St. Nicholas-at-Wade

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= St. Nicholas-at-Wade
static_

static_image_caption=The Street, St. Nicholas-at-Wade
population = 782 (Civil Parish)2001 Census: Key Statistics, Parish Profile, St. Nicholas at Wade CP]
shire_district= Thanet
shire_county = Kent
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= North Thanet
post_town= Birchington
postcode_district =CT7
postcode_area =CT
dial_code= 01843
os_grid_reference= TR2666
latitude= 51.355010
longitude= 1.249400

St. Nicholas-at-Wade is a both a village and a civil parish in the Thanet District of Kent, England. The parish had a recorded population of 782 at the 2001 Census.2001 Census: Key Statistics, Parish Profile, St. Nicholas at Wade CP] . The village of Sarre is part of the civil parish [ [http://www.stnicholasatwade.org.uk/ St. Nicholas-at-Wade Parish website] ] .

The village is best known locally for the local custom of Hoodening, a type of mumming.

History

The name derives from its location on the western border of the Isle of Thanet (originally separated from the Kent mainland). Before the channels of the River Wantsum and River Stour silted up, one would have been able to 'wade' (from the Latin "ad vacum") at this point, over a ford. In Roman times the channel was navigable and the site likely very busy with the Saxon Shore Forts of Regulbium (Reculver) and Rutupiae (Richborough) both close by. Remains of Roman shipbuilding yards are said to have been found between St. Nicholas-at-Wade and the nearby village of Sarre [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=63621&strquery=St%20Nicholas%20at%20Wade Historical notes: British History Online] ]

What's In The Village

There are two public houses, 'The Bell' and 'The Sun'. There is also a Post Office, an Antiques shop and a Farm Marketing office. One of the main potato suppliers in the country has headquarters near St. Nicholas Court in the northwest of the village. Hedgend Industrial Estate is on the northern outskirts. There is the local St Nicholas CE Primary School [ [http://www.schoolsnet.com/uk-schools/school-details-reviews/kent/st-nicholas-wade-church-england-primary-school/16180339/0/196569.html St. Nicholas-at-Wade Primary School] ] .

The village hall (dating from 1930) houses a monthly craft fair and is also used as a polling station. There is a static caravan park at Frost Farm and a camping site at St. Nicholas Farm.

A sports field in Bell Meadow plays host to football and cricket matches, the cricket pavilion was constructed in the 1980s with the aid of Thanet District Council.

Churches

The 13th century parish church of St Nicolas, after which the parish is named, was a chapel of ease for St. Mary's church at Reculver. The first rector is recorded as Adam de Brancaster in 1294. Built in flint, the church houses some fine 16th century brasses, a carved oak pulpit dated 1615, and a coat of arms of King George III [ [http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/VisRec/S/SAW/02.htm Drawing of the church exterior] ] . The parish has twice been enlarged, firstly in medieval times, when it was joined with the little-known parish of All Saints, Shuart, and again in the mid-16th century, when it was joined with the parish of St. Giles, Sarre. [Jenkins, Frank, 'The church of All Saints, Shuart in the Isle of Thanet', in Detsicas, Alec (ed.), "Collectanea Historica : Essays in Memory of Stuart Rigold", Maidstone, 1981, p147-54. The church at Shuart was demolished in the 17th century.] The benefice is currently part of the Wantsum Group of Parishes.

St. Nicholas Court has a fine example of a medieval underground chapel, however little is known about the origins or past use of this building. The chapel is on private land but has been opened to visitors on some important local occasions. [ [http://www.undergroundkent.co.uk/st_nicholas_court_farm_chapel.htm St. Nicholas Court Farm Chapel] ]

References