Waterbeach
| Waterbeach | |
| Cambridgeshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL496654 |
| Location: | 52°15’59"N, -0°11’27"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 4,691 |
| Post town: | Cambridge |
| Postcode: | CB25 |
| Dialling code: | 01223 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | South Cambridgeshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
South East Cambridgeshire |
Waterbeach is a large fen-edge village in Cambridgeshire, six miles north of Cambridge. It is close to the River Cam, which flows to the east of the village, at the hamlet of Clayhithe.
Waterbeach is on a Roman canal, which may be the southern end of the great Car Dyke, a Roman waterway whose course, if it is one work, can be traced as far as Lincoln. Recent archaeological investigations have found extensive evidence of Roman settlement at the southern end of the village.
Waterbeach appears in the Domesday Book as Utbech. In the 12th Century, the Knights Templar were located at Denny Abbey to the north of the village. The parish contains two Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Denny Abbey (which houses the Farmland Museum) and the site of Waterbeach Abbey (near the present church).
Denny End
Denny End is the end of Waterbeach along the A10.
The Denny End Industrial Estate houses several significant businesses, such as the Milton Brewery and A&R Cambridge Ltd.
Former RAF Waterbeach and Army Barracks
A Royal Air Force station, RAF Waterbeach, was built on the northern edge of the village in 1940, operating under RAF Bomber Command. After the Second World War, the station was operated by RAF Transport Command and then RAF Fighter Command until 1966, when the site transferred to the Royal Engineers and became Waterbeach Barracks. The small Museum has now closed, though it has been saved[1] and the collection put into storage, for a few years.
The barracks closed on 28 March 2013 following the move of all remaining Army units to RAF Kinloss and to RAF Wittering during 2012-13.[2][3]
Churches
The parish church is dedicated to St John the Evangelist
There is a Baptist church famous for its connection with the theologian Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
The Salvation Army has a corps at Waterbeach.
The village
Waterbeach expanded considerably in recent years due to the economic growth in the region and has become increasingly a dormitory for Cambridge and, to some extent, London.
The village has several shops, a café, three pubs, a brewery and a Chinese take away. There is a small industrial estate at the edge of the village and a number of small companies have premises in the village itself. Waterbeach Community Primary School is a school for approximately 300 pupils and is linked with the adjacent Waterbeach Independent Lending Library.
Active community groups include the Scouts and Girl Guides, Army Cadet Force, several playgroups and a play scheme, as well as a Community Association.
Pictures
-
Waterbeach railway station -
1945 aerial photograph
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Waterbeach) |
References
- ↑ "Museum's collection is saved". http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Museums-collection-is-saved-18122012.htm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ↑ "Waterbeach Barracks closes to make way for housing". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-21967882. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ↑ "First tranche of Army unit moves confirmed". Ministry of Defence. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/FirstTrancheOfArmyUnitMovesConfirmed.htm. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
Books
- Hamlin, John F. & Oliver J. Merrington (2011) At the 'Beach: the story of Royal Air Force Waterbeach and Waterbeach Barracks. Peterborough: GMS Enterprises ISBN 1-904514-63-4
- Clay, William Keatinge (1852) A history of the parish of Waterbeach in the county of Cambridge. Cambridge: Deighton Bell. (Cambridge Antiquarian Society. Octavo series ; Vol.4).
- Masters, Robert (1795) A short account of the parish of Waterbeach: in the diocese of Ely. London: publisher unknown