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Author erects Ukraine flags outside hidden Russian embassy in Hawkhurst

A woman has been praised after she erected dozens of Ukrainian flags outside a Russian embassy on the outskirts of the county.

Hidden away Seacox Heath, Kent's very own Kremlin, isn't known to many people driving between Flimwell and Hawkhurst.

Rebecca De Saintonge erected Ukraine flags outside the Russian embassy in Hawkhurst. Picture: Tina Beattie
Rebecca De Saintonge erected Ukraine flags outside the Russian embassy in Hawkhurst. Picture: Tina Beattie
Rebecca De Saintonge erected Ukraine flags outside the Russian embassy in Hawkhurst. Picture: Tina Beattie
Rebecca De Saintonge erected Ukraine flags outside the Russian embassy in Hawkhurst. Picture: Tina Beattie

But that didn't stop Rebecca De Saintonge from showing her support for Ukraine, which is currently being invaded by Vladimir Putin's Russian troops.

The author took it upon herself to erect two dozens mini-Ukraine flags along along the fence of the secretive estate last Wednesday.

Her actions have drawn support from hundreds of people online, with her friend Tina Beattie commenting: "My crazy friend decided it looked a bit bare, so she went along this morning and decorated it with Ukrainian flags.

"There's plenty more space for lots more if you're in the area."

Many people were quick to praise Rebecca's actions, with some suggesting other ideas to show support for the Ukraine and its people.

Seacox Heath is found between Flimwell and Hawkhurst
Seacox Heath is found between Flimwell and Hawkhurst

Sandy Redmore said: "Go do it again and again and again. Well done."

While Jude Allsey commented: "The fences look a bit tired, maybe alternate the panels blue and yellow, brighten them up for spring."

Seacox Heath, built in 1871, is 1,750 miles from the actual Kremlin in Moscow and was presented to the Soviet government by the English Lord Gushen after the Second World War as a gift after Russian sailors saved his son during battle.

In 1999 the Russian diplomats and their lavish estate hit the headlines when they met with a sheep farmer and detectives after 50 ewes were killed and 100 others injured after Alsatian dogs attacked the animals.

Kent Police was called in to assist talks due to the complex nature of the case, which saw the canines have “protection from prosecution” due to being part of a diplomatic estate.

An aerial view of Seacox Heath in Hawkhurst. Picture: Google
An aerial view of Seacox Heath in Hawkhurst. Picture: Google

At the time a spokesman for the Russian embassy explained: “I don’t know if the dogs were responsible but we are ready to help to find out what happened.

“The estate is our property and everything there is covered by diplomatic immunity according to the international convention so yes, the dogs have immunity, but the dogs are not diplomats.”

The prestigious building sits between the sleepy villages of Flimwell and Hawkhurst and is not only linked to the likes of Russia and Vladimir Putin.

It was built by the first leader of the notorious Hawkhurst gang, before being rebuilt decades later into the luxurious setting it is now.

The infamous group was led by Arthur Gray and dreaded by villagers and aristocrats afar and its reputation rang out across the south coast and all the way along to the Dorset Coast.

Often described as the ‘Mafia’ of the early 18th century, the gang was initially appreciated by many poor people living in the area as it offered employment in the wake of the wool and iron industries disappearing from the region.

They were involved in smuggling throughout the south east from 1735 until 1749. Its leaders, Gray and Thomas Kingsmill were executed in 1748 and 1749 after they lost abattle with the Goudhurst Militia.

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