61-610: Walsworth is a part of the town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire , England. It was originally a village about a mile north east of the town, and later became incorporated into it, although it is still referred to as a village by some locals. Hitchin Walsworth is one of five wards for the purposes of electing councillors to North Hertfordshire District Council. The ward includes the Purwell neighbourhood, south of Walsworth, which
122-778: A coat of arms on 25 November 1936. Hitchin Urban District was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972 , becoming part of the district of North Hertfordshire on 1 April 1974. No successor parish was created for the town, and so it became an unparished area . Hitchin railway station is on the East Coast Main Line Great Northern Line , and is also on the Cambridge Line as the last stop before it diverges towards Cambridge, 1.42 kilometres (0.88 mi) to
183-533: A 7th-century document, the Tribal Hidage . Hicce, or Hicca, may mean the people of the horse. The tribal name is Old English and derives from the Middle Anglian people. The ancient Icknield Way runs just north of Hitchin, passing through the neighbouring village of Ickleford . It has been suggested that Hitchin was the location of ' Clofesho ', the place chosen in 673 by Theodore of Tarsus
244-471: A 7th-century type, with a later enlarged chancel and transepts , perhaps added in the 10th century. This makes the church older than the story (not recorded before the 15th century) that the church was founded by Offa , king of Mercia 757-796. In 1697, Hitchin (and the nearby village of Offley ) were subject to what is thought to have been the most severe hailstorm in recorded British history. Hailstones over 4 inches in diameter were reported. In
305-657: A London skinner ; also in 1546 they purchased Shrewsbury Abbey . From Watson and Herdson Hitchin Priory subsequently passed to Edward Pulter, who in turn sold it in 1553 to Ralph Radcliffe (died 1559). He on his death bequeathed his estates to his oldest son, also named Ralph. Over the next three centuries the Priory passed to various members of the Radcliffe family until it came into the possession of Hubert Delmé-Radcliffe, J.P., on whose death in 1878 it passed to his brother Francis Augustus Delmé-Radcliffe. The various branches of
366-747: A few years later and adopted its present name, Girton College . Hitchin is in the district of North Hertfordshire . There is no town council in Hitchin, which is an unparished area , administered directly by North Hertfordshire District Council , with higher order functions provided by Hertfordshire County Council . Residents elect 13 members to the North Hertfordshire District Council . There are five electoral wards in Hitchin: Bearton , Highbury , Oughton , Priory and Walsworth . The 13 Hitchin councillors on
427-587: A friary (now known as Hitchin Priory ) were established, both of which closed during Henry VIII 's Dissolution of the Monasteries . They were never reformed, although The Biggin was for many years used as almshouses . The British Schools Museum in Hitchin is home to the world's only surviving complete Lancasterian Schoolroom , which was built in 1837 to teach boys by the Lancasterian method ( peer tutoring ). This unique community project demonstrates
488-570: A kitchen, barn and other premises. There were also other tenements belonging to it in Bridge Street and Bull Street in Hitchin, which were leased out with the convent garden. With the exception of the mansion house, which had been kept in a good state of repair following the Dissolution, the remaining buildings were in a poor condition: 'all the buildings were sore decayed and very ruinous both in timber and tile for lack of reparations' with
549-628: A market place and the adjoining parish church of St Mary on the western banks of the River Hiz. At the southern end of the town centre is Hitchin Priory , a former monastery dating back to 1317, which was partially rebuilt into a large country house with extensive parkland following the dissolution of the monasteries . The ancient parish of Hitchin covered a large rural area as well as the town itself, including several hamlets which subsequently became separate parishes, including Langley , Preston , St Ippolyts and Walsworth . The town's economy
610-523: A new way of life for Hitchin. Hitchin established itself as a major centre for grain trading after the Corn Exchange was built in the market place in 1853. Hitchin was also a centre for manufacturing products from the lavender which was cultivated in the surrounding area, with multiple lavender distilleries operating in the town. The latter half of the 20th century has also brought great changes in communication to Hitchin. Motorways have shortened
671-596: A reputation for "giant-killing". Hitchin Priory Hitchin Priory in Hitchin in Hertfordshire is today a hotel built in about 1700 on the site of a Carmelite friary founded in 1317, which was closed in the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII . Parts of the original priory are incorporated in the existing building, which has been a Grade I listed building on
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#1732787097808732-517: A voluntary group with their community development programme. Hitchin Town F.C. was established in 1865 and later reformed in 1928. It is one of only three clubs who competed in the inaugural FA Cup , paying the then £25 entry fee (£2,892 in 2019 adjusted for inflation), and continue to compete. They claim to be the second oldest club in English football, but some dispute this due to the reformation in
793-779: A yarn festival. Music plays a very big part all year round with many venues hosting regular gigs. Hitchin Folk Club is one of the longest running and most respected clubs in the country meeting at The Cricket Pavilion, Lucas Lane on Sunday evenings; Hitchin Light Orchestra, Hitchin Symphony Orchestra and Hitchin Chamber Orchestra give regular concerts often in St Mary's Church and Hitchin Band perform around
854-603: Is a market town in the North Hertfordshire district of Hertfordshire , England. The town dates from at least the 7th century . It lies in the valley of the River Hiz at the north-eastern end of the Chiltern Hills . It is 16 miles (26 km) north-west of the county town of Hertford , and 35 miles (56 km) north of London . The population at the 2021 census was 35,220. Hitchin grew around
915-545: Is a professional theatre, has a year-round programme including comedy plays, thrillers, historical shows, jazz nights and cocktail evenings. The Market Theatre is known for its annual Adult Panto (running between December and May) which also tours nationally. Additionally, the Queen Mother Theatre hosts the town's Bancroft Players, Big Spirit Youth Theatre and occasional visiting companies as well as Hitchin Films in
976-457: Is also the venue for the annual Duck Race during Hitchin Festival. The town centre has a wealth of independent retailers in food and drink and fashion and the historic core is a place to find niche boutiques. Since 1995, Hitchin has benefited from award-winning town centre management and in 2009 established one of Hertfordshire's first Business Improvement Districts. In 2019 the town's centre
1037-643: Is an eight-mile (thirteen-kilometre) walking route along the River Hiz Valley, believed to have been used for trade between the Danes and English in the Anglo-Saxon age. It is also likely that Hitch Wood, which lies some six miles (ten kilometres) south of the town also derives its name from the Hicce tribe, who gave their name to Hitchin. St Mary's Church is remarkably large for a town of its size and
1098-534: Is housed in original Edwardian and Victorian school buildings. In March 2013 a poll in The Times voted Hitchin the 9th best town in the UK in which to live. Hitchin hosts an annual Arts and Music Festival with over 100 events taking place during the month. Hitchin Festival includes picnics, concerts, theatre, ghost walks, art exhibitions, comedy club, talks, summer fetes and fireworks. Since 2014, Hitchin has hosted
1159-489: Is named after the River Purwell . Walsworth comes under the control of North Hertfordshire District Council with three elected Labour councillors, Kay Tart, Mike Hughson and Elizabeth Dennis. Walsworth has a primary school, Highover Primary School, and a community centre. Another primary school, Purwell JMI is within the ward, in the Purwell neighbourhood. Walsworth has two pubs: The Millstream (formerly known as
1220-889: Is well served by local buses including Arriva, Centrebus, Grant Palmer, Stagecoach and Uno. There are several primary schools in Hitchin. Secondary education is provided at Hitchin Girls' School , Hitchin Boys' School and the Priory School . There is a campus of the North Hertfordshire College in Hitchin, and it is also the home of the Benslow Music Trust which provides music education for adults, while North Herts Music School adjoined to Hitchin Girls' School delivers music lessons & activities for children & young people. The Emil Dale Academy
1281-636: The Archbishop of Canterbury during the Synod of Hertford , the first meeting of representatives of the fledgling Christian churches of Anglo-Saxon England , to hold annual synods of the churches as Theodore attempted to consolidate and centralise Christianity in England. By 1086 Hitchin is described as a Royal Manor in Domesday Book : the feudal services of avera and inward , usually found in
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#17327870978081342-574: The 1920s. The side currently compete in the Southern League Premier Division Central , the seventh tier of English football. The club play at 4,554-capacity ground Top Field, in the north of the town, and came close to achieving promotion in the late 2010s, but have recently come into a more troubled spell. Their highlights include wins in the F.A. Cup against higher ranked sides Hereford United in 1994 and Bristol Rovers in 1995 during which period they developed
1403-560: The Delmé-Radcliffe Family owned Hitchin Priory from 1553 to 1964. Hitchin Priory as it now stands incorporates a small part of the original priory of the Carmelites . This original structure would appear to have been constructed of flint rubble and clunch with the now lost priory church located to the south. However, nothing earlier than the 15th century is visible and these ancient remains are located in sections of
1464-474: The High Medieval Period the town was surrounded by open arable fields, divided into shotts and narrow strips, that survived into the early 19th century. The town flourished on the wool trade, the sheep being pastured on the high hills to the south. By the 17th century the town was a staging post for coaches coming from London . By the middle of the 19th century the railway had arrived, and with it
1525-520: The Hitchin Local Board was held on 2 May 1850. The board proceeded to build a waterworks and install new sewers for the town, which had previously used the River Hiz as a public sewer. However, the board quickly became embroiled in legal disputes with Joshua Ransom, owner of Grove Mill, who complained about the flow of water and sewage at his mill. No solution could be found which would allow the board to continue to operate, and gradually all
1586-608: The Hitchin Urban District therefore became the parishes of Langley , Preston , and Walsworth, with effect from the first parish meetings on 4 December 1894. The three rural parishes were included in the Hitchin Rural District . Walsworth ceased to be a separate civil parish in 1921, with the area being absorbed into Hitchin Urban District on 1 April 1921. In 1911 the parish had a population of 592. Walsworth has since then been administered as part of
1647-594: The Register of Historic England since 1951. In 1317 Edward II granted to the Carmelite Friars a messuage in the parish of Hitchin where they could build a church and house for their habitation. Other messuages and lands were given to them by John de Cobham . The Carmelites built a small convent there which was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary . In September 1530 Henry VIII gave
1708-620: The Richard Whitmore Studio. Hitchin Market remains one of the largest in the area with general markets every Tuesday and Saturday, a bric-a-brac and collectables market on Fridays, and a Sunday Car Boot. There are also Local Produce and Crafts specialist markets on the last Saturday of each month. A Lifestyle market is held on every second Saturday of the month, while infrequently there are occasional Art Markets. Hitchin Markets
1769-747: The Ship) on Cambridge Road next to the River Purwell, and the Anchor also on Cambridge Road, about 100 m to the East of the Millstream. Both pubs have been renovated in recent years. A third pub, The Sailor (formerly the Sailor Boy) on Woolgrove Road, opposite a playing field (Walsworth Common) was closed in 2013. On 29 May 2015, it caught fire, shortly after which the local council approved plans to change
1830-453: The board members resigned. By December 1857 the board only had three members, at which point it effectively ceased to function. New members were elected in March 1858, but none was prepared to take the declaration of office unless Ransom accepted an offer of settlement which had been put to him. He did not accept the offer and so the board became defunct, and the town was once again governed by
1891-476: The council built a new Town Hall on the opposite side of the street, incorporating a large public hall. The older building became known as Old Town Hall, but continued to serve as office space for the council in addition to the new Town Hall. On 1 April 1921, Walsworth parish was abolished and the area was incorporated into Hitchin Urban District. Hitchin Urban District Council was granted
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1952-470: The country in brass band championship competition as well as the home town. An independent music venue, Club 85, hosts an "eclectic mix of contemporary bands and DJs" in the area. There are three theatres in the town. The Factory Playhouse is located on Wilbury Way and is the theatre of Emil Dale Academy . They host several full-scale musicals each year with professional producers, directors, choreographers and West End musicians. The Market Theatre, Hitchin
2013-601: The district council meet as the Hitchin Committee. The town is represented in Parliament by the constituency of Hitchin . The incumbent Labour Party MP for the former Mid Bedfordshire comstituency Alistair Strathern was elected in 2024 . Before 1997 Hitchin was included in the constituency of North Hertfordshire . From 1997-2024 it was in the constituency of Hitchin and Harpenden . The ancient parish of Hitchin covered an extensive rural area as well as
2074-440: The eastern counties, especially Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire , were due from the sokemen , but the manor of Hitchin was unique in levying inward. Evidence has been found to suggest that the town was once provided with an earthen bank and ditch fortification, probably in the early tenth century but this did not last. The modern spelling of the town first appears in 1618 in the "Hertfordshire Feet of Fines" . The name of
2135-422: The form of arena events and a music tent. There is a nature reserve and recreational area at Purwell Meadows . The areas alongside the River Purwell were once notorious for regular flooding although in recent years, drainage improvements associated with house building appear to have alleviated the problem. However, heavy rain has caused flooding at the Walsworth cross roads as recently as September 2011, causing
2196-402: The former priory gardens 'like yards or waste places of ground'. The priory church was similarly in a poor state 'with the steeple broken down and decayed by the weather and all the lead, freestone, glass and bells gone.' The 1546 survey of Hitchin Priory was made before the estate was sold that year for £1,541 to two property speculators, Sir Edward Watson of Northampton and Henry Herdson,
2257-412: The foundation of education for all. Girton College – a pioneer in women's education – was established on 16 October 1869 under the name of College for Women at Benslow House in Hitchin, which was considered to be a convenient distance from Cambridge and London. It was thought to be less 'risky' and less controversial to locate the college away from Cambridge in the beginning. The college moved to Cambridge
2318-672: The friars at Hitchin a gift of 40 shillings. In May 1534 the Prior John Butler took the Oath of Supremacy and on 17 October 1538 he and four friars surrendered to Sir William Coffyn and Henry Crowche, the King’s Commissioners. The monks remained until the dissolution of their house in 1539. Thomas Parrys, acting as bailiff for the Crown, sold the plate and ornaments while the bells, lead, glass, tile and stone were stripped and
2379-550: The journey time and brought Luton , a few miles away on the M1 , and the A1 (M) even closer. By the close of the 20th century, Hitchin had developed a strong commuter interest being midway between London and Cambridge. Hitchin also developed a fairly strong Sikh community based around the Walsworth area. During the medieval period, both a priory (Newbigging, now known as The Biggin) and
2440-435: The line in 1850. The Cambridge line opened shortly afterwards, diverging from the main line just north of Hitchin, which therefore became an important junction station. The A1 motorway passes Hitchin a short distance to the east. The town's historic character and accessibility make it popular with commuters . Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people, a tribe holding 300 hides of land as mentioned in
2501-612: The local voluntary group actively consulting with train companies on behalf of local people. The A505 , A600 and A602 roads intersect in Hitchin, which is about three miles (5 km) from the A1(M) motorway and about ten miles (16 km) from the M1 motorway . Hitchin is about 14.48 km (9.00 mi) from Luton Airport, with a direct bus service linking the two. The connections are provided by National Express (number 787) and Arriva in Herts and Essex (100 Saphire services). Hitchin
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2562-428: The north, or frater, range of the west range. The present structure was almost entirely built in 1770–1 by the politician and MP John Radcliffe who inherited Hitchin Priory from his uncle Arthur Radcliffe in 1769. He rebuilt the house in 1770-71 of plastered brick, standing about the four sides of a courtyard, which represents the old, small, cloister garth. The walls of the courtyard have been considerably renewed over
2623-611: The northeast of Hitchin. The station is a call on services provided by Govia Thameslink Railway under its Great Northern and Thameslink brands. These provide direct connections to Cambridge , Letchworth Garden City , Peterborough and London Kings Cross ; as well as St Pancras International , Gatwick Airport , Three Bridges and Brighton . Journeys to London and Cambridge typically take 33 minutes. Journeys to Stevenage take 5 minutes, Peterborough 45 minutes, and Gatwick Airport 78 minutes. Hitchin Rail Users Group serves as
2684-452: The parish vestry alone. The Times was scathing of the Hitchin Local Board's inability to negotiate a solution, saying "...they simply resigned, like rustics of unfertile brains...". Legal action continued for some years afterwards trying to resolve who was liable for the old board's debts. In August 1872 sanitary districts were established, with public health and local government responsibilities being given to boards of guardians of
2745-557: The poor law unions for all areas which did not have urban authorities (including local boards). As Hitchin's previous local board was defunct, the town therefore became part of the Hitchin Rural Sanitary District, governed by the Hitchin Board of Guardians. On 31 October 1872 a meeting was held in the town with the aim of securing a new board to allow the town to govern itself independently. A new board
2806-471: The road to be closed by the college. Flooding to a depth of approximately 8 cm affects the entrance of Chaucer Way with the meadows adjoining Chaucer Way and Purwell Lane regularly becoming flooded to a depth of 20 cm (7.9 in). Since the construction of housing along the flood plain, the river can completely dry up during periods of drought. Hitchin Hitchin ( / ˈ h ɪ tʃ ɪ n / )
2867-569: The site into flats and a convenience store. St Faith's Church lies at the centre of the ward at the crossroads on the A505 with Willian Road and Woolgrove Road, built in the 1890s by the Rev'd Gainsford as a Mission Church. Walsworth was part of the ancient parish of Hitchin . It became a separate civil parish under the Local Government Act 1894 , which stipulated that parishes could not straddle urban and rural districts. The parts of Hitchin parish outside
2928-516: The south wing was completely rebuilt at around this time and contains the main rooms. The east wing has some early 17th-century panelling while in a small north room is a plaster ceiling dating to the same period with cable and foliate decoration. Since 1951 the complex of buildings including Hitchin Priory, the Garden Bridge, Coach House and stables have formed part of the Grade I listing on
2989-454: The steeple knocked down – the desecrated site becoming a quarry for the local townspeople. In 1546 a survey was made of the priory and its whole estate. At that time the buildings of the priory consisted of a mansion house with a frater ( refectory ) and dorter ( dormitory ) over the cloister , a church, the 'old hall,' the Prior's lodging, and two little chambers for the brothers in addition to
3050-517: The town also is associated with the small river that runs through it, most picturesquely in front of the east end of St. Mary's Church , the town's parish church. The river is noted on maps as the River Hiz . Contrary to how most people now pronounce the name, that is to say as spelt, the 'z' is an abbreviated character for a 'tch' sound in the Domesday Book (as in the name of the town). It would have been pronounced 'River Hitch'. The Hicca Way
3111-502: The town itself, including Langley , Preston and St Ippolyts ; the latter became a separate parish in the middle ages. The parish of Hitchin was administered by its vestry , in the same way as most rural areas; no borough corporation was established for the town, despite some limited moves in that direction in the thirteenth century. Hitchin also gave its name to one of the hundreds of Hertfordshire. The Hitchin Poor Law Union
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#17327870978083172-408: The town of Hitchin, although gives its name to one of the town's five electoral wards on North Hertfordshire District Council . The Walsworth community festival takes place each May on Walsworth Common. Run by volunteers, it is held on a Sunday in the middle of the month. The Festival has been running since 1974, and has charity stalls, funfair rides and refreshments as well as live entertainment in
3233-423: The years but in the north and west wings are many blocked arches of the original cloister arcade. The ground storey displays a shield of the Radcliffe arms is together with the initials R R S and the date 1679. This has an arcade of five semicircular arches with the one remaining open arch being the main entrance to the building. The north elevation is of the late 18th century and is in an elaborate Palladian design;
3294-701: Was a finalist for England in the Visa / UK Government Great British High Street Awards. There are a number of organisations for young people, including 1066 Hitchin Squadron ATC , Hitchin Army Cadets , Sea Cadets Letchworth and Hitchin , as well as various scouting groups. The main burial ground for the town is Hitchin Cemetery on St. John's Road. Hitchin is twinned with: Hitchin Rugby Club
3355-430: Was established in 1835, covering the parish of Hitchin and many of the surrounding parishes in north-western Hertfordshire, plus the parish of Holwell which was in Bedfordshire. In 1891 the parish had a population of 9,510. In 1850 a local board of health was established for the town. Such boards were created under the Public Health Act 1848, and were focussed on improving public health in towns. The first election to
3416-410: Was eventually granted, with the first meeting being held on 24 December 1873 at the (old) Town Hall. Under the Local Government Act 1894 , urban sanitary districts became urban districts on 31 December 1894. Hitchin Local Board therefore became Hitchin Urban District Council. The act also stipulated that a parish could not be partly in an urban district and partly outside it. The old parish of Hitchin
3477-439: Was formerly located on Wilbury Way in Hitchin before moving to Letchworth . EDA is a drama school where students train and study for a BA (hons) degree in Musical Theatre in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire. The school also has a sixth form and a weekend school. North Hertfordshire Museum has an extensive collection that tells the story of the town and wider area from prehistoric times. The British Schools Museum
3538-432: Was founded in 1954 and competes in rugby union at all age levels within the Hitchin area. This includes teams at ages 7 to 12, 13 to 17, under 19s, seniors, over 35s, and a Ladies side. The club's highlights have included playing at Twickenham in the final of the national Junior RFU Cup in 1993 and the establishment of the country's first Academy. Currently membership stands at over 500 people. The club are also active as
3599-410: Was historically based on serving as the market town for the surrounding agricultural area, which was primarily arable with some sheep farming. Lavender has long been grown in the fields around the town, and an early industry in the town was lavender distilleries. The Great Northern Railway built its main line from London King's Cross to York through the town; Hitchin railway station opened with
3660-408: Was once a minster . The size of the church is evidence of how Hitchin prospered from the wool trade. It is the largest parish church in Hertfordshire . Most of the church dates from the 15th century, with its tower dating from around 1190. During the laying of a new floor in the church in 1911, foundations of a more ancient church building were found. In form, they appear to be a basilican church of
3721-403: Was therefore split, with the parts outside the urban district becoming the three separate civil parishes of Langley, Preston, and Walsworth with effect from their first parish meetings on 4 December 1894. The three new rural parishes were all included in the Hitchin Rural District . The Urban District Council took over the existing Town Hall on Brand Street, which had been built in 1840. In 1900
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