Should Greg and Anne live in High Halden or Ashford?
This mystery exercise by Alan Jeanes, AST, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys,
Canterbury is based on information in a Kent Messenger supplement called ‘Kent
Future’ published in September 2005.
Kent is entering an intense period of regeneration and development with long-term
effects for years to come. Although not joined to the Thames Gateway, Ashford is one of
South-east England’s key development areas.
The ambitious plans for the county offer huge potential for economic growth and job
creation but for residents and workers it is important to get it right; and at what expense
to the beautiful Kent countryside?
Tasks
Greg and Anne are recently married and in their mid-twenties with no children. At
present they rent accommodation in Ashford.
Sort the cards in order to find a set of statements that relate directly to the question
‘Should Greg and Anne live in High Halden or Ashford?’
Further sorting could take place such as into factors mainly social, economic,
environmental or political.
Mind map the linkages between the sorted statements.
Write an answer to the question using selected key statements.
See ‘Thinking through primary teaching’ by Steve Higgins, Chris Kington Publishing
(Resource 3, page 56) for a writing frame called ‘For and against? Looking at both sides
of the argument’.
Extension – informed and active participation
Greg and Anne will make their own personal decision about where they live. Think about
the roles that they might have for influencing the changes that will affect them in the
future.
What are the geographical skills that would help Greg and Anne play an active part in
their community?
Consider the likely futures for their home, work and services.
How does this show the inter-dependence of the two communities?
Living Geography – local solutions
This mystery exercise is more meaningful where it reflects the local circumstances of the
learners. It can be easily adapted by reference to local development frameworks and
current issues reported in local newspapers.
www.geography.org.uk/projects/buildingsustainablecommunities
1. High Halden is a suburbanised village to
the south-west of Ashford.
2. Local authorities make plans to manage
change in their area.
3. The population of High Halden is rising
rapidly.
4. High Halden has a lower crime rate than
Ashford.
5. The doctor in High Halden has closed
the list to new patients.
6. New homes are planned for High
Halden: 112 executive and affordable
units.
7. High Halden is on the A28 – the main
road between Ashford and Tenterden.
8. The cost of housing in High Halden has
gone up quite sharply recently.
9. In the 1990s developers planned for
new towns and villages within Green Belts.
10. Greg is an ICT consultant for internetbased companies. He can tele-work.
11. Greg and Anne can only afford housing 12. There is a good deal of brownfield land
in Ashford that is in need of repair.
in the Ashford urban area.
13. Areas of the countryside that need
protecting are called an SSSI.
14. In England 6.5 million homes are
needed by 2016.
15. 60% of new housing could be built on
brownfield sites.
16. Most of Greg’s friends live in Ashford.
17. Anne works for a travel company at
Ashford International Station.
18. Clearing brownfield sites can be
expensive.
19. Anne was recently mugged while
walking home from work.
20. Ashford is planning large-scale
regeneration schemes over the next 20
years.
21. It easy to get to Ashford urban centre
from High Halden.
22. Greg owns a car.
23. Parking is expensive in Ashford town
centre.
24. High Halden is becoming increasingly
congested.
www.geography.org.uk/projects/buildingsustainablecommunities
25. High Halden is close to The Weald and
the Garden of England countryside.
26. Anne spends her leisure-time shopping
for clothes.
27. Some older town centre shops have
closed through lack of trade.
28. Commuters use Ashford urban area
during the day.
29. A residents’ association opposes new
building in High Halden
30. 72% of households have access to car.
31. There is little for teenagers to do in
High Halden.
32. Greg is a keen football player.
33. Anne’s parents live in Maidstone.
34. The Thames Gateway is expecting
120,000 new homes and 120,000-180,000
new jobs by 2016.
35. The South-East Development Agency
(SEEDA) is managing projects worth £128
million in Kent.
36. High Halden does not have a train
station.
36. High Halden’s Primary School is full.
37. Ashford’s hospital can not cope with
the increased population.
38. Ashford’s population has risen 15% in
five years.
39. Plans for a new housing development
in High Halden have been refused.
40. High Halden has a post office and
shop; a pub and a community hall.
41. By 2013 there will be 31,000 new
dwellings and 28,000 new jobs in Ashford.
43. Roads, hospitals and schools will be
built ahead of house building.
44. Hothfield Common is an SSSI.
45. High speed trains will run from Ashford
to Ebbsfleet and London from 2009.
46. 6,500 new dwellings in five expanded
villages are expected in twenty years.
47. Anne likes to visit the gym at the sports
centre in Ashford twice a week.
48. NIMBY: not in my backyard.
BANANA: build absolutely nothing
anywhere near anything.
www.geography.org.uk/projects/buildingsustainablecommunities