Arlesey
| Arlesey | |
|---|---|
 Parish Church of St Peter - Church End, Arlesey | |
| Population | 5,690 [1] |
| OS grid reference | TL190357 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ARLESEY |
| Postcode district | SG15 |
| Dialling code | 01462 |
| Police | Bedfordshire |
| Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
Arlesey is a small town in Bedfordshire, England, near the border with Hertfordshire, about three miles north-west of Letchworth Garden City, four miles north of Hitchin and six miles south of Biggleswade. Arlesey railway station provides services to London, Stevenage and Peterborough.
The Domesday Book mentions Arlesey.[2][3][4][5]
Demography
The population of Arlesey was 5,584 in 2,344 households in the 2011 census.[6] In the census of 2011, 94.0% of people described themselves as white, 2.2% as having mixed or multiple ethnic groups, 2.9% as being Asian or British Asian, and less than 1.0% as having another ethnicity.[7] In the same census, 55.8% described themselves as Christian, 34.6% described themselves as having no religion, 6.8% did not specify a religion, 1.2% described themselves as Sikh, and 1.7% described themselves as having a different religion.[8]
Culture and Community
Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows, adjacent to Arlesey railway station, is a nature reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, together with Arlesey Conservation for Nature.
The Arlesey Bomb fishing weight was developed by angler Dick Walker to catch specimen perch from the local chalk pits.[9]
Industry
Arlesey had a thriving brick making industry through to the mid 20th century. As of 1900 there were five brickworks around the town. They were known for the Arlesey White bricks produced from Gault clay.[10] Bricks have not been produced there since 1992. Some clay pits have been used for Landfill and others are now lakes including the Blue Lagoon which is used for sailing.
Religious Sites
St Peter's Church in Church End was built in the 12th century by the monks of Waltham Abbey. Arlesey was also the site of Etonbury Castle, of which little trace remains.
Notable residents
- Bill Kitchener - former professional footballer - West Ham United F.C., Torquay United F.C.
- Pat Kruse - former professional footballer - Leicester City F.C., Torquay United F.C., Brentford F.C.
Arlesey at war, 1939-1945
Halifax Bomber crash
On 19 December 1943[11][12] a Handley Page Halifax belonging to 138 Squadron was in a collision with a chimney at Arlesey Brickworks.
The aircraft BB364 (NF-R) had left its base at RAF Tempsford on a training mission.
The crew of nine perished in the subsequent crash.
Hudson crash
On 28 March 1944[12][13] a Lockheed Hudson belonging to 161 Squadron RAF crashed on the Arlesey to Stotfold road killing the crew.
The aircraft FK767 had left its base at RAF Tempsford on a training flight.
Sport
The town's football team is Arlesey Town F.C..
References
- ^ Bedfordshire County Council, Population Estimates and Forecasts, estimate for 2007.
- ^ The entry reads: Alricesei(a)/eie: Bishop of Durham; Bernard from William d'Eu; Herfast; from Nigel d'Aubigny; Wulfsi. 3 mills.
- ^ Plea Rolls of the Court of Common Pleas; National Archives; CP 40 / 677; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT1/H6/CP40no677/bCP40no677dorses/IMG_1068.htm; first entry
- ^ Plea Rolls of the Court of Common Pleas; National Archvies; CP 40/629, year 1418; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/H5/CP40no629/bCP40no629dorses/IMG_1410.htm; 4th entry, third line
- ^ sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/patentrolls/r2v6/index/Richard2vol6page0605.pdf
- ^ "Area: Arlesey (Parish), Key Figures for 2011 Census". Retrieved 14 December 2015.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Area: Arlesey (Parish), Ethnic Group". Retrieved 14 December 2015.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Area: Arlesey (Parish), Religion". Retrieved 14 December 2015.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Arlesey lake Retrieved 22 May 2009 [dead link]
- ^ "The Locations and Names of Five Brickworks at Arlesey featuring 30 old photos". Arcangelo Lombari. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ Bedfordshire Aicrew - RAF Tempsford, Roll of Honour (website accessed 15.07.10)
- ^ a b National Archives (website accessed 15.07.10
- ^ RAF Tempsford aircrew - Roll of Honour (website accessed 15.07.10)
External links
- Arlesey Town Council Local resources
- War Memorial Details of those soldiers listed
- Arlesey in the Domesday Book