Cogenhoe | |
Cogenhoe
Cogenhoe shown within Northamptonshire |
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Population | 1,439 2001 Census 1,523 (2010 est)[1] |
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OS grid reference | SP8260 |
- London | 71 miles (114 km) |
District | South Northamptonshire |
Shire county | Northamptonshire |
Region | East Midlands |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Northampton |
Postcode district | NN7 |
Dialling code | 01604 |
Police | Northamptonshire |
Fire | Northamptonshire |
Ambulance | East Midlands |
EU Parliament | East Midlands |
UK Parliament | Northampton South |
List of places: UK • England • Northamptonshire |
Cogenhoe (locally /ˈkʊknoʊ/)is a village in South Northamptonshire, England. The civil parish of Cogenhoe and Whiston had a population at the 2001 census of 1,439[2] (the 2010 estimated population is 1,523 - Cogenhoe 1,312; Whiston 211[1]).
The village of Cogenhoe (pronounced Cook-know) overlooks the valley of the River Nene and is some five miles (8 km) east of the county town, Northampton. Cogenhoe is situated on high ground overlooking the Nene Valley. It has grown into a large village with varied amenities including football, cricket and bowls clubs.
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People are believed to have lived at Cogenhoe for at least 4,000 years, one of the early settlements lying to the east of the village. Later on the Celts lived there. In the Roman period, a corn-drying kiln was built in the centre of the village and a villa estate developed out of an Iron Age settlement.
The Saxons lived to the west of St Peter's church and it was they who would have built its predecessor, probably from timber. After the Norman Conquest, the village was moved on to the steep slope where it remained until development took place along Church Street, probably in the 16th or 17th centuries. Station Road (the main road running through the village) began to evolve with the construction of houses built from bricks made in the Cogenhoe brickyard in the 19th century.
More recently (20th century), acres of orchards and open fields were replaced by housing; this is now known as Orchard Way, Glebe Road and St Peters Way.
From the mid-19th to the mid 20th centuries the village became dominated by the manufacture of boots and shoes. During the 1950s, the major employer was a local coach firm, York brothers. Cogenhoe is now largely a commuter village with most people working in Northampton or further afield due to its road links with the A45 and M1 motorway.
Despite Cogenhoe's size it manages to support a number of successful sporting ventures attracting players and members from across Northamptonshire.
Their early days were not documented and are now obscure. Inter-village friendlies gradually led to membership of the now extinct Central Village League. A variety of pitches were used until in 1950 the first game, against Northampton Yeomanry, was played on the then new playing field. United ceased to exist after 1958, and re-formed for the 1967-8 season, competing in the Central Northants Football Combination. By 1978 the club had progressed from the Second Division into the Premier Division. In a six year period thirteen winners' and six runners-up trophies were won. Development of facilities became paramount for promotion into the United Counties Football League. A lease on 3.6 acres (15,000 m2) of agricultural land was obtained from the Marquis of Northampton. Compton Park was now on the map and purpose-built facilities were developed with a spectator stand and the team gained promotion into the UCFL for the season 1985-6.[3]
Cogenhoe Cricket Club is based at Compton Park on the outskirts of the village on the Brafield Road. The club sub-lets the playing area from the football club who in turn lease the field from Compton Estates of Castle Ashby. This has been the club's home since 1998; before this the club has played at Billing Aquadrome, various fields around the village including the village playing field.
The village also hosts a thriving mixed Club, with approximately 70 members.
Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves lived for a number of years at the Old Rectory[4]