Adventure for children on the trail of treasure

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Children at Highways Kindergarten, Hamstreet are urging families to take part in a smuggler treasure hunt later this month.

Legend has it that in the 19th century local smugglers buried treasure in Hamstreet for safekeeping, but after one of them, George Ransley, was captured and transported to Tasmania the whereabouts of the hidden gems were lost forever.

But now the kindergarten is using the village’s smuggling link to stage a hunt to raise money towards a canopy for the nursery garden.

Vicky Long, head teacher at Highways Kindergarten said: “We would like to invite children to take part in a special Smuggler Treasure Hunt in Hamstreet.

“With a map and clues, everyone will be taken on a smuggler adventure around Hamstreet village to find the buried treasure.

“We have had some fantastic support already from local family attractions and businesses in the area who have donated vouchers to be included as buried treasure for the children to win.

“These include the Rare Breeds centre in Woodchurch, Imagine Ashford Play Centre and Tenterden Leisure Centre.”

The Smuggler Treasure Hunt will take place on Sunday, May 22 from 10am until 1pm, starting at the village’s Cosy Kettle Coffee Shop. A £3 entry fee will be charged. To find out more about the hunt and get treasure updates please sign up to the Highways Kindergarten Smuggler Treasure Hunt Facebook page.

Vicky Long, head teacher at Highways Kindergarten and children with the treasure map