Matson, Gloucester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matson |
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 The Musket |
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| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
Matson is a lively suburb located in Gloucester, a city in the county of Gloucestershire, England. It's known for its friendly community and its close connection to nature, especially the large Robinswood Hill. In 1931, Matson was a small parish with about 40 people. Today, it's a much bigger and busier place!
Contents
Matson: A Suburb of Gloucester
What's in a Name? Matson's History
Unlike some nearby villages, Matson isn't mentioned in the famous Domesday Book. This old book was a big survey of England made in 1086. It seems Matson was part of a larger area called Kings Barton back then.
The exact meaning of the name "Matson" isn't fully clear. Early versions of the name included Matesknolle, Mattesdune, and Matesden. These names likely refer to Robinswood Hill. This big hill was entirely within the old area of Matson. The village itself sits on the sides of this hill.
Some people think that iron ore might have been dug from Robinswood Hill a very long time ago, during Saxon times. However, there isn't much proof for this idea. There is a spring called the Red Well near Matson. Its water has a reddish color because it contains iron.
Matson House and the Siege
Matson House was a large, important house in the area. During the Siege of Gloucester, which was a big battle in 1643, King Charles used Matson House as his main base. Later, in 1679, the house became the property of a military leader named Major General William Selwyn.
Matson Today: A Modern Community
Today, Matson is most famous for the council estate that was built there after the Second World War. A council estate is a group of homes built by the local government. These homes are often rented out to people who need affordable housing.
Parmjit Dhanda, who used to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Gloucester from 2001 to 2010, lived in Matson with his family. An MP is a person elected to represent their local area in the country's parliament.
Matson has many useful places for its residents. You can find a fun ski slope there, which is great for winter sports. There's also a local pub, a shopping area, a doctor's surgery, and a Neighbourhood Project. Several churches are also part of the community.
A new motorway service station called Gloucester services was built near Matson. Motorway service stations are places where drivers can stop for fuel, food, and a rest during long journeys. The northbound services opened in May 2014, and the southbound services opened in May 2015.
Fun and Nature: Robinswood Hill
Matson is mainly surrounded by Robinswood Hill. This large hill rises to 283 meters (about 928 feet) above sea level. A lot of Matson is built on the sides of this hill. The hill is also home to the Gloucester Ski Centre, where people can go skiing and snowboarding.
Famous Faces and Local Flavors
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge once named an "expensive" curry sauce after a sauce he used to buy from his local chip shop on the Matson estate. This shows how local places can inspire even famous people!
