lived there for most of the 19th ccntury. Then the Ramsays lived there for the
first part ofthe present century. lt was they who gave the pulpit to the
church.
The Railway
The railway through Bekesbourne was opened in l86las part of the London
Chatham and Dover Railway’s main line from Canterbury to Dover. The
village is fortunate still to have a train an hour in each direction.
The Unicorn
The Unicom on Bekesbourne Hill has been a village pub, probably since the
early days of the railway age. For many years it was a beerhouse only, the
fully-licensed pub being the Prince of Wales, now closed. From the first the
Unicorn was privately owned but was bought by Shepherd Neame, the
F aversham brewers, in 1924. They sold it to the present owners a few years
ago. If you want a friendly welcome with good food and drink, you should
try the Unicorn. Besides, it has a beer festival itself this weekend.
Riding Stables
The riding stables are situated on the left of the Adisham Road just before
the Aerodrome Road turning. Bekesbourne is good riding country with a
number of excellent bridleways signposted by the County Council.
Baptism
Each year parents still bring their children to be baptised and to join the
Church’s family in Christ.
Fishing and the Little Stour
The time was, not all that long ago, when the Nailbourne, as the river
through the village is now called, really was the Little Stour and always
flowed. Then it was noted as being full of good trout. And  who knows?
~ maybe Bekesboume fishermen really did sail down to the Wanlsum
Channel and the open sea.
Funerals
The memorials in the churchyard bear witness to the many funerals which
have taken place in the church over the centuries.

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St Peter's Church
Bekesbourne
Flower Festival
26 - 28 June I998
Bekesbourne Today
The Life of a Village