Bordon, Hampshire

infobox UK place
official_name= Bordon
country = England
os_grid_reference= SU796354
latitude= 51.11238
longitude= -0.86425
population=
shire_district= East Hampshire
shire_county = Hampshire
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= East Hampshire
post_town= BORDON
postcode_district= GU35
postcode_area=GU dial_code=

Bordon is a town in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England. It lies 5.4 miles (8.7km) southeast of Alton and forms a part of the civil parish of Whitehill, the adjoining village.

Both settlements are on the A325 road and close to the A3 road between London and Portsmouth. Originating as an army camp, the town is now losing its military role and is hoping to be redeveloped as an Eco-town.

General

The town has several shops spread out over the area but no central location such as a high street since the town was historically an army camp on a former toll road to Farnham, not a market-town like the nearby towns of Petersfield, Alton and Farnham. The town has a large supermarket, a convenience store, a small shopping centre with three supermarkets, two petrol stations, a tattoo parlour and various takeaway and video rental outlets,and local radio station Delta FM. It also has Mill Chase Community Technology College, a secondary school designated a technical college which doubles as a leisure centre.

History

Historically, the town was an important army base with a railway station, as is nearby Aldershot. The camp was first laid out in 1899 by the Highland Light Infantry, directed by Royal Engineers, and following interruption by the Second Boer War, was occupied by the army from 1903. The first occupants of Quebec barracks were the Somersetshire Light Infantry, returning from South Africa in April, and the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment arrived at St. Lucia Barracks from South Africa in June. [ [http://www.woolmerforest.org.uk/garrison/building1.php Woolmer Forest Heritage Society] ] Bordon Camp was home to the Canadian Army during both of the world wars and the town is dotted with concrete slabs on which tanks and armoured cars were parked. The Longmoor Army Ranges, a large forest with tracks and firing ranges, is south of the town. Bordon railway station was linked to both the main railway network, and by light railway to the Longmoor Military Railway. The old track bed at Longmoor, especially between Greatham and Whitehill, is open to be used permissively by walkers and cyclists.

It is the birthplace of war hero WRNS Pam Price (nee Hill).

Proposed Eco-town site

Bordon is one of 13 towns in the running for Eco-town status and is the only prospective Eco-town which has the backing of its local authority, East Hampshire District Council. Local people and the Whitehill Town Council gave their support to a project called the 'Green Town Vision' over two years ago. The aim of the Green Town Vision is to ensure that new development in Whitehill and Bordon will bring about regeneration while protecting the natural environment. The Government's plans for Eco-towns fit very closely with the Green Town Vision and so East Hampshire District Council made a bid for Whitehill and Bordon. The district council is currently consulting with residents about how the proposed Eco-town should look, where development should take place and sorting out priorities.

The Ministry of Defence has decided to relocate armed forces training from Whitehill Bordon to St Athan in South Wales. This decision means that up to 600 acres of land will be released from 2011, enabling 5,500 homes to be built and up to 7,000 jobs to be created, with a new town centre and associated infrastructure.

Transport

Both Bordon and Whitehill straddle the busy A325 road and the A3 road London to Portsmouth road passes through the parish. Completion of the Hindhead Tunnel, due for 2011, will improve road access to London.

The nearest railway station is 4 miles (6.5km) southeast of the town, at Liphook.

There is a bus link to Liphook railway station, and Stagecoach bus 18 passes through the town on the way from Haslemere to Farnham and Aldershot. Stagecoach bus 13 passes through as it travels between Liphook and Alton. Bus 211 travels between Bordon and Whitehill.

References

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External links

* [http://www.easthants.gov.uk/ East Hampshire Distirct Coucnil]
* [http://www.phoenixarts.co.uk/ Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre]
* [http://www.woolmerforest.org.uk/ Woolmer Forest Heritage Society]
* [http://www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/whitehillandbordon Whitehill Town Council]
* [http://www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/dvt Deadwater Valley Trust]