Hook, North Hampshire

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Hook






Statistics
Population:	8,000
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	SU7229953700
Administration
District:	Hart
Shire county:	Hampshire
Region:	South East England
Constituent country:	England
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Ceremonial county:	Hampshire
Historic county:	Hampshire
Services
Police force:	Hampshire Constabulary
Fire and rescue:	{{{Fire}}}
Ambulance:	South Central
Post office and telephone
Post town:	Reading
Postal district:	RG27
Dialling code:	01256
Politics
UK Parliament:	North East Hampshire
European Parliament:	South East England
Image:Flag of England.svg

Hook is a small but expanding town in northern Hampshire, in the South East England region of the UK. It is situated some 10 km (6 miles) east of Basingstoke, 58 km (36 miles) northeast of Southampton and 68 km (42 miles) southwest of London on the A30 national route, just north of Junction 5 of the M3 motorway.

Hook is under the control of Hart District Council and Hampshire County Council, and in 2001 it had a population of 7,321 (8,200 est. 2006). Hook's rail station offers direct rail links to both London Waterloo and Southampton. It is the location of the headquarters of the UK's largest cable television provider, NTL.

There is a significant business community in the town, with the large Bartley Wood Business Park situated less than 1 km from the town centre. Between 2004 and 2006, Hook expanded eastwards with the development of the new Holt Park residential district.

1 History
2 Education
3 Legends and Folklore
4 Gallery
5 External links

[edit] History

Until the eighteenth century only a few scattered farms could be found in the area, but small hamlets did not begin to appear until inns sprung up to serve travellers. In 1883 Hook railway station was constructed, and the village began to grow with railway workers and commuters settling in Hook.

The distinct Anglican ecclesiastical parish of Hook was not created until as late as 1955. It was only in 1943 that permission was given for burials in Hook itself. St John the Evangelist Parish Church was completed in 1938 replacing the "tin tabernacle" used by worshipers since 1886. The new Church was designed by Edward Maufe and shows in small scale design features that would later be incorporated by him into Guildford Cathedral. Even the Cathedral fund raising scheme of "buying a brick" was first utilised at Hook where the Church retains an impressive list of donors and benefactors.

Hook was considered as part of a scheme to settle Londoners in the country after the Second World War, but Basingstoke was selected for development instead. Recently, the town has grown in size considerably with new housing developments being constructed. [1]

Although within 10 km of the far larger town of Basingstoke to the west, Hook's development since the 1980s has been rapid. Calls have been made to redevelop the 'village centre' as there are few amenities for a town of over 8,000 people (and growing). Although many residents still refer to Hook as a village, it has clearly outgrown this description given its sheer urban expanse in recent years, both in terms of residential developments and business/industrial areas.

House prices remain high due to its pleasant location and excellent transport links, ie, a main line rail station to London, Basingstoke and Southampton and direct access to the M3 motorway, whilst lying on the A30 national route. Southampton Airport is 56 km (35 miles) to the south and London Heathrow Airport is 53 km (32 miles) away to the northeast. The far smaller Blackbushe Airport municipal air facility is 10.5 km (6.5 miles) to the east, near Yateley. Many residents commute to the larger local towns of Basingstoke, Winchester, Reading, Camberley, Fleet and Farnborough, with some travelling further afield to Southampton, Bracknell and London.

[edit] Education

Main article: List of schools in Hampshire (Area 1)

Hook Infant School [2]
Hook Junior School [3]
Robert May's School (in neighbouring Odiham)
Nearest further/higher education college - Basingstoke College of Technology
Nearest university - University of Winchester Chute House campus in Basingstoke

[edit] Legends and Folklore

The ghost of a cavalier has been seen on numerous occasions in and around Hook Common. He is said to be dressed in a long cape, and a broad rimmed hat, he is also said to have long wavy hair. He is thought to be a messenger slaughtered in combat by the Roundheads, when delivering a message to the Royalists Garrisons.

A UFO encounter was also reported in the summer of 1990 on the Hook Bypass by two separate people, one a young man riding home one evening on his bike. A strange object was said to hover over the boy for a minute or two before shooting of at almost unbelievable speed in the direction of RAF Odiham. The other witness to this was a man in a near by house, who also saw the strange craft hovering over the boy on the bike.

On Oct 26 1967 at 4:30 AM, A man driving his car through Hook common noted a dark object over the road ahead, the lights and engine of his car failed. After a minute or two he managed to restart the engine and turn on the lights, so he proceeded to drive away. But the car failed again just a few yards further on, however the driver could now see the object more clearly. It was "shaped like a squashed ice cream cone". The witness noticed a strange odor and felt a pressure change in his ears and head. After a short wait, the object moved into the air and the car restarted.