Mel's Insights:

I grew up just north east of Arva, RR#3 Ilderton to be exact. At that time Arva was all but a cross-roads consisting of Medway High School, Arva Floor Mill and the little church where one of my girlfriends kissed one of the minister’s sons (as I recall there were two sons, possibly twins, 🤭). Arva is super convenient to the west side of London and just north of Masonville. Located in Arva, Medway High school was originally known as the Arva school, unofficially, but eventually took on it’s present name taking it’s lead from Medway Creek, the creek that runs through it, the town on the school. My older sisters, two of which attended Medway, tell me there was a barn out back. I would love to know if they ever taught animal husbandry there, so if you know, let me know. One of the other landmarks, the Arva Floor Mill is believed to be North America’s oldest continuously operating water powered commercial floor mill. It was established in 1819 and is now owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Scott family. According to Wikipedia, Arva was also a critical rest stop on the Underground Railroad. If you’re a golfer, this is a great location to hit the links: it sits between Sunningdale and Llyndinshire golf & country clubs. Arva has grown into a prestigious bedroom community just north of London, but don’t kid yourself: it is still very much a farming community…and proud of it.