Herstmonceux

Infobox UK place
official_name=Herstmonceux
country=England
region=South East England
static_

static_image_caption=The windmill
area_footnotes=cite web |url=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/ |title=East Sussex in Figures |accessdate=2008-04-26 |publisher=East Sussex County Council]
area_total_km2 =24.7
population=2,598 (2007)
population_density= Pop density mi2 to km2|273|precision=0|abbr=yes
os_grid_reference=TQ635125
latitude=50.89
longitude=0.32
post_town=HAILSHAM
postcode_area=BN
postcode_district=BN27
dial_code=01323
constituency_westminster=Bexhill and Battle
london_distance=convert|46|mi NNW
shire_district=Wealden
shire_county=East Sussex
website=http://www.herstmonceuxparish.org.uk/

Herstmonceux (pronEng|ˌhɜːsmənˈzuː) [ [http://www.herstmonceuxparish.org.uk/ Parish Council website] ] is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. The parish includes Herstmonceux Castle, the village of Cowbeech and a number of smaller hamlets.

History

The name ’’Herstmonceux’’ comes from Anglo-Saxon "hyrst" = "wooded hill" plus the name of the Monceux family who were lords of the manor here in the 12th century.

Governance

The parish council consists of eleven elected members.

Geography

The village (previously called Gardner Street) is part of the larger Herstmonceux civil parish, which includes Cowbeech and the hamlets of Foul Mile, Trolliloes, Cowbeech Hill, Stunts Green, Ginger's Green, Flowers Green and part of Windmill Hill.

Cowbeech village

Cowbeech village is located to the north-west of the parish. [ [http://www.cowbeechvillage.org.uk/ Cowbeech village website] ]

Landmarks

Herstmonceux Castle (some 2 miles south-east of the village) is a former site of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. It is now home to the International Study Centre of Queen's University, Kingston, Canada, and the area therefore enjoys an influx of Canadian and other international students each school year. The castle grounds are also home to the Observatory Science Centre and the Herstmonceux Mediaeval Festival. [ [http://www.the-observatory.org/ The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux] ]

There are two Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the Parish. Herstmonceux Park is of importance because of its wetland habitat and fen vegetation. It is the only known location of Milk Parsley "Peucedanum palustre" in the south-east. [cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002902 |title=Natural England - SSSI (Herstmonceux Park)|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=English Nature] The second site, Pevensey Levels, lies partially in the parish. The site is of biological interest consisting of low-lying grazing meadows, hosting a wide variety of wetland flora and fauna. [cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1000914 |title=Natural England - SSSI (Pevensey Levels)|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=English Nature]

Education

Education is provided at Herstmonceux CE Primary School. [ [http://www.herstmonceux.e-sussex.sch.uk/ Primary school] ]

Religion

All Saints (Church of England) parish church, [ [http://www.herstmonceuxparish.org.uk/ All Saints church] ] with its 12th century west tower and 13th/14th century nave, overlooks the Castle. Herstmonceux Congregational Church, located just outside the village on the way to the castle, was erected in 1811 and is now a listed building.

Economy

The Herstmonceux area is famous for the making of trugs — baskets made from split willow boards set in an ash or chestnut frame. A number of local people continue this tradition.

Leisure

The Herstmonceux Medieval Festival is held annually in August. [ [http://www.herstmonceux.com/ Herstmonceux Medieval Festival] ]

References