Ruckinge is a small village which lies on the northern edge of the Romney Marsh . The village was founded in Saxon times as can be seen from parts of the church, most of the remainder is Norman . It would seem that the Ransleys were not quite the law abiding citizens that they could have been. The churchyard contains a simple grave of three iron supports and a plank to mark the grave of two brothers from the Ransley family who were convicted of highway robbery in 1800. They were hung on nearby Penenden Heath , and their remains buried in the churchyard. In 1792 George Ransley was born at Ruckinge , and started work as a ploughman then a carter. The story goes that he found a stash of spirits hidden by the smugglers and with the proceeds of the sale bought his house the Bourne Tap. Ransley took over the Aldington gang of smugglers after the Battle of Brookland in 1820. The gang became stronger and landed goods all along the coast from Rye to Deal . In July 1826 they were caught on the beach at Dover and a Midshipman Richard Morgan was killed. In October 1826 Ransley was arrested at Aldington by the Bow Street Runners on suspicion of murder, but as it took place in the dark, the death sentence was converted to deportation. Ransley was sent to work on a farm in Tasmania. In 1804 Napoleon was getting ready to invade England, the government decided to try to stop a French invasion via the Romney Marshes and they built the Royal Military Canal as part of the nations defenses. It was re-fortified in the 1940's by installing gun emplacements and pill boxes to try to delay a German invasion via the Marshes, the canal runs alongside Ruckinge . Ruckinge also housed Thomas Aveling, who was one of the pioneers of the Traction Engine in the mid 1800s.

Services

The village is quite small, with few services. Trains can be caught at Hamstreet about 2 miles east, and the major shopping in the area is to be found at Ashford about 6 miles north, where the main London trains can be found.

Views

Ruckinge is just above the level of the Romney Marsh , and has fine views across the vast landscape. The Royal Military Canal runs along the southern edge of the village and is popular with walkers and fishermen.

Businesses Servicing the Area

Service Web Business Name Location Phone Accomodation Dolly Plum Cottage Guest House (Dymchurch) (01303)-874558 Accountant Alison Stevens & Co (Robertsbridge) (01580)-880237 Chair Doctor Holland of Rye (Rye) (01797)-222648 Estate Agent Lawrence and Co Estate Agents (Hythe) (01303)-266022 Information Romney Marsh Countryside Project (New Romney) Record Producer Jelly Recording Studios (Whatlington) (01580)-882032

Local Amenities

Amenity Web Name Email Phone We currently have no information on the amenities in Ruckinge If you know of organisations in the village who would like to be included please click here

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Page Last Updated: 08:05 - 12/01/2007