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Eastleigh

[eest-lee]

Eastleigh, city (1991 pop. 58,585) and district, Hampshire, S central England. Eastleigh is mainly a residential city. Its industries include British Railway workshops, two large cable factories, and recreational facilities (centered around the town of Hamble, located within the district).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Eastleigh

Eastleigh is a former railway town in Hampshire, England, and the main town in the Eastleigh borough. The town lies between Southampton and Winchester, and is part of the South Hampshire conurbation. Eastleigh borough stretches from Netley on the banks of Southampton Water, the historic river villages of Hamble-le-Rice, Bursledon and Botley, the developing areas of Hedge End, West End, Fair Oak & Bishopstoke and the green residential belt of Chandler's Ford and Boyatt Wood. Eastleigh is home to many businesses, including a large manufacturing plant owned by Prysmian Cables & Systems (formerly the cables division of Pirelli).

History

A village called East Leah has been nearby for centuries, but the railway station was originally named Bishopstoke Junction, only becoming Eastleigh in 1923, after the town that sprang up around it, with the building of the railway works. The last works depot at Eastleigh was closed during 2006.

Eastleigh has seen a rapid and controlled expansion in residential, industrial and commercial development over recent years. The borough of Eastleigh was ranked the "9th best place to live in the UK 2006" by a Channel 4 programme.

Perhaps Eastleigh's most well known 'resident' is the Spitfire aeroplane which was built in Southampton and first flown from Eastleigh Aerodrome (now Southampton International Airport). A replica has recently been placed on the traffic island at the entrance to the airport.

The most famous people linked to Eastleigh are probably Christabel Leighton-Porter, the model for the World War II cartoon character Jane, and Benny Hill who both lived in the town. In Benny's honour a new road was recently named Benny Hill Close, though many of the people who had bought the new homes were not happy with the decision.

Sir Arthur Young, the eminent police chief, was born at 55 Chamberlayne Road in 1907. Sporting notables include Tommy Green who won an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1932 Los Angeles Games in the 50K walk, and Vince Hawkins who was briefly British Middleweight Boxing Champion in the late 1940s.

Eastleigh Museum, which is to be found in the High Street holds information about the town and the surrounding villages, including Bishopstoke which had been the largest residential area.

Education

Eastleigh has two further education colleges, Barton Peveril College (the alma mater of Colin Firth) and Eastleigh College. It also holds many other schools including Toynbee Sports College and Fryern Junior School.

Sport

Eastleigh Ladies Hockey Club is based in South Hampshire. It fields 2 teams in the Hampshire Women's League (playing Saturdays), as well as playing floodlit and indoor league games (playing on weekdays).

Eastleigh F.C. are the town's sole senior team after the demise of Eastleigh Athletic F.C..

Eastleigh is also home to Eastleigh Rugby club and Trojans Rugby club. The latter having recently produced an England international in Anthony Allen.

Politics

In 2005 Chris Huhne was elected as the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament (MP) for the Eastleigh constituency after the previous MP (David Chidgey, also Liberal Democrat) retired. Eastleigh has a tradition of close contests, and Huhne narrowly beat the Conservative candidate Conor Burns with the second lowest swing against the Liberal Democrats of any seat with a retiring MP (2.6%). David Chidgey had succeeded the Conservative MP Stephen Milligan after his high profile death.

Notable people

Notable former residents of Eastleigh include: Heinz Burt (pop-musician); Benny Hill (comedian/actor); Sir Arthur Young, policeman, born there in 1907; Wesley Schinkel (Music Producer); and Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills.