FUN FACT 1 - see map
.
The Old Quarry (opposite the pond) was used to make tarmacadam. On bonfire night, boys from the
village “borrowed” empty tar barrels, set them alight and rolled them through the village.
Maybe this inspired the song “Roll out the barrel”. But then again maybe not!
See additional information below.
The Old Quarry (opposite the pond) was used to make tarmacadam. On bonfire night, boys from the
village “borrowed” empty tar barrels, set them alight and rolled them through the village.
Maybe this inspired the song “Roll out the barrel”. But then again maybe not!
See additional information below.
FUN FACT 2
The Village Pound is one of only three intact in Kent. It was given Listed Building status in 1984.
When claiming lost animals, the owner was given half a stick by the village impounder . He took this to the pound
-keeper, if the two pieces tallied it proved he had paid and his beast was freed.
The pound-keeper was known as the tallyman, made famous in the song “Day-O” The Banana
boat song. See additional information below.
When claiming lost animals, the owner was given half a stick by the village impounder . He took this to the pound
-keeper, if the two pieces tallied it proved he had paid and his beast was freed.
The pound-keeper was known as the tallyman, made famous in the song “Day-O” The Banana
boat song. See additional information below.
FUN FACT 3
Alfred Mills lived at 5 Hayes Cottages and was the first chairman of the Parish Council. He was a
wheelwright and an undertaker!
A coffin boffin built for speed.
FUN FACT 4
Quintain House was built in 1690 by a man called Thomas Tress [a corruption of the name,Tracey].
Sir William de Tracy was one of four knights who, at the behest of King Henry II, murdered Thomas Becket, the
Archbishop of Canterbury one dark night in 1170.
A naughty knight at night for sure!
FUN FACT 5
The village was a gift from King Aethelwulf to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Better than a box of chocolates we think!
See additional information below.
FUN FACT 6
The Red Lion Inn was built about 1600. This once pub was where George Addison killed a man in
1850 before fleeing to Australia. It’s also where the village Stocks used to stand!
A fiendish fugitive flummoxed a fellow then fled forever
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUN FACT 1
The Tar Barrel tradition is hundreds of years old, particularly in the West Country. The exact origins are unknown but probably started after the gunpowder plot of 1605. In January 1606 James I passed a thanksgiving act to celebrate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot and his deliverance from danger.
Called the Observance of 5 November Act 1605, it involved a special church service, bonfires and fireworks. It remained in force until 1859 although celebrations still take place today in the form of Bonfire Night.
Called the Observance of 5 November Act 1605, it involved a special church service, bonfires and fireworks. It remained in force until 1859 although celebrations still take place today in the form of Bonfire Night.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUN FACT 2
Nearly every village once had its pound for stray cattle, pigs, geese, etc. to be driven into and there kept at the expense of the owner, until such time as he should pay the fine (the amount claimed by the person on whose land they had strayed, for damage done), and the fee to the pound keeper,
man or sometimes woman, for feeding and watering the same.
If not claimed in three weeks, the animals were driven to the nearest market and sold, the proceeds going to the impounder and pound-keeper. An ingenious form of receipt was sometimes used. The person who found the animals on his land cut a stick and made notches, one for every beast, and
then split the stick down the centre of the notches so that half each notch appeared on each stick; one half he kept, the other he gave to the pound-keeper.
When the owner came to redeem his property and had paid for the damage done, the impounder gave him his half stick. He took this to the pound-keeper, and if the two pieces tallied, it proved he had paid and his beast was freed. Hence the word tally-stick and the pound-keeper being referred to
as the tallyman.
man or sometimes woman, for feeding and watering the same.
If not claimed in three weeks, the animals were driven to the nearest market and sold, the proceeds going to the impounder and pound-keeper. An ingenious form of receipt was sometimes used. The person who found the animals on his land cut a stick and made notches, one for every beast, and
then split the stick down the centre of the notches so that half each notch appeared on each stick; one half he kept, the other he gave to the pound-keeper.
When the owner came to redeem his property and had paid for the damage done, the impounder gave him his half stick. He took this to the pound-keeper, and if the two pieces tallied, it proved he had paid and his beast was freed. Hence the word tally-stick and the pound-keeper being referred to
as the tallyman.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FUN FACT 5
The name Offham first appeared in the Charter in which Aethelwulf, son of King Egbert, King of Wessex, and the sub King of Kent gifted the estate to Christ Church, Canterbury.
