What better way to enjoy high summer than with a guided walk with a friendly crowd, learning about Kent’s wartime history from our seasoned expert Geoff Rambler?

Get out and explore this beautiful county of ours this weekend – and learn something new along the way.

On Saturday, July 26, the fifth in our 2014 series of What’s On walks commemorating the First World War will be taking place and everyone is invited.

Each of our walks has been carefully planned not only to take in some fascinating locations but also to look back on the part that the First World War played on the Kent landscape.

This Saturday we will be heading to Faversham and nearby Graveney Marshes.

“Faversham has a long association with the explosive industry and fulfilled a critical role, and paid a high price, to support the First World War effort,” said our walk leader Geoff Rambler.

“Saturday’s walk therefore is an appropriate one to consider the story of the women, known as the munitionettes, who came to the ‘rescue’ of the men on the frontline who had run desperately low on artillery shells, and the personal price they paid for undertaking this work.

“The munitionettes earned good money – perhaps for the first time earning sufficient money to support themselves – but the price was high. The chemicals the women worked with coloured their skin, to the extent that they were also called ‘canaries’, and damaged their health and fertility.

“On the route I will recount stories of people, places and events linked to the particular places we will pass through.

“My hope is that the walks will bring some connection with historical events that will be covered extensively by documentary makers over the next four years.”

Geoff added: “The walks will be enjoyed by those who just want to walk and those who are curious about local history. All the walks are free but there will be a collection at the end for the Royal British Legion.”

THIS WEEKEND’S WALK

Saturday, July 26, departing at 10am

A 10-mile circular walk from the car park of Faversham Railway Station, postcode ME13 8EB and map reference TR015 609.

Walk theme: “Our route out of Faversham will make a short detour to the Love Lane Cemetery to visit the mass grave of the men and boys (no women) killed in the Uplees Explosion of April 2, 1916. We will then head out of the town via the Swale Heritage Trail to reach the Norman church of St Bartholomew, Goodnestone, before heading northwards towards Seasalter and the Thames. Here we will pick up the Saxon Shore Way that will return us to Faversham.

“On Graveney Marshes we will consider how soldiers on both sides showed great humanity towards each other in the First World War and Second World War. I will also be revealing how Philip Neame VC received a ‘flea in his ear’ on Christmas Day 1914 but then went on to win the Victoria Cross and an Olympic gold medal. He was the first man to achieve both honours.”

Geoff says: “Although this is a long walk it is largely on good paths and there are no strenuous climbs. We will take a good break at Seasalter.”