Speldhurst is a village and civil parish in the borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent, England. The parish is to the west of Tunbridge Wells: the village is west of the town. Speldhurst has a primary school, a parish church, a general store with post office, a pub, and a small business park. There is a residential care home for the elderly, Birchwood House, which is a former manor house with a rich history.

History

The name Speldhurst derives from the Old English for 'wooded hill ''('hyrst')'' where wood-chips ''('speld')'' are found'.

Parish Church

St Mary's Church Speldhurst Kent by Ruth Sharville

St Mary's Church Speldhurst was designed by John Oldrid Scott and built by

Hope Constable Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish ...

of Penshurst, being dedicated to St Mary on 6 May 1871. The stained glass windows are by Burne Jones and William Morris. At present the parish of Speldhurst is part of a united parish with Ashurst and Groombridge. A previous incumbent of St Mary's Church Speldhurst was Rev Baden Powell, the father of Lord Baden-Powell who founded the

Scout Scout may refer to: Youth movement *Scout (Scouting), a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement **Scouts (The Scout Association), section for 10-14 year olds in the United Kingdom **Scouts BSA, sectio ...

Movement. Rev. Powell married his second wife in the Church, and she is buried in the churchyard. The hymnwriter Francis Pott resided in the parish until his death in 1909. Pott, who wrote popular hymns such as "

Angel voices, ever singing "Angel Voices, Ever Singing" is an English Christian hymn. It was written in 1861 by the Church of England vicar Francis Pott (1832–1909). It was written for the dedication of an organ. History The hymn's words were written by Francis Pott. ...

" and "The strife is o'er, the battle done", donated a chalice and paten to the church plate of St Mary's.

Local customs

Speldhurst has an annual pram race on the second Sunday in May. There are various race categories of different age groups with the main event being two laps around the village. Contestants have to push a "baby" around the course and all have to down half a pint every time they pass the two drinks stations, one situated by the George and Dragon and the other by the old Northfields pub.

Parish villages and hamlets

* Ashurst * Langton Green * Old Groombridge * Speldhurst itself *Stone Cross, a hamlet which includes Burrswood, a building designed by

Decimus Burton Decimus Burton (30 September 1800 – 14 December 1881) was one of the foremost English architects and landscapers of the 19th century. He was the foremost Victorian architect in the Roman revival, Greek revival, Georgian neoclassical and Reg ...

References

External links

Speldhurst Online

Speldhurst Parish Council website

St Mary's church
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Speldhurst Pram RaceBirchwood House
Villages in Kent Civil parishes in Kent {{Kent-geo-stub