Stroofer
_MG_1250 (St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas-at-Wade, Kent)
The village of St. Nicholas-at-Wade earned part of its name, and possibly its existence, by being at a point where it was possible to wade across the Wantsum, the old channel that once made a true island of Thanet but which has since become little more than a drainage ditch at its northern end as a result of centuries of land reclamation on either side. The other part was almost certainly from its magnificent church of St. Nicholas, whose tall 14th century tower dominates the village and surrounding farmland.
Most of the church dates from the 12th to 14th centuries and consists of a clerestoried nave; chancel; north and south chapels; two-storeyed porch; and the broad west tower with a south-west stair-turret. Battlemented virtually all the way round, the use of local stones in the fabric gives the building a distinctively attractive aspect. The interior offers much of interest including a Jacobean pulpit, dating from 1615 - the earliest dated example in the county, and some very interesting ledger stones in the nave and tower floor, the oldest of which is dated 1582, and one, to a William Henaker (d.1609), has an inscription that is memorable in its understatement: (he) ‘lived to the age of 39 yeares or thereabouts and then died and was buried.’ Another reads thus: ‘Here lieth the body of Edward Hannis who departed this life 23 April 1750 aged 55 years. And also 9 of his children.’ Does this mean he had more?
The south chapel – dedicated to St.Thomas a Becket – is used as a vestry, but up until 1833 was the parish schoolroom and still has the fireplace intact. Next to the main door a very rickety ladder (which I climbed at the risk of life and limb) leads to a room above the porch. This is used as a storeroom, but, back in the 18th century, was rented as a workshop by the local plumber.
The north chapel contains several memorials to members of the Bridges family, one of which is to a former Poet Laureate – Robert Bridges (1844-1930). I suppose, from time to time, we are all reminded by certain events of our own mortality, but perhaps the verse found on a tomb chest to two young members of the family is as stark a reminder as any: ‘Stay reader, stand and lend a tear. Unto the dust that slumbers here; And when you read the state of me. Think on the glass that runs for thee.’ Enough said!
_MG_1250 (St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas-at-Wade, Kent)
The village of St. Nicholas-at-Wade earned part of its name, and possibly its existence, by being at a point where it was possible to wade across the Wantsum, the old channel that once made a true island of Thanet but which has since become little more than a drainage ditch at its northern end as a result of centuries of land reclamation on either side. The other part was almost certainly from its magnificent church of St. Nicholas, whose tall 14th century tower dominates the village and surrounding farmland.
Most of the church dates from the 12th to 14th centuries and consists of a clerestoried nave; chancel; north and south chapels; two-storeyed porch; and the broad west tower with a south-west stair-turret. Battlemented virtually all the way round, the use of local stones in the fabric gives the building a distinctively attractive aspect. The interior offers much of interest including a Jacobean pulpit, dating from 1615 - the earliest dated example in the county, and some very interesting ledger stones in the nave and tower floor, the oldest of which is dated 1582, and one, to a William Henaker (d.1609), has an inscription that is memorable in its understatement: (he) ‘lived to the age of 39 yeares or thereabouts and then died and was buried.’ Another reads thus: ‘Here lieth the body of Edward Hannis who departed this life 23 April 1750 aged 55 years. And also 9 of his children.’ Does this mean he had more?
The south chapel – dedicated to St.Thomas a Becket – is used as a vestry, but up until 1833 was the parish schoolroom and still has the fireplace intact. Next to the main door a very rickety ladder (which I climbed at the risk of life and limb) leads to a room above the porch. This is used as a storeroom, but, back in the 18th century, was rented as a workshop by the local plumber.
The north chapel contains several memorials to members of the Bridges family, one of which is to a former Poet Laureate – Robert Bridges (1844-1930). I suppose, from time to time, we are all reminded by certain events of our own mortality, but perhaps the verse found on a tomb chest to two young members of the family is as stark a reminder as any: ‘Stay reader, stand and lend a tear. Unto the dust that slumbers here; And when you read the state of me. Think on the glass that runs for thee.’ Enough said!