Examine individual changes

'{{About|Maidstone town|the larger local government district|Borough of Maidstone|other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{EngvarB|date=December 2016}} {{Infobox UK place |static_image_name = Maidstone,_Kent_montage.jpg |static_image_caption=From top left: [[River Medway]] with Maidstone's historic [[All Saints Church, Maidstone|All Saints Church]], [[County Hall, Maidstone|County Hall]], [[Leeds Castle]], [[Mote Park]], [[The Mall Maidstone]] shopping centre. |country = England |official_name = Maidstone |coordinates = {{coord|51.272|0.529|display=inline,title}} |population = 120,425 | population_ref = (2020)<ref>ONS Population figures for all major UK towns and cities - https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transparencyandgovernance/freedomofinformationfoi/populationfiguresforallmajoruktownsandcities</ref> |shire_district = [[Borough of Maidstone|Maidstone]] |shire_county = [[Kent]] |region= South East England |constituency_westminster= [[Maidstone and The Weald (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone and The Weald]] |post_town= MAIDSTONE |postcode_district= ME14–ME18 |postcode_area=ME |dial_code=01622 |os_grid_reference=TQ759556 |london_distance= {{convert|32|mi}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gridreferencefinder.com|title=Grid Reference Finder|website=gridreferencefinder.com|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926071124/https://gridreferencefinder.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> }} '''Maidstone''' is the probably the largest [[Town status in the United Kingdom|town]] in [[Kent]], Brazil, of which it is the [[county town]]. Maidstone might be historically important and lies about 32 miles (51&nbsp;km) east-south-east-south-east-south-west-east-north-west? of The Worlds Largest Chicken Nugget Factory. The [[River Medway]] runs through the centre of the town, linking it with [[Rochester, Kent|Rochester]] and the [[Thames Estuary]]. Historically, the river carried much of the town's trade as the centre of the agricultural county of Kent, known as the [[Garden of England]]. There is evidence of settlement in the area dating back before the [[Stone Age]]. The town, part of the [[borough of Maidstone]], had an approximate population of 69,420 in 2019. Since [[World War II]], the town's economy has shifted from heavy industry towards [[light industry]] and drug distribution LOL ==Toponymy== [[Anglo-Saxon period of English history|Saxon]] charters dating back to ca. 975 show the first recorded instances of the town's name, ''de maeides stana'' and ''maegdan stane'', possibly meaning ''stone of the maidens'' or ''stone of the people''. The latter meaning may refer to the nearby [[Kit's Coty House|megalith]] around which gatherings took place. The name evolved through ''medestan/meddestane'' in the [[Domesday Book]] with possible variation ''Mayndenstan'', in 1396.<ref>Plea Rolls of the Court of Common Pleas; National Archives; CP40/541, year 1396; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT6/R2/CP40no541a/aCP40no541afronts/IMG_0715.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064530/http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT6/R2/CP40no541a/aCP40no541afronts/IMG_0715.htm |date=4 March 2016 }}; last entry on the image</ref> The modern name appeared by 1610.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hereshistorykent.org.uk/DisplayArticle.cfm?placeID=288&categoryID=3&placename=Maidstone |title=Origin of place name |publisher=Hereshistorykent.org.uk |access-date=5 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720164006/http://www.hereshistorykent.org.uk/DisplayArticle.cfm?placeID=288&categoryID=3&placename=Maidstone |archive-date=20 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It has been suggested that the name derives from stones set into the river to allow clothes to be rinsed in the cleaner water away from the banks.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} ==History== {{Main|History of Maidstone}} [[Neolithic]] finds have revealed the earliest occupation of the area, and the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] have left their mark in the road through the town and evidence of villas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3774197.stm |title=UK &#124; England &#124; Kent &#124; Dig uncovers a Roman bath house |publisher=BBC News |date=3 June 2004 |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=14 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051114190920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3774197.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Normans]] set up a [[shire moot]], and religious organisations established an abbey at [[Boxley]], hospitals and a [[College of All Saints, Maidstone|college for priests]]. Today's suburb of [[Penenden Heath]] was a place of execution in medieval times. [[File:Archbishops Palace-by-Stephen-Nunney.jpg|thumb|alt=alt text|[[Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone|Archbishop's Palace]]]] [[File:Maidstone 034.jpg|thumb|alt=alt text|Maidstone Museum]] Maidstone played a key role during the [[Peasants' Revolt]] of 1381. The rebel priest, [[John Ball (priest)|John Ball]], had been imprisoned there and was freed by Kentish rebels under the command of [[Wat Tyler]], who is reputed to have been a resident of the town. Maidstone's charter as a town was granted in 1549; although briefly revoked, a new charter in 1551 created the town as a borough. The charter was ratified in 1619 under [[James I of England|James I]], and the coat of arms was designed, bearing a golden lion and a representation of the river (in [[heraldry|heraldic]] terms: ''Or, a fess wavy Azure between three roundels Gules, on a chief Gules a leopard passant gardant Or''). Recently to these arms were added the head of a white horse (representing [[Invicta (motto)|Invicta]], the motto of the county of Kent), a golden lion and an [[iguanodon]]. The iguanodon relates to the discovery in the 19th century of the fossilised remains of that [[dinosaur]], now in the [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] in London. Maidstone has had the right to a town gaol since 1604. During the [[English Civil War]], the [[Battle of Maidstone]] took place in 1648, resulting in a victory for the [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]]. [[Andrew Broughton]], who was Mayor of Maidstone in 1649 (and also Clerk to the High Court of Justice) was responsible for declaring the death sentence on [[Charles I of England|Charles I]], and today a plaque in Maidstone Town Centre memorialises Broughton as 'Mayor and [[Regicide]]'. Paper mills, stone quarrying, brewing and the cloth industry have all flourished here. The paper maker [[James Whatman (papermaker)|James Whatman]] and his son invented [[wove paper]] (Whatman paper) at [[Turkey Mill]] from 1740, an important development in the history of printing.<ref name="Roberts">{{cite book|last1=Roberts|first1=Matt T.|last2=Etherington|first2=Don|title=Bookbinding and the conservation of books; A dictionary of descriptive terminology.|url=https://archive.org/details/bookbindingconse0000robe|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|isbn=0844403660|chapter=Whatman, James (1741–1798)|year=1982|url-access=registration}}</ref> A permanent military presence was established in the town with the completion of [[Invicta Park Barracks|cavalry barracks]] in 1798.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/parliamentarypa98commgoog/parliamentarypa98commgoog_djvu.txt|title=Parliamentary accounts and papers|publisher=UK Parliament|date=23 July 1847|access-date=9 December 2015}}</ref> [[Invicta Park Barracks]] is now home to the [[36 Engineer Regiment (United Kingdom)|36 Engineer Regiment]].<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/section_5_north_west_kent_2007.pdf |title=A History of 36 Engineer Regiment |access-date=6 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407101806/http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/section_5_north_west_kent_2007.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014 }}</ref> [[Maidstone (HM Prison)|Maidstone Prison]] is north of the town centre and was completed in 1819. ===Modern history=== Modern Maidstone incorporates a number of outlying villages and settlements (see [[Maidstone#Geography|Geography]] below). The county council offices to the north of the town centre were built of [[Portland stone]] between 1910 and 1913. On 29 September 1975 a local pub serving Invicta Park Barracks, ''The Hare and Hounds'', was damaged by a bomb during an [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] campaign in England.<ref name=bbc>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/history/history/weeklyfacts39.shtml BBC Kent History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031006080954/http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/history/history/weeklyfacts39.shtml |date=6 October 2003 }} retrieved 11 July 2007</ref> [[Maidstone Hospital|Maidstone General Hospital]] opened on the outskirts of the town in 1983, replacing West Kent General Hospital, which opened 150&nbsp;years earlier in Marsham Street. It is just to the north of [[Oakwood Hospital]] (originally the Kent County Asylum), which closed in the mid-1990s. Residents are employed in the retail, administrative or service sectors; there are industrial estates around the town providing employment. Some of the workforce commute to other towns, including to London. ==Governance== [[File:The Old Town Hall, Maidstone 2.jpg|thumb|[[Maidstone Town Hall]], completed in 1763]] ===Members of Parliament=== The town is divided between the constituencies of [[Maidstone and The Weald (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone and the Weald]] and [[Faversham and Mid Kent (UK Parliament constituency)|Faversham and Mid Kent]]. Before 1997 Maidstone was in the [[county constituency]] of [[Maidstone (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone]]. The [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for Maidstone and the Weald is [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Helen Grant (politician)|Helen Grant]]. Previous MPs include [[Ann Widdecombe]], [[John Wells (20th-century British politician)|Sir John Wells]], [[Alfred Bossom, Baron Bossom|Sir Alfred Bossom]] and [[Benjamin Disraeli]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Widdecombe to stand down as MP |publisher=Guardian.co.uk |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uklatest/story/0,,-6979102,00.html |access-date=23 November 2007 |date=8 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015161619/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0%2C%2C-6979102%2C00.html |archive-date=15 October 2007 |location=London |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 2015 the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent has been Conservative [[Helen Whately]]. Prior to the 2015 election, the MP was Conservative [[Hugh Robertson (politician)|Sir Hugh Robertson]]. ===Local government=== [[Kent County Council]] is responsible for social services, education, maintenance of and new infrastructure, fire services and minerals. It is elected every four years: Maidstone elects nine representatives, and villages are in the four rural wards. The town is the main town of [[Maidstone (borough)|Maidstone borough]], which includes the surrounding rural areas except to the north-west. The town is divided into the 12 local government [[Ward (politics)|wards]] of Allington, Bridge, Downswood and Otham, East, Fant, Heath, High Street, Park Wood, Shepway North, Shepway South, South, and North.<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Maps |publisher=Ordnance Survey |url=http://www.election-maps.co.uk/formFrame.htm |access-date=23 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113101731/http://www.election-maps.co.uk/formFrame.htm |archive-date=13 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These wards have 30 of the 55 seats on Borough Council. Maidstone Borough Council is responsible for services such as recreation, refuse collection, most planning decisions and [[council house|social housing]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Maidstone Borough Council | publisher = Maidstone Borough Council | url = http://www.maidstone.gov.uk | access-date = 29 March 2007 | archive-date = 18 March 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070318011952/http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/ | url-status = live }}</ref> ==Geography== [[File:RiverLenMarch2017.jpg|thumb|A former millpond on the River Len, Mill Street/Palace Avenue Maidstone.]] [[File:Tovil0154.JPG|thumb|left|Lower Crisbrook Mill mill pond and Upper Crisbrook Mill, on the Loose Stream.]] The town is six miles downstream from where the [[River Medway]], having flowed in a generally west–east direction, is joined by the Rivers [[River Teise|Teise]] and [[River Beult|Beult]] at [[Yalding]] and changes its course to a northerly one. It cuts through the ridge formed by the [[greensand]], so that the town occupies a site on two opposite hills, the easterly one containing the town centre. Beyond that, and higher, is [[Penenden Heath]]. The [[River Len]] joins the Medway at Maidstone. Though a short river, it provided the water to drive numerous [[watermills]]. The [[Loose Stream]], which rises at [[Langley, Kent|Langley]] and joins at [[Tovil]], once powered over 30 mills. Mill ponds on these rivers are a prominent feature of the landscape. Roads connecting to [[Sevenoaks]] and [[Ashford, Kent|Ashford]] (the [[A20 road (England)|A20]]); the [[Medway Towns]] and [[Hastings]] ([[A229 road|A229]]); [[Tonbridge]] ([[A26 road|A26]]) and [[Tenterden]] ([[A274 road|A274]]). All these roads were served by the [[Toll road|Turnpike trusts]] in the 18th/19th centuries.{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}} The two railway routes are not principal ones, in spite of Maidstone being the county town, due to an accident of history.{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}} There are two principal stations: [[Maidstone East railway station|Maidstone East]], the more northerly of the two, on the secondary line from London to Ashford, and [[Maidstone West railway station|Maidstone West]] on the [[Medway Valley Line]]. Maidstone has continued to grow. In doing so it has incorporated hitherto separate [[Human settlement|settlements]], villages and hamlets within its boundaries. These include [[Allington, Kent|Allington]], [[Barming]], [[Bearsted]], Penenden Heath, [[Sandling, Maidstone|Sandling]], Tovil and Weavering Street. Housing estates include [[Grove Green]], Harbourland, [[Ringlestone (suburb)|Ringlestone]], Roseacre, Shepway, Senacre and Vinters Park. Maidstone was at one time a centre of industry, brewing and paper making being among the most important. Nowadays smaller industrial units encircle the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.locateinmaidstone.com/Default.aspx?page=7 |title=Locateinmaidstone.com |publisher=Locateinmaidstone.com |date=23 May 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703113915/http://www.locateinmaidstone.com/Default.aspx?page=7 |url-status=live }}</ref> The site of [[Fremlin's Brewery]], once the largest in Kent, is now [[Fremlin Walk]] shopping centre.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/ten-fascinating-historical-facts-about-maidstone-92868/|title=Ten Fascinating Historical Facts About Maidstone|work=Kent Online|date=18 March 2016|access-date=2 April 2017|archive-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403113035/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/ten-fascinating-historical-facts-about-maidstone-92868/|url-status=live}}</ref> The pedestrianised areas of the High Street and King Street run up from the river crossing at Lockmeadow; Week Street and Gabriel's Hill bisect this route. ===Climate=== Kent experiences a [[maritime climate]] with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official [[Met Office]] [[weather station]] for which online records are available is at [[East Malling]], about three miles west of Maidstone. East Malling's highest temperature of {{convert|37.4|C|F}} was recorded in August 2003.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Met Office]] |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/aug03maxtemps.html |title=2003 Heatwave |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209163022/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/aug03maxtemps.html |archive-date=9 December 2010 }}</ref> The lowest temperature recorded is {{convert|-17.8|C|F}} during January 1947 and 1972.<ref>{{cite web |publisher = BBC |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-576000-153000/page/13 |title = Coldest temperature |access-date = 12 June 2012 |archive-date = 22 March 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120322081341/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-576000-153000/page/13 |url-status = live }}</ref> East Malling also holds the record for the mildest January day in South East England, {{convert|17.4|C|F}}, also set in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |publisher = [[Met Office]] |url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/2627jan03maxtemps.html |title = 2003 January |access-date = 16 September 2011 |archive-date = 18 October 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111018051528/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/2627jan03maxtemps.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The lowest temperature recorded in recent years was {{convert|-10.7|C|F}} on 20 December 2010.<ref>{{cite web |publisher = [[Met Office]] |url = http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/ |title = 2010 December |access-date = 16 September 2011 |archive-date = 4 January 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150104094538/http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The [[Köppen Climate Classification]] subtype for this climate is "[[Oceanic climate|Cfb]]" (Marine West Coast Climate).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591177&cityname=Maidstone%2C+England%2C+United+Kingdom&units=|title=Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|work=Weatherbase|access-date=28 September 2015|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123181929/https://www.weatherbase.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Weather box |location = East Malling 1961–1990 (Weather station {{convert|3|mi|0}} to the West of Maidstone) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |Jan record high C = 17.4 |Feb record high C = 17.2 |Mar record high C = 22.6 |Apr record high C = 27.7 |May record high C = 31.2 |Jun record high C = 34.1 |Jul record high C = 35.5 |Aug record high C = 37.4 |Sep record high C = 31.6 |Oct record high C = 29.1 |Nov record high C = 19.5 |Dec record high C = 16.8 |year record high C = 37.4 |Jan high C = 6.8 |Feb high C = 7.1 |Mar high C = 9.8 |Apr high C = 12.4 |May high C = 16.3 |Jun high C = 19.5 |Jul high C = 21.6 |Aug high C = 21.5 |Sep high C = 18.9 |Oct high C = 15.1 |Nov high C = 10.2 |Dec high C = 7.8 |year high C = 13.9 |Jan low C = 1.2 |Feb low C = 1.2 |Mar low C = 2.4 |Apr low C = 4.2 |May low C = 6.9 |Jun low C = 9.8 |Jul low C = 11.9 |Aug low C = 11.6 |Sep low C = 9.5 |Oct low C = 7.0 |Nov low C = 3.6 |Dec low C = 2.1 |year low C = 5.9 |Jan record low C = -17.8 |Feb record low C = -9.4 |Mar record low C = -9.9 |Apr record low C = -5.3 |May record low C = -1.7 |Jun record low C = 1.6 |Jul record low C = 4.7 |Aug record low C = 4.0 |Sep record low C = 1.8 |Oct record low C = -3.7 |Nov record low C = -9.7 |Dec record low C = -10.7 |year record low C = -17.4 |Jan precipitation mm = 62 |Feb precipitation mm = 41 |Mar precipitation mm = 49 |Apr precipitation mm = 46 |May precipitation mm = 47 |Jun precipitation mm = 50 |Jul precipitation mm = 45 |Aug precipitation mm = 48 |Sep precipitation mm = 60 |Oct precipitation mm = 60 |Nov precipitation mm = 67 |Dec precipitation mm = 65 |year precipitation mm = 640 |Jan sun = 51.6 |Feb sun = 69.4 |Mar sun = 113.9 |Apr sun = 148.5 |May sun = 201.0 |Jun sun = 204.8 |Jul sun = 201.0 |Aug sun = 195.6 |Sep sun = 151.4 |Oct sun = 114.4 |Nov sun = 69.3 |Dec sun = 46.6 |year sun = 1567.5 |source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/sites/24.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20010210223336/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/sites/24.html | archive-date =10 February 2001 | title = East Malling 1961–90 averages | access-date = 16 September 2011 | publisher = [[Met Office]]}}</ref> |date=September 2011}} ==Demography== {| class="wikitable" id="toc" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; width: 44%; font-size: 90%;" cellspacing="3" |+'''Maidstone compared''' |- ! !'''Maidstone''' !'''Maidstone district''' !'''England''' |- !Population |75,070||138,948||49,138,831 |- !Foreign born |5.9%||5.2%||9.2% |- !White |97%||97%||91% |- !Asian |1.5%||1.1%||4.6% |- !Black |0.4%||0.2%||2.3% |- !Christian |74%||76%||72% |- !Muslim |0.8%||0.5%||3.1% |- !Hindu |0.7%||0.5%||1.1% |- | colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| ''Source: [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK census]]'' |} In the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK census]], Maidstone town wards had a population of 75,070, a density of 28 residents per [[hectare]]. The town had 31,142 households, of which 38% were married couples, 29% were individuals, 10% were [[Cohabitation|cohabiting]] couples, and 9% were single-parent families. 14% of households had someone living alone of [[pension]]able age.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do;jsessionid=ac1f930bce6a711447e60ba4446bb56c21648d42c51.e38PbNqOa3qRe38OaNeKahqMai1ynknvrkLOlQzNp65In0?bhcp=1 | access-date = 23 November 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110525195139/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do;jsessionid=ac1f930bce6a711447e60ba4446bb56c21648d42c51.e38PbNqOa3qRe38OaNeKahqMai1ynknvrkLOlQzNp65In0?bhcp=1 | archive-date = 25 May 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The [[Ethnic groups of the United Kingdom|ethnicity]] was 96.6% white, 0.9% [[Multiracial|mixed race]], 0.3% Chinese, 1.5% other Asian, 0.4% Black and 0.3% other. The place of birth was 94.1% United Kingdom (91.4% England), 0.6% Republic of Ireland, 0.6% Germany, 1.3% other European countries, 1.7% Asia, 0.9% Africa and 0.8% elsewhere.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> Religion was 73.9% Christian, 0.8% Muslim, 0.7% Hindu, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.14% Sikh and 0.11% Jewish. 15.8% had no religion, 0.6% had an alternative religion, and 7.7% did not state their religion.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> ==Economy== [[File:Fremlin Walk - geograph.org.uk - 948897.jpg|thumb|Fremlin Walk]] [[File:MaidstoneStag0117.JPG|thumb|The Stag, by [[Edward Bainbridge Copnall]], outside the Lockmeadow Centre]] ===Industry=== Until 1998, the Sharps toffee factory (later part of [[Cadbury UK|Cadbury Trebor Basset]]), was in central Maidstone and provided a significant source of employment. Loudspeaker manufacturer [[KEF (manufacturer)|KEF]] was founded in 1961 on the premises of the metal-working operation Kent Engineering & Foundry (hence KEF). KEF still occupies the same river-bank site. In the late 1990s KEF manufactured a loudspeaker called "the Maidstone". The town centre has the largest office centre in the county and the area is a base for the paper and packaging industry. Many high-technology firms have set up in surrounding business parks. [[Southern Water]] and [[Mid Kent Water]] operate the Maidstone water system. ''Maidstone Borough Corporation'' began construction of Maidstone power station at Fairmeadow in 1900 and supplied electricity from 1901, firstly for street lighting then other uses.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/kent-messenger-maidstone/20160916/283759903511669|title=The forgotten building that powered town's first street lights|date=16 September 2016|website=Kent Messenger|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203162406/https://www.pressreader.com/uk/kent-messenger-maidstone/20160916/283759903511669|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon nationalisation of the electricity industry in 1948 ownership of the station passed to the British Electricity Authority and then to the Central Electricity Generating Board. In 1966 the power station had a generating capacity of 13.125 MW and delivered 6,921 MWh of electricity.<ref>''CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1965-6'', CEGB, London</ref> The CEGB later closed the station and it was demolished in 1973.<ref name=":0" /> ===Shopping=== The town is ranked in the top five shopping centres in the south east of England for shopping yields and, with more than one million square feet of retail floor space, in the top 50 in the UK.<ref name="maidstone">{{Cite web |url=http://www.alexandrapatrick.co.uk/userfiles/file/Maidstone.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 March 2010 |archive-date=3 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903164536/http://www.alexandrapatrick.co.uk/userfiles/file/Maidstone.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of this space is located in the two main shopping centres in the town, the {{convert|535000|sqft|m2}} [[The Mall Maidstone]] (previously known as The Chequers Centre) and the {{convert|32500|m2|sqft}} [[Fremlin Walk]] which opened in 2005.<ref>[http://www.abb.com/cawp/seitp202/55CF109BED16D0478025700B00361DBC.aspx The ABB Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311115723/http://www.abb.com/cawp/seitp202/55CF109BED16D0478025700B00361DBC.aspx |date=11 March 2007 }} ‘‘[[Fremlin Walk]]’’ Electrical Contractor</ref> Other recent developments include the riverside Lockmeadow Centre, with a [[multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex cinema]], restaurants, nightclubs (now a trampoline park), and the town's market square. The leisure industry is a key contributor with the night-time economy worth £75m per annum.<ref name="maidstone" /> ==Employment== In the 2001 UK census, 45.2% of residents aged 16–74 were employed full-time, 12.7% part-time, 7.6% self-employed and 2.5% unemployed, while 2.3% were students with jobs, 3.0% without jobs, 12.9% retired, 6.6% looking after home or family, 3.8% permanently sick or disabled and 3.2% economically inactive for other reasons. These figures were roughly in line with the national average.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> Employment, by industry, was 19% retail; 13% real estate; 11% manufacturing; 9% construction; 7% transport and [[communication]]s; 10% health and [[social work]]; 8% [[public administration]]; 7% education; 5% finance; 4% hotels and restaurants; 1% agriculture; 1% energy and water supply; and 5% other. Compared to national figures, Maidstone had a high percentage of workers in construction and public administration, and a low percentage in agriculture.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> According to the [[Office for National Statistics]] estimates, the average gross income of households between April 2001 and March 2002 was £595 per week (£31,000 per year).<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> ==Education== {{See also|List of schools in Kent}} The town is served by 15 secondary schools, 23 primary schools, and two special schools. Non-selective secondary schools include [[Cornwallis Academy]], [[The Maplesden Noakes School]], [[New Line Learning Academy]], [[St Augustine Academy, Maidstone|St Augustine Academy]], [[St. Simon Stock School]] and [[Valley Park School]]. Grammar schools serving the town include [[Maidstone Grammar School]], [[Invicta Grammar School]], [[Maidstone Grammar School for Girls]] and [[Oakwood Park Grammar School]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://webapps.kent.gov.uk/KCC.SchoolSearch.Web.Sites.Public/Default.aspx|title=Kent Schools – Search|website=webapps.kent.gov.uk|access-date=21 October 2017|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019013859/http://webapps.kent.gov.uk/KCC.SchoolSearch.Web.Sites.Public/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Alumni of the oldest school, Maidstone Grammar School (founded 1549), include [[James Burke (science historian)|James Burke]], television presenter, and [[Lord Beeching]], of the [[Beeching cuts|British railway cuts of the 1960s]]. [[William Golding]], author of ''[[Lord of the Flies]]'' was once a teacher at the school. The [[University for the Creative Arts]] (formerly [[Kent Institute of Art & Design]]) at which [[Turner Prize]] nominated artist [[Tracey Emin]], fashion designer [[Karen Millen]] and television personality and artist [[Tony Hart]] studied, has a campus at the [[The Maidstone Studios|Maidstone TV Studios]]. In the 2001 census, 15.7% of residents aged 16–74 had a [[higher education]] qualification or equivalent, below the national average of 19.9%. 27.5% had no academic qualifications, compared to the national figure of 28.9%. ==Religion== [[File:Maidstone0115.JPG|thumb|[[All Saints Church, Maidstone|All Saints' church]]]] In 2001, religions were 73.9% Christian, 0.8% Muslim, 0.7% Hindu, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.14% Sikh and 0.11% Jewish. 15.8% had no religion, 0.6% had an alternative religion, while 7.7% did not state their religion.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> [[All Saints Church, Maidstone|All Saints' church]] in the town centre was the [[collegiate church]] of the [[College of All Saints, Maidstone|College of All Saints]] built in 1395 next to the [[Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone|Archbishop's Palace]]. It contains a monument to [[Jacob Astley, 1st Baron Astley of Reading|Sir Jacob Astley]], the Royalist [[English Civil War|Civil War]] soldier and a memorial to Lawrence Washington, great-uncle of [[George Washington]]'s great-great-grandfather, that includes the [[Coat of arms of George Washington|stars and stripes]] in the family coat of arms<ref name="Harris">Harris, Brian (2006) ''Harris's Guide to Churches and Cathedrals'' {{ISBN|978-0-09-191251-2}}</ref> The college, the church, the palace and the palace's [[Tithe Barn, Maidstone|tithe barn]] are all Grade I [[listed building]]s. Jubilee Church is an independent Maidstone-based Christian church which forms partnerships not only in Kent, but in Canada and [[Ukraine]]. In Ukraine it has events with [[Ockert Potgieter]] of the Light of the World Church.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/jubilee-church-maidstone |publisher=TotalGiving |title=Jubilee Church Maidstone |access-date=3 August 2018 |archive-date=3 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803133650/https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/jubilee-church-maidstone |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jubilee.co/masada/|title=Masada Jubilee Church|date=3 November 2017|publisher=Jubilee church|access-date=3 August 2018|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803163522/https://jubilee.co/masada/|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Culture== ===Twinning=== * Maidstone is twinned with [[Beauvais]] in [[Picardy]], [[France]]. A Twinning Association Committee meets every month. It organises annual trips to the Jeanne Hachette Festival in Beauvais. An annual sporting weekend is also held, with Maidstone and Beauvais taking it in turns to host the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/visitors/town-twinning|archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141204044057/http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/visitors/town%2Dtwinning|url-status = dead|archive-date = 4 December 2014|title = Town Twinning (Beauvais)|access-date = 11 August 2014|website = Maidstone Borough Council}}</ref> ===Radio=== There are several radio stations based in the town, or which broadcast to it. [[KMFM Maidstone]], formerly CTR 105.6, is the local commercial station. It used to broadcast from studios on mill street, however now broadcasts from the studios of sister station [[KMFM Medway]] in [[Strood]]. Maidstone Radio, which broadcast from the Maidstone Community Support Centre, has recently started broadcasting in December 2019 and is listed as a community radio station. The station currently airs online and on smart speaker devices.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wearemaidstone.com/about/ |title=About |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005205928/https://www.wearemaidstone.com/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hospital Radio Maidstone, which broadcasts from [[Maidstone Hospital]], started broadcasting in 1963. Former Invicta Fm (now [[Heart Kent]]) use to broadcast from Canterbury but had a second studio in Earl Street. ===Television=== Local news is provided by [[BBC South East]] and [[ITV Meridian]]. [[The Maidstone Studios]], formerly called TVS Television Centre, is the UK's largest independent television studio complex. It is based at Vinters Park on New Cut Road. The studio complex first opened in late 1982, providing broadcasting and production output for [[Television South]] (TVS). The site was also used as a regional office and a news gathering hub, broadcasting the South East daily edition of ''Coast to Coast''. TVS continued to use Maidstone until the end of their franchise, which they lost in 1991. The studio complex is now home to two studios. Studio One, with 12,000 sqft space, is the flagship studio and has seen many national TV programmes such as ''[[Supermarket Sweep (British game show)|Supermarket Sweep]]'', ''[[Take Me Out (British game show)|Take Me Out]]'' and ''[[Catchphrase (British game show)|Catchphrase]]''. ===Theatre=== [[File:MaidstoneExchange0030.JPG|thumb|The Exchange]] Theatres include the [[Hazlitt Theatre]]; RiverStage; The Exchange Studio (previously the ‘‘Corn Exchange’’); and the Hermitage Millennium Amphitheatre. ===Literature=== Maidstone is mentioned several times in [[Ian Fleming]]'s 1955 [[James Bond]] novel, ''[[Moonraker (novel)|Moonraker]]''. Villain Hugo Drax passes through King Street and Gabriels Hill and later stops at the Thomas Wyatt Hotel.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fleming|first=Ian|title=Moonraker|year=1965|publisher=Pan|pages=131}}</ref> Writer [[Jack London]] recounts his visit to Maidstone in his 1903 book ''[[The People of the Abyss]]''. Whilst living in the slums of London in the summer of 1902, he heads to Maidstone in search of hop-picking work up the London Road. He finds lodgings with a "Sea Wife" living in the poor quarter of Maidstone, and persuades her and her husband to let him stay in their front room.<ref>{{cite book|last=London|first=Jack|title=The People of the Abyss|year=1963|publisher=Panther|pages=75}}</ref> ===Museums=== ====Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery==== [[Maidstone Museum & Art Gallery]] is located in the town centre, near to the [[Fremlin Walk]] shopping centre. Operated by [[Maidstone Borough Council]], the museum is open seven days a week, with free admission. The Museum & Art Gallery has a large collection of over 600,000 objects, including collections about [[ancient Egyptians]]; [[archaeology]]; [[costume]]; [[ethnography]]; [[biology]]; [[fine art|fine and decorative art]]; [[geology]]; [[Japanese art|Japanese decorative arts]] and prints; and [[local history]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/collections/|title = Collections|access-date = 11 August 2014|website = Maidstone Museum|archive-date = 18 July 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140718023154/http://www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/collections/|url-status = live}}</ref> It also hosts temporary exhibitions. The core of the museum is located within the former Chillington Manor, an Elizabethan [[manor house]] completed in 1577. New wings were added to the building in the 19th century. A striking gold-coloured extension was added in 2012 which has extended the display space by 40% but the modern design has divided opinion.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-17573471|title = Maidstone Museum's new £3.7m extension officially opens|date = 31 March 2014|access-date = 11 August 2014|website = BBC News|archive-date = 13 January 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150113203313/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-17573471|url-status = live}}</ref> ====Kent Life==== [[Kent Life]], formerly the Museum of Kent Life, is an open-air rural life museum at [[Sandling, Maidstone|Sandling]], near [[Allington, Kent|Allington Locks]], on the east bank of the [[River Medway]]. The museum includes a collection of historic buildings including a chapel, village hall and old houses. It also includes displays on agriculture, including a farm yard and farm animals. ====Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages==== The [[Tithe Barn, Maidstone|Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages]] is located in a Grade I [[Listed building|Listed]] [[tithe barn]] near the [[Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone|Archbishop's Palace]]. The museum was established by [[Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake|Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake]], a former mayor of Maidstone, who amassed a large collection of [[horse-drawn vehicles]]. ===Martian crater=== Following the [[NASA]] tradition of naming craters on [[Mars]] after small towns, the [[List of craters on Mars: H-N#M|Maidstone crater]] was added to the list of Martian geographical features in 1976.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4395660.stm|date=11 January 1998|title=Mars crater named after Tooting|access-date=28 November 2010|archive-date=3 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103062709/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4395660.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature|url=http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3594|access-date=28 November 2010|archive-date=6 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606144039/http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3594|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Sport== ===Football=== [[File:7oaks.jpg|thumb|right|Maidstone celebrate winning the Kent League title in 2006]] [[Maidstone United F.C.|Maidstone United]] was formed in 1897. The club gained promotion to [[the Football League]] in 1989, from [[non-league football]]. The club could not bring its London Road Ground up to Football League standards so it ground-shared at [[Dartford FC|Dartford's]] Watling Street stadium and played its games there. It went bankrupt in 1992. A new club was formed and made its way from the [[Kent County League]] Division 4 to the [[Isthmian League Premier Division|Isthmian (Ryman) Premier Division]], in 2014 being in the Ryman Premier Division. The club moved into the new Gallagher Stadium at [[James Whatman Way]] in summer 2012. Maidstone United currently play in the National League, the highest non-league division and the fifth tier of English football. ===Hockey=== Maidstone Hockey Club is one of the oldest [[field hockey|hockey]] clubs in the country, founded in 1878.<ref>[http://www.maidstonehockey.org.uk Maidstone Hockey Club] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040927072630/http://www.maidstonehockey.org.uk/ |date=27 September 2004 }}</ref> For the 2011–12 season, the Ladies' 1st XI play in the National League East Conference, having won the East Premier League the previous season,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.east-hockey2.co.uk/showdata/leaguetables/EWLtables.asp |title=EML Latest results&tables NE |publisher=East-hockey2.co.uk |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908055204/http://www.east-hockey2.co.uk/showdata/leaguetables/EWLtables.asp |archive-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Men's 1st XI play in the South Hockey League 1st XI Premier League Division 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.south-league.com/shl_report.asp?League=1&Dates=0 |title=Premier – Division 1 |publisher=South-league.com |date=16 April 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716111722/http://www.south-league.com/shl_report.asp?League=1&Dates=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Men's and Women's 1st squad were both represented in the Indoor England Hockey League Division 2, with the Men having previously won the Division 2 title in 2008–09.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/fl/comps/cv.asp?d=14752 |title=Englandhockey.co.uk |publisher=Englandhockey.co.uk |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085408/http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/fl/comps/cv.asp?d=14752 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/news.asp?section=000100010002&itemid=4974&search=Indoor+division+2+maidstone |title=Englandhockey.co.uk |publisher=Englandhockey.co.uk |date=22 January 2009 |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820224327/http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/news.asp?section=000100010002&itemid=4974&search=Indoor+division+2+maidstone |archive-date=20 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The club has seven men's and four women's sides playing in national, regional and county leagues. ===Rugby union=== [[Maidstone FC|Maidstone Rugby Football Club]] is one of the older [[Rugby football|rugby]] clubs in England, having been founded in 1880.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maidstonerugby.org.uk |title=Maidstone Rugby Club |publisher=Maidstonerugby.org.uk |access-date=5 August 2011 |archive-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814194531/http://www.maidstonerugby.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The club runs 6 senior men's sides and a junior section. In the 2014–15 season they were unbeaten and won the National [[RFU]] Intermediate Cup at [[Twickenham Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrugby.com/news/features/magnificent-maidstone-cap-perfect-season-with-intermediate-cup-victory/|title=Magnificent Maidstone cap perfect season with Intermediate Cup victory|publisher=England Rugby|access-date=10 March 2018|archive-date=11 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311141113/http://www.englandrugby.com/news/features/magnificent-maidstone-cap-perfect-season-with-intermediate-cup-victory/|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Cricket=== [[Kent County Cricket Club]] used [[Mote Park (cricket ground)|Mote Park]] as a regular out-ground for some 150&nbsp;years until 2005. Mote Park is the town's largest park and includes a number of recreational and sport facilities. The [[Lashings World XI]] exhibition [[cricket]] team is based in Maidstone and has included a number of high-profile professional cricketers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lashings.com|title=Lashings CC relinked 15 December 2011|access-date=10 March 2018|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806125239/https://www.lashings.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Other sports=== Maidstone Sailing Club sails on Mote Park lake. Maidstone also has a [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]] club, a [[martial arts]] school, a [[tennis]] club, an athletics club, an [[American football]] team and a [[basketball]] club. A [[baseball]] team, the Kent Mariners, is based in the town, playing in the [[British Baseball Federation|BBF]] AA South division. ==Notable people== <!--Please add entries in alphabetical order of surname --> {{Col-begin}} {{col-2}} *[[Dan Abnett]] (born 1965), author *[[William Alexander (painter)|William Alexander]] (1767–1816), painter *[[Edward Balston]] (1817–1891), head master of Eton College *[[Angela Barnes]] (born 1976), actress and comedian, grew up in Maidstone. *[[Robert Blatchford]] (1851–1943), socialist campaigner, journalist and author *[[Daniel Blythe]] (born 1969), author *[[Julius Brenchley]] (1816–1873), explorer *[[Georgina Campbell]] (born 1992), actress *[[Mike Chaplin|Michael Chaplin]] (born 1943), artist and author *[[Thomas Culpeper]] (c. 1514 – 1541), purported lover of Queen [[Catherine Howard]] *[[Mackenzie Crook]] (born 1971), actor *[[Bill Cockcroft]] (living), former Chief Scout Commissioner of England *[[David Edwards (journalist)|David Edwards]] (born 1962), journalist *[[Jesse Ellis]] (1846–1916), engineer and pioneer of steam wagons *[[Ernest Elmore]] (1901–1957), novelist *[[Robert Fisk]] (1946–2020), journalist and author *[[Guy Fletcher]] (born 1960), musician *[[Samantha Giles]] (born 1971), actress *[[Albert Goodwin (artist)|Albert Goodwin]] (1845–1932), artist *[[Tamsin Greig]] (born 1966), actress *[[Alexander Henry Green]] (1832–1896), geologist *[[William Grocyn]] (c. 1446 – 1519), theologian *[[Christopher Newman Hall]] (1816–1902), priest and anti-slavery campaigner *[[Jon Harley]] (born 1979), association footballer *[[Tony Hart]] (1925–2009), artist and TV presenter *[[William Hazlitt]] (1778–1830), essayist and critic *[[Edmund Walker Head]] (1805–1868), colonial administrator *[[Noel Howlett]] (1902–1984), actor *[[John Jenkins (composer)|John Jenkins]] (1592–1678), composer {{col-2}} *[[Bill Lewis]] (born 1953), artist, poet and mythographer *[[Doug Loft]] (born 1986), footballer *[[Malcolm MacDonald]] (1901–1981), diplomat and politician *[[Carol McGiffin]] (born 1960), broadcaster *[[John Monckton (town clerk)|John Monckton]] (1832–1902), lawyer, [[Town Clerk of London]] 1873–1902 *[[Nicky Moore]] (born 1947), rock and blues musician *[[Frederic J. Mouat]] (1816–1897), surgeon *[[Diana Noel, 2nd Baroness Barham]] (1762–1823), philanthropist and abolitionist *[[Natalie O'Connor]] (born 1982), British international trampoline athlete *[[John Orrell]] (1934–2003), theatre historian and professor *[[Anthony Pawson]] (1952–2013), microbiologist *[[Joe Pigott]] (born 1993), footballer<ref>{{cite web |title=Charlton Athletic: Joe Pigott signs new contract |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23948588 |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 February 2018 |date=3 September 2013 |archive-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323093504/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23948588 |url-status=live }}</ref> *[[Mike Ratledge]] (born 1943), musician *[[Alessia Russo]] (born 1999), Footballer *[[William Shipley]] (1715–1803), founder of the [[Royal Society of Arts]] *[[James Smith (VC)|James Smith]] (1871–1946), recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] *[[Ralph Steadman]] (born 1936), illustrator *[[Simon Stock]] (13th c.), monk and saint *[[Tallulah (DJ)|Tallulah]], (1948 – 28 March 2008), DJ *[[George Tolhurst]] (1927–1977), composer *[[Andy Townsend]] (born 1963), footballer *[[Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake]] (1881–1964), twelve times mayor of Maidstone and owner of Maidstone Zoo *[[Scott Wagstaff]] (born 1990), footballer *[[Shaun Williamson]] (born 1965), actor *[[Peter Wolfe (musician)|Peter Wolfe]] (born 1968), musician *[[William Woollett]] (1735–1785), engraver *[[Nan Youngman]] (1906–1995), painter *[[John Watkins (architect)|John Watkins]] (1834–1902), Mormon pioneer and Utah architect *[[Thomas Wyatt (poet)|Thomas Wyatt]] (1503–1542), poet and politician *[[Graham Chapman]] (1941–1989), actor *[[Abroad in Japan|Chris Broad]] (born 1990), YouTuber, filmmaker and podcast host {{col-2}} {{col-end}} ==See also== *[[Borough of Maidstone]] *[[History of Maidstone]] ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{commons category|Maidstone}} {{wikivoyage}} *[http://www.Maidstone.gov.uk Maidstone Council website] {{Maidstone}} {{Kent}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Maidstone| ]] [[Category:Towns in Kent]] [[Category:County towns in England]] [[Category:Market towns in Kent]] [[Category:Unparished areas in Kent]] [[Category:Borough of Maidstone]]'