Lower Halstow

Lower Halstow
St Margaret's of Antioch, dates back to Saxon times
Lower Halstow  Lower Halstow shown within Kent
District	Swale
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Dialling code	01795
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
List of places: UK • England • Kent

Lower Halstow is a village located in Kent, England. The village is situated on the banks of the Medway Estuary and it has a long and interesting history, with evidence of constant occupation since the iron age. Being so close to the water, Lower Halstow has (until recently) been a village that has made its living from the water – in one way or another. Whether it be ancient pottery making, ancient fishing, or in the 19th and 20th century brick-making, the water has been the lifeblood of the village.

The name of the village has developed gradually over the years: Holy Place (Halig stow) Pronounced "ail-stoo", with a long "oo" as in "through". c. 1100; Halgastaw, 1160; Halgastow, 1199; Halegestowe, 1226; Halgesto, 1576; Halstowe, 1610; Halstoe, c1790; Halstow, 1810 – Lower Halstow.

St Margaret's of Antioch Church

Huddled down on the banks of the Medway Estuary is the church of St Margaret's of Antioch. This church has a fascinating history that can be traced back to Saxon England^{[citation needed]}. The first recorded Parish Priest is John de London who is nephew to St Thomas Becket.

The church is a historian's delight with some fascinating features and ancient artifacts that are still in use today. The church can trace its oldest parts back to the 7th century, making it one of the oldest churches still in use in England. Some points of interest are:

• Roman Tiles built into the brickwork (taken from a Roman Villa and Temple in the village)
• A Saxon Window built into the wall of the church
• An ancient Norman Lead Font – very rare and possibly the oldest in the country
• Medieval Frescos and Graffiti – a statement of what life was like in pre-reformation England
• A war memorial for the men of the village who died in the Great War

Village Podcast

In August 2007, Lower Halstow started to produce a Podcast called Radio Halstow, a commentary on rural life from this small village in Kent. Its produced and hosted by Paul A.T. Wilson (local historian and resident) who was also responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Village website, formerly an Editor of the Village Newsletter and held a position as a Parish Councillor for a number of years.

See also

• High Halstow

External links

• Twitter