Friday, October 3, 2008

Woodchurch Village



Key Details...

Ashford: 7 miles
Facilities: Primary School, two Pubs, Post Office, Doctors Surgery, Mobile Library, Village Hall, two Garages, Village Store, Model Shop, Butchers, Newsagents, Rare Breeds Centre, Windmill and Village Museum.
Self-Catering AccommodationGreat Engeham Farms Holiday Lets


Woodchurch is a picturesque Kent village which is situated 7 miles from the historic market town of Ashford and 5 miles from the Cinque Ports town of Tenterden. The village is on the edge of the
Weald of Kent, whilst the parish extends 6 miles (10 km) north to south and 4 miles (6 km) east to west, one of Kent's largest. Within the village are the settlements of Brattle and Townland Green. To the south-west is the flat expanse of Shirley Moor leading to Romney Marsh and the low wooded hills overlooking Appledore and the Marsh are to the south-east. The surrounding area is designated as a Kent Special Landscape Area
The village became firmly established in the 13th century with the erection of the large All Saints church made of Kentish Rag stone. Although it was extensively restored in the 1840s, it still boasts a 13th century
chancel and a famous brass of the 14th century, depicting a floriated cross design. It has an unusual four-faced clock and a spire which is 18 inches (46 cm) out of the vertical at the top.
The village
primary school is situated near the church and was a National school. The first building was erected in 1844 and the school has since been enlarged on three occasions, namely, in 1872, 1896 and most recently in 1998.
The Museum is housed in an 18th century oak-framed barn and 17th century cart shed, on a rural site not far from the village centre.

The
windmill that overlooks the village from the north commands extensive views over the Walland marshes to the English Channel coast. It is a fine example of a Kentish smock mill and was originally one of a pair of windmills standing on this site, known locally as The Twins. This impressive white smock windmill in the village has been fully restored and is opened to the public on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.

Woodchurch prides itself in having many different clubs and organisations which include a Playgroup, Beavers, Scouts, Venture Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Darby and Joan Club, Tennis, Football, Cricket, and Netball Clubs, Pantomime Society and many more. Woodchurch is a large, social village and is proud to have won the 'Best Kept Village' competition four times. There is a well maintained village green in the heart of the village with a play area for children and each year on Guy Fawkes a torchlight procession sets off from the green to the scouts field where they give a huge firework display.
The
South of England Rare Breeds Centre, one of 16 Rare Breeds Survival Trust approved farm-parks, is located nearby on the B2067 road and holds many family functions throughout the year.

EDUCATION
Woodchurch C of E 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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