Broughton Astley

Broughton Astley is a busy village and civil parish in the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England. Its population is growing rapidly as a result of housing development, reaching around 10,000 at present, having expanded from 6,487 in the 1991 census and 8,290 in the 2001 [http://www.leics.gov.uk/broughton_astely.pdf census] .

History

The parish of Broughton Astley consists of the villages of Broughton Astley and Sutton-in-the-Elms.

Broughton Astley in turn is made up of two different villages that were previously separate. They were Primethorpe and Broughton. Until recently there were still signs in the old Primethorpe area that still said "Primethorpe" such as Primethorpe post office that was still trading with that name decades after the two villages merged. Fact|date=November 2007 Broughton Astley has been claimed to be the largest village in Europe [ [http://cmispublic.harborough.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=2458 Harborough District Council website] ] but this claim appears to be without foundation as there are many other more convincing claims to be the largest village in England.

Sutton-in-the-Elms is separated from Broughton Astley by the B581 Broughton Way bypass, and consequently retains its own separate identity.

Broughton Astley Parish Council held a referendum during 2007 to consider whether the Parish Council should become a Town Council. The vote was 85% against the proposal [ [http://broughtonastley.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/chairmansannualreport.html Leicestershire Parish Councils - Broughton Astley - Chairman's Annual Report] ] .

Education

Broughton Astley has three Primary Schools spread around the village. One is [http://www.orchardcofe.leics.sch.uk/contact/index.htm Orchard Primary School] which is situatated in the old "Primethorpe" area. The second is [http://www.oldmill.leics.sch.uk/ Old Mill Primary School] which is the link of the village. The last is [http://www.hallbrook.leics.sch.uk/home/headteacher.htm Hallbrook Primary School] which is in the old "Broughton" part of the village.

Broughton is also home to [http://www.thomestcc.leics.sch.uk/ Thomas Estley community college] . It hosts a wide range of night school classes and sporting activities.Fact|date=November 2007 The community college is named after the man who first suggested combining Broughton and Primethorpe in the 1700s. [ [http://www.freewebs.com/broughtonastley/ Broughton Astley Website] ]

Other

Local residents

* Willie Thorne, snooker player and commentator. [ [http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=i-ll-never-forgive-willie-thorne-for-waltzing-off-with-my-wife-and-kids&method=full&objectid=19949210&siteid=93463-name_page.html People.co.uk article, October 2007] ]

Local magazines

* "Broughton Matters" [ [http://broughtonastley.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/latestnews.html Broughton Astley Parish Council website] ] is produced by Broughton Astley Parish Council to let people know about upcoming events.
* "On Your Doorstep" [ [http://www.cpublications.co.uk/ CP Publications website] ] is a full colour monthly publication, advertising local events, shops and services.
* The "Swift Flash" [ [http://www.griffindale-printers.co.uk/ Griffindale Printers website] ] is a local weekly magazine.
* "Take 5 Community News" is a local community news magazine. [ [http://www.harborough.gov.uk/pp/business/bronze.asp?id=34546 Take 5 Community News] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.banet.free-online.co.uk/ Broughton Astley Online]
* [http://www.broughton-astley.gov.uk Broughton Astley Parish Council]
* [http://www.mybroughtonastley.com/ MyBroughtonAstley.com - local events and information for Broughton Astley]