Walton-on-Thames
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Walton-on-Thames | |
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| Population | 22,834 |
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| OS grid reference | |
| District | Elmbridge |
| Shire county | Surrey |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WALTON-ON-THAMES |
| Postcode district | KT12 |
| Dial code | 01932 |
| Police | Surrey |
| Fire | Surrey |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| UK Parliament | Esher and Walton |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| List of places: UK • England • Surrey | |
Walton-On-Thames is a town in the Elmbridge borough of Surrey in South East England.
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[edit] Location
It is located 15.3 miles (24.6 km) south west of Charing Cross and between the towns of Weybridge and Esher. The River Thames bounds the town to the north. The original village lies in the north, while later development is in the south closer to the railway station; a railway journey to London Waterloo Station takes 25 minutes.
[edit] Population
The population of the Walton Central district of Walton on Thames is 5,862 with Elmbridge's population being 121,936, with the Walton Central having a male population of 2,791 against Elmbridge's male population of 58,867. This makes the female population of Walton Central 3,071 against figures for Elmbridge of 63,069.[1]
[edit] History
The name Walton is Anglo-Saxon in origin and is believed to mean "farm of the Britons" or to have meant 'Saxon settlement'. Even before the Romans and the Saxons were present, there was a Celtic settlement here. The Anglo-Saxon word for the Celtic inhabitants who lived here before them is "Wealas".
Walton-on-Thames was also identified by William Camden as the place where Caesar forded the Thames on his second invasion of Britain, however according to Elmbridge Museum there is no evidence to support this.
In the Domesday Book "waletona" was noted as having a church, two mills and a fishery. Standing on the highest point of town, St. Mary's Parish Church dates back to before the Domesday Book (1086 AD). The church is of saxon origin, with parts dating back to the 12th and 15th centuries. The square flint tower, supported by a 19th century brick buttress, contains a peal of 6 bells, the oldest bearing the date 1606.
During the First World War New Zealand troops were hospitalised in the now demolished Mount Felix House. They are remembered by the street name New Zealand Avenue, the Wellington Pub and a small memorial in the Homebase car park.
Julia Elizabeth Wells was born 1 October 1935 in Walton-on-Thames, and later became Dame Julie Andrews. Hersham and Walton Motors (HWM), now an Aston Martin dealer, constructed its own racing car in the early 1950s. Stirling Moss won his first Formula One Grand Prix in an HWM. In addition HWM was the world's first Aston Martin dealership.
[edit] Walton Bridge
There have been five inadequate bridges on the site so far and plans are well advanced for the sixth, but residents are not holding their breath. Prior to the first bridge there was a ferry which goes back to, at least, the 15th century, as does the architecture of the current bridge.
The first bridge, constructed between 1748 and 1750, was a timber structure that stood until 1783. Canaletto painted a picture of this bridge in 1754. The painting, which shows the then-fashionable rococo-style of this bridge, may be seen in Dulwich Picture Gallery.
The second bridge was constructed in 1788 and stood until 1859. Constructed of brick and stone, it lasted much longer that its predecessor. This bridge was painted by Turner in 1805 following his sketching tour of the river Thames and Wey at that time.
After the second bridge collapsed a ferry crossing resumed until the construction of the third bridge in 1864. This was a girder bridge on stone piers. At the same time a brick viaduct was constructed to span the flood plain to the south of the river. As of 2006 the viaduct is still standing.
The third bridge was damaged during the Second World War in 1940 leading to a permanent weight restriction. To alleviate this a fourth temporary bridge was constructed in 1953 on the downstream side of the old bridge which was relegated to use by cyclists and pedestrians. It was finally demolished in 1985.
The fourth bridge was constructed from prefabricated bailey bridge style components that were probably war surplus. In 1999 the fourth bridge was replaced by yet another temporary, fifth bridge occupying the line of the original bridges. This initially had several problems and had to be resurfaced a number of times causing huge traffic disruptions. The fourth bridge was relegated to use by cyclists and pedestrians once the fifth was completed.
A sixth bridge is planned and may be completed by 2009.
[edit] Today
Walton is part of the Esher and Walton parliamentary constituency, as of 2005 a safe Conservative seat. The current MP is Ian Taylor. Five Walton Society Councillors represent Walton on Elmbridge Borough Council, with one representing Walton on Surrey County Council. There are Six Conservatives on Elmbridge Council three in the South ward, two in Ambleside and one in North ward. The Walton South and Oatlands division on the County Council, which includes part of the town centre, is Conservative held.
The local newspaper is Walton News & Mail
[edit] Natives of Walton-on-Thames
- Julie Andrews (born October 1, 1935), actress and singer
- Nick Lowe (born March 24, 1949), singer-songwriter and producer
- Danny Sapsford (born April 3, 1969), tennis player
- Amanda Dowler (born 25 June, 1988), murder victim
- Tony Walton (Born October 24, 1934), costume designer, scenic designer
[edit] The Heart of Walton
The Heart of Walton is the name given to the re-development of Walton town centre. The old town centre was built in the 1960s and had become very run down due to poor maintenance. The re-development includes a shopping mall and 279 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with views over Ashley Park. The new shopping centre boasts several brand retailers, as well as a new Debenhams store being constructed opposite.
[edit] Walton & Hersham F.C
Walton & Hersham F.C. are an football club who are currently spending the 2006-7 season in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Nicknamed the Swans, they play at Stompond Lane, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. The club play in an all-red home kit.
[edit] Walton AC
Walton Athletics Club was founded in 1942 and is based at the Stompond Lane Sports Ground. Despite its long and successful history, has continued to be a small and friendly club where individuals of any standard are valued for their effort and achievement. The club has around 200 members ranging in age from 9 years to 60+ years old. Walton AC provides qualified coaching in all athletics disciplines and participates in a number of different leagues to provide appropriate competition for all age groups in Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and SportHall Athletics.
[edit] Trivia
- Tommy Bolin's "Dreamer" was written for someone in Walton-On-Thames, and makes references to the railroads there.
- Monty Python filmed a lot of their sketches around Walton. The old Town hall can be seen in one sketch. The Public toilets up the Regent pub are also in the background of another sketch.
[edit] Notes and references
- Town Populations (pdf). 2001 census. Retrieved on 2006-12-08.
- Colin Bentley. History of Walton Bridge (html). Surrey County Council online. Surrey County Council. Retrieved on 2006-12-08.
[edit] External links
- Walton-on-Thames.org
- The Heart of Walton - town centre redevelopment
- Elmbridge Online
- Old Walton Bridge - Canaletto
- The Walton Society
- St Erconwalds Church - Catholic Church in Walton
- Walton Baptist Church
- Walton C-of-E parish
- Walton & Hersham FC
- Esher and Walton Conservatives
- Councillor Rachael Lake, Walton North
- Walton Black Belt Academy Kickboxing
