Carterton, Oxfordshire

Infobox UK place
official_name= Carterton
country= England
region= South East England
population= 18000 (Parish)
os_grid_reference= SP2806
london_distance= 72.4mi
latitude= 51.756
longitude= -1.587
post_town=
postcode_area=
postcode_district=
dial_code=
constituency_westminster=
civil_parish= Carterton
shire_district= West Oxfordshire
shire_county= Oxfordshire

Carterton is a town in Oxfordshire, England. It is about 8 kilometres (5 miles) west of Witney, on the B4020 and B4477 roads. It is close to the A40 road. It is one of the newest towns in Oxfordshire. Despite this, Carterton is the second largest settlement in the West Oxfordshire District. Its population is approximately 20,000.

Until the early 19th century, the Carterton area was farmland and belonged to the parish of Black Bourton. The land was then sold to William Carter, the director of a building company.

History

Carterton grew rapidly during World War II, due to its proximity to RAF Brize Norton military airbase. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is still one of the main employers in the area. The link to the airbase also means that the population of Carterton is constantly fluctuating. There is also a significant proportion of retired RAF personnel living in the town.

The Witney and East Gloucestershire branch line railway from Yarnton to Fairford passed to the south of Carterton and RAF Brize Norton. The line was part of the Great Western Railway, which in 1944 opened a station for Carterton on the line. In 1962, British Railways closed the Witney - Fairford section of the line, including Carterton station.

A new north eastern district of the town has been built, providing a mix of housing for private ownership and social letting. A new primary school has been built on the development and work has begun to build a local shopping centre.

Education

Education in Carterton is provided by Carterton Primary School ] , Gateway Primary School, Edith Moorhouse Primary School, St. Joseph's Primary School, St John the Evangelist CE Primary School, and Carterton Community College, the town's secondary school. [http://www.cartertoncc.oxon.sch.uk/] ] There is also a library located in the town centre.

Hospitality

There are three public houses in the town, the Beehive, the Aviator and the Jaggers Bar.

Retail

There are a number of shops and parking within the town centre. Two supermarkets serve the town and both are located within the centre. There are plans afoot to improve and expand the retail space within the centre and to create more car parking. A new development, "West Oxfordshire Retail Park" is being built within the town as is a new business park. The Countryside Agency has awarded Carterton Beacon Status for the work that the Fast forward team is undertaking on the regeneration of the town centre.

Housing

The town of Carterton has a varied mix of housing, some of which belongs to the MOD. The new development of Shilton Park has added many more houses to the current stock.

People

The grandfather of the footballer, Theo Walcott was once the mayor of Carterton. In 2006 Theo Walcott turned on the Christmas lights in the town in 2006.Fact|date=September 2008 Former British Touring Car Championship driver Tim Harvey used to live in the town.Fact|date=September 2008

References

External links

* [http://carterton-tc.gov.uk/ Carterton Town Council]
* [http://www.carterton-pri.oxon.sch.uk/ Carterton Primary School]
* [http://www.cartertoncc.oxon.sch.uk/ Carterton Community College]
* [http://www.d.m.howse.btinternet.co.uk/homepage.html Witney & East Gloucestershire Railway]