Lenham

We stopped at a place called Lenham on the way to Canterbury, a much larger and older village than we had expected - first allowed a market, acording to wikipedia, as long ago as 1088. Maybe it did well out of the pilgrim and Dover trades. Sparkling water and coffee in the busy Dog & Bear. Sandwiches in the car park, followed by a visit to the church.

Also old and large, and sporting a west door the like of which I do not recall seeing in a parish church. Lots of old woodwork had been imported from somewhere, I forget exactly where, perhaps an abbey or some such in the vicinity. Presumably the importers thought that it added a bit of tone to the local stuff already there. Notice the candle holders on most of the pews: another first for a church of this sort.

There was what looked like a not very old handle for the bellows for the organ, although there was no-one to ask whether it was still actually connected or not. Whether some lucky soul was expected to do the honours on Sundays and feast days.

Nice views over fields out the back, that is to say behind the snap below, about to be turned into a housing estate. Presumably one happy farmer and lots of grumpy heritage folk. But it will destroy what is presently a very pleasant view.