A short stroll around Bredgar

Bredgar, split in twain by the M2, staving off the intrusion of Sittingbourne from the north and the east, resting in a small valley high above the Swale is a thriving community aware of its history and passed through on the way to Hollingbourne. Yet here is a tranquil haven for those who love to be involved in village life.

Apart from the intrusion of the M2 Motorway, which can barely be heard from the village hall or within the environs of the village itself, Bredgar is one of those forgotten villages on the edge of Sittingbourne that deserves more than a passing glance as you drive through. Stop at the Sun for a drink and a meal and take a walk around and view the pretty church and the 14th century Chantry building and cottage opposite. Unique in this group of villages in the area it has a pond and its share of modern and ancient buildings ranging from the church and the Chantry, through 16th C to the present day. Bredgar can also boast a functioning, and well respected primary school whose staff and pupils have created an environmentally friendly garden which is. as you can imagine in this day and age will go a long way to make young people aware of the larger questions besides economic ones that we face today.

The village is more or less centered around the pond with the church dominating its skyline

But the buildings are not all that Bredgar has to offer. A walk from the tea shop by the pond took us, my sister and myself, along a public footopath past some of the oldest buildings to Silver street and then on up to Blind Mary's lane where we turned toward Deans Hill to enjoy a cold winter's walk on roads and contemplated a hike later on when shod with good shoes on a semi circular route leading out past Deans Hill down over the motorway and back.

We spent the morning at the Christmas Fayre; my sister being domiciled in Bredgar desired to support local fund raising so, on the promise of a stroll around the village I went with her. The surprise, apart from the running commentary from her on who lives where of her friends in the village, the walk revealed some pleasing sights. These included a somewhat hazy view over the landscape; hazy because the afternoon sun was watery in the lowering dew. We could see across the estuaries to Sheppey and as far as Southend with a magnificent view of Bredgar nestling in the slight valley below Deans hill.

The house on the way out of Bredgar is older than it looks.

The view from Deans hill on a winter's day hides the imperfections of industry and the M2.

Nevertheless it was a pleasant walk and I am certain that in spring next year we will take the opportunity to explore the area and take a more thorough look at the countryside.