WASHMILLS

These washmills are where large harrow-like implements churned the chalk to separate it from the flints and other impurities. The chalk went through additional refining processes before being pumped to the cement works. The flints had to be removed from the washmills by hand, for which men were paid a few shillings a week.

The safety railings were installed by the Friends of Berengrave in 2006. The railings not only prevent members of the public from falling into the washmills from the adjacent path, but also help protect resident amphibians and their spawn from enthusiastic young boys with nets and glass jars!

HARROW

In 2009 Friends of Berengrave recovered a harrow from the detritis and solidified chalk slurry at the bottom of one of the washmills. The harrow has been raised and righted (blades pointing down) so that it can be seen by the public

We suspect that there are another three harrows in the washmill and it is hoped to recover these and put them on public display

WELL

Following a series of heavy frosts early in 2009, a circular depresion was noticed alongside and partially under one of the footpaths. Excavation showed this to be a well.

Due to lack of time, expertise and specialist equipment, it proved impossible to investigate the well any further than the initial excavation seen on the left. For safety reasons it was capped and covered, with the intention of investigating further when it is more convenient

PUMP

This early 20th century water pump was found embedded in the mud at the bottom of one of the washmills

With considerable assistance from the Royal Engineers, the pump has been recovered and is currently undergoing refurbishment before being put on public display

NARROW GUAGE RAILWAY POINTS

Friends of Berengrave have recently unearthed this set of points from the 24 inch narrow gauge railway system

The points are a light-weight, moveable system, known as 'Jubilee' track. Permanent track would have been laid from the cement works, under the Lower Rainham Road, to permanent points such as the washmills. Nearer to the working chalk face the permanent track would have changed to portable Jubilee track. As chalk extraction progressed backwards and forwards along the chalk face and the chalk face itself advanced into the chalk deposits, this portable track would have been lifted and repositioned to wherever it was currently required

Regrettably, after over seventy years on the damp floor of the pit, covered for much of that time in soil and leaf mould, the points have proved to be too delicate to move to put on public display

MEMORIAL PLAQUE

During our research into the history of the site, Friends of Berengrave discoverd that a memorial plaque, to the men of the British Standard Cement Works who lost their lives in World War I, was being held in store by an adjacent council. Upon hearing of our interest in the plaque, this council kindly donated it to Friends of Berengrave so it could be returned to the area from whence it came and again be put on public display

Medway Council kindly agreed that we could permanently mount the plaque in the visitor centre at Riverside Country Park, Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham, where it was formally unveiled by the Mayors of Medway and Gravesham on 18th August, 2008

Friends of Berengrave have continued with research into the men named on the plaque and a book containing all this information is available for viewing at Riverside Country Park visitor centre

(Click HERE for list of names)

RAINHAM DOCK

Although not strictly an artefact, Rainham Dock still exists, albeit without any of the structures associated with the workings of the dock or the cement works

This picture was taken towards the back end of 1929. The view is taken from the north side of the dock, with the dockhead on the left and open water to the River Medway to the right.

The three cylindrical structures, middle left of the picture, are the silos in which the cement was stored. The furnaces are the other side of the silos, to the left of the chimney. The large rectangular structure in the middle of the picture is a cooling tower for the plant's main engines

On 29 December 1929, soon after this photograph was taken, the barge 'Gloria', which can be seen moored at the dockhead, sailed in an overloaded condition and, during a squall, sank in Kethole Reach with the loss of both crew

ENGINE HOUSE

Situated to the west of the washmills, this is the site of an archaeological investigation in an attempt to ascertain exactly how the chalk was processed in the chalk pit

The site proved to be more complex than was expected and raised more questions than it gave answers

Click HERE for a more detailed description of the archaeological dig in the engine house and the surrounding area