Badshot Lea
Encyclopedia
Badshot Lea is a village situated near Farnham
, Surrey
, England
. It is located half-way in between Aldershot
and Farnham
, with excellent access to the A31. The village boundaries have traditionally been four bridges -- three railway and one over a stream -- which inspired the logo for the local village school. Though apparently pleasant, in recent years the village has been victim of several unsavory drugs related offences including stabbings, dealing in broad daylight, and the discovery of a cannabis factory. Further serious crimes have been committed in the village including horse stabbing, and repeated distraction burgulary
. There is a large garden centre named Squires with an aquatic department and cafe. Formally known as 'Badshot Lea Garden Centre' and owned by the Caffyn Parsons family, it was taken over by Squires in 2006. Its extensive pets and aquatics centre was opened in 1999 by Charlie Dimmock .
, and a children's playground. An extensive leisure centre and Farnham RFU club sit just outside of the villiage boarder, close to Weybourne. The village is also surrounded by picturesque countryside that is ideal for walking, cycling, and running.
, Neolithic
, Iron Age
, Roman
and medieval periods. In 1967 the Badshot Lea Village school master and amateur archaeologist William (Billy) Rankine discovered the remains of a Neolithic Long Barrow burial mound in Badshot Lea. The site was excavated by the Surrey Archaeological Society and many finds are on display at Guildford Museum
. Little remains of the original mound due to quarrying and the excavation of the Railway cutting in 1800s. The burial mound was sited close to the Harrow Way
. The village also previously was surrounded by thriving farms, with a particular focus on hop growing; these played such an important role in the economic development of the village that hops feature in the village logo.
The Eastern end of village has suffered terrible flooding in times gone by. This led to the road near the Aldershot boundary being nicknamed the 'docks'.
, Viscount Middleton. The stone can still be seen today, at the West end of the church. A year later the church was completed and was consecrated on 24 October 1903 by the Bishop of Winchester
.
Following the demolition of the Old Parsonage, and construction of a new Vicarage in 1999, the funds released were used for the further development of the church. The Southern aisle of the church was not completed with the rest of the building. However, in 1999 a new Church Room was added, and opened on 10 October 1999 by Rt. Rev. John Gladwin, Bishop of Guildford
. This room has greatly extended the activities undertaken by the church.
The church contains memorials to several stalwarts of the Badshot Lea community including
The church is now part of the Church of England
Parish of Hale, and works in unison with the churches of St John and St Mark. It is in the Rural Deanery of Farnham, part of the Diocese of Guildford
, in the Province of Canterbury
.
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is located half-way in between Aldershot
Aldershot
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
and Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
, with excellent access to the A31. The village boundaries have traditionally been four bridges -- three railway and one over a stream -- which inspired the logo for the local village school. Though apparently pleasant, in recent years the village has been victim of several unsavory drugs related offences including stabbings, dealing in broad daylight, and the discovery of a cannabis factory. Further serious crimes have been committed in the village including horse stabbing, and repeated distraction burgulary
Facilities
The village boasts an excellent range of quality facilities including an infant school, a nursery school, two public houses, a hairstylist, a barber, a Chinese take-away, a plant nursery, an army shop, a pottery shop, an army memorobilia store, "the Kiln" village hall (built in 1886), an electrical substation, a sewage treatment facility, T.S. Swiftsure sea cadets centre, St Georges Church and hall, a cemetery, a pond dipping stage, sheltered housing, an animal sanctuary, and a Working men's clubWorking men's club
Working men's clubs are a type of private social club founded in the 19th century in industrial areas of the United Kingdom, particularly the North of England, the Midlands and many parts of the South Wales Valleys, to provide recreation and education for working class men and their families.-...
. There is a large garden centre named Squires with an aquatic department and cafe. Formally known as 'Badshot Lea Garden Centre' and owned by the Caffyn Parsons family, it was taken over by Squires in 2006. Its extensive pets and aquatics centre was opened in 1999 by Charlie Dimmock .
Sports
The residents of Badshot Lea enjoy a broad range of local sporting facilities. These include a pavilion, two tennis courts, a cricket club, indoor and outdoor shooting ranges, a riding school, an equestrian centre, a dog agility club, two fishing ponds, a model car club with outdoor racing track, Badshot Lea Football ClubBadshot Lea F.C.
Badshot Lea F.C. is a football club based in Badshot Lea, near Farnham, Surrey, England. Since 2008-09 they have competed in the Combined Counties League Premier Division...
, and a children's playground. An extensive leisure centre and Farnham RFU club sit just outside of the villiage boarder, close to Weybourne. The village is also surrounded by picturesque countryside that is ideal for walking, cycling, and running.
History
The village has a very long history with remains in, or close to, the village from the MesolithicMesolithic
The Mesolithic is an archaeological concept used to refer to certain groups of archaeological cultures defined as falling between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic....
, Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
, Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and medieval periods. In 1967 the Badshot Lea Village school master and amateur archaeologist William (Billy) Rankine discovered the remains of a Neolithic Long Barrow burial mound in Badshot Lea. The site was excavated by the Surrey Archaeological Society and many finds are on display at Guildford Museum
Guildford Museum
Guildford Museum is a museum is in the town of Guildford, Surrey, England. The museum can be found on Quarry Street, a road running just off the High Street. Part of the Museum is housed in the gatehouse of Guildford Castle. It is run by Guildford Borough Council, and offers free entry between 11am...
. Little remains of the original mound due to quarrying and the excavation of the Railway cutting in 1800s. The burial mound was sited close to the Harrow Way
Harrow Way
The Harrow Way forms the western part of the Old Way, an ancient trackway in the south of England, dating from the Neolithic period, which can be traced from Rochester and the Channel ports in the Straits of Dover along the North Downs and through Guildford, Farnham, Andover and Basingstoke to...
. The village also previously was surrounded by thriving farms, with a particular focus on hop growing; these played such an important role in the economic development of the village that hops feature in the village logo.
The Eastern end of village has suffered terrible flooding in times gone by. This led to the road near the Aldershot boundary being nicknamed the 'docks'.
Quarries
The village is surrounded by sand and gravel extraction quarries that provide significant employment to the local community. Older quarries were left to fill with water, providing local beauty spots and fishing lakes, newer quarries are backfilled with refuse.St George's Church
Badshot Lea has a parish church, named after St George. The Foundation Stone was laid on 23 August 1902 by the Lord Lieutenant of SurreyLord Lieutenant of Surrey
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Surrey. Since 1737, all Lords Lieutenant have also been Custos Rotulorum of Surrey.-Lord Lieutenants of Surrey:*William Parr, 1st Marquess of Northampton 1551–1553?...
, Viscount Middleton. The stone can still be seen today, at the West end of the church. A year later the church was completed and was consecrated on 24 October 1903 by the Bishop of Winchester
Bishop of Winchester
The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and...
.
Following the demolition of the Old Parsonage, and construction of a new Vicarage in 1999, the funds released were used for the further development of the church. The Southern aisle of the church was not completed with the rest of the building. However, in 1999 a new Church Room was added, and opened on 10 October 1999 by Rt. Rev. John Gladwin, Bishop of Guildford
Bishop of Guildford
The Bishop of Guildford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Guildford in the Province of Canterbury.The title was first created as a suffragan see in the Diocese of Winchester in 1874. The suffragan bishop of Guildford assisted the Bishop of Winchester in overseeing the diocese...
. This room has greatly extended the activities undertaken by the church.
The church contains memorials to several stalwarts of the Badshot Lea community including
- Elizabeth Allen —- Treasurer of the Badshot Lea Mothers' Union and Womens' Fellowship
- Sarah Emmerson —- Headmistress of Badshot Lea Infant School
- Thomas Kitchin
- William Garrett —- Royal Navy
The church is now part of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Parish of Hale, and works in unison with the churches of St John and St Mark. It is in the Rural Deanery of Farnham, part of the Diocese of Guildford
Diocese of Guildford
The Diocese of Guildford is a Church of England diocese based in Guildford, covering most of Surrey and part of Hampshire. The cathedral is Guildford Cathedral and the bishop is the Bishop of Guildford. It is part of the Province of Canterbury....
, in the Province of Canterbury
Province of Canterbury
The Province of Canterbury, also called the Southern Province, is one of two ecclesiastical provinces making up the Church of England...
.
Famous residents
Notable former residents of Badshot Lea include- Lieutenant-Commander Willie Armstrong DSM -- Airman who initiated the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck
- Lance Corporal Alan Davis -- Bomb disposal expert
- Donald Emerson -- Chemistry Associate Lecturer
- Reverend Dean Henley -- Rector of the Benefice of Campton, Clophill and Haynes
- Maurice Hewins -- Local historian
- John Henry KnightJohn Henry KnightJohn Henry Knight , from Farnham, was a wealthy engineer, landowner and inventor. With the help of the engineer George Parfitt, he built Britain’s first petrol-powered motor vehicle...
-- Engineer & local landowner - Ian McMillan -- Championship golf course manager
- Nelson Noakes -- Member of Australian 8th Brigade
- William Rankine -- Archaeologist and schoolmaster
- Humphrey Southern -- Bishop of Repton
- Tice family -- Local landowners
- Tinsey family
- Harry TophamHarry TophamHarry Gillespie Topham was an English clergyman and cricketer who played for Derbyshire during the 1881 season and for Cambridge University in 1883 and 1884....
-- Cricketer and clergyman - Carol Wilson-Barker -- Vicar