Fordwich

Are you interested in becoming a custodian and open the Town Hall one or two Sundays per year?

Then please come along to the Town Hall on Sunday 26th March at 2:00pm.

Autumn is here and we have closed the doors for this season.

Thank you to all who have visited over the season.

If you want to arrange for a visit during the autumn and soring, please email catherine.molin@hotmail.com.

We look forward to regular opening days on Sundays 1:30 – 4.00pm from March 2023.

The Entry fee is £3.00 per person is waved Heritage Days days but we do encourage donations to the charity so that we can continue to open to the public.

You can either pay cash, use pay using contactless or the QR code displayed throughout the building.

NB: Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Town Hall is located on the banks of the River Stour and is a short walk from Sturry Railway Station and the local bus stop.

The Town Hall usually opens its doors to visitors after Easter and then every Sunday from the beginning of May till the end of September. We are also open for Heritage Open Days. The Town Hall will also be open for special occasions including weddings.

Special group visits are welcome and can be arranged at any time of the year.

For more information regarding Weddings, Civil Partnerships and Ceremonies, please refer to the weddings page on this website.

Kent is very fortunate to have another medieval hall to visit, the court hall in Milton Regis near Sittingbourne. This stunning hall hosts a museum an exhibition area and is lovingly cared for by highly knowledgeable and friendly volunteers keen to welcome you.

A brief history of Fordwich Town Hall

The Town Hall was built circa 1544AD during the reign of King Henry VIII and is a Grade II* listed building. On the ground floor is the Town Jail, used until 1855 when three men were imprisoned for poaching the famous “Fordwich Trout”, a much-prized fish at the time. The Undercroft served as the Jailer’s quarters and was located next to the Crane House. Its crane, still visible today, was used to unload ships bringing goods of all kinds as Fordwich served as the port of Canterbury since Roman times.

The upstairs Courtroom, now also accessible via a lift in the rear garden, was used to try all criminal cases until 1886 by a body of twelve Jurats and a Judge, normally the Mayor of the Town. There is a “The Pleading Bar” where the prisoner would stand and a tiny “Jury Room” where the Jurats retired to consider their verdict on the accused. On the table, built in 1580 at a cost of 8s.0d, are the handcuffs and the baton belonging to the Town Constable as well as a “Branding Iron” used on serious criminals.

Worthy of note is the 800-year old “Muniment Chest” where all the important documents and charters were kept and could only be opened when three people were present. On the main beam hangs the “Ducking Stool” first used in 1465 for women who were accused of gossip or for being scolds. The stool was suspended on the crane, swung over the river and then “ducked” into the water! Also, on the main beam stand two Town Drums, one decorated with Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports, of which we were members since 1050, and the other with the Coat of Arms of the Mayor of Fordwich depicting a trout on a silver platter. These were sounded to call the townsfolk to hear a proclamation or to warn them of impending danger.

Fordwich has had a Mayor since 1292. Two lists can be seen in the north-east corner of the room. One from 1292 to 1884 when Fordwich briefly lost its Town status. The other is from 1976 to the present day.

Fordwich is classified as a Town, the smallest in the country, and its ancient Town Hall is the oldest and smallest still in use from its inception to the present day and is used by the Town Council and other organisations for meetings.

The Town Hall is open to the public during Spring and Summer (April until end of September) and can be visited by paying a small entrance fee. It can also be hired for meetings and for Wedding ceremonies. For details please contact sarah.fordwichevents@gmail.

Fordwich Unitied Charities

Charity Number 208258

When in 1880 the old Corporation of Fordwich was abolished as part of the sweeping reforms of English local government, it was necessary to establish a new organisation to own and manage the town’s important assets. The result was Fordwich United Charities, which managed the assets in the interests of charity and for the benefit of the town.

Seven trustees, appointed by Fordwich Town Council meet five times per year when we discuss and prioritise works at the Town Hall and how best to preserve this historic and important building. If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please contact the Chairperson and Fordwich Town Council.

Fordwich United Charities’ principal assets are:

• The Town Hall, built in 1544, still used for FTC and FUC meetings, and as a licensed wedding venue.
• The roadway outside the Town Hall, and the Town Quay between the Town Hall and the Fordwich Arms
• The fishing rights in the River Stour, from the A28 bridge in Sturry downstream to Plucks Gutter, a distance of 8.5 miles
• Allotments in Fordwich.
• Land on Romney Marsh which generates rental income.

Two types of grants are made to deserving residents of Fordwich:

• Coal grants (for heating).
• Book grants (for students).

To apply for a grant please email catherine.molin@hotmail.com

Trustees
There are seven trustees of Fordwich United Charities;

Catherine Molin – Chairperson

Lewis Phillips – Treasurer

Roger Green – Trustee

Matthew Edgley – Trustee

Neil Winterflood – Trustee

Barrie Beeching – KAS

Angela Starey – Clerk

FUC Annual Report 2022 will soon be published here.

FUC Annual Report 2020

FUC Annual Report 2021

Although the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Fordwich is no longer a place that offers regular worship it is nevertheless a revered place of contemplation for townsfolk and visitors alike. Please feel very welcome as you enjoy the surroundings and church.

Please also look out in the diary section of this website for forthcoming events including theatre productions, concerts and if you want to experience something truly unique – champing!

For more information about spending a cosy night at St Mary’s church please click here.

Fordwich is enormously proud to play host to Fordwich Arms pub and if you want to sample their stunning cuisine, you better be quick and book!

Dan and Natasha and their fantastic team are ready to welcome you toa dining experience you will simply not forget;

Fordwich Arms Pub received a Michelin Star in November 2018 after a mere 10 months after opening their doors, retaining it in January 2021.

Dan Smith was awarded the 2021 Young talents of the year award winner in La Liste

Awarded a place in the top 100 restaurants in the UK in May 2018 after just 6 months trading and with Chef-patron Daniel Smith recently awarded Observer’s Young Chef of the Year, booking a table in advance is highly recommended.

Enjoy delicious food in the restaurant and terrace or stop by for a drink in the pub and garden overlooking the River Stour.

For more information and to book a table please click here.

George & Dragon pub is one of two pubs in Fordwich. Serving wholesome, traditional pub food in a pub dating back to the 1500’s you are assured to be well looked after by the friendly staff.

Set by the River Stour  there is a choice of incredibly cosy seating inside and a gorgeous pub garden often providing live entertainment.

Weekends, public holiday and special events book up quickly. For more information and to book please click here.

St Mary the Virgin  welcome all visitors.

Although St Mary’s church in Fordwich is no longer a place that offer regular worship it is nevertheless a revered place of contemplation for towsfolk and visors alike. Please feel very welcome as you enjoy the surroundings and church.

Please also look out in the diary section of this website for forthcoming events including theatre productions, sing alongs and if you want to experience something truly unique – champing!

For more information about spending a cosy night at St Mary’s church please click here.

YOUR GIVING – Churches rely on the generosity of their congregations and their communities to support their mission and ministry. Many people give regularly to their church by standing order or direct debit. Others give in cash when the offering is taken in a church service or when visiting the church, but of course that is not possible whilst our church buildings are closed.

If you normally give in cash or stewardship envelope, we’d be grateful if you could give direct through your bank, by standing order or direct debit, as you’ll still be able to give. You will need their bank details:

Sturry & District Anglican Methodist Church [or SADAMC for short]

Please note this money is not in aid of St Mary the Virgin church in Fordwich.

sort code 30-91-60

account no. 00823060

The Association was founded in 1995, exists to encourage enjoyable contacts between people in our twinned communities on both sides of the Channel.  Why not join us in having some fun?

If you would like more information on the Twinning Association, please visit our website by clicking here.

You can contact us by calling 01227 710413 or 07757 291 146on  or mail us on info@sturry-fordwichtwinning.co.uk

Joining in our activities can mean meeting old friends, making new ones and developing “entente cordiale” between Sturry,Fordwich and villages. It is great fun. You do not have to be able to speak French but will certainly enjoy the” bonhomie”.

Please see events for further details or visit our website.

In an emergency call 999

If the matter is less urgent please call 101

For any local matters please contact PCSO Chris Healey on christopher.healey@kent.pnn.police.uk

For government information regarding COVID-19 please click here.

For information from the NHS regarding the COVID-19, please click here.

Due to an increase in attempted telephone scams and persons pretending to be from Charities going door to door, I have created a guide to help you stay safe and protect yourself from falling victim to these type of offences.

Fraud

Increasingly fraud is becoming more complex and deceptive, much of which is targeted at vulnerable and elderly people.

The impact of fraud on victims is not only financial. The emotional impact is significant and includes guilt, misplaced trust and diminished confidence, which can have detrimental effects on the physical and mental health of the victim, as well as increased social isolation.

Fraud can be initiated in many ways, through emails, letters, telephone calls and face to face contact. Fraudsters want money and will do and say anything they can to con victims out of it. They attempt to trick people with flashy, official looking documents, websites and technical jargon, with the sole purpose of financial gain.

Telephone Fraud

Fraudsters try to trick people out of their money by telephoning them pretending to be from a well-known company or service.

They often seem very genuine and trustworthy. Before they contact you they already know your name, your date of birth, your address and a whole host of personal information they can reel off as a way to show their sincerity.

They use well-rehearsed stories, designed to gain trust, for example pretending to be from a phone or computer service provider and claiming that there is a problem with your system that they need to fix.

Just remember:

• Be aware. Always verify the legitimacy of a caller by contacting the company they are claiming to be from using the contact number published on utility bills or official correspondence
• Don’t be afraid to just hang up
• NEVER give personal information, such as your date of birth or bank details to anyone. This includes typing your PIN into the handset
• If you are asked to make payment over the phone for something always confirm the caller’s identity first

NEVER allow an unexpected caller to talk you through processes on your computer, like downloading new software or accessing your online bank account.

You should report the scam to Action Fraud – the national fraud reporting centre.

They might get the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau to investigate the scam further. You’ll usually get a police crime reference number. 

It’s easiest to report scams online – either:

• report it as a crime on Action Fraud’s website if you’ve lost money
• report it as a phishing attempt on Action Fraud’s website if someone tried to scam you

It’s best to fill in the form on a computer, not a mobile or tablet. It takes about 20 minutes to fill in.

You can also report the scam by phone.

Action Fraud
Telephone: 0300 123 2040
Textphone: 0300 123 2050
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm

Charity Fraud

Many people want to donate to charity but it’s important to take some simple steps to make sure what you give gets to those you want to help. Sadly, criminals have historically exploited charitable giving by setting up fake charities and encouraging donations which are not passed onto the needy.

The following advice aims to raise awareness about safe ways to donate to charity and to ensure your money reaches those in need.

How to donate safely

It’s essential the public continues to support charities, but there are a few things to think about before donating:

• Be careful when responding to emails or clicking links within them. Don’t click through on any links from suspicious looking emails. If you want to donate online, type in the charity’s website address from your homepage
• Be cautious of poor grammar and spelling in documentation, including collection envelopes or clothing bags
• If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a request for donations, don’t hesitate to contact that charity directly. Be wary of any appeals where contact details for the charity are not provided. You can find genuine contact details for charities on their websites or on the Register of Charities, which is available on the Charity Commission website www.charitycommission.gov.uk
• If you are concerned that you may have been targeted by a fundraising scam, report it to Action Fraud www.actionfraud.org.uk and the police on 101

How can I be sure that a charity collector is genuine?

The Charity Commission strongly recommends that all collectors should:

• Be able to produce a valid local authority or police licence
• Wear an ID badge
• Have a sealed collection container with the charity’s registration number and name on it
• Be able to provide that they have the charity’s permission to collect

If you are still doubtful about the collector:

• Contact the Charity Commission – either via their helpline on 0845 300 0218 or www.charitycommssion.gov.uk
• Contact your local authority or police to check whether the collector has been granted a licence or needs one to collect
• Above all, don’t feel pressurised – send your donation to the charity direct.  This may mean going to a little more trouble, but at least you can be sure that your donation will get to where it’s intended.

Report concerns about charity fraud using the non-emergency 101 number. Use 999 if a crime is in progress or life is at risk. Or report online atwww.kent.police.uk/report

Hope this guide helps you all stay safe,

Kind Regards,

PSE 59753 Adam Sackett

The Old School Room is situated a stone throw away from the Town Hall at School Lane and have been lovingly restored over the past few years.

Formerly a place where Fordwich children would receive their education it is today used as a meeting place for towns people to enjoy.

The Hall is available for hire at very reasonable rates. Please use the form at the bottom of this page for all enquiries.

Please see the calendar for events.

We have an appeal for an amplifier and speaker for a community venture- The ‘French’ Film evening, which happens in the School Room on the last Monday of each month. This grew out of the Twinning Association, but now stands independently.  People are constantly upgrading their technology and might be happy to give elements knowing that they would be going to a community venture rather than just to be recycled.