Good Neighbours – En Tente Cordiale

As often happens people drive off the road and get stuck in the beach. A costly mistake unless one is in one of the motoring organisations.

Last evening a French family in their motor home got stuck up to the axles. Dint speak much English and no French on my part. After trying a few local businesses with tow trucks – all closed – asked neighbouring fisherman Kenny Thomas if anyone on the beach could help. Turned out his brother has a tractor for their fishing business and within half an hour or so they had gone to the aid of the stranded family. I had asked Kenny how much he would charge – something the family wanted to know – and he replied ‘we don’t normally make a charge (although donations to the Lifeboat always appreciated)’

In this day and age how refreshing to find others willing to help – and instantly – despite being early evening when probably other things to do.

Thanks Kenny.

And others can reward him buy purchasing fresh fish from his ‘Snack Shack’ on the main road!

About the Author: Mike Golding

Born in Ashford a long time ago I have had a lifelong relationship with Dungeness having spent every year here for a fortnights holiday up to the age of 15. In those good old days there was no electricity and hence no radio, no running water and no adequate sewage solutions. Nothing to do other than enjoy the vast expanse of the Ness and all it offered for the young children of that era. Out after breakfast and back before nightfall. There were lakes to swim in. Same lakes to boat on (well old railway sleepers). A derelict school and long disused railway station in and on which to play. Gun emplacements, underground shelters. Sheer bliss. That all ended at 16 when I joined the RAF, finally purchasing a shack – as indeed it was then – in 1971 for the princely sum of £750.00. Only 15 years prior to that we could not afford the £150.00 asking price for what was then known as ‘Windwhistle’, reported to be one of Queen Victoria’s entourages carriages. Still there today, sold last year (2022) and still awaiting planning permission to re construct, but the original structure still concealed behind painted shiplap. Leaving the mob I travelled, retuning ‘home’ as oft I could, and realistically, only becoming a permanent fixture since 1977. In those days there was a vibrant community here with annual gatherings for the Mayday festival – spit roast and all and open days at the Lifeboat station – with bosuns chairs, zip wires to keep the kids happy. I think Health and Safety put paid to that and other activities, as did the moving away of many locals. The result of which , today there are probably less than 20 families residing here permanently, (I have been told not to use the word ‘shacks’ as now, at £650,000.00 plus they are 'desirable bungalows in a well sought after locale'. So ‘Shacks’ they are! End. P.S A few originals left to rent from £500 per week.