Aldington, Kent
Aldington | ||
---|---|---|
Shire county | ||
Region | ||
Country | England | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
Post town | Ashford | |
Postcode district | TN25 | |
Dialling code | 01233 | |
Police | Kent | |
Fire | Kent | |
Ambulance | South East Coast | |
Folkestone & Hythe | ||
Aldington is a village and
Geography
The parish is bounded to the north by the M20 motorway and the straight rail links that include High Speed 1. To the south, it drops to the Romney Marsh (about 10% of the parish lies there) to the north bank of the Royal Military Canal. It covers 3,400 acres (1376ha) and has a population of 1573. The parish, part of the North Downs, is considered an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a large area is also part of the Old Romney Shoreline Special Landscape Area. The main road across the parish follows the path of a Roman road[2]
Aldington Frith is difficult to separate from the village proper and forms a salient to the west along the village's main street.
St Martin's Church
The area's church (the ecclesiastical parish having approximately the same boundaries as the civil parish) dates from the 12th century. Its 16th-century tower became a landmark for seamen. It is built in
History
The village of Aldington is steeped in history: more than 50 buildings of historical or architectural interest are in the civil parish. Beside the church was one of the
After the
Aldington Knoll was one of a chain of viewpoints used for the
Aldington Knoll itself is the subject of local and wider legend. Traditionally, it is said to be the burial site of a giant and his sword and is protected by murderous ghouls who will kill anyone attempting to flatten the area. Ford Madox Ford's poem Aldington Knoll is inspired by this legend. Others, including H. G. Wells, on account of its lush wooded slopes, have suggested that it is the entrance to a fairyland.[7]
In 1511,
In August 1926, a Blériot 155 of Air Union crashed at College Farm, Hurst (in Aldington parish) killing three of the 15 passengers and crew.
Notable inhabitants
Many famous literary figures have made their home here, including
- Joseph Conrad (3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924), the Polish-born novelist.
- Ford Madox Ford (17 December 1873 – 26 June 1939) the novelist and publisher.
- Sir Noël Coward (16 December 1899 – 26 March 1973) the actor, playwright, and composer of popular music. Coward lived at Goldenhurst Farm from 1926 to 1956 and wrote Cavalcade at the farm in 1931.[9]
- Bill Deedes, writer and politician.
More recently, it has been home to
In June 1365, the poet John Gower acquired the manor of Aldington from William Sepvanus. In September 1373, he sold a half interest in the manor to Sir J. Cobham.[11]: xi, xiii There is no evidence that Gower ever lived there.
Amenities
Amenities in Aldington and Aldington Frith, include a primary school; The Walnut Tree public house (with restaurant); and a post office/village store. There is a thriving village hall and recreation grounds which include a floodlit Multi-Use Games Area and children's play area. 2010 saw the civil parish council pay for adult outdoor gym equipment on Reynolds' Playing Field and an expanded playground for children.[citation needed]
References
- United Kingdom Census 2021 Office for National Statistics
- ^ Ashford Borough Council notes on the parish
- ^ St Martin's church
- ^ Aldington: A Village History by John Wood and Christine Rayner
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1071209)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ Scheduled Ancient Monument: Aldington Knoll Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1012216)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Mr. Skelmersdale in Fairyland by H.G. Wells".
- . Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1071221)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ^ Doughty, Eleanor (26 March 2016). "Julian Clary: What it's like to live with Noel Coward's garden". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ G.C. Macaulay (ed.). "Introduction, Life of Gower". The Complete Works of John Gower, Vol 4 The Latin Works (PDF). p. vii-xxx.