The official Biddenden Parish Council website
Meetings are held at the old village hall on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm.
Kent Village of the Year 2011 commendations
Kent Village of the Year commendation: Environment
Kent Village of the Year commendation: Economy
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 Biddenden in Pictures (on sale from the Post Office) and the Story of Biddenden (on sale from the church). Biddenden in Pictures is also available from YouByYou Books
*Text courtesy of Pru Stokes
News
“RUNNING FOR GLORY”. Friday 9th March - Biddenden Village Hall
Exploring the lives and ambitions of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, 1920s athletes featured in the film “Chariots of Fire”. Click here to read a review.
REVIEW OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE SERVICE.
Please act now and answer this consultation document as this could have an impact on all of us! The consultation will close on 9 February 2012.
BIDDENDEN HIGH ST & NORTH ST FOOTWAY IMPROVEMENTS
Please act now and read what is being proposed for our village pavement! The consultation will close on 7 February 2012.
APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM RECYCLING
Open to all clubs and groups in Biddenden.
CRANBROOK ROAD, BIDDENDEN (PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) TEMPORARY ORDER 2012
Cranbrook Road Closure Jan 16 for one week
SMARDEN: TIME FOR A CUPPA...
Monday 27th Feb between 10am-6pm in Smarden. A nationwide fund raising event for dementia
VOTE NOW FOR BETTER BROADBAND
We are committed to securing better broadband for businesses and communities in Kent.
Our ambition is for 90% of homes and businesses to have superfast broadband access by 2015, and for everyone to have access to a service of at least 2mb. Kent County Council and the Government are investing over £20 million to help make this happen. VOTE NOW!
Localism Act received Royal Assent on 15 November 2011
This is a key piece of legislation which gives greater recognition and more power to local councils.
A plain English guide to the Localism Act.
VACANCIES FOR 1 PARISH COUNCILLOR
Vacancies for the position of one Parish Councillor currently exist. Contact the Clerk for further information.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST FORM
Any Freedom of Information requests for the BPC should now utilize this new form: Click here for further information...
Starting September 2011
Kent Adult Education is happy to announce some great courses starting in Bethersden and Tenterden in September...
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
Updated January 2011: 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).
Biddenden Parish Risk Assessment
Reviewed 11 Jan 2011 (click for details).
Useful Information
Concessionary Free Travel Scheme for Senior Citizens and Disabled People