Staple is a village and civil parish in east
Kent
Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...
, England. The village lies southwest of the nearby village of Ash and the town of
Sandwich
A sandwich is a food typically consisting of vegetables, sliced cheese or meat, placed on or between slices of bread, or more generally any dish wherein bread serves as a container or wrapper for another food type. The sandwich began as a po ...
, and east of
Canterbury
Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour.
...
.
History
The village is west of the
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second pri ...
site at Ringlemere and east of the
Roman
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a letter ...
and
Mesolithic
The Mesolithic (Greek: μέσος, ''mesos'' 'middle' + λίθος, ''lithos'' 'stone') or Middle Stone Age is the Old World archaeological period between the Upper Paleolithic and the Neolithic. The term Epipaleolithic is often used synonymous ...
sites at
Wingham. The village church, dedicated to
St James the Great
James the Great, also known as James, son of Zebedee, Saint James the Great, Saint James the Greater, Saint James the Elder, or Saint Jacob (Aramaic ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܪ ܙܒܕܝ, Arabic يعقوب, Hebrew בן זבדי , '' Yaʿăqōḇ'', Latin '' ...
, dates to the Saxon period but there have been Bronze Age finds in the land surrounding the village. Staple is one of the few places in Kent that does not appear in the 1086 ''
Domesday Book
Domesday Book () – the Middle English spelling of "Doomsday Book" – is a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William I, known as William the Conqueror. The manusc ...
'', because it was appendant to
Adisham
Adisham (formerly Adesham) is a village and civil parish in the English county of Kent. It is twinned with Campagne-lès-Hesdin in France.
Geography
The village centre, six miles south-east of Canterbury is on the B2046 road between Wingham a ...
, which lies to its southwest but is separated from it by the hundred and parish of Wingham. Together Adisham and Staple formed the Hundred of Downhamford. Staple is situated near the end of an arm of the
Wantsum Channel
The Wantsum Channel was a strait separating the Isle of Thanet from the north-eastern extremity of the English county of Kent and connecting the English Channel and the Thames Estuary. It was a major shipping route when Britain was part of the Rom ...
, all that survives of which is the Durlock stream (possibly derived from the Celtic *''duro-'' "settlement" and *''loccu-'' "lake, pool", attesting the presence of the former channel). In prehistoric times this channel provided access to the sea; one reason that Staple was chosen as an export location.
''Staple'' is a
Middle English
Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...
word, signifying an official market for purchase of goods for export; it derives from Anglo-Norman ''estaple'', "market-place", The "staple" of Staple was wool, exported to the
Low Countries
The term Low Countries, also known as the Low Lands ( nl, de Lage Landen, french: les Pays-Bas, lb, déi Niddereg Lännereien) and historically called the Netherlands ( nl, de Nederlanden), Flanders, or Belgica, is a coastal lowland region in N ...
. The 'Statute of Acton Burnell' (1283) removed the Staple from Calais to fifteen appointed places in England, Ireland and Wales. The royal appointment decreed that 'All wool for export should be gathered at the Staple, if not the selling there.' In the reign of
Edward III
Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377), also known as Edward of Windsor before his accession, was King of England and Lord of Ireland from January 1327 until his death in 1377. He is noted for his military success and for restoring r ...
, the Staple was removed to Queensborough on the Isle of Sheppey; its return nine years later was occasioned by the greater ease with which export to Calais was effected by Staple's proximity to Sandwich. The Staple system suffered a long slow decline and was abolished in 1617. Other export products from Staple included leather and vellum.
From 1916 to 1948 the village was served by
Staple railway station
Staple railway station was a station on the East Kent Light Railway in southeast England, serving the village of Staple. It was located north of the village, on the west side of the road to Durlock, where it crosses over the Wingham River at ...
on the
East Kent Light Railway
The East Kent Light Railway was part of the H. F. Stephens, Colonel Stephens group of cheaply built rural light railways in England. Holman Fred Stephens was engineer from its inception, subsequently becoming director and manager. The line ...
, north of the village at Durlock Bridge. In
the Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
, the station was used as a
munitions dump, and a large-calibre rail-mounted gun was stabled there.
There are two gentlemen's seats at Staple, Crixhall and The Groves. The oldest established vineyard in East Kent was established at Staple but is no longer in use. Since 1993 Barnsole Vineyard has been operating in the village.
A fair was held twice a year, on 28 December and 25 July, offering 'toys and pedlary'. Profits from the December Fayre in 1524 amounted to six shillings and eight pence and were received by one Clement Roberth of Wingham. The winter fair was held on
Childermas, a feast day where no labour was performed and thus well suited to the event.
Edward Hasted
Edward Hasted (20 December 1732 OS (31 December 1732 NS) – 14 January 1812) was an English antiquarian and pioneering historian of his ancestral home county of Kent. As such, he was the author of a major county history, ''The History and To ...
mentions that fairs were held on 25 July, the feast day of
St James, patron saint of labourers.
Church of St James the Great
![St James the Great, Staple, Kent - East end - geograph](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/St_James_the_Great%2C_Staple%2C_Kent_-_East_end_-_geograph.org.uk_-_325927.jpg)
The village church, dedicated to
St James the Great
James the Great, also known as James, son of Zebedee, Saint James the Great, Saint James the Greater, Saint James the Elder, or Saint Jacob (Aramaic ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܪ ܙܒܕܝ, Arabic يعقوب, Hebrew בן זבדי , '' Yaʿăqōḇ'', Latin '' ...
, was built in the 14th century as a replacement for an earlier
Saxon
The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic
*
*
*
*
peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...
chapel. In July 1555 the vicar of Staple, John Bland, on the orders of
Queen Mary, was
burnt at the stake
Death by burning (also known as immolation) is an execution and murder method involving combustion or exposure to extreme heat. It has a long history as a form of public capital punishment, and many societies have employed it as a punishment ...
at Martyr's Field,
Canterbury
Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour.
...
. In his''The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent'' (1778–99),
Edward Hasted
Edward Hasted (20 December 1732 OS (31 December 1732 NS) – 14 January 1812) was an English antiquarian and pioneering historian of his ancestral home county of Kent. As such, he was the author of a major county history, ''The History and To ...
describes the church as consisting of "two isles and two chancels, having a tower steeple at the west end, in which are four bells. The church is remarkably long and low. The south isle and chancel are upon the same level, nor is there any separation between them. On the sides of the chancel are rails, very low, about two feet from the wall, very unusual." The restoration of the church was completed in 1868 by
George Edmund Street
George Edmund Street (20 June 1824 – 18 December 1881), also known as G. E. Street, was an English architect, born at Woodford in Essex. Stylistically, Street was a leading practitioner of the Victorian Gothic Revival. Though mainly an eccle ...
. It has been a
Grade I listed building
In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...
since 11 October 1963.
British Listed Buildings
/ref>
Community
Staple Country Fayre
(More properly Staple Country & Craft Fayre) is an annual event staged by a group of volunteers in the tiny Kent village of Staple (CT3 1LB)
There have been village fairs in Staple for hundreds of years, but the fair in its current format has been staged every year since 1990.
* Aims:
The Staple Country Fayre's aims are two-fold: To promote a sense of community /promote social cohesion - and to raise funds for the village's various clubs, groups and organisations (such as Staple Youth Club, Staple Pre-School, Staple Parent & Toddler Group etc).
* Organisation:
*
These events are staged by a group of volunteers (The Staple Country & Craft Fayre Committee).
The committee comprises a Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and around half a dozen committee members.
The Committee meets regularly; either in the Committee Room of the village hall, or at the local pub (The Black Pig).
* Themes:
The Staple Country & Craft Fayre comprises several separate themes:
* ''The preservation of traditional rustic crafts, skills and attractions''.
To this end, the fayre features craftspersons such as wood turners, leather workers, trug makers, corn dolly makers etc; and includes attractions such as tossing the bale, Maypole dancing and a fayre court (King, Queen etc).
* ''A traditional village fair'':
Traditional village fair attractions are always included; such as bowl a pig, Punch & Judy, magic shows, a coconut shy a Produce Show Marquee, a barrow of booze, stalls selling homemade items, a cake stall, a produce stall, stationary engines, vintage tractors, a beer tent and a refreshment hall.
* ''Slightly less traditional fair attractions'':
To keep the event popular / relevant; the fayre's various elements aren't limited to 'olde worlde' / traditional attractions. Examples of more up-to-date attractions include Classic Cars, Iconic Scooters, a Bric-a-Brac stall, a Nearly New stall, a Books & CDs stall, a Toy stall, a Pimm's Bar, a Barbecue, Candy Floss.
* ''All the Fun of The Fair Attractions:''
In recent years The Staple Country & Craft Fayres have included Strolling Clowns, Roundabouts, a Bouncy Castle, Beat The Goalie etc.
* Misc:
The entrance to the Fayre (the Village Hall's entrance road) is the location for the annual display of Military Vehicles.
* Music:
Music Around The Grounds:
These events always feature The Victory Wartime Band, a local brass quintet who provide the perfect audio backdrop. (And whose appearance lends a Midsommer Murder type elegance.)
Music In The Arena:
Each year the event's first attraction is live music. (With a second set later in the day).
There have been various bands over the years; but the popularity of the 2017 band was such that were invited back for the 2018 and 2019 fayres. (And have already been booked for the 2021 event).
* The Arena:
The arena is used for a parade by 'Staple Court' (King Queen etc), the presentation of prizes, an egg-throwing competition, a tossing the bale competition, a wellie-throwing competition, The live music spots, the Punch & Judy show, a parade of classic cars - and the day's main attraction. For the 2019 Fayre there were ''two'' attractions: The Dog & Duck Display and The Mighty Smith Show. (A strongman act).
The 2021 Staple Country & Craft Fayre will be the thirtieth - so there are plans to make it 'special'.
Village Hall
'Staple Village Hall & Recreation Ground' was registered as a charity on 6 June 1979 with the charity number 277915. The hall is owned by Staple Parish Council and is managed on behalf of the parishioners by a committee of elected members and appointed representatives of village organisations. The funding for the hall was made available through a grant of £123,500 from ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural England). ACRE was awarded £10.5 million by The Millennium Commission to deliver funding for 160 village halls in England. The Millennium Commission was a legacy body of 'The Big Lottery Fund'.
The Black Pig
The Black Pig pub is housed in a medieval building from the 13th or 14th century. In 1800, the building contained a pub and brewery owned by Robert Tritton. The brewery closed in 1912.
References
Further reading
*Newman, John, ''North East and East Kent'' (series Buildings of England) (Yale University Press) 1969
External links
*
Staple Village Hall
Barnsole Vineyard
Staple's Village Web Site
Staple Country Fayre's Web Site
{{authority control
Villages in Kent
Dover District
Civil parishes in Kent