Medstead

Medstead and Four Marks railway station from the east.

Medstead's railway station was first opened in August 1868 and was renamed to Medstead and Four Marks railway station on 1 October 1937.[10] Having closed in 1973, the station was restored and re-opened in May 1983, following the reopening of the associated Watercress Line from New Alresford to Ropley having re-opened six years earlier in 1977; the decision was taken by Mid Hants Railway to restore the entire railway so that it could run its course to the town of Alton. Around 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of second hand track panels were purchased from Eastleigh for the Medstead and Four Marks section. The surviving buildings at the railway station were dilapidated, with one writer from a magazine suggesting they be demolished and replaced by a bus shelter. As the track was relaid at the station, a replacement wooden signal box was obtained from Wilton and placed into position near the track.[12]

Medstead is located in the eastern central part of Hampshire in South East England, 4.3 miles (6.9 km) southwest of Alton, its nearest town.[13] The parish covers an area of 1,536 acres (622 ha) and has an average elevation of approximately 600 feet (180 m) above sea level.[3] Before parts of the parish were ceded to Four Marks in 1973,[5] Medstead's parish contained 2,484 acres (1,005 ha) and its highest point was 697 feet (212 m).[7] The landscape is dominated by farms and woodland such as Medstead Grange, Imber Farm and Bushy Leaze Wood.[13] The parish contains three individual hamlets: South Town, Soldridge and Hattingley. One of the Hampshire's high points at 716 feet (218 m), King's Hill, runs through Medstead and Bentworth.[13]

According to the 2011 census, the parish of Medstead had a population of 2,036 people, of which 36.10% were in full-time employment and 13.30% in part-time employment, both slightly below the national average. There are 859 dwellings in the parish[15] with an average size of 2.52 people.[16]

The 2011 census reported an almost equal number of males (1016, 49.9%) as females (1020, 50.1%), of which the majority (1988, 97.6%) were white ethnicity, broadly similar to the ethnical diversity of the wider Hampshire region, where 111,635 (96.56%) are registered on the 2011 census as being white ethnicity.[17]

Medstead Church of England Primary School lies immediately south of the village near the cemetery.[18] Under the Education Act 1944, the previous site of Medstead's school was declared inadequate as it did not have enough space to accommodate a playing field and assembly hall. The school was consequently relocated to a larger site south of the village, where it is today.[13][19] A pre-school has been in operation since September 1989, located in the grounds of the primary school after a successful petition ensured its relocation from the village hall.[20]

The village hall is used for various activities, including hosting the village's gardening and lawn tennis clubs.[21] In addition, Medstead has its own cricket club which has been in operation for over 150 years[22] and a Bowls Club occupying a 40 square metres (430 sq ft) playing field which houses eight rinks.[23] The main village hall was first built in the 1970s and has a capacity of 200 people; 150 people can be accommodated seated around tables or 120 for formal occasions. A separate small hall can accommodate 50 people with en suite kitchen and a separate bar area.[24]

The village falls under the East Hampshire parliament constituency, represented in the House of Commons by Conservative MP Damian Hinds since 2010.[25] In County Council elections, Hampshire is divided into 75 electoral divisions that return a total of 78 councillors;[26] Medstead, along with Bentworth, is in Alton Rural Electoral Division.[27] In district council elections, East Hampshire is divided into 38 electoral wards that return a total of 44 councillors; Medstead is in Downland Electoral Ward, together with Four Marks.[28]

St Andrew's Church from the south side.

A chapel in the village was first mentioned in the Domesday Survey in 1086. The Norman church of St Andrew was first constructed in 1160 after the previous chapel was demolished.[29] The church has flint walls whereas its chancel has cemented walls, along with windows dating from the 14th century. The church was restored in the 19th century, along with a nave extension and the addition of a new chancel arch.[29] The churchyard has a Grade II listed war memorial which is dedicated to fallen soldiers of the First World War. The memorial is made out of Cornish granite and features a Celtic cross with a crusader's sword sculpted in its centre; it was unveiled on 17 October 1920 by Admiral Jervoise and dedicated by the rector of St Andrew's Church.[30]

Medstead contains a total of six Grade II listed buildings.[31] Southdown Old Farmhouse is a small manor which dates from the 18th century and has undergone 20th century restorations and extensions; the manor was designated as a listed building on 31 May 1985.[32] Another Grade II listed building is a Victorian wheelhouse with a donkey wheel which lies immediately southwest of Southdown Old Farmhouse. The wheelhouse was built in the early 19th century and consists of weatherboarded timber frames on brick plinths. The donkey wheel is in working order and is made of a large timber axle with a rope hanging over a well.[33]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Medstead.

• Medstead Parish Council website
• Medstead Village website – medstead.org
• Stained Glass Windows at St. Andrew, Medstead, Hampshire