Friday, October 3, 2008

Appledore Village


Key Details...
Population: 820Ashford: 12 milesFacilities: Post Office, Village Store, Recreation Ground, Tennis Courts, three Pubs, Garage, Village Hall, Doctors Surgery, Railway Station two miles from village, bus services to Ashford, Tenterden and Rye.

Local Links…
Parish Church


Women's Institute

Appledore was once a port on the estuary of the River Rother but 13th-century storms caused the river to change its course; the village street now leads down to the Royal Military Canal. A French raid in 1380 resulted in the burning of the church: it was later rebuilt. The village was permitted to hold a market in the main street by Edward II. In 1804, when there was threat of invasion by Napoleon the Royal Military Canal was built: Appledore stands on its northern bank. The Rhee Wall, a 13th century waterway. was built to carry silt away from the eastern part of the Romney Marsh; it runs from Appledore to New Romney.
Appledore is now a
village and civil parish in the Ashford District of Kent, England. The village centre is 12 miles (19km) south-west of Ashford town, and on the northern edge of the Romney Marsh. The northerly part of this village is Appledore Heath.
Today the village is served by a secondary road (B2080) between
Tenterden and New Romney; and by the "Marsh Link" railway line between both Brighton or Hastings and Ashford. The railway station is located beyond the Canal, some 2 miles (3km) distant.
Appledore village is very pretty, and has an open and peaceful feel to it. The walk along the banks of the Royal Military Canal, is very enjoyable and relaxing, the route to Woodchurch in the East is owned by the National Trust.
The
Domesday Book(1086) records that a church existed, but no stonework of that time can be identified in the existing church of St Peter and St Paul, however much of the 13th century work has survived. The font dates from the 15th century. The screen which is unusual in that it extends right across the church, is in three sections, each having different designs, and dates from the 14th century. The church also houses a stunning tapestry which was worked to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the church in 1988. It depicts the history of this lovely village, and is well worth viewing and houses the annual Festival of Flowers. This together with the mediaeval houses and forge on The Street all add to the charm of the village.
Appledore has a few shops and public houses, but the main shopping towns are Rye to the West, Tenterden to the North or Ashford to the East. Appledore is situated on the B2080 just on the edge of the Romney Marshes, where until the 13th century the river Rother used to reach the sea.
The Royal Military Canal running through Appledore provides excellent walks and fishing by day tickets. There are tearooms and antique and craft shops in the village, a picnic area and woodland walks as well as a friendly pub which serves good food and organises regular village events. Appledore has two churches and many organisations including WI, Good Companions, a Football Club, Gardening Club, Mother and Toddler, History Club, Riding Association, Bell Ringers and Short Mat Bowls.

The picturesque, tree-lined town of Tenterden with its elegant Georgian Houses is some five miles to the north-east and offers excellent Shopping and Banking facilities including Waitrose and Tesco Supermarkets, as well as many specialist retailers and Antique Shops. Tenterden also hosts a Sports and Leisure Centre as well as some excellent Restaurants and Country Inns. Headcorn and Ashford both offer excellent Rail Links to London. Ashford International provides rail links to Europe. The new fast rail link to London is forecasted to be finished soon: we are then promised a rail service into Central London taking approx. 35 minutes. There are a good variety of schools to suit all needs plus an excellent range of leisure pursuits within the area.

EDUCATION
Hamstreet Primary School
Homewood Secondary School and Sixth Form College, Tenterden
Ashford School, Independent
The Norton Natchbull School, Boys Grammar, Ashford
Highworth Grammar School for Girls, Ashford

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