Hook, Hart

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude = 51.2773
longitude = -0.9633
official_name = Hook
population = 7,321 (2001 Census)
shire_district = Hart
shire_county = Hampshire
region = South East England
constituency_westminster = North East Hampshire
post_town = READING
postcode_district = RG27
postcode_area = RG
dial_code = 01256
os_grid_reference = SU722537
london_distance = convert|42|mi|km|0 SW

Hook is a large village within the Hart district of northern Hampshire, England. It is situated convert|10|km|mi|1 east of Basingstoke and convert|58|km|mi|1 northeast of Southampton, on the A30 national route, just north of Junction 5 of the M3 motorway.

In 2001, Hook had a population of 7,321 (8,200 est. 2006). Hook railway station offers direct rail links to both London Waterloo and Southampton with indirect routes to Reading and Salisbury. Rail services are provided by South West Trains. It is the location of the operational headquarters of the United Kingdom's largest cable television provider, Virgin Media Inc, formerly NTL and Telewest.

There is a significant business community in the town, with the large Bartley Wood Business Park situated less than 1 km from the village centre. Some companies locating in Hook are Trimble Navigation, Old Mutual and EDS. Hook is also home to a relatively small Tesco supermarket. Between 2004 and 2006, Hook expanded eastwards with the development of the new Holt Park residential district.

History

Until the 18th century only a few scattered farms could be found in the area, but small hamlets did not begin to appear until inns sprung up to serve travellers. Hook was located on the main London to Exeter stagecoach route. In the late eighteenth century a turnpike road was constructed to aid the navigation of the steep Scures Hill, to the west of the village. In 1883 Hook railway station was constructed, and the village began to grow with railway workers and commuters settling in Hook. [http://www.hook.gov.uk/hist.shtml "History of Hook" Hook Parish Council Website] ]

The distinct Anglican ecclesiastical parish of Hook was not created until as late as 1955. It was only in 1943 that permission was given for burials in Hook itself. St John the Evangelist Parish Church was completed in 1938 replacing the tin tabernacle used by worshippers since 1886. The new Church was designed by Edward Maufe and shows in small scale design features that would later be incorporated by him into Guildford Cathedral. Even the Cathedral fund raising scheme of "buying a brick" was first utilised at Hook where the Church retains an impressive list of donors and benefactors. Hook also has a Catholic Church and the Evangelical Free Church. The latter was originally paid for by the Burberry family (of clothing fame).

Hook was considered as part of a scheme to settle Londoners in the country after the Second World War, but Basingstoke was selected for development instead. Recently, the town has grown in size considerably with new housing developments being constructed.

Although within 10 km of the far larger town of Basingstoke to the west, Hook's development since the 1980s has been rapid. Calls have been made to redevelop the village centre as Hook has few amenities for its size.

House prices remain high due to its pleasant location and excellent transport links, i.e., a main line rail station to London, Basingstoke and Southampton and direct access to the M3 motorway, whilst lying on the A30 national route. Southampton Airport is 56 km (35 miles) to the south and London Heathrow Airport is 53 km (32 miles) away to the northeast. The far smaller Blackbushe Airport municipal air facility is 10.5 km (6.5 miles) to the east, near Yateley. Many residents commute to the larger local towns of Basingstoke, Winchester, Reading, Camberley, Fleet and Farnborough, with some travelling further afield to Southampton, Bracknell and London.

Education

* Hook Infant School [http://www.hook-inf.hants.sch.uk]
* Hook Junior School [http://www.hook-jun.hants.sch.uk]
* Robert May's School [http://www.hants.gov.uk/schools/4511/] (in neighbouring Odiham)
* Nearest further/higher education college - Basingstoke College of Technology [http://www.bcot.ac.uk// [1] Queen Mary's College [http://www.qmc.ac.uk [2]
* Nearest university - University of Winchester / Farnborough College Of Technology [http://www.farn-ct.ac.uk/] which offers courses at a university level.

The Hook Schools are supported by the Hook Schools Parents Association (HSPA) [http://www.hspa.org.uk]

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.hook.gov.uk/index.shtml Hook Parish Council]
* [http://www.hookfunrun.com Hook Fun Run & Road Race]
* [http://www.stjohnhook.fsnet.co.uk/homepage.htm St John's Church]
* [http://www.hants.gov.uk/schools/4511/ Robert Mays School]
* [http://www.qmc.ac.uk Queen Mary's College]
* [http://www.bcot.ac.uk Basingstoke College of Technology]
* [http://www.farn-ct.ac.uk/ Farnborough College of Technology]
* [http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk South West Trains]