Stotfold

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.01809
longitude= -0.22793
official_name= Stotfold
population = 6,209 (2001 census)
shire_district= Mid Bedfordshire
shire_county = Bedfordshire
region= East of England
constituency_westminster= North East Bedfordshire
post_town= HITCHIN
postcode_district = SG5
postcode_area= SG
dial_code= 01462
os_grid_reference= TL215365
static_

static_image_caption=
london_distance=

Stotfold is a small town in the Mid Bedfordshire district of Bedfordshire, England. It is about convert|3|mi|km|1 north of Letchworth in Hertfordshire.

In the 1800s, Stotfold was regarded as a wealthy place. The saying was that "to live in Stotfold, one has to have £100 and a pig".

Stotfold is thought to have gained its name from the northern cattle drovers breaking their journey south at this point on the A1 Great North Road and penning their cattle (stots) in enclosures (folds) before continuing their journeys southwards.

The River Ivel runs through the town. Stotfold covers 2,207 acres and the current population, according to the 2001 census, is 6,209. [ [http://85.12.98.34/BedsCC/xnoteslink/SDimr4.nsf/Web/ThePage/WP-Stotfold Beds CC - Ward Profile for Stotfold] ]

The church of St Mary's dates back to Norman times.

Stotfold is famous for its mill, Stotfold Mill, which is situated near Mill Close. The mill burnt down in 1992 but was rebuilt over 2001 and work is still going on and off. The mill wheel, for the first time in many years, is turning again. [ [http://www.stotfoldmill.org/home.html Stotfold Mill Homepage] ]

Black squirrels are often seen in Stotfold, as they surround the area. [ [http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/website/forestresearch.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-6HTK9B Forest Research - Black squirrels] ] Stotfold is also known in the bird community, with many kingfisher nests and rare birds nearby.

The town is divided by a long road, (High Street), which separates the east side from the west. There are two parks and one recreational ground, with a MUGA and Roker Park football pitch.

New estates

Building work continues to expand the town, with new areas such as Mill View and Fairfield Park. Fairfield Park is on the site of the old Fairfield Hospital (famous mental health unit) covering a very large area, south of Stotfold and to the east of Arlesey. The old hospital has been converted into luxury apartments. It also includes hundreds of new houses most of which are 3 to 5 bedroom and completely out of the price range of most first time buyers.

Fairfield Park is within the boundaries of Stotfold, but is about a mile south of the main part of Stotfold and is nearer to Letchworth. As of Mid 2008, building continues at Fairfield Park and there is planned to be around 1,000 houses in total, along with a new Tesco Supermarket being built opening in Dec 08. With this new development, Mill View and another large development (about 500 homes) now started on the edge of Stotfold next to the A507 Bypass, called Greenacres/Trinity Manor the population will nearly double.

Famous residents

Olympic and world champion track cyclist, Victoria Pendleton, was brought up in Stotfold. In 2007, the cycle track between Arlesey and Stotfold was renamed in her honour. [ [http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndDemocracy/News/Shesoncetwicethreetimesalady.aspx Bedfordshire County Council Press Release] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/stotfold/ Stotfold Photos Flickr Group]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/95200 An unusual telephone mast in the town]
* [http://www.stotfoldtowncouncil.gov.uk/ Town Council]
*oscoor gbx|TL217370