Ringwood

Coordinates: 50°51′N 1°47′W / 50.85°N 1.78°W / 50.85; -1.78

Ringwood
Ringwood shown within Hampshire
Population	12,567
OS grid reference	SU1505
District	New Forest
Shire county	Hampshire
Region	South East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	RINGWOOD
Postcode district	BH24
Dialling code	+441425
Police	Hampshire
Fire	Hampshire
Ambulance	South Central
European Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	New Forest West
List of places: UK • England • Hampshire

Ringwood is a town in Hampshire, England, located on the River Avon, west of the New Forest and north of Bournemouth. The town was traditionally an agricultural centre but, since the closure of its cattle market in 1989, it has increasingly become a dormitory town.

The BBC television comedy series "The Brittas Empire" was filmed at Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre.

Ringwood is the home of the Ringwood Brewery, which produces a variety of cask ales and runs five pubs in the local area, such as The Inn on the Furlong in Ringwood. Ringwood brewery also produces a variety of wines. It was recently taken over by Marston's Brewery, who plan to keep the brewery and all its brands, but lease out its tied public houses.

Nearby, Matchams Leisure Park is known for various forms of motor sport including motocross, go-karting and stock car racing. At the start of December 2008, Matchams hit national and international news after a Christmas-themed family park was found to be drastically different from what had been offered, scamming people out of up to thousands of pounds^[1], and receiving over 20,000 complaints^[2].

Facilities for children

There are several Girl Guide and Scout groups in Ringwood catering for school-age children. There are also many other clubs for children, including sporting clubs at the Health and Leisure Centre. There is a skate park in Carvers Field, and many play parks for younger children.

The senior school is Ringwood School, a specialist Language College. The state primary schools are Ringwood Junior, Poulner Junior, Ringwood Infants and Poulner Infants. There is also a Waldorf school near a Camphill community.

Ringwood School has a radio station run by students, which started in 2006. The school also participates in other citizenship projects.

History

According to William Camden’s Britannia (1607)^[3] the name was originally Regnewood. It was listed in the Domesday Book as Rincewed. It meant 'the wood of the Regni', the Regni (or Regnenses) being an ancient people of Britain.

After the Battle of Sedgemoor on 6 July 1685, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth was arrested near Horton. Monmouth is believed to have hid in a ditch under an ash tree disguised as a shepherd, but was betrayed by a local woman who, according to legend, later killed herself in remorse. Monmouth was then taken to the house now named Monmouth House in West Street (between the Market Place and the Fish Inn). It was here that he wrote a letter to James II begging forgiveness. It was not granted, and he was brought to trial in the Tower of London by the infamous 'Hanging Judge Jefferies.'

Also after the battle of Sedgemoor, an elderly local lady, Alice Lisle, gave refuge to two wanted men who were escaping the battle. When her home — Moyles Court, now a private school — was raided, the men were found and Alice was arrested. She was sentenced by the same Judge Jefferies to be burned at the stake; she received a late reprieve, and the sentence was reduced to beheading. She is buried at St Mary's Church, Ellingham, some two miles from her Moyles Court home. Her tomb can be found to the right of the church entrance; it is easily spotted as the lid has been left unfinished with rough edges. There is now a pub called The Alice Lisle near Moyles Court.

References