The village of Shipbourne lies in the county of Kent, in an undulating
landscape traversed by the small streams of the River Bourne, set in a
clay vale at the foot of the wooded Sevenoaks Greensand Ridge.
Situated between the towns of Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, in
the borough of Tonbridge & Malling, just under 400 parishioners and
their children live in almost 200 dwellings. The landscape is agricultural
with dispersed groups of buildings that are almost entirely residential or
used for farming purposes.
The dominant characteristics of the historical landscape
are thick woodland with smaller, broadleaf coppices with small to medium
sized fields enclosed by traditional boundaries of hedges or chestnut
fencing. Earlier removal of some hedgerows has resulted in some larger
arable fields; these are often separated by small woodland belts or Shaws.
The most distinctive landscape feature is The Common, also known as The
Green, which is a large, open and dominant space in the centre of the
village.
The parish is situated in the Metropolitan Green Belt and is an area
designated as a Special Landscape Area. The central village including the
pub, the church, the village school and The Common is within a
Conservation Area. Much of the village lies within the Kent Downs Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (www.kentdowns.org.uk).
This website is designed to be a simple source of information for those
living in the village, for visitors and for those who may be just settling
in.
PC Tony Wiles(more
details) is our local policeman based at Borough Green. He
can be contacted by telephoning West Kent Police on 01732 771055 and
then asking to be put through to Borough Green Police Office. A polite
but firm request will enable you to leave a message on his voicemail
if unavailable.
Call 999 if there is a threat
to life or a crime is in progress or to report a non-urgent crime or
discuss a local police matter call 01732 771055.
There are
small local libraries at York Parade, 01732 351918 and in Riding Lane,
Hildenborough, 01732 838729 and a larger one in Avebury Avenue in
Tonbridge, 01732 352754.
A weekly Mobile Library stops on Tuesdays
at the Village Hall from 10.45 to 11.00 and then at Lady Vane Close
from 11.05 to 11.20
You can now perform many routine tasks such as checking opening times,
booking a library PC or renewing your books online from home or work.
Refuse
TMBC’s
contractors, Cleanaway currently collect the black wheeled bins
weekly. On Monday from Hildenborough Road and Mote Road; Wednesday
from Tinley and Friday from the centre of the village, Puttenden and
Shipbourne Road.
Changes to refuse collection, introduction of Green Waste Bins.
Green Waste Leaflet
On collection day the bin must be at the boundary
of your property by 7am. Paper and magazines are collected from the
smaller green bins provided on alternate weeks.
A Cleanaway lorry that will collect bulky household items and green
garden waste stops outside the Village Hall between 8.00 and 9.00
every fourth or last Saturday of the month.
Visit
TMBC websitefor the latest dates.
Use TMBC StreetLine 01732
876060 to report abandoned vehicles, dead animals, fly-tipping,
litter, missed bins or rodent or insect infestations.
Village Societies, Clubs and Local Facilities
Shipbourne Cricket Club
www.shipbourne.play-cricket.com
In the summer months there are usually two teams representing
Shipbourne on Saturdays and one team on Sundays.
Contact TBA
Shipbourne Women's Institute
The W.I. has a good programme of speakers and activities. Meetings are
on the second Wednesday of each month in the village hall,
from 2 - 4pm all year round.
Joan
Chapman can give further information on 01732 810455.
Nursery School
Pipkins Nursery School operates in the village hall and is licensed
for 16 children. It offers term-time daycare for children aged between
2 – 5 from 9.15 to 12.45 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday and
9.15 to 2.45 on a Tuesday.
For further information call Stephanie Dickens on 0870 446 0025 or
e-mail: info@pipkinsnurseries.com
Shipbourne Housing Trust – Lady Vane Close
Shipbourne Housing Trust was founded as a Friendly Society in 1953
under the patronage of the late Mr Peter Cazalet. Sixteen one and two
bedroom flats were built at Lady Vane Close to provide retirement
accommodation for the elderly of the village although, over the years,
some tenancies have been taken by retired people from outside the
village. The Trust has always endeavoured to foster a community
environment and today the Close is a place of mutual help and
friendship.
It is administered by a committee of management that keeps in close
contact with the tenants. Each flat is modern and very well appointed
and the committee is constantly updating and reviewing ideas for
improvements. All this has been made possible by the dedicated
voluntary work of the committee, thus minimising management expenses.
Lady Vane Close is an important part of our Shipbourne community and
whilst parishioners are willing to give their energetic support to
manage it, the Close will continue to prosper and provide
accommodation at realistic rents for those approaching, and over,
retirement age. Further details are available from John Playle, Hon.
Secretary 810562
Plaxtol Players
www.plaxtolplayers.co.uk
An active and enthusiastic amateur dramatic society.
Contact Jane Williams on 01732 833751.
Plaxtol and Shipbourne Tennis Club
www.plaxshiptc.co.uk
There are two all weather courts situated on the Green. Annual
subscriptions are available. Junior members receive free coaching on
Monday evenings during the summer term.
Contact Frank Chapman on 01732
810455.
Plaxtol Youth Group
Meets alternate Fridays 19.30 - 21.00 in Plaxtol Memorial Hall.
Everyone welcome between 11 and 15 years.
Contact Carol Crossley on 01732 810801.
Tonbridge Swimming Pool
www.tonbridgepool.co.uk
A large open and indoor pool with children's’ pool - 01732 367449.
Poult Wood Golf Course
www.poultwoodgolf.co.uk
A public 9 & 18 hole course in north Tonbridge - 01732 366180.
Angel Leisure Centre, Tonbridge 01732 359966
has a gym, badminton courts and various classes.
Plaxtol Local History Group aims to help us all to understand
and enjoy the history of Plaxtol and the surrounding areas through
lectures, outings, special projects, publications and occasional
exhibitions. Each year, it organises 8 or 9 lectures on topics of
local interest, held in Plaxtol Memorial Hall. Both members and
non-members are welcome. For more information, see the Group's website
at
www.plaxtolhistory.org.uk or telephone Vanessa Dussek on
01732 810489.
Tonbridge and Malling Conservative Association – Shipbourne Branch
We support our local Association (Tonbridge & Malling) and hold one
social event each year. Being a member also gives an introduction to
events arranged by the Association and other branches. We welcome
anyone who would like to be involved with our branch’s activities. If
you are interested, please contact Alan Bristow on 832316. Committee
members are: Alan Bristow, John Playle, Valerie Dagger and Nick Ward.
Shops
& Pubs
Farmers’ Market, St Giles Church, Shipbourne
www.producedinkent.co.uk
Held weekly on Thursday mornings 9-11 am in the church or church
approach. Among other produce there are seasonal fresh local
vegetables and fruits, eggs, honey, meat and fish products, pies and
bread. Details from Monica Long 01732 355325.
Ken Francis, Butcher 01732 810328
The Street, Plaxtol. Supplies meat, game and cheese including Scotch
Beef and free range poultry. 2005 Gold Award for homemade sausages.
Plaxtol Stores and Post Office 01732 811330
The Street, Plaxtol
A general store with fresh and dry foods, stationery, newspapers, and
Post Office with banking facilities.
Shop hours: Mon – Fri 07.30 – 17.30, Saturday 07.30 – 13.00, Sunday
08.00 – 11.00
Post Office hours Mon – Fri 09.00 – 13.00, Saturday and Sunday –
closed.
York Parade, North Tonbridge, has a variety of shops
including a chemist, a Somerfield supermarket, a butcher, pet shop,
pizza, fish & chip and Indian takeaways, a library, newsagent,
off-licence, baker, dry cleaner and bathroom / plumbers merchants.
Animal Feed Supplier 01732 810649
Mary and Tim Wells sell most animal feedstuffs from Popes Cottage,
Hamptons Road, Shipbourne.
Fishmonger
Mobile wet fishmonger Peter Cox visits Shipbourne on Wednesdays.
Contact him on 01892 527398.
The Chaser Inn opposite the Green is a Greene King Pub that
serves food. It has a large garden.
For table reservations call 01732 810360.
The Kentish Rifleman at Dunks Green serves food and has a small
garden. It is shut on Mondays.
For table reservations call 01732 810727.
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Shipbourne Parish Council is not responsible for the content of
external Internet sites and the inclusion of links on this site is not a
recommendation by the council of any goods or services.
Kent Traffic Report
Local Weather
Design Statement
Shipbourne School
Tonbridge & Malling
TMBC Online Planning
Kent County Council
Explore Kent
1871 Map
Aerial views/maps
