Turnfurlong

Infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Turnfurlong
static_

static_image_caption= Typical housing in Turnfurlong
latitude= 51.810117
longitude= -0.795192
civil_parish= Aylesbury
shire_district= Aylesbury Vale
shire_county= Buckinghamshire
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Aylesbury
post_town= AYLESBURY
postcode_district= HP21
postcode_area= HP
dial_code= 01296
os_grid_reference= SP8313

Turnfurlong (also known historically as Turn Furlong [ [http://apps.buckscc.gov.uk/eforms/photolibrary/photoDetail.aspx?id=1713 Image of Turnfurlong in 1906] ] ) is an area of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, England. It is roughly defined as the area of housing that adjoins the two roads, Turnfurlong and Turnfurlong Lane (about a mile in combined length).

History

Turnfurlong Lane originated as a farm track that linked Walton hamlet with Bedgrove Farm and there was a small farmstead part way along the track called Turnfurlong, roughly in the location of what is now the back of Aylesbury Grammar School.Period maps held at the [http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/content/index.jsp?contentid=-746638797 Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies] ] Within the first ten years of the 20th century the new grammar school and the adjoining town cemetery were in place on the edge of Walton hamlet, and it is at about this time that the farmstead of Turnfurlong disappeared from period maps.

Between the First World War and the Second World War Aylesbury was expanding in population and the stretch of Turnfurlong Lane between Walton and what is now Wendover Way was built up with three-bedroomed semi-detached family homes by the bookbinders Hazell, Watson and Viney for their employees.Vaughan, Karl (2002) "A Century of Aylesbury". Swindon: WHSmith] It is at about this time that the adjoining Fair Mile, Walton Way and Clinton Crescent were constructed for the same purpose.

Following the Second World War prefabs were sited temporarily on what is now King Edward Avenue and the Grange School and Aylesbury High School were both opened, though the latter is strictly within the boundary of Walton hamlet.

The latter part of Turnfurlong Lane was developed in stages between the 1960s and 1990s. Worthy of note are the development around Webster Drive, built on the site of the old Aylesbury United football ground, the Foxhills development and the large Bedgrove development.

Etymology

The origin of the name Turnfurlong is uncertain. A theory as to the origin of the name is that it was the boundary between two furlongs or fields, being the point where the plough needed to be turned, though there is no supporting evidence of this theory.

Schools

The aforementioned Grange School is the only secondary school in the area, though there are four primary schools, two infant and two junior, in Turnfurlong.

Turnfurlong Infant School is a community school that takes children from ages 4 to 7. It has approximately 260 pupils.

Turnfurlong Junior School is a community school that takes children from ages 7 to 11. It has approximately 350 pupils. Its uniform is a red jumper or fleece with a white shirt.

St Joseph's Catholic Infant School is a mixed Roman Catholic primary school. It was opened in 1971, when demand for spaces at RC schools in the area meant that the school on the adjacent site - what is now St Edward's Junior School - could no longer take children under the age of 7. St Joseph's is a voluntary aided infant school, which takes children from the age of 4 through to the age of 7. The school has approximately 200 pupils. The school is controlled by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton and its motto is "I am special in God's eyes".

St Edward's Catholic Junior School is a mixed Roman Catholic voluntary aided junior school, which takes children from ages 7 to 11. It has approximately 240 pupils.

References

External links

* [http://www.turnfurlongmiddle.bucks.sch.uk/ Turnfurlong School website]
* [http://www.stedwards.bucks.sch.uk/ St Edward's School website]