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Historic Tenterden
As you will see below the town of Tenterden has a notably historic past. The variety of buildings are a joy to behold and with so many places nearby to explore both the serious and amatuer historian will not be disappointed in what Tenterden has to offer. The town also boasts an active Local History Society - for more details follow the links below:

A brief history of Tenterden
Tenterden & District Local History Society

A Brief History of Tenterden

In Roman times, the Weald of Kent and much of East Sussex were covered by a huge expanse of forest. A Roman road from Thanet passed through the district, but it was not until Saxon times that a settlement was recorded. In Old English "Tenet Waraden" described a den or clearing in the forest belonging to the men of Thanet, and the town's name is derived from this ancient identification.

Tenterden first rose to affluence as a centre for the wool trade in the 13th Century. In 1331 Edward III prohibited the export of raw wool and brought weavers and dyers from Flanders to teach the English to manufacture finished cloth, and in the subsequent decades Tenterden's prosperity grew. Despite this relative affluence, a number of townsfolk supported the Peasant's Revolt and joined Wat Tyler's march on Canterbury and London in 1381.

The town, unlike other wool centres in the Weald, has the advantage of access to the sea. Much of what is now Romney Marsh was under water, and ships docked at Smallhythe. Wood from the Wealden Forest was used to construct ships, and in 1449 Tenterden was incorporated into the Confederation of Cinque Ports as a limb of Rye. Ships built in the town were then used to help Rye fulfil its quota for the Crown. As a Cinque Port, Tenterden enjoyed virtual self-government, was exempt from national taxation and represented at the coronation of the monarch. The latter privilege is still jealously guarded and the town still retains a mayor, but sadly exemption from taxes no longer applies! In the 15th and 16th Centuries changes in the coastline meant that the Cinque Ports lost much of their influence - indeed Tenterden lost all access to the sea, and today is some ten miles from the coast.

The town has escaped much of the major development now commonplace elsewhere, and remains one of the most picturesque in Kent. Its broad tree-lined High Street offers a selection of shopping facilities, and is dominated by the pinnacled tower of St. Mildred's Church. The church dates from the 12th Century, and was progressively enlarged until 1461, when the distinctive tower was constructed. St. Mildred was the granddaughter of Egbert - founder of Thanet's Minster Abbey - and it is believed that a Saxon church dedicated to her stood in the parish from the 8th Century. The suburb now called St. Michael's was known as Boresisle until Victorian times, when a church dedicated to St. Michael was built to serve this community. The church was consecrated in 1863, but construction of the steeple took a further twelve years.

Throughout the 20th Century the area was the focus of much of the expansion in housing for the town. The pioneering printer William Caxton is reputed to have been born in or near the town, and the town archive includes a copy of a book published by Caxton in 1482. Actress Dame Ellen Terry is another of Tenterden's famous former residents. Tenterden and District Museum, situated in Station Road, has exhibits covering more that a thousand years of local history.

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Tenterden and District Local History Society

The programme for 2008 includes seven lectures on Wednesday evenings in the autumn and winter. All meetings will be held in the Zion Baptist Church, High Street, Tenterden at 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm. There will also be two coffee mornings held in St Mildred's Church Hall from 10am until 12 noon. Outings will be arranged in the summer.

27 February 2008: History of Cobham Hall Gerry Harris
5 March 2008: Coffee Morning St Mildred's Church Hall, Church Road, Tenterden 10am to 12noon, entrance fee £1 Coffee and cakes available
26 March 2008: AGM followed by Scenes of Tenterden Bill Parsons
30 April 2008: Benedictine Monk at Battle Abbey Geoff Hutchinson

Subscriptions
The Annual Subscription is £4. Guests and Visitors will continue to be welcome at any meeting on payment of £1. Annual subscriptions are due at the first meeting.

Membership
If you know of anyone who may be interested in joining, please encourage him or her to do so or ask the Secretary to send them a copy of the Programme.
If anyone has difficulty with transport to the meetings, please let the Secretary know and she will endeavour to arrange lifts, or can members bring one or two near-neighbours? Please offer to help if you have room in your car.

Coffee morning socials
We hope that members will come to the social events and bring their friends. Members who find it difficult to come to the evening meetings will be especially welcome so as to keep in touch with the Society. Local history scrapbooks have been maintained for over 40 years and these will be on display. The Scrapbooks make a fascinating record of events as seen at the time by local newspapers and periodicals.

Society's library
Our collection of books, papers, etc. on local history is available for reference or borrowing in Tenterden Public Library in the Local Studies Room, and also the County Library collection on similar topics. To obtain the keys of the Society's bookcases, show your Membership Card to the Librarian. The books may be borrowed for 15 days and must be recorded in the Loan Book.

Notice board
This is located on the rear wall of the corner shop, opposite the Woolpack. Notices also appear in the Wealden Advertiser and other periodicals.

Research
Mr Alec Laurence will continue to answer queries on genealogy and research.

Officers and committee
President
Vice President/Genealogy/Research
Hon Life Member
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer/Membership
Excursion Secretary
Librarian
Committee members
Mr W Tunstall Bates
Mr A E Laurence
Mrs H Sykes Mrs M Jacques
Dr N P Hudd
Mr D Dedrick
Mrs. Eleanor Bliss
Mrs B Booth
Mr M Homewood
Dr J R Gillett
Canon P Brett, Mrs M Jacques, Mrs J Jex, Mr G Peacock, Mrs J Sugden

For more information about the Society, please contact the Secretary, Mrs Eleanor Bliss. Tel: 01233 770082 Email: ebliss@tiscali.co.uk

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