Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust

 

 

GUIDED TOURS

THE CHURCHES OF ROMNEY MARSH

 

The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust has been conducting guided tours of the churches of Romney Marsh since it was founded in 1982. The format is based on a coach with a driver who is prepared for narrow lanes, the level of activity suitable for the group and the distances involved. Numbers should be between 30 and 50. It is usually an all day event, normally seeing four churches, with a pub lunch and an excellent W.I. tea. The party arrives at 10.15 at the chosen pub for coffee before leaving on the morning tour, returning to the same pub for lunch. After the afternoon visits, tea is provided at 4 pm by the W.I. at Brenzett. Departure is at 5 pm. Tours are normally given on Tuesdays or Thursdays. We try to avoid weekends which may have weddings or other church events booked although a limited number of Saturday visits have been organised in recent years.

 

Our guides, who give their services free to the Trust are speakers with knowledge of the history of the Marsh churches and their impact on people since mediaeval times. During tea, the Trust’s publications are on sale.

 

I can recommend the most convenient pub to suit each visit although groups usually use the Royal Oak at Brookland which is right next to the church and ideally placed for our purposes. The landlord is Mr. David Rhys-Jones who can be contacted on (01797) 344215; the pub’s cold buffet lunch is recommended. (note: of 1,700 pubs in Kent, only 35 are listed as ‘Main Entries’ in the 2010 Good Pub Guide. Of these 35, only 7 have been awarded the ‘Knife/Fork Award’ for "… pubs which provide outstanding food".)

 

I will make the booking for the W.I. tea which costs £4.50 a head. Please include your coach driver, our guide and speaker in your numbers for lunch and tea. You should let me and the publican know your final numbers a fortnight before the visit after which time the number should remain constant. Payment is made directly to the establishment on the day. Please also allow two seats in the front of the coach for the Trust’s guide and speaker. Finally, the Trust appreciates a minimum donation of £10 per head which goes towards its support of the churches of Romney Marsh.

 

To discuss a booking or for further information please contact:

John Hendy

Plovers, Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN29 0HJ

Tel: (01797) 344090    e-mail:  johnhendy479@btinternet.com

THE ROMNEY MARSH HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST

Tours Organiser: John Hendy

Plovers, Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, Kent TN29 0HJ

Tel: (01797) 344090 e-mail: johnhendy479@btinternet.com

 

 

CHURCH TOURS CHECK LIST

 

  1. The number of your party should be between 30 and 50. Please let me know the exact figure 14 days before your visit and also inform your chosen pub. In addition, remember to include the coach driver and two members of the Trust in your party numbers and lunch/ tea figures.

 

  1. Morning coffee and lunch arrangements are made directly by you with the pub landlord. Payment is made to him on the day. Morning coffee should be included in the overall payment.

 

  1. I book the W.I. teas. Again, final numbers please 14 days beforehand. The charge on the day to the W.I. is £4.50 a head.

 

4. The suggested minimum donation to the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust is £10 per head. This can be given at tea time to the guide who accompanies the tour. You should therefore bring three cheques: the pub, the W.I. and the Trust.

         

5.  It is important that we start as punctually as possible so please try and be at the meeting point by 10.15. We do appreciate the difficulties for those travelling from a distance. If you have a      mobile phone then please ring the pub if you are seriously delayed for any reason. Once we have begun the visits, we should move without too much delay between the churches. Our W.I. tea is scheduled promptly at 4 pm. Coach for home at 5 pm.

 

6.  Finally access – the majority of our churches are close to the coach dropping off point but some have steps to negotiate. If you are visiting Fairfield, ‘sensible’ shoes are recommended as     this most isolated of Marsh churches lies in the middle of a field of sheep!

 

 

          The RMHCT bears no liability whatsoever for any accidents, damages or claims. Any insurance    liability is solely the responsibility of visiting groups.

 

 

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Home page of Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust

 

Page published by Dr Nick Hudd on 16th November 2010