Littlebourne

Index ...	Littlebourne
	The village of Littlebourne lies on the A257 approximately 3½ miles east of Canterbury. The Nail Bourne is a normally placid stream, rising near Lyminge and flowing north-east through the Elham Valley to Barham, then north-west through Kingston, Bishopsbourne and Bridge before once more turning north-east through Patrixbourne and Bekesbourne to Littlebourne. From here it continues in a north-easterly direction to Wickhambreaux with its water-mill before joining the Little Stour. This joins the Great Stour at Pluck's Gutter to become the River Stour and flows east through Minster Marshes before winding around Stonar on its way to the sea in Pegwell Bay, just south of Ramsgate.
	This picture of the Nail Bourne (right) looking south-west from the A257 shows the river as it was on Friday 12th January 2001. The level of the water has subsided - it had previously overflowed onto the road and swamped the gardens and houses along its banks, swollen by months of excessive rain.
		The picture on the left shows The Green, with an oast house in the background. Notice the water on the green, which is separated from the stream by the houses on the left.
	There are sandbags piled against the doors of the cottages on the green (right) in a vain attempt to hold back the flood waters.
		The picture (left) shows the field on the east side of the stream, normally home to several horses, now more suitable for ducks!
	The level of the stream has fallen considerably since the road outside the King William pub was flooded, but they are still pumping water from the cellars over a week later (right).
		The King William stands opposite the The Green and the turning to Bridge. On the morning of Thursday 4th January the pub, the house next door and several other properties were being pumped out after the stream overflowed its banks and flowed over, rather than under, the bridge.
	The waters surging under the bridge show how far the water level has fallen since the day, one week earlier, when it overflowed its banks and flooded the road above the bridge.
		The house on the left is called Little Howletts
	The Anchor Inn is probably the oldest pub in the village.