Robertsbridge
Encyclopedia
Robertsbridge is a village in East Sussex
, England
within the civil parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge
. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Hastings
and 13 miles (21 km) south-east of Tunbridge Wells
. The River Rother
passes through the village.
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, 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.
Robertsbridge Community College
, a specialist mathematics and computer college, is the smallest such in the county of East Sussex. Also, as well as the secondary school in the village, there is a primary school (Salehurst
Church of England Primary), a school with an exceedingly good reputation throughout the area.
Among sports clubs is the Robertsbridge RUFC, and Robertsbridge Cricket Club. Robertsbridge also has its own bonfire society. Robertsbridge United Reformed Church
, a Grade II-listed chapel built in 1881, stands on the High Street. The former Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel
, built in 1842 and also listed at Grade II, is nearby.
Eira Heath
The demographics above are drawn from the National Statistics Office, 2001 Census. As data is not available for Robertsbridge in isolation, the table includes the entire parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge.
As data for the table above is not available for Robertsbridge in isolation, it is drawn from the Salehurst Ward which covers a larger area including Salehurst, Robertsbridge and Bodiam.
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
within the civil parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge
Salehurst and Robertsbridge
Salehurst and Robertsbridge is a civil parish in East Sussex, England. The parish lies entirely within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty .The parish includes the villages of Robertsbridge, Salehurst and Northbridge Street.-External links:* *...
. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
and 13 miles (21 km) south-east of Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England, about south-east of central London by road, by rail. The town is close to the border of the county of East Sussex...
. The River Rother
River Rother (Eastern)
The River Rother , at 35 miles , is a river flowing through both East Sussex and Kent, England. Its source is near Rotherfield , and its mouth is on Rye Bay, part of the English Channel....
passes through the village.
The village is thought to date back to 1176 when a Cistercian abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
was founded there by the Abbot, Robert de St Martin. When a market charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
was granted in 1198 by Richard I
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
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, including The Seven Stars Inn
The Seven Stars Inn
The Seven Stars Inn is a 14th Century public house in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, a well-preserved example of a medieval building and a typical Sussex village pub. It is associated with historical events, both real and rumoured.-Architecture:...
on the historic High Street. Robertsbridge is also home to the Robertsbridge Codex (1360)
Robertsbridge Codex
The Robertsbridge Codex is a music manuscript of the 14th century. It contains the earliest surviving music written specifically for keyboard....
, 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
Robertsbridge railway station
Robertsbridge railway station is on the Hastings Line in East Sussex in England, and serves Robertsbridge. Train services are provided by Southeastern.- History :...
on the main railway line from Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and the A21 trunk road
Trunk road
A trunk road, trunk highway, or strategic road is a major road—usually connecting two or more cities, ports, airports, and other things.—which is the recommended route for long-distance and freight traffic...
, although the latter has problems with transport delays. The opening of the Robertsbridge bypass
Bypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
, in 1989, relieved the village of constant traffic through it.
Robertsbridge Community College
Robertsbridge Community College
Robertsbridge Community College is the smallest Community College in the county of East Sussex, and is located in the village of Robertsbridge. There are around 120 students in each year, which totals the student body as roughly 600 students. This comprehensive school is for boys and girls between...
, a specialist mathematics and computer college, is the smallest such in the county of East Sussex. Also, as well as the secondary school in the village, there is a primary school (Salehurst
Salehurst
Salehurst is a village in the Rother District of East Sussex, England, within the civil parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge. It lies immediately to the north-east of the larger village of Robertsbridge, on a minor road; it is approximately thirteen miles north of Hastings, just east of the A21...
Church of England Primary), a school with an exceedingly good reputation throughout the area.
Among sports clubs is the Robertsbridge RUFC, and Robertsbridge Cricket Club. Robertsbridge also has its own bonfire society. Robertsbridge United Reformed Church
Robertsbridge United Reformed Church
Robertsbridge United Reformed Church is a United Reformed Church place of worship in Robertsbridge, a village in the district of Rother in the English county of East Sussex...
, a Grade II-listed chapel built in 1881, stands on the High Street. The former Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel
Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, Robertsbridge
Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel is a former place of worship for Strict Baptists in Robertsbridge, a village in the district of Rother in the English county of East Sussex...
, built in 1842 and also listed at Grade II, is nearby.
Notable residents (past & present)
- Harry AndrewsHarry AndrewsHarry Fleetwood Andrews, CBE was an English film actor known for his frequent portrayals of tough military officers. His performance as Sergeant Major Wilson in The Hill alongside Sean Connery earned Andrews the 1965 National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor and a nomination for the...
- Simon EvansSimon EvansSimon Evans , is an English comedian, born in Luton and currently living in Hove.-Early life:Simon Evans attended Verulam School in St Albans and then studied law at Southampton University, graduating in 1986.-Stand-up comedy:...
- Heather Mills
- Malcolm MuggeridgeMalcolm MuggeridgeThomas Malcolm Muggeridge was an English journalist, author, media personality, and satirist. During World War II, he was a soldier and a spy...
Eira Heath
Demography
| Population Salehurst and Robertsbridge Parish CP | |
|---|---|
| 2001 UK Census | Count |
| All people | 2624 |
| All males | 1271 |
| All females | 1353 |
| People aged 0–4 | 169 |
| People aged 5–15 | 415 |
| People aged 16–24 | 229 |
| People aged 25–44 | 684 |
| People aged 45–64 | 675 |
| People aged 65–74 | 251 |
| People aged 75 and over | 201 |
The demographics above are drawn from the National Statistics Office, 2001 Census. As data is not available for Robertsbridge in isolation, the table includes the entire parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge.
| Ethnic and Religious Breakdown for Salehurst Ward, compared by percentage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 UK Census | Salehurst Ward | Rother District | South East England | England |
| White | 98.48 | 98.11 | 95.1 | 90.92 |
| Mixed | 0.75 | 0.62 | 1.07 | 1.31 |
| Asian | 0.11 | 0.44 | 2.33 | 4.57 |
| Black | 0.25 | 0.19 | 0.71 | 2.3 |
| Chinese | 0.41 | 1.73 | 0.78 | 0.89 |
| Christian | 77.55 | 76.5 | 72.78 | 71.74 |
| Buddhist | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.28 | 0.28 |
| Hindu | 0.07 | 0.14 | 0.56 | 1.11 |
| Jewish | 0.11 | 0.15 | 0.24 | 0.52 |
| Muslim | 0.11 | 0.64 | 1.36 | 3.1 |
| Sikh | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.47 | 0.67 |
| Other religions | 0.33 | 0.35 | 0.36 | 0.29 |
| No religion | 13.89 | 13.91 | 16.5 | 14.59 |
| Religion not stated | 7.67 | 8.1 | 7.46 | 7.69 |
As data for the table above is not available for Robertsbridge in isolation, it is drawn from the Salehurst Ward which covers a larger area including Salehurst, Robertsbridge and Bodiam.
External links
- 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