St Nicholas, Wickham

St Nicholas church dates to the 12th Century and is a Grade II* Listed Building. Much is in Early English style, with some significant 13th Century features. Various additions have been made, such as the south transept in the 17th Century, and the outer flint cladding was added in the Victorian era, at which time the tower was moved forward by several feet to enable the installation of the current peal of six bells. In 2004, a glass screen, strikingly etched by a local artist was installed to make the Lady Chapel suitable for small meetings or private prayer.
Wickham, with a current population of around 4500, is a historic market village, previously a Saxon settlement and a Roman outpost. The second largest medieval market square in England forms its heart. The Square is also the venue for events such as A Taste of Wickham, at which the Church has a presence.
Each year local uniformed organisations, especially the Royal British Legion, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Squirrels, take a leading role in the Remembrance Sunday service, and there is a Garden of Remembrance on the village green opposite the Church. Since 2006 the village has been the venue for the popular annual family friendly Wickham Festival.