Bowerhill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bowerhill |
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 Falcon Way |
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 Bowerhill
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| OS grid reference | ST914621 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Melksham |
| Postcode district | SN12 |
| Dialling code | 01225 |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Bowerhill is a village located near Melksham in Wiltshire, England. It is part of the larger Melksham Without area. The center of Bowerhill is about 2.8 kilometers (1.75 miles) south of Melksham town.
Around 3,000 people live in Bowerhill. For a long time, a small green area separated Bowerhill from Melksham. However, in 2022, new houses were built there. West of the homes in Bowerhill, you'll find a business area. This area used to be a training school for the Royal Air Force. Also, Melksham's main secondary school, Melksham Oak Community School, is located on the north-east side of Bowerhill.
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The Story of Bowerhill: From Farmland to RAF Base
Before 1940, Bowerhill was mostly quiet farmland. But everything changed at the start of World War II. In early 1940, work began on a new Royal Air Force (RAF) base here.
In July of that year, the RAF School of Instrument Training moved to Bowerhill. Later, a part of the RAF Armament School also came here. Over the next few years, many different training courses were held. In 1942, the Armament School left, and the RAF Electrical School moved in.
Towards the end of the war, many mechanics for the Royal Naval Air Service were trained at Bowerhill. Transport drivers also learned their skills here. After the war ended, RAF Melksham continued its electrical and instrument courses. It kept running these and other education programs until the early 1970s.
Bowerhill Today: A Mix of Homes and Businesses
After the RAF left, the old base became a mix of factories, shops, and homes. A lot of new buildings went up in the 1980s. You can still see hints of its RAF past in the street names. Many streets are named after famous aircraft, like Falcon Way, Lancaster Road, and Fulmar Close. The local pub, The Pilot, also reminds people of the area's flying history. It used to be called The Harrier.
The business area in Bowerhill is home to many small companies. You can also find the Wiltshire Gymnastics Centre and a recycling center there. In 2005, a German engineering company called Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems opened large, modern offices in Bowerhill. They make parts for trains. Later, in 2015, Herman Miller, an American company known for office furniture, opened a factory and offices. This building was designed by a famous architect, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw.
Until 1966, a railway line called the Devizes Branch Line ran along the south side of the village. It was part of the Great Western Railway system. In the early 2000s, new housing areas like Hunter's Meadow were built, which helped Bowerhill's population grow.
Interesting Old Buildings
One special building in Bowerhill is Woolmore Manor. It's hidden behind a tall hedge on the north side of the A365 Bath Road, next to Woolmore farm. This house was built in 1631 for George Hulbert, who was a wine merchant from London. It's made of red brick and has four gabled roofs. Inside, there's a big fireplace from the Tudor period and two more upstairs. Woolmore Manor is considered a very important historic building, known as Grade II* listed.
What's in Bowerhill?
Bowerhill has its own primary school for younger children. There's also a village hall where community events take place. The Bowerhill sports field, which is quite large, was once part of the RAF training school. As mentioned, Melksham Oak, the secondary school for Melksham, is also located in Bowerhill, across the A365 road.
