Robertsbridge
| Robertsbridge | |
| Sussex | |
|---|---|
 View of High Street | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ737235 |
| Location: | 50°59’24"N, 0°28’12"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 2,641 (2010) |
| Post town: | Robertsbridge |
| Postcode: | TN32 |
| Dialling code: | 01580 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Rother |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Bexhill and Battle |
| Website: | Salehurst and Robertsbridge |
Robertsbridge is a village in Sussex, approximately 10 miles north of Hastings and 13 miles south-east of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The River Rother passes through the village.
Overview
The village is thought to date back to 1176 when a Cistercian abbey was founded there by the Abbot, Robert de St Martin. When a market charter was granted in 1198 by Richard I to 'Robertsbridge' (Pons Roberti in Latin) it was the first recorded use of the name. The abbey was dissolved in 1538; however, the town flourished, and many of the oldest existing houses in the village date from the 14th and 15th centuries,[1] including The Seven Stars Inn on the historic High Street. Robertsbridge is also home to the Robertsbridge Codex (1360), a music manuscript of the 14th century. It contains the earliest surviving music written specifically for keyboard.
Robertsbridge is well served by transport links – with the Robertsbridge railway station on the main railway line from Hastings to London and the A21 trunk road, although the latter has problems with transport delays. The opening of the Robertsbridge bypass, in 1989, relieved the village of constant traffic through it.
The village is home to Robertsbridge Community College, a specialist mathematics and computer college.[2] Also, as well as the secondary school in the village, there is a primary school (Salehurst Church of England Primary).
Robertsbridge has a thriving social scene with many clubs and societies including Robertsbridge Arts Partnership (RAP], a Jazz Club and Robertsbridge Wine Club (RWC).
Among sports clubs is the Robertsbridge RUFC,[3] and Robertsbridge Cricket Club.[4] Robertsbridge also has its own bonfire society.[5] Robertsbridge United Reformed Church, a Grade-II-listed chapel built in 1881, stands on the High Street.[6] The former Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, built in 1842 and also listed at Grade II, is nearby.[7]
Robertsbridge is home to the Bruderhof, a residential Anabaptist community known as Darvell who number about 300. They run a publishing house called Plough[8], a manufacturing facility and school[9][10].
Notable residents (past and present)
- Harry Andrews (1911-1989), actor
- Heather Mills (b. 1968), businesswoman
- Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990), journalist
Gallery
Ruins of the Robertsbridge Abbey, 1783
Robertsbridge station and level crossing
The High Street
The Ostrich public house
Half timbered cottages in the High Street
Cottages in Fair Lane
References
- ↑ "Robertsbridge Medieval Village". aboutrobertsbridge.org.uk. http://www.aboutrobertsbridge.org.uk.
- ↑ Robertsbridge Community College
- ↑ "Robertsbridge Rugby Football Club". rrfc.org.uk. http://www.rrfc.org.uk/.
- ↑ "Robertsbridge CC". play-cricket.com. http://robertsbridge.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp.
- ↑ Bonfire society website
- ↑ National Heritage List 1221451: The United Reformed Church, High Street (east side), Robertsbridge, Salehurst, Rother, East Sussex
- ↑ National Heritage List 1221399: Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, High Street (east side), Robertsbridge, Salehurst, Rother, East Sussex
- ↑ "About Us" (in en). http://www.plough.com/en/about-us. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
- ↑ "Darvell Bruderhof | Diggers and Dreamers". http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/communities/existing/darvell-bruderhof. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ↑ "A Day With The Bruderhof" (in en-US). james clarke photography. https://www.jamesclarke.me/blog/a-day-with-the-bruderhof. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Robertsbridge) |
- Salehurst and Robertsbridge Parish Council (website covering parish matters in an official capacity)
- Unofficial Robertsbridge Village Website – day to day information
- The History of Robertsbridge
- Robertsbridge Children's Services (pre-school nursery) website
- The Official Salehurst CofE (Primary School) Website
- The Official Robertsbridge Community College (Secondary School) Website
