Coordinates: 50°56′N 1°47′W / 50.93°N 1.79°W
| Fordingbridge | |
  Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge shown within Hampshire |
|
| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| District | New Forest |
| Shire county | Hampshire |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FORDINGBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | SP6 |
| Dialling code | 01425 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Hampshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | New Forest West |
| List of places: UK • England • Hampshire | |
Fordingbridge is a former market town with a population of six thousand on the River Avon and the A338 road in the west of Hampshire, England, near to the Dorset and Wiltshire borders and on the edge of the New Forest. It is within easy reach of the city of Salisbury, and the seaside resort of Bournemouth. The Avon Valley Path passes through the town.
Fordingbridge was recorded in the Domesday Book under the name Forde.[1] The town received its present name when the river was bridged at the town in 1286 or earlier.[2] The first Great Bridge, built in mediaeval times, is upstream from the ford. The bridge is a major feature of the town with its seven graceful arches, which can be seen very easily from the town’s large riverside park where one can walk along the riverbank draped with willows and waterside plants. Close by is a children’s play area, secluded memorial gardens, parks and sports playing fields.
The Fordingbridge Museum, which houses local history exhibits, and the Visitor Information Centre are located in King's Yard. There is also a Roman villa in the nearby village of Rockbourne, which is open to visitors during the summer.
Since 1982 Fordingbridge has been twinned with Vimoutiers in Normandy.
Not far from the High Street is the parish church of St. Mary the Virgin. Largely built in 1150[citation needed] it has some typical Norman characteristics.
Once an industrial and commercial centre, Fordingbridge boasted many trades and was noted for its smuggling. The infamous Captain Diamond, the “Smuggler King”, spent much of his time in a local hostelry. A bronze statue of the controversial painter, Augustus John, stands on the banks of the Avon near the Great Bridge. In 2007, the High Street supermarket became the first in the country to adopt The Co-operative brand in a national facelift for consumer co-operatives.[3]
The local comprehensive school is The Burgate School And Sixth Form Centre, which is situated in the northern outskirts of the town.
Fordingbridge railway station was closed in 1964. It was originally just outside the town, on the road leading to Sandleheath village, and connected the town with Salisbury in the North and Poole to the South.
Fordingbridge is also home to Fordingbridge Turks FC, one of the oldest football clubs in England.
For a period around 1986, Fordingbridge had a homicide rate about eight times higher than the national average, the figures being based exclusively on the multiple murder of a local family.
Famous residents
- Augustus John - artist, born 1878, who lived in Fordingbridge from 1927 until his death in 1961 despite mixed feelings from local residents[4]
- Frank Jefferis - former Southampton, Everton and England footballer, born 1884
- Neil McCarthy - actor, born 1933
- Daniel O'Mahony (writer, born 1973) and Eoin O'Mahony (musician, born 1978) - brothers
References
- ^ A Topographical Dictionary of England. 1848. pp. 250–3. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=50968. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ^ "Fordingbridge". Hampshire County Council. 2007-03-14. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/localpages/south-west/fordingbridge/fordingbridge-attract.htm. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ^ "New-look £1m Co-op store a national first". Salisbury Journal. 2007-04-19. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2007/4/19/313945.html. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
- ^ "BBC Inside Out". BBC. 2006-10-02. http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south/series10/week4.shtml. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
External links
- St Mary's Parish Church Fordingbridge
- Fordingbridge Town Council
- Fordingbridge Town Information
- Breamore Parish Council
- Sandleheath Parish Council
- Fordingbridge Society
- Fordingbridge Museum
- Rockbourne Roman Villa
- Fordingbridge Internet (Local Information)
- New Forest Community Media - A not-for-profit media site serving the National Park
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