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The Constituency Bean
The Constituency Bean
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Bean Bean, located some three miles east of Dartford, is a small village close to the A2, the former Roman Road to Dover known as Watling Street.It is thought that people first settled in the area around the 13th Century. Unlike many other parts of the constituency, Bean is given no mention in the Domesday Book or other medieval records. Given the fertile soils, the area has generally been used for agriculture. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the Parish was the location for one of the beacons used as a warning of the Spanish Armada. In past times, Southfleet Road was known as Beaccon Lane (16th Century spelling). The beacon, located in what is now the country park, has given name to a number of local landmarks, such as Beacon House and Beacon Wood Country Park. The 19th Century saw the arrival of industry into the area with the opening of the Ely Cartridge Powder Co. gunpowder factory, located on the site of the old beacon. Cottages were also built to house the local work force. However despite the arrival of industry, the area remained slow to adopt new technologies, and indeed did not receive an electricity supply until 1947. |
© 2008 Dr Howard Stoate - Member of Parliament for Dartford
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