Memories - Rudston Playing Field Development

I am sitting in Canterbury, Kent, looking at a photograph dated 1 November 1984, taken at Thorpe Hall, Rudston, the home of Sir Ian Macdonald of Sleat, to mark the completion of the Rudston playing field pavilion project. Twenty years have passed and I wonder how many people who have joined the village community since that date, are aware of the background. Those of us presented with the photograph will recall the evening although it could be clouded by the number of bottles of Sir Ian’s champagne we drank.

I have sent this piece to your editor to use as he thinks fit. It’s my perception of the way things developed and is a very personal view. As I no longer live in the village, nor the county, I have no agenda in writing, other than a desire to record some of the ‘history’ before it is lost, and there are others who can add further detail. Not everyone who worked on the project was able to be present on the photograph. Paul Burgess, Duncan Corner, ‘Pecker’ and ‘Bone’ Woodmansey were significant contributors amongst those missing, but many others gave their time, and many partners were tolerant of the time given when there were still DIY jobs to be done at home.

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