Iwade Explained

Official Name:Iwade
Country:England
Static Image Name:File:The Woolpack,_Iwade_-_geograph.org.uk_-_669561.jpg
Static Image Width:240
Static Image Caption:The Woolpack Inn, Iwade
Static Image Alt:Image of Woolpack Inn, Iwade
Population:3,087
Population Ref:(2011 Census)[1]
Map Alt:Map showing the location of Iwade in Kent, England
Coordinates:51.376°N 0.728°W
Post Town:SITTINGBOURNE
Postcode Area:ME
Postcode District:ME9
Dial Code:01795
Shire District:Swale
Shire County:Kent
Region:South East England
Constituency Westminster:Sittingbourne and Sheppey
Hide Services:Yes

Iwade [2] is a village and civil parish 2miles north of the town of Sittingbourne in the English county of Kent.

History

Iwade was established in the late Medieval period, when it was a settlement linking Watling Street to the coast via Key Street (a street towards a Quay). A moated dwelling is believed to have existed here during the 13th to 15th centuries.[3] According to Edward Hasted, in 1798 the manor of Warde (Iwade) was within the hundred of Teynham. It had sixteen houses, and about 60 or 70 inhabitants.[4]

The village lies on the former route of the A249 road, a major road from Maidstone to the Isle of Sheppey. A bypass was constructed in 1992, and improved again in 2006 during construction of the Sheppey Crossing.[5] [6] Iwade is the nearest settlement to Swale railway station.[7]

In 2014, a prehistoric henge was discovered during the development of new homes. It is believed to date from around 6000BC and is in diameter.[8]

Facilities

Iwade has a village hall and a public house (The Woolpack).[9] The village church is dedicated to All Saints and was established around the 13th century. It was restored in 1874, with a south porch being added in 1893. The church has been a Grade I listed building since 1967. It is within the diocese of Canterbury, and deanery of Sittingbourne.[4]

The Sittingbourne Speedway track is close to Iwade. It offers speedway training facilities for riders, and has been the base of the speedway team Sittingbourne Crusaders who raced in the Conference League.[10] To the north of the village is a Grade II listed Heavy Anti-aircraft gunsite used in World War II. It is one of only nine such sites in the country still existing in its original state, and one of two in Kent.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Civil Parish population 2011. 21 September 2016. Office for National Statistics . Neighbourhood Statistics.
  2. News: The 40 Kent town names we have all been pronouncing wrong. Kent Live. 3 March 2020.
  3. Book: Later Medieval Kent, 1220-1540. 72. Boydell & Brewer. 2010. 978-0-851-15584-5.
  4. Hasted . Edward . 1799 . Parishes . The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent . Institute of Historical Research . 6 . 203–206 . 21 October 2019.
  5. Web site: The A249 Iwade Bypass Order 1992. www.legislation.gov.uk.
  6. Web site: The A249 Trunk Road (Iwade Bypass to Queenborough Improvement) (24 Hours Clearway) Order 2006. www.legislation.gov.uk.
  7. Web site: Swale. Kent Community Rail Partnership. 3 March 2020.
  8. News: Neolithic henge unearthed in Iwade on site of new housing estate off Sheppey Way by SWAT Archaeology. Andy. Gray. Kent Online. 27 August 2014. 3 March 2020.
  9. Web site: The Woolpack . 19 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130817105010/http://iwadevillage.net/woolpack/home.shtml . 17 August 2013 . dead .
  10. News: Romford bombers back on track. Romford Recorder. 21 May 2016. 3 March 2020.