Marden, Kent Explained

Country:England
Coordinates:51.174°N 0.494°W
Official Name:Marden
Static Image Name:Marden Village Sign - geograph.org.uk - 1843995.jpg
Static Image Caption:Village sign
Population:3,724
Population Ref:(2011)[1]
Shire District:Maidstone
Shire County:Kent
Region:South East England
Constituency Westminster:Maidstone and Malling
Post Town:Tonbridge
Postcode District:TN12
Postcode Area:TN
Dial Code:01622
Os Grid Reference:TQ744446

Marden (or)[2] is a village and civil parish in the Kent borough of Maidstone approximately 8miles south of Maidstone. The civil parish is located on the flood plain of the River Beult, and also includes Chainhurst and the hamlet of Wanshurst Green.

The village is associated with apple growing and from 1933 to 1991 hosted a nationally recognised fruit show.[3] [4]

History

Name

The dense woodland and marshes of the Weald of Kent were littered with acorns and beech mast in autumn making ideal seasonal foraging ground for pigs. The grants by Saxon kings for rights to these pannage areas were known as dens which later came to refer to the herders' camps and ultimately the settlements that grew up there. Maer referred to barren areas of marsh alongside the forest. In time the dens developed into permanent settlements such a Maer den, or clearing beside the marsh.[4] [5] [6]

By 1066 the settlement was recorded as Maere Denn; in 1170, Maeredaen; 1235, Mereden; 1283, Merdenne, and from about 1635 by its present name.

Parish pump

Marden Parish Council covered over a well opposite the village's Maidstone Road junction in 1899 and erected a pump. In 1907, it had to be locked, and then removed, because of contamination of the water by ammonia, nitrates, chlorides and organic matter. The parish pump is depicted on the village sign.[7]

Forges

George Rootes, a relative of the Rootes Group founders, operated Rootes' Forge at West End, and the West End Tavern next door.

A Mr Bourne ran Bourne's Forge in the High Street. After it was demolished, Sutton's shop was built on the site and later new housing, the present Sutton Forge.[8]

French airliner crash

See main article: 1930 Air Union Farman Goliath crash. On 10 February 1930, a Farman F.63 Goliath crashed at Pagehurst emergency landing ground whilst attempting an emergency landing following structural failure of the starboard tailplane. Two of the six people on board were killed.[9]

Marden Fruit Show

In 1933, Marden Fruit Show Society was established by 35 top-fruit growers and their first show was held in October that year at Walton Hall on Pattenden Lane. The prize fruit was sent to London for display at Selfridges. Apart from World War II, and bad frost years, the Society has organised their shows annually ever since.

In 1953 Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother attended the show.

Marden Fruit Show is now The National Fruit Show and has moved from Pattenden Lane to the Kent Showground at nearby Detling. Entries of apples, pears and cherries come from across Great Britain and mainland Europe.[10]

Doodlebugs

On 3 July 1944, a German V-1 flying bomb shot down by anti-aircraft fire landed on an army camp in Pattenden Lane, killing 11 and injuring eight. A total of 11 of the flying bombs fell on Marden including another on Pattenden Lane that exploded in a pond.[11]

Pluto

A World War II Pluto fuel pipeline was constructed through Marden parish. In 2016, a section of the pipe from Gatehouse Farm, incorporating a concrete joint to facilitate a change in alignment, was relocated and put on permanent display at Marden Library.[12]

Rail collision

See main article: Marden rail crash. On 4 January 1969, a passenger train from to overran a signal at danger in fog and crashed into the back of a parcels train. Four people were killed and 11 injured.[13]

Transport

Marden is 8 miles (13 km) from Maidstone and 14 miles (22 km) from Tonbridge. It is on the B2079 linking the A229 Maidstone with the A21 at Flimwell. Marden railway station is on the South Eastern Main Line.

Economy

There is local employment at the substantial industrial estate built north of the railway line on Pattenden Lane from 1950 which supplements traditional agricultural jobs, but many residents commute to work in London.[14] [4]

In 1993, there was a substantial tyre dump fire at the Pattenden Lane industrial area that caused pollution of the River Teise.[15]

Amenities

St Michael and All Angels Church, depicted on the village sign, was built at the end of the 12th century.[16]

In 2007, Ann Widdecombe opened the Marden Heritage Centre's archive at Marden Library.[17]

The village school, Marden Primary Academy, joined the Leigh Academies Trust in 2020.[18]

Marden Village Club was founded in 1907 and offers refreshments, singers and bingo to its members. Across Howland Road from the Village Club is the entrance to Marden Bowls Club's green and clubhouse.[19] [20]

Memorial Hall

Marden Memorial Hall on Goudhurst Road is operated by a registered charity. The three function rooms host community and private events, and since 1974 have staged Marden Theatre Group productions.[21] [22] [23]

The Hall was converted from a former Church School in 1934 and named for the memory of Mr Edward Day.[24]

Between 1950 and 1977 the Memorial Hall accommodated Marden library.[24]

Sport

Marden Cricket Club and Marden Russets Hockey Club are based at Day's Sport Field.[25]

Marden Minors football team play at Church Park.[26]

Marden Meadows

The 8.8acres Marden Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest is to the east of the village. Kent Trust for Nature Conservation mows the three fields once a year for hay and livestock graze the aftermath. The unimproved, natural grassland contains Ophioglossum, green winged orchid, Saxifraga granulata, Leucanthemum vulgare, Rhinanthus minor, and within a pond Hottonia palustris and bladder-sedge.[27] [28]

People

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Custom report - Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics. Nomis. 15 August 2022. 26 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220226160630/https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=E04004966. live.
  2. Web site: John Wells phonetic blog: Bessacarr. 29 January 2010 . 23 April 2010. 23 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123055918/http://phonetic-blog.blogspot.com/2010/01/bessacarr.html. live.
  3. Web site: Heritage - National fruit. 15 August 2022. National Fruit Show. 15 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815190349/https://nationalfruitshow.org.uk/heritage/. live.
  4. Web site: Places & Artefacts | The History of Marden. 16 August 2022. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122062418/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=24. live.
  5. Book: Igglesden, Charles. A Saunter through Kent with Pen and Pencil. Archive.org. 1925. 2022-08-27. Kentish Express. Ashford.
  6. Web site: Heterodox and orthodox piety in Tenterden, c1420 - c1540 . University of Kent. Lutton. Robert. 1997. 9 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211009222515/https://kar.kent.ac.uk/85972/1/DX203346.pdf . live . 74 .
  7. Web site: The Parish Pump. Marden History. 16 August 2022. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122052729/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=1419. live.
  8. Web site: The Forges | The History of Marden. 16 August 2022. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122061925/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=1451. live.
  9. The French Air Liner Crash – Verdict of Accidental Death . 29 March 1930 . 9 . 45474 . C.
  10. Web site: Marden History. Marden Fruit Show. 16 August 2022. 16 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116022739/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=1454. live.
  11. Web site: Fighters, Bombs and Doodlebugs. 2022-08-19. Marden History. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816034716/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=1457. live.
  12. Web site: Pluto Pipeline. Marden History. 16 August 2022. 16 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116025643/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=1460. live.
  13. Book: Report on the Collision that occurred on 4th January 1969 between Paddock Wood and Marden . Railways Archive . Her Majesty's Stationery Office . London. 1969 . 15 August 2022 . 15 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220815182208/https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Paddock1969.pdf . live .
  14. Web site: Marden History. Despatches No 6. 2012. 16 August 2022. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816023120/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/media_library/Despatches-issue-6.pdf. live.
  15. News: Scrap tyres: a burning issue - With Britain's mountain of old tyres growing out of control, the government has called for new ideas to recycle them. New Scientist. 16 August 2022. Fred. Pearce. 20 November 1993. 25 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025171405/https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14019002-300-scrap-tyres-a-burning-issue-with-britains-mountain-of-old-tyres-growing-out-of-control-the-government-has-called-for-new-ideas-to-recycle-them/. live.
  16. Web site: The village sign. 2022-08-19. Marden History. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816024705/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=1425. live.
  17. Web site: The Heritage Centre. Marden History. 15 August 2022. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122053512/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=1250. live.
  18. Web site: Welcome to Marden Primary Academy. 15 August 2022. Marden Primary Academy. 30 October 2020 . 20 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210920233725/https://mardenprimaryacademy.org.uk/welcome-to-marden-primary-academy/. live.
  19. Web site: Marden Village Club. Marden Village Club. 15 August 2022. 9 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109200948/http://mardenvillageclub.co.uk/. live.
  20. News: Marden Bowls Club celebrates 50th anniversary with open day. 16 August 2022. Kent Online. 10 May 2021. Alan. Smith. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816013050/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/weald/news/amp/bowls-anyone-246944/. live.
  21. Web site: Marden Memorial Hall.... Marden Memorial Hall. 16 August 2022. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816010929/http://www.mardenmemorialhall.co.uk/community/marden-memorial-hall-15102/groups-and-clubs/. live.
  22. Web site: Charity Commission. 15 August 2022. Marden Village Hall Accounts 2021. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816010853/https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A12061626&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Faccounts-and-annual-returns&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=3960543. live.
  23. Web site: Marden Theatre Group. 16 August 2022. History. 9 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220309171544/http://mardentheatregroup.co.uk/our-history/. live.
  24. Web site: history. 16 August 2022. Marden History. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122053246/http://www.mardenhistory.org.uk/home/?page_id=30. live.
  25. Web site: Marden Russets Hockey Club. 16 March 2013. 13 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130613063550/http://mardenrussets.com/. live. Marden Russets.
  26. Web site: The website for the English football association. Kent FA. 15 August 2022. 15 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815182210/https://www.kentfa.com/play-football/Football-Club-near-Sheerness/Rose-Inn-FC?p.FaDwCentreId=19531926038&Provider.ProviderType=1&p.Vacancies=19&p.Teams=13&p.Gender=m&Map=1&p.Distance=1&p.PlayersWanted=1&p.ProviderType=1&st=ME10%204NL. live.
  27. Web site: Marden Meadows . Natural England . 12 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112202834/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1000226.pdf . 12 November 2013 .
  28. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020036/http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/maidstone-low-weald-area/marden-meadow-3/. Marden Meadow. Kent Wildlife Trust. 24 July 2011.
  29. Web site: Nicholas Amhurst - Poet Nicholas Amhurst Poems. Poem Hunter. 15 August 2022. 15 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815173852/https://www.poemhunter.com/nicholas-amhurst/. live.
  30. Web site: Notable Mardonians. Marden History. 15 August 2022.
  31. Web site: Sidney William Highwood . The Aerodrome . 15 August 2022 . 25 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210725230605/https://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/highwood.php . live .
  32. Web site: 15 August 2022. Who was William Morley Punshon?. Lansdowne Crescent Methodist Church. 30 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210730192658/https://lansdownemethodist.org.uk/about-methodism/methodism-at-lansdowne-crescent-malvern/who-was-william-morley-punshon.php. live.
  33. Web site: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN. 15 August 2022. Imperial War Museums. 15 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815180334/https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205223068. live.
  34. News: Sir Nicholas Fenn obituary. The Guardian. https://web.archive.org/web/20210422233146/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/09/sir-nicholas-fenn-obituary . 22 April 2021. 21 April 2021. Gerald. Morgan. 9 October 2016.

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