Bengeo
Coordinates: 51°48′14″N 0°04′44″W / 51.804°N 0.079°W
| Bengeo | |
 Bengeo
Bengeo shown within Hertfordshire |
|
| OS grid reference | TL325135 |
|---|---|
| District | East Hertfordshire |
| Shire county | Hertfordshire |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HERTFORD |
| Postcode district | SG14 |
| Dialling code | 01992 |
| Police | Hertfordshire |
| Fire | Hertfordshire |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Hertford and Stortford |
| List of places: UK • England • Hertfordshire | |
Bengeo is a parish in Hertfordshire, England.[1][2] It is referenced in the Domesday Book, where it is called "Belingehou".[3] It is situated on a rise between the River Beane and River Rib overlooking Hartham Common and the rest of the town of Hertford.
Contents |
[edit] Name
Bengeo is derived from an Anglo-Saxon name, meaning spur or ridge over the River Beane.[4]
[edit] Geography
Bengeo is informally divided into upper Bengeo, which is the area at the top of the hill (Port Hill) leading out of Hertford town centre, and lower Bengeo.
Lower Bengeo is the area lying on the side of the hill and is centred on Byde Street. It has two pubs in Port Vale and also Mill Mead Primary School. Although the labels of 'upper' and 'lower' are occasionally used to describe parts of Bengeo, they are not official titles, and have no legal standing.
Bengeo is surrounded by countryside and has its own amenities including a Post Office, local shops, Bengeo Primary School, pubs and two churches.
[edit] Notable buildings
The Norman Church of Saint Leonard, dating from the 12th century, is the oldest building in Hertford.[5] It served as the parish church of Bengeo until 1855, when the role passed to the new church of Holy Trinity, designed by Benjamin Ferrey.[6] St. Leonard's is still used for regular Sunday services in summer months, as well as hosting exhibitions and concerts.[7]
The prominent water tower is an early 1930s concrete structure, and has an array of aerials on the top, providing amongst other things a local television relay from the Crystal Palace transmitting station.
[edit] People
Captain W. E. Johns, author of the Biggles books, was born in February 1893 in Molewood Road, Bengeo.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Holy Trinity with Christ Church, Bengeo, The Church of England
- ^ Hertford Bengeo ward, East Herts Council
- ^ Bengeo in the Domesday Book, Documents Online, The National Archives
- ^ Tom Williamson, The origins of Hertfordshire, p65
- ^ Bengeo Parish, British History Online
- ^ St Leonard’s in the Past, www.parishofbengeo.com
- ^ St. Leonard’s Festival Events programme 2009, www.parishofbengeo.com
- ^ W E Johns website
[edit] External links
Media related to Bengeo at Wikimedia Commons
