Wouldham
| Wouldham | |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,497 (2011 Census)[1] |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Rochester |
| Postcode district | ME1 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
Wouldham is a small village on the bank of the River Medway in Kent, Great Britain. As of 2006 its population is approximately 1000 people, with the 11th-century church, one school, one village shop, and two public houses, The Medway Inn and The Waterman's Arms. The 3rd public house in the village- The Foresters Inn closed to the public in 2013.
History
On the Wouldham Marshes is Starkey House built in 1483: a now-restored Grade II listed medieval manor house called Starkey Castle.[2]
In the churchyard, is the grave of Walter Burke, who was present onboard HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalgar and the man who held Nelson in his arms as he died.
Wouldham school celebrates this connection with history in many ways, its four sports teams being named after ships at the Battle of Trafalgar (Victory, Ajax, Sovereign, Britannia), students being assigned into a house named after one of four famous figures at Trafalgar, which they are able to earn merit points for, and by holding an annual event at the nearby church to commemorate Walter Burke.
A narwhal was discovered in the 1940s washed up on the bank of the river,[3] and is documented in the Natural History Museum, London.
Until 1963 there was a ferry crossing over the Medway to Halling on the opposite bank.
21st Century
Before 1999 a large area of allotments were situated between the school and the recreation ground. Despite the opposition of many villagers a housing estate was built over them, which increased the village's population by a large percentage.
Peters Village is a new area of housing currently being constructed to the south of the existing village on the former Peters Cement Works.[4] The development includes a new crossing over the River Medway to link with the A228 road.
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Entrance to Wouldham -
Approach to Wouldham Church -
Wouldham Church
References
- ^ "Civil Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
- ^ "Starkey Castle, Wouldham". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. 1 August 1952. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ "Images of Medway Book - pd1364334". kentmessenger.newsprints.co.uk. 6 February 2008. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-27371752
External links
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