The official Biddenden Parish Council website
Meetings are held at the old village hall on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm.
Biddenden in Kent is a typical Wealden village with one of the prettiest main streets in the county.
The first recorded mention of the name is in a 10th century charter concerning a den, or swine pasture, in Bydyngden. Pottery of the Romano/British period has been found near the old railway line, north of the village.
Biddenden is rich in timber framed and brick buildings from the 1400s, and from Tudor and later periods, many of which were the result of wealth created when the broadcloth industry flourished in the Weald. The much-photographed houses along the south side of the High Street were built in the 1600s, when the cloth industry was in decline, possibly where cottages occupied by weavers once stood. Many of the houses on the north side of the street are of timber construction but were later given brick fronts. The West House restaurant is one of the oldest, though legend tells of a soldier returning from Agincourt in 1415 to set up the Red Lion public house.
The village is famous for the story of the Biddenden Maids, a story which rests on legend as well as on fact. Two sisters, whose true names and dates remain uncertain, are believed to have left about 20 acres of land to the church wardens so that the rent from farming it could pay for a dole of bread and cheese to be given at Easter to the most needy villagers. This charity was given High Court approval in 1656 and has continued its work ever since. The dole is now managed by the trustees of the Consolidated Charities and is given out on Easter Monday morning from the old workhouse on the Sissinghurst road.
All Saints Church was mainly built in the 1200s, though there was probably an earlier Saxon church here. After the decline in the cloth industry, the village continued its life as a busy agricultural community with a population which never fell below one thousand inhabitants, and was often nearer 1500. Today it is over 2,500. Several modern industries thrive: British Gates and Timber and Biddenden Vineyards, and the Chart Hills Golf Club hosts international events on its 18-hole course.
The Biddenden Local History Society has published The Story of Biddenden which is for sale in the church and post office.
*Text courtesy of Pru Stokes
News
September 4, 2010
24 hour squash marathon and all day event in aid of Help for Heroes. Click here for further information
August 15, 2010
Spencer Conway is returning from his circumnavigation of Africa by motorbike in aid of Save the Children. He is due back in Biddenden on Sunday 15th at 3 p.m. Bikers will meet him at Matalan car park Ashford at 2 p.m. and then proceed in convoy to Biddenden. Spencer has raised nearly £28,000 for Save the Children. For further information read his Press Release or visit www.africa-bike-adventure.com
July 29, 2010
CASUAL VACANCY - PARISH OF BIDDENDEN - A vacancy for the position of Parish Councillor currently exists. The Parish Council has been advised by Ashford Borough Council that it may co-opt a new parish councillor. Applications are, therefore, invited and should be sent to the
Parish Clerk by Tuesday 31 August 2010. Interviews will take place shortly thereafter.
Starting September 2010
Kent Adult Education is happy to announce some great courses starting in Bethersden and Tenterden in September...
May 2010
Biddenden resident, Spencer Conway, on a circumnavigation of Africa by motorbike in aid of Save the Children: It would be very encouraging if residents could add a comment on Spencer's blog to show that there is interest and support from Biddenden. People have asked very often about his progress and Spencer has been told about the encouraging comments received but it would be super if he could read those comments on his blog. It is very simple for the public to add comments. You also might wish to read his interesting reports and look at his expanding gallery of photos.
November 1 2009
Biddenden resident, Spencer Conway, set off November 1st 2009 on a circumnavigation of Africa by motorbike in aid of Save the Children. For further information or to sponsor him please visit www.africa-bike-adventure.com
Biddenden Parish Plan 2005
To provide the Parish Council with an action plan for critical issues, as identified by the Steering Group through parish-wide consultation (click for details).
Biddenden Parish Plan revisited 2009
The initial 2005 Biddenden Plan revisited and updated for 2009 (click for details).
Biddenden Parish Council Information Publication Scheme
Information about; who and what we are, what we spend and how we spend it, what our priorities are and how we are doing, how we make decisions, our policies and procedures, lists and registers, the services we offer, additional information. (click for details).
Useful Information
Concessionary Free Travel Scheme for Senior Citizens and Disabled People