Wallington, Hampshire

infobox UK place

country = England
latitude=50.85506
longitude=-1.17028
official_name= Wallington
population =
shire_district= Fareham
shire_county = Hampshire
region= South East England

constituency_westminster= Fareham
post_town=
postcode_district=
postcode_area=
dial_code= 01329
os_grid_reference= SU585065

Wallington is a village in Hampshire, part of the borough of Fareham. It is situated between Portsmouth and Southampton near where the River Wallington enters Portsmouth Harbour.

The name Wallington probably means 'settlement of the Welsh' (or Britons) – "Weala-tun" / "Walintone" (Old English) and not 'walled town' as might be inferred.

Industry

The village is now an affluent residential suburb of Fareham, but was once a separate entity with a brewery and tannery as its main industries. Wallington was also important in brickmaking and pottery. The bricks known as "Fareham reds" were made locally – the most famous use of which is the Royal Albert Hall. Wallington also boasts the largest collection of "Fareham pots" – chimney pots.

Fort Wallington

In the 1860s the Royal Commission on the Defences of the United Kingdom recommended that a line of forts be built along Portsdown Hill. The western end of this line was Fort Wallington. Building of the fort was started in 1861 and completed in 1874. Following its sale to Mr J. Sullivan of the Southern Counties Trading Company the fort has been used as an industrial depot, and much of the old fort has been demolished – little now remains.

Wallington Village Community Association

The WVCA is an active organisation based in the Village Hall. It is involved in many areas of village life. It began in the late 1970s initially in response to the threat of demolition to the bridge over River Wallington. In 1995 WVCA completed its new village hall.

WVCA organises a number of social events throughout the year:
* Summer fête on Wallington water meadows
* Horticultural Show
* Tree and daffodil planting programme
* Christmas carols and pantomime

References

* [http://www.wvca.co.uk WVCA's website]
* "Wallington Once in a Millennium" – commemorative edition of Once in a While – Arthur Hackney.