Between 1958 and 1972 I lived almost opposite the Tuck Inn transport cafe on the A2. The easy route to the island was down Breach Lane to Lower Halstow, then along Raspberry Hill Lane, out onto the old Ferry Road and away. So I passed Funton quite often, on push bike, motorcycle then cars.
Raspberry Hill has been tamed a bit, back in the day the water (mud) was up to the unguarded road edge. Going along there in the girlfriend’s brother’s Ford 100E at whatever speed could be squeezed from the 3speed, 1172cc side valve was “memorable “. The road surface then was very good.
Tried it a couple of years later in my Mk1 Lotus Cortina in the dark, four Cibie Oscars lighting the way. Huge fun but sanity prevailed and we didn’t repeat it.
There was a huge tradition of brick making in the area. In just the route I described you had Newington brick works on the A2, now an industrial estate, Eastwood’s in Lower Halstow, now housing and Funton. So only a matter of time before it gets redeveloped.
Next one up shortly.
