Population 8,945 (2011) Civil parish Hoo St Werburgh Region South East Local time Tuesday 11:33 AM UK parliament constituency Rochester and Strood | OS grid reference TQ779725 Ceremonial county Kent Country England Dialling code 01634 | |
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Weather 11°C, Wind W at 16 km/h, 83% Humidity | ||
Hoo St Werburgh is one of several villages on the Hoo Peninsula to bear the name Hoo, meaning 'spur of land'. It constitutes a civil parish in the unitary authority of Medway in South East England. It was, until 1998, administered by Kent County Council, but is still part of Kent with which it is ceremonially associated via the Lieutenancies Act. It had a population of 7,356 at the 2001 census, increasing to 8,945 at the 2011 Census.
Contents
- Map of Hoo St Werburgh UK
- History
- Recreation grounds
- Halls
- Allotments
- Education
- Notable residents
- References
Map of Hoo St. Werburgh, UK
History
St. Werburgh was the daughter of King Wulfhere of Mercia, and niece of King Æthelred, his brother and successor. She was born between 640 and 650.
The first church of Hoo St Werburgh may have been built in the reign of the 8th century King Æthelbald of Mercia, though presumably a monastery existed nearby at an earlier time. This, together with land at Hoo All Hallows, is likely to have been placed under the rule of the leading Mercian monastery of Medeshamstede, now known as Peterborough.
A significant, and possibly unique, feature of this ancient parish church are the two Royal hatchments of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. These were later restored and can be viewed in the church. The Reverend Ferdinando Booth of the same family as Archbishop Lawrence Booth was vicar here from 1675-1680.
The parish records of 1851 gave the population as 1,065.
Broad Street appeared as Brodestrete in 1478. Jacobs Lane is named after the family of Stephen Jacobe of Hoo (1480). A workhouse was in use here until the 1930s, and the secondary school bears the name "The Hundred of Hoo Academy".
Recreation grounds
Kingshill Recreation Ground is a 7.71-acre site which includes a play park, nature area and open space surrounded by treeline. Benches and waste bins are provided throughout the site. Access via Fourwents Road, Webb Close and Vidgeon Avenue. Managed by Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council, contact the clerk on 01634 868855.
Pottery Road Recreation Ground is a 5.32-acre site which includes an older children's play park and separate younger children's play park, enclosed surfaced football and basketball pitch, skate half pipe, skate ramps, adult exercise equipment, sheltered seating area and open space surrounded by treeline. Benches and waste bins are provided throughout the site. Access via Pottery Road (where a car park is available), Main Road (Hoo) and Trubridge Road. Managed by Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council, contact the clerk on 01634 868855.
Hoo Common is a large site (exact size unknown) which includes woodland walks, meadows and open space surrounded by treeline. Benches and waste bins are provided throughout the site. Access via Elm Avenue (Chattenden) (where a car park is available), Main Road (Chattenden) and Upnor Road (Upnor Village). Note: Chattenden Village is part of the parish of Hoo St Werburgh. Managed by Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council, contact the clerk on 01634 868855.
Halls
Hoo Village Hall & Jubilee Hall is located on Pottery Road Recreation Ground. Hoo Village Hall & Jubilee Hall is run as a charitable trust by a management committee, contact the bookings clerk on 07548 850188.
Allotments
The village has one 1.5-acre allotment site with water supply. Access via Everest Drive. Managed by Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council, contact the clerk on 01634 868855.
Education
Hoo is served by two schools. These are Hoo St Werburgh Primary School and The Hundred of Hoo Academy.
Hoo St Werburgh Primary School is for pupils aged 4 – 11 years of age. There are a total of 386 pupils arranged into 14 classes with two classes per year group in the main school. Attached to the school is the Marlborough Centre which caters for children diagnosed as autistic. The centre has 54 children arranged into six classes.
The Hundred of Hoo Academy is for pupils aged 11 – 18 years of age. There are a total of 1,600 pupils. The school caters for secondary aged pupils from various villages on the Hoo peninsula.
Notable residents
Thomas Aveling, of British agricultural engine and steam roller manufacturer Aveling and Porter, lived in Hoo St Werburgh and is buried in the graveyard.
Declan Galbraith, who is best known for his 2002 hit single "Tell Me Why", which peaked at #29 in the UK Singles Chart, is from Hoo St Werburgh.