Purbrook
| Purbrook | |
| Hampshire | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to St John the Baptist's Church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU679078 |
| Location: | 50°51’56"N, 1°2’12"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 9,171 (2011) |
| Post town: | Waterlooville |
| Postcode: | PO7 |
| Dialling code: | 023 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Havant |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Havant |
Purbrook is a village in Hampshire, on the outskirts of Waterlooville in the south-west of the county, on the north side of Portsdown Hill: over the hill stands Portchester. The 2001 census recorded a population of 9,281.
The village pub is The Woodman.
Church
The parish church St John The Baptist. Until the Victorian Age the village was in the parish of Farlington, but in the early 1840s the Rector realised the long walk over the hill kept the villagers of Purbrook from worship, so a new church was built from 1843, but conflict between the Rector of Farlington (who embraced the Oxofrd Movement) and the local squire, John Deverell (who was robustly Protestant), delayed consecration until 1858. The architect cjosen for the church was J P Harrison, a follower of Pugin and the architect of Keble’s church at Hursely, near Winchester.
History
Waterlooville and Cowplain did not exist before the year 1815. Before then the area was part of the Forest of Bere, which stretched from the border of Sussex to Winchester. Now the Forest of Bere is a mixture of woodland, open space, heathland, and farmland that includes a small part of the South Downs National Park.
On the southern fringe of the forest was the little village of Purbrook. Its name is a corruption of Pucanbroc, which means the brook of the water-sprite.
Early in the 19th century a windmill was built in Purbrook. Purbrook Church (St Johns) was built in 1858. In 1869 Purbrook Industrial School opened in Stakes Road.
Purbrook Park House was built in 1770. It was rebuilt in 1837. In the 1920s the house became a grammar school and later a comprehensive school. It is now known as Purbrook Park School. The school is a Language College.
About the village
Purbrook Heath is a popular recreation ground. There is a children's park, bowls area, tennis courts, several cricket pitches, a football cage and a basketball court all located in 'The Heath'.
Fort Purbrook is also another main attraction just located off Portsdown Hill. It is home to an activity centre, and is occasionally open for craft fairs. Some of the activities are archery, indoor rock climbing and rifle shooting.
Fort Purbrook was used as the location for the 1st 'The Late Bay' Winter Camp. After a very successful weekend the organisation have agreed to hold an annual meeting here.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Purbrook) |