New Alresford
New Alresford | ||
---|---|---|
Shire county | ||
Region | ||
Country | England | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
Post town | ALRESFORD | |
Postcode district | SO24 | |
Dialling code | 01962 | |
Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight | |
Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight | |
Ambulance | South Central | |
UK Parliament | ||
New Alresford or simply Alresford (
New Alresford has several shops, a tourist information centre, a central
History
There is evidence of
.New Alresford was founded in the 12th/13th century, the idea originally being that of
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Alresford_pond.jpg/220px-Alresford_pond.jpg)
This expansion also involved the construction of the Great Weir, an earth dam across the river south of Old Alresford, allowing the river to form Alresford Pond on what is now the north side of New Alresford village.Today, Alresford pond is at the centre of a 30.2-hectare (75-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest.[5]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Alresford_bridge_said_to_date_from_the_year_1190.jpg/170px-Alresford_bridge_said_to_date_from_the_year_1190.jpg)
A medieval stone bridge said to have been built about 1190 built is still in place on the north side of New Alresford and the flow of water through is the main outflow from Alresford Pond.[6]
New Alresford became established as a prosperous market town on the main road from Alton to Winchester south of the river. Commerce focussed on products from sheep and cattle such as wool and leather; and in the 14th century Alresford sheep markets were said to produce one of five highest turnovers in England.
Alresford sent two members to parliament until the population was reduced by the Black Death in 1348. In the 17th century the town made news as a dangerous place to live due to the uncommonly frequent fires which razed it; in the spring of 1644, the Battle of Cheriton took place on Cheriton Down, reaching the outskirts of Alresford.[7]
Much of the medieval town was destroyed by a fire in 1689/90 that destroyed 117 houses in the town as well as the church and Market House, another in 1710 and a 'like calamity' in 1736.[8] Much of the town was rebuilt in the 18th century, with many of the Georgian buildings that remain today.[9]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Shop_Fronts%2C_Broad_Street%2C_New_Alresford._-_geograph.org.uk_-_182876.jpg/220px-Shop_Fronts%2C_Broad_Street%2C_New_Alresford._-_geograph.org.uk_-_182876.jpg)
A
During the late 18th century, Alresford Cricket Club was one of the strongest sides in England.[10] Alresford Community Centre, formerly Alresford Town Hall, was completed in 1865.[11]
A
Art and tourism
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Alresford_-_The_Swan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1616514.jpg/220px-Alresford_-_The_Swan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1616514.jpg)
The town, crowned by its large T-shaped main street conservation area,[13] is an attractive art, rail and tourist destination, with its two classical, dense Georgian streets. Here can be found the Swan Hotel,[14] Bell Hotel,[15] jewellers, wine merchants, butchers, flower shops, toy shop, dress shops, the Alresford Gallery,[16] Candover Gallery[17] and tea rooms. There are three other public houses,[18] the largest being the Globe Inn, by one of the stream channels and the play area.[19]
Alresford railway station
Alresford railway station is at the south-western end of the Watercress Line – officially the Mid-Hants Railway. This heritage railway line runs steam and diesel trains, and gained its nickname from the fact that it used to be the line that took locally grown watercress up to London. The other end of the heritage line is Alton, which is also the terminus of the Alton line, enabling rail access for visitors from London.
St John's Church
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Alresford_St_John_the_Baptist.jpg/170px-Alresford_St_John_the_Baptist.jpg)
The 13th-century church of St John the Baptist was rebuilt in 1898 by Sir Arthur Blomfield in the Norman gothic perpendicular style, except the 14th century tower, although the top third of the tower is of 16th century red crenellated parapet brickwork.[20]
Brandy Mount House
Brandy Mount House is a Grade II listed building and is a short distance east of the church. In 2012 it was holding a
Water Cascade
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Alresford_cascade.jpg/170px-Alresford_cascade.jpg)
The overflow from New Alresford Pond flows down a stepped cascade at Mill Hill, then travels downstream to the river Itchen.
Itchen Valley brewery
The Itchen Valley brewery was founded in New Alresford in 1997.[23] The brewery produces a range of
The Fulling Mill
Education
There is one infant, one junior and one secondary school in Alresford with more than 140 staff and 2,000 pupils – Perins School (1,200 pupils –secondary school). This school converted to Academy status in 2011 and in September 2017 formed a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) with Sun Hill Junior School. In 2001 Perins was granted specialist status for leading the field in sport in Hampshire. This enabled Perins to open and complete a new state-of-art gym open to the public in the evenings, although the school no longer carries the title Community Sports College.
Sport and leisure
Alresford has a Non-League football club Alresford Town F.C., which plays at Arlebury Park. Alresford is also home to a rugby club, Alresford RFC, which plays its home games at Arlebury Park in the centre of Alresford.[citation needed]
Transport
New Alresford was formerly on both the
The town is served by a two bus routes operated by
Events
Alresford holds a number of community events throughout the year. Several are organised by or with New Alresford Town Council (NATC). All events which are held in the main streets within the original town (Broad Street, East Street, West Street) require the permission of the New Alresford Town Trust (NATT – a registered charity which preserves the town's traditional rights of access, to fairs and to street markets, preserves old documents and buildings, and runs a community minibus). A fee for street usage is usually payable by organisers, which helps in the Trust's other works, including running the local minibus which serves the elderly and disabled. A number of events are organised by The Alresford Pigs Association, which raises money in the local area for those in need, by the local Rotary club (such as the annual 5 November Fireworks at Arlebury Park), and by the town council.
The Watercress Festival
The town is famed for its production of watercress and is recognised as The Capital of Watercress.[29] Once a year New Alresford holds a festival on the third Sunday in May which attracts an enormous crowd; there is a street market with locally made food on sale and usually cookery demonstrations. From 2006 to 2008, Antony Worrall Thompson was the celebrity chef.[citation needed]
Alresford Show
The agricultural show, founded in 1908 and held at Tichborne Park since 1960, takes place on the first Saturday in September. Animals are shown, flowers and vegetables are judged, there is horsejumping and other entertainment. The Alresford Pigs and Alresford Rugby Club assist. Entry is chargeable.
Alresford fair
A one-day street fair takes place on 11 October (Old Michaelmas Day) or the first Thursday thereafter. The traditional English funfair, arrives on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning and sets up in Broad Street. The fair lasts from 3pm – 11pm and has to be gone by dawn on Friday. The main north–south road of Alresford (Broad Street) is closed to traffic.
Bonfire night
Organised by the local Rotary Club and usually held on 5 November. Traditionally the firework display is preceded by a torchlit procession starting in Broad Street making its way along West Street and up Pound Hill into Arlebury Park, the venue for the firework display. The display is always well attended with proceeds donated to local, national and international causes. Each year a 'Guy' is burned following tradition, with the Guys made by local schoolchildren.
Arrival of Father Christmas
The arrival of
The Duck Race
The Duck Race is organised by the Alresford Pigs and held biennially on odd numbered years. It brings the community out to watch several (decoy) duck races with 32 ducks in each race. The event, races and ducks are sponsored by a local family or business. It has been held for many years on the lawn at the Weir House, which has space for traditional fete activities such as Tea and Cake, Beer Tent, Tombola, as well as Scalextric Racing, Face Painting, Bouncy Castle, and Jazz Band. This is the largest fundraising event organised by The Alresford Pigs.
Charity
After the borough council was abolished under the
Governance
Alresford is part of the wider Itchen Valley Ward of Hampshire County Council, which stretches across the Northeast of the City of Winchester and includes several other parishes such as Itchen Valley. Itchen Valley has been represented since 2005 by Jackie Porter,[32] most recently elected in 2017:
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal Democrats | Jackie Porter | 3558 | 55 | ||
Conservative | Ernest David Jeffs | 2617 | 40 | ||
Green | Chris Hesketh-Roberts | 190 | 3 | ||
Labour | Richard Williams James | 157 | 2 | ||
Majority | 941 | ||||
Turnout | 6522 | 51 | |||
Liberal Democrats hold | Swing |
Alresford also elects three representatives to the City of Winchester District Council as part of the wider Alresford and Itchen Valley Ward. As with the Hampshire County Council War, this also includes Old Alresford. The ward is currently represented by one Conservative Councillor and two Liberal Democrat Councillors:
Election | Member[33][34] | Ward | |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Lisa Griffiths | Alresford & Itchen Valley | |
2018 | Margot Power | Alresford & Itchen Valley | |
2019 | Russell Gordon-Smith | Alresford & Itchen Valley |
The town council holds elections, and is currently composed of eleven Councillors and six members of staff.[35]
Notable people
- Alresford was the birthplace of artist FA Cup Finals.
- South African cricketer Owen Robert Dunell (1856–1929) lived at Alresford in later life.[36]
- The cricket commentator John Arlott resided in Alresford between 1961 and 1981.
- Alexa Chung, model and presenter, attended Perins Secondary School, as did Russell Howard, comedian.
- Formula One racing driver Derek Warwick is from a local family.
- Kate Walsh, runner up on the 2009 series of The Apprentice and presenter on Live from Studio Fivelives in Alresford.
- The award-winning actor Colin Firth used to live in Alresford as a young boy.
- In February 1835, Henry 'Orator' Hunt visited New Alresford in Hampshire on business. As he got down from his phaeton outside the George Inn, he suffered a stroke and was taken to a private room. He died a few days later on Friday, 13 February, surrounded by his family and friends.
Twin towns
New Alresford is
Bricquebec, France[37][38]
References
- ^ "Census data". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics.
- ^ "Town population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Custom report – Nomis – Official Labour Market Statistics".
- ^ Alresford in the Domesday Book
- ^ "Designated Sites View: Alresford Pond". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1021111)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-349-11564-1.
- ISBN 978-1861508782
- ^ English Heritage – The official list of every Listed building
- ISBN 0-00-637007-1.
- ^ "Welcome to Alresford & District Community Centre". Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "An Alresford Toilet and the Cold War". Hampshire History. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "About Alresford". Alresford.org. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ "Swan Hotel and Restaurant". Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Bell Hotel and Free House". Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1095220)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ Candover Gallery at Intergalleries
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1302991)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 June 2012. The Old Sun
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1302868)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 June 2012. The Globe Inn
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1156507)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ Brandy Mount House and Gardens (2012) "Snowdrops", http://www.brandymount.co.uk/
- ^ Historic England. "Brandy Mount House (1095243)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ Itchen Valley Brewery – Award-winning real ales, brewed in the heart of Hampshire
- ^ Itchen Valley
- ^ Historic England (5 December 1955). "Old Fulling Mill (Grade II) (1156440)". National Heritage List for England.
- ^ Sanderson, I. The Fulling Mill, Old Alresford.
- ^ "64 - Winchester - Alresford - Ropley - Four Marks - Alton" (PDF). Stagecoach. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ "67 - Petersfield - West Meon - Alresford - Winchester" (PDF). Stagecoach. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Rick Peters (30 March 2010). "Seasonal food: watercress". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ^ Municipal Corporations Act 1883 (46 & 46 Vict. Ch. 18) (PDF). 1883. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "New Alresford Town Trust". Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "Councillor details – Councillor Jackie Porter". hants.gov.uk. 12 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Your Councillors". Winchester City Council. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Ward Map". Winchester City Council. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ "New Alresford Town Council – Council Organisation". newalresford-tc.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Coverdrive: Owen Dunnell, South Africa's first skipper". Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- ^ "British towns twinned with French towns". Archant Community Media Ltd. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ Hudson, Jean. "Alresford Twinning Association". Retrieved 12 July 2013.
External links
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Map sources for New Alresford
- New Alresford Town Council
- New Alresford Town Trust
- Alresford in the Domesday Book