Laleham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates: 51°24′34″N 0°29′20″W / 51.40938°N 0.48882°W
| Laleham | |
  Laleham
Laleham shown within Surrey |
|
| Population | 1,511 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Spelthorne |
| Shire county | Surrey |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STAINES |
| Postcode district | TW18 |
| Dialling code | 01784 |
| Police | Surrey |
| Fire | Surrey |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Spelthorne |
| List of places: UK • England • Surrey |
Laleham is a village in the borough of Spelthorne, in the county of Surrey in South East England and is close to Staines. It within the historic boundaries of Middlesex. It has a wildlife park called Laleham Park by the River Thames. Penton Hook Lock is nearby and the historic town of Chertsey is across the river on the other side of Chertsey Bridge.
The word Laleham probably comes from 'lael' meaning twig and 'ham' meaning water meadow or village.[1]
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[edit] History
It is possible that there was a 1st century Roman marching camp on the field which is now part of The Matthew Arnold School.[citation needed]
Iron Age spearheads from the 5th century have been found in the River Thames at Laleham Ferry. 10th Century charts record the village of Laelham.
Laleham appears in the Middlesex section of the Domesday Book of 1086 as Leleham. It was held partly by Fécamp Abbey from Robert of Mortain and partly by Estrild, the nun. Its domesday assets were: 10 hides. It had 6½ ploughs, meadow for 5 ploughs, cattle pasture. It rendered £5.[2]
The foundations of the parish church of All Saints date back to the 12th century.[3] The church is well known for a superb stained glass window by Wilhelmina Geddes.[4] Records show that in the 13th century the monks of Westminster Abbey had their 'Grange' and watermill on the banks of the Thames very close to the site of Laleham Abbey. It was in 1970 that the village of Laleham was designated as a Conservation Area.
Laleham contains many fine and listed buildings notably Laleham Abbey. In the past this was owned by one of the Earls of Lucan. The hatchment in the north aisle of All Saints Church belonged to them. In the eastern part of the cemetery is the grave of Field Marshall Lord Lucan who gave the order for the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava.
[edit] Today
Laleham Village also contains Burway Rowing Club and an archery club. There is Laleham C of E School which is an independent Church of England primary school.
Laleham Park looks onto the River Thames and it is thought that that part of the Thames is reminiscent of the River Gandi in India. Because of this many Indian pilgrims, from all over the South East of England - including some parts of London, come to the park to pray and practise other religious ceremonies.
[edit] Notable people
Matthew Arnold was born in the village, and is buried in All Saints' Churchyard. He also has a local Comprehensive school named after him. Lord Lucan, famed for disappearing after the attempted murder of his wife and the murder of his children's nanny, also has strong historic links with the village. The Lucan family were the historical lords of the manor, and the Lucan Arms pub served the village for many years until it was renamed in the late 1990s.
Both Arnold and Lucan family names can be seen prominently within All Saints Church, with various memorials to generations of those families. Other notable family names are Buckland and Honor and the four houses at Laleham school are Buckland (Red), Arnold (Blue), Honnor (Yellow) and Lucan (Green). The Reverend John Buckland was Matthew Arnold's uncle; Buckland School in Laleham was named after him.
Alfred Robens, Baron Robens of Woldingham lived at with his wife at Laleham Abbey after his retirement in 1982. The Abbey had been a home of the 7th Earl of Lucan.
Gabrielle Anwar, actress and star of the American TV series Burn Notice was born in Laleham and attended Laleham C. of E. Primary and Middle School from 1975 to 1982; an end-of-term St. Trinian's sketch in the school concert of 1982 gave an early indication of her theatrical leanings.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Laleham Resident's Association (LRA) website http://www.lalehamonthames.com
All Saints Parish Church Laleham http://www.allsaintslaleham.org.uk/
