A LOCAL HISTORIAN LOOKS AT HARTLIP — No. 3

To continue the story of Queendown, the first mention of Warren was in 1621, in which year Edward Osborne refers to Warren House (now called the Cradles). In 1642 the rent of this house and farm included "52 couples of conies sweet and clean and of the best of the game yearly"

Writing in 1783, Hasted states that "In this part of the parish is a long tract of waste ground called Queens Down which was for many years a noted warren for rabbits but it has been disused for some time past".

Roads and their names provide as much interest as do farm and house names. Until the advent of the bulldozer there was indeed something permanent about a way. The main thoroughfare is just called The Street, a name in itself of Anglo-Saxon origin but the roads themselves in Hartlip are of more interest than their names. A high proportion of country roads take their names from the places or farms to which they lead. Thus it is not surprising to find within the parish Hartlip Road, Lower Hartlip Road, Dane Lane, Yaugher Hill, Place Road, Cradles Road, Warren Lane. Names which describe the nature of the road, Hollow Lane and Cater Hill, are found, while inevitably lanes acquire names after local personalities as appears to be the case in Munns Lane and Harry Blacks Hill. No doubt some resident will know why South Bush Lane and Spade Lane are so called or perhaps provide other names for those which have been mentioned.

The roads in Hartlip which lead off Watling Street are almost certain to be of ancient origin, perhaps Roman, like Watling Street itself. A Roman villa was found in the southern end of the parish and this place would have access roads to it and the existing lanes would have provided that. In addition these lanes may have been ways of access to cultivated holdings as the villa was probably set in well laid out farm land.

R.A.B.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. "Floral Art in Church" will be the subject of a talk on Wednesday, 8th September, at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. The speaker, Mrs. Peggy Finn-Kelcey, of Old Romney, is an official judge and lecturer, as well as an experienced exhibitor, in Kent floral art circles. She also manages the remarkable feat of doing at least two arrangements in her own church throughout the year. Anyone at all interested will be very welcome at this talk.