All Saints - Frindsbury

LOCATION:

The site can be found on Church Green, Frindsbury, Rochester. The nearest train station is Strood and there is a bus that goes to Chatham that passes near there too. It is roughly a 15-20 minute walk (depending on how good you are with hills!)

FIRST OPENED:

The church and site merged with others in the area on the 24^th October 1950. It merged with Upnor and Chattenden. The site itself however is way older than that. It is believed to be from Saxon times, dating around 1075. Although this is not proven, it is widely believed that this is the origin.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

Thomas Buttler – He served Queen Elizabeth I.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

It seems that the site has always been known by this name. Hundreds of years ago, it may have been known by an independent saint or even an by the Olde English version of the town, however, I can find nothing to back this up.

SIZE & LAYOUT:

N/A

THE WALKABOUT:

When I first came across the site, I went around the long way which unfortunately, led me to walking up a very steep hill. Once you get to the top however, it is very much worth it. The site for one is amazing as you can see the whole of Rochester, including the castle. This is due to the site sitting isolated on top of some chalk cliffs. You will also notice the very strange layout. Some of the graveyard (which I believe is the older part) is situated within the walls. The rest is outside of it. The west churchyard (which is closed) is managed by the Medway council. The east churchyard is managed by the PCC.

You will straightaway notice the huge church. In 998 AD, Strood was pillaged by the Danes. The church was wrestled back by Harold Godwinson. After his defeat at the battle of Hastings, The site was taken over by William the Conqueror, who gave its lands to Odo, bishop of Bayeux. Around the church you will see many tombstones on the floor. These were translated from the south aisle and the north wall after its 19^th century rebuild.

The site is housed in by a wondrous wall of tall trees and little mini chalk hills. Many of the tombstones are walled in by rot iron gates or are built in the style of memorials. Despite how old the site is, it is very much well looked after. In fact, we had to make a lot of effort to avoid the men trimming the grass that day! Many of the graves are weathered but just about readable. We even found some carved in writing on the walls from around 1907! There is one little stone pathway that goes around the church, the rest of the pathway is just grass, but that shouldn’t put you off.

Despite the weather, it was a lovely day. It was nice to be in a graveyard for once that wasn’t next to a busy road. Being on top of a hill, it was very quiet and peaceful. You couldn’t ask for a better location. If you are not one for graveyards however, I suggest you go up there anyway to get a marvellous view of Medway.

ANY GHOSTS?:

On some of the photos that I had taken, I am pretty sure that there were some orb activity. However, as it was such a rainy day I cannot prove whether it was orbs or not. They seem to have congregated around the graves in particular which, had it been a sunny day, I would have concluded it as possible spiritual activity. It is one of those common situations where I can’t say whether it is or isn’t unfortunately.

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

As I stated before, it is extremely peaceful up there. Although it is still near a busy town, you can barely hear the rustle and bustle. I would love to come back here when the weather is better, not just for the scenery but to see if I can actually capture something paranormal which I believe this place has the potential, not because it is just a mere graveyard but because of the vast amount of history that lies behind it. Who knows what you may discover when you are not searching….

“Respect those who are not physically here, you can’t see them but they can see you, and disrespect is something they don’t want to see”

RATING: 3/5 – Very old and very beautiful with plenty of history around it.

LINKS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints_Church,_Frindsbury

Strood Cemetery - Cuxton Road

LOCATION:

The site is found on Cuxton Road in Strood, Kent. I am not to familiar with the transport system here yet but there are at least 2 buses that go past that way. The nearest station is Strood (although it will be a fair walk) and I think that it may be near Cuxton station too.

FIRST OPENED:

The site was first opened in 1883. The church on the site, called St Nicholas, was however, built in 1875. I don't know if this is wrong information or not, but this on occasion has happened before where a church is built then the graveyard gradually builds around it.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS:

N/A

ALSO KNOWN AS:

The site tends to be referred to either as Cuxton cemetery or Rochester, Strood cemetery.

SIZE & LAYOUT:

The layout of the site appears to be in a half moon shape. I don't have the exact size of it but it's really not that very big.

THE WALKABOUT:

The first thing you will notice before you get there as it really is a bit of a trek! You have to walk up a bit of a hill and it you are a bit unfit, like myself, then it's a struggle. It will be easily in your site however as it sits upon a hill, with lots of trees surrounding it. There is a very tall stone wall surrounding it but as it is on a hill, the site sits on it more than being confined by it.

Just by my luck, I would pick to go on a day where there where 3 active burials going on. Due to this I had to be very careful to not cause distress or any disrespect. The first thing you will notice is the church, called St Nicholas. The church was apparently here before the graveyard itself. The site, although it be small, is one of the 4 main cemeteries in the Medway region. The one thing I do very much love about this place is the amount of trees and shrubbery. It gives it a beautifully natural feel and attracts the wildlife which is pleasant to see also. The only thing I wasn't so keen on was the amount of tree stumps that I found. The place may have ended up a forest otherwise but I would have secretly liked that.

What I noticed about this site, more than any of the others that I have been in, is the personality in which it has. I came across a child's grave which was written in the style of the Disney writing and another which was done in the style of harry potter. The site actually has a children's section which had a beautiful little cherub statue sitting upon one of the stumps. You may notice upon entering, the sound of chimes. This is because nearly all of the small trees have wind chimes on their branches. It seems quite a common theme here and is a charming addition.

The weather deteriorated which cut short my trip to this little place, for something so small it certainly had a lot of character to it. On my way out I noticed a new memorial garden which was still in the middle of construction. Can’t wait to see what it looks like when it is done.  

ANY GHOSTS?:

Although I could sense a few presences around me, when I uploaded my photos, I did not appear to find anything. There where some strange marks in some of them though. My computer went a bit funny so as of yet, I have not been able to determine what they are. As soon as I know, you will all know!

FINAL (RESTING) WORD:

Considering that the site is based near a main road, it really is a serene little place with an amazing view of the historic Rochester. The fact that it is very well looked after is also worth seeing as it is not very common, especially with little ones such as this. Very peaceful and strangely relaxing.

“Respect those who are not physically here, you can’t see them but they can see you, and disrespect is something they don’t want to see”

RATING: 4/5 - Beautiful little place for an afternoon stroll.

LINKS: http://www.medway.gov.uk/communityandliving/birthdeathandmarriage/deathfuneralsandcremation/burials/cemeteries.aspx