The 1969 Appledore & Kenardington Village Survey
In 1969, the Women’s Institute of Appledore undertook an extraordinary and far‑reaching survey of both Appledore and its neighbouring village, Kenardington. What they produced remains an extremely detailed snapshots of village life and an invaluable record of homes, landscapes, wildlife, services and the community that made up the survey.
A Portrait of Two Villages
The survey captured every corner of the villages, from the oldest cottages to the newest homes built in the late 1960s. It documented:
- Local Authority housing and privately owned homes
- Newly built properties and recent house conversions
- Agricultural buildings and proposed new developments
- Industrial sites and planning applications of the era
This careful mapping provides a rare insight into how the villages were growing and adapting as modern life reached rural Kent.
Landscape, Nature, and the Royal Military Canal
A significant part of the survey focused on the natural environment. The Royal Military Canal, running along the foot of Appledore, was described in detail, including the wildlife it supported at the time. The WI also recorded:
- Trees and woodland across the parishes
- Birds, mammals, butterflies, and wildflowers
- Locations of notable species, including privately kept animals such as peacocks at local manor houses
Their work forms an early example of community‑led environmental monitoring.
Everyday Life and Village Services
The survey explored the practicalities of living in Appledore and Kenardington in 1969, noting the presence and condition of:
- Water wells, sewage systems, and refuse collection
- Telephone kiosks, the Post Office, general stores, and petrol garages
- Doctors, dentists, and other essential services
- Visitor facilities, including parking, picnic spots, and places to eat
It also recorded how children were educated, the size and character of the population, and the extent of local farming—what was grown, where, and by whom.
Community Spaces and Activities
The WI documented the social fabric of the villages, listing clubs, societies, and organisations active at the time. They also described:
- The Village Hall and its many uses
- Playing fields and the games played on them
- Footpaths, greens, and commons
This section offers a vivid picture of community life and shared spaces.
History Beneath Our Feet
The survey highlighted the deep historical roots of the area, noting ancient sites such as a Stone Age flint‑working location. It also listed properties of historical interest, their council jurisdictions, and any listed status.
A Visual Record
Alongside written observations, the WI included photographs showing the villages as they appeared in 1969—an invaluable visual reference for understanding how much has changed and how much has been preserved.
Explore the Full Survey
This remarkable document remains a treasure for anyone interested in local history, family research, or the evolution of rural Kent. The original is now very fragile and is held by the Appledore Local History Society in its archive. It is made up of many types of page, from hand written and typed notes, to scraps of paper glued to others to highlight areas of interest. However, a full translated and re-typed copy of the 1969 survey is available to download below for those who wish to explore its findings in greater depth.