Tongham
| Tongham | |
| Surrey | |
|---|---|
 St Paul, Tongham | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU8849 |
| Location: | 51°14’14"N, 0°43’56"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 3,168 (2001) |
| Post town: | Farnham |
| Postcode: | GU10 |
| Dialling code: | 01252 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Guildford |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Surrey Heath |
Tongham is a small Surrey village located close to the north-east Hampshire and Surrey border. The village lies in a triangle between the A31 and the A331. Neighbouring villages include Ash and Badshot Lea. The nearest town is Aldershot in Hampshire.
The Hogs Back Brewery is in the village, just north of the Hog's Back. The village was formerly the home of Aldershot Stadium which hosted greyhound racing, stock car racing (and other short-oval motorsports) and speedway. The stadium lasted from 1950 until it was demolished for construction of the A331 road at the end of 1992.
History
Archaeological evidence suggests the area of Tongham has been occupied since Neolithic times. Notable finds in the village include two Neolithic arrowheads and Iron Age farmsteads.[1] Tongham railway station was important for transporting materials to build the new military camp of Aldershot from 1856 until 1870.[2] St. Paul's Church was designed by Ewan Christian and completed in 1865. In 1866, Tongham (which had previously been part of the parish of Seale) was made into a separate parish.
A notable Anglican clergyman Cyril Garbett was born in Tongham in 1875. The military author and Honorary Remembrancer for the Borough of Aldershot (1963 to 1974), and Curator of the Aldershot Museum, Howard N. Cole, lived in the village.
According to the Guinness World Records 2003, Tongham also holds the world record for holding the most Indisciplined Football Match ever against Hawley Youth Club on 3 November 1969. The referee booked all 22 players, including one who went to hospital and one of the linesman. The match, which was won by Tongham 2-0, was described by a participating player as a "good hard game".
Tongham was mentioned in passing in Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Tongham) |
- Tongham.com
- Tongham Village Hall
- Tongham Wood Improvement Group
- St. Paul's Church Tongham
- George Keen
- Tongham Community Association and Community Centre
- Tongham on old-maps.co.uk
