Malling Mail 5 Addington Tombs


THE Neolithic people who arrived in the Medway valley about 4000BC, as the first farmers, have left their mark in the huge stone monuments they erected.


At Addington, two still survive, known as the “Addington Long Barrow” and the “Chestnuts”


The Long Barrow, about 200ft in length, is largely lost in the landscape today. At some time in the past a way was made through the barrow. This eventually became a lane and is now called Park Road. The mound which covered the tomb was originally about two and a half metres high. It has eroded into visible humps on either side of the lane. No modern investigation has taken place, but some of the chamber stones and some of the outline of the barrow can still be seen.


The second tomb, the Chestnuts, was of a different design. It was excavated in 1957, and the archaeologists were allowed to re-erect the fallen stones. This gives us a better idea of the impact they formerly made on the landscape.


A Computer for every classroom


WEST Malling Primary School now has a computer in every classroom thanks to a recycling project.


Seven refurbished computers were installed, with the help of funding from County Cllr Trudy Dean’s members’ grant, by East Malling company Loop Computer Reuse.


Loop, run by directors Steve Abrahams and Richard Langshaw and based at New Road, refurbishes Microsoft equipment and sells it back to schools, charities and community groups at reduced prices.


The latest batch of computers is in addition to the school’s ultra modern IT suite, which has more than 20.


Julie Townsend with some of the flower pot characters she decorated


A scale plan of the tombs, made in 1981 by the Council for Kentish Archaeology, showed the distinctly different orientations, neither being true east. Further work agreed with the idea that they were built to note the midwinter and midsummer solstices. They made a calendar by which the early farmers could mark the passage of the seasons. Being built on the western edge of the valley gave people the long sightlines needed for observations of the sky.


In themselves, these tombs represent the beginning of architecture in England, and are around 1,500 years earlier than Stonehenge.


Gradually, with comparative archaeology and datable remains, a much better understanding of our ancestors and their daily lives is being pieced together.


The Addington tombs are on private land, but can be visited by appointment only. A small fee applies and all proceeds go to the Kent Air ambulance Trust.


Contact 01732 840220 for details.


Malling Action Partnership is a community organisation open to anyone to join. It represents the ten parishes surrounding West Malling, and with the aid of government, SEEDA and other grants, it supports the businesses and community life of these parishes through a series of projects. One major project is to help the Farmers' Market grow and provide more family activities. Contact Trudy Dean 01732 843119 or trudy.dean@kent.gov.uk


A BUNCH of flowerpot men blossomed into colourful characters thanks to the nimble fingers of Julie Townsend.


Julie, from East Malling, transformed them into cheerful little dolls as the clues in a quizz for a children’s competition.


A regular member of the Craft and Chat group, which meets fortnightly on Wednesdays at the St James’s Centre, she volunteered to decorate the 10 models after they were acquired by County Cllr Trudy Dean.


In her spare time, Julie spent two or three weeks working on the dolls which are made of terracotta pots joined together with string. The result was a collection of cheery characters including a scarecrow, police officer, bride, clown and flower girl.


They went on show in West Malling for a competition during the royal wedding celebrations.


Julie is no stranger to winning prizes herself, having received the Good Friend and Neighbour Award last year in the Beat Project Community Awards.


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