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{{short description|Town in Hampshire, England}}{{Other uses}}{{Use British English|date=June 2014}}{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}

factoids

|label_position = left|population = 37,131Rushmoor>Rushmoor Borough Council data)|shire_district = Rushmoor|shire_county = Hampshire|region = South East EnglandAldershot (UK Parliament constituency)>Aldershot|post_town = ALDERSHOT|postcode_area = GU|postcode_district = GU11, GU12|dial_code = 01252|os_grid_reference = SU86550531.8km}}|static_image_name = Aldershot montage.png(clockwise from top:) Cambridge Military Hospital, equestrian statue of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, Aldershot Post Office, Brickfields Country Park, Wesleyan Church, Aldershot>Wesleyan Chambers, Smith-Dorrien House and Royal Garrison Church|static_image_2_name = File:Aldershot Town Coat of Arms.png|static_image_2_width = 116px|static_image_2_caption = Coat of arms}}Aldershot ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔː|l|d|É™r|ʃ|É’|t}} {{respell|AWL|dÉ™r|shot}}) is a town in the Rushmoor district, Hampshire, England. It lies on heathland in the extreme north-east corner of the county, {{cvt|31|mi}} south-west of London. The town has a population of 37,131,WEB,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=11196&p=0, Population Data Sheet, 24 May 2021, June 2020, Rushmoor, Rushmoor Borough Council, 10 August 2018,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=11196&p=0," title="web.archive.org/web/20180810010910www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=11196&p=0,">web.archive.org/web/20180810010910www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=11196&p=0, dead, while the Aldershot Urban Area – a loose conurbation, which also includes other towns such as Camberley, Farnborough and Farnham – has a population of 243,344; it the thirtieth-largest urban area in the UK.WEB, Great Britain and Northern Ireland,www.citypopulation.de/UK-UA.html, City Population, 7 July 2012, Aldershot is known as the Home of the British Army, a connection which led to its rapid growth from a small village to a Victorian town.WEB, Development of ‘the camp at Aldershott’,www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershott.htm, 12 March 2009,www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershott.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20091107020442www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershott.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20091107020442www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershott.htm, 7 November 2009, dead,

History

Early history

File:Aldershot Parish Church.jpg|thumb|right|Church of St Michael the Archangel in Aldershot]]The name is likely to have derived from alder trees found in the area (from the Old English ‘alor-sceat’ meaning copse, or projecting piece of land, featuring alder trees).BOOK, Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1960, OUP, 5, Fourth, BOOK, Mills, AD, Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1998, OUP, 5, Any settlement, though not mentioned by name, would have been included as part of the Hundred of Crondall referred to in the Domesday Book of 1086.WEB, Open Domesday: Crondall,opendomesday.org/place/SU7948/crondall/, 25 September 2022, The Church of St Michael the Archangel is the parish church for the town and dates to the 12th century with later additions. There was almost certainly an earlier church on the site.{{NHLE |num=1339670 |desc=Church of St Michael the Archangel |accessdate=17 July 2014}} Cistercian monks from the nearby Waverley Abbey established granges or farms on their outlying estates, including one at Aldershot by 1175 for sheep grazing. We do not know when monks from the Abbey first came to Aldershot but the first documentary evidence is from 1287 when the Crondall Rental records that at ‘Alreshate the Monks of Waverlye hold 31 acres of encroachment’. This area ran from the church of St Michael’s down to the area around the present Brickfields Country Park while the grange itself was near the church.Childerhouse, Tim. Waverley Abbey {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124011250www.brickfieldspark.org/historydoc2.htm |date=24 January 2022 }}, History of Brickfields ParkBaigent, Francis Joseph. On The Abbey Of The Blessed Mary Of Waverley, Wyman (1882) John Norden’s map of Hampshire, published in the 1607 edition of William Camden’s Britannia, indicates that Aldershot was a market town.WEB, Norgate, Jean, Norgate, Martin, Hampshire maps, Norden 1607, SU95, Geography Department, University of Portsmouth, 2005,www.geog.port.ac.uk/webmap/hantsmap/hantsmap/norden1/nd1su95f.htm, 2 April 2014, Prior to 1850, Aldershott was little known. The area was a vast stretch of common land, a lonely wasteland unsuitable for most forms of agriculture with scant population. As it existed at the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086, the extensive settlement of Crondall in the north-east corner of Hampshire was certainly Scandinavian, for among the customs of that great manor, which included Crondall, Yateley, Farnborough, and Aldershot, that of sole inheritance by the eldest daughter in default of sons prevailed, as over a large part of Cumberland, and this is a peculiarly Norse custom.‘Origin of the Anglo-Saxon race : a study of the settlement of England and the tribal origin of the Old English people’ (1906)(File:Aldershot Manor - geograph.org.uk - 3665231.jpg|thumb|Aldershot Manor, 2013)The first recorded mention of the manor of Aldershot is in 1573 in the will of Sir John White of Aldershot (c1512–1573), alderman of London and knighted when he became Lord Mayor of London (1563-4).Sir John White of Aldershot, MP: Lord Mayor of London, died 1573 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207023616heathhist.pbworks.com/w/page/17465395/SirJohnWhite1573 |date=7 February 2021 }}, Heathland History websiteWHITE, Sir John (d.1573), of London and Aldershot, Hants {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415080203historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/white-sir-john-1573 |date=15 April 2021 }}, Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981 He left Aldershot Manor to his son Sir Robert White of Aldershot (died 1599). He in turn left the manor to be divided between his two daughters, Ellen the wife of Sir Richard Tichborne and Mary, the wife of Sir Walter Tichborne, brother of Richard.’Parishes: Aldershot’, in A History of the County of Hampshire: Volume 4, ed. William Page (London, 1911), pp. 2-5. British History Online (accessed 3 February 2021) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123235611www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hants/vol4/pp2-5 |date=23 January 2021 }} The 18th-century jurist Charles Viner lived in the town and printed his A General Abridgment of Law and Equity on a press in his home. In the 18th century, the stretch of the London to Winchester turnpike that passed through Aldershot between Bagshot and Farnham (now known as the Farnborough Road) was the scene of highway robberies. At one time it had “almost as bad a reputation as Hounslow Heath”.BOOK, Froude, James Anthony, James Anthony Froude, Tulloch, John, Fraser’s Magazine for Town and Country, London, J. Fraser, 68, August 1863, A Chapter on Chalons and Aldershot,books.google.com/books?id=M9cAAAAAYAAJ&q=aldershot+hounslow+heath&pg=PA191, 191,books.google.com/books?id=M9cAAAAAYAAJ, 2 April 2014, Dick Turpin is said to have operated in the area having his headquarters nearby in Farnborough, and there were sightings of Spring-heeled Jack.BOOK, Hamilton, Ernest, Lord Ernest Hamilton, Forty Years On, Hodder and Stoughton, 1922, 163–164,archive.org/details/fortyyearson00hami, “Our Camp Letter” – Surrey and Hants News & Guildford Times – 14 December 1878, section Aldershot GazetteJudge Advocate General’s Office: General Courts Martial charge sheets: 1877–1880 – the National Archives, Kew

Growth in the Victorian era

In 1854, at the time of the Crimean War, Aldershot Garrison was established as the first permanent training camp for the British Army. This led to a rapid expansion of Aldershot’s population, going from 875 in 1851 to in excess of 16,000 by 1861 (including about 9,000 from the military). Mrs Louisa Daniell arrived in the town at this time and set up her Soldiers’ Home and Institute to cater for the spiritual needs of the soldiers and their families. During this period Holy Trinity church, the Presbyterian church, the Wesleyan church and Rotunda chapel were built in the town centre to cater for the spiritual needs of the increasing numbers of troops in the nearby camp and the growing civilian town. In August 1856, on her return from the Crimean War and “wishing to be with her sons in the Army”, Mary Seacole with her business partner Thomas Day is said to have arrived in Aldershot where they attempted to open a canteen. In her autobiography, Seacole wrote: ‘We set to bravely at Aldershott to retrieve our fallen fortunes, and stem off the ruin originated in the Crimea, but all in vain...’.Seacole, Mary, Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands, James Blackwood (1857), pg. 169 The venture is believed to have failed through lack of funds and the two being declared bankrupt.Mary Jane Seacole {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102084606www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-41194 |date=2 January 2022 }} - Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2006Petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy against Mary Seacole and Thomas Day the younger {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412110053www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/21935/page/3526 |date=12 April 2020 }} - The London Gazette, 28 October 1856 Issue:21935 Page:3526Alan Palmer, Seacole née Grant, Mary Jane (1805–1881) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320184851www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-41194 |date=20 March 2020 }} - Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB) Published online: 23 September 2004 This version: 25 May 2006

Aldershot Military Tattoo

The Aldershot Military Tattoo was an annual event dating back to 1894. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Aldershot Command Searchlight Tattoo held at the Rushmoor Arena presented displays from all branches of the services, including performances lit by flame torches. At one time the performances attracted crowds of up to 500,000 people. The Tattoo was organised to raise money for military charities. By the end of the 1930s, the event was raising around £40,000 annually.WEB, The Aldershot Command Searchlight Tattoos, Aldershot Military Museum,www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershot-tattoo.htm, 2 April 2014, dead,www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershot-tattoo.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20140408111840www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershot-tattoo.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20140408111840www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/aldershot-tattoo.htm, 8 April 2014, The Tattoo’s modern format, the Army Show, was cancelled in 2010 by the Ministry of Defence due to budget cuts.NEWS, Aldershot army show 2010 to be axed, Trinity Mirror, Get Hampshire,www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2065767_aldershot_army_show_2010_to_be_axed, Pete Castle,www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2065767_aldershot_army_show_2010_to_be_axed," title="web.archive.org/web/20120312152124www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2065767_aldershot_army_show_2010_to_be_axed,">web.archive.org/web/20120312152124www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2065767_aldershot_army_show_2010_to_be_axed, 12 March 2012, 2 April 2014, It was briefly revived the following year and attracted 20,000 visitors. In 2012, it was styled as the Aldershot Garrison Show, a smaller free event held on Armed Forces Day.WEB, Aldershot Garrison Show 2012,www.armyshow.co.uk/menu.html,www.armyshow.co.uk/menu.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20110213073204www.armyshow.co.uk/menu.html,">web.archive.org/web/20110213073204www.armyshow.co.uk/menu.html, dead, 13 February 2011, Aldershot Garrison, 2 April 2014, The Army Show was replaced in 2013 with a general Military Festival. Events were held across the town, including an art exhibition, live music, sports events and film screenings.NEWS, First military festival goes off with a bang, Trinity Mirror, Get Hampshire,www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/first-military-festival-goes-bang-5347706, Pete Bryant, 12 July 2013, 3 April 2014, dead,www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/first-military-festival-goes-bang-5347706," title="web.archive.org/web/20131030113529www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/first-military-festival-goes-bang-5347706,">web.archive.org/web/20131030113529www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/first-military-festival-goes-bang-5347706, 30 October 2013, dmy-all,

During the World Wars

In 1914, Aldershot had the largest army camp in the country with 20% of the British Army being based in and around the town. Aldershot was home for two Infantry Divisions and a Cavalry Brigade in addition to large numbers of artillery, engineers, service corps and medical services. At the start of World War I, the units based at Aldershot became the 1st Corps of the British Expeditionary Force, and soon tens of thousands of new recruits came to the large training centre in the Camp. This had a great effect on the civilian town as there was a great shortage of accommodation for the troops and many were billeted in local houses and schools. Aldershot played a vital role in the formation of Kitchener’s Army, providing the core of the Army from 1914 onwards as well as treating the wounded brought back from the trenches in France and Flanders. The Cambridge Military Hospital was the first base hospital to receive casualties directly from the Western Front and it was here that plastic surgery was first performed in the British Empire by Captain Gillies (later Sir Harold Gillies).Aldershot: The Home Of The British Army in WW1 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501083452www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02pb3t4 |date=1 May 2017 }} - BBC ‘World War I at Home’WEB,www.qaranc.co.uk/cambridgemilitaryhospital.php, Cambridge Military Hospital CMH Aldershot, 14 June 2019, 3 April 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190403145145/https://www.qaranc.co.uk/cambridgemilitaryhospital.php, live, From 1939 to 1945 during World War II,WEB,wartimecanada.ca/document/world-war-ii/demobilization/canadians-leave-aldershot, The Canadians leave Aldershot - Wartime Canada database, 14 June 2019, 22 December 2018,wartimecanada.ca/document/world-war-ii/demobilization/canadians-leave-aldershot," title="web.archive.org/web/20181222032054wartimecanada.ca/document/world-war-ii/demobilization/canadians-leave-aldershot,">web.archive.org/web/20181222032054wartimecanada.ca/document/world-war-ii/demobilization/canadians-leave-aldershot, live, about 330,000 Canadian troops of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigades passed through Aldershot for training before being deployed for the defence of the United Kingdom while much of the British Army was overseas. Additional units of the Canadian Army followed later creating the largest force of British Commonwealth troops ever to be stationed in the UK at one time.WEB,www.canadianrootsuk.org/historycanadiansuk.html, History of Canadians stationed in UK - Canadian Roots UK, 14 June 2019, 5 January 2019,www.canadianrootsuk.org/historycanadiansuk.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20190105092606www.canadianrootsuk.org/historycanadiansuk.html,">web.archive.org/web/20190105092606www.canadianrootsuk.org/historycanadiansuk.html, live, The Aldershot riot of July 1945 caused considerable damage to the town centre when disgruntled Canadian troops tired of waiting to be repatriated rioted in the streets for two evenings.‘Aldershot Canadians Riot Again’ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220150835trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78782056 |date=20 December 2016 }} Daily News - 5 July 1945 In a gesture of forgiveness and goodwill, the Freedom of the Borough of Aldershot was conferred on the Canadian Army on 26 September 1945 in a ceremony held at the town’s recreation ground.Freedom of the Borough of Aldershot conferred on the Canadian Army - The Aldershot News 28 September 1945 In the following year Aldershot’s military prison the ’Glasshouse’ was burned down in prison riots.The Aldershot ‘Glasshouse’ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413235235www.townsinbritain.co.uk/hampshireattractions/glasshouse.html |date=13 April 2017 }} - Aldershot Military Museum website

Post War

File:Former town hall, Grosvenor Road, Aldershot (geograph 4205293).jpg|thumb|Aldershot Town HallAldershot Town HallA substantial rebuilding of the barracks was carried out between 1961 and 1969 by the architecture and engineering firm Building Design Partnership. The work was sped up under government pressure, and various new building technologies were employed with mixed success.In 1974, Aldershot borough, which had been based at Aldershot Town Hall, merged with Farnborough urban district to form the Borough of Rushmoor under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972.BOOK, Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70, The Stationery Office Ltd, 0-10-547072-4, 1997, After a 2009 campaign, the British Government allowed veteran Gurkha soldiers who had served for more than four years, and their families, to settle in the UK.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8060607.stm, Gurkhas win right to settle in UK, BBC News, 21 May 2009, 19 May 2012, The rise in the Nepalese population led Gerald Howarth, Conservative Member of Parliament for Aldershot, to request government assistance in expanding local public services to meet the needs of the growing population.WEB,www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2087535_gerald_howarths_nepalese_immigration_letter_in_full, Gerald Howarth’s Nepalese immigration letter in full, 14 February 2011, Trinity Mirror, Get Hampshire, 19 May 2012, dead,www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2087535_gerald_howarths_nepalese_immigration_letter_in_full," title="web.archive.org/web/20121107030312www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2087535_gerald_howarths_nepalese_immigration_letter_in_full,">web.archive.org/web/20121107030312www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2087535_gerald_howarths_nepalese_immigration_letter_in_full, 7 November 2012,

1972 Aldershot bombing

On 22 February 1972, Aldershot experienced the first in a series of mainland IRA attacks.WEB, Woollacott, Martin, 2009-02-23, From the archives, 23 February 1972: IRA kills 7 in raid on Paras’ English base,www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2009/feb/23/ira-bomb-paras-aldershot-1972, 2021-04-01, The Guardian, en, Seven people, six of whom were civilian support staff, including five catering staff and a gardener were killed in a car bomb attack on the 16th Parachute Brigade headquarters mess. A further 19 people were injured. The bombing was claimed by the Official IRA as revenge for the Bloody Sunday massacre.NEWS, On This Day – 1972: IRA bomb kills six at Aldershot barracks, BBC News, 22 February 1972,news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/22/newsid_2519000/2519029.stm, 3 April 2014, The only army officer killed was Captain Gerry Weston a Catholic British Army chaplain. An area to be developed into a memorial garden was used to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing in 2012.WEB, Aldershot Barracks: IRA bombing 40th anniversary marked, BBC News,www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17124016, 22 February 2012, 3 April 2014,

Aldershot Military Town

(File:aldershotmilitarytown.jpg|thumb|right|Sign for Aldershot Military Town)Aldershot Military Town is located between Aldershot and North Camp near Farnborough. It is a garrison town that serves as the location for the military presence in the area. It houses Aldershot Garrison’s married quarters, barracks, Army playing fields and other sporting facilities. The military town includes some local landmarks, such as the Aldershot Observatory, Aldershot Military Cemetery, the Union Building, the Royal Garrison Church and other churches. Until 1993, the town served as headquarters for the Royal Corps of Transport and the Army Catering Corps, until they were merged into the Royal Logistic Corps and moved to Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut.Queen Victoria and Prince Albert showed a keen interest in the establishment and development of Aldershot as a garrison town in the 1850s, at the time of the Crimean War. They had a wooden Royal Pavilion built, where they would often stay when attending reviews of the army. In 1860, Albert established and endowed the Prince Consort’s Library, which still exists today. To celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, 25,000 British and Colonial soldiers marched from Laffan’s Plain near Farnborough, reviewed by Queen Victoria. Beside the British soldiers, marched men from Canada, India, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.WEB, The Canadian Army Comes To Aldershot, Aldershot Military Museum,www.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/canadian-army-aldershot.htm, 2 April 2014,www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/canadian-army-aldershot.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20111120102553www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/canadian-army-aldershot.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20111120102553www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/canadian-army-aldershot.htm, 20 November 2011, dead, dmy-all, File:Princeconsortslibrary.jpg|thumb|right|The Prince Consort’s LibraryPrince Consort’s LibraryAldershot Military Town comes under its own military jurisdiction. It was home to the Parachute Regiment from its formation in 1940 until it moved to Colchester Garrison in 2003. Many famous people have been associated with the Military Town, including Charlie Chaplin, who made his first stage appearance in The Canteen theatre aged 5 in 1894,Chaplin, Charlie My Autobiography Published by Simon & Schuster (1964)Robinson, David Chaplin: The Mirror of Opinion Martin Secker & Warburg Limited, London (1983) {{ISBN|0-436-42053-8}} and Winston Churchill, who was based there in the late 19th century during his time in the Army.Beaumont Riding School and Beaumont Riding Stables {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927074951www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=7768 |date=27 September 2011 }} on the Rushmoor Borough Council websiteThe area also houses various military and regimental museums, including the Aldershot Military Museum, housed in a red-brick Victorian barracks.WEB,www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum, Aldershot Military Museum. Hampshire Days Out, .hants.gov.uk, 29 April 2013, 29 May 2013,www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum," title="web.archive.org/web/20150426073019www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum,">web.archive.org/web/20150426073019www3.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum, 26 April 2015, dead, Until December 2007, the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum was in Aldershot. It has since moved to the Imperial War Museum Duxford. The RAMC Memorial to the 314 men of the Royal Army Medical Corps who lost their lives in the Boer War of 1899-1902 is located at the top of Gun Hill.An outline planning application has been agreed for the redevelopment of some of the former Military Town. The Aldershot Urban Extension will bring some 3,850 new homes, two new primary schools, a children’s day-care centre, additional secondary school places, community facilities, waste recycling and landscaping to an area of 150 hectares.In 2013, the MoD announced a £100 million investment to expand Aldershot Garrison and bring 750 more service personnel and their families to settle in Aldershot.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-21675514, Aldershot receives £100m as part of Germany troop withdrawal, BBC News, 6 March 2013, 15 August 2013,

Landmarks

Wellington Statue

(File:Wellington Monument, Aldershot - geograph.org.uk - 1743310.jpg|thumb|160px|right|Equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington on Round Hill)A statue of the first Duke of Wellington mounted on his horse, Copenhagen, is situated on Round Hill behind the Royal Garrison Church. The statue is {{cvt|30|ft|m}} high, {{cvt|26|ft|m}} from nose to tail, over {{cvt|22|ft|m}} in girth, weighs 40 tons and is intricately detailed including musculature and veins. It was designed and built by Matthew Cotes Wyatt who used recycled bronze from cannons that were captured at the Battle of Waterloo. It took thirty men over three years to finish the project.Originally, in 1846, the statue was erected at Hyde Park Corner, London on the Wellington Arch. However, Decimus Burton, architect of the arch, had tried to veto this plan for his preferred “figure in a four horse chariot”. Many agreed with Decimus Burton that the statue looked ridiculous since it was out of proportion. It was nicknamed “The Archduke” and was a popular topic in the satirical magazine Punch.Queen Victoria claimed that the statue ruined the view of the skyline from Buckingham Palace, and she privately proposed that the statue be moved. The Duke, who had only sat for the sculptor on two or three occasions, suddenly became very attached to the statue and would not consider its removal from its arch.In 1885, the Prince of Wales handed over the monument to Lieutenant General Anderson, the commander of the Aldershot Garrison.

Aldershot Observatory

File:Aldershot observatory 01.JPG|thumb|160px|right|Aldershot ObservatoryAldershot ObservatoryThe observatory is a circular red-brick building with a domed roof, and it stands on Queen’s Avenue. Inside is a telescope, 8-inch refractor, mounted on a German-type equatorial mount with a clockwork drive. The telescope and observatory building were a gift from aviation pioneer Patrick Young Alexander to the British Army, a fact which is recorded by a plaque near the observatory door. It reads: “Presented to the Aldershot Army Corps by Patrick Y Alexander Esq 1906”.

The Wesleyan Church

The former Wesleyan church on Grosvenor Road has a 100-foot tower that can be seen for miles around the town and which is described as ” the only significant tower in the town”.The Wesleyan Methodist Church, Aldershot {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122927britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101155955-aldershot-methodist-church-rushmoor#.W_VrW2dLG7Q |date=15 December 2018 }} - the Historic England Listed Buildings database Opened in 1877, the church served the Methodists of Aldershot for over 100 years and could seat 1,150 people until its closure in 1988. Today the original complex of church, Soldiers’ Home and Hall has been converted into offices, a dental surgery, gymnasium and homes.WEB,www.aldershotcivicsociety.org.uk/bygone/html/about-the-aldershot-bygone-aldershot-churches.htm, Bygone Aldershot Churches - Aldershot Civic Society website, 21 November 2018, 24 October 2016,www.aldershotcivicsociety.org.uk/bygone/html/about-the-aldershot-bygone-aldershot-churches.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20161024170035www.aldershotcivicsociety.org.uk/bygone/html/about-the-aldershot-bygone-aldershot-churches.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20161024170035www.aldershotcivicsociety.org.uk/bygone/html/about-the-aldershot-bygone-aldershot-churches.htm, live, WEB,www.aldershot-methodist.org.uk/index/pages/history_of_the_methodist_church_.htm, The History of Methodism in Aldershot - Aldershot Methodist Church website, 21 November 2018, 12 July 2015,aldershot-methodist.org.uk/index/pages/history_of_the_methodist_church_.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20150712173609aldershot-methodist.org.uk/index/pages/history_of_the_methodist_church_.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20150712173609aldershot-methodist.org.uk/index/pages/history_of_the_methodist_church_.htm, live,

Aldershot Buddhist Centre

(File:Aldershot Buddhist Centre 2018.jpg|thumb|160px|right|Aldershot Buddhist Centre in 2018)Aldershot Buddhist Centre is a Buddhist temple and community centre catering for the Buddhists of Aldershot and surrounding area, which is billed as the United Kingdom’s first Buddhist community centre. With the influx of large numbers of Nepalis into the area in recent years giving Rushmoor the largest Buddhist community in the United Kingdom,Dalai Lama defies protesters to open Aldershot Buddhist centre {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217174903www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-33312123 |date=17 December 2018 }} - BBC News Online 29 June 2015WEB,thebuddhistcentre.com/news/where-are-most-buddhists-england-and-wales, Where are the most Buddhists in England and Wales? - The Buddhist Centre - 16 June 2015, 16 December 2018, 16 December 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181216163626/https://thebuddhistcentre.com/news/where-are-most-buddhists-england-and-wales, live, Ana-Maria Pascal (ed), Multiculturalism and the Convergence of Faith and Practical Wisdom in Modern Society {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126050428books.google.co.uk/books?id=EeXMDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=aldershot+buddhist+centre&source=bl&ots=WKuHHsfUrA&sig=8Cl3AFIPeT3H_icFhpIP1KVDsVk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAoczBnKTfAhUHzKQKHW1mD8g4KBDoATACegQICBAB#v=onepage&q=aldershot%20buddhist%20centre&f=false |date=26 November 2022 }}, IGI Global (2017) - Google Books pg 38 a temple and community centre to cater for their spiritual and secular needs was required. The centre was formally opened on the High Street by the 14th Dalai Lama in June 2015.WEB,www.bccuk.co.uk/about, About the Centre - Buddhist Community Centre UK website, 16 December 2018, 22 November 2018,www.bccuk.co.uk/about," title="web.archive.org/web/20181122115249www.bccuk.co.uk/about,">web.archive.org/web/20181122115249www.bccuk.co.uk/about, live,

Union Building

(File:Union Building Aldershot 1870.jpg|thumb|right|The Union Building in 1870)When a small party of NCOs and men of the Royal Engineers arrived in November 1853 in the area that is today Princes Gardens, they were the first soldiers to arrive in Aldershot. At this time, the area was heathland with the only building in sight being the Union Poor House, built in 1629 as a sub-manor for the Tichborne family and later used as the local workhouse and a school. It was one of five permanent local buildings purchased by the War Department in 1854 as part of the development of the new Aldershot Camp, and was used by the Army from 1854 to 1879 as No 2 Station Hospital. In later years, it saw a variety of uses before being redeveloped as flats.

Transport

(File:Aldershot railway station.JPG|thumb|The exterior of the station in February 2009)Aldershot railway station is a stop on the Alton Line; South Western Railway runs services between London Waterloo, Alton, Guildford and Ascot.WEB, Timetables, South Western Railway, May 2023, 5 October 2023,www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/timetables, Aldershot is close to several major roads, including the M3 and the A3. Its nearest dual-carriageway roads are the A31 to the south, which heads east towards Guildford and the A3; to the east, the A331 which heads north towards Farnborough and the M3.Bus services from Aldershot are provided by Stagecoach South. Since the closure of Aldershot bus station in May 2023 passengers now access the bus services at various on-street stops around the town centre. National Express coach services operate between London Victoria and Portsmouth twice a day.WEB, Stops in Aldershot, Bus Times, 2023, 5 October 2023,bustimes.org/localities/aldershot, Farnborough Airport is located {{convert|5|miles}} away, with Heathrow {{convert|29|miles}} and Gatwick {{convert|43|miles}} away.

Education

File:Alderwood School Aldershot 2018.jpg|thumb|right|Alderwood SchoolAlderwood SchoolThere are various schools in Aldershot. These will be joined by two new primary schools being built as part of the Aldershot Urban extension development of 3,850 houses. This development will also be served by a further 675 secondary school places being created at the Alderwood and Wavell schools.A mix of infants and juniors exists, including Park Primary School and St Michael’s (C of E). The infant schools are Talavera, Wellington Primary, and Bell Vue Infant School.WEB,www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp, Aldershot infant schools, 7 February 2008, 6 December 2007,www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20071206154105www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20071206154105www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp, live, Junior schools include: Newport County, Talavera, Wellington Secondary and St Joseph’s Primary (Catholic).WEB,www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp, Junior schools, 7 February 2008, 6 December 2007,www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20071206154105www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20071206154105www.locallife.co.uk/aldershot/infants3.asp, live, Aldershot has only one secondary school, Alderwood School (formerly Heron Wood School and The Connaught School), though Ash Manor School, Farnham Heath End School, All Hallows Catholic School and The Wavell School are all local.Secondary Schools {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216134009www.hants.gov.uk/education/schools/schools.php?dfes=4312 |date=16 February 2007 }} In the town’s West End can be found Rowhill School, a special school for students of secondary age unable to attend mainstream schooling for a variety of reasons. There are also two private schools, Salesian College and Farnborough Hill School in nearby Farnborough.

Local newspapers

The local press is the Aldershot News & Mail,WEB, Aldershot News & Mail,www.abc.org.uk/product/33-aldershot-news-mail, Audit Bureau of Circulations, 23 October 2022, en-gb, a Surrey Advertiser Group broadsheet. At the end of November 2017, the Surrey-Hants Star Courier, a free tabloid, ceased publication.

• NEWS, Trinity Mirror to close Surrey & Hants Star Courier,www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2017/news/regional-publisher-to-close-weekly-as-five-jobs-put-at-risk/, 23 October 2022, HoldtheFrontPage, 15 November 2017,
• WEB, Surrey & Hants Star Courier July 2008 - June 2017,www.abc.org.uk/product/15849-surrey-hants-star-courier, Audit Bureau of Circulations, 23 October 2022, en-gb,
• WEB, Surrey-Hants Star,www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/surreyhants-star, British Newspaper Archive, 23 October 2022,
• WEB, Surrey Hants Star Courier,media.info/newspapers/titles/surrey-hants-star-courier, media.info, 23 October 2022, en, Launched: 18 September 2008,
• NEWS, Hampshire News,www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/hampshire-news/, 23 October 2022, Surrey Live,web.archive.org/web/20220228100137/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/hampshire-news/, 28 February 2022, We have taken the decision to close gethampshire.co.uk, but we will still be providing coverage from Aldershot, Farnborough, Fleet, Yateley and surrounding areas.,

Leisure and recreation

File:Princes Hall Aldershot 2016.jpg|thumb|right|The Princes HallPrinces HallFollowing the demolition of the Theatre Royal and Hippodrome theatres in 1959 and 1961, the local council opened its own Princes Hall in 1973 as an entertainment venue.WEB,www.princeshall.com/article/3585/History, History of the Princes Hall, Aldershot – the Princes Hall website, 23 June 2014, 29 March 2014,www.princeshall.com/article/3585/History," title="web.archive.org/web/20140329051202www.princeshall.com/article/3585/History,">web.archive.org/web/20140329051202www.princeshall.com/article/3585/History, live, Another entertainment venue and arts centre is the West End Centre on Queens Road which is popular for small-scale theatre, music and comedy.West End Centre {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001200231housetheatre.org.uk/venues/west-end-centre/ |date=1 October 2016 }} on the House Theatre (Farnham Maltings) websiteWEB,www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/west-end-centre-p236221, The West End Centre on Visit Hampshire, 30 September 2016, 1 October 2016,www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/west-end-centre-p236221," title="web.archive.org/web/20161001204510www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/west-end-centre-p236221,">web.archive.org/web/20161001204510www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/west-end-centre-p236221, live,

Music and dance

Hardcore

The Palace (previously The Palace Cinema, The Rhythm Station, Cheeks, Vox), influenced the rapid growth of the hardcore scene from 1992 to 1995.{{Citation needed|date=April 2014}} Weekly events included Fusion (Hectic Records), Tazmania, Slammin’ Vinyl and Future World. The club also groomed local talents such as DJ Sharkey, DJ Mystery, DJ Sy, DJ Unknown, Vinylgroover, DJ NS, Hixxy, MC Freestyle, MC Young, MC Smiley and Spyder MC. The location of Aldershot between Southampton and London meant the club became a mecca for Hardcore, and it was regularly sold out during this time.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} At the height of the club’s popularity, a teenager’s death from a suspected overdose of ecstasyNEWS,www.independent.co.uk/news/ecstasy-may-have-caused-teenagers-nightclub-death-1326383.html,www.independent.co.uk/news/ecstasy-may-have-caused-teenagers-nightclub-death-1326383.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140407121341www.independent.co.uk/news/ecstasy-may-have-caused-teenagers-nightclub-death-1326383.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140407121341www.independent.co.uk/news/ecstasy-may-have-caused-teenagers-nightclub-death-1326383.html, 2014-04-07, limited, live, Ecstasy may have caused teenager’s nightclub death, The Independent, 29 January 1996, 15 August 2013, was the catalyst that saw dance music leaving the club and had a negative impact on the hardcore dance scene in the Aldershot area.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

The Beatles in Aldershot

(File:Beatles Aldershot poster 1961.jpeg|thumb|upright|Poster for the appearance of The Beatles at Aldershot in 1961)Sam Leach, their then agent and wanting to become their manager, attempted to introduce the Beatles to London agents by promoting shows at The Palais Ballroom, on the corner of Perowne Street and Queens RoadWEB,www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/aldershot.shtml, The Beatles in Aldershot on The Mersey Beat website, 17 July 2015, 4 March 2016,www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/aldershot.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20160304095027www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/aldershot.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20160304095027www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/aldershot.shtml, live, WEB,www.beatlesbible.com/1961/12/09/live-palais-ballroom-aldershot/, The Beatles at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot – The Beatles Bible website, 9 December 1961, 17 July 2015, 21 July 2015,www.beatlesbible.com/1961/12/09/live-palais-ballroom-aldershot/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150721102233www.beatlesbible.com/1961/12/09/live-palais-ballroom-aldershot/,">web.archive.org/web/20150721102233www.beatlesbible.com/1961/12/09/live-palais-ballroom-aldershot/, live, Howard N. Cole, The Story of Aldershot: a History of the Civil and Military Towns, Southern Books, Aldershot (1980) p. 300 in Aldershot on 9 December 1961. Leach wanted to organise a ‘battle of the bands’ between The Beatles and Ivor Jay and the Jaywalkers from London. The show was not advertised properly and, as a result, only 18 people attended. The local newspaper, The Aldershot News, failed to publish Leach’s advertisement for the show. In addition, Ivor Jay and the Jaywalkers failed to appear. However, the band and friends had their own fun after the show, drinking ale, playing football with bingo balls and dancing the foxtrot. The noise became so loud that a neighbour called the police who shut the event down. When interviewed in 1983 about the Aldershot gig, Paul McCartney described it as “the night we couldn’t get arrested, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying”. After the gig, the band went on to London to join an after hours jam at the Blue Gardenia Club. Weeks after this Brian Epstein became the group’s manager.The time The Beatles came to Aldershot to play for just 18 people {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702071636www.hampshirelive.news/news/hampshire-news/time-beatles-came-aldershot-play-7256939 |date=2 July 2022 }}, ‘Hampshire Live’, 26 June 2022

Rock music

At the end of the 1990s and the start of the 2000s, an underground scene of rock bands cropped up around Aldershot. Notable bands include Reuben, Vex Red, Inter and Hundred Reasons.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Shopping

(File:West Gate Leisure Park Aldershot.jpg|thumb|right|West Gate Leisure Park)Union Street and Wellington Street at the centre of the town’s shopping district were pedestrianised in the 1970s when the Wellington Centre, a covered shopping centre, was built over the site of the town’s former open-air market. As of 2020, Union Street East is undergoing regeneration; the project has been referred to as Union Yard.WEB,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/town-centres-and-regeneration/union-yard/, Union Yard, Rushmoor Borough Council, 15 December 2023, During the 1980s and 1990s, the Victorian shopping arcade and various other period buildings in Wellington Street were demolished to allow for the building of an extension to the Wellington Centre known as The Galleries. The Galleries has remained almost vacant for many years now and is currently under consideration for proposed redevelopment into a mixed use retail and residential scheme, with potential commercial leisure space.WEB,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=15740&p=0, The Galleries, key information and delivery approach, 44–45, January 2016, Aldershot Town Centre Prospectus Supplementary Planning Document, Rushmoor Borough Council, 6 October 2018, 6 October 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181006194643/https://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=15740&p=0, dead, In 2003, a health check of the town centre concluded that, “Aldershot is experiencing promising signs of revitalisation, particularly in the shopping core”.WEB,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/media/adobepdf/tchc.pdf, Town Centre Health Checks Cttee report PLN01/63, 4 September 2006, 2003, Rushmoor, Rushmoor Borough Council, dead,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/media/adobepdf/tchc.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070927013032www.rushmoor.gov.uk/media/adobepdf/tchc.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070927013032www.rushmoor.gov.uk/media/adobepdf/tchc.pdf, 27 September 2007, This revitalisation failed to materialise, with prominent traders such as Marks and Spencer leaving the town centre.In 2005, Rushmoor Borough Council documented the percentage of vacant shops at 10%, 8% and 7% respectively for Union Street, the Wellington Centre and Wellington Street.WEB,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1452, Technical Appendix: Percentage of Vacancies and Planning Applications affecting the town centre., 4 September 2006, 2005, Rushmoor, Rushmoor Borough Council, dead,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1452," title="web.archive.org/web/20040315103936www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1452,">web.archive.org/web/20040315103936www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1452, 15 March 2004, dmy-all, The Westgate Leisure Park, which opened in 2012–2013 and which fronts onto Barrack Road, includes a Cineworld cinema, a Morrisons supermarket, and several chain restaurants, including Nando’s, Mimosa and Pizza Express.WEB,www.westgate-leisure.co.uk/eat-out-at-westgate-leisure, Westgate Restaurants, 12 September 2014, 2013, dead,www.westgate-leisure.co.uk/eat-out-at-westgate-leisure," title="web.archive.org/web/20140913012524www.westgate-leisure.co.uk/eat-out-at-westgate-leisure,">web.archive.org/web/20140913012524www.westgate-leisure.co.uk/eat-out-at-westgate-leisure, 13 September 2014, There is also a Tesco superstore located at the rear of the development.

Parks and open spaces

File:Municipal Gardens Aldershot Cenotaph.jpg|thumb|right|The Cenotaph in Municipal Gardens ]]Aldershot has many parks, playgrounds and open spaces for sport, play and leisure, including Aldershot Park, Brickfields Country Park, the Municipal Gardens, Manor Park and the Princes Gardens, the latter three a short walk from the town centre.The legacy of the Army has meant that the land for leisure use, as well as protected areas for flora and fauna, has been preserved over many years. On the Surrey border can be found Rowhill Nature Reserve which is popular with nature-lovers, dog owners, walkers and joggers.

Sport

Aldershot has many sports facilities including the Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy, Aldershot Tennis Centre, Aldershot Bowling, Aldershot Pools and Lido, Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre, Alderwood Leisure Centre (formerly Connaught Leisure Centre) and Alpine Snow Sports (Dry Ski Centre). Formerly the town also hosted short circuit motor racing including speedway and stock car racing. Greyhound racing took place at Aldershot Stadium, and point-to-point racing at Tweseldown. Famous running club AFD has produced top runners. Aldershot Park hosts a number of sports facilities and organisations.WEB, Rushmoor Council: Aldershot Park,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/community-parks-and-leisure/parks-and-outdoors/parks-and-playgrounds/aldershot-park-and-play-area/, 26 September 2022,

Athletics

Aldershot is home to arguably the most successful athletics club in British and European history, Aldershot, Farnham & District A.C. The club has produced many Olympians including Roger Hackney, Zola Budd, Lily Partridge and Steph Twell and specialises in middle–long distance running. The home of AFD, as it is commonly known, is the Aldershot Military Stadium, Aldershot. Blackwater Valley Runners are a social running club and organise many local races.WEB, Blackwater Valley Runners,bvrunners.org.uk/, 25 September 2022,

Swimming

Opened in 1930, Aldershot Lido is a traditional outdoor leisure pool that contains 1.5 million gallons of water situated on a {{cvt|10|acre|ha|adj=on}} site. The original land was a lake that had become overgrown with weeds. It was bought by the Borough Council in 1920 for £21,000 and was the focus of the council’s improvement projects for the town. The Lido became an Olympic venue in 1948 when it was the site of the swimming event in the Modern Pentathlon of that year’s London Olympic Games. The pool has extensive areas of shallow water for children to play including a large fountain at the centre. It also has a diving area and water slides. There is an adjoining 25 m indoor pool that allows all year round swimming.

Football

File:Recreation Ground - 1 - geograph-992787.jpg|thumb|Aldershot Town warming up at the Recreation Ground ]]The local professional football team is Aldershot Town who compete in the Football Conference. Before 1992 the local club was Aldershot, which folded on 25 March 1992, while playing in the Football League Fourth Division. The current club was formed shortly afterwards and achieved five promotions in its first 16 seasons to return to the Football League in 2008. The previous Aldershot club’s biggest success arguably came in 1987, just five years before closure, when they became the first team to win the Football League Fourth Division promotion play-offs, at the expense of a far bigger club – Wolverhampton Wanderers.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aldershot/7337126.stm, Rise of the Phoenix, BBC Sport, 15 April 2008, 15 April 2008, Since 1927, the main football ground in the town, and home of both teams, is the Recreation Ground, also known as “The Rec”. It has a capacity for 7,100, of which 2,000 can be seated.A number of successful current and former footballers are from the Aldershot area, including Johnny Berry, who was born in the town in 1926. He played for Birmingham City and Manchester United before his playing career was ended by injuries sustained in the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958. He had won three league title medals with Manchester United. He later returned to Aldershot to run a sports shop with his brother Peter. He continued to live locally until he died in September 1994, at the age of 68.Other footballers born in Aldershot include Craig Maskell (a striker for clubs including Southampton, Swindon Town and Reading) during the 1980s and 1990s, and Bruce Rioch. Rioch played for clubs including Luton Town, Aston Villa and Derby County before managing clubs including Middlesbrough and Arsenal, but played for the Scotland team during the 1970s due to his ancestry. Another player from the area is Joe Ralls who played youth football for Aldershot Town FC and currently plays for EFL Championship side Cardiff City FC. Another former notable player is current Burnley Goalkeeper Nick Pope. Pope was at Aldershot on loan from Charlton at the time.On 25 October 2011 Aldershot Town played Manchester United at the Recreation Ground in the League Cup 4th round losing 3–0, their most successful run to date in the Carling Cup.WEB, Magowan, Alistair, Aldershot 0-3 Man Utd,www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15346355, BBC News Online, BBC, 8 August 2014, 25 October 2011,

Cricket

Aldershot Cricket Club is based in Aldershot Park in the town and plays in the Thames Valley Cricket League.WEB, Thames Valley Cricket League: Aldershot Cricket Club,www.tvlcricket.com/clubdetails.php?ClubID=1, 25 September 2022, Army cricket matches have been played at the Officers Club Services Ground, which has also played host to home matches for Hampshire County Cricket Club. Many of these matches held first-class status.WEB,www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/ground/56741.html, Ground profile: Officers Club Services Ground, ESPNcricinfo, 9 February 2023,

Hockey

Aldershot Cricket Club shares facilities with the successful Aldershot & Farnham Hockey Club who, in 2022, were looking for a more permanent base.NEWS, Haslemere Herald, 19 April 2022, Aldershot & Farnham Hockey Club need new home,www.haslemereherald.com/sport/aldershot-farnham-hockey-club-need-new-home-544501, 25 September 2022,

Rugby union

Formerly known as Fleet RUFC, the club started in 1991 as a pub side. The club was renamed Aldershot and Fleet RUFC (A&F or the Stags) after their move in 2003 from Farnborough to their current home, Aldershot Park. With an ever-expanding juniors section, Aldershot & Fleet were successful in winning the coveted RFU “Seal of Approval” Club of the Year 2008 for the southern region. They now play in the Hampshire 2 league. The club also hosts a Rugby League Vet’s team for over 35’s.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Greyhound racing

Greyhound racing took place regularly at the now closed Aldershot Stadium in Tongham during the 1950s.

Stock car racing

{{unreferenced section|date=September 2022}}Aldershot Stadium was located in Oxenden Road, Tongham, and staged Stock Car racing for the first time on 30 October 1954. Together with other short-circuit formulae (including Superstox, Hot Rods, Bangers and Midgets), racing was held regularly (every Thursday evening, every Boxing Day afternoon and later on Saturdays).The racing took place initially on a loose shale track inside the greyhound track; after Motorcycle speedway racing at the venue ceased, the shale track was replaced with a hard tarmaced surface. The track was home to the Aldershot Knights for National League team racing in 1966 and again in 1971 and 1972.The site was the headquarters for the promoter, Spedeworth International ltd. Major national events at the track were few and far between – the most notable title race contested there being the 1975 British Superstox Championship (27 Sep 1975, won by Steve Monk).The final meeting at Oxenden Road took place on 21 November 1992. Immediately after this date, the site was cleared for construction of the A331 Blackwater Valley Road, which forms a by-pass for Aldershot and Farnborough.Now, short-circuit motor sport takes place in Aldershot again, at the Aldershot Raceway, Pegasus Village, Rushmoor Arena. It was founded and named by a local man and ex short circuit racing driver Malcolm Roberts, his wife Gwen and their children, in memory of and following the death of their eldest son, also Malcolm, a short circuit motor racing enthusiast. The site is now operated by Spedeworth, whilst the Roberts family relocated to a new circuit in Aldermaston, West Berkshire.

Speedway racing

Circa 1929, a track operated at a stadium in Boxalls Lane. Speedway returned to Aldershot in 1950 at the local greyhound stadium. The Shots featured in the lower echelons of the sport up to 1960.

Olympics

Aldershot hosted three of the five events in the modern pentathlon at the 1948 London Olympics. The swimming was held in Aldershot Lido, Maida Gymnasium hosted the fencing, and the cross-country equestrian event was held at Tweseldown. All of the Olympic equestrian events, excluding the Prix des Nations, were also held at Aldershot.LA84 Foundation 1948 Summer Olympics official report. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727011947www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf |date=27 July 2011 }} pp. 44–47. It was announced on 15 January 2008 that the Aldershot Military Town had been chosen as the official training camp for the British Olympic team ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.NEWS, Aldershot to host GB Olympic team,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7188035.stm, 23 October 2022, news.bbc.co.uk, 15 January 2008, However, in April 2010, it was announced that Team GB would be training at Loughborough University.WEB, Loughborough University chosen as HQ for Team GB’s 2012 Olympic preparation,www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/news-releases/2010/70_teamgb-hq.html, Loughborough University, 23 October 2022, 14 April 2010,

Politics

{{update section|date=September 2022}}Aldershot is divided into the following wards:Map for the wards of Aldershot {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527031057archive.rushmoor.gov.uk/archive/maps/wards-aldershot.htm |date=27 May 2006 }}Aldershot wards with respect to the local election of May 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927072038www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleID=6042 |date=27 September 2006 }}

Rushmoor Borough Council

• Rowhill: southwest of the town has one Labour and two Conservative councillors.WEB,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/wards-and-polling-stations/rowhill-ward/, Rowhill ward - Rushmoor Borough Council,
• Wellington: west of the town together with the northern half of the town centre, combines the most compact urban parts of the town northern part of the town centre, much of the military town and a very large acreage of unpopulated woodlands, forests and heathland. It has two Labour councillors and one Conservative councillor.
• Manor Park: south of the town and the southern half of the town centre has three Conservative councillors.
• Aldershot Park: southeast of the town has three Labour councillors.
• North Town: northeast of the town has three Labour councillors.
• St Marks: north of the town and parts of Farnborough has three Conservative councillors.

Hampshire County Council

• Aldershot North: the north west of the town has one Labour councillor.
• Aldershot South: the south east of the town has one Conservative councillor.

As of the May 2018 Rushmoor Borough Council Elections and the May 2017 Hampshire County Council Elections, of the 20 seats on Rushmoor Borough Council and Hampshire County Council covering Aldershot, the Conservatives hold 12 and Labour hold 8.

Member of Parliament

The town is represented in Parliament through the Aldershot constituency. The current MP is Leo Docherty, Conservative.

Climate

Aldershot is a Cfb according to the Köppen climate classification.{{clarify|date=July 2022}}WEB,education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/koppen-climate-classification-system, Köppen Climate Classification System | National Geographic Society, {{better source needed|date=July 2022}}

Notable people from Aldershot

{{see also|List of people from Aldershot}}File:Ianmcewanauthor.jpg|thumb|180px|Ian McEwanIan McEwan

• Holly Aird, actress known for her role in Waking The Dead.WEB, Birth records 1837–2006,search.findmypast.co.uk/search/world-records?firstname=holly&firstname_variants=true&lastname=aird&keywordsplace=aldershot&yearofbirth=1969&yearofbirth_offset=2, öfindmypast, 3 April 2014,
• John Belling (1866–1933), cytogeneticist was born in Aldershot
• Sai Bennett, actress, born in 1990 in Aldershot.{{Citation needed|reason=I simply can’t supply one at the time of making this edit.|date=April 2023}}
• Amelle Berrabah, singer, songwriter and former member of the Sugababes.
• Johnny Berry, Manchester United footballer and ‘Busby Babe’.
• Arthur English, actor and comedian, in honour of whom there is now a blue plaque at 22 Lysons Road.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-40617726, 15 July 2017, Are You Being Served? actor Arthur English honoured with blue plaque, BBC, 4 March 2018,
• Russell Foster, professor of circadian neuroscience and Nicholas Kurti Senior Fellow at Brasenose College at the University of Oxford
• Joel Freeland, professional basketball player, having played for both the Portland Trail Blazers and CSKA Moscow.
• Martin Freeman, actor in The Office, The Hobbit, and Sherlock.WEB, Martin Freeman,www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bbc3ea006,www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bbc3ea006," title="web.archive.org/web/20170530033210www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bbc3ea006,">web.archive.org/web/20170530033210www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bbc3ea006, dead, 30 May 2017, BFI, 8 January 2022, en,
• Joe Jopling, professional footballer.
• John Lucarotti, screenwriter.
• Ian McEwan, novelist
• DanTDM (Daniel Robert Middleton), YouTube personality, professional gamer, and author.
• Ben Norris (comedian), stand-up comedian, who has appeared on Mock the Week and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
• Alex Reid, mixed martial arts fighter and ex-husband of Katie Price.
• Eve Stratford, Playboy Club Bunny who was the victim of one of Britain’s unsolved murders in 1975.
• Alfred Toye, Aldershot-born recipient of the Victoria Cross during World War I
• James Wade, professional darts player on the PDC

Location filming

File:Beaumont Riding School Aldershot.jpg|thumb|right|The Cavalry Riding School building at Beaumont Barracks featured in The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)]]The barracks scenes in the 1968 film The Charge of the Light Brigade starring David Hemmings and Trevor Howard were filmed at the old West Cavalry BarracksWEB,davidwatkin.co.uk/charge-of-the-light-brigade/, David Watkin Cinematographer website, 14 May 2013,davidwatkin.co.uk/charge-of-the-light-brigade/," title="web.archive.org/web/20161014114958davidwatkin.co.uk/charge-of-the-light-brigade/,">web.archive.org/web/20161014114958davidwatkin.co.uk/charge-of-the-light-brigade/, 14 October 2016, dead, (now largely demolished). The gates of the South Cavalry Barracks stood in as the prison gates for the 1960 film Two-Way Stretch starring Peter Sellers, Wilfrid Hyde-White and Lionel Jeffries.The area was used for location filming of the 1970 Doctor Who serial The Ambassadors of Death.WEB, Patrick, Mulkern,www.radiotimes.com/blog/2009-09-28/doctor-who-the-ambassadors-of-death, Doctor Who: The Ambassadors of Death, Radio Times, 28 September 2009, 23 September 2012, Due to its architecture, Bruneval Barracks in Montgomery Lines was chosen as the location for snowy scenes in Kazan, Russia, at the end of the 2009 James Bond film Quantum of Solace.Barracks and Airport provide location for Bond film {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913050519www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2038353_barracks_and_airport_provide_location_for_bond_film |date=13 September 2011 }} Parts of Aldershot’s military training area were also used for the opening sequence in the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day.WEB,www.movie-locations.com/movies/d/Die-Another-Day.php, Die Another Day, Movie Locations, 2 July 2020, The Montgomery Lines were again used for Brad Pitt’s film World War Z based on the novel by Max Brooks.WEB,www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/brad-pitt-talks-world-war-4868313, Brad Pitt talks World War Z, 20 June 2013, Get Surrey, 2 July 2020, The HBO series House of the Dragon filmed a number of scenes for the third episode on the Ceaser’s Camp military training ground on the border of Farnham and Aldershot.

Twin towns – sister cities

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}Rushmoor is twinned with:WEB,www.rushmoor.gov.uk/internationalpartners, Rushmoor - Our international partner towns, 2020-10-27, Rushmoor Borough Council,

• {{flagicon|USA}} Dayton, Ohio, United States (since 2019)
• {{flagicon|NEP}} Gorkha Municipality, Nepal (since 2020)
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Meudon, France (since 1974)
• {{flagicon|GER}} Oberursel, Germany (since 1989)
• {{flagicon|POL}} Rzeszów, Poland (since 2019)
• {{flagicon|POL}} Sulechów, Poland (since 2001)

See also

• List of army barracks around Aldershot
• Aldershot Military Cemetery
• Aldershot Cemetery, the town’s civil cemetery
• Aldershot Crematorium
• St Joseph’s Church, Aldershot
• Church of St Michael the Archangel
• Holy Trinity Church, Aldershot
• Wesleyan Church, Aldershot

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

{{commons category|Aldershot}}{{Wikivoyage}}

• Rushmoor Borough Council
• aldershottattoo.co.uk/" title="web.archive.org/web/20130704110648aldershottattoo.co.uk/">The Aldershot Tattoo (Web archive)
• The Aldershot Civic Society
• www.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot/" title="web.archive.org/web/20031003021331www.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot/">Aldershot Military Museum
• Aldershot Library Military Collection
• Brickfields Country Park

{{Hampshire}}{{1948 Summer Olympic venues}}{{Olympic venues equestrian}}{{Olympic venues modern pentathlon}}{{Authority control}}