More newspaper front page headlines from the 1980s
Stories covered include Margaret Thatcher election victories in 1979 & 1983, Nigel Lawson budgets, Lockerbie boming aftermath, Clapham Junction rail crash, Bradford City football club fire
Although these newspapers are not directly related to Rainham they give a good idea of history of the past 30 years or so and as a historical record of government during that time. They also show the effect of inflation, in 1979 the Guardian newspaper was 15p, rising to 23p in 1983!
These are a selection of newspaper front page headlines from just before Margaret Thatcher's first election victory in 1979 through becoming known as The Iron Lady and the elections of 1983 and 1987 showing the mood at the time. The newspapers also cover Jeffery Archer leaving the cabinet over payments to a prostitute and his subsequent libel victory in 1987 winning £500,000 from the Daily Star. This was followed by his conviction for perjury when it was shown that he had fabricated statements in relation to the trial.
LOCAL NATURE RESERVE STATUS FOR FOXBURROW WOOD
Along with other residents backing on to Foxburrow Wood, I have recently received a letter from the Legal Department of Med way Council, announcing that at long last Foxburrow Wood has been declared a Local Nature Reserve in recognition of the significant nature conservation interests within its boundaries. Foxburrow Wood has records and maps going as far back as the early 17th century and has many ancient woodland indicators such as Herb Paris and Bluebells. Foxburrow is a remnant of a large ancient woodland stretching from the River Medway to Queen's Down Warren on the North Downs.
It was virtually devastated in October 1987 whcn Hurricane Herbert hit the south east of England. The Foxburrow Wood Restoration Group was formed by myself and other local residents to replant and restore the woodland to its former glory. The collaboration between Gillingham Borough Council and the Group was thought to be the first of its kind in the country. As many of you will know the Group assisted in planting 12,000 young trees involving local school children and 140 residents. Over the past 10 to 14 years we have had the pleasure of seeing the woodland blossom into the woodland we see today, with the return of much of the flora and fauna that were present before the devastation.
Unfortunately many of the residents who formed the restoration group have moved away and the few remaining have only been able to 'keep an eye' on the woodland and record the birds, plants, mammals, butterflies and insects as they have returned to the wood. In their letter, the Council asks us to enjoy and respect this small 'reservoir' of wildlife, ensuring all garden waste is either composted or taken to the tip and all dog mess is removed from the site. --On Tuesday 11 th June Peter Crawford (Med way Countryside Development Officer), Simon Bellinger (Ranger) and a small group of local residents walked around Foxburrow Wood noting the special fauna and flora within the wood and also formulating a management plan for the wood. It is the intention that a Woodland Management Committee will be introduced later in the year to include all the woodland sites within the Borough.
Anyone mterested in playing their part in the future of Foxburrow Wood will be invited to join this committee. Can I say what a particular pleasure it is to walk . around the woodland, knowing that 14 years ago a small group oflocal residents and school children planted the trees and helped with the restoration of the woodland. I would ask any of you who have some spare time to telephone the Council and indicate your interest m the health of Foxburrow Wood and the flora and fauna within it.
Carole Nixon
Foxburrow Wood Restoration Group
MEMORIES OF RAINHAM From Action Forum August 2001
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Many people have asked what the big ball/tower is in the car park at Tescos on the A2 at Rainham. As you can see from the roundabout sign the site was previously occupied by Bowaters, a paper company that needed large quantities of water for their production. The roundabout was originally always known as "The Bowaters Roundabout" although often now is also called Tescos Roundabout.
Subcategories
Historical tales Article Count: 3
Historical tales
Rainham Life Article Count: 10
Rainham Life
Local Events Article Count: 48
Local Events
Photos Article Count: 143
Photos
Action Forum Article Count: 234
Action Forum is a free monthly magazine that is distributed to the Rainham area covering Wigmore, Parkwood and Hempstead as well. This archive covers old copies of the magazine dating back to its initial publication in 1969 and give a fascinating glimpse into life in Rainham over the last 50 years.
Link to Article Index - Action Forum Index - Photos and Articles from 1969 onwards