The Village Today

Bearsted is a community on the outskirts of Maidstone in Kent and has a population of approximately 9,500 persons. It has well-defined boundaries with the railway line to the north, the River Len to the south, Willington Street to the west and the grounds of the Marriott Hotel and Country Club to the east.

There are three separate areas of shops - Ashford Road, Egremont Road and the Green - which cater for the majority of people's needs together with Doctors and Dentists surgeries and various other treatment outlets. There are four schools in Bearsted for both Infant and Junior children but when attaining secondary school age children have to travel outside the area.

Bearsted Parish Council has 15 Councillors who meet once a month for the main Council meeting but there are several smaller Committees which meet to discuss items such as Planning, Finance, Transport, Open Spaces and Youth. The Parish Office is situated in Madginford Hall and is manned 4 days a week by the Clerk, Mr Clive Palferman.

The Parish is represented on the Borough Council by Mr Richard Ash, Mr Allan Bradshaw and Mrs Pat Marshall.

There are several sports clubs operating in Bearsted covering cricket, football, tennis, bowls and badminton. Also in the village there are various organisations catering for all ages such as WI, Scouts, Guides and Active Retirement.

Bearsted is a thriving community and maintains a separate identity from Maidstone because the urban sprawl is prevented from encroaching on the village due to the protection afforded by the green areas of Banky Meadow and Mote Park.