if you had some genealogy info included in the site. Thanks

Craig Brown ( Craig.Brown@ideaconnections.com ) 11 August 2003 14:28
Hello.  I stopped at your site on Wrotham.  I am doing family research and I believe members in my family tree lived in Wrotham at Greenhill House. They were living there at the time of the 1881 census, head of the household was George Osborne.  His brothers Harry and William Osborne were also living there in 1881.  The write-up that Colin and Carolyn have provided on your site mentions Kent directories.  I am interested to know if any more information is available on these Osborne brothers from the 1878, 1882, 1891, or 1895 directories?  Thank you in advance if there is any information you can share.

I know a little about them.  They all were born in Marden, Kent, and their surname was really Usborne.  The family was mostly carpenters.  Another online source states that George Osborne died in 1905, and that Harriet, his wife, died in the 1920s.  Another brother, Alexander Osborne/Usborne, was also living in Wrotham, at Court Lane, in the 1881 census.  Yet another brother, John Osborne/Usborne, was living in Ightham in 1881.  My great-great-grandfather was yet another brother in this family.  He came to the US in 1872 from Marden.

Please forward this to Colin and Carolyn if they have more information from the Kent directories. Thank you.

( Roofestimates@aol.com ) 07 August 2003 20:11
Thanks for a wonderful web site from a local - West Malling

Geoff Beach ( geoff@beachfamily.plus.com ) 07 August 2003 16:50
South Wales
What a lovely site, well done. Does anyone know of a grave location layout, or a MI research project?

David Tappin ( d.tappin@ntlworld.com ) 09 July 2003 10:48
Hello all. Just done the tour around the village and liked the site. My interest has come about because of searching for  a 3 x gt Grandfather John Tappin probably born in Kent. I have just received a copy of a death certificate showing that a John Tappin age 79 was found dead on 25 Feb 1857 at Tibbys Bridge Wrotham with cause of death given as accidental. Anyone any ideas about where Tibbys Bridge is/was? Also anyone know what local newspapers were in print around this time? Thanks and regards.

sarah cooper ( sarahcooper@nag44.freeserve.co.uk ) 29 June 2003 10:33
borough green, UK
i used 2 live in wrotham, thorndyke way from the age of 6 weeks old till i was 16 we then moved 2 borough green where my parents still live.  i remember having excellent fun sledging at the downs, buying winter fruit 4 christmas from the farm coldstore & much more.  i attended wrotham primary school & even though had moved away returned there 2 b married in wrotham church in 91 & my children where christened there in 98. i still know people who live there & go via wrotham 2 my home of new ash green. every christmas my children ask 2 go via wrotham 2 c the pretty christmas lights which we still do now.  thanks 4 a lovely tour down memory lane.

justine johnson ( Lushlipsinbude@aol.com ) 24 June 2003 15:21
bude cornwall
i used to live in wrotham village i miss my friends from wrotham dearly and was hopping i could get in contact with them my name is justine johnson jay to my friends . if any one knows lee shepard, emily white, john hughes, margret apps, darren higgins and stuart ebbs pls let them know that i am trying to get a hold of them and that they can email me at lushlipsinbude@aol.com or lushlipsinbude@hotmail.com thank you i think your site is good but you should show more of wrotham like the housing estates and the northdowns for the ones that lived there before and are now missing it deeply thank for you time in reading this luv jay.

Matthew Morfey ( 99mjmorfey@valleypark.kent.sch.uk ) 23 June 2003 09:42
The website is fantastic! I recently visited Wrotham on a Geography trip as part of our coursework. I for one was impressed with the resident's politeness and were all very willing to share thier knowledge on the village, with the odd exeption of a rude teenager. I would like to see more information on the new housing estate please.

Ian Melville ( Ian.Melville@eddept.wa.edu.au ) 22 May 2003 04:44
A student from Wrotham arrived in Western Australia about 5 weeks ago and is finding it very difficult to settle into school life in Western Australia.  Billy is currently enrolled in Year 8 at Padbury Senior High School, in the northern suburbs of Perth. I was wondering if you would be able to provide me with the school's e-mail address (if it has one) so that I can enable him to contact some of his friends.  I hope this might ease the burden for him.
Best wishes Deputy Principal.

Dudley Martin ( dudley.hgvret@tesco.net ) 17 May 2003 23:19
Laddingford, Kent.
I have just spent a pleasant evening reliving my school days at wrotham.1950 to 1952. I hoped to find a string of names in the guest book that I knew.but was dissapointed, the only ones in the book I knew were, SHELIA BENNET AUDREY AND DAVID MAY MOLLIE HOOD ZENA JACKSON whos best friend if I remember rightly was NONA JUDGE. The name ROSKILLY came up and I think the poor lady must have been a relation of COLIN and AVIS. I did meet GEORGE CHURNSIDE recently and his wife, for the first time in 50 years. Where have all the others gone? I would love to hear from some of them from those early days in the cow  sheds the camp church hall masonic hall and Borogreen school. All of us now are getting our bus passes etc,but who cares, love to hear from some of you.

Len Slade (susanslade@peoplepc.com) 8th May 2003
town: New Port Richey Florida
country: U.S.A.
comment: I went to school in Wrotham many years ago (late 1940s) My Headmaster was Mr Wilcox.  It is good to see Wotham on the net.  I lived in West Kingsdown. My home is now in Florida, but I visit Maidstone often. I wrote this a a few yeas ago, so to update. I met Mr Wilcox's son on a beach here in Florida. I have also just received Email from Australia Derek Marchant that went to school with me.  Agreat page.

Geoff Worham ( Worham@BTInternet.com ) 27 April 2003 21:24
I will need to look at the church records again as I have lost or mislaid all the information on my mothers family,"The martins'". I can trace her family with only a few gaps from Plaxtol Church records to the begining of Wrotham Church records. Some few hundred years . If anybody is interested in this local family you can contact me either by e mail or 01732 457518.
Is there any chance of somebody with a lot of time on their hands putting the Church records on this web site as a way of raising a little cash for the church and the local community.

Kelechi ( kelechic@yahoo.com ) 05 April 2003 00:58
LAGOS, NIGERIA
your site is good,i need to locate my  friend mr james michael from  Wrotham.
thank you ,

Lynn R. Clark ( lynnrclark@isomedia.com ) 04 April 2003 00:10
Sammamish, WA 98074 USA
Congratulations on your Wrotham web site!  It's cleverly designed and contains a wealth of information regarding your town. I recently found your web site as I followed up on a family genealogy in which I traced our family, Clark (or Clarke, or Clerk, or Clerke), back to a Forde Hall in Wrotham in 1315.  Knowing how carefully records are kept in England of places and events of historical significance, I'm hoping that you might have information regarding Forde Hall or could suggest who I might contact for same.  Thank you for your help.

Pauline Fevyer ( pauline@fevyer.fsnet.co.uk ) 29 March 2003 12:50
I found the Wrotham guest site while doing some family research.   My Grandmother was born in 1880 at Park Farm Wrotham.   Are there any pictures of the farm available?

Judith Peacock ( peacjl1@bigpond.com ) 09 February 2003 14:28
Victoria, Australia
I really enjoyed my tour of Wrotham - it caused a strange reaction in me, perhaps a "species memory", as my ancestors were the Byngs of Wrotham Park, most
recently  Eliza Ann Byng, born 1843, whose son Harry Byng Robison migrated to Australia in 1912.   I would like to take the tour in person one day!
Best Wishes

Ken Sutton ( roy@kensutton.freeserve.co.uk ) 01 February 2003 07:29
I am delighted to have found the wealth of information about Wrotham and will purchase a copy of the video film. I am carrying out some enquiries for
the father of my son-in- law who is Don Bailey and  who was born and lived in Wrotham for many years, he now lives in Eastbourne. He was married in the
church there.
His father kept the Shoeshop which was once opposite the church- the family name being Bailey. I shall visit Wrotham soon to film various places there for my friend. He, like me, is old and not at all well so he will be delighted with whatever I can find out for him.
I live in Strood, Kent. Congratulations on your excellently presented site

CharlyJWhizz@aol.com 26 January 2003 19:48
Thankyou for all the valuable information i found on you website. It helped me gain an  A -  in my Geography project. Thanks once again, Charlotte

Ann Jones 26 January 2003 11:28
Love the website Scarecrow and often have a visit - many many thanks. I have very fond memories of Harry Smith - my form teacher for 2 years and also his wife, who taught in Borough Green Primary School. I'm a Borough Greener myself (sorry - but it can't be helped) but spent a lot of time at Wrotham as a child.   Sad to see the mugging incident among the list of entries.   However, will echo Roger Pettet's plea to restore the signatures of the World War II pilots on the ceiling of The Bull's old bar, or at least ensure they are copied. I spent many an hour reading them as a child - and was especially intrigued by the set of footprints left by one pilot!!! They are of great historical interest and should be very carefully preserved. Whoever covered them up is either a greedy entrepreneur or an ignorant twit. I really hope they weren't destroyed.   Regards   Ann   PS You may abridge this if it is too offensive for official publication!! I will understand.

Andy Docwra ( andy@docwra.fsnet.co.uk ) 25 January 2003 19:14
I was born near Wrotham and lived there for some 30 years before moving to Gravesend then on to Chatham.  I attended the old Wrotham primary school from 1963 to 1969, I did not go to Wrotham Secondary school as I was offered a place at St Georges school in Gravesend.   Although I have now moved away from the village I still have fond memories of it and still visit at times, particular at Christmas when I drive through the village to see the Christmas lights.  Even through I have moved away I still like to think of this lovely old place as my true home.

Teresa Fisher ( mf006d2109_2@blueyonder.co.uk ) 18 January 2003 14:23
just found your website via my search engine. Have just come back from visiting Wrotham this morning. My husband's job is moving out of London to Wrotham Place. Have visited it once or twice before but today we had a guided tour of the house. Very beautiful building, fantastic grounds too. A very pleasant place to work, I think, and a very pretty little village.   Good website

Jennifer Maughan ( jennifermaughan@earthlink.net ) 16 January 2003 03:41
from snowy (and cold) NYC, USA
Just found your web pages along with the tour which is fantastic. My 3x great grandfather was Rector of Wrotham (Canon Lane) in the mid-1800s and my aunt tells me the crypt there is packed with Lanes (she and I are the family genealogists). Your tour really gave me a feeling of the village, which I hope to visit one day.
Also, Wrotham looks totally unspoilt and pedestrian-friendly. As for your photograph, I think your estimate of it's era is accurate because at the moment, there is a photo up for sale on Ebay of the Wrotham Church (they say it's from '23).

Paul Baylis ( paul@baylis1.freeserve.co.uk ) 09 January 2003
Vigo UK
Hi, Just come across your website and wonder if I may put a request for info on your guestbook. I've been researching the pre OCTU Wrotham camp [1942 - 46] for some years and have quite a bit of info now but I'm still looking for any stories/anecdotes. In many cases they act as confirmation of details I may have from other sources as well as supplying new info.
My reason for the research is that I live in Vigo built on the site of the old camp in the 1960's. There were various stories about
what had been here but very little in the 'official' histories. I had researched at various regimental museums, Imperial War Museum, Public Record Office at Kew etc but the bulk of the details came from those that were there at the time.
I realise that it was a long time ago but even the smallest details will be of use. If anyone can help I'll be very grateful. If you want any info on the camp for your website I'd be happy to put together something - just let me know. Many Thanks.

Michael Gear ( fourgears@tiscali.co.uk ) 29 December 2002 00:48
I was a former pupil of wrotham secondary school and I had to mention the lack of info on any of the teachers. Only once have I seen Mr Tait mentioned and what about poor old Mr Cope? We have to admit that it was the teachers that made this time memorable, even if it was a case of Mr Bell splitting his trousers! Sam G

Denise Darlow ( darlowdg@optusnet.com.au ) 17 December 2002 10:47
I'm Denise Darlow, daughter of Frank Darlow (deceased) from Wrotham Post Office in the 1940s.   Bill & Edie Darlow continued in the Wrotham Post Office after Frank left for Australia.   Bill & Edie had 4 children: Billy, Sylvia, John and Peter.   Sadly Bill & Edie and Peter are dead.  Billy, I think, still lives in UK, and Sylvia and John are in Australia. My mother, Muriel Rosalea Darlow, remembers Wrotham very well - and enjoyed the website immensely.  I have no childhood memory of it, but visited once in 1985.   I'd love to have a much longer visit --- it's on my wish-list.

27 November 2002 23:10
i enjoyed your site immensely. I went to the web site initially, to try and trace the Higgins family, who I know, lived in wrotham after Chub Higgins left the army in the 60's or 70's. He was married to June, and had two older boys, but I only remember Chris. I am asking, on behalf of my parents, Charles and Barbara Broughton, who enjoyed many good times  with the Higgins,whilst both families were posted to Dhekelia, Cyprus during the early 60's, and who would dearly love to re-establish contact. I do recall mum saying that June had worked at the village school for a time, in the school kitchen. If anyone knows of their whereabouts, i would appreciate them contacting me on josephine.white@btopenworld.com  . thank you.

Cheryl Alden ( taxicab@worldnet.att.net ) 25 November 2002 06:07
Solana Beach, California
thank you for the walking tour via the internet.  can hardly wait to do it in person.

Carolyn ( rolandb@es.co.nz ) 14 November 2002 03:23
New Zealand
I have enjoyed visiting your site.  My ancestors came from Sevenoaks, Wrotham and Ightham.  ( family names are Bennett, Ashby, Crowson, Jones and Clark e).  Would someone help me locate a copy of the booklets.  "The Story of a Kentish Village (1907)" by F. J. Bennett, and (Life in Ightham in the 1800's) by Wilma Picton & Jean Stirk.  Regards Carolyn

don morgan ( don.morgan@whsmithnet.co.uk ) 01 September 2002 16:17
UK
I hereby sign!   DPM

geejay79 ( geejay79@4mymail.co.uk ) 27 August 2002 12:26
UK
Dear "scarecrow", Would you happen to have any information about the tunnels that are supposed to link the village's pubs with the church (or so I've heard). Ta. Jo. ;-)

Anthony Taylor ( anthony309@ozemail.com.au ) 22 August 2002 10:09
Australia
Really enjoyed the site- we're looking for somewhere to live if we come to England to teach 2003- and I found the Kent site and then have been looking further- cheers from Downunder TonyT

A name and e-mail address was supplied
I am unhappy to say that my parents visit to wrotham on sunday august 18th 2002 has left them very disstressed. while stopping off at the village green in the afternoon the sat about 12 yards from their car enjoying an ice cream when 3 youths in a volkswagon polo, dark green reg ???? ???  stole my mothers bag and holdall containing money and personal effects which cannot be replaced as well as several sets of keys and a mobile phone. It seems that the police did very little and perhaps some warning signs to make other people aware of this may stop other people becoming the victims of such selfish few. I find it hard to believe that no one saw anything of the chase that followed on that busy hot sunday afternoon, I would dearly like my parents things back ( money not important ) so if anyone finds a dumped holldall or bag please hand it in to the police. Dont tolerate or turn a blind eye to this sort of thing in your village, catch those responsible and encourage people to visit what I once concidered a safe place.           Thankyou for taking the time to read this

Bill Clarkthelordsman@erols.com 19 August 2002 12:51
USA
I am very interested in Wrotham now that I know my ancestors came from there. I have purchased the Video in PAL and converted it to NTSC in my computer. The film is a good piece of art work. My wife and I wish to thank all of you for the film. Some day, the Lord willing, we will visit you.   Bill and Joan Clark USA

Mike Taylor, admin@boroughgreen.org 2 August 2002 19:04
Borough Green Parish Council
I have visited your site several times, and have been very impressed. As an item of local interest we would like to link in from www.boroughgreen.org , our community website.   Best Regards,   Mike Taylor.

Steve and Tina Reynolds ( stephen.reynolds2@btinternet.com ) 21 July 2002 17:01
We are researching our family history and would appreciate any information relating to Bennetts of Wrotham and St. Mary's Platt (where most of the family come from). Any information however small the snippett, will be gratefully appreciated

Alastair Stephen ( alastair.stephen@btinternet.com ) 12 July 2002 15:38
thankyou for a most interesting tour, having been born the son of the village policeman, it would have been nice to see the old police houses. keep up the good work. Grahame Wigmore

Pamela Shields ( pamela.shields@ntlworld.com ) 11 July 2002 22:08
Hello. I understand John Buchan wrote one of his novels in Wrotham...some sources say Terry's Lodge others Printslyles, both country houses I imagine.
Have you heard of them? Are there any local stories about Buchan staying in Wrotham during WW1 (1914-18)?
Thanks

sneer 25 June 2002 16:36
i love wrotham and miss it very much. Anyone i know can reach me at sneervis@yahoo.com

Steve Davis Thomas.1999@btopenworld.com 30th May 2002 23.45
Tonbridge Kent
I lived in Wrotham for a year great pubs, lovely people,beautiful village.

Mike Carlow ( mike.carlow@btinternet.com )
Tonbridge UK
I am researching a family who were engaged in the transport of smuggled goods from East Kent, up to London, after storage in Wrotham. They were local farmers but lost all their fortune after a government clampdown on Smuggling in 1826. My reference source doesn't name the family  but I am trying to identify them from a number of clues in the book. One of them died soon after the old beacon on Wrotham Downs below Old Terry's Lodge was replaced with a semaphore station. the semaphore station in turn was replaced with an Electric Telegraph station in 1841, so the old man died between 1826 & and 1841. I wondered if you (as a communications engineer?) might have an interest in the Semaphore Station or know someone who does. If I make any progress with my research I shall be happy to let you have details. (My ancestors settled in Wrotham around 1750 and contributed to the local gene pool over the next 150 yrs or so, hence my interest in Wrotham local history)

Luanne Chowning ( luanne_chowning@yahoo.com ) 30 May 2002 18:14
My roots go back to the 1500's in your beautiful town of Wrotham.  The Chowning and Burford family are my connections.  If anyone has any information on these families, please let me know.   I visited Wrotham in 2000.  Most spectacular.    When you sell the video, please let people know what kind of vcr's it can be played on because normally it will not play on US machines without conversion.    Thanks!!!  

Susan Duncan ( baileyandwills@hotkey.net.au ) 20 May 2002 05:57
Australia
Surfers Paradise

Have just had a look around Wrotham - how quaint!  By all the following comments you have many fans.   The reason that I was looking at the Wrotham site was that I wanted to find some information on the name Westguard.  My husband's mother, Lillian Westguard, and sisters Ellen, Betty and Jean originally came from there, as did their mother Rose Westguard.  I am not sure where the husband, John Westguard, came from.  Lillian, if she was alive now, would be apx 76y-o.   If you have any information or can suggest where I should start, I would be grateful.   Regards

( Horridcreatures@aol.com ) 11 May 2002 08:47

I found your site by accident and I am glad that I did. It it a pleasure that such an old village has been able to remain untainted by some of the "Modern Architecture." Many thanks to all who contributed.
I am intereted in cricket and would like to know if your club has a web address. I thought it was great that your village have supported the game for so long. If there is not a web addree perhaps you would let me know who I might be able to contact so that I could obtain a fixture list and come an watch some of your games.
Once again many thanks to all who contributed, it has certainly made me keen to see the village in reality. James

Kim Brimacombe ( kim.brimacombe@ualberta.ca ) 09 May 2002 21:34
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I just visited your site to see if I could find St. George's Church, Wrotham. My name is Kim Brimacombe (nee Phyall) I thought I was the only Phyall in the world yesterday.  In the last four hours I have found out my ancestors are from Wrotham.  They all seemed to be married or buried at St. George's Church which is how I found this site.
I have never been to England so this is a great find.  Thank you

Sarah Peen ( Sarahpeen5@aol.com ) 09 May 2002 18:46

I was glad to see that the time has been taken to compile the Wrotham Village Webpage. We took a stroll around the village last
weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it . Unfortunately the church was locked, it would have been interesting to find out more about the church's history from your webpage or in the entrance to the church itself. I hope to attend some of the events coming up this year , thank you advertising these on your site. Keep up the good work .. look forward to more info on my next visit.
Regards Sarah

Linda Meredith ( LnMrdth@aol.com ) 01 May 2002 20:09

I am trying to find more information about the Bruce family that lived in the large house (Green Hill Wood?) that stood on the hill to the north of Wrotham. My friend, Patricia Power, was evacuated there during WW2 - along with her sister Winnie. She would love to find out what happened to the house and the family that lived there as she has very fond memories of the six years she spent in this lovely part of the world. I know that Mrs Bruce's husband was in the Navy and they had four children, one son and three daughters and that it was Mr Bruce that had the house built. Many thanks to anyone that can help me.
Linda Meredith

Barbara ANDREW ( barbara@gpi2002.fsnet.co.uk ) on Sunday, 28 April 2002 at16:41
Thank you for providing this website.   Regards Barbara

Kenyon Elliott (2800boone@attbi.com) on Saturday, April 6, 2002 at 16:35:29
town: Dallas, Texas
country: USA
comment: My ancestors, Richard Benge and John Benge were born in Wrotham abt 1374 and 1440. Their father was born in Sandwich, Kent.

roger pettet (rpettet@rogers.com) on Sunday, March 31, 2002 at 21:17:03
town: toronto
country: CANADA
comment: NICE TO VISIT THE PAGE AGAIN AND BE SURPRISED TO FIND SOMEONE ON THE SAME TIME PAGE AS ME -DEREK HAYCOCK-I GUESS THAT WAS THEN AND THIS IS NOW BUT IT'S FUN TO REMEMBER. IT SURE AS HELL WASN'T ALL A HAPPY CHILDHOOD. BUT WROTHAM WAS WHERE I SPENT THOSE "FORMATIVE" YEARS. SAD TO SEE ALL THE ORCHARDS GONE DOWN KEMSING LANE BUT NICE TO STILL SEE BLUEBELLS IN THE WOODS ON THE HILLS ABOVE THE OLD A 20

Tony Ceney ( cceney@sprint.ca ) on Sunday, 24 March 2002 at 18:22
town: Toronto
country: Canada
To whom it may concern;  I came by this web site through the name "Ceney". In looking through the site that name came up as one of the last owners of the "Bull" pub in the town. I would be very interested if the latest owner would have any info. on the said "Frederick Ceney" and where he was from, if this e/mail could be passed on to the present owner I would be very appreciative.

Derek Haylock (del.haylock@ntlworld.com) on Friday, March 22, 2002 at 01:27:28
town: Dunstable
country: UK
comment: Roger Pettet and others of Wrotham circa 1954-1966
Oh Shit!! I've just stumbled on the Wrotham website! Memories - De Ja Vu - and all that crap!! What a wonderful idea, and what a website!! My mum and dad owned the newsagents you mentioned - Len and Dolly Haylock. I'm Derek, my brothers are John and Clive, and we used to hang around with the Darlow boys from the Post Office! Clive and I used to work for George Medhurst when we were in our teens, delivering meat. Mum kept in contact with Vi Medhurst until last year.
We went to Borough Green Primary School (snobs) then on to Wrotham Secondary School. I remember Clem - he used to fix our tele back in the 60s when there was a bloody great box on the back to receive the (one and only) commercial station!!
Dad died in 1974 with cancer, but Clive and Mum moved to Southend. Clive has a couple of newsagents shops in Southend, but mum sadly died last June aged 91. We (Clive , John and me) still own the shop in the High Street, but it is run by a tenant. We went back recently, and the village is very quiet now.
Remember tobagganing down the downs, scrumping cherries from the orchard in Kemsing Lane, and peas from the Batchelors field down from the Bull Hotel, and Adders on the Downs. Would love to hear from you.
Keep in touch

Lloyd Kenyon Elliott ( 2800boone@attbi.com ) on Monday, March 18, 2002 at 17:45:47
town: united states
country: Pano, Texas
comment: Enjoyed your home page very much.  My ancestors came to America from your city
My ancestor Richard Benge was born  about 1370 in Sandwich, Kent, England  about 1470 and his grandson was born in Wrotham Kent county England in 1477. My ancestor Richard Benge was the elected Mayor of Sandwich in 1406 and his son Richard Benge was elected the mayor 1421, 1422.   Thank you for any information you can furnish.

William R. Clark (thelordsman@erols.com) on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 16:04:39
town: Springfield VA 22152
country: United States
comment: My ancestors came from Wrotham

Elza Lotter (elz_angel@hotmail.com) on Wednesday, March 6, 2002 at 11:06:17
town: Bromley
country: England

peter hubble (PeterHubble@tinyworld.co.uk) on Friday, March 1, 2002 at 18:56:39
town: plymouth (ex addington)
country: devon (ex kent)
comment: i have just had a very nostalgic tour of wrotham,not having seen it for more than 30 years it was very pleasing to see not a lot had changed. i seem to remeber there being a hair dressers salon in the square by the church (1960s)
 well done a very good web site.

louisa (kylie_louisa_rea@hotmail.com) on Thursday, February 28, 2002 at 17:31:01
town: vigo
country: england
comment: this small village is great, with a freindly enviroment and homely atmosphere

susanne Loggie (hellosusanneuk@yahoo.com) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 at 15:27:13
town: Meopham Kent
country: UK
comment: Informative and fun guide to wrotham village. Hoping to move here in very near future so found it interesting. Did get lost around points 7 and 8-kept on ending up in the same place turning in circles! I think it was me rather than the map though! Anyway thank you.
Have just visited Events page and found that the last forthcoming event  listed was JULY 1999!!!! Disappointing-does this mean that there are no new events in 2002?

Len Slade (susanslade@peoplepc.com) on Saturday, January 19, 2002 at 15:08:49
town: New Port Richey Florida
country: U.S.A.
comment: I went to school in Wrotham many years ago (late 1940s) My Headmaster was Mr Wilcox.  It is good to see Wotham on the net.  I lived in West Kingsdown. My home is now in Florida, but I visit Maidstone often.

Tom Davey (none) on Monday, January 14, 2002 at 13:31:07
town: maidstone
country: kent
comment: thanks for the website it helped me in my course work

Tom Davey (Tondavey@talk21.com) on Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 09:34:52
town: Maidstone
country: Kent
comment: Hi the site needs more information because im doing a project for school and i need more of it thanks Tom Davey

Tony (fitkentishmale@hotmail.com) on Thursday, January 10, 2002 at 15:09:41
town: West Malling
country: england
omment: I spent 5 years at wrotham school and i thoroughly enjoyed my stay there. I remember the good old days when I used 2 play football in the park with Mark Cook and the gang. I am at college now and i miss it dearly.bye

HEIDI STANDEN (hstanden@madasafish.com) on Tuesday, January 8, 2002 at 19:08:29
town: New Ash Green
comment: I have read your website with interest. My only comment is that you have not updated your site for quite a while. Are you aware of the change of owners of the Bull Inn Hotel. I believe they have been there for over a year now?

Reply: I am sure you are correct but as it seems no one in Wrotham has the slightest interest in e-mailing updated information to me for inclusion, why should I care.
The Scarecrow.

William Robert Clark (thelordsman@erols.com) on Tuesday, January 8, 2002 at 01:06:22
town: Springfield, VA
country: USA
comment: My ancient relatives were from Wrotham. George Clerke 1510, James Clerke Esq Of Forde 1485,John Clerke Esq Of Forde 1418, John Clerke Baron Of The Excheque 1394, John Clerke Esq Of Forde 1356. I wish I knew more about these people.

James Barron () on Monday, January 7, 2002 at 10:40:09
town: Bury, Lancs
comment: Good site. I am visiting Wrotham later this year for a wedding, and it is nice to be able to know the area a little first!
Cheers.

Nigel Waugh (nigelwaugh@aol.com) on Wednesday, January 2, 2002 at 13:02:25
town: Trearrdur Bay
country: Nth Wales
comment: Was fortunate to live in Wrotham for a couple of years,Met some great people,had a brilliant time, really nice place.Seeing your site and taking the tour, brought back so many happy memories,wish I was still there.

Sheilamarchant (nee)  Bennett (shebob@bigpond.com) on Wednesday, December 26, 2001 at 11:47:26
town: Bomaderry  N.S.W.
country: Australia
comment: I found this most interesting, being an old pupil of Wrotham Secondary School.From 1952-1955. Mrs S P Marchant.

chris genn (chrisgenn@hotmail.com) on Monday, December 17, 2001 at 18:36:33
town: godstone
country: england
comment: mark what difficult times has woodward helped u through? im the one who helps u. they call me motherm teresa and its not cos of my nobbly kness also wrotham school toilets have to be the finest toilets in britain!!!!!!!! xxx to everyone at wrotham school email; me

james coram (jimmyjanbo@hotmail.com) on Monday, December 17, 2001 at 08:32:48
town: wrotham
comment: hi, i use to live, work (paper round), eat, sleep and breathe wrotham air. i also use to attend the schools. im now living in hastings a missing wrotham so much. please bring me back

fraser wood (lyndhurst77@hotmail.com) on Monday, December 17, 2001 at 08:26:41
town: borough green
comment: hi im fraser
i like to pretend to be other people (aka cook, genn) please shot me now moderator if you are reading this please deleate that post he had done on the email address (yohomufc@hotmail.com).

Mark Cook (yohomufc@hotmail.com) on Saturday, December 15, 2001 at 21:59:04
town: Chicken farm rd West Malling
country: england
comment: I have spent the past six years at wrotham school and i am currently doing my a-levels there. I really like my school because it has given the opportunity to grow up in such beautiful surroundings for which i am grateful. At wrotham i have made lots of friends like john page and mark woodward, who have, in the past helped me through some difficult times.
P.S this is a great website for such a great traditional english village.Keep up the good work!

frag wood (lyndhurst77@hotmail.com) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 14:46:43
town: borough green
country: england
comment: hi
you may of seen my sisters post in 1999 (scroll down) i am her brother. dONT BELIEVE WHAT SHE SES, it is a lovly villa.

joe woodhams (spudulike@hotmail.com) on Thursday, December 13, 2001 at 14:46:38
town: Otford
country: England
comment: i like to eat pies (chicken and mushroom/ ham and cheese) and i also think that wrotham is a fine village fit for queens like *** ***, my dear friend.

Cynthia Jay (cindyjay@tds.net) on Friday, November 23, 2001 at 21:25:11
town: New Glarus, Wisconsin
country: U.S. A.
comment: My husband is British, from the Southwest...When we travel, we arrive at Heathrow and make tired, wild ride toward Salisbury.  We visit famitly and avoid London and the east.  Someday we will visit. I promised my dad that I would.  He was in the American Air Force and loved Kent.......Mendenhall.  I need to go there..

Michael Yates ( Mike_Yates@rowdy105.freeserve.co.uk ) on Sunday, November 18, 2001 at 02:59:20
town: Calgary
country:
Could anyone help please. I have been asked by Ms Oda Sander who attended
Wrotham Green School ( 1948 to 1952? ) and then Maidstone Tech School 1952,
for any information of the following pupils who attended then. Oda would
like to get in touch.

Audrey Tring nee. May. Last known address was Snodland ( who also had a
brother David who, according to Oda, is two years younger than Audrey).

Paul Allen (pcallen@shaw.ca) on Sunday, November 18, 2001 at 02:59:20
town: Calgary
country: Canada

Janice Green nee Hills (JAGREEN53@bigpond.com) on Sunday, November 18, 2001 at 02:09:50
town: CRANBOURNE
country: AUSTRALIA
comment: Things have changed since I lived here.  So many more events.

Clive Thomas (clive@broteham.freeserve.co.uk) on Thursday, November 8, 2001 at 18:57:34
town: Wrotham
comment: Extract from Journal of Kent History review (Sept. 2001)of Wrotham Millennium video - " A Place in English History"   ' Any town or village ... would have been extremely proud to have produced something of this quality.  The video tells a good story and does it in a balanced way using well researched information and some excellent photographs and film, old and new.'

Claire Beautridge (cbeautridge@unitel.co.uk) on Wednesday, November 7, 2001 at 09:00:05
town: Wrotham
country: England
comment: Its a beautiful place and I am very proud to have been a part of it throughout my life

Veronica Maddocks ( vmaddocks@sympatico.ca )
your village is truly beautiful. thank you.

Thomas Birch (tbirch@nasaa-arts.org) on Monday, November 5, 2001 at 17:06:28
town: Washington, DC
country: USA
comment: Thanks for the very informative tour of Wrotham.  I can't wait to visit.  I am a descendant of the Clerke family of Forde Hall, so I would be interested to find any trace of that place.

Peter.radford@brunel.ac.uk () on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 12:23:56
town: Burford, Oxon
comment: I am beginning research on Wrotham at the end of the 18th century.  I am particularly interseted in the lives that people there would have lived.  My work is focussing on a 15 year-old Wrotham girl who was a good runner.

debbie webb (debs@fourpaws.fsnet.co.uk) on Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 00:57:13
town: finchley
comment: i used to be a pupil at wrotham secondary modern living in one of the houses opposite it for many years.
my mother was the local driving school instructor and my dad worked part time in fb caines.

Kim Brimacombe (kim.brimacombe@ualberta.ca) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 19:54:11
town: Edmonton, Alberta
country: Canada
comment: I was searching for the name "Phyall" which is my maiden name when I found a link to this page.

N Jones (n1ngj@yahoo.com) on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 11:33:15
town: North Yorkshire
country: UK
comment: I was looking for information on Bluewater Shopping centre, found your link and have really enjoyed the tour round Wrotham. I used to know a lady called Doreen Thomas who lived in the High Street [I think]- is she still there? I remember the village pre motorway - serious improvement without the traffic bludgeoning through it. Great site which could easily have entertained me for longer - I'll visit again and hope you may have even more info! Regards.

Jessica (www.jessica.roper@talk21.com) on Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 15:18:59
town: England
country: U.K
comment: Thanx so much for setting up this site, it's helped me so my with my schoolwork!

john gledhill () on Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 21:48:26
town: West Malling
country: Uk
comment: I am helping my daughter with her history homework - she goes to the Wrotham School;  thanks for your help!

andrew rogers (andrew_rogers_wrotham@hotmail.com) on Monday, October 8, 2001 at 17:40:45
town: mississauga, ontario
country: canada
comment: I was born and raised in Wrotham (1960 - 1991) but moved to Canada in 1991 when I married a Canadian girl.  Enjoyed visiting the site.

Mrs Cuttill () on Sunday, October 7, 2001 at 18:06:46
town: vigo village

cawk@genie.co.uk (Emma Carver) on Sunday, October 7, 2001 at 16:46:22
cawk@genie.co.uk (Emma Carver) on Sunday, October 7, 2001 at 16:46:22
comment: I think this website is very good and i hope it helps me with my home work
Thank you, bye Emma
FROM Wrotham School

paul wayman (wayman.clan@tinyonline.co.uk) on Sunday, October 7, 2001 at 12:36:48
town: west kingsdown,7oaks
country: england
comment: i am using sight to research village history for school project

Emma Asbury. (Asbury Haulage@AOL.com) on Saturday, October 6, 2001 at 18:31:02
town: Maidstone.
country: England
comment: I'm in year seven at Wrotham school and I think this web site is great. I'm doing a project about Wrotham Village at the moment and it really has inspired me a lot.

James Powell (James Powell@ tesco.net) on Saturday, October 6, 2001 at 12:38:40
town: Maidstone
country: England

Jill Jarvis (jillpjarvis@aol.com) on Sunday, September 30, 2001 at 20:00:17
town: New Ash Green
country: England
comment: Very good site, any more historic information would be great

Pauline Garnar Wainwright (pauline.wainwright1@virgin.net) on Sunday, September 23, 2001 at 22:37:31
town: Manchester
country: UK
comment: I was very interested in your section about the Old Palace, Wrotham as a cousin of my grandfather, Sydney Robert Garnar, lived there in the 1930's (according to Kelly's Directory of Kent).  I would be grateful if you had any further information about him?

Mark Atherton (maba20099@cableinet.co.uk) on Saturday, September 15, 2001 at 17:06:18
town: wrotham
country: england
comment: Very nice to see the teachers!! remembering people like mr bains, The very talented mr smith, Mrs cannon, And my geography teacher mr scett?? i think. It would be very nice to see head teachers pictures through the years! Keep up the good work. Best regards,
 Mark Atherton

Alan Dell (AlanDell@aol.com) on Saturday, September 15, 2001 at 05:39:59
town: Edenbridge
country: UK
comment: Would you be kind enough to let me know if you are in touch with a Mrs Jayne Semple, presently abroad, who has some expertise on the history of Wrotham  ??    Thank you

Kathleen Sherfick () on Thursday, September 13, 2001 at 00:43:45
town: Knoxville TN
country: USA
comment: We hope to be in Wrotham Sept 24

Jane Law (hjanelaw@yahoo.com) on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 at 21:54:25
town: Blackburn
country: Lancashire
comment: Hello
My mother Sue Clegg, nee Burgess, was brought up in Wrotham and lived at Northdown (house name) in Wrotham from 1935 to c 1943. She never returned after this time and would love to know what happened to her former home.  From memory, the house was close to the recreation ground, although she heard from an aunt some years ago that it had burned down. My mother, now 70, spent many happy years in Wrotham and has no known living relatives to give her any further information. Her grandparents owned Northdown and they were called William and Helen Burgess. He owned market gardens, a quarry and he founded Malling aerodrome as I understand.

My mother has many memories of village life including the Edmeads? family. We would love to hear from you as any information about Wrotham and the family connections would fill in the blanks in our family history. My mum thinks she has a photo of Northdown and I can forward this when found!!

Valerie How (newforest@home.com) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 at 18:33:12
town: Calgary Alberta
country: Canada
comment: Haven't viewed the page as yet but anything that helps with the "hobby' Of tracing ones family roots is always appreciated.
 My husbands family of HOW and my family of BROAD came from this area. WE lived in Kent until 1975, didn't think much of the family history then, now I live in Canada it is a full time hobby.
Many thanks, Valerie HOW

Roger Pettet (rpettet@home.com) on August 17, 2001 at 18:59:41
town: Toronto, Canada
comment: Enjoyed re-visiting your web site. Surprised to see it was May '99 since i last communicated. I spent a pleasant 2 nights this last May at "The Rose and Crown." I walked along Kemsing rd past my old house("The Fort") and was saddened to see that all the fruit orchards past Battlefields are gone. I did find bluebells remembered from childhood still growing on Wrotham Hill. I heard that Clem East was seriously ill, perhaps the last immediate link with my past in Wrotham. I hope that he recovered although it didn't sound too hopeful. Facinating to read the comments since I last wrote- Several ex Wrotham school children need lessons in spelling- I spent a brief time at Wrotham Primary school. No pencils or paper, it was chalk and chalkboards. I hated it and was quickly transfered to Borough Green Primary under a Mr Hickman. I enjoyed the "virtual" tour but would have liked to see shots of the village without cars!!
Keep up the good work.

EARLE WILLIAM EPPS (eppsfl@aol.com) on Thursday, August 9, 2001 at 23:23:20
town: Lakeland, Florida
country: US

John Street (jwstreet@oast.netkonect.co.uk) on Monday, July 23, 2001 at 21:49:51
town: Orpington
comment: A very pleasant village to walk around with the added attraction that it's only down the road.

T.C.Slaughter (festering1@webtv.net) on Friday, July 20, 2001 at 11:44:45
comment: What a wonderfull and neat little town!

elisa (arearea@katamail.com) on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 18:59:04
country: italy
comment: I'm moving to wrotham next month as an exchange student and I'm looking for friends over there...if you want you can email me thanks

Charlotte Croft () on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 13:32:34
town: Whitstable
country: England
comment: Very nice!!!

william brannen (elchoncho@hotmail.com) on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 01:47:24
town: savannah, georgia
country: usa (currently live in japan)
comment: Dear friends of Wrotham,
I plan to visit your community this week, and I am very much looking forward to experiencing the sights and atmosphere of your beautiful  home town.
Cheers!

Ken and Kathleen Sherfick (Ksherfick@ol.com) on Friday, July 13, 2001 at 22:18:13
town: Knoxville, Tennessee
country: USA
comment: We will be hiking along the Pilgrims' Way/Northdowns Way in September and will be looking for bed and breakfasts along the way.

Frank Nicholson (frank@nicholsonf.fsnet.co.uk) on Sunday, July 8, 2001 at 21:37:16
town: Stroud (formerly Hornsea)
country: Gloucestershire (formerly East Yorkshire)
comment: Very professional and interesting site - well done and please keep it fresh and alive.

leah davis (leahlovestoby@hotmail.com) on Friday, June 22, 2001 at 13:43:46
town: england
country: wrotham
comment: hi attended wrothem school thes year although i was  stupid i was  pretty and im going to be a model i would like to apologise to some people they no who they are for being such a lieing cow :-)anyway this is a great site and i love wrotham keep up the good work chaps

chris genn (chrisgenn@hotmail.com) on Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 14:23:45
town: maidstone(well used 2)
country: england
comment: hi my names chris i am the coolest person ever to set foot in wrotham dont deny it p.s if anyone from wrothaM OR KNOWS ME EMAIL ME COS IM SO GREAT HELLO TO EVERYONE P.S well done gcses geezers. strewth

alex smith (asmith30@aol.com) on Monday, June 18, 2001 at 11:59:42
town: yeovil
country: somerset

chris genn (chrisgenn@hotmail.com) on Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 09:34:39
comment: hi i  attended wrotham school from 1996_2001 during my time i established my self as the heart throb of the school.sadly in january this year i moved up to norfolk and broke alot of peoples hearts.wrotham is a cool little village i have mates there called chris bish and james coram.mr thompson is a great head master.strewth

Mrs Alison Westguard (alison@westoils.com) on Friday, June 15, 2001 at 19:10:31
town: Gloucester
country: Gloucestershire
comment: i used to live in Wrotham as a child and attended the village school

steven moore (therealhotboyuk@yahoo.co.uk) on Thursday, June 7, 2001 at 14:17:59
town: borough green
country: england
comment: i go to wrotham school and it rocks

Candie Horton (candieroo@aol.co) on Monday, May 28, 2001 at 08:06:56
town: rainham
comment: Thank you for letting me share this fascinating glimpse of Wrotham.  I teach local history and came through yesterday to see for myself and then found all your information which puts it all into perspective, thank you.

C David (Celticman1953@hotmail.com) on Saturday, May 12, 2001 at 12:09:52
town: Cardiff
country: Wales UK
comment: Couldnt quite get to walk around it but looks nice

Lois Woodgate () on Friday, May 4, 2001 at 17:14:56
town: Orpington
country: England
comment: I first moved to Wrotham in 1996. I didn't want to but there you go! We moved here because it was nice and quiet and in the country side with nice veiws. I settled very nicely because there very nice people. I went to ST Georges Primary school and if you're thinking of moving I would recommened this Primary school because there very nice and kind. I've moved to Wrotham Secondary which is just as good!

elisa scaraggi (arearea@katamail.com) on Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at 18:15:39
town: bitonto
country: italy

Michael Phyall ( mickphyall@tinyworld.co.uk ) on Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at 12:25
My father Kenneth Freddrick Phyall moved to the |North East of England during the 2nd World War with his parents, Edith and Freddrick George Phyall, also with their daughter Sylvia.   The family were from Seven Oaks, Kent. I would love to her from anyone with the same family name or have contacts with that name.
elisa scaraggi (arearea@katamail.com) on Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at 18:15:39

Robert Newby (robert.newby@m3group.com) on Friday, April 27, 2001 at 15:14:57
town: Sevenoaks
country: England
comment: Excellent web site

olive yeates (grillsie@hotmail.com) on Saturday, April 21, 2001 at 14:38:09
town: newton abbot
country: england
comment: i used to live in wrotham as a child, and up until 1939 when the war started and I was evacuated to  Chard in Somerset but my aunt still lived in wrotham.  It has been very nice to see pictures of the village as I used to live in Pilgims Way No 3.

jjclark ( jc@jeffclark.com ) 06 April 2001 18:03
USA
I am looking for someone to do  a rubbing of one of the brasses in the Church. Sir William Clerk & wife were ancestors and i would like to frame the rubbing for my wall. I would be willing to pay someone for their efforts and for the mailing to the USA

town: william e hughes ( Rootem44@aol.com )
country: louisville ky, u.s.a.
In december 1944,prior to posting to India,I was an honored guest of His Majesty,at the pre-octu in Wrotham. Are there any relics of this formidable obstacle to a
commission in said Majesty's armed forces.
william e hughes

Les Goodridge ( madhouse@goodridge99.freeserve.co.uk )
town: Plaxtol
country: UK
Dear Scarecrow, Just researching the Buss family from Plaxtol Road, Wrotham. Any family out there? please get in touch. Great site! Regards
Les Goodridge.

Ray F. Boyle (rfboyle@telstra.easymail.com.au) on Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 08:44:00
town: North Rockhampton, Queensland
country: Australia
comment: My great-great grandfather Revd John Ramsden Wollaston was Curate of Wrotham 1814-1815. He then mioved to become Vicar of Elenham 1815-1818, Essex and Permanant Curate, West Wickham Cambridge 1825-1842. He migtated to Western Australia and became the first Archdeacon of the Colony Of Western Australia. I was not able to download all the information on your page, but was interested in what i could.
With best wishes, Ray Boyle.

Elizabeth Barber (ejbarber@talk21.com) on Wednesday, March 28, 2001 at 22:34:43
town: Greenwich
country: England
comment: Marvelous website. I stayed in Wrotham with my school to do a Geography field trip, it is a beautiful area, and this website has been a great help with my project!

Paulene Green ( Ronandpaulene@aol.com )
Canterbury
Grandmother on father's side  Annie Maud Phyall was born in St Marys Lane Wrotham in 1887.  Her parents were both born in Wrotham, mother at Nepicar and father at St Mary Platt.  Grandparents married at Wrotham Church, and I have many, many relatives buried at St Georges Church from around 1700.  Grandparent, one Henry Chalklin,  on mother's side was a churchwarden at the church back in the 1700s and another helped run the workhouse, and another was a carpenter and made the coffins.

Julian Agnew ( Julian.Agnew@reuters.com )
Good site, innovative tour guide.  I know the village quite well as I have friends who live in West Street. Last year I watched the Wrotham Players perform The Female Version of The Odd Couple. A good evening's entertainment.  Regards.

Sally Vale (sally.n.vale@btinternet.com) on Saturday, March 10, 2001 at 18:51:48
town: Bexhill
country: England
comment: I'm interested in Wrotham for primary students

Liz Abbott (abbottliz@tallships.ca) on Monday, March 5, 2001 at 23:00:26
town: Calgary
country: Canada
comment: Hi, glad to see your website; these local websites are the best way to learn in-depth facts about individual communities. Nice artwork!

Chris Ogden (oggy43@netscapeonline.co.uk) on Friday, February 23, 2001 at 11:18:21
town: Leeds, Maidstone,
comment: I understand I was born in lovely Wrotham on 15th March 1943..... It was in wartime 'Cottage Hospital' now demolished or replaced? and I would like to know exactly where in Wrotham please. I would be very grateful.

Wynn Jones Rees (wynn@rees73.fsnet.co.uk) on Sunday, February 18, 2001 at 16:19:20
town: Maesteg
country: Bridgend
comment: I have been a visitor to Wrotham for nearly fifty years and have enjoyed each and every visit.My connection with Wrotham is that my dear,dear uncle was the late George Medhurst the local butcher whome I am lead to believe,was a very popular and much loved son of Wrotham. I certainly found him to be a person of great integrity and sincerity and I know that he was very proud of his village and all the residents in and around it.

Yen ( hai.yen@lineone.net )
town:
country:
comment: i think your page is great and very informative. It's the only one with good information on Wrotham that i've found and it's proved invaluable for the work that I have to do in geography with regards to Wrotham. Although it is very detailed, i still feel that little is known about the village at present apart from the current pictures that are in the tour. Is there a way of finding out the population of Wrotham for instance, and how it's been growing? Or to have a look at the area surrounding Wrotham to get a better view of the area. what is its geology like? what are the future plans for the village? although these suggestions may not seem very useful, they may prove to be interesting for some, and of course espcially useful to me. do u know if people are happy in the village, what they feel about it, why they moved there instead of living in the big cities? i hope u can respond to this.

Peter Meiklejohn (meiklem@freenetname.co.uk) on Tuesday, February 6, 2001 at 16:33:34
comment: In my web aite www.amkkm.org.uk I want to include the plaque on the wall (below the church?) refereing to the officer who was shot.  I have a photograph somewhere. Can you kindly e-maikl me the inscription and the O/S 6 figure map ref
Would you object if I include your web address?
Thanks   Peter Meiklejohn

Charlie Wallington cwalling@gofree.indigo.ie
town: Naas, Co. Kildare.
country: Ireland
comment: hia scarecrow,   Well what a nice surprise to see a website on my old school, I myself went their to be educated between 1983 to 1986. I still have contact with a few good friends that I made at Wrotham school. Fifteen years later I now live in and work in Ireland and have been here for Five years. Probably the two teachers I most admired at the time were Mr Stokes who took me for maths a subject that I exceled in and still enjoy, and Mr Everest for P.E. another subject I used to love. Reading your guest book it's also great to see Mr Hooker still their. Maybe you could have a guestbook in the school website for ex-pupils to leave comments......would be quite interesting. I forgot to mention any old school chums check out  http://kingchaz.homestead.com

Jillian <semark@wantree.com.au () on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 at 09:26:30
town: Perth, Western Australia
comment: What a wonderful website, it made Wrotham come alive for me.  Previously it had only been a name associated with my family history, now, thanks to this web site, it has come alive for me.

Rob Evans (preprint@supanet.com) on Monday, January 22, 2001 at 22:28:49
town: Whyteleafe
country: Surrey
comment: I have not completed the tour as yet, but am pleasantly surprised to find info on this town - I wanted to know if there is a school in the town, and if not, where the nearest might be, both junior and secondary. I don't suppose I'll find them on the tour, but I'll take it anyway.
Thanks Rob Evans
(Hoping to become Kentish soon)

anne scammell (ascammell@ukgateway.net) on Thursday, January 18, 2001 at 22:32:55
town: sevenoaks
country: kent
comment: I'm doing an essay on how the establishment of the ecclesiastical palace of Wrotham affected the way in which the village developed between 1200 & 1550. Any info?

 (Eleanor Hirschberg) on Wednesday, January 17, 2001 at 21:55:25
town: Redbridge, Ontario,
country: Canada

john davies (jdavies51@cableinet.co.uk) on Sunday, January 14, 2001 at 11:43:38
town: Aldrige West Midlands
country: England
comment: The village of Wrotham holds many happy memories for me. My late mother Mabel Ivy Savill was born in the village at Butts Hill cottages later moving to 44 Pilgrims way. My mother was one of 14 children and was the only one to move away from the area. Her 2 remaining sisters live in Borough Green. We often visit Wrotham on the way back north from Dover to visit the graveyard where my grandparents are buried. It is a tranquil place in the late afternoon. The place has changed little over the years. I mourn the passing of the butchers shop opposite the George (where my grandfather spent many happy hours),and the old tree at battlefields road junction.But the village is still a very beautiful haven.
If anyone was researching the savill clan I have full details of the whole family and would be pleased to pass this information on.

Steve Larking (stevel@paradise.net.nz) on Saturday, December 30, 2000 12:21
country: New Zealand
Subject: Stephen Larking old Wrotham School stdent
Hi There   a great site brings back a lot of memories, I would love to chat with others who attended Wrotham School in 1970 to 1973. I am Steve Larking and attended school then with my brothers Len and Shaun.

Todd Stanley (tstanley@ix.netcom.com) on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at 03:32:08
town: Battle Creek, MI
country: USA
comment: Distant relatives of mine lived in Wrotham in the late 19th century.  George Lambert Stanley was a blacksmith who lived on High Street in 1881.

Richa Eland (eland@frognet.net) on Sunday, November 19, 2000 at 00:39:11
town: Athens, OH
country: USA
comment: We have the third Affen in our family and are smitten.  I just made my first rescue of an Affen from a shelter, thanks to Nancy Holmes of FLying Monkey Kennels.It has been a truely  rewarding experience.  If anyone ever needs a rescue house for an Affen, I hope you will contact me.

Helen Brooks (helen.brooks@vma.co.uk) on Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 08:55:42
town: West Malling
country: England
comment: I have printed off your website for my daughter who goes to Wrotham School and is doing a project on the village. I'm sure she will find it very useful.

john a. clark (jackclark528@aol.com) on Wednesday, October 25, 2000 at 19:46:48
town: solon,ohio
country: usa
comment: would like more info on forde place and e.farleigh

Wendy Vaughan Sawler (wendys@novexinc.com) on Sunday, October 22, 2000 at 14:30:33
town: Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Jodie Barrows (missjo79@hotmail.com) on Saturday, October 21, 2000 at 23:18:33
town: Leybourne
country: England
comment: I left Wrotham school, this summer after passing all of my GCSE's.
I found the history of the school quite intersting.  My form tutor for the first 3 years of my wrotham school life was Mrs. Ann Cannon. She retired in 1998 after 25 years of teaching at Wrotham. Me and a small group of friends created a scrap book for her when she left, with signatures and messages of her currnet form group and all memebers of staff. My five years of Wrotham were quite interesting. The head master Mr. George Thompson was a lovely, caring man with a good sense of humor. He always put the school first and managed to make the school very popular. The number of pupils increased by nearly 150 over the 5 years i was there.

The science huts still remain were they originally were. Science and French are now taught in them. In 1997 a new building was built at the top of the playground. This building, although standing out like a sore thumb with its blue metal framework and dark glass, helps releave the main building of huge crowds of pupils. Art and Technology is taugh in this block.

Mr. Trevor Ashley, left the school in the summer of 2000, along with 8 other teachers. The Younger Farmers club, of which i was a member during my first year at Wrotham, stopped running and sold all the animals in 1997. The farm buildings were then converted into Geography classrooms. The head of Geography is currently Mr. Neil Parker, a quite excellent teacher who knows his stuff and how to teach it with interest.

The deputy heads are Mr. Clive Hooker and Mr. Richard Meridith.

Christmas Concerts and Caberets in the summer, are held every year. they are organised by the music teacher Mrs. J. Robinson. There are usually large amounts of pupils willing to participate in these events, singing, dancing and acting, whether they have talent or not!

Wrotham School is an ever expanding school with lots of good teachers. My little sister still has 2 more years at Wrotham and no doubt will experience more changes in the school.

Jodie Barrows, Former Student.

Rowan Dover () on Saturday, October 14, 2000 at 09:53:17
town: East Malling
comment: I go to Wrotham school, I am in year 7 and we are doing a Geography project about Wrotham village.I am going to use the Wrotham tour website to help me.

Philippa Ansell (marcus@ansells.freeserve.co.uk) on Thursday, October 12, 2000 at 21:13:16
town: Borough Green
country: England
comment: Hi,
Just doing my geography homework for Wrotham Secondary School. I had to get my dad to find your site; it took him half an hour. Perhaps you need to register it with more search engines, as I don't think I would have ever found it. He said he used the search words Tonbridge and Malling and if we had not lived in the district we would nerve have known to try that.
Anyway, thanks for the help, my teacher will be pleased.

Philippa

Janet Weatherhogg (Janhogg@AOL.com) on Monday, October 2, 2000 at 18:05:44
town: Topeka, Kansas
country: U.S.A.

Julia Dowling (jdowling@lon.fasken.com) on Monday, October 2, 2000 at 14:32:30
town: Meopham
country: England

golin@bellsouth.net (Linda Bowers) on Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 03:07:01
town: Palm Bay, Florida
country: U.S.A.
comment: I'm just an Anglophile looking and searching the Web.

Jose (jose@lifeofrileyclub.co.uk) on Saturday, September 2, 2000 at 09:16:26
town: Halkyn
country: Wales UK
comment: My son came to visit me recently.  He lives in Wrotham but is not into computers at all.  I showed him your site.  He thought it was very good and told me of different things in the area and was able to show me them on the map.  Well done.  We will have a look at it together next time he is up here.  Thanks for helping us to share.

Gail Koppanyi (gkoppany@home.com) on Sunday, August 27, 2000 at 21:06:09
town: Winnipeg, Manitoba
country: Canada
comment: Thank you very much, I really enjoyed the walking tour of Wrotham.  I am hoping that you can help me with some research that I am doing on my family tree. I have information on my family tree that indicates that William Bennett, my Great Great Grandfather, was a publican at "Spring Tavern" London Road, Wrotham, Kent.  I have been unable to find a pub with this name.  William Bennett was born in 1831, so he must have been there in the 1850's or beyond. I would greatly appreciate any information that is available in regards to Bennetts or the Spring Tavern.
Regards Gail

Jeff Bing (bing@sii.edu) on Thursday, August 24, 2000 at 20:11:16
town: Phoenix
country: United States
comment: While researching my family tree, I discovered that my earliest known relative Thomas Byng was from Wrotham. He was born around 1477. One of these days, I hope to visit there. If anyone has more information, please let me know. Thank you, Jeff

Ben Merchant (benmerchant@another.com) on Wednesday, August 23, 2000 at 19:22:44
town: maidstone
country: england

Jim Barr (jim@barr.net) on Wednesday, August 16, 2000 at 17:28:11
town: Buffalo Grove, Illinois
country: USA
comment: After a bit of poking around on the Internet, I uncovered an ancestory listing on FamilySearch.org that revealed that my mother's family, BING, can be traced back to a Thomas BYNG born in 1477 in Wrotham.  What a wonderful find!  If you are interested, you can check out my site at http://jim.barr.net/ancestory/ which details more information. Also, if anyone knows of any further history of the BYNG family, please let me know!
I would be most greatful!
-Jim Barr
(I just found your site that gives us a tour of Wrotham!  What a neat thing to see. The other night, I spent a few hours on the Internet searching some genealogy sites and found that on my mother's side of the family, we can trace our ancestory back to a Thomas BYNG born 1477 in Wrotham, England. This not only helped fill in a lot of unknown information about my mother's side of the family, but it also substantiated our assumption that the BING name originated in England.  (BYNG became BING when they moved to the USA.) (If you are interested, you can check out my site at http://jim.barr.net/ancestory/ )

Again, thanks for providing a photo tour of Wrotham.  My wife and I travelled to London last year (and had a FANTASTIC time), and if we travel back, we will definatly take a trip to Wrotham!
-Jim)

Jackie () on Friday, July 21, 2000 at 14:57:16
town: London
country: England
comment: I think that Wrotham is a great place to visit and live in, but I've been finding it hard to find information on it, so I was very plased when I came to this web site, as it has helped me to further my research on wrotham

LUANNE CHOWNING (Luanne.chowning@worldnet.att.net) on Tuesday, July 18, 2000 at 01:56:38
town: ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
country: USA
comment: What a great looking place to be from! My gggg.... George Chowning was born there and then later moved to the Virginia.  Will visit your town the 26th of September.  Would love more information on it.  How hard is it to come from Gatwick or Heathrow Airports?  I will be bussing or training it from there.  I then travel on to Scotland, etc.  If you have any ideas of where to start sight seeing first, let me know.  Thanks for your website.  Great job!

ross layberry (ralayberry@hotmail.com) on Saturday, July 15, 2000 at 19:57:22
town: kinburn, near ottawa
country: canada

J Bryant (JB@westkingsdown.net) on Thursday, July 6, 2000 at 00:12:58
town: West Kingsdown
country: UK
comment: Hello from the village just above Wrotham.
You may be interested to know that West Kingsdown has followed your lead and now has a community website: West Kingsdown Community Pages
www.westkingsdown.net
Of particular interest might be the view from the top of Wrotham Hill - although a little hazy:  www.westkingsdown.net/html/countryside.html

Daniel James Hooker (derek_rocholl@lineone.net) on Sunday, June 18, 2000 at 19:36:43
town: LONDON
country: England
comment: I went here on a school trip(from the school where Miss Pyne teaches)on Friday 16 June.  It was fabulous and a lot less busy than Hendon where our school is.  The best things were the primary school and the church and I also loved the things on the new sign.

Michael (mwhite@whoofmail.com) on Monday, June 12, 2000 at 11:14:13
town: Croydon
country: UK
comment: The new video of the village is excellent and compliments this web site perfectly. It traces the history of the village, from present day, back to the last millennium. I thoroughly recommend buying the video (details on front page) and then re-visiting this wonderful site.  

robert goldspink () on Saturday, June 10, 2000 at 15:11:54
town: santa cruz california

Kim (brogan-ding@home.com) on Friday, June 9, 2000 at 04:09:48
town: Bonita, California
country: USA
comment: Lovely Town!

Lin Sullivan (rsullivan.penetang@sympatico.ca) on Monday, June 5, 2000 at 16:34:45
town: Penetanguishene
country: Canada
comment: Hi - I am hoping to see pictures of Wrotham Manor and maybe find some leads for more information on the Pollard family who lived there in the 18th century

Jeff Clark (jc@jeffclark.com) on Thursday, June 01, 2000 at 12:26 PM
town USA
comment: Subject: brass rubbing
I am looking for someone to do  a rubbing of one of the brasses in the Church. Sir William Clerk & wife were ancestors and i would like to frame the rubbing for my wall. I would be willing to pay someone for their efforts and for the mailing to the USA

Christoph Bull (Miller Road) on Sunday, May 28, 2000 at 21:53:42
town: Chalk,Kent.
comment: I just enjoy websites such as yours as they help to promote Kent to its own people and those abroad, well done, Christoph Bull. 28.5.2000.

tony byng (tony@tonybyng.com) on Saturday, May 27, 2000 at 16:59:05
town: emsworth
comment: I am trying to discover if the Portsmouth branch of the Byng family is linked to the Wrotham Byngs. If anybody has any genealogy records that would help, please e-mail me
many thanks
Tony Byng

Renate Gammon (gammonj@cyberbeach.net) on Tuesday, May 9, 2000 at 13:51:04
town: Canada
country: Sudbury, Ontario
comment: I have visited my cousins Chris and Wendy Walkden in Wrotham several times and....I LOVE THIS SMALL TOWN!!!!!!!

Michael White (Mwhite@whoofmail.com) on Friday, May 5, 2000 at 08:16:55
town: Wrotham
country: England
comment: Brilliant!  Would like to know more about Wrotham Place, Wrotham House, Masonic hall, Wrotham Palace and all the other fascinating buildings.

Stephen Ellis (stephen.ellis@cheam47.freeserve.co.uk) on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 at 22:44:23
town: Cheam, Surrey
country: England
comment: I am the head of the Margaret McMillan House Field Centre in Wrotham Kent. Our centre uses Wrotham frequently with visiting students. We have developed extensive resources about the village and we are looking to further our knowledge. If anyone is interested in developing links with the Centre, please give us a call on 01732 822 651. We look forward from hearing from you,
Yours,
Stephen Ellis

Hannah Pyne (hannah@hjspyne.fsnet.co.uk) on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 at 21:13:05
town: Chesham
country: England
comment: Fabulous site!  My sister and her husband live here and I can see why they love Wrotham so much.  I am a teacher and my Year 3 class are using Wrotham to compare local areas (they live in Hendon).  Hopefully we can visit soon.

Alec Stevenson (Caldhame@ukgateway.net) on Saturday, April 29, 2000 at 14:21:07
town: Tayport, Fife
comment: Most interesting to me.  My grandmother lived at "North Down" Wrotham and my grandfather at "Ash Place" (Was this also in Wrotham or actually in Ash?).   They moved to "Ashbrook" Sevenoaks in 1900

jdavies51@cableinet.co.uk (John H Davies) on Saturday, April 29, 2000 at 11:01:55
town: aldridge walsall west midlands
country: UK
comment: an excellent site. My mothers family were based in wrotham and though there only remains 3 of the 14 savill clan  I still visit the village regularly.If anyone is researching family history of the savill family residing in Pilgrims way I would be pleased to help.

Stephanie Watson (Stumpyone@tinyworld.co.uk) on Monday, April 17, 2000 at 13:48:17
town: Tonbridge
country: kent

C A Brigden (cbrigdn@aol.com) on Thursday, April 13, 2000 at 00:48:28
town:
country:
comment: Dear Scarecrow
From your homepage, which is very good by the way, I have just discovered an ancestor of mine - Solomon Brigden, who leased the Bull between 1772-84. I know that his descendants lived and worked in the Bull Yard as blacksmiths between that time and at least 1861 (according to census). I have visited the Bull twice and spoke to publican who couldn't give me any information. I believe that the vestiges of the smithy are now in the Buttery. From your account of the history of the Bull I was also fascinated to find out that the family name of the first recorded licencee was Beecher. My family have used Beecher as a second christian name from 1780s to today, (my father has it), for reasons that they did not know! Solomon's son was Joseph Beecher Brigden. I wonder if you have any other information or sources that might be useful to my family research? I would be really grateful for any light that you could show.
Thanks

David Swan (david.swan1@which.net) on Friday, March 31, 2000 at 05:23:28
town: West Farleigh, Maidstone
country: UK
comment: Just 10 minutes down the road! I am the Parish Clerk here and one of my Councillors who is setting up a web site for West Farleigh suggested I look at yours to see just what could be achieved. Very impressive!
Kind regards
David Swan

CDP (phelan@90dolphins.freeserve.co.uk) on Thursday, March 30, 2000 at 15:26:26
town: Folkestone
country: England
comment: Excellent site - I followed the link from Sandwich web site - which is also excellent
Good idea to put Town/Country in Guestbook for added interest to comments.

Helen Smith (richard.smith@richardin2home.co.uk) on Sunday, March 26, 2000 at 21:49:18
town: Bishop's Stortford
country: Herts
comment: Have family in village (Green Hill House)

roger (egas56@aol) on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 at 22:58:09
town: wrotham
country: england
comment: i am an old cber

Andreas Sarker (andreas@srkr.freeserve.co.uk) on Saturday, March 18, 2000 at 11:06:11
town: Leicester
country: UK
Dear Scarecrow
comment: I have been researching my wife's family history for a number of years, through which I have made contact with some cousins of hers in Australia.  One of these cousins has just advised me that her grandfather (Charles Handley) lived in 1918 at Home Farm, Hodsoll St, Wrotham (which is a little surprising, as he came from Lancashire), so I used a search engine to try and locate pertinent information.  You seem to have the most comprehensive site on Wrotham, but concentrate on the village of today.  Please could you put me in contact with someone who might be able to help me further?  I have not been able to find Hodsoll St, so perhaps it was obliterated by the motorway?  I would be most grateful for any help you can offer.
Regards Andreas

caroline rapp (shep@prog34.freeserve.co.uk) on Sunday, March 12, 2000 at 17:29:38
town: wrotham
country: England
comment: me and my children briony and liam have lived in wrotham for four years it is a lovely village and very friendly we would not want to live anywhere else  the village school is very good and the george pup is good for a friendly drink

Sue Hesk (sue.hesk@lineone.net) on Sunday, March 5, 2000 at 20:37:24
town: Harrow
country: UK

Diane Beery (cdbeery@pacbell.net) on Thursday, February 24, 2000 at 19:17:41
town: San Diego, CA
country: USA

Frank Morris (frank.morris@sympatico.ca) on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 01:47:01
town: Mississauga, Ontario
country: Canada
comment: In the late  60's and early 70's I lived up the hill in Meopham.Since that time I have moved about quite a lot but have yet to find finer suroundings than those which you enjoy. It's great to make a virtual visit old haunts. Excellent work I have located virtual tours of Hull, Cottingham & Beverley. Perhaps you could Email me with other sites, if time permits - Thanks
Frank

ian (jerryibooze@hotmail.com) on Thursday, February 3, 2000 at 15:47:04
town: borough green
country: england
comment: Brilliant!
Great web-site, great school, but hang on how about a mention for Mr Tait!

JACKI ROBERTSON (catndog@nbnet.nb.ca) on Thursday, February 3, 2000 at 03:34:16
town: KINGSTON, NEW BRUNSWICK
country: CANADA
comment: I FOUND YOUR SITE WHILE SEARCHING FOR "KENT" THINGS. I AM WORKING ON MY FAMILY TREE AND MY 10-14 GREAT GRANDPARENTS CAME FROM KENT. EAST FARLEIGH, AND WROTHAM. THEY WERE THE CLARK/CLERK FAMILY. I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ENGLAND, BUT AFTER DOING SO MUCH RESEARCH AND VIEWING YOUR GREAT SITE, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT FOR MYSELF.  I WAS HOPING YOUR SITE WOULD HAVE A PICTURE OF FORDE HALL WERE MY ANCESTORS CAME FROM. I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR TOUR. THANK YOU.

Dick Stafford (dick@dikron.freeserve.co.uk) on Wednesday, February 2, 2000 at 22:45:07
town: Borough Green
country: England
comment: Congratulations. A great site.

Karl McCartney () on Friday, January 28, 2000 at 12:08:49
town: wrotham
country: England
comment: Great website!!!

Patricia Mullins (petie46@aol.com) on Wednesday, January 26, 2000 at 19:50:33
town: Garden City ,Mi.    U.S.A.
comment: Hi,
 What a wonderful site you have we have enjoyed the stories about your Affens.very much & are looking forward to the rest of your site.

Ceinwen Scales (ceinwen@cscales.fsnet.co.uk) on Sunday, January 23, 2000 at 22:45:55
town: Swansea
country: UK
comment: I found this site looking for geneaological links.  My mother's ancestors lived in Wilmott Hill, Wrotham in the mid-1800's.  Anyone with any information on any connections with the family surname JOY or how I can find more information I would be pleased to hear from.
Thanks

Audrey and  Malcolm Garrett (amsgarrett@clear.net.nz) on Saturday, January 22, 2000 at 23:05:29
town: Wellington
country: New Zealand
comment: We have lived in New Zealand for 30 years having lived in Bexleyheath in Kent prior to leaving.

Rachael Starbuck () on Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at 19:29:46
town: Borough Green

j.a.carter (John Carter) on Saturday, January 15, 2000 at 20:22:41
town: Telford Shropshire
country: U K
comment: I have traced my Carter family back to Wrotham, Ightham and Plaxtol around 1700 to 1800 and I am very pleased to find this site.
Thanks John

Emma (emma@ic24.net) on Saturday, January 15, 2000 at 12:09:52
town: dartford
country: England

Joan Brumbach (joani.b@pobox.com) on Wednesday, January 12, 2000 at 00:29:48
town: Manteo, North Carolina
country: USA
comment: I've been in and out of your website for the last week and have enjoyed every moment!  I hope to inspire our town "fathers" to do likewise--Manteo does have direct ties to England--we live where Sir Walter Raleigh's Lost Colony was lost!  Thank you so much for the tour of your wonderful town.

I wanted to thank you personally, Scarecrow, for the great website you have created.  I stumbled upon it when looking for bits & pieces to put into a "memory scrapbook" for my brother-in-law.  He was in England this past summer with a friend and wrote back a really charming letter bubbling over with enthusiasm.  So full of joy that I had to do something with it to give him something to remember.  As I dissected the letter, one of  the first places outside of London which they discovered was your town.  They stayed for six hours--talking to townspeople in the Hotel, on the bowling green, at the church--the bell ringers even took them in--and at one of the local pubs (I now know that there are four there!)  If you were one of those gracious people, I hope you enjoyed Dennis and Madeline as much as they did your town.  Thank you again, and someday maybe we will get a virtual tour of Manteo on the web! 
Fred and Joan Brumbach

Ron Upton (uptonrj@paradise.net.nz) on Friday, December 31, 1999 at 00:08:44
town: Lower Hutt
country: New Zealand
comment: A fasinating visit. Brought back memories of our visit to England in 1998. I am a descendant of William Upton born about 1776 in Wrotham, his son John born about 1805 in Wrotham and his son Frank William born 13 Dec 1847 also in Wrotham. I've only just started tracing my ancestors so if any one can give me any directions for finding out more details I would appreciate that. Thanks.

Judy Daly (nee Tapfield) (jandjdaly@bigpond.co..au) on Monday, December 27, 1999 at 09:56:02
town: Adelaide South Australia
country: Australia
comment: I enjoyed a brief visit to Wrotham in August for the purpose of 'walking in the steps of' my ancestors.  Would be interested in a history of Wrotham dating back to the mid 1500's?

roger (egas 56) on Monday, December 6, 1999 at 23:03:06
town: wrotham
country: england
comment: I HAVE LIVED IN WROTHAM FOR 30 YEARS MY CHILDREN ALL WENT TO WROTHAM SCHOOL

Bill Dixon (Portcall@direct.ca) on Saturday, December 4, 1999 at 04:48:00
town: Vancouver BC
country: Canada
comment: I enjoyed your informative tour and cant wait to return to Wrotham to continue my walk along The Pilgrims Way. No twisted ankles next time

Ros Burgess-Dawson (rosalind@burgess-dawson.freeserve.co.uk) on Wednesday, November 24, 1999 at 21:57:12
town: Badsworth
country: W.Yorks, England
comment: Searching for info re my family and came across this site. My maiden name was Burgess. My brother and I are trying to trace members of my father's family. His name was Leonard Burgess. His father was called William. They lived at a house called 'Northdown'in Wrotham certainly around 1909 when my father was born. Can anyone out there tell me more? I'd be most grateful. Regards, Ros Burgess-Dawson.

Ed Ford (ed.ford@nationwideisp.net) on Wednesday, November 24, 1999 at 09:51:34
town: Carshalton
country: U.K.
comment: Considering visting Bluewater

John and Julie Corney (J.Corney@btinternet.com) on Sunday, November 21, 1999 at 15:23:55
town: Court Meadow, Wrotham
comment: We have recently moved to Wrotham from Tonbridge and are interested in the various activities arranged within the village throughout the year.

Jeff Clark (jc@jeffclark.com) on Thursday, November 18, 1999 at 18:35:36
town: Aurora, Ohio
country: USA
comment: My great greatgreatblah blah built Forde Hall! in the 1400. I obtained a videotape of it fot my father for Christmas several years ago. I and my family hope to visit Wrotham soon but we have two young kids. Please put me on your mailing list. Just took a look around the site and saw the many festivals. If we were coming from the USA which dates would be the best? where should we stay. My dad would love to come but he is in poor health
Looks like a nice town

27/11/99 I don't know how often you check the guestbook, so i'm writing you. I posted last week after finding your site about Wrotham. My great greatgreatgreat etc. built Forde Hall. James LeClerke was the name I believe. My father has traced the line back to him from here in the USA. I contacted a videographer a few years ago to arrainge to visit and tape Forde Hall for my father as a Christmas gift, his health does not permit travel to visit.  The present owners were very cordial and happy to oblige us. I have shared the tape with other Clarks here in the US.

My wife and tow small kids want to visit sometime. Can you give us advice as to where to get rooms and what time of year would be best, I see that there a quitea number of festivals, It might be fun to visit during one.  I'd also like to get a rubbing of one of the brasses in the church, Sir William LeClerke, do you know how
I could arrainge that? Well, thanks for any help you can be. I'll show my Dad the virtual tour and I'm sure he appreciate your efforts.
Jeff (LeClerke, Clerke, Clarke) Clark ? in Aurora, Ohio USA

Elizabeth McGrath (liz@liz-sean.freeserve.co.uk) on Monday, November 15, 1999 at 23:00:50
town: Ruislip Manor

Maureen How (maureenhow@hotmail.com) on Saturday, October 30, 1999 at 16:34:06
town: Uxbridge, Middlesex
country: U.K.
comment: I have wonderful memories of Wrotham, having lived with my Aunt in West Kingsdown and going to school in Wrotham. I discovered the site whilst 'surfing'. I enjoyed the photographs and hope the site will be updated regularly. Someday when I retire I would love to live in a village like Wrotham. I loved the photographs and the walk, and I will revisit this site in the hope that it will be updated - that is my one concern.

huw jones () on Tuesday, October 12, 1999 at 13:27:46
town: new ash green
country: england
comment: NOT ENOUGH WRITTEN INFORMATION. BRILLIANT PHOTOGRAPHS.

David Watt (wavydot@yahoo.co.uk) on Wednesday, September 29, 1999 at 04:09:53
town: Sevenoaks
country: Kent
comment: Nice tour of Wrotham I,m about 1 mile west of map point "D" - Thats New House Farm, Wrotham Sunrise Communications, Kent Canoes and Pine Furniture.
My local when in Wrotham is the George and Dragon.

LILI LONG (lililong@liangcourt.com.sg) on Tuesday, September 28, 1999 at 03:33:01
town: Singapore
country: Singapore

Rachel Bowles (rabowles@dial.pipex.com) on Saturday, September 25, 1999 at 15:11:49
town: Blackheath,London
country: UK
comment: An excellent, well illustrated site ; this will be visited by many primary teachers looking for A CONTRASTING LOCALITY to study on the Web. Would it be possible for the local Primary school to be included and examples of some of the work they have done whilst finding out about their locality for their work in Geography ?(KS2) or failing that - Year 7's work on Wrotham which they will have done for KS3.

Sue Foster (theFosterclan@talk21.com) on Saturday, September 25, 1999 at 14:40:40
town: Crockenhill
country: England
comment: What and interesting and clever idea, I will tell friends in this village about it, maybe they will logon and have a walk round too!

K Leach (jovonda@dalton.net) on Wednesday, September 22, 1999 at 03:05:10
town: Dalton , Georgia
country: USA
comment: Scarecrow ,
Just took the casual stroll down and around the streets of Wrotham .I found it to be a beautiful ancient town, where you can daydream of days gone by.I was fascinated at all the history it contains. I must thank my friend Derek for sharing his beautiful hometown with me. Congratulations on a webb site so well done ,around every corner I was in awe of the graceful structures and beauty of the countryside. May I wish you and yours PEACE ,LOVE & HAPPINESS. Kaye from Dalton Ga USA

Susan Dunkerly (SDunkerly@KBCPAS.com) on Monday, September 20, 1999 at 21:37:14
town: Gettysburg, PA
country: USA
comment: Thanks so much for the Wrotham tour. My great uncle, my grandmother's brother, is the owner of The Old Palace. I have only been to England once (am a resident of the U.S. where my grandmother moved after marrying a U.S. soldier) and have not yet been able to visit Derek or his beautiful home. My uncle Derek sent a Christmas card last year with a painting of his home. Do you know any information about such a painting or any information on purchasing one for my mother, who has many emotional ties to her Uncle, his home and the U.K.? It is my guess that someone local to your town painted it. Any information that you could provide would be most appreciated.
Thanks again for the beautiful pictures. I can't tell you how excited I was to find your site! If you are a neighbor of Derek's and know his e-mail address, would you please forward this to him, I would love to be in contact with them via the internet! Thank you,
Susan Dunkerly
Gettysburg, PA USA

Matthew Arnold (mj.arnold@virgin.net) on Sunday, September 12, 1999 at 05:28:47
town: Butts Hill, Wrotham
country: UK
comment: What an excellent advert for our little village: looking forward to the tour continuing up to "the suburbs"! It's great to be able to visit the pub(s) without leaving home.......

Colin and Carolyn McCrae (COLINMCCRAE@BTINTERNET.COM) on Friday, September 10, 1999 at 10:29:23
town: Polperro
country: Cornwall
comment: As of today Greenhill House has been sold by us and we now reside on a cliff in sunny(at the moment)Cornwall. We have been here now for over six months and today Mr and Mrs Barker shall have the delights of Wrotham and Greenhill House all to themselves.

Cordelia McCartney (cordelia.mccartney@virginnet) on Friday, September 3, 1999 at 11:05:03
town: Wrotham
country: England

Ian Isley (xwi06@pipex.dial.com) on Sunday, August 29, 1999 at 19:02:47
town: Llangollen
country: North Wales
comment: Most interested in Wrotham particularly Blacksole Field. Understand that my ancestor Sir Thomas Isley (from Sundridge,Kent)was defeated there by Baron Henry Nevill about 1554 whilst trying to join Wyatt's march on London against Mary Tudor.

Jodie Wood (Jodie.Wood@Benfield Greig.com) on Monday, August 9, 1999 at 15:08:22
town: Borough Green
country: UK
comment: I was a pupil at Wrotham from 1991-1996. My parents (and grandparents) also attended the school. My dad, Geoff Wood was deputy head boy sometime around 1971. I'm suprised that Mr Hooker and Mrs Howie haven't been mentioned as they were both teaching at the school when my mum was attending and are still there! My brother and sister are both currently at Wrotham.

Molly Banks nee Hood (djbanks@riverland.net.au) on Thursday, August 5, 1999 at 15:04:46
town: Berri
country: South Australia
comment: I used to live in West St. Wrotham.I attended Boro'Green Primary school and Wrotham secondary school 50's

Bob Pruett (rppruett@otelco.net) on Sunday, August 1, 1999 at 23:47:31
town: Oneonta,Alabama,35121
country: USA
comment: We will be in Kent next July and would appreciate any information you can provide on attractions there. A map of Kent would be especially welcome.

Iain Daniels (IAINDAN1@AOL.COM) on Friday, July 30, 1999 at 04:44:39
town: Exton, pennsylvania
country: USA
comment: This is a great concept. As I looked through the guest book to see who's been here before me, I came across a number of former residents of Wrotham who's names I recognized, some of which I knew personally, and some of whom seem to be as far removed from their old home as I am, and obviously finding this page a welcome contact point.
I was truly sorry to see that Harry (Pongo) Smith recently passed away. He was truly a character, and although I was only at Wrotham secondary school for two years in 72 to 74, I can honestly say that Harry made a lasting impression on me (I can't remember if the impression was made with a hurled blackboard eraser or Harry's patented sawn off bicycle pump and cork, that he reserved for sleeping students). God's speed Harry.

J Corney (J.Corney@btinternet.com) on Sunday, July 25, 1999 at 18:19:43
town: Tonbridge
country: UK
comment: Just visiting. Well designed web page.

Mike Smith (WARBIRDS@webtv.net) on Friday, July 9, 1999 at 12:04:01
town: Coulumus, Ohio
country: USA
comment: I am a Ancestor of , "Hatch", "Stockbridge" "Tylden", "Cheeseman", "Hyland / & "William de la Heghelonde" all from Kent area, and all direct blood-line. Check out my web-page at:
"http://community.webtv.net/CmbtEngrVet/JUSTAVETERAN".
It is not complete, but will be in the near future. Lot of Kent connections when finished.

mark bassett (markb@senet.co.au) on Sunday, July 4, 1999 at 05:10:37
town: morphett vale.south australia
country: australia
comment: i must thank you for allowing me to see your town.you see my great,great,great grand father richard bassett was born in wrotham,kent and our atlas does not show wrotham. to get a insight of my history was fantastic thank you all .
mark bassett.

Ian Bangay (ibangay@boroughgreenphotos.freeserve.co.uk) on Saturday, June 5, 1999 at 04:50:53
town: Harrogate
country: United Kingdom
comment: Impressed by the ease with which one can find your way around your site. Have put together some material based around Borough Green at:
http://www.boroughgreenphotos.freeserve.co.uk
Keep up the good work!

Charles Lancaster (clanc@iinet.net.au) on Friday, June 4, 1999 at 10:26:27
town: Subiaco
country: Australia
comment: Your virtual tour is wonderful. Congratulations. Next time I'm in England I'll stop by at Wrotham.

Paul Sutcliffe (frpaulas@aol.com) on Wednesday, June 2, 1999 at 20:35:08
town: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
country: USA
comment: Looking forward to visting your town in July. Is there a nearby steam museum?

Liz Williams () on Tuesday, May 18, 1999 at 04:17:08
town: Regina
country: Canada
comment: Haven't looked at your site, but was just in Kent - Marden to be exact. Beautiful countryside.

Edward C Scott (scott@greenepa.net) on Monday, May 17, 1999 at 11:54:47
town: Waynesburg PA
country: USA
comment: Just was surffing and found your site its wonderful to sit in front of the computer and see how other people live its like a poor man vacation. This is my hometown http://www.greenepa.net/search.shtml

Jeanna Plaster (jeanna1975@cs.com) on Sunday, May 16, 1999 at 16:30:05
town: Knoxville
country: United States of America
comment: I have made a wonderful friend via the internet from Kent, and I wanted to learn a little bit about where he is from. I was very excited to find this site, it appears so thorough and informative. When I saw I would be able to take a "virtual tour" I eagerly clicked on it. I cant wait to start.
Thank you, Jeanna Plaster

Ann Kneif (Kneif@Globalnet.co.uk) on Sunday, May 16, 1999 at 14:38:41
town: Meopham

FRank Morris (frank.morris@stoneweb.com) on Friday, May 14, 1999 at 18:22:15
town: Mississauga, Ontario
country: Canada

Aline Llewellin (allewellin@teachers.ab.ca) on Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at 02:01:45
town: Edmonton
country: Canada
comment: My mother, brother and lots of family live in Maidstone. I am visiting in the autumn and checking on villages/towns in and around Maidstone to visit.

Margaret (lynn@manic2.demon.co.uk) on Sunday, May 9, 1999 at 11:38:39
town: Skelmersdale
country: England

roger pettet () on Thursday, May 6, 1999 at 22:03:42
town: toronto
comment: in terms of social history we should remember the (in)famous Colonel Wintle-""The debagging Colonel who ""debagged"a member of parliament and used to drink in The Bull.
Also Dame Sybil Thorndyke. Jean Nicholson the photographer who swore like a trooper in her posh English accent and Richard Woodhams a great bowler for Wrotham Criket Club whom I used to love keeping wicket for.)
Time frame of the above memories? I guess around 1955-60. Mr Haylock had the Newsagents in the High street and Mr Medhurst was the butcher. We had a wonderful rector in the Rev Maples-Earl. I was surprised how easily my parents let me leave the church choir. Whilst Wrotham had a soccer team they couldn't compete with Borough Green whom I regularly went to see.
On my last visit to the village a couple of years ago (for one night-we stayed at The Rose and Crown where the publican and his wife were very kind to us) I discovered that the wonderful Oak tree at the top of Kemsing Rd was no longer there-a landmark as significant to a child as the pylon on Wrotham Hill. Wed go "scrumping"cherries along Kemsing Rd next to Tylers Field-myself, Robin Webb and other youngsters from the estate, whose names escape me. Great games were played along the Pilgrims Way and on "Table Mountain."
Tobogganing on the Downs was great entertainment, as were the point to point races in the fields around Lades Manor. (Mr Lade, a B.Petroleum exec. was heavily involved in the publishing of a UFO magazine. Wrotham's population at the time was about 1500 and a microcosm of English society. Whilst there are fond memories I found that as a "middle class" child one was quite isolated. The majority were working class kids who saw our family as a bit "posh." as we owned our own house (or as usual, the bank did.) Then there were the smattering of professionals and wealthy families who really felt that they WERE superior. Will there ever be the possibility of restoring the ceiling in the Bull, revealing the signatures of the WW 2 pilots. Enough gossip for today. I shall be driving through the village around 25/26th of May so look out for a bald headed 54 year old having a beer in the Rose and Crown!

roger pettet () on Tuesday, April 27, 1999 at 22:07:18
town: toronto
country: canada
comment: As a former resident of Wrotham (circa mid 50's-early 60's I was intrigued to discover your page. We lived next to Clem East on Kemsing Rd in "The Fort." A local man whom my father once claimed was öne of the most interseting men he had ever met was a Mr Scofield now regretfully deseased I believe, who used to bring myself and my sister Stone Age arrow flints that he'd picked up on the Downs. My father used to say that whatever subject they would discuss Scofield was knowlagable about it -particularly history.
Mr Scofield was a bricklayer for the local builder. Didn't see Tylers field on the site-another piece of Wrotham history! Regretfully I'm not on the net using it at work, but happy to correspond anytime. adrdess is Roger Pettet 603-2 sultan St. Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1L7.
Incidently, I am planning to organize a couple of tours of Kent next year for 6-8 American couples and am looking for attractive accomodation in the area (Bull hotel is probably too expensive!) any suggestions? Regards and good luck with your site.

Irene Cardon (magee@ziplink.net) on Saturday, April 24, 1999 at 14:11:30
town: Alexandria, Virginia
country: USA

Paula Burris (littlebur@aol.com) on Wednesday, April 21, 1999 at 18:35:37
town: Manassas, Virginia
country: U.S.A.
comment: Thank you for the tour. My husband & I (along w/his family) have been fortunate enough to visit your village in 1995 and 1998. The photos brought back wonderful memories.

Susan Dunkerly (SDunkerly@KBCPAS.com) on Tuesday, April 20, 1999 at 21:23:47
town: Gettysburg, PA
country: USA
comment: Derek, owner of the Archbishop's Old Palace is my great uncle. Derek, if you are reading, hello to you and your family!!

Tony Tomlin (tonytomlin@aol.com) on Tuesday, April 20, 1999 at 00:09:38
town: Maidstone
comment: Hartley Morris Men are your local Morris Side, thanks for the mention on your site. Our site is at http://members.aol.com/hartleymen/HMM.html
I have put a link to this site. Thanks for the loan of the map.
Tony Tomlin, Bagman, Hartley Morris Men

STEPHEN LARKING (LARKING.NZ@xtra.co.nz) on Sunday, April 4, 1999 at 00:11:08
town: Invercargill
country: New Zealand
comment: It was a nice surprise discovering your site on the net. myself and my two brothers Len and Shaun LARKING ATTENDED Wrotham high school way back in 1970 to 1973 ? I would love to hear from anyone who attended at the same time!!!!!! I am hoping to make a trip home soon we used to live in Holly Cottage at St Marys Platt.

steve larking (LARKING.NZ@xtra.co.nz) on Saturday, April 3, 1999 at 11:40:53
town: invercargill
country: NEW ZEALAND
comment: WHAT A GREAT FIND IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO FIND YOUR SITE. i USED TO GO TO WROTHAM SCHOOL BACK IN THE 70S I USED TO LIVE AT ST MARYS PLATT UNTILL MY PARENTS DECIDED TO MOVE TO NZ. yOUR SITE BROUGHT BACK SOME GOOD MEMORIES. DO YOU KNOW IF WROTHAM SCHOOL KEEPS SCHOOL RECORDS OR SCHOOL PHOTOS FROM THE 70S?

Steven Kirby (S-s.kirby@tees.ac.uk) on Thursday, April 1, 1999 at 11:20:51
town: Great Ayton
country: England
comment: I'm developing a virtual version of my home village so found your site whilst doing research. It is very impressive and I love the tour. There is so much rubbish done for so called virtual villages etc. Yours is one of the few decent ones. Well done.

Colin McCrae (PSDirect@BTinternet.com) on Saturday, March 13, 1999 at 09:53:29
town: Wrotham
comment: Just to let you know that Greenhill House is now up for sale (£375,000) and we are moving to Polperro in Cornwall. I will continue to access the site for the great information and look forward to our return visits.
Colin McCrae

Kirsty (kirsty_jarvis@hotmail.com) on Monday, March 8, 1999 at 13:47:57
town: Wrotham
comment: Just a quick question. I am curious to know why you have set up this website about Wrotham. Do you live in the village?

Malcolm Hollinshead (HollinsheadM@accuread.com) on Friday, March 5, 1999 at 20:05:45
town: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
country: England
comment: I grew up in Wrotham, and my parents still live there, it's nice to see such a well made site about a smal but interestesting village. I've had many a beer in the George & Dragon, Bull Hotel, Rose & Crown, Three Post Boys and the Wrotham Club - still the best pub in the villgae is the George; Geoff & Ann really make you welcome. For anyone that knows the village, you may have seen an oak tree next to the lynch gate near the cemetry. This oak tree 'Noddy's Oak' was planted in memory of my brother, Stephen Hollinshead, who was killed in a motorcycle accident at age 18 in 1987 and is buried near this tree.

Zoe Mercer (msclaydon@dial.pipex.com) on Friday, February 26, 1999 at 09:35:15
town: Upper Norwood London
country: England
comment: I wanted to find out exactly where Wrotham is for a potential job!! Thanks for the help

Paul Kriwaczek (Paul.Kriwaczek@bbc.co.uk) on Saturday, February 20, 1999 at 00:22:02
town: London
country: UK
comment: An innovative and well-executed site. Enjoyed my visit.

Russell Fennell (ru