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Walton-On-Thames is a town in the Elmbridge borough of Surrey in South East England.
Location
PopulationThe population of the Walton Central district of Walton on Thames is 5,862 with Elmbridge's population being 121,936, with the Walton Central having a male population of 2,791 against Elmbridge's male population of 58,867. This makes the female population of Walton Central 3,071 against figures for Elmbridge of 63,069.[1] HistoryThe name Walton is Anglo-Saxon in origin and is believed to mean "farm of the Britons" or to have meant 'Saxon settlement'. Even before the Romans and the Saxons were present, there was a Celtic settlement here. The Anglo-Saxon word for the Celtic inhabitants who lived here before them is "Wealas". Image:Old Manor House.jpg The Old Manor House, Walton-on-Thames Walton-on-Thames was also identified by William Camden as the place where Caesar forded the Thames on his second invasion of Britain.[2] However according to Elmbridge Museum, there is no evidence to support this.[3]
Image:Walton church.jpg The Church of St Mary During the First World War New Zealand troops were hospitalised in the now demolished Mount Felix House. They are remembered by the street name New Zealand Avenue, the Wellington Pub and a small memorial in the Homebase car park. Hersham and Walton Motors (HWM), now an Aston Martin dealer, constructed its own racing car in the early 1950s. Stirling Moss won his first Formula One Grand Prix in an HWM. In addition, HWM was the world's first Aston Martin dealership. Walton BridgeImage:ThamesAtWalton.jpg The River Thames at Walton There have been five bridges on the site so far and plans are advanced for the sixth. Prior to the first bridge there was a ferry which goes back to, at least, the 15th century, as does the architecture of the current bridge. Image:WaltonBridge.jpg 4th Walton Bridge The first bridge, constructed between 1748 and 1750, was a timber structure that stood until 1783. Canaletto painted a picture of this bridge in 1754. The painting, which shows the rococo-style of this bridge, may be seen in Dulwich Picture Gallery.[4] The second bridge was constructed in 1788 and stood until 1859. Constructed of brick and stone, it lasted much longer that its predecessor. This bridge was painted by Turner in 1805 following his sketching tour of the river Thames and Wey at that time. After the second bridge collapsed a ferry crossing resumed until the construction of the third bridge in 1864. This was a girder bridge on stone piers. At the same time, a brick viaduct was constructed to span the flood plain to the south of the river. As of 2006 the viaduct is still standing. The third bridge was damaged during the Second World War in 1940 leading to a permanent weight restriction. To alleviate this a fourth temporary bridge was constructed in 1953 on the downstream side of the old bridge which was relegated to use by cyclists and pedestrians. It was finally demolished in 1985. The fourth bridge was constructed from prefabricated bailey bridge style components that were probably war surplus. In 1999, the fourth bridge was replaced by yet another temporary, fifth bridge occupying the line of the original bridges. This initially had several problems and had to be resurfaced a number of times causing huge traffic disruptions. The fourth bridge was relegated to use by cyclists and pedestrians once the fifth was completed. A sixth bridge is planned and may be completed by 2009. TodayWalton is part of the Esher and Walton parliamentary constituency, as of 2005 a safe Conservative seat. The current MP is Ian Taylor. Five Walton Society Councillors represent Walton on Elmbridge Borough Council, with one representing Walton on Surrey County Council. There are Six Conservatives on Elmbridge Council three in the South ward, two in Ambleside and one in North ward. The Walton South and Oatlands division on the County Council, which includes part of the town centre, is Conservative held. The Heart of WaltonThe Heart of Walton[5] is the name given to the re-development of Walton town centre. The old town centre was built in the 1960s and had become very run down due to poor maintenance. The re-development includes a shopping mall and 279 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with views over Ashley Park. The new shopping centre has several brand retailers, as well as a new Debenhams store being constructed opposite. Notable peopleThe following people were born in the town:
SportWalton & Hersham F.C. are an football club who are currently spending the 2006-7 season in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Nicknamed the Swans, they play at Stompond Lane, Walton-on-Thames. The club play in an all-red home kit. Walton Athletics Club was founded in 1942 and is also based at the Stompond Lane Sports Ground. The club has around 200 members ranging in age from 9 years to 60+ years old. Walton AC provides qualified coaching in all athletics disciplines and participates in a number of different leagues to provide appropriate competition for all age groups in Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Sport Hall Athletics. Walton Casuals F.C. are a football club who are currently spending the 2006-07 season in the Ryman Football League Division 1 South, one tier below their neighbours Walton & Hersham F.C. Nicknamed the Stags, they play their games at the Franklyn Road Sports Ground just off Waterside Drive and adjacent to the new Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Centre. The club play in a tangerine and black home kit and a change kit of claret and blue. Trivia
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