Bobbing, Kent

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox UK place

| country = England

| coordinates = {{coord|51.349998|0.700000|display=inline,title}}

| official_name = Bobbing

| population = 1,969

| population_ref = (2011 Census)

| static_image_name = St Bartholomew, Bobbing, Kent - geograph.org.uk - 324733.jpg

| static_image_caption = St Bartholomew, Bobbing, Kent

| shire_district = Swale

| shire_county = Kent

| region = South East England

| constituency_westminster = Sittingbourne and Sheppey

| post_town = Sittingbourne

| postcode_district = ME9

| postcode_area = ME

| dial_code = 01795

| os_grid_reference = TQ8865

}}

Bobbing is a village and civil parish in the Swale district of Kent, England, about a mile north-west of Sittingbourne, and forming part of its urban area. The hamlet of Howt Green and village of Keycol are included within the parish. According to the 2011 census Bobbing parish had a population of 1,969.{{cite web|title=Neighbourhood Statistics Bobbing (Parish)|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=5&b=11120879&c=Bobbing&d=16&e=13&g=6438616&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1442699627664&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2490|website=Office for National Statistics|publisher=Gov UK|accessdate=19 September 2015|date=March 2011}}

The parish of Bobbing, according to Edward Hasted in 1800, contains about seven hundred and eighty acres of land, of which forty were wood.{{cite journal |last=Hasted |first=Edward |date=1800 |title=Parishes |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=62958 |journal=The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |volume=6 |pages=192–203 |accessdate=12 February 2014}}

The mediaeval manor house of Bobbing Court, now a Grade II listed ruin, was built by the Savage family; it passed to Henry Clifford, Esq., who ceded it to the distinguished soldier Sir Conyers Clifford, and then by marriage into the St. Leger family.Mosley ed. Burke's Peerage 107th Edition Vol.1 p.1160

The village church, St Bartholomew, is a grade I listed building.{{cite web|title=Church of St Bartholomew, Bobbing|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-176041-church-of-st-bartholomew-bobbing-kent#.VfcgFvlViko|website=British Listed Buildings|accessdate=14 September 2015}} It is within the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sittingbourne.{{cite web|title=St Bartholomew, Bobbing|url=http://www.achurchnearyou.com/bobbing/|website=A Church Near You|publisher=Archbishops' Council|accessdate=14 September 2015|date=25 August 2015}} According to Edward Hasted in 1798, the church consisted of two small aisles and two chancels, having a tall spire steeple at the west end of it, in which are five bells.{{cite journal|last1=Hasted|first1=Edward|title=Parishes Bobbing|journal=The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent|date=1798|volume=6|pages=192–203|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol6/pp192-203|accessdate=14 September 2015|publisher=Institute of Historical Research}}

The strange career of Titus Oates, inventor of the Popish Plot, included a brief period as Vicar of Bobbing.Kenyon, J.P. The Popish Plot Phoenix Press reissue 2000 p.54 He was presented with the living by the local squire, Sir George Moore (who had recently purchased Bobbing Court) in 1673, but his drunkenness and blasphemy so horrified his parishioners that they ejected him before the end of the year.Kenyon p.54

In 2003, the Cremation Society of Great Britain opened the "Garden of England Crematorium" on the outskirts of the village.{{cite web|title=Garden of England Crematorium|url=http://www.thelondoncremation.co.uk/the-garden-of-england-crematorium/|website=London Cremation Company|publisher=The London Cremation Company plc|accessdate=14 September 2015|date=2014}}