The villages of Sheldwich, Badlesmere and Leaveland lie to the south of Faversham set in the heart of the Kent countryside on the edge of the Kent Downs.
St James Church, Sheldwich
Sheldwich Summer Show 2005
St Laurence Church, Leaveland |
Shops and Services
For a list of shops and services available in Sheldwich, Badlesmere and Leaveland, please click on the appropriate link: Sheldwich; Badlesmere; Leaveland.
Community
- Bellringing
Paul Evans 
01795 537647 - Church of St James, Sheldwich
Village Priest: Mike Johnson 01795 536583
Parochial Church Council: Secretary: Lesley Brooks 01795 532366
Services: see church website - Church of St Leonard, Badlesmere and Church of St Laurence, Leaveland
Village Priest: Arthur Skinner 01233 740666
Parochial Church Council: Treasurer: Mrs Lyn Collins 01227 830158
Churchwardens: Miss Cheryl Fountain 01795 531945 Mrs Lyn Collins 01227 830158
Services: Badlesmere - Evensong 6.30pm 4th Sunday - Evensong with Communion 6.30pm Leaveland - Family Communion 9.30am every Sunday, with Family Service 4th Sunday - Lees Court
- Mobile Library
- Parish Council
Parish Clerk: Mrs P Prescott, Cottleston Pie, Murton Place, Seasalter Road Graveney, Faversham Kent ME13 9DX. 01795 590054
sblpc@live.com - Elected Members:
Parish Clerk- Mrs Prescott 01795 590054
Chairman- Noaj Laurance
Vice Chairman- Bill Harbour- 01795 532505
Councillors
John Nimmo- 01795 535218
Barry Roberts- 01795 597615
Bill Stevens- 01795 534548
Brian Pain- 01795 539186
Corrine Scutt- 01233 740596
Rose White- 01795 536467
Kim Sharrock- 01233740320
Meetings are held at 8p.m on the 1st Monday monthly- Sheldwich Village Hall October until March, Badlesmere Village Hall April to September.
Sheldwich Primary School 01795 532779
Directgov information
History
Sheldwich is first recorded in the year 784 as ‘Scilduuic’. Given that Old English ‘Scild’ means a low hill, and ‘wic’ is a dwelling place or shelter, that is a good description of this dwelling place on a low hill.
By Domesday in 1086 it has no particular mention as it is still considered a chapelry of Faversham. Modern scholars however think Sheldwich might be the place peculiarly named as Cildresham.
For a full history of this ancient village see the publication Dwelling On A Low Hill by Michael Johnson, ISBN 1900214 474, available as Faversham Paper No. 94. It is available from the Faversham Society by mail order. The book contains almost 200 thumbnail photographs, which are also available as quality jpegs on CD.