History Articles

The Queens Head pub has been in Wigmore since at least the 1930s. This is a photo of it from approx 1930 when it looks fairly recently built. The Queens Head also became a Harvester Restaurant in the late 1970s.

Queens Head pub wigmore

The Queens Head is on the corner of Woodside and Maidstone Road in Rainham, Gillingham Kent. There is also a cash machine near the Queens Head located at the Total Garage on Maidstone Road approx 50 yards from the pub.

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This is a list of shops in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre as of early 2011. Some have now changed hands such as Morellis now being a Costa Coffee.

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Medway News, 24/9/2009

A FRAGMENT of medieval glass is among artefacts uncovered during the restoration of St Margaret's Church in Rainham.

The piece, which will be put on display once the work is completed, was found as specialist workers began the enormous task of stripping the church of its worn out beams and decaying goat-hair plaster to replace the roof and preserve the Grade 1 listed building for future generations. The work Is needed to update some repairs carried out in the 1860s when most of the stonework and windows were replaced. But the roof timbers are the main concern, with many of the originals having rotted to almost nothing. In a later stage the 100ft tower will also undergo restoration and the brickwork reflinted.

The £500,000 project, which is expected to last into the spring, has been funded by heritage grants and a massive fundral raising effort by supporters, which has so far topped £360000. A final push for the remainder of the cash is underway with vicar Canon Alan Vousden confident the money will be in place to ensure its completion. Mr Vousden said: "We are at a very exciting {KIint in the process, which started in 2005. "We have been very pleased, but not surprised with the support we have had. "The church is cherished by the people of Rainham and rightly seen as a landmark as well as a spiritual place. "Not all the donations have come from people who regularly come to church, but from parishioners who recognise its Significance and want to see it properly preserved. "It has captured the imagination of the people of Rainham and they have been very enthusiastic to see it succeed.

"We are delighted the scaffolding has gone up so people can actually see we are committed to making this happen and that their hard work is bearing fruit."

The work is currently taking place in the main nave and above the office and the organ has been dismantled and put into storage while the mural will be renovated in-situ. Services are currently being held in the Millennium Centre until the church, which dates in parts to t IOOAD, is safe

enough for congregations again.

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South East Water have announced today that the last 12 months have been the driest since 1976 and their reservoirs in Sussex are at extremely low levels. Southern Water have levels for their reservoir at Bewl on their website showing volumes since 2000. The level has been on a direct downwards path for 2011 and as of 17 November is at only 40% full.

By saving water using IBC containers or water butts over the winter you will have a store of water that you can use on your garden next year if Southern Water implement drought restrictions such as a hosepipe ban in 2012.

Southern Water/South East Water Drought hosepipe bans

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