Map. Aylesford is located in Mid Kent, at the foot of the North Downs, on the banks of the river Medway approximately half way between Rochester and Maidstone.

The village of Aylesford is an ancient population centre, being throughout its history a major crossing point of the Medway. Occupation spans back well into pre-history; the parish has several Neolithic and other ancient monuments within its boundaries.

Aylesford is well located for commuting to both London and local towns. Direct buses run from the centre of the village to Maidstone and Rochester.

Map. Road links are excellent. The M2, M20 and M26 are easily accessible.

London is easily reachable via the M20, as is the Channel Tunnel and Dover.

Aylesford Station on the Medway Valley Railway Line links to main line routes at Strood, Maidstone and Tonbridge.

Add to this easy access to Gatwick Airport and Aylesford must surely be amongst the most accessible places in Kent.

1.2 The Parish

The parish of Aylesford is large and diverse. It extends to cover two main villages; Aylesford and Eccles. The extent is shown in Appendix 1.

It lies in the Deanery of Malling, the Archdeaconry of Tonbridge and in the Diocese of Rochester.

At the North the parish is rural and runs onto the Downs, covering Eccles and Bluebell Hill Village. Eastern borders adjoin Sandling (actually in the Diocese of Canterbury). Southern borders merge with the outskirts of Maidstone, whilst western borders merge with the more rural parishes of Ditton and Barming.

The parish is further geographically divided by three main features, the Medway, the M20 and the railway line. These physical features have acted to move the main population centres to the south of the river, whilst the old village and Church (pictured on the cover) now share the north side with light industry and warehousing.

Despite being in close proximity to Maidstone, most of the Parish falls within the Borough of Tonbridge and Malling.

1.3 Facilities, Shops and Leisure

Aylesford Village sports a general store/post office, a bank, two restaurants, a coffee shop, three pubs, a community centre and a Village Club. The Greenacres Estate (the largest estate in the parish) has a parade of shops. Eccles has two public houses.

A large retail park to the south of the parish provides a wealth of retail outlets including Sainsbury’s and BHS, whilst Maidstone is the local “serious shopping” destination.

Bluewater Shopping Centre is only a 20 minute drive away.

Doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, and many other forms of local facilities are available. Maidstone General Hospital is very close; at present this has full A&E facilities although this is under review.

Hotels, health clubs, sports clubs (including both Aylesford Rugby and Aylesford Football Clubs) and gymnasiums can all be found within the parish.

In 2005 the PCC prepared a pamphlet entitled “What’s doing in Aylesford” which was issued to newcomers to the parish following completion of two large modern housing estates. This is now slightly out of date, but does list the major local social amenities & facilities which may well be of interest to an incoming incumbent. A copy of this publication may be found on the Parish website www.aylesford-church.org.uk

1.4 Schools

The church has close links with two local Church Schools; St Peter’s (Voluntary Aided) Primary School, which is just next to the vicarage and St Mark’s (Voluntary Aided) Primary School, Eccles.

Previous vicars have visited these schools regularly for assemblies and assistance with spiritual education.

The church has recently been developing some links with the other two schools in the parish (Aylesford Primary and Secondary Schools). In recent years, the Vicar has held some assemblies and visited both schools including overseeing an Alpha course at Aylesford Secondary school.

Aylesford Secondary school also uses the church for it’s Christmas Carol Service

Three pre-school playgroups are present, (one in Eccles, two in Aylesford one of which is sited on St Peter’s school premises).

In addition, there is a further primary school to the southwest of the parish, Aylesford Primary School and immediately adjacent is Aylesford Sports College, the main local secondary school. Good links are maintained with both of these.

Slightly further afield are the other main secondary schools which serve the parish.

Maidstone Grammar School for Boys (selective)
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (selective)
Invicta Grammar School for Girls (selective)
Oakwood Grammar School for Boys. (selective)
St Simon Stock Roman Catholic School (Comprehensive)

Some youngsters in the parish and congregation also attend The Bennett Memorial School (Church of England) Comprehensive in Tunbridge Wells.

1.5 Demography

Having a population of approximately 7,000 Aylesford Parish has a wide range of socio-economic groups.

There is a wide variety of housing, with the early buildings in the village centres and in rural areas now overtaken by the growth of large estates in the latter half of the 20th century and with recent new developments near the river.

In addition to the local employment offered by the large amount of industrial and retail centres in and around Maidstone, many people

commute to London and other major local towns.

A particular feature of Aylesford Parish is the presence of The Royal British Legion Village. This community consists of a host of dwellings for (in particular) older residents, as well as for younger families and individuals.

1.6 Issues and concerns

In recent years there have been closures of local industrial and warehousing facilities which have impacted on many families in the parish.

Recently there has been the closure of the large Safeways distribution centre in Forstal Road, resulting in hundreds of redundancies – many local.

Happily, this particular site has been purchased by Waitrose, along with the undertaking to eventually re-employ local staff where possible.

The above said, unemployment is not high being in the region of 1 % of the working age parish population (figures for 2003/2004)

House prices are high and the usual ever present problem exists as to how younger members of the community get started on the property ladder.

There are many local youth organisations, but few established youth clubs or supervised meeting places. The main exception being a Youth Club meeting at The Friars.

There have been occasional problems with vandalism and youths congregating in disruptive groups in recent years, although these have rarely been significant or long lasting.

1.7 Other faiths and ecumenical communities

1.7.1 The Friars

In addition to being home to the local Anglican worshipping community, Aylesford is also the home to The Friars, a large Carmelite religious community, originally founded in the 13th century and re-established in 1949. A large number of Roman Catholic communicants use The Friars as a regular place of worship.

St Peter & St Paul’s have established good links with The Friars. In recent years, we have shared a number of ecumenical services with our friends.

Very recently choirs from both communities have joined and performed together in both venues.

Joint choirs of St Peter & St Paul’s and The Friars following a shared event.

1.7.2 Eccles Methodist Church

Eccles has a Methodist Church, where our previous incumbents formed solid links and good relationships.

1.7.3 Churches together in Malling

St Peter & St Paul’s participates in an ecumenical group entitled “Churches together in Malling”.

This consists of cross-church fellowship and sharing of services and worship. St Peter and St Paul’s has often hosted a regular group worship service.

1.8 Local Trusts and Charities

There are a number of trust and charitable institutions in the parish. Those most often associated with the church are the following:-

1.8.1 Brassey Trust

This trust was instituted by the Victorian benefactor Henry Brassey, MP, and Churchwarden of Aylesford. Former owner of nearby Preston Hall (now a NHS building) Henry Brassey financed many good things in the village. In addition to financing the major refurbishment of the church, he had great influence in the prosperity of the village in Victorian times.

After Henry Brassey’s death The Brassey Trust was set up in his memory “For the benefit of the Church of England in the Parish of Aylesford”.

The trust carries on with these aims today, managing capital and assets which include the rental and management of the old school (now used by the church and called the Brassey Centre), the associated cottage (residential letting) and the former Temperance Hall (commercial letting)

The Vicar and Churchwardens of Aylesford are ex officio trustees. The Trust is a legally separate entity from the parish which can act independently.

Meetings are infrequent, mainly arising as and when the need dictates.

1.8.2 Alms Houses.

Aylesford has a small collection of Alms Houses. Located in Rochester Road, the Alms Houses incorporate 14 small flats occupied by the elderly.

There is a board of trustees who manage the properties and the Vicar and two Churchwardens are non-elected trustees.

Meetings are called every three months or so.

1.8.3 Royal British Legion Village

The Royal British Legion headquarters are located in Aylesford. Situated off Hall Road to the south of the Parish, the HQ buildings are surrounded by light commercial buildings, offices and a good deal of housing.

Attached to the British Legion HQ is an estate of various sized dwellings and social housing many of which are occupied by the elderly.

The ministry team visit this estate on a regular basis and take communion monthly.

The parish has good relations with the Royal British Legion, who use the church on occasion, and also assist in Remembrance Day worship.

1.8.4 The Heart of Kent Hospice & Gavin Astor House

The Heart of Kent Hospice is located within our Parish. Set in the grounds of Preston Hall, the hospice cares for those who are terminally ill.

The church has good links with the hospice and liaises with their chaplain. Pastoral visits from the ministry team are regular, the choir sing carols here at Christmas and several members of the church are or have been involved with the hospice over the years.

Gavin Astor House is a care home for the elderly, sited adjacent to the hospice. Those unable to care for themselves reside here in what is a caring and well run home.

Pastoral visits are regular here, particularly as many older members of the parish reside here and communion is celebrated monthly.

2 THE CHURCH & BUILDINGS

2.1 Church Buildings

Set on a hill overlooking the ancient village of Aylesford, the church dominates the village and is a major landmark.

Dating back to Norman times, the church is fairly large with double aisles.

The church is blessed with many ancient monuments, several of which are of significant historical importance, including the tomb of Sir Francis Culpepper.

A major refurbishment was undertaken in 1878 primarily paid for by the Victorian benefactor Henry Brassey.

In recent years carpets have been laid to both aisles and the chancel, new chairs purchased to replace some of the previous Victorian pews at the rear of the church enabling the area to be used flexibly for meetings, displays, and as extra seating for large congregations. A vestry is used as a crèche and the NW corner of the north aisle is used as a children’s corner.

The church is in generally good repair, with usual ongoing maintenance costs cropping up from time to time.

The church bells have been recently re-hung, along with a large amount of associated work in the tower. Lots of fundraising was carried out for this, as well as securing of grants etc.

The last Quinquennial Inspection was carried out in 2003. This revealed a few relatively minor issues which were all dealt with using funds from the Church Repair Fund.

Flush Fund

A major failing in the church is the lack of toilets. Whilst this is not a new problem, the PCC feel that it is a significant issue and in particular, does not assist us in our welcoming young families.

In 2006 the PCC commissioned an architect to design the conversion of the area below the tower to a WC and small kitchenette. These plans and specifications are now complete and the process of obtaining faculties etc. are under way.

In the meantime the “Flush Fund” has been instigated. This is a major fund-raising drive – as we need to raise approx £75,000 - £80,000. Our efforts have so far been rewarded as, at the time of preparing this profile, the funds secured stood at £30,000 including £20,000 from PCC reserves.

Among the more significant fund raising activities has been door to door collections from the entire parish, complete with our previous incumbent dragging a toilet on wheels behind him! This proved to be excellent publicity and outreach and was well received by most parishioners.

The Church Organ

The church organ is a marvellous instrument built in 1865 by Forster and Andrew.

It has recently been established that the instrument needs a major overhaul in the near future. The intentions are to instigate these works once the toilets have been provided.

2.2 Brassey Centre

Formerly a school, this building is located on the other side of the river. It is owned by the Brassey Trust and the building is let to the church. Since 1996, it has been used as a church centre, managed by a PCC sub-committee.

It has a good sized car park, halls, toilets, a catering kitchen and an office.

The church office is in this building (see later).

The larger of two function rooms is let to the public for a variety of purposes, ranging from parties to Weightwatchers. Many church events, shows, meetings and parties are held in this room.

The Brassey Centre – our “Church Hall”

The Brassey Centre is essentially our “Church Hall”. Being both well resourced and located it complements the church where, of course there are no facilities.

A smaller room is permanently laid out with various merchandise and open to the public every Saturday in the form of the Saturday Market.

Run by volunteers, the sale of donated books, stationery, various second hand goods and hand made goods, brings in a significant amount of money and the Saturday Market is an essential link with the community.