A little while ago, I posted here about The Hidden Realm and shared some of the local history that has made its way into the game. The response was brilliant, and it was lovely to see people interested in the stories behind places they might otherwise walk straight past.

I thought I'd share a little update on how things are progressing.

The Hidden Realm started as an idea to encourage people to get outside, explore and discover the history and folklore connected to the places around them. It's now a live walking game, available on Android and iPhone, with players exploring different parts of the UK.

The latest figures are rather satisfying to see:

• 770+ lore points added to the game
• 850+ pieces of lore discovered by players
• 1,100+ creature locations
• 1,350+ walks recorded
• 3,000+ km walked
• 48,000+ Embers gathered in-game
• 320+ Beacons planted
• 8,600+ units of ground charted

One of my favourite parts is that the history content isn't just something I've filled a database with. Players can suggest places they think deserve a story, those locations are researched, and new lore gets added to the game. Someone can discover a piece of history, decide to visit the location, and then share what they found. I've recently been sent a photo of one of this points from a player, and it's exactly the sort of thing I hoped the game might encourage.

There is also a deeper game involving creatures, territory and three competing Wards, but the basic idea is simple: start a walk, put your phone away, and discover what the Realm found along the way.

It's still an independent project that I'm developing and improving, and there's plenty left to do. But seeing people actually use something that started as an idea has been a genuinely rewarding experience.

I'm curious: what local places around Kent do you think deserve to have their stories better known? It could be a forgotten historical site, an unusual landmark, a local legend or somewhere with a story that most people have never heard.

I'm always interested in discovering more.

For anyone curious about the project, the website is The Hidden Realm: https://thehiddenrealm.co.uk

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Hi. I'm F40s in kent, nr Faversham.

After one of my dogs recently passed away and with some annual leave coming up, I'm hoping to get out and about. Something I feel I really need.

Is there anyone looking for new friendships to explore existing or new hobbies with? What hobbies do you have? Do you have dogs that you find peace in walking to some lovely places?

I'm interested in history, historical buildings, old countryside pubs, ruins, castles, woodland walks, beach walks or even just sitting there watching the waves. The cinema, zoo, dogs and more. I also enjoy countryside parks. Samphire Hoe country park and Hothfield being favourites. Oh and I love super sport motorbikes. Love it more going pillion on them.

Right so the gf is coming to London from ashford international train station. If she buys a zones 1-6 travelcard FROM ASHFORD STATION, will that cover her journey to and from the station into and out of London, as well as obviously zipping abt London. Also, will that be able to take her to St Pancras?

Just moved to Tunbridge as FTB. Tonight we found three slugs in our kitchen on the floor. We have had back door shut 95% of the time and all windows shut due to storms. Why do we find three slugs in the kitchen at midnight??

We have work off all of next week, hence lucky enough to spot them. Is this normal?

Thinking of moving from Maidstone to Sittingbourne. We are a young family and my husband works about 15 mins from Sittingbourne. I have family in Canterbury and Maidstone.
Which is worse?!

Someone posted in our neighbourhood WhatsApp group that houses were planned on land near us. Turns out the land right next to us is proposed for hundreds of homes, with over a thousand within a mile of my house, and I’d had no idea.

Accurate information was really hard to find. It’s spread across council documents and maps, and most of what I’d heard came from neighbours and Facebook groups. What started as a way to keep track of my own area has become a side project. A close friend and I are building it independently, and we’re adding more areas as we go.

So far it covers most of Kent. Pop in your postcode to see every site proposed around you, how many homes and what happens next, with links to the council’s own documents.

Plans like these change over time, so if you’d like to stay in the loop, you can sign up and we’ll regularly keep you posted on your area.

https://overthefence.uk/near-you/

We really hope you find it useful. If you do, signing up or sharing it with neighbours really helps us know it’s worth carrying on. It’s still a work in progress, so any feedback is very welcome.

I have to spend an evening in Swanscombe for work, just one evening. Anyone fancy dinner on me . Female preferred. M52

Anyone got a plug around Maidstone bit a long shot but thanksss

Hello, i’m currently looking for a driving instructor for a few hours of lessons and to also take me to my test. My test is on 12th November. Please message me if are one or know one

Anyone around Bexley/Sidcup/Bromley/Blackheath/Eltham and surrouning areas looking to make some new local friends?

I started a little social group because so many social events seem to involve travelling into central London. We do walks, pub quizzes, lunches, drinks, live music etc around SE London.

We've got a Wine, Jazz nightin blackheath coming up and an autumn walk + Italian lunch in Beckenham. If anyone fancies joining let me know and I can send details.

I am a young, hardworking and reliable woman currently seeking employment. I am motivated, eager to learn new skills and committed to approaching every task with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic.
I am open to a variety of work opportunities, including cleaning, housekeeping, domestic work, general labour and other temporary or casual positions. I am also interested in cash-in-hand work.
I am willing to get stuck in, take on new challenges and prove myself as a dependable and dedicated worker.
If you have any work available or know of anyone looking for an extra pair of hands, please feel free to message me directly. I would greatly appreciate any opportunities or recommendations.
Thank you for your time.

Seeking Cash-in-Hand Work
I am a young, hardworking and reliable woman currently looking for cash-in-hand work. I am motivated, eager to learn new skills and committed to approaching every task with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic.
I am open to a variety of opportunities, including cleaning, housekeeping, domestic work, general labour and other temporary or casual jobs.
I am willing to get stuck in, take on new challenges and prove myself as a dependable and dedicated worker.
If you have any cash-in-hand work available or know of anyone looking for an extra pair of hands, please feel free to message me directly. I would greatly appreciate any opportunities or recommendations.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

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F 40's Canterbury.. Hi...

Sadly one of my dogs died after an illness. How do you manage going forward? Please no one say she was just a dog! 😞. Anyone local that's been through the same and knows of any in person groups or methods of coping?

Looking to make friends locally

16 year olds in the UK can pay income tax, enlist in the armed forces, get a job and get a house and a drivers license and even pay income tax. But why can't they vape, smoke or drink? Confusing right. Allowing 16 year olds to drink and smoke builds a sense of maturity at their age as they are allowed to get a job and pay tax. Many countries like germany and luxembourg set their legal drinking age to 16 so why cant we? Sign our Petition today if you think I'm right!

Hello everyone how many people on here who live in Kent can honestly say that A: they live near a church and B: have heard the bells ringing?

Because the art (if you will) of bell ringing has a small but growing problem not just down here in Kent but everywhere.

It's that people are just getting old and there's no one to replace them, last years census of every person that identifies as a "bell ringer" around 65% were over the age of 60.

Within the space as a whole there is a date that's been set (around 2030-5 ish) on which by that time most of those 65% of people over the age of 60 physically won't be able to ring the bells anymore which is a shame as it means many many church towers across the county and country will fall silent.

Kent is rather special in the sense that we have some of the most amount of church towers with more than 8 bells as a matter of fact my local church has 12 (plus 1 semi tone) which means minus Canterbury cathedral and a stand alone tower in quex park it is THE only church in the county with 12 bells.

Now these are some fun facts or quiz night questions for most but for those of us that actually ring them it's a problem as there's X amount more people required to ring them. Now I can appreciate that not everyone is going to like something or want to do something but from a stranger on the Internet to another bell ringing was possibly the most rewarding thing I've ever done so far in my life I've been doing now for about 7 years and I've helped win multiple trophies for regional competitions (yes we even have a sporting side) and even helped a Kent team win 3rd place in a national competition in London losing only to Worcester cathedral and the Norwich team.

So for those of you here who seek groups to do stuff or seek interesting things please please please as much as this is a personal cry for my own church it's just as much of a cry for the county as a whole, get in touch with your local rector,father, sister,dean, Deacon whoever and at least try bell ringing.

You don't have to be religious of any faith you don't have to be Mr/s Olympic all you have to be is willing and able.

Thank you very much.

TLDR: for those that seek a group or get together try asking your local church if you can join their bell ringers and keep the music playing.