Reception and Talk for 40th Anniversary and Blue Plaques

Halling Historical Society celebrated its 40th Anniversary in June with a packed reception of 120 members, guests and public at the Jubilee Hall, including His Worship the Mayor of Medway and Lady Mayoress, and the Chairman and members of the Parish Council and representatives of many village organisations.. It was a triple programme of a very well received and popular illustrated talk on the history of the village, a celebratory buffet, and the unveiling of thirteen historical blue plaques for the village. The buffet and drinks were kindly sponsored by the village's new high-tech company Oscar Acoustics and long-time residents Bob and Sally Swain of Swain Transport. The talk featured the story of the neolithic Halling Man skeleton, the history behind local road names, famous residents such as Bishop Gundolph, the statesman Wlliam Lambarde, and local VC hero Sergeant Thomas Harris, local industries, and how Halling got its name, and much more. Two original members from 1985 cut the celebratory cake. The plaques were paid for by Halling Parish Council and detail Halling's interesting old buildings, some dating back to the 1100s, and were kindly installed the following week by Lloyd Slythe, landlord of the Five Bells pub. An additional plaque paid for by the Society is also now on the Jubilee Hall in memory of the late Ted Gowers, the author of a history of the village 'Across the Low Meadow'.