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Marsh
Green |
 Marsh
Green lies in the Eden Vale, only 150ft. above sea level, and is
part of the Parish of Edenbridge. The first mention of this village
occured during the reign of Elizabeth I. in the Rent Roll of Prinkham
Manor, taken at Starborough Castle in 1580, a tenant was said "to
hold of that Manor certain parcells of land in Merche-Greene."
Over the years, little has changed in the appearance of the village.
The most obvious sign of change in recent years is the decline in
the number of village shops. Before 1950 the village boasted four
shops: an Inn, a tea-room, a laundry and a village cobbler. The
cobbler, Bob Seymour, was always ready for a chat with the locals
who felt like calling in, to watch while he hammered, or to take
in the familiar smell of the leather being cut to shape - most likely
obtained from the Edenbridge Tan yard. |
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Wheatsheaf
Inn |
As
a result of the Covenant, made in the 1800's the Victorian Wheatsheaf
Inn has never opened on Sundays. However, in 1981 the publican came
to the rescue of the village, when it was suddenly faced with the
dilemma of being without a shop.
Mr & Mrs John Cooke stepped into
the breach one Sunday morning in may 1981 - the Wheatsheaf Inn became
alive with activity, with the Sunday papers piled high and the Cookes
doing their utmost to provide normal service.An interesting fact about
Marsh Green is that in 1886 it was to be the venue for the last bare-knuckle
fight in England. Unfortunately rumours of Police interference sent
the combatants and their backers to the Crown Inn at Edenbridge and
then on to London.
Our thanks to Shirley bentley for supplying the details above.
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