Ash is situated between Canterbury and the old Cinque Port of Sandwich. The parish is one of the largest in Kent and as well as the village of Ash it contains a number of smaller hamlets including Westmarsh, Ware, Goldstone, Weddington and Richborough. The population of the parish is approximately 3,000.

Sitting on a low ridge with the marshes of the River Stour on one side and gently sloping downland on the other, the village is dominated by the tower and spire of St.Nicholas Church, which is visible for many miles - an important local landmark. Look at the list of contacts elsewhere on these pages and you will see that there is a wide range of organisations and activities for all ages within the parish. There are also a selection of shops and services including a Post Office, two grocers' shops, a newsagents, pharmacy, Indian Restaurant and two hairdressers. Two pubs are located in the village of Ash and another at Westmarsh.

Unusually for a village of this size, we have two primary schools - Cartwright & Kelsey Church of England (Aided) Primary School and St Faith's at Ash Independent Preparatory and Primary School. For older children there is a Grammar School and a Technical Secondary School in Sandwich. Other secondary schools are in Canterbury, Deal, Dover and Ramsgate.

The Parish Council is particularly proud of the village Recreation Ground which contains a soccer pitch, a separate rugby union pitch, a cricket pitch, two hard tennis courts, play equipment for older children and an enclosed play area and suitable swings and other equipment for younger children.

Agriculture remains an important part of the local economy with a good deal of 'Grade 1' land within the parish. Market gardens, fruit orchards and soft fruit plantations are numerous. There are also areas of sheep and cattle grazing, particularly on the low lying ground in the north of the parish.

There are more than 100 miles of public footpaths in the parish and the Parish Council has published a pack of walk cards describing five circular routes. The packs can be obtained in local shops for £1.80.

East Kent is rich in history and Ash has its full share. There have been numerous Roman and Anglo-Saxon archaeological finds and in the north-east of the parish, Richborough Roman Fort is one of the most extensive roman remains in the country. The site is owned by English Heritage and is open to the public. (See directory for times). St Nicholas Church dates from the 13th century and contains one of the best collections of medieval stone effigies of any parish church in Kent. There is also a fine range of monumental brasses.

The village has three conservation areas and there are a number of old manor houses and listed buildings within the parish.

For more information on the history of Ash, read "Ash, An East Kent Village" by David Downes. The book is available for £15 hardback and £12.99 paperback from several local shops, but can also be obtained by contacting the publishers, Phillimore & Co Ltd. http://www.phillimore.co.uk or bookshop@phillimore.co.uk.