Teston
Teston is pronounced 'Teeson' and there is an interesting story which explains how this discrepancy arose. It is alleged that this was due to the mistake of a sign-writer, employed by South Eastern Railway, who misspelled the name of the station (writing 'Teston' instead of 'Teeson'). This spelling was then adopted while the old pronunciation was kept. Neither the sign nor the railway station exist any more. Nor is the subsequent fate of the sign-writer known.
As any cricket lover knows, Teston was the home of cricket balls, though now the firm that makes them has diversified into hockey balls which it sells to countries in Europe and further afield such as the USA and Japan. This firm, now known as 'Readers', was established in 1808, by William Martin. In 1871 Alfred Reader took over and it is from him that the present firm derives its name. Cricket at Teston
Few know one of the founders of the abolition of slavery is buried at Teston. Rev. James Ramsay
Nearby Barham Court, which can be seen up above Teston, derives it's name from the Bearham family. Their Norman name was Fitz Urse and Randal Fitz Urse was one of the four knights who murdered Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170. A fire destroyed much of Barham Court in 1932 but it was restored by Sir Herbert Baker. It is now a business centre.
Teston Bridge Country Park is a wonderful way to explore part of the area. The 32 acre park situated next to the bridge and the river, is owned and managed by KCC. The park is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest and attracts many different forms of wildlife. KCC and MVCP often run events and activities at the park. For more information about Teston and other KCC parks in the area see KCC's parks and open spaces pages: http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture.aspx