Stone, Kent

For Stone in Swale see Stone.

Stone, also known as Stone-next-Dartford, is one of a string of villages lying along the Dartford to Gravesend road on the south bank of the River Thames in Kent, England.

History

Iron Age remains have been found here, proving it to be an ancient settlement site. The 13th century parish church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin at Stone, was known as the "Lantern of Kent" from its beacon light known to all sailors on the river. It is one of Kent's most dramatic churches and is renowned for its Gothic carvings from Westminster workshop.

Stone Castle

Located about a mile to the south of Greenhithe and just north of the Roman Watling Street, Stone Castle dates from the mid-11th century, and is thought to have been constructed without license during the reign of King Stephen, but which was later permitted to remain by King Henry II, with his accession to the throne.

The castle was built almost entirely of flint. The only surviving portion of the original medieval castle intact is its large rectangular tower, rising 40 feet in height. An adjoining Georgian house was built onto the tower by Sir Richard Wiltshire; in 1527 Cardinal Wolsey stayed at his house while passing through the district. In more recent times the property has belonged to the Church of England.

Stone today

Stone Castle is now the regional office of a large cement manufacturer. The cement works which once stood here have now been demolished.

Littlebrook Power Station, at Stone, is one of at least twenty power stations built at various times along the banks of the Thames.

Stone Crossing Halt is located on the Dartford-Gravesend railway line.

Demography

Stone compared
2001 UK Census	Stone	Dartford District	England
Total population	6,252	85,911	49,138,831
Foreign born	5.2%	5.8%	9.2%
White	95.9%	94.5%	90.9%
Asian	1.6%	3.2%	4.6%
Black	1.3%	0.9%	2.3%
Christian	71%	73.3%	72%
Muslim	0.3%	0.7%	3.1%
Hindu	0.4%	0.8%	1.1%
No religion	17.4%	15.1%	15%
Unemployed	3.1%	2.5%	3.3%

As of the 2001 UK census, the Stone electoral ward had a population of 6,252.

The ethnicity was 95.9% white, 0.9% mixed race, 1.6% Asian, 1.3% black and 0.3% other. The place of birth of residents was 94.8% United Kingdom, 0.8% Republic of Ireland, 0.9% other Western European countries, and 3.5% elsewhere. Religion was recorded as 71% Christian, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.4% Hindu, 0.5% Sikh and 0.3% Muslim. 17.4% were recorded as having no religion, 0.2% had an alternative religion and 9.9% did not state their religion.

The economic activity of residents aged 16–74 was 49.7% in full-time employment, 10.8% in part-time employment, 6.9% self-employed, 3.1% unemployed, 1.8% students with jobs, 1.6% students without jobs, 10.1% retired, 7.7% looking after home or family, 4.8% permanently sick or disabled and 3.5% economically inactive for other reasons. The industry of employment of residents was 22% retail, 14.6% manufacturing, 10% construction, 10.6% real estate, 10.2% health and social work, 5.6% education, 9% transport and communications, 3.8% public administration, 3.4% hotels and restaurants, 4.5% finance, 0.6% agriculture and 5.7% other. Of the ward's residents aged 16–74, 12% had a higher education qualification or the equivalent, compared with 19.9% nationwide.

External links

• Parish Council website

References