One village that might come as a bit of a surprise on our route from Dover to Canterbury is the village of Aylesham.
It’s quite unlike any other of the surrounding villages

It was designed in the 1920s to accommodate the miners and their families who had come to work in the newly established Kent coal fields.

The designers of this village wanted it to be self contained…
and not relating to the surrounding villages.
I wonder why?
The new Kent coalfield attracted miners from across the UK mining areas such as South Wales Scotland and North-east England.

After the 1926 General Strike many mine owners refused to take back into employment the Union leaders as they were seen as militant troublemakers.
So many came to Kent out of desperation and yet once here they formed a strong community.

They brought with them their ‘home’ traditions and so the Aylesham Football team wore black and white stripes as per Newcastle United.

What ‘home customs’ have travelled with us to give a sense of belonging and security?