New Alresford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map sources for New Alresford at grid reference SU5832

New Alresford or simply Alresford (pronounced Allsford) is a small town and civil parish in Hampshire, England. It is situated some 12 km north-east of the city of Winchester, and 20 km south-west of the town of Alton.

New Alresford is linked to Alton by the Mid Hants Watercress Railway, a steam worked heritage railway, and served by Alresford railway station.

1 History
2 Famous people
3 Education
4 Charity
5 External links

[edit] History

Looking east along West Street, New Alresford

There is evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age occupation on numerous sites in the Alresford area, with a Roman or Romano-British site on nearby Fobdown and to the south-east of the town in Bramdean. There is evidence of a grant to the Church at Winchester sometime before the 9th century, which became known as the Liberty of Alresford. The settlement was listed in the Domesday Book.

New Alresford was founded in the 12th/13th century, the idea originally being that of Henri de Blois, the Bishop of Winchester and brother of King Stephen of England. The design of the T-shaped town (originally named Novum Forum) was followed by de Blois' successor Godfrey de Lucy. Alresford was one of the Bishop's six new towns and was his most profitable plantation- his palace was situated in nearby Bishop Sutton, perhaps less than a mile distant.The medieval stone bridge he built at this time is still in place. This expansion also involved the construction of the Great Weir between New Alresford and Old Alresford, creating Old Alresford Pond. This remarkable period in the town's history even included the construction of one of the oldest canal systems in England, based on the River Itchen.

New Alresford quickly became established as a prosperous market town, focussed on the wool, leather, and the other products from sheep and cattle- in the 14th Century Alresford was one of the top five Sheep market towns of England. Alresford sent two members to parliament until the population was reduced by the Black Death. The town quickly picked up the label as a dangerous place to live due to the uncommonly frequent fires which razed it to the ground- much of the medieval town was destroyed by a fire in 1689 that destroyed 117 houses in the town as well as the Church and Market House. Much of the town was rebuilt in the 18th century, with many of the Georgian buildings remaining today.

In the spring of 1644, the Battle of Cheriton took place on Cheriton Down, reaching the outskirts of Alresford. Defeated Royalists set fire to houses in the town as they withdrew.

A turnpike linking London to the Channel ports (now the A31) was built in 1753, passing through the town.

During the late 18th century, Alresford Cricket Club was one of the strongest sides in England.

[edit] Famous people

Alresford was the birthplace of artist Graham Ovenden and novelist and dramatist Mary Russell Mitford (1787-1855) who lived at 37 Broad street until the age of ten. Furthermore, the noted actor-manager Francis Robert Benson (1866-1939) spent his childhood in nearby Langton House. The cricket commentator John Arlott resided in Alresford during the 1950s and 60s.

[edit] Education

There are six primary and one secondary school in the Alresford area with a total of 140 staff and over 2000 pupils - (pupil numbers as of 2004 in brackets)

Sun Hill Junior (280)
Sun Hill Infant (190)
Perins School – secondary (1140)

a community sports college and secondary school. The school was granted specialist status for leading the field in the area of sports within Hampshire. The head teacher is Mrs. Janice Bernard.

Four Marks Primary (266)
Cheriton Primary (108)
Ropley Primary (177)
Preston Candover Primary (128)

[edit] Charity

The Alresford Pigs Association raises money in the local area for those in need. Their most notable event is the Duck Race held every two years which raises a few thousand pounds. Another major contributor to their funds is the Alresford Show held on the first Saturday in September where they organise the car parking and entry points. To finish off the year they erect and light over 100 Christmas trees on buildings in the three main streets receiving income from the businesses and house occupiers for this service. Then they organise the arrival of Father Christmas. Last year he came in World War 2 NAAFI van driven my Wallace and Gromit. In previous years he has arrived by Thunderbirds, Helicopter, Fire Engine etc.

Over their 30 years of existence they have raised more than £250,000.