East Cowes
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East Cowes | |
---|---|
Union Flag doors. | |
Location within the Isle of Wight | |
Area | 5.0924 km2 (1.9662 sq mi) [1] |
Population | 8,428 (2021 Census) |
• Density | 1,655/km2 (4,290/sq mi) |
OS grid reference | SZ493958 |
Civil parish |
|
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | EAST COWES |
Postcode district | PO32 |
Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Ambulance | Isle of Wight |
UK Parliament | |
East Cowes is a town and
The two towns are connected by the
East Cowes is the site of
History
The name Estcowe (East Cowes) originally comes from one of two sandbanks each side of the
The settlement of Shamblord at East Cowes was first recorded in 1303. It grew as East Shamblord, and became a much more significant settlement than the Western Shamblord. As the Isle of Wight was the target of frequent French invasions, with some notable incursions, the fort built at East Cowes was later destroyed and should not be confused with the "East Cowes Castle" built subsequently by John Nash.
During the reign of Queen Victoria, who made her summer home at Osborne by acquiring and rebuilding Osborne House, East Cowes was the subject of planned estate of grand houses, groves and parks. The scheme, not finding the finances it needed, was folded, but a few residences built in the early stages still survive to this day such as the former Albert Grove residences of Kent House and Powys House on York Avenue.
In East Cowes
During
To celebrate the
In January 2015, the
after developing a heavy list, roughly five miles (eight kilometres) north of the entrance to the River Medina. It has since been re-floated, repaired, and returned to service.Transport
East Cowes is linked to the mainland by Red Funnel’s vehicle ferry service. The Cowes Floating Bridge links East Cowes with Cowes throughout the day. It is a chain ferry, and is one of the few remaining not to be replaced by a physical bridge.
Southern Vectis operate bus route 4 linking the town with Ryde and bus routes route 5 and 25 linking the town with Newport including intermediate villages.[8]
The Isle of Wight Coastal Path runs through East Cowes.[9]
Industry
Local industry in both Cowes and East Cowes has always centred on the building and design of marine craft and materials associated with boatmaking, including the early flying boats, and sailmaking.
East Cowes was also once home to the aircraft manufacturer
The former Saunders-Roe factory at Venture Quays now produces wind turbines, which can be seen laid on the quay for shipping out. Due to local objections no wind turbines have been allowed to be erected on the Isle of Wight.
Sport and leisure
East Cowes has a Non-League football club East Cowes Victoria Athletic A.F.C., which plays at Beatrice Avenue. They are also home to FC Bayern Bru who play in the islands Leisure Leagues 6-a-side league at Beatrice Avenue. They won the league title in their inaugural season in the winter of 2013.
Famous residents
- Prince Albert
- Princess Henry of Battenberg, later known as Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom, who resided at Osborne Cottage.
- Seb Clover (born 1987) – in 2003, Clover set the world record as the youngest cross-Atlantic solo yachtsman, and lived in East Cowes
- Sir Christopher Cockerell, inventor of the hovercraft, lived at White Cottage.
- Sir George Shedden
- Roscow George Shedden- Colonial bishop of Nassau
- John Nash – architect
- field marshal and commander of the British Expeditionary Force
- Lord Mountbatten of Burma (in childhood), later last Viceroy of India at Kent House, East Cowes
Redevelopment Project
The East Cowes Redevelopment Project was set up by
for the flagship project for the Cowes Waterfront Initiate, which includes redeveloping the town centre of East Cowes. It was intended that such changes would create better employment opportunities and a better environment for residents and visitors alike, providing a unique opportunity to improve East Cowes and create better investment for businesses.On 6 April 2010, work started on the new Waitrose store on Well Road on the old site of the hovercraft development building. Recruitment for jobs for the new Waitrose Store started during August/September 2010; there were 160 jobs available throughout the store and over 800 people applied.
Part of the redevelopment also included the building of more houses known as "Victoria Walk" and David Wilson[10] was chosen to be the builder. Advertising boards were placed on Old Road in East Cowes with building work commencing soon after.
In 2013, work began to create a new 300 berth marina inside a new breakwater. The plan included a new hotel, restaurant and 100 new homes.
During August 2012, a new Medical Centre opened at Church Path, near Waitrose. The former Medical Centre at Down House (the former home of respected local GP Dr Down), on York Avenue, was closed.[11]
Library
During December 2010, under a cost-cutting plan by the Isle of Wight Council it was decided most local libraries across the Island would close in March 2011, with just Newport and Ryde remaining open. Sandown, Cowes, Ventnor & Freshwater remained open until March 2012, during which time community groups were sought to continue the upkeep and running of the libraries.
East Cowes was one of the libraries set to close in March 2011, but was saved by East Cowes Town Council who appealed for volunteers to continue running the library. It remains at the town centre premises near to the Co-op supermarket, with an outlook to move to newer premises in the near future. Whilst under the Isle of Wight Council ownership it opened around 30 hours a week; this was reduced to around 12 hours per week.
See also
- St. James's Church, East Cowes
- East Cowes Castle
- Frank James Hospital
- List of current places of worship on the Isle of Wight
References
- ^ Office for National Statistics: QS102EW - Population density retrieved 30 May 2017
- ^ "The Council". East Cowes Town Council. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ "English Parishes & Welsh Communities N&C 2004". www.statistics.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 9 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
- ^ "East Cowes". City Population. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "Cowes UD". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Special celebration of ship that saved Cowes". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
- ^ "BBC H2G2 - East Cowes, Isle of Wight". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
- ^ "Southern Vectis bus routes". www.islandbuses.info. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
- ^ "About Britain - Isle of Wight Coastal Path". www.aboutbritain.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2014. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
- ^ David Wilson Homes. "David Wilson Homes". David WIison Homes. Archived from the original on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
- ^ Island Pulse: New medical centre to open in East Cowes Archived 20 April 2013 at archive.today
External links
- J Samuel White's shipyard - Maritime information on HMS Cavalier.
- The East Cowes Heritage Centre - Local history centre.
- Old postcards of Cowes, Gurnard, East Cowes and Osborne House.
- East Cowes Tourist Information, Accommodation Guide and Photo's.