St. Andrews in bloom...

...formerly known as Clinkham Grey Pit, which doesn't sound as nice...

The old cement works in Halling has a long history. Originally it was called the Formby Brothers Clinkham works at the turn of the 20th century, it then became Batchelors, then Rugby Portland. It finally shut up shop in 2009, with the landmark chimney being demolished in 2010 (video).  Only the silos across the road now remain standing.

The Rugby Portland works, 1968.  Only the silos (seen on the right) remain...

A housing estate quickly sprang up on the brownfield site, with its developers (Redrow) naming it "St. Andrews Park".  A separate leisure company acquired the adjacent water-filled pit and adopted the name of the estate*. 

The above, as it is today, from the top of Knowle Road in Wouldham

All of a sudden, a deep and dangerous quarry magically became a perfectly safe water park offering fun for all the family. Still, at least the occasional visits of the air ambulance helicopter to the lake provide a degree of somewhat ghoulish entertainment to local residents...

Unlike other local companies who are new to the area, the developers of the cement works have at least given their enterprises a name that has a passing connection to local history.  Indeed, it seems that written records dating from the eighth century refer to a Charter for Halling (765-785 AD) in which Ethelbert II of Kent granted to the cathedral priory of St.Andrew The Apostle in Rochester, "ten sulings at Halling with rights to pasture swine in five districts".  

Whether by accident or design, it's nice to think that the naming of a new development has some sort of link to our locality's past.

Anyway, as part of their plans, Redrow provided a handy new pedestrian path that links Pilgrims Road in North Halling to the main A228, which runs past "St. Andrews Lake".  Whilst maintenance of that path can sometimes be a bit tardy, the "hands-off" approach seem to be blossoming, so to speak. The verges either side of the path have recently exploded with a spectacular bloom of wildflowers...

Mugwort...

Ragwort (with Cinnabar Moth caterpillar)

Hawksbeard and Wild Carrot...

Broad-leaved Willowherb...

Goat's Rue and Rosebay Willowherb...

Goat's Rue...

Marjoram...

Hollyhocks...

Hollyhock...

Bird's Foot Trefoil...

Evening Primrose...

Spear Thistle...

St. John's Wort...

Viper's Bugloss...

Red and White Clover...

White Melilot...

Wild Carrot...

Sheep's Sorrel...

*Some local cynics contend that with respect to the lake, the name "St. Andrews" is merely a bid  by St. Andrews Leisure Management Ltd to beatify the then River ward Conservative Councillor for Medway, Andrew Mackness (who also happened to be a director of said company) for "services rendered". Needless to say, I think that's utter nonsense and that the connection with the adjacent housing estate and thence with the ancient cathedral priory of St. Andrew The Apostle is the obvious and correct one.