Stotfold facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stotfold |
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 Stotfold Mill |
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 Stotfold
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| Population | 9,014 (Parish, 2021) 12,310 (Built up area, 2021) |
| OS grid reference | TL2136 |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HITCHIN |
| Postcode district | SG5 |
| Dialling code | 01462 |
| Police | Bedfordshire |
| Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Stotfold is a friendly town in Bedfordshire, England. It's part of the Central Bedfordshire area. The town covers about 9 square kilometers (2,207 acres). The River Ivel flows right through it. In 2021, about 9,014 people lived in Stotfold. If you include the nearby Fairfield Park, the population was around 12,310. Even though Stotfold is in Bedfordshire, its postal address often uses Hitchin, which is in Hertfordshire.
Contents
Discovering Stotfold's Landmarks
Stotfold Watermill: A Historic Gem
The Stotfold Watermill stands proudly on the River Ivel. It is one of four mills that were in Stotfold way back in 1086. That's when the Domesday Book was written! Today, it's the only working mill left in the town. It's also a special building, listed as Grade II.
The mill was badly damaged by fire in 1992. But it was fully rebuilt and opened to visitors in May 2006. The Duke of Edinburgh even visited in November 2006. This mill has a huge waterwheel, 4.4 meters wide. It's the widest of its kind in the country! You can visit the mill and enjoy its tea room. It's open on some weekends from March to October.
The Stotfold Mill Preservation Trust runs the mill as a charity. All the money raised helps keep the mill and its local area in good shape. Their biggest event is the annual Stotfold Mill Steam and Country Fair. This fair happens every May. In 2010, about 8,500 people visited, raising around £20,000.
St Mary's Church: A Look Back in Time
The old church of St Mary the Virgin started around 1150. Before that, there were probably wooden churches on the same spot. The church is built with flint stones. It has a style called Early Perpendicular. Around 1450, the tower was added. The main part of the church, called the chancel, was also made wider. The baptismal font, where people are baptized, is also thought to be from this time. It has eight sides and cool designs.
Around 1824, a lot of work was done on the church. Old paintings on the walls were covered up or removed. The old wooden pews, which were 400 years old, were replaced. This work was done by a local builder named William Seymour.
How Stotfold is Governed
Stotfold has its own local government. This includes the Stotfold Town Council. There is also the bigger Central Bedfordshire Council. The town council works from the Greenacre Centre. This building was built in 2016.
Stotfold has been a parish for a very long time. In 1894, it got its first parish council. In 1974, Stotfold became a town. This meant its parish council became a town council. In 2009, Stotfold became part of the Central Bedfordshire area. The nearby Fairfield area used to be part of Stotfold. But in 2013, Fairfield became its own separate parish.
Education in Stotfold
Students in Stotfold usually go to Samuel Whitbread Academy. This school has an upper school and a sixth form.
Sports and Fun in Stotfold
Stotfold has its own Non-League football team, Stotfold F.C.. They play their games at New Roker Park.
In 2024, a new running club started in Stotfold. It's called the "Stotfold Stunners."
Famous People from Stotfold
Many interesting people have lived in Stotfold!
- Kevin Gentle (born 1959) is a former cricketer.
- Nicky Hunt is an archer. She won a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. She also hopes to compete in the Olympics.
- Victoria Pendleton is an Olympic and world champion track cyclist. She grew up right here in Stotfold. In 2007, a cycle track was named after her. It runs between Arlesey and Stotfold.
Images for kids
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Stotfold Mill
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St Mary's Church, Stotfold
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Greenacre Centre, Valerian Way: Community centre and town council's headquarters
See also
In Spanish: Stotfold para niños
