Comments on: From Spitalfields to the Isle of Sheppey

By: Francesca

Francesca — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 23:39:38 +0000

As a child I was brought up in Kings Cross,we lived in a three bedroom council flat with no balcony or garden. My parents had a chalet in Leysdown wich gave us access to the countryside and sea.I was able to learn to ride at a stable in Eastchurch and have continued to have horses in my life ever since but my earliest memory of being on a horse was at the age of seven,my first ride on a Dunn gelding called Chunkey in the grounds of Shearling Castle,there were several bridle paths that went through the land and I frequently rode there for around ten years from 1963. How amazing that you have restored the beautiful house I often had fantasies of living there as a child.There were always several flocks of geese that would attack and several times I was carted into the middle of the pond by a will full Shetland pony.
I think I shall make a vist .

By: Claire Knowles

Claire Knowles — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:21:52 +0000

This… I have just learned was owned by my grandad Mr Charles Love! Goodness I wish I had inherited it! It’s beautiful. My mum used to talk about a castle like building on her dads farm (kingsborough farm) where she grew up and she and her best friend used to play together. As my mum was an only child I do so wonder what happened to the land as i understand he owned three farms in all. My mum moved me and my sister to Cornwall but I cherish my memories of grandad in those days. I believe he died in 1986 when I was about 8 and so I have never been back to sheppey since. How I wish we had inherited the farm and now mum mum has passed away also I wonder if anyone knows more about Charles Love. Shurland Hall looks amazing! X

By: David sage

David sage — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:46:53 +0000

What a grate job you have done with this place ive been on the island for 32 years went there when we lived in eastchurch
What im wrighting for is if we can have permission to hold a paranormal night there i run kent paranormal investigators we are based on the island and as you have a ghost ther would be nice to see if we get any thing there .

thanks dave lead investigator

By: suzanne cheney cooke

suzanne cheney cooke — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:02:42 +0000

What a Magnificent restoration! I shall certainly visit on my next UK journey. Thanks to all those concerned.

By: Roger Betts

Roger Betts — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:39:01 +0000

Although I’ve visited Shurland Hall on a number of occasions since Spitalfield Trust have been renovating the place I can honestly say it is always a thrill to see the work that has been done on this historical site. It really looks magnificent and I would like to congratulate Mr Oliver Leigh Wood, Brian, Dean, John – in fact the whole team for the gift they have given to the skyline of Sheppey. I am a volunteer at the Minster Gatehouse Museum and it’s always a delight to be able to show visitors the large painting by harold Batzer of Shurland Hall that hangs above one of the fireplaces in the Museum and tell the story of the Hall and its renovation.
Thanks again and good luck with all other projects that you undertake on Sheppey. Please keep up the good work, it can only be to our benefit.
Roger Betts

By: madeline harley

madeline harley — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:03:08 +0000

I was delighted to find out about this enchanting buliding – Being aware of the magnificent Layer Marney and Little Leigh’s red brick Tudor Gatehouses (to say nothing of Hampton Court!) – I became curious to know if there were others, especially in the wider environs of London. I have visited Sheppey only to explore the London Clay Flora on the beaches – litle did I realise what tresure I had overlooked inland. Next summer I’ll be visiting!
Congratulations to all those involved over the years to ensure this ‘jewel’ was not lost – even though stulpid botanists like me overlooked it!

By: Keith Jackson

Keith Jackson — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 09:23:01 +0000

Have just come on your web page as a conversation on “Facebook” . I worked on Shurland Hall during the 80s clearing the site of trees etc .Didn’t know that it has been brought back to its former glory.Must say what a wonderfull job you”ve done .

By: Joan

Joan — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:54:52 +0000

I always love it when someone brings to attention a side of the Isle of Sheppey that is so at odds with what many of us associate with it. Like many East End families we had a caravan at Leysdown where we spent spring and summer weekends and the summer holidays (a procession of dads would drive down to Sheppey on Friday evenings after work). My Sheppey is a place of slot machines, bingo, working men’s clubs and cockling. In my memory there were endless summer days of riding my Chopper bike along gravel paths and up the cliffs (which turned out on a more recent visit to be a gentle slope). For East End parents like mine who had had no access to gardens it was a bit of a paradise. We had no idea that such splendours as Shurland Hall lurked nearby – but then I never knew that that ‘Fat Lady’ sculpture I climbed over as a kid in Stepney was a Henry Moore.