Biddenden

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Biddenden
latitude= 51.1139
longitude= 0.6441
map_type=
civil_parish= Biddenden
population = 2,434
shire_district= Ashford
shire_county= Kent
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Ashford
post_town= TONBRIDGE
postcode_district = TN27
postcode_area= TN
dial_code= 01580
os_grid_reference= TQ850383

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 (8km) 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 of Biddenden. Biddenden Vineyards have a website (see external links).

In 1100, Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, a pair of conjoined twins, were born in the village.

On December 21, 1821, LDS leader and Utah pioneer John R. Winder was born in Biddenden.

Origin of Name

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. [The Place Names of Kent, Judith Glover ISBN 0905270 614] [The Origin of English Place Names, P.H.Reaney ISBN 0710020104]

Demography

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.cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadDatasetList.do?a=3&b=5945441&c=Biddenden&d=14&g=456768&i=1001x1003&m=0&r=1&s=1203676733654&enc=1&domainId=16 | accessdate = 2008-02-22]

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.biddendensurgery.com/ Biddenden Surgery]
* [http://www.biddenden.gov.uk/ Official Site for Biddenden Parish Council]
* [http://www.biddendenkent.co.uk/ Notes on the village]
* [http://www.villagenet.co.uk/highweald/villages/biddenden.php The Maids of Biddenden]
* [http://www.biddendenvineyards.com Biddenden's Cider and Wine]
* [http://biddenden.kent-towns.co.uk/ Biddenden Kent] Local Tourist and Information Web Site]
* [http://www.ashford.gov.uk/about_the_borough/towns_and_villages/bethersden.aspx