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64-646: The town has been growing steadily since the early 19th century. As the town has expanded, land close to the rivers has not usually been built on, due to the risk of flooding because the Ashford Borough Council has protected it as green space. Because the Green Corridor areas are right next to Ashford's rivers, many of them hold floodwater, protecting homes and businesses. This is particularly important now because floods seem to be occurring more frequently. The Green Corridor brings wildlife to

128-420: A trench . A tatebori ( 竪堀 , lit.   ' vertical moat ' ) is a dry moat dug into a slope. A unejo tatebori ( 畝状竪堀 , lit.   ' furrowed shape empty moat ' ) is a series of parallel trenches running up the sides of the excavated mountain, and the earthen wall, which was also called doi ( 土居 , lit.   ' earth mount ' ) , was an outer wall made of earth dug out from

192-657: A key element used in French Classicism and Beaux-Arts architecture dwellings, both as decorative designs and to provide discreet access for service. Excellent examples of these can be found in Newport, Rhode Island at Miramar (mansion) and The Elms , as well as at Carolands , outside of San Francisco, California, and at Union Station in Toronto , Ontario, Canada. Additionally, a dry moat can allow light and fresh air to reach basement workspaces, as for example at

256-584: A local livestock trader called Mr Sidney Herbert Bowen, died 1971 and he is commemorated on a plaque at the entrance to the site from Victoria Park . This area was also adjacent to the town’s lido (outdoor swimming pool) which was built in 1867 and was at the time the largest in Britain. The site is now a flood storage area consisting of damp grassland, with a large pond where banded demoiselle , blue-tailed damselfly , azure damselfly , smooth newt , and common frog have been recorded. The site has good views of

320-1151: A moat. Even today it is common for mountain Japanese castles to have dry moats. A mizubori ( 水堀 , lit.   ' water moat ' ) is a moat filled with water. Moats were also used in the Forbidden City and Xi'an in China; in Vellore Fort in India; Hsinchu in Taiwan ; and in Southeast Asia, such as at Angkor Wat in Cambodia ; Mandalay in Myanmar ; Chiang Mai in Thailand and Huế in Vietnam . The only moated fort ever built in Australia

384-511: A number of earthworks of historical interest, which have been left as found and incorporated into the ride network as unplanted land . There is access here alongside the river and into an open space next to the Little Burton housing estate. River habitats are good and there are many mature trees, including the species of willow used for making cricket bats, which is sometimes called the cricket bat willow . Woodland has been planted near

448-433: A stretch of boardwalk. Singleton Lake supports a variety of common bird species, as well as birds that are unlikely to be seen elsewhere in the Green Corridor including great crested grebe and reed warbler . Two damselfly species have been recorded at the site, common blue damselfly and blue-tailed damselfly . Singleton Lake has parking, picnic areas and good links to the rest of the Green Corridor and wider countryside in

512-734: A vertical outer retaining wall rising direct from the moat, is an extended usage of the ha-ha of English landscape gardening. In 2004, plans were suggested for a two-mile moat across the southern border of the Gaza Strip to prevent tunnelling from Egyptian territory to the border town of Rafah . In 2008, city officials in Yuma, Arizona planned to dig out a two-mile stretch of a 180-hectare (440-acre) wetland known as Hunters Hole to control immigrants coming from Mexico. Researchers of jumping spiders , which have excellent vision and adaptable tactics, built water-filled miniature moats, too wide for

576-528: A very central part of their cities, the moats have provided a vital waterway to the city. Even in modern times the moat system of the Tokyo Imperial Palace consists of a very active body of water, hosting everything from rental boats and fishing ponds to restaurants. Most modern Japanese castles have moats filled with water, but castles in the feudal period more commonly had 'dry moats' karabori ( 空堀 , lit.   ' empty moat ' ) ,

640-472: Is a small woodland garden at the northern end, where European green woodpeckers can be heard. In the past this land was probably sheep pasture - an 1876 Ordnance Survey map shows sheepfolds on the site. A darker side to the site’s history is illustrated at its entrance off the Hythe Road where a plaque commemorates the martyrs of the 16th century that were persecuted for their religious beliefs. On

704-532: Is a very self-contained site on the borders of Willesborough and Sevington . It is a peaceful park with a play area. The confluence of the East Stour and Great Stour is at Pledge’s Mill which stands at the northern end of the park. It is thought that there has been a mill on this part of the river from 1086 (a mill was recorded on this site at the time of the Domesday Book ). The main features of

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768-482: Is also good for mosses and liverworts . Grassland here is also of interest, but in places is becoming invaded with scrub. Uncommon shrubs include alder buckthorn and eared willow . 51°9′10″N 0°52′50″E  /  51.15278°N 0.88056°E  / 51.15278; 0.88056 Ashford (borough) The Borough of Ashford is a local government district with borough status in Kent , England. It

832-533: Is based at the Civic Centre on Tannery Lane in Ashford, which was purpose-built for the council and opened in 1983. The council has announced plans to move during 2024 to International House, a 1972 office building opposite Ashford International railway station , which the council bought in 2014. In 1961, the population of the districts which make up the present borough was as follows: Forty years later

896-631: Is because these habitats are so close to where people live that the Green Corridor has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve . From the manors of Singleton and Buxford in the west, to Boys Hall Moat (a scheduled ancient monument) in the east, the Green Corridor is rich in heritage. Victoria Park, with its fountain and commemorative trees, the intriguingly named 'Watercress Fields', and Martyr's Field with its macabre past - all have stories to tell. Many areas were farmed until relatively recently and are living links to Ashford's past as an agricultural market town. The Ashford Green Corridor web site map shows

960-583: Is in East Sussex , the rest are in Kent. The parish of Ashford was made a local government district in 1863, run by an elected local board. Such districts were converted into urban districts under the Local Government Act 1894 . The modern district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , covering the area of five former districts, which were all abolished at

1024-591: Is largely ceremonial in Ashford. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council . The leaders since 1999 have been: Following the 2023 election , subsequent changes of allegiance and a by-election in October 2024, the composition of the council was: The next election is due in 2027. Since the last full review of boundaries in 2019 the council has comprised 47 councillors representing 39 wards , with each ward electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years. The council

1088-627: Is named after its largest town, Ashford , where the council is based. The borough also includes the town of Tenterden and an extensive surrounding rural area including numerous villages; with an area of 580 square kilometres (220 sq mi), it is the largest district in Kent. Parts of the borough lie within the designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty of High Weald and the Kent Downs . The neighbouring districts are (clockwise from west) Tunbridge Wells , Maidstone , Swale , Canterbury , Folkestone and Hythe , and Rother . The latter

1152-476: Is served by the regional news programmes: Radio stations that broadcast to the area are: There are more than 400 listed buildings in the district. This includes 33 churches listed in the highest grading in the national listing system (Grade I) as well as many oast houses and pubs dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, along with some even earlier buildings such as the Black Horse at Pluckley built in

1216-585: The 2023 election a coalition of the Ashford Independents and the Green Party took minority control of the council, led by Ashford Independent councillor Noel Ovenden. The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: The role of mayor

1280-480: The Great Chart area. There is a good network of footpaths in this area, allowing you to explore an interesting area with many ditches, wet fields and some damp pasture. At Swanton Court, the mediaeval moat can be seen from public footpaths. Swanton Mill used to be open to the public, but unfortunately has now closed. It can still be viewed from footpaths passing close-by. The bird life of this area reflects

1344-742: The James Farley Post Office in New York City . Whilst moats are no longer a significant tool of warfare, modern architectural building design continues to use them as a defence against certain modern threats, such as terrorist attacks from car bombs and improvised fighting vehicles . For example, the new location of the Embassy of the United States in London , opened in 2018, includes a moat among its security features -

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1408-594: The Kent Downs AONB , whilst the south-west, including Rolvenden and the Isle of Oxney , is part of the High Weald AONB . In addition to these national landscape areas, the borough has many smaller Local Nature Reserves such as Hothfield Common . As of April 2023 there were 44 civil parishes within the borough. The parish council for Tenterden has declared that parish to be a town, allowing it to take

1472-749: The Mississippian culture as the outer defence of some fortified villages. The remains of a 16th-century moat are still visible at the Parkin Archeological State Park in eastern Arkansas . The Maya people also used moats, for example in the city of Becan . European colonists in the Americas often built dry ditches surrounding forts built to protect important landmarks, harbours or cities (e.g. Fort Jay on Governors Island in New York Harbor ). Dry moats were

1536-523: The North Downs in one direction and the town of Ashford in the other as well as Boys Hall, the house that gives the site its name. The site is characterised by oak and hazel as well as other mature tree species. A variety of dragonflies and damselflies have been seen at the site including emperor dragonfly , ruddy darter and blue-tailed damselfly . There is a pedestrian bridge over High Speed 1 , linking this site with Boys Hall Moat . Adjacent to

1600-764: The Woodland Trust . The land at Great Chart was purchased in 2000 as one of the Woodland Trust's "Woods on your Doorstep project", to create a new community woodland close to Ashford. The wood was planted using native species, to provide a valuable area for public recreation and wildlife. The land was given to The Woodland Trust by Ashford Borough Council and the woodland was planted in November 2000 with help from local people. Species of trees and shrubs planted included oak , ash , rowan and hornbeam . Prior to planting, an archaeological survey revealed

1664-531: The town's railway station . The 2011 census reported Ashford as having: The area's economy, once strongly dominated by agriculture and associated activities such as brewing and food production as well as some quarrying of ragstone and brick manufacture, evolved into a centre for rail engineering in the 19th century, and is now primarily light industrial and commercial, with the notable exception of Hitachi's rail depot. The borough's local plan ("Local Plan to 2030") continues to plan for new housing in and around

1728-493: The walls . In suitable locations, they might be filled with water. A moat made access to the walls difficult for siege weapons such as siege towers and battering rams , which needed to be brought up against a wall to be effective. A water-filled moat made the practice of mining – digging tunnels under the castles in order to effect a collapse of the defences – very difficult as well. Segmented moats have one dry section and one section filled with water. Dry moats that cut across

1792-513: The 1470s as a dry-moated farmhouse by the Dering family (see also: Little Chart ). Well-known examples of Grade I listed buildings include: the Archbishop's palace at Charing , Chilham Castle and Godinton House , as well as more domestic examples such as the row of 17th century Flemish weavers' cottages which stretches the full length of the south side of Biddenden High Street . See also

1856-565: The Aylesford Stream provide an attractive area adjacent to Bentley Road . The site is linked to South Willesborough by a pedestrian bridge over High Speed 1 onto Newtown Road . Banded demoiselle and common blue damselfly have been recorded at the site. Bowen's Field is an informal recreation area, adjacent to the Great Stour . It is thought that this site was one of the last areas to be farmed in Ashford, it belonged to

1920-682: The Great Exhibition and resided on the Olantigh Estate at Wye . There is a small pond at the bottom of the park surrounded by a rocky garden. The woodlands, with their coppice and old oaks, screen the site from man-made intrusions, making it a green haven for the community. The Warren is also important for wildlife. The acid grasslands are unimproved, and contain plants such as sheep's sorrel and bird's foot . They are mown to maintain their value and keep birch scrub at bay. The ponds are home to amphibians , aquatic insects and

1984-413: The abundance of water and includes teal and heron . Victoria Park is a formal park with mature ornamental trees, and a small area of woodland. Some of the trees were planted in the early part of the 20th century to commemorate local townspeople and members of the royal family. A local art dealer donated the large fountain in one corner of the park to the town of Ashford. It was originally designed for

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2048-431: The alders have succumbed to a disease – however dead wood is a good habitat for invertebrates ). The river itself supports Water Voles, having sufficient food resources and bankside cover. The rest of the park has an open character that is interspersed with woodland gardens and areas of long grass that are important habitats for bird species and invertebrates. In the past it is thought that watercress may have been grown on

2112-532: The bridge is an area of reedbed . On the Church Road side of Boys Hall, the site is more formal with mature trees such as turkey oak , providing a pleasant buffer zone between housing and the Southern Orbital road. A Scheduled Ancient Monument dating from the 13th century. The area consists of a moated island that would have been the site of a dwelling in the past. Mature trees are present on

2176-538: The edge. Ruddy darter , banded demoiselle , blue-tailed damselfly and common blue damselfly have been recorded at the site. It is a useful link for both pedestrians and cyclists from Bybrook and Kennington to the town centre and also beyond to the rest of the Green Corridor . The banks of the Great Stour here have wide margins of riverside vegetation and in places blocks of mature native trees. There

2240-489: The estate, and a large pond created. There is also an interesting wetland area near the railway. Access is good, via a network of paths. As recently as 1992, this land was farmed - there was a large orchard where the houses now stand. Newtown Green consists of open areas of green space for informal recreation and organised sports. Mature trees form the perimeter of the site and the Aylesford Stream runs along

2304-463: The excavated ring, a 'dry moat'. The shared derivation implies that the two features were closely related and possibly constructed at the same time. The term moat is also applied to natural formations reminiscent of the artificial structure and to similar modern architectural features. With the introduction of siege artillery , a new style of fortification emerged in the 16th century using low walls and projecting strong points called bastions , which

2368-704: The first moat built in England for more than a century. Modern moats may also be used for aesthetic or ergonomic purposes. The Catawba Nuclear Station has a concrete moat around the sides of the plant not bordering a lake. The moat is a part of precautions added to such sites after the September 11, 2001 attacks . Moats, rather than fences, separate animals from spectators in many modern zoo installations. Moats were first used in this way by Carl Hagenbeck at his Tierpark in Hamburg , Germany. The structure, with

2432-505: The form of ditches and hedgerows. Heading east, the charming village of Mersham is only a mile away. Singleton Lake is a man–made fishing lake, it has areas of willow and alder around its perimeter as well as small areas of reedbed . At night Daubenton's bat can be seen flying over the water. There are 2 sculptures by Antony Gormley (creator of the Angel of the North sculpture) and

2496-470: The function is similar. In later periods, moats or water defences may be largely ornamental. They could also act as a sewer. Some of the earliest evidence of moats has been uncovered around ancient Egyptian fortresses. One example is at Buhen , a settlement excavated in Nubia . Other evidence of ancient moats is found in the ruins of Babylon, and in reliefs from ancient Egypt, Assyria , and other cultures in

2560-420: The grassland and woodmouse and bank vole in the woodland. There is an area of wet woodland incorporating ash , alder , English oak and grey willow trees. The wet glades support large areas of water mint . The Stour Valley Walk passes through the wood leading to Great Chart and beyond. Contains many mature trees and a plantation of memorial trees called 'Cherry Garden Wood'. Church Road playing field

2624-566: The grounds provide good habitat for nesting birds such as the lesser spotted woodpecker . The river is home to the white clawed crayfish and kingfishers are known to fly along this stretch of water. Great Chart is a village on the western outskirts of Ashford. Great Chart north is a small parcel of land adjacent to the Ashford Rifle Club and the East Stour. This is a new 23,000 square metre woodland, planted and managed by

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2688-434: The island that form roost sites for common bird species. The topography of the ground is complex, suggesting extensive earthworks have taken place in the past. The site essentially has an open character although there are areas of scrub. Buxford Meadow is adjacent to the Great Stour and a millstream for Buxford Mill flows through it. The site consists of a wet meadow with white willow , crack willow and goat willow . In

2752-408: The largest single archaeological phenomenon on the planet. Japanese castles often have very elaborate moats, with up to three moats laid out in concentric circles around the castle and a host of different patterns engineered around the landscape. The outer moat of a Japanese castle typically protects other support buildings in addition to the castle. As many Japanese castles have historically been

2816-403: The listings: Grade I listed buildings in Ashford (borough) . Beyond the town of Ashford , most of the borough's land area is rural, with fields, woodland and fruit orchards . Much of the woodland is coppiced . Changes in rural land use over the past century mirror those in the rest of the present County. The north-east of the borough, including the villages of Wye and Chilham , is within

2880-480: The middle of the meadow there is a pond whose margins consist predominantly of reedmace, the pond supports a diverse array of wildlife including common frogs , toads and smooth newts . Twelve species of dragonfly have been recorded at the site (25% of all UK species) and 54 moth species including the nationally notable Webb's wainscot , whose caterpillars develop in reedmace. The site is also ideal for small mammals - field vole and pygmy shrew have been recorded in

2944-540: The narrow part of a spur or peninsula are called neck ditches . Moats separating different elements of a castle, such as the inner and outer wards, are cross ditches . The word was adapted in Middle English from the Old French motte ( lit.   ' mound, hillock ' ) and was first applied to the central mound on which a castle was erected (see Motte and bailey ) and then came to be applied to

3008-553: The outskirts of Ashford, this historic parkland can be enjoyed by following the Greensand Way or the Stour Valley Walk. Godinton House also has its own trail around its fabulous grounds. The parkland contains a huge variety of unspoilt habitats all supporting a diversity of wildlife. It is because of this that Godinton Park has been designated an SNCI . The old parkland trees and pockets of woodland throughout

3072-603: The park are the pollarded willows, an important habitat for a range of invertebrate species. The Local Nature Reserve includes the riverside area at Civic Centre Park South. Although this is a busy thoroughfare and close to the skate park, a survey has shown that Water Voles are present in this part of the East Stour. The bridge over the river is a good viewpoint where moorhens and grey wagtails can be spotted. This area, positioned between South Willesborough and Newtown, includes some good riverside habitats and an area of woodland called 'The Spinney', with public access. On

3136-516: The population had almost doubled: the 2001 census recorded a population of 102,661. From the 1960s onwards Ashford has experienced phases of rapid urban growth, creating new suburbs such as Stanhope and, more recently, Singleton . Today's urban growth is partially shaped by the de facto corridors created by the M20 motorway , the High Speed 1 line and several other rail lines which converge on

3200-426: The region. Evidence of early moats around settlements has been discovered in many archaeological sites throughout Southeast Asia, including Noen U-Loke, Ban Non Khrua Chut, Ban Makham Thae and Ban Non Wat. The use of the moats could have been either for defensive or agriculture purposes. Moats were excavated around castles and other fortifications as part of the defensive system as an obstacle immediately outside

3264-513: The same time: The new district was named Ashford after its largest town. The district was awarded borough status from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor. Ashford Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Kent County Council . Much of the district is covered by civil parishes , which form a third tier of local government for their areas. The council has been under no overall control since 2022. Following

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3328-488: The site. Further along the river at Leacon Road there are some riverside sculptures of aquatic wildlife and an old fording point that once linked this area with Beaver Lane. The Willesborough Lees is an area of wetland , pasture , rough grassland , scrub and woodland , covering nearly 100 acres (0.40 km) near Willesborough , and is a rich area for wildlife. Scarce plants that can be found include white sedge , recorded at only two other sites in Kent . The area

3392-489: The spiders to jump across. Some specimens were rewarded for jumping then swimming and others for swimming only. Portia fimbriata from Queensland generally succeeded, for whichever method they were rewarded. When specimens from two different populations of Portia labiata were set the same task, members of one population determined which method earned them a reward, whilst members of the other continued to use whichever method they tried first and did not try to adapt. As

3456-685: The style "town council". Much of the built-up area of Ashford itself is unparished , although some suburbs fall within parishes. 51°08′47″N 0°52′03″E  /  51.1465°N 0.8676°E  / 51.1465; 0.8676 Moat A moat is a deep, broad ditch dug around a castle , fortification , building , or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence . Moats can be dry or filled with water. In some places, moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices . In older fortifications, such as hillforts , they are usually referred to simply as ditches , although

3520-457: The town, such as the development at Finberry . From the historic town centre, roads radiate out in the following directions: NW to Charing and Maidstone and SE to Hythe and Folkestone (A20/M20 in each direction); south to Hamstreet , Lydd and Romney Marsh and then westwards to Hastings ( A2070 ); SW to Tenterden and NE to Wye and Canterbury ( A28 ) and finally north to Ashford's historic port at Faversham ( A251 ). The area

3584-436: The town. Ashford's rivers are surprisingly natural considering their urban surroundings, and are home for many wild plants and animals. Common kingfishers , grass snakes , damselflies and possibly water voles can all be seen. Ponds like the one at Bowen's Field attract amphibians. Singleton Lake is a habitat for wetland birds and Buxford Meadow is a wet grassland with an enormous range of plants, insects and other species. It

3648-462: The uncommon water violet . A wide variety of birds also inhabit the site. Watercress Fields has formal football pitches and a play area as well as areas for informal recreation. It is an important site linking areas in the south of Ashford to the town centre and other parts of the Green Corridor. The river has a natural profile with many meanders, and wide margins of vegetation that support riverside species such as cuckoo flower and alder (some of

3712-502: The various parts of Ashford that make up the corridor. Aylesford Green is an attractive area for informal recreation. The site has a variety of habitats including a wide margin of long vegetation by the Aylesford Stream that forms an important habitat for invertebrates. A small wooded area dominated by ash and alder borders Boys Hall Road . Wood mice have been recorded in this area and long-tailed tits are often seen perching in ash trees , particularly in winter. Pollarded willows by

3776-553: The west bank of the East Stour river is an area of sheep fields drained by dykes, the area is designated as the South Willesborough Dykes Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). The community of Sevington was cut off from its church by the building of the Southern Orbital road. Despite this, the church and Court Lodge Farm present quite a rural scene, and the fields nearby make for pleasant walking on public footpaths, with some wildlife interest in

3840-727: The world's largest man-made structure. Fred Pearce wrote in New Scientist: They extend for some 16,000 kilometres in all, in a mosaic of more than 500 interconnected settlement boundaries. They cover 6,500 square kilometres and were all dug by the Edo people. In all, they are four times longer than the Great Wall of China, and consumed a hundred times more material than the Great Pyramid of Cheops. They took an estimated 150 million hours of digging to construct, and are perhaps

3904-517: Was Fort Lytton in Brisbane . As Brisbane was much more vulnerable to attack than either Sydney or Melbourne a series of coastal defences was built throughout Moreton Bay , Fort Lytton being the largest. Built between 1880 and 1881 in response to fear of a Russian invasion, it is a pentagonal fortress concealed behind grassy embankments and surrounded by a water-filled moat. Moats were developed independently by North American indigenous people of

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3968-543: Was considered the largest man-made structure lengthwise, second only to the Great Wall of China and the largest earthwork in the world. Recent work by Patrick Darling has established it as the largest man-made structure in the world, larger than Sungbo's Eredo , also in Nigeria. It enclosed 6,500 km (2,500 sq mi) of community lands. Its length was over 16,000 km (9,900 mi) of earth boundaries. It

4032-660: Was estimated that earliest construction began in 800 and continued into the mid-15th century. The walls are built of a ditch and dike structure, the ditch dug to form an inner moat with the excavated earth used to form the exterior rampart. The Benin Walls were ravaged by the British in 1897. Scattered pieces of the walls remain in Edo, with material being used by the locals for building purposes. The walls continue to be torn down for real-estate developments. The Walls of Benin City were

4096-461: Was known as the trace italienne . The walls were further protected from infantry attack by wet or dry moats, sometimes in elaborate systems. When this style of fortification was superseded by lines of polygonal forts in the mid-19th century, moats continued to be used for close protection. The Walls of Benin were a combination of ramparts and moats, called Iya, used as a defence of the capital Benin City in present-day Edo State of Nigeria. It

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