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Kent is the south easternmost county in England. Its county town is Maidstone and its only city is Canterbury, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Kent has land borders with East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London, and a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames estuary. The ceremonial county of Kent includes the unitary authority of Medway, and the administrative county of Kent. Kent also has a nominal border with France halfway along the Channel Tunnel.
Situated between the capital and the continent, Kent is a primary trade route and has been in the front line of a number of conflicts, including the Battle of Britain in World War II. Through much of the past 800 years, the county's ports had been relied upon to provide ships during times of war, especially the Cinque Ports in the 12th–14th centuries and Chatham Dockyard in the 16th–20th centuries.
Kent is known as the Garden of England due to its agricultural influence, extensive orchards and hop-gardens. Cement, papermaking and aircraft construction have also been major industries in North West Kent, although these are now in decline. Tourism and service industries have grown throughout the county in recent years.
The area has been occupied since the Lower Palaeolithic as finds from the quarries at Swanscombe attest. During the Neolithic the Medway megaliths were built and there is a rich sequence of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman occupation indicated by finds and features such as the Ringlemere gold cup and the Roman villas of the Darent valley.[1]
The modern name of Kent is derived from the Brythonic word Cantus meaning a rim or border, being applied as a name to the eastern part of the current county area, and meaning border land or coastal district. Julius Caesar described it as Cantium, home of the Cantiaci in 51 BC.[2]
The extreme west of the modern county was occupied by other Iron Age tribes; the Regnenses and possibly another ethnic group occupying The Weald. East Kent became one of the kingdoms of the Jutes during the fifth century AD (see Kingdom of Kent)[3] and the area was later known as Cantia from about 730 and Cent in 835. The early Mediaeval inhabitants of the county were known as the Cantwara or Kent people, whose capital was Canterbury.[4]
Canterbury is the religious centre of the Anglican faith, and see of St Augustine of Canterbury. Augustine is traditionally credited with bringing Christianity to the county and thus to England in 597.[5] Rochester is another of Kent's religious centres, the see being founded in 604.[6]
Following the invasion of Britain by William of Normandy the people of Kent adopted the motto Invicta meaning undefeated and claiming that they had frightened the Normans out of the county. Although, in reality the Normans were only in Kent en route to London. Once London was reached, the Normans ignored most of East Kent due to attacks by peasants. As a result, Kent became a semi-autonomous County Palatine under William's half-brother Odo of Bayeux, with the special powers otherwise reserved for counties bordering Wales and Scotland.[7]
During the medieval and early modern period, Kent produced several of England's most notable rebellions. Kent provided the main force, led by Wat Tyler, for the Peasants' Revolt of 1381,[8] as well as producing Jack Cade's Kent rebellion of 1450, and Wyatt's Rebellion of 1553 against Mary I.[9]
Canterbury became a great pilgrimage site following the martyrdom of Thomas Becket,[10] who was eventually canonised in 1246.[11] Canterbury's religious role also gave rise to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a key development in the rise of the written English language and ostensibly set in the countryside of Kent. Rochester had its own martyr, William of Perth, and in 1256 Lawrence, Bishop of Rochester travelled to Rome to obtain Williams canonisation.[11]
The Royal Navy first used the River Medway in 1547 when a storehouse was rented on 'Jyllingham Water'. By the reign of Elizabeth I (1558–1603) a small dockyard had been established at Chatham. By 1618, storehouses, a ropewalk, a drydock and houses for officials had been built downstream from Chatham.[12]
By the 17th century, tensions between Britain and the continental powers of the Netherlands and France led to increasing military build-up in the county. Forts were built all along the coast following a daring raid by the Dutch navy on the shipyards of the Medway towns in 1667.[13]
The 18th Century was dominated with wars with France, and the Medway became the prime position to base a fleet that would act against the Dutch and French Coasts. When the theatre of operation moved to the Atlantic, these roles were assumed by Portsmouth and Plymouth, and Chatham concentrated on shipbuilding and ship repair. Many of the Georgian naval buildings are still extant. In peacetime the work force at Chatham Dockyard was reduced to a quarter of its wartime roll.[12] As an indication of the area's military importance, the first Ordnance Survey map ever drawn was the 1 inch map of Kent, published in 1801.[14]
Chatham Dockyard built over 400 naval ships, including HMS Victory in the age of ships of the line, ironclads such as HMS Africa 1905, and 57 submarines. During World War II, Chatham refitted 1360 warships such as HMS Ajax.[12] Charles Dickens' father worked in the Dockyard, and Chatham, Rochester and the Cliffe marshes were to feature in many of his books.[15]
In the early 1800s smugglers were very active on the Kent coastline, with gangs such as The Aldington Gang bringing spirits, tobacco and salt to Kent, and taking goods like wool across to France.[16]
During World War II, much of the Battle of Britain was fought in the skies over the county. Between June 1944 and March 1945, over 10,000 V1 flying bombs, or Doodlebugs, were fired on London from bases in Northern France. Many were destroyed by aircraft, anti-aircraft guns or barrage balloons, but around 2500 fell on the capital and almost the same number fell in Kent. These areas became known as Doodlebug Alley.[17]
Kent's borders have changed several times over the years. In 1881 the County of London was created and the townships of Deptford, Greenwich, Woolwich, Lee, Eltham, Charlton, Kidbrooke and Lewisham were transferred out of Kent. Similarly, in 1965, the London Borough of Bromley and the London Borough of Bexley were created from nine Kent towns.[18]
In 1998, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham left the administrative county of Kent to form the Unitary Authority of Medway. However, they remain in the ceremonial county of Kent.[19] During this local government reorganisation, Rochester lost its official city status through an administrative oversight, but attempts are now being made to regain it.[20]
Kent is traditionally divided into West Kent and East Kent by approximately the River Medway. This division into east and west is also reflected in the term 'Men of Kent' for residents east of the Medway; those from west are known as 'Kentish Men'. The female equivalents are 'Maid of Kent' and 'Kentish Maid'.[21]
Kent is the south eastern most county in England. It is bounded on the north by the River Thames and the North Sea, and on the south by the Straits of Dover and the English Channel. The continent of Europe is a mere across the Strait.[22]
The major geographical features of the county are determined by a series of ridges running from west to east across the county. These ridges are the remains of the Wealden dome, a denuded anticline across Kent and Sussex, which was the result of uplifting caused by the Alpine movements 10–20 million years ago. The dome was formed of an upper layer of chalk above subsequent layers of upper greensand, upper clay, lower greensand, lower clay and red sandstone. The top of the dome eventually eroded away through weathering and ridges and valleys resulted across Kent and Sussex, due to the exposed clay eroding at a faster rate than the exposed chalk, greensand and red sandstone.
Dartford, Gravesend, The Medway Towns, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Canterbury, Deal and Dover are built on chalk.[23][24] The eastern part of the Wealden dome was eroded away by the sea and the White cliffs of Dover occur where the North Downs meets the coast. From there to Westerham is now the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.[25] The chalk displays all its characteristic features such as steep sided dry valleys, and sunken roads.[24]
Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Ashford and Folkestone are built on the greensand,[23]
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From the 2005-06 school year, KCC and Medway introduced the standardised school year, based on six terms, as recommended by the Local Government Association following its 2000 report, "The Rhythms of Schooling", and its key recommendation that the six-term pattern would better meet the learning needs of children in the 21st century.[55]
Between September 2003 and August 2004, 70% of pupils in the Kent authority achieved Key Stage 2 Level 4 in mathematics, compared to 74% of pupils in England as a whole. 74% of pupils achieved Key Stage 2 Level 4 in English, compared to 78% of pupils nationally. 55.8% of pupils achieved five or more A*–C grades at GCSE Level or equivalent, compared to 53.7% nationally.[56]
As of the 2001 census, the highest academic qualification attained by residents aged between 16 and 74 in the Kent LEA area was 16.8% a higher education qualification or the equivalent, 8.0% two or more A levels or the equivalent, 21.0% five or more GCSE grades A*–C or the equivalent, and 18.2% one or more GCSEs passes or the equivalent. 28.3% had no qualifications and 7.7% had a qualification of an unknown level.[57]
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The Weald derives its ancient name from the Germanic word wald meaning simply woodland.[26]H. L. Edlin, Wood-Names And Tree-Names On The Maps Of Britain, 1952.
The Wealden dome is a Mesozoic structure lying on a Palaeozoic foundation, which usually creates the right conditions for coal formation. This is found in East Kent roughly between Deal, Canterbury and Dover. The coal measures within the Westphalian Sandstone are deep (below 244 m – 396 m) and subject to flooding. They occur in two major troughs, which extend under the English Channel where similar coalfields are sited.[27]Geology of Kent and Boulonnais, The Geology Shop, 2000.
Seismic activity has occasionally been recorded in Kent, though the epicentre is offshore. In 1382 and 1580 there were two earthquakes exceeding 6.0 on the Richter Scale. In 1776, 1950 and 28 April 2007 there were earthquakes of around 4.3. The 2007 earthquake caused physical damage in Folkestone.[28]Quake causes Kent Families to flee Homes, The Guardian, 2007-04-29.
The coastline of Kent is continually changing, due to uplift and tidal erosion. The Isle of Thanet was till recently (AD 960) an island, formed around a deposit of chalk. The channels silted up with alluvium. Similarly Romney Marsh and Dungeness have been formed by accumulation of alluvium.[24]
Kent's principal river, the River Medway, rises near Edenbridge and flows some eastwards to a point near Maidstone when it turns north. Here it breaks through the North Downs at Rochester before joining the River Thames as its final tributary near Sheerness.[29]Bowskill, Derek, Map Of The River Medway.
The wide range of habitats in the area gives the county a rich variety of Kent’s plant and animal species. These habitats are the consequence of a combination of several different factors including climate, geology, relief and land use.
Kent Wildlife Trust manages the Local Wildlife Sites system in Kent, and manages over 60 wildlife reserves over the county of Kent.[30]Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust.
As of the 2001 UK census,[32]Neighbourhood Statistics, Statistics.gov.uk.
The ethnicity of the Kent was 96.5% white, 0.9% mixed race, 0.3% Chinese, 1.7% other Asian and 0.4% black. The place of birth of residents was 94.2% United Kingdom, 0.7% Republic of Ireland, 0.5% Germany, 0.9% other Western Europe countries, 0.3% Eastern Europe, 0.8% Africa, 0.6% Far East, 0.9% South Asia, 0.2% Middle East, 0.4% North America, 0.1% South America and 0.3% Oceania. Religion was recorded as 74.6% Christian, 0.7% Sikh, 0.6% Muslim, 0.4% Hindu, 0.2% Buddhist and 0.1% Jewish. 15.2% were recorded as having no religion, 0.3% had an alternative religion and 7.8% didn't state their religion.
Kent County Council and its 12 district councils administer the majority of the county (3352 km²), while the unitary authority Medway Council administers the more densely populated remainder (192km²). Together they have around 300 town and parish councils. Kent County Council's headquarters in Maidstone,[33]Council and democracy, Kent County Council.
Kent County Council has 84 elected councillors.[35]2005 - Election Results In Kent, Kent Liberal Democrat.
At national level, Kent is represented in Parliament by seventeen MPs, ten of which are Conservative and seven are Labour. It is part of the South East region of the UK that elects a total of 10 members to the European Parliament.[38]UK MEPs, UK Office Of The European Parliament.
The average hours worked a week by residents of Kent in employment were 43.1 for males and 30.9 for females. Their industry of employment was 17.3% retail, 12.4% manufacturing, 11.8% real estate, 10.3% health and social work, 8.9% construction, 8.2% transport and communications, 7.9% education, 6.0% public administration and defence, 5.6% finance, 4.8% other community and personal service activities, 4.1% hotels and restaurants, 1.6% agriculture, 0.8% energy and water supply, 0.2% mining and 0.1% private households. Compared to figures for the whole of England, Kent had a relatively high number of workers in construction and transport/communications, and had a relatively low number of workers in manufacturing.
The following chart shows the trend of the economic indicator gross value added (GVA) at current basic prices with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.[39]Regional Gross Value Added, Office for National Statistics.
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Components may not sum to totals due to rounding includes energy and construction includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured
The table shows a significant drop in agriculture between 1995 and 2000. Industry and services are increasing their contribution to the area, services at a higher rate.
The district of Thanet has been regarded as one of the most disadvantaged areas in the south-east of England,[40]Deprivation in Kent, Kent County Council, June 2006.
Kent is sometimes known as the Garden of England because of its agricultural influence, extensive orchards and hop-gardens. Distinctive hop-drying buildings called oast houses are common in the countryside, although many have been converted into dwellings. Nearer London, market gardens also flourish.
Cement-making, paper-making, and coal-mining were important industries in Kent during the 19th and 20th century. Cement came to the fore in the 19th century when massive building projects were being undertaken. The ready supply of chalk available, and huge pits between Stone and Gravesend bear testament to that industry. There were also other workings around Burham on the tidal Medway.[41]The Chatham News Index, Parret & Neves, 1996.
Kent's original paper mills stood on streams like the River Darent, tributaries of the River Medway, and on the Great Stour. Two 18th century mills were on the River Len and at Tovil on the River Loose. In the late 19th century huge modern mills were built at Dartford and Northfleet on the River Thames; and at Kemsley on The Swale.
From about 1900, several coal pits operated in east Kent. The East Kent coalfield was mined during the 20th century at several collieries,[42]Coal fields Heritage Initiative, Dover Museum.
In medieval times, the Weald was of national importance for its iron industry and cloth-making.
With the Roman invasion, a road network was constructed to contact London to the Channel Ports of Dover, Lympne and Richborough. The London–Dover road was Watling Street. These road are now approximately the A2, B2068, A257, and the A28. The A2 runs through Dartford (A207), Gravesend, Rochester, Canterbury and Dover. The A20 through Eltham, Wrotham, Maidstone, Charing, Ashford. Hythe, Folkestone and Dover. The A21 through Bromley, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and on to Hastings in East Sussex.[18] In 1960s, two motorways were built; the M2 from Medway to Faversham, and the M20 from Swanley to Folkestone. Part of the M25 runs through Kent, from Westerham to the Kent and Essex tunnel at Dartford. The Dartford tunnel has been joined by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, allowing four lanes in each direction.
The medieval Cinque Ports of Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hasting, and later Rye and Winchelsea have now silted up with the exception of Dover, which is now a busy roll-on/roll-off ferry port. Ramsgate is a container port. The Medway Estuary has been an important port and naval base for 500 years. The River Medway is tidal up to Allington and navigable up to Tonbridge. There are two canals on Kent, the Royal Miliary Canal between Hythe and Rye, which is still extant, and the Thames and Medway Canal between Strood and Gravesend. Built in 1824, it was bought up by the railways in 1846 and backfilled.[18]
The earliest locomotive driven, passenger carrying railway in Britain was the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway which opened in 1830.[44]The lost railway, BBC.
The two companies merged in 1899, forming the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR). In the aftermath of World War One, the government's Railways Act 1921 grouped railway companies together, with the SECR joining neighbouring LBSCR and LSWR forming the Southern Railway.[45] Britain's railways were nationalised in 1948, forming British Rail. The railways were privatised again in 1996, with most Kent passenger services being run by Connex South Eastern.[46]Failed rail franchise 'needed time', BBC, 2003-11-13.
The Channel Tunnel was completed in the 1990s and was connected by a high speed link to London Waterloo via Ashford International. In late 2007, the London terminus will move from Waterloo to St Pancras and an extra station, Ebbsfleet International, will open between Dartford and Gravesend in Kent.[48]New station means Eurostar change, BBC, 2006-09-12.
In addition to the "mainline" railways there are several light, heritage and industrial railways in Kent. There are three heritage, standard gauge railways; Spa Valley Railway near Tunbridge Wells on the old Tunbridge Wells West branch, East Kent Railway on the old East Kent coalfield area and the Kent and East Sussex Railway on the Weald around Tenterden. In addition there is the 15 inch gauge, tourist oriented Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway on the south east Kent coast along the Dungeness peninsular and the 2ft 6in, ex industrial Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway.
Kent has London Biggin Hill Airport, Kent International Airport at Manston and London Ashford Airport at Lydd. A limited number of charter flights and private jets use London Ashford Airport[49]London Ashford Airport, London Ashford Airport.
The county has three universities; Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Kent with campuses in Canterbury and Medway, and University of Greenwich with sites at Woolwich, Eltham and Medway. Whereas much of the UK adopted a comprehensive education system in the 1970s, Kent County Council and Medway Unitary Authority are among around 15[52]Call for end to selective education as 'grammar school areas' fail, Independant, 2007-01-20.
KCC has the largest education department of any local authority in the UK,[54]Kent's selective schools compared, BBC News, 2003-01-17.