Crossways, Dorset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crossways |
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 Crossways post office and general store |
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 Crossways
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| Population | 2,267 |
| OS grid reference | SY768885 |
| Unitary authority |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Dorchester |
| Postcode district | DT2 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Crossways is a village and a local community area called a civil parish in the English county of Dorset. It is located about 6 kilometers (4 miles) east of Dorchester, which is the county town. In the 2011 census, about 2,267 people lived in Crossways.
Contents
The History of Crossways Village
Building an Airfield
In the early 1930s, Crossways was a small collection of scattered homes. Around this time, the Air Ministry, a government department that managed the Royal Air Force, bought land nearby. They wanted to build an airfield for planes.
The airfield was finished in 1937. It was first known as RAF Woodsford. However, it was renamed RAF Warmwell just one year later.
RAF Warmwell in World War II
RAF Warmwell played a very important role during World War II. It was a major base for fighter planes during the Battle of Britain. These planes helped protect important areas along the south coast, like the Portland Naval Base.
After the war, the runways and other operational areas of the airfield slowly disappeared. This happened because companies dug up valuable sand and gravel from the site. Even today, you can still see signs of the old airfield's influence in the village.
The Village Hall's Past
The village hall in Crossways had many uses in the past. Airmen from the airfield used it for fun activities. It was a cinema, a gym, and a NAAFI (a place where soldiers could buy food and drinks). Sometimes, it was even used as a morgue. Today, the village hall is still used constantly by the community. Much of the modern village of Crossways is built on the eastern part of this former airfield site.
Crossways Today
Growing the Community
In the early 1970s, the local government decided to build many new homes in Crossways. They built flats, houses, and bungalows. This was done to provide much-needed places to live for families in the area. It also helped meet the growing demand for housing at that time. This decision led to a very fast growth in the size of the community.
Modern Facilities
Today, Crossways has a busy business park nearby. This park provides jobs and services for the area. A new school also opened in September 2006, offering education for local children.
See also
In Spanish: Crossways para niños
