WAREHORNE

 The village is first mentioned in a charter of the Saxon King Egbert in 820 AD, where it is called Werehornas. The name has been explained as 'the place on the bend by the weir'. Presumably on the ancient course of the river Lymne, the old name for the Rother.

Well, tonight we went for a meal to celebrate a couple of family birthdays. We went to a country pub in Warehorne - it's one of those villages that you pass through often, but seldom visit. That will shortly change. The meal was exquisite, and the old pub was beautiful.

Like a lot of country villages, the pub and church were very close - in this instance, opposite each other. It was too late today to visit the church, but it's been added to my ever-growing list.

The Woolpack is a beautiful 16th. century inn, that has been kept very original. It has the typical Kent Weatherboard exterior, and stone walls and brick floors inside. The furniture is appropriate too. They have rooms to stay in, but be warned - they also have a ghost! Apparently his name is Frederick and he's a friendly spirit.

It lays a little way off the main village road, in a quiet lane, where, apart from the odd car, all you can hear are the sheep surrounding the church opposite. It has seating and tables out front for those idyllic summer evenings, and there are benches on the village green next door.

So, St. Matthews's church - it's a pretty little church, both inside and out. It stands in its' churchyard, atop a ridge opposite the pub. A little dark-looking from the outside, the interior is plain, simple, light and airy.

The arcades are formed of circular pillars of Bethersden marble that are curiously stratified. It's not really marble of course, but a local stone that is full of fossilised gastropods, and which responds well to carving and polishing.

The Royal Arms are Queen Anne, painted on wood. The lion looks as though he's been at the communion wine!

    

Some random interior shots......

Traces of blue paint in this sedilla

Lovely carved wooden reredos under the East window.

Small statue inset into the panelling in the north chapel warrants some further investigation

Now here's a name to conjure with...........................

Sir John Everett Millais, 3rd Bt. was born on 28 November 1888. He was the son of Sir Everett Millais, 2nd Bt. and Mary St. Lawrence Hope-Vere. He died on 30 September 1920 at age 31, unmarried.
He succeeded to the title of 3rd Baronet Millais, of Palace Gate, Kensington, co. Middlesex and of St. Ouen [U.K., 1885] on 7 September 1897.

He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in the service of the Royal Navy, and he held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Kent.

He is buried in the Brookwood Cemetery in Woking, Surrey

He may not be known by you, but his Grandfather, the first Baronet, who bore the same name, almost certainly is. 

The first John Everett Millais was one of the most famous 19th century English painters. He was also a successful book illustrator. If nothing else, he is remembered for 'The Boyhood of Raleigh' 

I'm afraid I couldn't get a clear look at this one, it was too high up. However, I'll do some investigating and get back to you