Gravesham History and Nature

21/07/2026

Have you walked the narrow bridge on Church Path behind St Botolph’s Church in Northfleet?

If you jump in the right place, the bridge shakes and sends an a slight wobble up your legs.

It is built over an 80 foot deep chalk pit that was last excavated in the 1930s. This quarry and others were linked by tramway to transport chalk to Whites Portland Cement Works.

Addition: According to maps from 1964 to 1972, it was from this period that the chalk spine holding the path up was replaced by the bridge.

https://heritage.kent.gov.uk/Monument/MKE20074?fbclid=IwVERFWATT4xdwZG9mAWZkaWQWULU37vo6moCnHwEleSpGYszGcOyi72V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4V9qXllNKMHQEnCiMy1YXi6Ij2LLpWkDpgYisPtx-1w5LFOCbebrM-3c-zCg_aem_OLfJwYMqecFA6Y_j9kVBKA

20/07/2026

A view from higham at 5am this morning

19/07/2026

Gravesend airport, 1947

18/07/2026

Baldwin and sons post office and furniture store in Perry street suffered a major fire in 1997. It took 40 firefighters almost 5 hours to get the fire under control

13/07/2026

The Gravesham area is currently rated as very high on the fire severity index. That means wildfire risk is severe.

Risks:

If a fire was to ignite, it could spread rapidly, posing significant danger.
Fires may be difficult to control if not detected early.
Wind can carry embers, increasing the risk of secondary fires.
Smoke can cause health hazards, especially for vulnerable individuals.

Prevention guidance:

Throw ci******es away responsibly - consider a portable ashtray for on the go.
Take any litter home, as glass can magnify sunlight and start fires.
Avoid using barbecues and having bonfires.
Stay informed of any incidents on our website and social media.

08/07/2026

The road that collapsed: The A226 a.k.a. Galley Hill Road

In April 2023, the A226 Galley Hill Road in Kent collapsed tens of ...

02/07/2026

Opening of Gravesend’s first Gurdwara, Kent, in 1957

The Sikh community bringing the Sri Guru Granth Sahib to the newly converted house at 55 Edwin Street. Early prayers were held at the house of Charan Singh Jandiala at 37 Wakefield Street where weekly deewans were held. In 1957, Guru Nanak Durbar was formally opened at Edwin Street. The Gurdwara later shifted to Clarence Place in 1968



#ਪੰਜਾਬ

28/06/2026

An interesting fact for all you Gravesend citizens. If all the ice on Earth thawed, sea levels would rise by 66 metres. If you stood at Hever Court Road and Henhurst Road Junction for the A2, you would only be a few metres above the new sea level. Everything Northward to the Gravesend Town Pier, including Windmill Hill, would be under water.

The fact is based on this article by the Independent news outlet

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/antarctica-greenland-ice-sheet-melt-impact-climate-crisis-sea-level-b486394.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaASxEUxwZG9mAWZkaWQWUJpMOSDzy230NdfXhIOOltQzRBhmrGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5FXg6INlIUqbpKA_MQ5FhmK5qHKfIWtRV8ACS9jDRz5FxNAxNjX6gjXsNaqQ_aem_OW_meUfS6VRj666uH_phUw

15/09/2025

Thames News report on high levels of racism in Gravesend during 1981. Apologies for the racist symbols and racist language in this news report

THAMES NEWS 14.9.81 GRAVESEND RACIAL ATTACKS The Anti-Nazi League publish a report on the growing numbers of racial attacks in tte area and warn that Gravese...

15/09/2025

Gravesend local, Balwinder Singh Rana, spoke with the Guardian in 2024 about racism and local activism against fascists and racists in the 60s and 70s, and how history is repeating itself.

Campaigners who founded anti-racist movements call on communities to oppose riots by rallying together peacefully