Tonwell
| Tonwell | |
| Hertfordshire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL334172 |
| Location: | 51°50’16"N, 0°3’52"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 296 (2001) |
| Post town: | Ware |
| Postcode: | SG12 |
| Dialling code: | 01920 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | East Hertfordshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North East Hertfordshire |
Tonwell is a small village in Hertfordshire. It stands just off the A602, having been bypassed in 1987 to take the busy A10 away from it.
Tonwell has a population of about 300 souls. Surrounding the village is Paynes Hall (south of the village by half a mile, where the A602 crosses the River Rib); the Bengeo Temple farm, and the Parkland at Sacombe (listed in the landscape character assessment as a rare and significant example of Victorian parkland[1]).
Tonwell has close ties to the neighbouring hamlet of Chapmore End; the only other settlement in the parish. The two settlements hold combined events such as the village fete, and regular parish events in the parish hall in Tonwell. The Woodman public house in Chapmore End has also held large local events, such as the Woodmanstock festivals and a new summer festival featuring folk music and traditional dancing. The pub regularly features in the CAMRA good beer guide.[2]
The village has a school (built in 1858[3], a village hall, and the Robin Hood (free house) pub.
The village shop and Post Office was closed down by the owners in the 1980s and converted into a restaurant room for the pub. The nearest food stores or Post Offices are now situated in Hertford, Watton-at-Stone or Ware.
Church
The Church of St Mary's in Tonwell adjoins the village school, and contains a Norman era font (relocated from St Nicholas' church in Hertford in about 1700 AD). The church also contains wood panelling from the Palace of Westminster, which were installed in the church following bomb damage after the Second World War. In the 1990s, the church fell into disrepair, and eventually in the 2000s services were suspended. In 2005 the church was officially closed and renovated, and the village school was extended into the church to cope with rising pupil numbers.
Tonwell Water Tower
The skyline of the village is dominated by the futuristic 1960s concrete water tower, which makes the village stand out from others surrounding it because it is so unusual. In recognition of this, in 2007 it was listed at Grade II.[4] The water tower has a capacity of 50,000 gallons and was built in 1964. It was designed by Edmund C. Percey of Scherrer and Hicks.
Outside links
| ("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Tonwell) |
