St Mary the Virgin’s Church

The church at St Mary’s is immediately associated with Edith Nesbit who is buried here. There is the original memorial to her, made by her husband, inside the church and a wooden replica of the memorial in the churchyard. E Nesbit is best known for writing The Railway Children but actually supported herself and her family through her work, she produced over 60 books. Edith developed a new approach to children’s writing by combining fantasy with realism, a style much admired by JK Rowling . Edith was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society. The Edith Nesbit Society celebrate Edith’s birthday every year at this church.

Hannah Kemp-Welch

Hannah Kemp-Welch (b. 1988) has worked with students at Brookland Primary School in Romney Marsh and Sebright Primary School in London to create a sound work for St Mary in the Marsh church, the resting place of author Edith Nesbit.

Hannah is a social practice sound artist, and has shown works at Tate Modern, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Firstsite Colchester, Nottingham Contemporary and Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge.