Teddington, Worcestershire
| Teddington | |
| Worcestershire | |
|---|---|
 Teddington and Bredon Hill beyond from the footpath from Oxenton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO965330 |
| Location: | 51°59’45"N, 2°3’8"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 393 |
| Post town: | Tewkesbury |
| Postcode: | GL20 |
| Dialling code: | 01386 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Tewkesbury |
Teddington is a village and parish in a salient of Worcestershire protruding into Gloucestershire.
The village had a recorded population of 393 at the 2011 census, many of whom are commuters
Teddington has an archaic water pump, a village hall and some property dating from the 18th century and earlier. Nearby is the "Teddington Hands" pub, the name of which refers to the crossroads sign that was renovated as part of the 2000 Millennium celebrations. Opposite the pub and outside a Texaco service station is a standing stone of unknown age.
Parish church
The parish church in the village, St Nicholas, is thought to date from the 12th century. The interior wall has a partially faded mural of the Lion and the Unicorn that dates from the second half of the 17th century.
The church also contains an arch brought from Hailes Abbey after the latter was destroyed following the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The parish is part of the Diocese of Worcester.
History
The village dates from the 8th century.
The Teddington Hands Inn (nearby, to the north of the village) was originally known as the Cross Hands Inn and stands at the original road junction on the county border with Gloucestershire: the pub stands on the Worcestershire bank of the brook (now culverted beneath the road) which marks the border at the old junction. In the late 1980s the Teddington Hands Roundabout was built a hundred yards to the north-east realigning the Stow road away from the side of the premises due to a high volume of serious road traffic accidents. The area gets its name, 'Teddington Hands', from the historic fingerpost stood at the crossroads but now stands adjacent to the entrance to the pub. The finger post is a listed structure.
During the Second World War an American military base was in the field to the rear of the pub and the heavyweight boxer Joe Louis fought an exhibition match in the field and all the surrounding villagers were invited. Glenn Miller also entertained troops in an adjacent field and visited the pub for refreshments prior to going to Cheltenham to perform a further concert. The following day he left from a nearby airfield and was never seen again. So the Teddington Hands Inn is possibly the last pub Glenn Miller ever visited.
Surrounding area
The villages of Teddington and Alstone, separated by the tiny hamlet of Bengrove lie in gently rolling countryside near the foot of the Cotswold escarpment, almost equidistant from the towns of Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Evesham. Each is a distinct community but their proximity to each other and their small size, a combined adult population of almost 330, means that the people who live here join together for social occasions and religious observances. Many of the close personal friendships forged as a result have prove long and lasting.
The existence of this parish began when the standing stone was founded and was thought to bring good-natured happenings and luck. Travellers came into the area looking to see the stone until there was a whole community of travellers and settlers. After a few years there were thriving businesses and schools worthy for education of children. Even today people moving house or coming into retirement like to travel to Teddington for its famous brews and the "mystical significance" of the standing stone.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Teddington, Worcestershire) |
- Teddington Hands Inn website
- Teddington and Alstone Parish Council website
- Accommodation in Teddington
