Parish Cake Autumn 2020

Ivor’s
comment
An Estate full
of History
Long term local Ivor Hatcher on discovering
local history during lockdown
LIEUTENANT BOYD Alexander,
son of the former owner of Great
Swifts, was an intrepid explorer.
Along with his brother Claud,
he explored Africa and was
responsible, along with others,
for mapping out Lake Chad.
To commemorate this the mill
pond on the Great Swifts estate
was renamed Lake Chad.
The Alexander brothers
travelled thousands of miles to
explore, but recently many local
people have discovered Great
Swifts and the surrounding
farmland and are exploring the
beautiful countryside right on
their doorstep.
The estate is full of history!
The actress Elizabeth Taylor
lived in one of the farmhouses
before the war. Kent County
Cricket was played there and a
section was filmed for the BBC
series Anne of Avonlea in the
early `70… and so much more.
Where cows once grazed
it was landscaped for a golf
course and is now a private
garden with a footpath through
the centre. The main footpath
from Cranbrook to Sissinghurst
was once busy with locals
journeying between the town
and village.
This land, as are so many
places, is being explored by
families, friends and dog
walkers who are enjoying the
beauty of this historicallyinteresting
estate.
It must be remembered
though, most land is privately
owned. Walkers should stay
on the designated paths and
follow the Country Code. Gates
must be left as found and dogs
kept on leads where there is
livestock. The countryside is to
be enjoyed, but respected. Enjoy
your walks wherever you may
roam! Ivor
NIGEL CHADWICK
ABOVE: Lieutenant
Boyd Alexander
LEFT: Swift’s Park
SPONJEM UK Limited
Capital Allowances Consultants
Helping people in the area save money upon
their commercial buildings such as offices,
shops, restaurants, hotels and holiday let cottages
For Information contact Paul Jempson on
Tel: 0800 954 5081
Mob: 07957 822110
Parish Cake • Autumn 2020 47