Staplehurst

In comparison to most Kentish villages, Staplehurst offers such a large population that by many standards it should be considered a town. Home to around six thousand residents according to the last census of 2001, this large village is situated just south of Maidstone along the course of the A229- the major road that runs from the north to the south of Kent. Although in terms of population Staplehurst could give neighbouring towns a run for their money, in terms of facilities and local amenities the village is somewhat lacking in the "town" criteria. It has no large supermarket, as smaller local shops offer all the residents need on a day to day basis. In fact, the majority of these shops are featured along The Parade, the village's most central parade of shops.

As is the case with the majority of traditional villages, the village pub is a centre point of life in Staplehurst; The Bell Inn, The Pride of Kent and The Railway Tavern are amongst the most popular in Staplehurst, with both locals and visitors to the Staplehurst alike.

Staplehurst's earliest history is thought to trace back to the Saxon period, since the name itself has Anglo Saxon origins. The word "Staple" meaning post, and "Hurst" being a clearing in a woods or forest. The village was also effected by the German Doodlebug bombing campaign during World War Two; the majority of bombs that actually hit Staplehurst and its surroundings were not dropped intentionally, it was simply because Staplehurst lay along the flight path towards London and the enemy sometimes misjudged their target. All in all Staplehurst escaped relatively unscathed but there was some significant damage to some of the more traditional village cottages, including the particularly valued Mill House. The local history society remains active in trying to piece together the exact locations of every bomb that fell on the village, and have involved local schools and community projects in their research. A total of three churches stand within the Staplehurst parish; the largest is the actual "parish church", the All Saints' Church, which stands at the highest point in the village.

Although it has always been a relatively large settlement, during the 1980s Staplehurst experiences a particularly large and sudden increase in population. This was so much so that the local primary school had to be moved and relocated from its traditional stone building to a new site near the village centre shops. The older school building is now used as a village community centre. The population boom of the eighties is somewhat explained by the "communting" trend which developed around this time; workers wanting to benefit from the city wages but simultaneously avoid London property and living expenses. Staplehurst Railway Station is consequently very busy as commuters take advantage of the good connections into London. Staplehurst is actually on the line into Ashford International, London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street, so the village is well connected throughout the south east of England. Good transport and communication links are another factor offered as an explanation for its large population and increasing popularity. However the history of Staplehurst's railroad has not always been so positive. In 1865 the Staplehurst rail crash meant the loss of ten lives and injury to forty seven other passengers. Charles Dickens was also on board the train and was affected by the incident for the rest of his life.

In 2003 Staplehurst was awarded the prestigious "Kent Village of the Year" prize. The prolific Securitas depot robbery attempt of 2006 also put Staplehurst on the map, as the village was the centre of police investigations.