Chippenham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chippenham
Chippenham shown within Wiltshire
Population	28,065[1]
OS grid reference	ST919733
District	North Wiltshire
Shire county	Wiltshire
Region	South West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CHIPPENHAM
Postcode district	SN14,SN15
Dialling code	01249
Police	Wiltshire
Fire	Wiltshire
Ambulance	Great Western
European Parliament	South West England
UK Parliament	North Wiltshire, Chippenham
List of places: UK • England • Wiltshire

Coordinates: 51°27′31″N 2°06′57″W / 51.4585, -2.1158

Chippenham is a market town in Wiltshire, England, located at grid reference ST919733, some 21 km (13 miles) east of Bath and 163 km (96 miles) west of London. In the 2001 census the population of the town was recorded as 28,065.^[1]

The town was established on a crossing of the River Avon and is believed to have existed as some form of settlement since before Roman times. For a time Alfred the Great had a hunting lodge there. The town continued to grow when the Great Western Railway arrived in 1841, and while historically a market town the economy has changed to that of a commuter town.

Cultural festivals such as the Chippenham Folk Festival are hosted by the Chippenham Folk Festival Association & Organised by the Festival Team who are all volunteers.

Chippenham is twinned with La Fleche in France and Friedberg in Germany. The town motto is "Unity and Loyalty".

Contents 1 Geography 1.1 Situation 1.2 Transport 1.3 Suburbs 2 Demographics 3 History 3.1 Name 3.2 Early History 4 Landmarks 4.1 Buttercross 4.2 Yelde Hall 5 Politics 5.1 The Mayor 5.2 Town Councillors and wards 6 Culture 6.1 Chippenham Folk Festival 6.2 Chippenham Cantata 6.3 Eddie Cochran Festival 6.4 Museum 6.5 Media 7 Bird's Marsh 8 Sport and leisure 9 Economy 9.1 Shopping 9.2 Market 10 Tourism 10.1 Twinned towns 11 Religion 11.1 Churches 12 Education 12.1 Primary 12.2 Secondary 12.3 Tertiary 13 Notable inhabitants 14 References 15 External links

[edit] Geography

[edit] Situation

Chippenham is set on a prominent crossing of the River Avon and lies between the Marlborough Downs to the East, the Cotswolds to the North and West and Salisbury Plain to the South. Three miles to the north of Chippenham is Kington St Michael.

The town is surrounded by sparse countryside and there are several woodlands in or in close proximity to the town, for example, Bird's Marsh, Vincients Wood and Briars Wood.

[edit] Transport

The town is 7 km (4 miles) south of the M4 motorway, giving easy access to Bristol, Swindon, South Wales and London. The A4 coach road from London provides an alternative route to Bristol via Bath, and the A420 and B4069 bring you to Bristol and Oxford.

Chippenham railway station is on the main line rail route from London Paddington to the West Country and is famous for its railway arches and other buildings created by Isambard Kingdom Brunel when he built the Great Western Railway. Bus services to Bath, Calne, Devizes, Trowbridge and Swindon are available.

There is a periphery road (the A4 national route) outlining the southern half of the town. However, it is thought that an eastern bypass linking the A4 at Pewsham and the A350 north of Cepen Park is now necessary to avoid ever-increasing congestion and to cut 5 km (3 miles) off journeys for those travelling to the M4 motorway at junction 17 from the south and east of the town and from nearby Calne^{[citation needed]}.

The town is bypassed to the west by the A350, which links the M4 motorway with Chippenham and nearby towns to the south, such as Melksham and Trowbridge. Again, this road had become increasingly congested over recent years, and there have been calls to expand the road to a dual-carriageway (as originally intended)^{[citation needed]}. There have also been calls to provide a southern bypass for the town linking the Pewsham roundabout on the A4 to the Lackham junction on the A350, so all non-Chippenham traffic travelling from the east on the A4 will avoid the increasingly congested town centre.^{[citation needed]}

National Coach services connect at Chippenham to London, Wales, the South West, the Midlands and East Anglia. Cross town minibus services plus additional local services linking neighbouring villages to the town are provided by a number of private operators.

[edit] Suburbs

Cepen Park (North & South), Pew Hill, Monkton Park, Pewsham, Frogwell, Hardenhuish, Rowden Hill, Derriads, Lowden, The Folly, Redlands, Queen's Crescent, Lackham, Fenway Park.

[edit] Demographics

Chippenham's population has grown rapidly in recent years to 28,065 (2001 census), an increase of 11% from the 1991 figure of 25,376. This rapid expansion can be attributed to the development of large housing estates (indeed, entirely new suburbs) such as the vast Cepen Park district to the west of the town, and the Pewsham development to the east (Pewsham is also the name of a small village just to the east of Chippenham). Further housing developments are also currently progressing, though on a smaller scale. Chippenham's population in 2007 was estimated at about 35,000 inhabitants.^[2] This makes Chippenham Wiltshire's third largest town.

[edit] History

There are believed to have been settlements in the Chippenham region since before Roman times. Remains of Romano-British settlements are visible in the wall behind the former magistrates court and recent redevelopments of the town have shown up other evidence of the earliest settlements.^[3]

[edit] Name

The town proper was believed to have been founded by Saxons around 600. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records the town as Cippanhamme and this could refer to Cippa who had his Hamm, an enclosure in a river meadow. An alternative theory suggests that the name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word Ceap, meaning market.^[4][5] The name is recorded variously as Cippanhamm (878), Cepen (1042), Cheppeham (1155), Chippenham (1227), Shippenham (1319) and Chippyngham (1541).^[6]

[edit] Early History

In AD 853, Ethelswitha (sister to Alfred the Great) married the King of Mercia in Chippenham. Alfred was then a boy of four and the wedding is believed to have been held on the site of St. Andrew's Church. Alfred spent much time at Chippenham, and later had a hunting lodge there. Alfred's daughter was also married in Chippenham.^[7]

Chippenham was successfully besieged by Danish Vikings in 878, though Alfred escaped. Later that year Alfred decisively defeated the Danes at the Battle of Edington, whose forces then surrendered to Alfred at Chippenham (ushering in the establishment of the Danelaw).^[5]

In 1042 the Royal holding in Chippenham makes mention of a church.^[5] The Domesday Book listed Chippenham as Cepen, with a population of 600-700 people.

The A4 that runs through Chippenham (from London to Bristol) incorporates parts of the 14th century road network that linked London to Bristol through Chippenham. This was an important road for the cloth trade and its upkeep was funded in part by cloth merchants from Bristol due to its importance to the trade.^[7]

In Norman times the Royal properties were separated into the manors of Cheldon, Rowden and Lowden. Records show that the town expanded into Langstret (now the Causeway) from 1245 onwards and in 1406 onwards the town pushed into Le Newstret (now the New Road) area of town. Throughout this period Chippenham continued to have a thriving market in the town centre.

Chippenham was represented in Parliament from 1295 onwards and Queen Mary granted the town a Charter of Incorporation in 1554.

Analysis of the wood used to build the Yelde Hall indicates that the market hall was built after 1458. The Shambles and Buttercross were built after 1570.^[3] The Shambles were destroyed in a fire in 1856, the Yelde Hall survived.^[8]

Chippenham encompasses the deserted medieval village of Sheldon, devastated by plague. All that remains today is Sheldon Manor, Wiltshire's oldest inhabited manor house (dating from 1282).

The wool industry took off in the 16th century due, in part, to the river. The plague hit the town hard in 1611 and 1636. This, a recession in the woollen industry, and a drop in corn production in 1622 and 1623, caused massive hardship for the town's population. The trade in cloth faced further problems during the civil war due to a Royalist proclamation that prohibited the sale of cloth to the parliamentarian controlled London.

In 1747 a bribery and corruption scandal (involving two members of parliament for Chippenham) led to the downfall of Sir Robert Walpole's government.

A spur off the Wiltshire and Berkshire canal was built to Chippenham in 1798 with a wharf at the current site of the bus station (Timber Street) with the main commodity traded being coal. The Great Western Railway arrived in Chippenham in 1841 which in turn attracted many new businesses to Chippenham. The arrival of these businesses required new housing which led to the expansion of Chippenham into the land North of the railway line, which in turn led to the growth of further industries to support the building work.

The arrival of the railway promoted the growth of industrial agricultural businesses. In the middle of the 19th century Chippenham was a major centre for the production of dairy and ham products this led, later, to Nestle and Mattheson's to have factories in the town centre. The railway also led to the growth of railway engineering works in Chippenham. The first of these was the Rowland Brothers in 1842. A variety of companies then took over part or all of the business on the site until in 1935 Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd took over the business site fully. Until recently Westinghouse remained a major employer in the town.^[3]

The singer Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent were involved in a car crash in Chippenham on 17 April 1960 on Rowden Hill. Cochran died as a result of the crash.^[8] A memorial sits near the crash site and Chippenham hosts an Eddie Cochran festival annually (see below).

On Friday the 13^th February 1998 two unexploded German bombs from World War II were discovered in the field behind Hardens Mead during preparations for the building of Abbeyfield School. About 1,100 residents living in the east of Chippenham had to be evacuated for two nights to friends and relatives or emergency accommodation until the Army carried out a controlled explosion.^[8] The Army initially attempted to defuse the larger 750 kg device but it was decided that owing to the bomb's orientation in the ground it would be too dangerous.^[9]

[edit] Landmarks

[edit] Buttercross

The original Buttercross, a stone structure, was erected in c. 1570 and stood in the current location of Barclays Bank, where it served as the centre of the Shambles. The Buttercross was used for the sale of meat and dairy products.

In 1889 Mr. E.C. Lowndes bought the Buttercross for £6. He re-erected it as a gazebo in the kitchen garden of the Castle Combe Manor House, where it subsequently fell into disrepair.

The Buttercross was re-erected in its current location in 1995 by the Chippenham Civic Society with funding provided by a wide range of local individuals and organisations. It currently stands as the centre-piece of the pedestrianised area of the town centre, where a market is held each Friday and Saturday.^[10]

[edit] Yelde Hall

The Yelde Hall is currently the site of the Tourist Information Centre in Chippenham. It is run jointly by Chippenham Town and North Wiltshire District Councils and is the largest Tourist Information Centre in North Wiltshire.

The hall is one of very few remaining medieval timber framed buildings in the town. It was originally divided up internally for use as a market hall. Both the hall and its meeting room upstairs were used by the Burgess and Bailiff for a variety of meetings and trials as well as being used for Council meetings. The space under the Council Chamber was used as the town gaol. The hall was also used in this time for fund raising events for the local church.

After the Council and Burgess (now Mayor) moved to the Town Hall (High Street, Chippenham) in 1841 the hall had many different uses:

• Chippenham Savings Bank
• Chippenham Volunteer Rifle Corps (stationed in Chippenham from 1846 to 1911)
• Chippenham Fire Station (from around 1910 until 1945 when they moved to their current location in Dallas Road) this led to substantial changes to the interior structure to accommodate the engines and the addition of two large doors to the end gable
• Chippenham Museum (the Borough Council started work on this in the 1950s but the museum didn't open until the 25 October 1963. The museum outgrew the site and closed in this location in 1999)
• North Wiltshire Tourist Information Centre (since March 2003 following substantial restorations)^[11]

[edit] Politics

Chippenham is in the parliamentary constituency of North Wiltshire, though at the end of the 2005 parliament (around 2009) it will be in the new Chippenham constituency.

The current Member of Parliament is James Gray, Conservative. In 1812 Sir Robert Peel became the Member of Parliament for Chippenham.

The Town Council is currently controlled by the Liberal Democrats.

The offices of North Wiltshire District Council are based in the town.

[edit] The Mayor

The Town Mayor is an ancient office, its incumbent being elected annually by the Town Council; the position is currently held by Cllr. Sandra Oakes.

The Mayor is generally appointed to office in May of each year (at the "Mayor Making" ceremony) and acts as the first citizen of the town acting in a promotional way representing Chippenham. At the beginning of a Mayor's term of office he/she names a charity that they will support throughout the year. The Mayor also undertakes many specific tasks throughout the year such as presiding over Town council meetings and acting as the President of a variety of local organisations such as the Twinning Association and the Sea Cadets.^[11]

[edit] Town Councillors and wards

ALLINGTON - Sylvia Gibson (Lib D) & Robert Jones (Lib D)

AUDLEY - David Powell (Lib D) & Wendy Underwood (Lib D)

AVON - Andrew Noblet (Lib D) & John Scragg (Lib D) & David Powell (Lib D)

HILL RISE - Marian Stickland (Lib D) & Paul Darby (Lib D)

LONDON ROAD - Bill Wood (Lib D) & June Wood (Lib D)

MONKTON PARK - Sheila Veitch (Green)& Frankie Wilson (Lib D)

PARK - William Douglas (Lib D) & Elizabeth Kennedy(Con) & Jules Whincup (Lib D)

PEWSHAM - Sylvia Doubell (Lib D), Mark Packard (Lib D) & Richard Purdon (Con)

REDLAND - Maureen Lloyd (Lab) & Nina Phillips (Con) & Andy Phillips (Con)

WESTCROFT - Desna Allen (Lib D) & Sandra Oakes (Lib D)^[12]

[edit] Culture

[edit] Chippenham Folk Festival

The Chippenham Folk Festival takes place every year, usually from the 26–30 May. Although it has seen many changes since its beginnings in Lacock all those years ago, it still retains its 'village' atmosphere, providing three and a half days packed with song, dance, workshops and dance displays. Over 200 events take place within the town centre, turning the whole town into a giant party. The main ceilidh and concert events take place in the beautiful park alongside the river, while practically every pub and venue in the town is used for a vast range of sessions, workshops and smaller concerts and dances. There is also a full program of children's events, a large craft marquee, catering facilities and an open air arena in the park. The High Street and historic Market Square are both pedestrianised, and are used throughout the weekend for busking, street theatre and processions. A huge street fair also takes place on the Monday. The event is featured on programming on the town's own Chippenham Hospital Radio.

[edit] Chippenham Cantata

Chippenham Cantata [1] is a community choir that practices every Thursday during term time in St Andrew's Parish Church Hall. They put on three concerts a year and new members are always welcome.

[edit] Eddie Cochran Festival

The town holds an annual festival to mark the death of singer Eddie Cochran, who died on 17 April 1960 following a car crash in Chippenham.

[edit] Museum

From the 25 October 1963 until 1999 the Town Museum was housed in the Yelde Hall. The museum had, by this time, outgrown the site and moved to the former Magistrates' Court in the Market Place (opening on the 23 March 2000).

The museum charts the history of the town from Neolithic times until today. By 2005 the museum had attracted over 90,000 visitors.^[11]

[edit] Media

Chippenham is served by the following media providers -

• Gazette and Herald - Weekly newspaper
• Wiltshire Times - Weekly newspaper
• Wiltshire's GWR FM - Local radio
• BBC Radio Wiltshire - Local radio
• Chippenham Hospital Radio - Local Hospital/Internet Based Radio

[edit] Bird's Marsh

Bird's Marsh is a large woodland, approximately 24 hectares in size, to the north of the town. It is home to many kinds of wildlife, and a popular place for walkers, due to its fairly large size and surrounding countryside. One entrance into Bird's Marsh can be found through a field close to the Morrisons supermarket, just south of the roundabout on the A350 Malmesbury Road.

[edit] Sport and leisure

Chippenham is well served with sports clubs and leisure facilities. The Olympiad Centre caters for a wide range of interests and has a variety of swimming pools and full gym facilities.^[13] It also plays host to many events including the popular annual CAMRA beer festival.^[14]

Chippenham Sports Club comprises cricket^[15], bowls^[16], tennis and hockey sections and is situated on the Bristol Road adjacent to Chippenham Town F.C..^[17] Chippenham Rugby Club is on the western outskirts next to the A350 bypass.^[18]. Chippenham Golf Club ^[19] is situated on the Northern edge of the town very close the the A350. It is perhaps the oldest established sports club in the area having been founded in 1896. The club is looking forward to a bright future with plans for a new clubhouse and redeveloped course well underway.

There is also a small cinema on the western edge of the town centre. However, Chippenham has been identified as a perfect location for a future major multiplex complex as it is central to an area covering the towns of Trowbridge, Calne, Melksham, Corsham and Malmesbury which are all devoid of cinemas, the alternative being to travel to congested Bath or further-afield Swindon.

The Severn and Thames cycle route (part of Route 4) of the Sustrans National Cycle Network passes through the town.

There is also a night-life scene, with the New Inn, The Rose and Crown and Buds 2000 being late-night venues, although many people travel to Bath, 21 km (13 miles) to the west.

[edit] Economy

Historically a market town, Chippenham's economy has since changed to that of a commuter town with residents travelling to workplaces in Bath, Bristol, Swindon and London.

Several large businesses have been located in the region, with the biggest former employer being Westinghouse, now owned by Invensys, whose factory complex lies next to the railway station. The company undertakes railway signalling contracts for Network Rail. Parts of the Westinghouse site are occupied by a range of companies. There are a number of other industrial sites around the town, Bumpers Farm being the largest. It is home to many businesses of all sizes, including IT Solutions Ltd(ITS), Bechtle Direct Ltd, The Land Rover Orphanage, Multiquip, Blade, Chippenham Accident Repairs, Bathwick Tyres, LF Windows, Avon Rubber, "Home James" taxis and Norman E Webb.

In 2005, Europe's second largest logistics organisation, Wincanton PLC, consolidated its head office operations and moved to the newly developed Methuen Park office development in west Chippenham, where it employs around 350 people.

[edit] Shopping

Chippenham's major retail area surrounds the pedestrianised High Street and Market Place, which consists of numerous shops of various categories. Two shopping centres lie on either side of the High Street; the enclosed Emery Gate Shopping Centre and the open air Borough Parade Shopping Centre [2]. Of all the shops in the High Street and nearby alleys there are very few independent stores as franchises dominate, however some independent stores (Jewellers, Florists, Bridal Gowns, China & Glass) are located along The Causeway, New Road, Station Hill and the Upper Market Place.

Retail parks, such as the Hathaway Retail Park, are located on the edge of town containing larger superstores and fast-food outlets.

Local shoppers founded Chippenham Co-operative Society in 1890, and for most of the twentieth century, its department store dominated the lower end of the High Street. In the 1960s, it united with other co-operatives in the district to merge with a national co-operative, that later formed The Co-operative Group. As of 2008, the co-operative operates a convenience store in the Broomfield district. ^[20][21]

[edit] Market

Chippenham is a market town, with street markets taking place most Fridays and Saturdays around Market Place. A Farmers' Market for the sale of fresh, locally produced foodstuffs is also held here once a fortnight.^[22] The original Cattle Market, which closed in 2004, is now being redeveloped by Linden Homes Western Limited as one of the UK's largest eco-housing projects.

[edit] Tourism

Surrounding the town are a number of stone-built villages, including Lacock (National Trust), Biddestone, Bremhill and Castle Combe. The great house and art treasures of Longleat, Bowood House, Lacock Abbey, Sheldon Manor and Corsham Court are within easy reach.

[edit] Twinned towns

Chippenham is twinned with La Fleche in France and Friedberg in Germany.

La Fleche lies on the banks of the Loir, 42 km (26 miles) from Le Mans and 72 km (45 miles) from Tours. Set amongst woods and farmland, La Fleche offers a wealth of recreational facilities including a Zoological Park. "Le Prytane Militaire" public school dates back to the time of the French King Henri IV and consequently La Fleche enjoys the status of a University Town. In 1630 people from La Fleche founded Montreal in Canada.

Friedberg is 64 km (40 miles) from Munich and the Bavarian Alps. Herzog Ludwig the First and his nephew Konradin founded the town in 1264. The magnificent Town Hall follows the architectural style of Elias Holl's Town Hall, built in 1674, in neighbouring Augsburg. Friedberg is a walled town, renowned for its many sporting and cultural events such as the 17th century Street Festival.

[edit] Religion

In the 2001 census 76 percent of the population in North Wiltshire defined themselves as Christian, 16 percent said they were of no religion and 7 percent did not state a religion.^[23] As a result most of the town's places of worship are Christian.

[edit] Churches

Chippenham contains a number of churches,^[11] a brief list of which follows -

Church of England

• Saint Andrew's

Saint Andrew's church is believed to have been built on the site of a Saxon church. Many features of the present church are Norman (with the chancel arch being completed in c.1120). There are a wide variety of features on the different facets of the church. The church spire was completed in 1633 although the 8 bells currently present were not added until 1734 and the back-lit clock and chimes in 1858. The church registers date from 1578. There was a restoration of the interior of the church in 1875 - 1878 and again in the 1990s.

• Saint Nicolas'

St. Nicholas church was built in 1779 and replaced an older medieval church that had previously stood on the same site. The church was designed by John Wood the Elder of Bath. The church registers date from 1730.

• Saint Paul's

St. Paul's church was built in 1854/5 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and was consecrated on 18 April 1855 and has registers dating from then.

• Saint Peter's

St. Peter's original build started in 1885 and opened on 19 November 1886 as a stone and red brick building. The church was replaced by the current church in 1968. The newer St Peter's is a modern design six sided design with a copper roof and a fibre glass spire and no internal supports.

Roman Catholic

• The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Saint Mary's

Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church was originally situated in Saint Mary's Place and was built in 1855. A new church was built on Station Hill in 1935 which replaced the original on 29 February 1936.

Non-Conformist

• Bethel Pentecostal Church
• Central Methodist

Central Methodist Church was built in 1909 to mark the centenary of Methodism in Chippenham. It was originally called Monkton Hill Methodist Church but was renamed after it joined parishes with that of The Causeway Methodist Church that closed in the late 1980s.

• Chippenham Christian Fellowship
• Dayspring Church for North Wiltshire
• Elim Pentecostal Church
• Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham

Founded in April 2005, EECC is affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches and currently has a Sunday congregation of 80-100.

• Ladyfield Evangelical Church
• New Testament Church of God
• Oasis Church
• The Old Baptist Chapel

Old Baptist Chapel opened on 10 June 1804 but was not registered until 1810. The internal baptistry was added in 1818.

• Religious Society of Friends
• Salvation Army

Salvation Army Citadel was originally opened in 1903 in Bath road but was later sold to Pictons. The Salvation Army moved into the Co-op hall in Foghamshire.

• Sheldon Road Methodist

Sheldon Road Methodist Church was originally built in 1901 but was changed in 1932.

• Station Hill Baptist

Station Hill Baptist Chapel was built in 1855

• United Reformed

Tabernacle United Reformed Church was first built in 1770 but was replaced in 1826 and refitted in 1889. The church had substantial internal renovations in the 1990s.^[24]

Closed churches

• Cepen Park Methodist church closed in 2005 it held services in two local schools.
• Causeway Methodist Chapel opened in 1896 replacing an older chapel on the same site. The older chapel is believed to have been built in around 1835 and still stands to the rear of the newer building (and served as a school room for it). Causeway Methodist Chapel closed in the late 1980s although the buildings remain.

[edit] Education

[edit] Primary

There are ten primary schools in the town:^[25]

• Charter - Woodlane
• Frogwell - Frogwell
• Ivy Lane - Ivy Lane
• King's Lodge - Pewsham estate
• St Mary's R.C. - Rowden Hill
• Monkton Park - Sadlers Mead
• St Paul's - The Oaks
• St Peter's CofE - Lord's Mead
• Redland - Brook Street
• Queen's Crescent - Queen's Crescent

The oldest is Ivy Lane. Westmead Junior School held this record until it closed in 1989. It originally opened in 1858 whilst the infants school opened 50 years later.
In his will of 1661 Richard Scott directed that his house in Cooke's Street should be used as a school, and William Woodruffe gave an annuity of £5 in 1664 for the teaching of ten poor boys. In 1713 it was re-opened with a benefaction of £10 per annum for 24 boys.^[26]

[edit] Secondary

Three secondary schools all cater for sixth form students.

• Abbeyfield - Stanley Lane
• Hardenhuish - Hardenhuish Lane
• Sheldon - Hardenhuish Lane

There is also a special educational needs unit in Chippenham based on the Hardenhuish campus.

The newest of these schools is Abbeyfield, which opened in 2000 in the East of the town.^[27]

In 1956 a girl's grammar school opened at the present site of Hardenhuish school. In 1959 the boy's school opened on the current site of Sheldon School. The schools later integrated with one another to become two mixed comprehensive schools.^[28] Sheldon School opened as a Secondary Modern Comprehensive in 1975.^[29]

[edit] Tertiary

The former Chippenham Technical College is now part of the Wiltshire College initiative.

[edit] Notable inhabitants

• Alfred The Great - King of Wessex
• Isambard Kingdom Brunel - built the Great Western Railway through Chippenham
• Robert Peel - Prime Minister and police reformer was MP for a short time
• Francis Kilvert - the diarist, was born in Hardenhuish and lived in nearby Langley Burrell
• Wil Hodgson - Comedian (Winner Perrier Best Newcomer 2004)^[30][31][32]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Live Chippenham Webcam
• Chippenham Town Council
• Chippenham Hospital Radio
• Chippenham Churches Together
• Eddie Cochrane Festival details
• Chippenham Folk Festival
• Village Community Blog
• Lions Club of Chippenham
• Historic Chippenham photos at BBC Wiltshire
• Wiltshire Community History

---

v • d • e Wiltshire Districts: Kennet • North Wiltshire • Salisbury • West Wiltshire Unitary authorities: Swindon Main Settlements: Amesbury • Bradford on Avon • Calne • Chippenham • Corsham • Cricklade • Devizes • Durrington • Highworth • Ludgershall • Malmesbury • Marlborough • Mere • Melksham • Salisbury • Swindon • Tidworth • Tisbury • Trowbridge (County Town) • Warminster • Westbury • Wilton • Wootton Bassett Topics: Flag • History • Lords Lieutenant • Parishes • Places • People