Victoria's Misfortune

Some of the old station buildings remain, having been converted into desirable residential properties. Other buildings had made way for conventional housing. The shops opposite the old station were flattened by a V1 in 1944. The quaint mismatched original buildings have been replaced by anonymous, identical concrete units.

The road itself is no longer gravel and the tarmac spreads to twice the original width as the lane winds up the hill. The ancient stream dried up and houses were built along its bed. The residents were most upset when, during the recent heavy rains, they found their gardens being washed away.

Further up the road an electronic gateway opens onto a paved driveway which in turn leads to a tastefully converted barn.

Further still, on the right hand side of the road is a large, derelict property. A stray bomb from a Zeppelin in 1915 dropped through the roof and landed in a highly flammable part of the building. It was 2am and the owner and the household were all asleep. Everybody died in the flames, save a young couple who had been in the loft above the stables at the time.

Much of the farmland has now been developed into a modern housing estate, but further away from the village the lands still remain open. The arable crops continue to be harvested by local farmers.

Half a mile from the estate sits an isolated yet pretty little cottage. It's been extended a couple of times over the years to enable it to accommodate a larger family. The gardens are well tended and roses climb around the low doorway. Curiously, on the door handle is tied a fading yellow ribbon.

Nobody is really sure why it's done anymore; but in June every year since 1917 it is quietly and simply replaced with a fresh one.

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