Marden, Kent

Coordinates: 51°10′28″N 0°29′39″E / 51.174477°N 0.494198°E / 51.174477; 0.494198

Marden
Marden, Kent
Marden  Marden shown within Kent
OS grid reference	TQ744446
District	Maidstone
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Tonbridge
Postcode district	TN12 9xx
Dialling code	01622
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Maidstone and the Weald
List of places: UK • England • Kent

Marden ( /ˈmɑrdən/ or /mɑrˈdɛn/)^[1] is a village about 13 km (c 8 miles) south of Maidstone and civil parish in the Maidstone District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the flood plain of the River Beult (a tributary of the River Medway) near Maidstone. It is on the B2079 road linking the A229 Maidstone with the A21 at Flimwell. It has its own railway station. It is in an apple-growing area, and has a population of approximately 4000 persons.

The village of Marden is eight miles (13 km) from the county town. The parish church is dedicated to St Michael and All Angels, and was built at the end of the 12th century.The parish includes the settlement of Chainhurst. In February 2007, Ann Widdecombe, the local MP, opened the Marden Heritage Centre in Marden Library. The Centre houses archives from Marden's 1000 year history.

Starting in 2010, Marden residents are reviving the ancient practice of bartering^{[citation needed]}. The scheme follows the trend of small communities looking for ways of reducing food miles and valuing the skills and time of older people. The system is enable by the use of internet technology to allow members of the scheme to exchange goods and services for Barter Credits. Similar schemes are in place in Lewes and Totnes which is a transition town.

Notable people

• Nicholas Amhurst (1697-1742), poet, was born in Marden.
• Helen Grant (b 1961), MP for Maidstone and the Weald, lives in Marden
• William Hartnell (1908-75), actor, lived in Marden.
• Sidney Highwood (1896-1975 ), RAF officer, was born in Marden.
• William Morley Punshon (1824-81), preacher, practiced at Marden 1845-49.
• Stephen Southon, 19th Century cricketer, came from Marden.

Notable events

• Main article: 1930 Air Union Farman Goliath crash

On 10 February 1930, a Farman F.63 Goliath crashed at Marden Airfield whilst attempting an emergency landing following the structural failure of the starboard elevator. Two of the six people on board were killed.

• Main article: Marden rail crash

On 4 January 1969, a passenger train from Charing Cross to Ramsgate overran a signal at danger in fog and crashed into the back of a parcels train. Four people were killed and 11 injured.

References

1. ^ John Wells's phonetic blog

External links

• Marden Barter Group
• Marden Parish Council
• Notes on Marden
• Parish church
• Marden History
• Marden Meadow (Kent Wildlife Trust)
• Marden Business Forum