WORTH

THE DOVER EXPRESS AND EAST KENT NEWS—FRIDAY, 9 MAT, 1902.
OUR VILLAGES

LI.—WORTH.

Worth is a village in a parish lying between Eastry and Sandwich. The railway from Sandwich to Deal runs on the northeast side of it, and the main road from Sandwich to Deal on the south-west. The landward part of the parish is remarkably fertile, but eastward it is marshy, intersected with .dykes towards the sand downs. The total area is 5364 acres, of which 14(H) acres are water. The whole parish is flat, the only variation being a slight rise towards Eastry, in which direction lies the village and the hamlets of Felderland and Hacklinge. EARLY HISTORY.

The early history of Worth is indicated by Os name. Anciently it was written man7 Pronounced it so, but the Worth” of modern times and the ‘ Word” oi the old days were both pronounced alike, Worth, the “d” in Ssxon, whence the name was derived, being equivalent to our ‘‘th.’’ The place, therefore, has a Saxon origin, of w’hich the name and ancient records afford ample proof. The principal Manor of the parish in later times, called Lydde-Court, was written in Saxon “ Hylden,” and it was given by Offa, King of Mercia, in the year 774, to the Christ Church in Canterbury, L.S.A., as the Charter expresses it. meaning with the same liberties that the Manor of Adisham had before been given to it—that is, free of all secular tribute excepting the three great necessities, building bridges and fortresses and the resisting of invasion. The Conquest made no change in the ownership, this Manor, like the lands in Eastry, being retained by the Church at Canterbury, although the adjoining lands in Sandwich were appropriated by Odo, Earl of Kent. The Worth lands continued the possession of Christ ChUrch Priory until it was dissolved by Henry VIII,. who, in the year 1542, gave it to the newly created Dean and Chapter of Canterbury. Thrte years later it was re-granted to the King, who sold it to Stephen Motte and John Wylde, who did not hold it long, and it quickly passed through several hands, eventually becoming by inheritance the property of Viscount Strangford, who sold it to Herbert Randolph, who in the year 1706 sold part of it called Lydde-Court Ingrounds to Sir Henry Furnesse of Waldersbare, and in 1735, owing to the death of all male heirs, it passed to the three daughters of Sir Robert Furnesse: this Manor was carried in marriage by Silena Furnesse to Edward Dering, who continued in possession till 1779, when it passed to several owners. The house called The Dowma House is the Court Lodge, but no Court has been held for many years. "The remaining, and the greater part of this estate, called Lydde-Court Outgrounds, when the Manor was divided by Herbert Randolph in 1706, was sold to Richard Harvey of Eythorne, but he, in the year 1720, sold it to Sir Robert Furnesse, and his daughter Catherine carried it in marriage first to the Earl of Rockingham, and by her second marriage to the Earl of Guilford, it so becoming part of the Guilford estates. This property is of no great value. It lies on the south side of Sandwich Haven, bounded on the east by the sea shore and on the west by the ditch along which leads the footway to Deal, w'hich path is the boundary between Lydde- Court Ingrounds and Out-grounds. In the year 1565 there was a suit in the Star Chamber respecting a road from Sandowne Gate and Sandwich to the Castle in the Downes, which was referred to the Archbishop and Sir Riehrd Sackv lle, who awarded that there should be a highway sixteen feet wide over these Lydde-Court Outgrounds, but that right of way seems to have been lost. There was also a Manor in Worth called 8andowne. This had no connection with Sandown Castle, being much more ancient than that fortress. It U on the Sandwich side of the sand dowms. rand extends into the parish of St. Clement,s’ Sandwich. It was the estate of the Perots in the reign of Henry III. The If.at of the Perots died in the reign of Edward III., and the estate, which was of very little value, went to John de Sandhurst, and by inheritance it passed to the Narboroughs of Knowlton, and thence to the D’Aeths of Knowlton, who held it till recent years.

WORTH A CENTURY AGO.

Hasted, writing a hundred and two years ago, thus described the place: “The parish of Word lies flat and low, and is very unhealthy ; it is in shape very long and narrow, being near three miles from east to w est and not more than one across the other way The village called Word Street, containing 29 houses, having the Church close to it, is situated nearly in the middle of the parish: at the southern boundary of w'hich Is the village of Hacklinge,. containing five houses, the principal estate in which, called Kacklinge Farm, belongs to Mrs Eleanor Dare of Felderland. At the western extremity of the parish is the hamlet of Felderland, partly in Word and partly in Eas.ry, formerly esteemed a Manor, the property of the Manwoods, afterwards of the Hirveys of Combe, and now belonging to the Eight Hon Peter Lewis-Francis Earl Cowper, adjoining to which is the farm of Upton, situated about a quarter of a mile west of the Church, which likewise belongs to Earl Cowper. At a small distance further, the marshes begin, where there is a parcel of land called Word Minnis, and belongs to the Archbishop, the present lessee being Mr

Rc"aTdeU the “south and “North

fh‘Srm^sCL^,?tla^TIa^r^

The latter of these was the famous water of Gestling, through which the sea once flowed and was noted much for being the water'in which felons were punished by drowning, their bodies being carr ed by the current of it into the sea. Th: marshes here are called Lydden Valley (from the

mwlhea^cffinue^ySndThS stream about half a mile northward, where the sand downs begins These sand downs are a long sand bank, covered with greenswardcfvery un-equal surface, and edge the seashore for five miles and upwards from Pepperm sse. which

r.mKd'sfS?la^aU|le,dheS?n,diewnWC^ tie where they end with the beach. A little wav within the shore, about the middle of them is a cut, called the Old Haven, which runs slanting from th* sea a long these downs, near but not quite into the River

Stour, about three-quartere of a mile eastward below Sandwich. The Caftle of Sandown is situated about half a mile from the nor+h end of the town of Deal, built, with Deal Castle and several others, by King Henrv VIII in the year 1539 for the defence of the coast. The Castle has lately had some little renair made to it. which, I ow-ever. has made it barely habitj-ble The parish of Worth contains about fifty houses The lands in it are of about the nnnuai value of £3000. The soil is very rich and
fertile, and may properly be called the garden of this part of Kent, and is the most productive for wheat of any perhaps w’ithin the County.” We reproduce the description of the parish given by Hasted because it gives a vivid word picture of Worth aa it was in the year 1800, and in many respects it is an accurate representation of the parish as it is now, the march of a century not having greatly altered the face of this part of the County, but the inhabited houses and the population have more than doubled during that period.

, WORTH AS IT IS.

Worth is to-day a very pleasant little village, with the quaint old Norman Church ill the forefront of it, and the Nineteenth Century Board Schools in its rear. The houses cluster close together as though to shelter themselves from the wind that blows in from the sea, and many cottages are dotted about in gardens—in their own grounds—w'hile others rank themselves in continuous line, forming the village street. Worth is an ideal place for quiet retirement. Secluded from the great maritime highway by the sand downs, and from the main road by a broadish belt of arable land, it is one of those places from where, as the poet Cow'-per, an ancester of the former owner of Felderland, expressed it, the recluse can look out on the busy world through “ the loop-holes of retreat.” Worth ia approached from Sandwich by the Eastry road, but at the little hamlet of Stone Cross the main road to Deal branches off into the w’estern part- of Worth, and after passing over a bit of fine open country , Felderland appears on the right, and Felderland Lane in that direction passes between well stocked orchards and land devoted to small fruit and vegetable culture. The hamlet which gives the place its name is a small assemblage of houses of various sizes, the principal one of which was once the residence of the Manwoods. The place has a thriving appearance, and through this, lane, from Worth to Statenborough m Eastry, is a charming walk or drive. The south-east corner houai of the lane is the Vicarage, which the Rev. Walker Flower has made a very pleasant residence, where he has been since 1880, and fiom what we have heard in the village he has made for himself a reputation here for unostentatious benevolence. Continuing southward, a bold landmark, Worth Mill, lifts its arms to the sky, where Mr. Billing by the combined force of wind and steam does a good trade. Upton House, the residence of Mr. W. E. Napier, stands in a pleasant situation in the same direction. Worth village, how’ever, lies across the wheatlands eastward, and the road, taking a sharp turn in that direction, runs through the fields a quarter of a mile to the village. The Church, a conspicuous object, stands on high ground to the right; the Inn, with the curious sign of “The Blue Pigeons,” stands opposite. The village has another inn dedicated to St. Crispin. The manor farm is east of the church, and the schools occupy a central plot with roads all round them, looking as though they had been built on what had once been the Village Green. I^ke some other villages, Worth has found it impossible to meet the requirements of elementary education by voluntary means, and a School Board exists to manage the business. According to the accounts for last year, the total amount received in connection with elementary education in this pariah was £243 10s., derived from the following sources: Education grant £78 19s.,fee grant £39, grant ont of Local Taxation (through County Council) £35 14s., and from the parish ratepayers £89 17s,, so that it appears that of the total income £153 13s. came from National and County funds, and £89 17s. raised in the parish, the latter sum being equal to a rate of about fivepence in the pound. The amount actually expended on education was £171 11s. 8d. The difference is made up of a balance in hand, £40 3s. lid. repayment, of loan and interest, £2 17s. salaries of officers of Board, and £4 11s. rates taxes and sundries. The foregoing shows that a very small effort at Worth would have avoided the necessity of a School Board in the parish, the actual amount received last year in grants being a little more that the actual expenditure on education. But in these days when the village is largely denuded of local gentry, only those in the place know the difficulty of raising voluntary subscriptions, hence the rate w'hich takes from everyone in proportion to his holding, seems under the circumstances to be the only means of solving the Education difficulty. Probably with the aid that the expected Education Act will give, Worth may do without a School Rate, but under any circumstances it w'ould be a pity for the Schools to suffer financially, for Worth has a considerable juvenile population, and is a progressive place, in spite of its being off the main track. It has the usual village industries of the smith, the carpenter, and the shoemaker. It has but one shop, a general one, but that doubtless arises from its nearness to Sandwich on the one side and Eastry on the other. There is in this parish the St. George’s golf links, and many market gardeners. The population has been steadily grow-ing during the last century. At the beginning of 1800 it had but fifty houses, and now' it has 130. The population in the ten decades has been returned as follows: 1801. 264: 1811. 317; 1821,438; 1831, 411; 1841, 452 : 1851. 471; 1861. 429; 1871, 481; 1881, 443; 1891, 511; and 1901. 536. Then there have been a few relapses during the century, but the net increase in the hundred years has been 300. the population having doubled with 36 over.

WORTH CHURCH.

Seen from the railway the spire of Worth Church does not look very prominent, but approaching it by road its quaintness strikes the observer, and it is at once apparent that although it and the building which it surmounts bear the marks of antiquity, there are no si?ns of neglect or decay. The church consists of a nave, a south aisle, and three chancels. The high chancel has behind the altar a very beautifully painted triptych as a reredos, the centre piece being the Son of God with a gold nimbus, and gold flames both on the nimbus and extending down the whole length of the figure on both sides In the five compartments on the left of this centre piece are (1) Maria Mater Dei, (2) The Women at the Sepulchre, (3) Jonah in the Whale’s Mouth, (4) Ruben ad Restermam, (5)divided, in the upper Sanctus Petrus, and in the lower Sanctus Augustine. On the right of the centre piece are (1) .an angel kneeling. (2) Peter and John looking ai the empty Sepulchre. (3) the woman taken in adultery, (4) Christ- healing Jairus daughter, (5) divided, Sanctus Paulus in the upper, and Ethelbertus in the lower The triptych when open extends the full width of the chancel. The east window is very beautiful, filled with finely coloured glass, the central figure being Christ on the Cross with various other figures dis-posed here and there and scrolls underneath each. The chancel is ceiled with dark wood, having been restored by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury in the year 1864. On both sides of the chancel ire choir stalls, and the chancel arch is very fine, springing from semi - octagonal shafts clustered. The arch, which is lofty and imnressive, is also of this semi-octa-gonal form. The pulpit, octagonal in
shape, is of carved oak openwork on a correspondingly shaped stone base, with sculptured ornaments and stone steps. The south aisle and south chapel or chancel are continuous as regards the arcading, there being six bays; but the upper part forming the south chapel has a high ceiling, and is no doubt much older than the lean-to wrhich continues the aisle below. Five of the piers of this colonnade are ancient, bearing traces of both colouring and sculpture. The bay nearest the west end is remarkably stupendous in its strong broad pier and arch, at least 2J feet thick, this probably having been originally the exterior wall of that part of the building. At the east end of the south aisle, which is a remarkably narrow one, is a painted window richly coloured. The cartoon represents three women and two children, the central figure being Charity giving alms. On a scroll underneath, held by an angel, ia •“Sectamini Caritatem.” To the right of this window, just below it, is a projecting stone, carved, probably for an image, as this south chancel evidently had its altar here. On the cill of the window ia a brass to Laura Catherine, wife of John Henderson, Esq., of Upton House, 1884, erected by the parishioners in recognition oi her kindness. There is also a brass on the south wall to John Henderson, Esq., of Felderland and Upton House, obit 1898; also to hia wife, Laura Catherine. A trefoil piscina is situated close under the large window in the south wall. The window is very effective with its two-coloured glass. There is a lovely window, rather low, in the south aisle, two-light, w-ith a quartre-foil over the centre enclosed by a wide stone arch. The design is graceful and very beautiful. Near the west end is a narrow lancet of painted glass. In this south wall was formerly a doorway, now closed, the one under the turret and the the other on the north being evidently sufficient. There is no north aisle, but immediately east of the north door, w-here there is an inside stoup, the north chancel arch starts from almost close to the stoup. There are two rather light arches supported by a central pier. In this chancel are three coloured glass windows. In contrast with the dark w'ood ceiling in the high chancel, the rest is of lighter oak, and rather striking in its different phases, neither chancels nor aisles being finished alike, yet all very effective. The font is octagonal, in Caen stone, with a little simple sculpture. The north porch is remarkable, its exterior of wood frame and plaster having an ancient appearance. There is no tower arch, but a strong tie beam to support the superstructure, consisting of a small bell turret in which there is a clock and three bells. The base of the turret is a structure with gables north and south, having a high window in each. Externally, the appearance of this church is very remarkable, with its curious tower and spire surmounted by a vane. The spire rises from a broad base which rather dwarfs the appearance of its height, and in each end of this base, composed of a ivooden framework, are seen peeping out the quaint red-tiled dormers, being the pair of two-lights seen from the inside of the tower. The two projections in the north wall, the low porch, and the more pronounced north chancel, are characterise features. The external appearance of he south aide ia very charming, the breaking of the line by the projection of the luartrefoil window being very character-atic.

WORTH CHURCH MEMORIALS.

Some of the memoriala in the church lave been already mentioned. A few jthers that should be noticed. There is a arass in the south wall of the chancel to \rchibald George Smith, the youngest son yt the Rev. Sydney Smith, obit 1884, aged 57 years. There is another modern brass >n the south wall to James Walter Green, jf TJoton House, obit 1900. In the west >nd are three coloured glass w'indows, the iwo largest being in memory of Edith Flower, obit 1882. All down the narrow side of the pews in the aouth aisle are gravestones for different members of the Philpott family, deceased about the year L700. There are alao in the floor other stones of about the same date for the Matsons and the Bakers, and some others with he inscriptions covered over by the pewrs^ rhere are two monuments on the south wall, one to Charles Matson, of Upton House, obit 1701, aged 39 ; and the other to Richard Baker. There are attached to this shurch two graveyards, that in which the jhurch stands being filled, and the other an the south west has already a good many zravestonea. In the old churchyard on the aouth of the church is rather a peculiar stone, on which ia a akull, three-quarter face, rather large, having round it a scroll inscribed Memento Mori, and cross-bones, also rather large. There is no name, no date—only this, and nothing more.

LYMINGE

The time of ringing of bella is coming. It will be strange if the old belfry should not send out a merry peal at the Corona-lion, but it is said that it would be dangerous to indulge in that kind of rejoicing with the belfry in its present state. The question is, what would it cost to put the belfry in a safe condition > That ought to be ascertained, and if possible, the money raised, for it would be a sad pity that this church, so closely associated with royalty when Kent had kings of its own, should have its belfry silent when King Edward VII. is crowned.

On Friday a village meeting was held, when it was decided to celebrate the Coronation by holding a special service in the church, after which there will be a procession of school children with all the available flags and banners, an entertain-

K&tS ^f.«\

raised to celebrate the occasion.

The Nineteenth Centory for May contains an important selection of articles which make it unquestionably the Review that will attract most public attention this month. Cecil Rhodes is a name still in in everyone's mouths, and the Personal Recollections recorded by Mr. Sidney Low and Mr. R. C.Witt will be read with a great deal of interest. Sir Robert Giffen heads the list of articles with a paper m which he propounds a scheme for that very close commercial relationship between all parts of the Empire, under the title, “A British Zollverein. If we are to have this united Custom House for the whole of the Empire, could not something more British than the name Zollverein be invented ? Sir Lepel Griffin writes on the South African question and suggests Indian emigration. bir Harry H. Johnston, under the title Problems of the Empire,” propounds a far-seeing scheme of policy for the future government of the Federated British Empire of the future. The Education question is dealt with by the Right Hon. J- Bryce, M P., wTho indites an article entitled ‘ A few words on the New Education Bill.

B. Crump, Coach and Horses, Eastry, has gcod accommodation for Cyclist a. Teaa and Dinners provided. Good atabling.
EWELL AND THE CORONATION

! PARI8H MEETING ON MONDAY ! A meeting of the Pariah of Temple Ewell convened by the Parish Council to Plac* on Monday evening at the School in f attendance was on,y moderate

m view of the important business for dis-rvli\°nS- Vlz i &e m°de of celebrating the Coronation of King Edward VII.

The chair was taken by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Mr. E. Elwin, who was “™,OU6|y voted to that position at the of the proceedings. Those

Mo,,TlV,ICl*de£ the VlCaF’ the KeV F J-Maim, Mr. A. Stanley, and about 40 other Firm If°“ers’ together with a good proportion oi juveniles, who probably made the

^ “Sings t“r

onn«frf Vlirmvn ®aid that they had met to consider how beat to commemorate the Coronation of His Most Gracious Majesty the King. At a meeting of the Parish Council, various suggestions had been made.

would bTtodeca,11h^U£ sns Parish

^VhVe*^ *twoF schemes? M question w-as whether they should com-the Coronation by some such last-

they Sd have8 a “so? taSL ^They might have a free tea for the children and the poorest people, and let the others take P2 '? » dmn« ,f th<1>’ wished. He pointed out that there would be various events going on in Dover on Coronation Day such as illuminations, fireworks, etc., and probably many parishioners would wish to go into Dover to see these things. That would have to be taken into consideration in arranging the celebration. Another question for them to decide would be whether the amount required for the celebration should be raised by private subscription or by levying a rate. He asked the Vicar for his views

The Rev. F. J Mann said he was prepared to fall in with anything they might be thoroughly united upon. He thought that some permanent memorial would be better than merely the remembrance of having had a feed. The better plan, no doubt, would be to combine the two schemes.

Mr. Kelcey said they ought first to decide if there should be a rate or if it should be done by voluntary subscriptions. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Elwin'said that Mr. Watson had told him that day that he would be glad to subscribe. (Applause.)

Mr. J. B. Friend moved that there should b3 no rate made, and that the celebration be carried out with voluntary subscriptions.

The Rev. F. J. Mann seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

Mr. Kelcey pointed out that extra expense would be caused bv having the feast on Coronation Day owing to the demand for tents, table service, and catering on that day. He suggested the use of the River tents, etc., on the day after their celebration. At the Diamond Jubilee they collected £55, and the cost of a general feasting would be about £35 to £40, so that not much would be left for a Hall.

The VicaT said that a Parish Room would take time to complete and pay for, so that it would be as well to do something on the actual day for the children and the old people.

Mr. Elwin said that he thought it was generally agreed they should have a Parish Room.

Mr. Hopper questioned whether a Parish Room w'as needed. They had a good School Room for meetings.

Mr. J. B. Friend said that the Government Inspector did not like the continual use of the Schools for meetings, and he thought it not right to use them for that purpose.

Mr. Hopper still questioned whether a Parish Hall was needed.

Mr. Friend said they wanted it for other things. . They did not always w'ant to have a glass of beer. The village club rented rooms now at a cost of £10 a year, and this w'ould pay interest on £200. So that if the Hall were built for £300 they only need raise £100 to start with. They could easily put aside £20 or £30 at the Coronation and increase this by concerts in the winter, to £100, and later on wipe off the debt by the same means; whilst the rent they would get would pay the interest on the loan. Mr. Friend concluded by proposing a resolution that funds be collected for feasting the children and old people, and to make a start towards building a Parish Hall.

Mr. G. Dovey seconded the motion. At the Diamond Jubilee cclcb-ation they had a feast, and a lot of money was spent which he thought might have been devoted to a more useful purpose. The most lasting result from the feast was a beastly headache next morning and a fit of indigestion. (Lnughter.) He believed Mr. Watson would give the land for the Parish Hall, from what they knew of his generosity, and a bit of gold on top of it, (Hear, hear.) By erecting a Parish Hall there would be something to commemorate the Coronation in years to come than the recollection of eating too many buns. (Laughter.) .

After further conversation, Mr. Elwin asked if there were any amendment, and none being forthcoming the resolution was put and carried by 13 votes to 2.

It was next decided to elect a Committee, and after the Vicar had been appointed, it was proposed to elect the Pansn Council en bloc; but both Mr. Kelcey and Mr. Stanley expressed a desire not to serve, explaining that they felt sure too much waa being attempted.

A long diacuaaion followed aa to ways and

Mr. Buttifint, speaking on behalf of the working men. said that he thought that if they were going to have feasting at all. it ought to be a feed all round. (Loud applause.) He did not see why it should be kept to the children and old people. (Ap-

PlMr.eKelcey: You should have spoken be-

Mr. Buttifint: I thought I would give you gentlemen a chance. , . *

Mr. Stanley proposed an amendment that they should have no Parish Room.

Mr. Hooner seconded.

Mr. Friend said that they could not do that. A resolution had been passed ap-pioving of a Parish Hall.

The Rev. F. Mann suggested that as the idea of a general feast seemed popular— (applause)—they might, with the consent of the proposer and seconder, alter the resolution passed and make provision for further feasting

Mr. Pagg said the public opinion seemed to Be for a general feed. (Applause.)

Mr. Friend pointed out that his resolution wras passed after every opportunity for amendment had been given. At the Diamond Jubilee £60 or so waa raised, and as a general feed would not cost more than £35 or so that would leave a nucleus for a Parish Hall. He would withdraw his resolution.

Mr. Dovey also agreed to withdraw.

The Chairman Baid that in order to make matters amicable this was perhaps best. He wculd himself move the new resolution that funds be collected for feasting the whole parish, and to provide a nucleus for a Parish Rcom.

Mr. Buttifint seconded the resolution, which wa8 carried.

Messrs Kelcey, Knocker, Friend, Hobday. Pcden, Smith, and the Vicar were elected a-5 a committee, and it w-as decided to have the feast in Mr. Stanley’s meadow on Fn-I day. 27th June. Mr. Stanley kindly agreed to lend the meadow, and the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair-