Temple Ewell

infobox UK place
static_

static_image_caption = Temple Ewell Parish Hall
country = England
official_name= Temple Ewell
population = 1,696 (2001)
shire_district= Dover
shire_county = Kent
region= South East England

constituency_westminster= Dover
post_town= DOVER
postcode_district = CT16
postcode_area= CT
dial_code= 01304
os_grid_reference= TR287443
latitude= 51.1526|longitude= 1.2695

Temple Ewell is an historic village and civil parish in the county of Kent, England. The village is part of the Dover district of Kent, and is located three miles North West of the town of Dover.

Situated in the Dour valley, Temple Ewell is surrounded by nature reserves and conservation areas. The village has a parish church, a village hall and a primary school. It also has a local shop and post office, and an 18th Century public house.

Temple Ewell is served by Kearsney railway station, which is situated between the villages of Temple Ewell, Kearsney and River.

The 2001 census records a population of 1,696 for Temple Ewell. [cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=795461&c=temple+ewell&d=16&e=15&g=457926&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1194119665718&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 |title=Temple Ewell CP |accessdate=2007-11-03 |author=National Statistics
format=HTML |work=Neighbourhood Statistics ]

Etymology

The name "Ewell" is derived from the Old English word "ǣwielm", meaning "river source" or "spring", and is so called because one of the sources of the River Dour rises on the village outskirts at a place called Watersend and flows through the village towards Dover. The prefix "Temple" indicates that at one time the village was owned by the Knights Templar.

History

The village of Temple Ewell (not to be confused with Ewell village in Surrey) was founded sometime before the 8th Century, and is first mentioned by name in a charter of c.772 as "Æwille". In the Domesday Book of 1086, it is named "Ewelle" or "Etwelle", and is recorded as having a manor house, five watermills, and about fifty dwellings around a small wooden Saxon church. At this time, the village was owned by Bishop Odo, the half-brother of William the Conqueror.

In 1163, the Knights Templar was granted the manor of Ewell by the crown in recognition of their role in the Crusades, and the word "Temple" became prefixed to the village name. The Templars founded a Preceptory in the village, and around 1170 built the Norman church of St.Peter and St.Paul.

In 1213 King John surrendered the crown to the Pope, and it is thought that this may have taken place either at the Preceptory in Temple Ewell, or possibly in Dover. [cite web |url=http://www.webcitation.org/5O78rcBip |title=Temple Ewell |accessdate=2007-04-15 |author=Dame Stella Bernardi
format=HTML |work=Templar Sites in England ]

Following the Templars' dissolution in 1312, Temple Ewell passed out of their possession in 1314. The village was then given to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, and was retained by them until King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1540.

During the 18th and 19th Centuries, Temple Ewell had two of several watermills along the stretch of the River Dour. The two mills (which still stand today as private residences) produced flour, and supplied the English troops at Dover during the Napoleonic wars.

The railway station at Kearsney was built in 1861, linking Temple Ewell with Dover and London, and leading to an increase in population and prosperity. Temple Ewell C.E. Primary School, a parochial primary school, was established next to the church in 1871, and the Victorian schoolhouse building was completed in 1872. Major renovation work was carried out on the church in the 1870s, and a parish hall was constructed in 1909.

Between 1940 and 1944, Temple Ewell was victim to several stray shells, which were fired at the Dover area across the English Channel from France during the Second World War. One of these destroyed the church's main stained glass window when it landed outside the school.

Nature Reserve

The Lydden and Temple Ewell Downs are a National Nature Reserve which borders Temple Ewell on one side, stretching up to the neighbouring village of Lydden. The reserve consists of an area of chalk downland which is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Theatre

Temple Ewell is home to two amateur dramatics groups. The Dover Operatic and Dramatic Society (or 'DODS') were formed in 1911 to perform for Dover and the surrounding area, and their headquarters are based in one of the old mills in Temple Ewell. In 1971 the Temple Ewell Players were formed, and have since staged productions every year in the village hall.

References

External links

* [http://www.templeewellpc.net/ Temple Ewell Parish Council]
* [http://temple-ewell.kent.sch.uk/ Temple Ewell C.E. Primary School]
* [http://www.kingmere.f9.co.uk/Templarpictures/tempewell.html The Knights Templar at Temple Ewell]
* [http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Kent/TempleEwell.html Temple Ewell War Memorial]
* [http://www.jepotts.co.uk/tepc/players.html The Temple Ewell Players]
* [http://www.dods.org.uk/ Dover Operatic and Dramatic Society]