Stanwell

infobox UK place

country = England
latitude=51.45067
longitude=-0.48314
official_name= Stanwell
map_type= Surrey
population =12,067
shire_district= Spelthorne
shire_county = Surrey
region= South East England

constituency_westminster= Spelthorne
post_town= Staines
postcode_district= TW19
postcode_area=TW
dial_code= 01784
os_grid_reference= TQ055735

Stanwell is a suburban village in the Surrey borough of Spelthorne. It is located 15.7 miles (24.8 km) west south-west of Charing Cross and half a mile (0.8 km) from the southern boundary of London Heathrow Airport and the London Borough of Hillingdon. The census area "Stanwell North" has a population of 7,301 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5942920&c=stanwell&d=14&e=16&g=491796&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 Census area "Stanwell North"] ] and the census area "Stanwell South" has a population of 4,766. [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=552452&c=stanwell&d=14&e=16&g=491611&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 Census data "Stanwell South"] ]

History

There are to theories regarding the origin of the name Stanwell. One is that it was named after St Anne's Well in the village. The second, and more likely theory was it was in fact meant to mean 'stone well'. Indeed the first few letters of the name are the same as in the name of neighbouring Staines, which also is said to mean 'stones'. [ [http://www.experiencefestival.com/stanwell] ]

Stanwell appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as "Stanwelle". It was held by Walter, son of Othere. Its domesday assets were: 15 hides. It had 4 mills worth £3 10s 0d and 375 eels, 3 weirs worth 1000 eels, 10 ploughs, meadow for 12 ploughs and woodland worth 12 hogs. It rendered £14. [ [http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book] ]

In 1603, Lord Knyvett was granted the manor of Stanwell. Lord Knyvett was the man who arrested Guy Fawkes in his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Stanwell's 12th century St Mary's church contains monuments to Lord and Lady Knyvett. It has Norman and Gothic architectural elements.In 1838, an unknown species of rose was found in a local garden and given the name of Stanwell Perpetual.

From 1930 Stanwell formed part of the Staines Urban District of Middlesex. In 1965, under the London Government Act 1963, most of the rest of Middlesex became part of Greater London while the Staines Urban District was transferred to Surrey.

After the Second World War, large scale housing society and council house building began, mostly to house airport workers.

In 2004, the village won a Bronze Medal in the national Britain In Bloom [ [http://www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/winners2004.asp] ] competition in the Urban Community category.

Famous Residents

* Thomas Knevytt, Member of Parliament in 1601, was given the manor of Stanwell for uncovering the Gunpowder Plot in 1603
* Nicholas Hilliard, painter leased Poyle Manor
* Richard Cox, British horticulturist, created Cox's Orange Pippin apple, first grown in his garden on the Bath Road
* Gary Numan, singer, was raised in Stanwell, attending the local Abbotsford School
* Pete Shaw, author and theatrical producer, was raised in Short Lane, Stanwell
* Vonn Ströpp, surrealist painter born in Stanwell in 1962

See also

* Stanwell Park, New South Wales

References