| Biddenden | |
Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, the Biddenden Maids |
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Biddenden
Biddenden shown within Kent |
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| Population | 2,434 |
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| OS grid reference | TQ850383 |
| Parish | Biddenden |
| District | Ashford |
| Shire county | Kent |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TONBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | TN27 |
| Dialling code | 01580 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Ashford |
| List of places: UK • England • Kent | |
Biddenden is a village and civil parish in the Ashford District of Kent, England. The village lies on the Weald of Kent, some five miles (8 km) north of Tenterden. It was centre for Wealden iron industry and also of clothmaking. During the reign of Edward III some Flemish clothworkers settled in the area. The ready availability of raw materials led to the establishment of an industry for the production of broadcloth. An important cottage industry is established to the west, where wine and cider is produced.
Biddenden is also the trading name of Biddenden's Cider. Biddenden's cider is made by Biddenden Vineyards Ltd. whose premises are close to the village.
In 1100, Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, a pair of conjoined twins, were born in the village. The Biddenden Maids, as they became known, are celebrated in the village sign.
On December 21, 1821, LDS Church leader and Utah pioneer John R. Winder was born in Biddenden.
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The place name of Biddenden is derived from Old English, meaning Bidda's woodland pasture associated with a man called Bida originally Biddingden (c993) Bida + ing + denn, eventually evolved into the current spelling.[1][2]
| Biddenden compared | |||
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| 2001 UK Census | Biddenden | Ashford district | England |
| Population | 2,434 | 102,661 | 49,138,831 |
| Foreign born | 5.8% | 5.5% | 9.2% |
| White | 98.7% | 97.6% | 90.9% |
| Asian | 0.3% | 0.9% | 4.6% |
| Black | 0.5% | 0.4% | 2.3% |
| Christian | 78.6% | 76.5% | 71.7% |
| Muslim | 0.1% | 0.6% | 3.1% |
| Hindu | 0.2% | 0.3% | 1.1% |
| No religion | 12.7% | 14.6% | 14.6% |
| Unemployed | 1.7% | 2.4% | 3.3% |
| Retired | 18.8% | 13.8% | 13.5% |
As of the 2001 UK census, the Biddenden electoral ward had a population of 2,434. The ethnicity was 98.7% white, 0.4% mixed race, 0.3% Asian, 0.5% black and 0.1% other. The place of birth of residents was 94.2% United Kingdom, 0.4% Republic of Ireland, 1.6% other Western European countries, and 3.8% elsewhere. Religion was recorded as 78.6% Christian, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.2% Hindu, 0% Sikh, 0% Jewish, and 0.1% Muslim. 12.7% were recorded as having no religion, 0.3% had an alternative religion and 7.9% did not state their religion.[3]
The economic activity of residents aged 16–74 was 32.8% in full-time employment, 12.5% in part-time employment, 16.9% self-employed, 1.7% unemployed, 1.1% students with jobs, 2.4% students without jobs, 18.8% retired, 9.4% looking after home or family, 2.5% permanently sick or disabled and 2% economically inactive for other reasons. The industry of employment of residents was 13.9% retail, 9.5% manufacturing, 10.3% construction, 14.3% real estate, 10.3% health and social work, 7.2% education, 4.7% transport and communications, 5.2% public administration, 4.9% hotels and restaurants, 5.7% finance, 5.8% agriculture and 8.2% other. Compared with national figures, the ward had a relatively high proportion of workers in agriculture and construction. There were a relatively low proportion in manufacturing, transport and communications. Of the ward's residents aged 16–74, 19.6% had a higher education qualification or the equivalent, compared with 19.9% nationwide.[3]
Biddenden was served by Biddenden railway station, on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. The station opened on 15 May 1905 and closed on 4 January 1954.[4]
Bygone Buses was based in Biddenden during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was sold to Maidstone & District Motor Services.
| Frittenden | Headcorn | Smarden | ||
| Sissinghurst | High Halden | |||
| Biddenden | ||||
| Benenden | Woolpack Corner Rolvenden |
St Michaels |
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