Our Community
Location and History
Allington is an almost entirely modern settlement, which has developed on either side of the busy A20 road to the north west of Maidstone, the County Town of Kent.
The River Medway acts as the parish boundary to the east, from the M20 in the north right down into the centre of Maidstone, and includes on its western bank the picturesque Allington Castle, built in the 13th Century and now a private residence.
The original settlement of Allington grew up around this castle and the nearby lock. In 1841 there was a population here of 49 and a small church dedicated to St Laurence. The growth of the current suburban area either side of the A20 began in the 1930's and has continued expanding outwards steadily since.
In 1938 the original St Nicholas Church (now the Main Church Hall) was opened at the centre of the new development, to be replaced in 1975 by the present building. It incorporates a number of furnishings from the ancient St Laurence Church, which closed in 1969. The parish was then further enlarged to include St Peter's on the western banks of the Medway close to the town centre.
Because of the way it has developed, Allington lacks an obvious 'village centre'. The Mid Kent Shopping Centre and nearby library, probably come closest to fulfilling that role but are situated near the northern edge of the parish. Residents of the substantial new housing developments at the southern tip of the parish are geographically very remote from all of Allington's community buildings and spaces.
Demographics
The current population of St Nicholas parish is c13,000 and growing with each additional housing development. There is a good social and age mix of retired, middle-aged and young families occupying the different types of residential development, the vast majority of which (over 90%) is owner-occupied. Over 80% of the population own at least one vehicle.
In this largely residential area employment levels are high (less than 2% unemployed) with many people working in Maidstone and the surrounding area. The parish itself includes major retail stores plus some business and light industry. Frequent train services and a nearby motorway junction enable a proportion of the working population to commute to London or other towns in Kent or beyond. The average distance travelled to work is 15km.
In the 2001 census, over 75% of the population of Allington described themselves as Christian. Less than 3% stated that they belonged to another religion.
Community Activity
There are three large state primary schools in the parish, a private preparatory school, a mixed comprehensive school and a girls' grammar school as well as several pre-school playgroups and nursery schools. Contacts between St Nicholas Church and the schools are good and well established.
The parish houses over 50% of Maidstone's care homes, many in the large Victorian houses on Queen's Road. Within the parish is the Somerfield private hospital. Maidstone District General Hospital and the Heart of Kent Hospice are located on the western edge of the parish.
A large number of active clubs and societies, and uniformed youth groups meet in the Church Halls, Sports Pavilion, Community Centre and in the schools. Sports facilities in the parish include bowls, tennis, football and cricket, and there are a number of well-equipped local play areas for children of differing ages. The parish includes a number of hotels and restaurants, and at its southern tip, the town market, a multiplex cinema and several nightclubs.
To the south of St Nicholas Church, Allington Baptist Church occupies a prominent site on the London Road and has an active congregation which supports many community and outreach projects. Good links exist between the two churches. Also on the London Road is a large Centre for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons).