Loose

Loose is a village some 2 miles south of Maidstone, Kent, situated at the head of the Loose Valley, with which it forms the Loose Valley Conservation Area. The fast- flowing River Loose which rises near Langley runs through the centre of the village and once supported a paper-making industry, evidence of which can still be found. An area round the village is also known as Loose, but Loose village itself is based in the Loose valley and extends along Busbridge Road towards Tovil. The name is believed to be taken from the Loose Stream, which "loses" itself for several miles underground from the point where it rises in Langley .

Loose originated in Saxon times, but its main period of growth was during the Industrial Revolution, when Loose, Boughton Monchelsea and Bockingford developed around the seven mills powered by the Loose Stream. There are several remains of the mills, including millraces at Leg O'Mutton Pond, Gurney's Mill, Loose Village Mill in Bridge Street, the mill ponds at Little and Great Ivy mills, and further down the valley in Crismill and Hayle, where the old paper mill stands with one remaining chimney. This site has now been redeveloped as housing. Further south are disused mine pits where Kentish ragstone was once mined, some being sent for use at the Tower of London. South along the Loose Road , terminating at the post office, ran a tram track to and from Maidstone, the trams were replaced by trolley buses in 1928, which were in turn replaced by motor buses in 1968.

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