Published by Harrietsham Fish Scheme, July 2013

People of Harrietsham

At the 2011 Census the popula on of the village was 2113, of whom about 19% were under 16 (comparable to the fi gures for Kent and the country as a whole). 425 were over 65; this is about 20% higher than the na onal average (NA), but despite this we appear to be a fairly healthy and ac ve community, with over 95% of residents saying their health is fair (or be er) and 92% claiming li le or no limita on to their day-to-day ac vi es (both marginally be er than the NA).

As the graph below shows, Harrietsham is a growing village, and as MBC has iden fi ed us as one of the fi ve “Rural Service Centres” in the Borough designated for expansion (with circa 400 new homes projected), by the me of the next census in 2021 our popula on looks set to be well over 3000.

These, and further interes ng sta s cs about Harrietsham, can be found by going to www.kent.gov.uk and checking 2011 census. Some other points of interest include:• Over 82% of households are owner occupiers (NA = 64%)• About 92% own a car (NA = 75%)• About 95% of residents were born in the UK (NA = 87%)

-19-

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Harrietsham HengeIn the late summer of 2012 an excava on at Court Lodge Farm by Dr Paul Wilkinson of the Kent Archaeological Field School revealed a ritual earthwork or Henge some 50 metres across. The site was found through the study of aerial photographs and by talking to local farmers. The site is on a small promontory surrounded by water on three sides; it is overlooked by the Pilgrims Way and the Greenway. Based on the fi ndings it is believed to date back to 2500 BC and to have been in use for around 200 years. It is likely to have been a signifi cant fes val site, big enough to accommodate 1000 people. A candidate for the “party capital” of Neolithic Britain. (N.B. There is no visible sign of the site now). Photograph by Dr Paul Wilkinson.

The Pilgrim - “Percy” (photo on back cover supplied by Pip Burch) situated on the Pilgrims Way east of Stede Hill. The inscrip on on the bench next to the pilgrim reads “Pilgrim bound with staff and faith, rest thy bones….” There is also a Time Line panel on the adjacent no ce board which was produced by the Mid Kent Downs Project in partnership with the Mid Kent Downs Sustainable Tourism Project and Harrietsham Parish Council.

-18-

Other Buildings & Places of Interest (shown on centre pages map)

9) The Old Primary School, Ashford Road, (A20) - built in 1844 out of local stone by the builder Thomas Thompson of Loose at a cost of £438 : 18s : 9d.

10) The Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd - Originally built as an Anglican Chapel to cater for the workers engaged on the construc on of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway in the 1880’s.

11) The West Street Green - bounded on one side by a stream that begins in the lake of Woodlands Walk and runs into the River Len. On the Green is the Village sign erected by the Parish Council to commemorate Harrietsham’s thousand years of recorded history. It shows the North Downs, pilgrims walking to or from Canterbury, the Parish church and a water mill (see front cover picture supplied by Peter Brown).

12) The Booth Field - close behind the Community Centre, here the cricket and tennis clubs have their bases.

13) Woodlands Walk, off Church Road - is owned by the Parish Council and open to the public, a quiet place to sit beside the lake with the lovely view of the boathouse and the ducks and other waterfowl for company.

14) The Parish War Memorial - close to St. John the Bap st Church.

15) The Pilgrims Way - part of the North Downs Way and where you will be able to enjoy the splendid views over the village and surrounding countryside.

16) Grands Aur - is the highest point in the Parish and is reached by a public footpath.

17) The Glebe Field - in front of St. John’s Church, owned by the Parish Council, now includes a well-equipped children’s play area.

18) Stede Court - da ng back to the 17th Century, an imposing house si ng at the top of Stede Hill on the North Downs with splendid views over the village, it has been the family home to the Stedes, Baldwins and Turners, all names connected with the history of the village. During the Second World War the house came into war service, fi rstly housing London evacuees, then came Dunkirk, with some members of a medical Unit billeted in the house. Towards the end of the War part of the house became an H. Q. Mess with a series of dis nguished commanders sleeping there.

-17-

Welcome to our new residents of Harrietsham!

Harrietsham FISH Scheme is a voluntary scheme comprising the Helping Hands and the monthly magazine Network. It has just completed forty four years of ac ve involvement with the community and for the community of Harrietsham.

Helping Hands: With the support of many volunteers we provide those in need with transport to doctors’ surgeries and to local hospitals, and other essen al journeys. FISH also organises a range of ac vi es and events for those who wish to stay involved in the social life of the Village.

Why FISH? you may ask. Many years ago a church working group decided to start a helping scheme and took the name from the original fi sh-shaped sign which early Chris ans marked in the sand to indicate that a secret mee ng was taking place. The small fi sh logo on the front of the Booklet was designed many years ago by a local resident, ar st and benefactor.

Now many years later FISH con nues to try to ensure that all newcomers are warmly welcomed. They are given a Welcome Pack, together with the current Network magazine, containing informa on on services and ameni es, and on clubs and socie es which they can join so that, if they wish, they can quickly orient and integrate into village life.

-4-

There are a number of other listed buildings in West Street:

6) 62 West Street - (formerly Post Offi ce and Shop) Circa 17th century.

7) The Roebuck Inn - Circa 15th Century, the last surviving pub in the village. In the past there have been four others - The BlacksmithsArms and The Bank House in West Street and The Bell and The Dark Angel in East Street. The Roebuck was, un l the 1970’s, a well-known stopping-off point for the charabancs (motor coaches) on their way from London to the Kent coast. During the 20th century West street also boasted a butchers, a wool shop, a sweet shop, Su ons General Stores, a newspaper shop, a clock-makers shop, a bakers, a saddle-makers, as well as Harman’s Garage, once the village’s own petrol sta on.

8) The Blacksmith’s Arms built in 1779 was formerly the village Poor House. The blacksmith operated from a forge on the le of the poor house and a wheelwright had a workshop on the right. Both trades areremembered by street names: - The Wheelwrights and Forge Meadow.

6 - 8 West Street - Circa 17th Century (right end re-built in 19th century).

28 - 30 West Street - Circa 18th Century (No 32 Mount House).

42 West Street - Circa 19th Century.

46 - 50 West Street - Circa 17th Century.

-16-

Network Magazine: Network is a monthly village magazine delivered free, by our large team of volunteers, to all residents and businesses within the Parish of Harrietsham. It carries news of events, organisa ons and individuals within the Village and the immediate vicinity. Whilst it began as a result of an ini a ve from the churches, its on-going aim is to build a spirit of community and to keep residents informed. Its policy is non-poli cal, non-sectarian, but predominantly Harrietsham.You can contact the Editor, Rosi Taylor, on 851701 or e-mail harrietsham.fi sh@tesco.net

The Fish Scheme obviously relies on volunteers with a variety of skills, so if you have some li le spare me and think you may be able toassist us please do contact and discuss with Marjorie Darby on 850657 or at mldd@talktalk.net

Further informa on can be found on the website: harrietshamfi shscheme.org

Churches in Harrietsham

Parish Church of St. John the Bap stRector: Rev’d Dr Richard Venn, tel. 858195Curate: Rev’d Millie Hart, tel. 859753Benefi ce Offi ce: tel. 850604 (answerphone when not manned)

Church of the Good Shepherd (Roman Catholic)Parish Priest: Fr. Geoff rey PointerDeacon: Rev Cyril Durbin, tel. 736100

Harrietsham Congrega on of Jehovah’s WitnessesKingdom Hall, Church Lane, Harrietsham ME17 1BGPublic Talk and Study of The Watchtower: Sunday, 10.00amBible Study, Theocra c Ministry School and Service Mee ng: Thursday, 7.30pm

-5-

Some of the oldest houses in the parish are found in East Street:

2) The Old House - Circa 15th century Wealden mber-framed farmhouse.

3) Dial House - so called because of the working sun-dial high on the south facing front wall. It is has been the home of the Bo le famly since the 1500’s. Over the centuries the family have been builders, woodcarvers and map makers. 4) The Almshouses - founded in 1642 by Mark Quested, a local resident and Member of The worshipful Company of Fishmongersof London. Refurbished by the company in 1770 and recently by Cutbush and Corrall (a local Charity). There are 12 houses and applica ons are open to residents of Harrietsham or Maidstone Borough.

5) Malthouse - (also known as Bell Farmhouse) Circa 16th century farmhouse.

-15-

Local Government Informa on - correct at July 2013

Harrietsham Parish Council - 9 seatsStephen Morris (Chairman)

Janet A water Dennis Cli on Rod Martenstyn David Oversby Jane a Sams Tom Sams Tony Taylor Michael Thompson

Clerk: Amanda BroadhurstParish Offi ce, Harrietsham Village Hall, Church Road

01622 850089 harrietshampc@aol.com

Financial Offi cer: Mike Cuerden

Maidstone Borough CouncilAll departments 01622 602000

www.maidstone.gov.uk

Our Borough Councillors Tom Sams John Barned 01622 859412 01622 851142 07718 173329 07813 579631 tomsamscllr@gmail.com JohnBarned@maidstone.gov.uk

Kent County Councilwww.kent.gov.uk

Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XX0845 824 7247

Councillor: Jenny Whi lec/o Members Desk, Sessions HouseCounty Hall, Maidstone ME14 1QX

Business phone: 01622 694093Email: jenny.whi le@kent.gov.uk

-6-

Places of interest (see centre page map for loca on)

1) The Parish Church of St. John the Bap st stands at the foot of the North Downs and dates back to the late 11th century. It is of Norman origin with architectural features of all periods up to the 15th centuryand is one of the few Ken sh churches to possess two towers and a peal of eight bells, which were installed in 1742. The church is fortunate in possessing some interes ng and valuable church plate which is kept on permanent display at Canterbury Cathedral. Photograph late 19th century.

The churchyard houses a number of early 19th century Table Tombs and late 18th century headstones.

The church is open every day during the hours of daylight for peace and quiet, medita on and prayer.

-14-

Na onal ParliamentMP for Faversham and Mid Kent: Hugh Robertson (Conserva ve)

www.hughrobertson.org.ukHugh Robertson, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

European ParliamentSouth East region - 10 representa ves - www.europarl.org.uk

Medical Directory

Len Valley Prac ce: www.lenvalleyprac ce.co.ukOut of Hours Telephone 0845 145 0121

Glebe Surgery Groom Way Surgery Harrietsham Lenham ME17 1AP ME17 2QF 01622 859204 01622 858341

(Appointments for both surgeries may be made on either number).

Dentaline NHS Emergency Dental Service Preston Hall, Aylesford ME20 7NJ 01634 890300

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trustwww.mtw.nhs.uk

Maidstone Hospital *Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9QQ 0845 155 1000

Pembury Hospital *Tonbridge Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4QJ 0845 155 1000

William Harvey HospitalKennington Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0LZ 01233 633331

Medway Mari me HospitalWindmill Road, Gillingham ME7 5NY 01634 830000

* Also Emergency Care Centres and Accident and Emergency

-7-

Harrietsham History Society

The Society was formed in April 2012 and holds its mee ngs in the Primary School Hall in West Street. Its aims are:• To provide opportuni es to learn about local history• To record knowledge acquired of changes past and present within the parish for the benefi t of the public (with the view to publishing the results)• To increase public interest in the history of Harrietsham and the surrounding area.

In its fi rst year the society has enjoyed a number of interes ng talks, two walks in the village, visits to the Archaeological dig where The Henge was discovered in August 2012 and to the new Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone.

Members of the commi ee have been working very hard on sor ng out photographs, postcards and lots of other items which have either been donated or lent to the society. We are currently working with The Friends of St. Johns Church on publishing books of Harrietsham in Old Photographs, the fi rst edi on of which is planned to be available for purchase before Christmas 2013.

Harrietsham Village has a tremendous history which we hope to be able to record and make available for everyone to access and to this end we would invite you to log on to our website to fi nd out more about us and our progress with our projects. Further informa on on the society and its ac vi es can also be found in the monthly village magazine (Network).

Peter Brown, Chairman

www.harrietshamhistorysociety.org

-13-

Harrietsham Parish Council

The Parish Council currently has 9 members from the community who serve on a voluntary basis. Elec ons are held every four years (the next elec ons are in 2015) and should a vacancy arise in between elec ons the council has the power to co-opt representa ves.

The Parish Council is responsible for the Glebe Field, including the playground; the lakes at Woodland Walk; the new Burial Ground and the War Memorial; West Street Green; and the Allotments which are behind the Roebuck Business Park. We also liaise between residents and the Borough Council/County Council if issues arise. Besides running some community events, e.g. the summer Playscheme and Remix, we also fi nancially support, where funds allow, the many community groups in the provision of services within the Parish.

Full Parish Council mee ngs, i.e. open to all Harrietsham Parish Councillors, are held on the last Wednesday of each month except for August and December, and minutes, once agreed, are available to view at the village Post Offi ce or in the Parish Offi ce.

Commi ees and Working Groups meet on a regular basis throughout the year and, where necessary, agendas are posted on the two no ce boards at West Street Green and the Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to a end any of the public mee ngs with 15 minute slots allocated at the beginning and end of the mee ng to raise any issues, but residents are not allowed to par cipate in discussions during a mee ng proper.

The Parish Council can be contacted via the Clerk on 01622 850089 during offi ce hours (mornings). An answer phone is available when the offi ce is closed, or alterna vely contact can be made by email at harrietshampc@aol.com.

The Parish Council provides and excellent opportunity to get involved in the workings of a rural parish and the chance to contribute which will improve the facili es for all the residents.

-8-

Village Organisa ons

For a village its size, Harrietsham has a lot going on!

For young children there are Beaver, Rainbow and Brownie Guide groups here; even younger children are catered for at the Mother and Toddler group or maybe at one of the two nurseries in the village. Mini Remix is a youth club for children of primary school age.

Older young people have their own weekly Remix Project mee ngs, and a Remix Warhammer group also runs weekly. Scouts and Guides cater for this age group too.

If sport is your thing you may be interested in the Cricket Club or Harrietsham Lawn Tennis Club (May – September), Badminton Club, Short Mat Bowls and Karate (year-round). More sedentary entertain-ment is to be had at the Whist Club (monthly) or at the Roebuck’s weekly pub quiz!

The green-fi ngered will be interested in Harrietsham Gardening Society or maybe Harrietsham in Bloom (which is responsible for many of the colourful planters you see around). The History Society is very ac ve, and all women are very welcome at the monthly mee ngs of the Wives Group - despite the name.

For those of you available during the day there are ac vi es such as an Art Class, Coff ee Morning, Yoga, ‘Pins and Needles’ (cra group), Women’s Ins tute and now a Falls Preven on class.

At the parish church you are invited to join the bellringers and/or the choir, or maybe the Friends of St. John the Bap st Church.

Details of contacts for all these may be found in ‘Network’ or on the no ce board in the Village Hall.

-9-

Harrietsham - A short History

Harrietsham lies mostly at the foot of the great ridge of chalk hills known as the North Downs. It owes its existence to the series of springs which feed the streams and the lakes at Goddington and Woodlands Walk, water being essen al for human se lement for drinking and a rac ng wildlife and game for food. The original wri en name - “Heriagierdeshamme” - which means “Heriagierde’s water meadow” clearly signifi es the importance of water to the se lement. The meadows were probably in the area to the south of the Alms Houses and the whole area would have also been well watered by the River Len.

Five pre-Norman se lements were men oned in the Domesday Book: Polhill, Fairbourne, Selesburne, Harbilton and Harrietsham itself.

Over the centuries the village has been shaped by the infl uence of the transport routes from East to West. The Pilgrims Way (North Downs Way) was the medieval equivalent of a motorway, linking the ci es of Winchester and Canterbury with a spur to the port of Dover. In the 1880’s the London to Ashford railway line was built and in the early 1930’s the main street of the village was divided by the construc on of the A20. This remained as a very important trunk road to the Channel ports un l the comple on of the M20 motorway in the 1990’s, and in 2007 the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was completed.

Important archaeological fi nds from the Bronze and Iron Ages and from Roman and Saxon se lements have been made on land to the east of the Woodland Walk lakes. A Roman dwelling lies partly under Harrison Drive, while Saxon burial urns have been found on the Glebe Field and in the Churchyard. In August 2012 a prehistoric henge was discovered on the West slope of the North Downs.

-12-

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Village Organisa ons

For a village its size, Harrietsham has a lot going on!

For young children there are Beaver, Rainbow and Brownie Guide groups here; even younger children are catered for at the Mother and Toddler group or maybe at one of the two nurseries in the village. Mini Remix is a youth club for children of primary school age.

Older young people have their own weekly Remix Project mee ngs, and a Remix Warhammer group also runs weekly. Scouts and Guides cater for this age group too.

If sport is your thing you may be interested in the Cricket Club or Harrietsham Lawn Tennis Club (May – September), Badminton Club, Short Mat Bowls and Karate (year-round). More sedentary entertain-ment is to be had at the Whist Club (monthly) or at the Roebuck’s weekly pub quiz!

The green-fi ngered will be interested in Harrietsham Gardening Society or maybe Harrietsham in Bloom (which is responsible for many of the colourful planters you see around). The History Society is very ac ve, and all women are very welcome at the monthly mee ngs of the Wives Group - despite the name.

For those of you available during the day there are ac vi es such as an Art Class, Coff ee Morning, Yoga, ‘Pins and Needles’ (cra group), Women’s Ins tute and now a Falls Preven on class.

At the parish church you are invited to join the bellringers and/or the choir, or maybe the Friends of St. John the Bap st Church.

Details of contacts for all these may be found in ‘Network’ or on the no ce board in the Village Hall.

-9-

Harrietsham - A short History

Harrietsham lies mostly at the foot of the great ridge of chalk hills known as the North Downs. It owes its existence to the series of springs which feed the streams and the lakes at Goddington and Woodlands Walk, water being essen al for human se lement for drinking and a rac ng wildlife and game for food. The original wri en name - “Heriagierdeshamme” - which means “Heriagierde’s water meadow” clearly signifi es the importance of water to the se lement. The meadows were probably in the area to the south of the Alms Houses and the whole area would have also been well watered by the River Len.

Five pre-Norman se lements were men oned in the Domesday Book: Polhill, Fairbourne, Selesburne, Harbilton and Harrietsham itself.

Over the centuries the village has been shaped by the infl uence of the transport routes from East to West. The Pilgrims Way (North Downs Way) was the medieval equivalent of a motorway, linking the ci es of Winchester and Canterbury with a spur to the port of Dover. In the 1880’s the London to Ashford railway line was built and in the early 1930’s the main street of the village was divided by the construc on of the A20. This remained as a very important trunk road to the Channel ports un l the comple on of the M20 motorway in the 1990’s, and in 2007 the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was completed.

Important archaeological fi nds from the Bronze and Iron Ages and from Roman and Saxon se lements have been made on land to the east of the Woodland Walk lakes. A Roman dwelling lies partly under Harrison Drive, while Saxon burial urns have been found on the Glebe Field and in the Churchyard. In August 2012 a prehistoric henge was discovered on the West slope of the North Downs.

-12-

Harrietsham History Society

The Society was formed in April 2012 and holds its mee ngs in the Primary School Hall in West Street. Its aims are:• To provide opportuni es to learn about local history• To record knowledge acquired of changes past and present within the parish for the benefi t of the public (with the view to publishing the results)• To increase public interest in the history of Harrietsham and the surrounding area.

In its fi rst year the society has enjoyed a number of interes ng talks, two walks in the village, visits to the Archaeological dig where The Henge was discovered in August 2012 and to the new Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone.

Members of the commi ee have been working very hard on sor ng out photographs, postcards and lots of other items which have either been donated or lent to the society. We are currently working with The Friends of St. Johns Church on publishing books of Harrietsham in Old Photographs, the fi rst edi on of which is planned to be available for purchase before Christmas 2013.

Harrietsham Village has a tremendous history which we hope to be able to record and make available for everyone to access and to this end we would invite you to log on to our website to fi nd out more about us and our progress with our projects. Further informa on on the society and its ac vi es can also be found in the monthly village magazine (Network).

Peter Brown, Chairman

www.harrietshamhistorysociety.org

-13-

Harrietsham Parish Council

The Parish Council currently has 9 members from the community who serve on a voluntary basis. Elec ons are held every four years (the next elec ons are in 2015) and should a vacancy arise in between elec ons the council has the power to co-opt representa ves.

The Parish Council is responsible for the Glebe Field, including the playground; the lakes at Woodland Walk; the new Burial Ground and the War Memorial; West Street Green; and the Allotments which are behind the Roebuck Business Park. We also liaise between residents and the Borough Council/County Council if issues arise. Besides running some community events, e.g. the summer Playscheme and Remix, we also fi nancially support, where funds allow, the many community groups in the provision of services within the Parish.

Full Parish Council mee ngs, i.e. open to all Harrietsham Parish Councillors, are held on the last Wednesday of each month except for August and December, and minutes, once agreed, are available to view at the village Post Offi ce or in the Parish Offi ce.

Commi ees and Working Groups meet on a regular basis throughout the year and, where necessary, agendas are posted on the two no ce boards at West Street Green and the Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to a end any of the public mee ngs with 15 minute slots allocated at the beginning and end of the mee ng to raise any issues, but residents are not allowed to par cipate in discussions during a mee ng proper.

The Parish Council can be contacted via the Clerk on 01622 850089 during offi ce hours (mornings). An answer phone is available when the offi ce is closed, or alterna vely contact can be made by email at harrietshampc@aol.com.

The Parish Council provides and excellent opportunity to get involved in the workings of a rural parish and the chance to contribute which will improve the facili es for all the residents.

-8-

Places of interest (see centre page map for loca on)

1) The Parish Church of St. John the Bap st stands at the foot of the North Downs and dates back to the late 11th century. It is of Norman origin with architectural features of all periods up to the 15th centuryand is one of the few Ken sh churches to possess two towers and a peal of eight bells, which were installed in 1742. The church is fortunate in possessing some interes ng and valuable church plate which is kept on permanent display at Canterbury Cathedral. Photograph late 19th century.

The churchyard houses a number of early 19th century Table Tombs and late 18th century headstones.

The church is open every day during the hours of daylight for peace and quiet, medita on and prayer.

-14-

Na onal ParliamentMP for Faversham and Mid Kent: Hugh Robertson (Conserva ve)

www.hughrobertson.org.ukHugh Robertson, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

European ParliamentSouth East region - 10 representa ves - www.europarl.org.uk

Medical Directory

Len Valley Prac ce: www.lenvalleyprac ce.co.ukOut of Hours Telephone 0845 145 0121

Glebe Surgery Groom Way Surgery Harrietsham Lenham ME17 1AP ME17 2QF 01622 859204 01622 858341

(Appointments for both surgeries may be made on either number).

Dentaline NHS Emergency Dental Service Preston Hall, Aylesford ME20 7NJ 01634 890300

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trustwww.mtw.nhs.uk

Maidstone Hospital *Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9QQ 0845 155 1000

Pembury Hospital *Tonbridge Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4QJ 0845 155 1000

William Harvey HospitalKennington Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0LZ 01233 633331

Medway Mari me HospitalWindmill Road, Gillingham ME7 5NY 01634 830000

* Also Emergency Care Centres and Accident and Emergency

-7-

Some of the oldest houses in the parish are found in East Street:

2) The Old House - Circa 15th century Wealden mber-framed farmhouse.

3) Dial House - so called because of the working sun-dial high on the south facing front wall. It is has been the home of the Bo le famly since the 1500’s. Over the centuries the family have been builders, woodcarvers and map makers. 4) The Almshouses - founded in 1642 by Mark Quested, a local resident and Member of The worshipful Company of Fishmongersof London. Refurbished by the company in 1770 and recently by Cutbush and Corrall (a local Charity). There are 12 houses and applica ons are open to residents of Harrietsham or Maidstone Borough.

5) Malthouse - (also known as Bell Farmhouse) Circa 16th century farmhouse.

-15-

Local Government Informa on - correct at July 2013

Harrietsham Parish Council - 9 seatsStephen Morris (Chairman)

Janet A water Dennis Cli on Rod Martenstyn David Oversby Jane a Sams Tom Sams Tony Taylor Michael Thompson

Clerk: Amanda BroadhurstParish Offi ce, Harrietsham Village Hall, Church Road

01622 850089 harrietshampc@aol.com

Financial Offi cer: Mike Cuerden

Maidstone Borough CouncilAll departments 01622 602000

www.maidstone.gov.uk

Our Borough Councillors Tom Sams John Barned 01622 859412 01622 851142 07718 173329 07813 579631 tomsamscllr@gmail.com JohnBarned@maidstone.gov.uk

Kent County Councilwww.kent.gov.uk

Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XX0845 824 7247

Councillor: Jenny Whi lec/o Members Desk, Sessions HouseCounty Hall, Maidstone ME14 1QX

Business phone: 01622 694093Email: jenny.whi le@kent.gov.uk

-6-

There are a number of other listed buildings in West Street:

6) 62 West Street - (formerly Post Offi ce and Shop) Circa 17th century.

7) The Roebuck Inn - Circa 15th Century, the last surviving pub in the village. In the past there have been four others - The BlacksmithsArms and The Bank House in West Street and The Bell and The Dark Angel in East Street. The Roebuck was, un l the 1970’s, a well-known stopping-off point for the charabancs (motor coaches) on their way from London to the Kent coast. During the 20th century West street also boasted a butchers, a wool shop, a sweet shop, Su ons General Stores, a newspaper shop, a clock-makers shop, a bakers, a saddle-makers, as well as Harman’s Garage, once the village’s own petrol sta on.

8) The Blacksmith’s Arms built in 1779 was formerly the village Poor House. The blacksmith operated from a forge on the le of the poor house and a wheelwright had a workshop on the right. Both trades areremembered by street names: - The Wheelwrights and Forge Meadow.

6 - 8 West Street - Circa 17th Century (right end re-built in 19th century).

28 - 30 West Street - Circa 18th Century (No 32 Mount House).

42 West Street - Circa 19th Century.

46 - 50 West Street - Circa 17th Century.

-16-

Network Magazine: Network is a monthly village magazine delivered free, by our large team of volunteers, to all residents and businesses within the Parish of Harrietsham. It carries news of events, organisa ons and individuals within the Village and the immediate vicinity. Whilst it began as a result of an ini a ve from the churches, its on-going aim is to build a spirit of community and to keep residents informed. Its policy is non-poli cal, non-sectarian, but predominantly Harrietsham.You can contact the Editor, Rosi Taylor, on 851701 or e-mail harrietsham.fi sh@tesco.net

The Fish Scheme obviously relies on volunteers with a variety of skills, so if you have some li le spare me and think you may be able toassist us please do contact and discuss with Marjorie Darby on 850657 or at mldd@talktalk.net

Further informa on can be found on the website: harrietshamfi shscheme.org

Churches in Harrietsham

Parish Church of St. John the Bap stRector: Rev’d Dr Richard Venn, tel. 858195Curate: Rev’d Millie Hart, tel. 859753Benefi ce Offi ce: tel. 850604 (answerphone when not manned)

Church of the Good Shepherd (Roman Catholic)Parish Priest: Fr. Geoff rey PointerDeacon: Rev Cyril Durbin, tel. 736100

Harrietsham Congrega on of Jehovah’s WitnessesKingdom Hall, Church Lane, Harrietsham ME17 1BGPublic Talk and Study of The Watchtower: Sunday, 10.00amBible Study, Theocra c Ministry School and Service Mee ng: Thursday, 7.30pm

-5-

Other Buildings & Places of Interest (shown on centre pages map)

9) The Old Primary School, Ashford Road, (A20) - built in 1844 out of local stone by the builder Thomas Thompson of Loose at a cost of £438 : 18s : 9d.

10) The Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd - Originally built as an Anglican Chapel to cater for the workers engaged on the construc on of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway in the 1880’s.

11) The West Street Green - bounded on one side by a stream that begins in the lake of Woodlands Walk and runs into the River Len. On the Green is the Village sign erected by the Parish Council to commemorate Harrietsham’s thousand years of recorded history. It shows the North Downs, pilgrims walking to or from Canterbury, the Parish church and a water mill (see front cover picture supplied by Peter Brown).

12) The Booth Field - close behind the Community Centre, here the cricket and tennis clubs have their bases.

13) Woodlands Walk, off Church Road - is owned by the Parish Council and open to the public, a quiet place to sit beside the lake with the lovely view of the boathouse and the ducks and other waterfowl for company.

14) The Parish War Memorial - close to St. John the Bap st Church.

15) The Pilgrims Way - part of the North Downs Way and where you will be able to enjoy the splendid views over the village and surrounding countryside.

16) Grands Aur - is the highest point in the Parish and is reached by a public footpath.

17) The Glebe Field - in front of St. John’s Church, owned by the Parish Council, now includes a well-equipped children’s play area.

18) Stede Court - da ng back to the 17th Century, an imposing house si ng at the top of Stede Hill on the North Downs with splendid views over the village, it has been the family home to the Stedes, Baldwins and Turners, all names connected with the history of the village. During the Second World War the house came into war service, fi rstly housing London evacuees, then came Dunkirk, with some members of a medical Unit billeted in the house. Towards the end of the War part of the house became an H. Q. Mess with a series of dis nguished commanders sleeping there.

-17-

Welcome to our new residents of Harrietsham!

Harrietsham FISH Scheme is a voluntary scheme comprising the Helping Hands and the monthly magazine Network. It has just completed forty four years of ac ve involvement with the community and for the community of Harrietsham.

Helping Hands: With the support of many volunteers we provide those in need with transport to doctors’ surgeries and to local hospitals, and other essen al journeys. FISH also organises a range of ac vi es and events for those who wish to stay involved in the social life of the Village.

Why FISH? you may ask. Many years ago a church working group decided to start a helping scheme and took the name from the original fi sh-shaped sign which early Chris ans marked in the sand to indicate that a secret mee ng was taking place. The small fi sh logo on the front of the Booklet was designed many years ago by a local resident, ar st and benefactor.

Now many years later FISH con nues to try to ensure that all newcomers are warmly welcomed. They are given a Welcome Pack, together with the current Network magazine, containing informa on on services and ameni es, and on clubs and socie es which they can join so that, if they wish, they can quickly orient and integrate into village life.

-4-

Harrietsham HengeIn the late summer of 2012 an excava on at Court Lodge Farm by Dr Paul Wilkinson of the Kent Archaeological Field School revealed a ritual earthwork or Henge some 50 metres across. The site was found through the study of aerial photographs and by talking to local farmers. The site is on a small promontory surrounded by water on three sides; it is overlooked by the Pilgrims Way and the Greenway. Based on the fi ndings it is believed to date back to 2500 BC and to have been in use for around 200 years. It is likely to have been a signifi cant fes val site, big enough to accommodate 1000 people. A candidate for the “party capital” of Neolithic Britain. (N.B. There is no visible sign of the site now). Photograph by Dr Paul Wilkinson.

The Pilgrim - “Percy” (photo on back cover supplied by Pip Burch) situated on the Pilgrims Way east of Stede Hill. The inscrip on on the bench next to the pilgrim reads “Pilgrim bound with staff and faith, rest thy bones….” There is also a Time Line panel on the adjacent no ce board which was produced by the Mid Kent Downs Project in partnership with the Mid Kent Downs Sustainable Tourism Project and Harrietsham Parish Council.

-18-

People of Harrietsham

At the 2011 Census the popula on of the village was 2113, of whom about 19% were under 16 (comparable to the fi gures for Kent and the country as a whole). 425 were over 65; this is about 20% higher than the na onal average (NA), but despite this we appear to be a fairly healthy and ac ve community, with over 95% of residents saying their health is fair (or be er) and 92% claiming li le or no limita on to their day-to-day ac vi es (both marginally be er than the NA).

As the graph below shows, Harrietsham is a growing village, and as MBC has iden fi ed us as one of the fi ve “Rural Service Centres” in the Borough designated for expansion (with circa 400 new homes projected), by the me of the next census in 2021 our popula on looks set to be well over 3000.

These, and further interes ng sta s cs about Harrietsham, can be found by going to www.kent.gov.uk and checking 2011 census. Some other points of interest include:• Over 82% of households are owner occupiers (NA = 64%)• About 92% own a car (NA = 75%)• About 95% of residents were born in the UK (NA = 87%)

-19-

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