Bazaar

A further reminder that our Bazaar is on Saturday, 3rd. December. Stalls, with those in charge in brackets, are: Cake (Mrs. Williamson), Jam (Mrs. Moore), Produce (Mr. Lawrence), Floral Art (Mrs. Noble), Curio (Mrs. Green), Bathroom (Mrs. Knight), Apron & Cushion (?), Toys (Mrs. Causey), Teas (Mrs. Ambrose), Bottle (Mrs. Allen).

J.H. G-W.G.

CORRESPONDENCE

"The Vicar's Letter in the October issue of the magazine gives one reason to consider the more parochial aspects of this subject. The destruction of water-fowl on the Medway was apparently caused by a thoughtless accidental action and one wonders whether the car users of the village lanes and approaches in Hartlip also are conscious of their thoughtless and criminal behaviour when negotiating these narrow pathless roads at high speeds.

Many households have suffered great distress through domestic pets being unnecessarily slaughtered by these people. One questions whether the sacrifice of domestic pets to this selfishness should be allowed to continue until such time as conscience is awakened by the injury or death of a small child."

Evelyn S. Harris.

A LOCAL HISTORIAN LOOKS AT HARTLIP - No. 9

In 1845 the church was restored under the direction of William Bland, one of the churchwardens. It is interesting to read some reference to this, not from the church accounts, but from that of the contractor who undertook the repair of the tower and bells. William Stedman, who ran a mill and mill repairing business in Rochester, later moved to Mill Road, Gillingham, where he had a prosperous concern. He and his men were accustomed to heights and undertook quite a lot of work in repairing church towers and rehanging their bells. He spent between the 5th July and the 6th September working on the tower and six bells. He originally estimated the cost of the work at £23 10s. 0d., but as he says, "upon, taking the job apart we found it worse than we expected. By the encouragement of Mr. Bland, churchwarden, we exceeded the work estimated considerably,".

The work and materials were shown in detail. Stedman worked on the job himself, aided by Strudwick, one of his employees. Another man, Dixon, helped for a short time. American elm and English oak were the woods used in the repairs. The use of their horse and cart transport themselves and the materials from Gillingham cost £3, while the charge of 5/3d. to Gates is a reminder that Watling Street was a toll road.

For some of the time, the workmen lodged in Hartlip when they were trussing up the floor of the bell tower. The total cost of the work eventually came to £37 8s. 6d., of which the church paid £30 9s. 6d. and Mr. Bland £6 18s. 6d.

R.A.B.