Staple:

Staple is a village and civil parish in East Kent, England.

The village lies southwest of the nearby village of Ash and the town of Sandwich, and east of Canterbury.

Staple parish comprises the village itself, the hamlet of Barnsole, part of the hamlet of Summerfield and   the hamlet of Shatterling.   The latter lies to the North of the village (near the main Ash to Wingham road) and is only accessible within the parish boundaries by footpath.

From 1916 to 1948 the village was served by Staple railway station on the East Kent Light Railway, north of the village at Durlock Bridge. In the Second World War, the station was used as a munitions dump, and a large-calibre rail-mounted gun was stabled there.

There are two gentlemen's seats at Staple: Crixhall and The Groves.

The oldest established vineyard in East Kent was established at Staple, but is no longer in use.

Since 1993 Barnsole Vineyard has been operating in the village.

In the 16th Century fairs were  held twice a year, on 28 December and 25 July, offering 'toys and pedlary'.

Since 1990 Staple Country & Craft Fayre has been held on the last Sunday in June.

The village church, dedicated to St James the Great, was built in the 14th century as a replacement for an earlier Saxon chapel.

There used to be many pubs in Staple, but only two remain: The Black Pig at Barnsole and The Frog & orange at Shatterling.

Of the many nurseries and garden centres in Staple only one remains: Layham Garden Centre at Barnsole.

Staple has a village shop, located at The Black Pig, Barnsole.

Staple has a Village Hall and a Recreation ground; both of which are owned by the Parish Council, and are managed by a committee of trustees.   

Visit the Staple Village web site for further information about the parish of Staple, including history, old photos etc.  (www.staple-online.com)