From the Gazette, 15 October 1974.

VISITING KINGSWOOD.

The problem with Kingswood is finding it; for the maps do not mark it as a village.

Rather more of a blob than a village with a centre; more an area than a cohesive whole.

A place arbitrarily divided into different postal districts, telephone districts and administrative districts. A place where neighbours can owe allegiances to different authorities.

Laying to the south of the A20 and Leeds Castle it has never achieved the status of a village.

Starting life as sporadic rural development and taking the focal point of a church or a village hall, Kingswood hereafter referred to as the "village" lies spread-eagled between Sutton Valance and Ulcombe.

Until 10 years ago it retained a speckled pattern of development over the whole parish.

But five years ago saw a sudden explosion of population and large scale housing development. Within two years nearly100 houses were built.

Whereas before the nature of the village had been essentially rural, a suburban satellite of Maidstone sprang up almost overnight. The commuter became commonplace, the farm worker rare.

As the village's name suggests the area is well wooded and provides a picturesque drive or walk on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Farming in the area is diverse and includes soft fruit, animal and arable agriculture.

But with no signposts marking boundaries you could soon find yourself in a neighbouring village wondering where you took a wrong turn.

Kingswood saw the demise of its village constable many years ago. Today there is only the quick flash of a Panda car.

And in these days of economic strife the local bus timetable gets ever shorter. The last bus back to the village in the evening leaves Maidstone about 7 o'clock.

Although the village has no church or village hall, a new primary school is being built which should be finished in the new year.