Tonwell

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name = Tonwell
longitude = -0.0644
latitude = 51.8379
population = 296 (2001)
shire_district = East Hertfordshire
shire_county = Hertfordshire
region = East of England
constituency_westminster = North East Hertfordshire
post_town = Ware
postcode_district = SG12
postcode_area = SG
dial_code = 01920
os_grid_reference = TL334172

Tonwell is a small village in Bengeo Rural parish, Hertfordshire.

The village is situated just off the A602 (formerly B1001), having been bypassed in 1987 - making the A10 and therefore London and Cambridge easily accessible by road.

Tonwell has a population of about 300 persons, and the demographic is similar to that of Hertfordshire itself, with a number of family properties as well as those more suited to elderly people. Surrounding the village is Paynes Hall (south of the village by half a mile, where the A602 crosses the River Rib); the Bengeo Temple farm, and the Parkland at Sacombe (listed by Hertfordshire County Council as a rare and significant example of Victorian parkland [http://www.hertsdirect.org/yrccouncil/hcc/env/enjoy/care/landscape/hlca/ehp/ehv/] ).

Tonwell has close ties to the neighbouring hamlet of Chapmore End; the only other settlement in the parish. The two settlements hold combined events such as the village fete, and regular parish events in the parish hall in Tonwell. The [http://www.woodmanpub.com Woodman] public house in Chapmore End has also held large local events, such as the Woodmanstock festivals, as well as more recently a festival in celebration of the summer solstice featuring folk music and traditional dancing. The pub regularly features in the CAMRA good beer guide [ [http://www.hertsale.org.uk Welcome to South Herts CAMRA ] ] .

Village amenties include a [http://www.tonwell.herts.sch.uk school] (built in 1858 [http://www.tonwell.herts.sch.uk/pdf/prospectus.pdf] ), village hall, and the Robin Hood (free house) pub.

The village shop and Post Office was closed down by the owners in the 1980s and converted into a restaurant room for the pub, meaning the people of the village now have to drive to Hertford or Ware to get essential food products or use Post Office services.

Tonwell Water Tower

The Church of St Mary's in Tonwell [CoE] adjoins the village school, and contains a Norman era font (relocated from St Nicholas' church in Hertford in about 1700 AD).Fact|date=October 2007 The church also contains wood panelling from the Houses of Parliament, which were installed in the church following bomb damage after the Second World War.Fact|date=October 2007 In the 1990s, the church fell into disrepair, and eventually in the 2000s services were suspended. In 2005 the church was officially closed and renovated with the village school being extended into the church to cope with rising pupil numbers.

The skyline of the village is dominated by the futuristic 1960s concrete water tower, which makes the village stand out from others surrounding it because it is so unusual. In recognition of this, in 2007 it was listed at Grade II [I have copies of the listing documents but unable to find an online source. The listing document also contains the technical details about the water tower present on this page] . The water tower has a capacity of 50,000 gallons and was built in 1964. It was designed by Edmund C. Percey of Scherrer and Hicks.

References