Hitchin

Hitchin is a town in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 30,360.

History
Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people mentioned in a 7th century document the Tribal Hidage. The tribal name is Brittonic rather than Old English and derives from *siccā, meaning 'dry', which is perhaps a reference to the local stream, the Hiz. There exists credible evidence that Hitchin was the location chosen in 673 by Archbishop Theodore of Tarsus during the Synod of Hertford, the first nationwide meeting of representatives of the fledgling Catholic churches of Anglo-Saxon England, to hold annual synods of the churches as Theodore attempted to consolidate and centralise Catholicism in England. By 1086 Hitchin is described as a Royal Manor in the Domesday Book: the feudal services of Avera and Inward, usually found in the eastern counties, especially Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, were due from the sokemen, but the manor of Hitchin was unique in levying Inward. Evidence has been found to suggest that the town was once provided with an earthen bank and ditch fortification probably in the 10th century but this did not last. The modern spelling 'Hitchin' first appears in 1618 in a document called the "Hertfordshire Feet of Fines".

The name of the town also is associated with the small river that runs through the town, most picturesquely in front of the east end of St. Mary's Church, the town's parish church. The river is noted on maps as the River Hiz. Contrary to how most people now pronounce the name, that is to say phonetically, the 'z' was an abbreviated character for a 'tch' sound, as in the name of the town. It would have been pronounced 'River Hitch'. (A similar example is the 'y' which was, or is, an abbreviation for a 'th' in phrases and names such as Ye Olde King's Head).

Hitchin is notable for St. Mary’s Church which is remarkably large for a town of its size. The size of the church is evidence of how Hitchin prospered from the wool trade. It is the largest parish church in Hertfordshire. Most of the church dates from the 15th century, with its tower dating from around 1190. During the laying of a new floor in the church in 1911, foundations of a more ancient church building were found. In form, they appear to be a basilican church of a 7th century type, with a later enlarged chancel and transepts, perhaps added in the 10th century. This makes the church older than the story (not recorded before the 15th century) that the church was founded by Offa, king of Mercia 757-796.

In 1697, Hitchin (and the nearby village of Offley) were subject to what is thought to have been the most severe hailstorm in recorded British history. Hailstones over 4 inches in diameter were reported

The town flourished on the wool trade, and located near the Icknield Way and by the 17th century Hitchin was a staging post for coaches coming from London. By the middle of the 19th century the railway had arrived, and with it a new way of life for Hitchin. The corn exchange was built in the market place and within a short time Hitchin established itself as a major centre for grain trading.

The latter half of the 20th century has also brought great changes in communication to Hitchin. Motorways have shortened the journey time and brought Luton, a few miles away on the M1, and the A1 (M) even closer. By the close of the 20th century, Hitchin had become a satellite dormitory town for London. Hitchin also developed a fairly strong Sikh community based around the Walsworth area.

During the medieval period, both a priory (Newbigging, now known as The Biggin) and a friary (now known as Hitchin Priory) were established, both of which closed during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. They were never reformed, although The Biggin was for many years used as almshouses.

Hitchin is also the venue for the annual Rhythms of the World festival, which was previously the largest free festival of world music in Europe. (Made payable as of 2008)

Hitchin is home to the world’s only known complete Lancasterian Schoolroom which was built in 1837 to teach boys by the Lancasterian method (peer tutoring).

It is locally reputed that Henry VIII nearly died in a fire in Hitchin. It is also alleged that Henry VIII, when he was fitter, thought he was able to pole vault over the local river, the River Hiz. However, he had grown somewhat fatter than he knew, and the pole snapped from underneath him. He fell into the river, much to the amusement of his servants. This event is commemorated on the sign of the Buck's Head pub in nearby Little Wymondley. Whatever the truth of this story, it is known however that Henry VIII did hunt in the area around Hitchin and practised archery on Butts Close.

Miscellaneous
In 1960 Hitchin Urban District Council was the first in Britain to introduce 'black bags' for refuse collection.

Hitchin also has its own Air Training Corps squadron, 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron. Every year the squadron takes part in a competition with 30 other squadrons around the wing, and in 2006 and 2007 the squadron has come first in the overall competition (Aviation Day). Hitchin Squadron is also one of the only squadrons in the wing with a fully functional marching band.

Transport
Hitchin railway station is on the Great Northern Line. There are direct connections to London, Stevenage, Peterborough, and Cambridge. Connections to London and Cambridge both last approximately 30 minutes on the Express services. Stevenage is only 5 minutes away and Peterborough is typically 45 minutes distance in journey-time.

Hitchin is about three miles from the A1(M) motorway and about ten miles from the M1 motorway.

Primary schools

 * Highover School
 * Mary Exton Primary School
 * Oughtonhead Primary
 * Our Lady's School
 * Purwell JMI School
 * Samuel Lucas JMI School
 * St Andrew's Primary School
 * Strathmore School
 * William Ransom JMI School
 * Wilshere Dacre Junior School
 * Whitehill School
 * Princess Helena College

Secondary schools
There are 3 secondary schools in Hitchin


 * Hitchin Girls' School
 * Hitchin Boys' School
 * The Priory School

Independent schools

 * Kingshott School is located just outside Hitchin in the village of St Ippolyts
 * Princess Helena College is an independent school for girls located in the small village of Preston near Hitchin. It is housed in a Queen Anne country house, which was redesigned by Edwin Lutyens; the gardens were designed by Gertrude Jekyll at around the same time.
 * The Hitchin Yeshiva, a Jewish rabbinical school, is based in nearby Great Offley.

Youth organisations
These include:
 * Sea Cadet Corps - TS Danae
 * Army Cadet Force
 * Air Training Corps (Air Cadets) - 1066 Squadron - Official Website
 * Hitchin District Scouts
 * BEAR & First Hitchin Explorer Scouts
 * Hicca Ranger Guides

Sport in Hitchin
Hitchin Rugby Club is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to participate in and promote the sport of rugby union at all age levels within the Hitchin area. This includes Mini/ Midi (U7-U12), Youth (U13-U17), Colts (U19), Seniors (19+), Vets (35+) and Ladies. Hitchin RFC has a 50+ year relationship with the town of Hitchin, having been founded in 1954. See the history section for more. Highlights have included playing at Twickenham in the final of the national Junior RFU Cup in 1993 and the establishment of the country's first Academy. Currently their membership stands at over 500 people, including active and associate members. They have an community development programme and a Mini & Junior Section. Hitchin RFC runs 4 adult mens teams, 1 adult women's team, and mini and youth rugby teams at all ages.

Hitchin Town F.C. was established in 1865 and later reformed in 1928. It is one of only three clubs who competed in the first ever FA Cup and still do so now. The club is the biggest sporting entity in the town.

Hitchin is also home to Blueharts Hockey Club, a leading club since 1946.

It also houses Hitchin Cricket Club, which has been an important cricket club within the area since 1866.

Hitchin has a local swimming club, Hitchin Swimming Club, which competes at local level, county and regional level.

The Hitchin Nomads Cycling Club, which caters for many competitive and non-competitive cycling disciplines was formed in the town in 1934. It is affiliated to British Cycling, the Cyclists' Touring Club, Cycling time trials and local cycling associations.

Formed in 2003 and known as FVS TRI until November 2009, Team Trisports is a Hitchin based triathlon club. In addition to triathlon, the club is affiliated to England Athletics and British Cycling.

Twinning
Hitchin is twinned with:
 * [[Image:Flag of France.svg|25px]] Nuits-St-Georges, France
 * [[Image:Flag of Germany.svg|25px]] Bingen am Rhein, Germany

Districts of Hitchin

 * Bearton
 * Benslow
 * Highbury
 * Oakfield
 * Poets Estate
 * Purwell
 * Sunnyside
 * Walsworth
 * West Hitchin
 * Westmill
 * Whitehill
 * Wymondley Park

Nearby villages

 * Arlesey
 * Ashwell
 * Bendish
 * Breachwood Green
 * Charlton
 * Codicote
 * Gosmore
 * Graveley
 * Great Wymondley
 * Great Offley
 * Hexton
 * Holwell
 * Ickleford
 * Kimpton
 * Kings Walden
 * Lilley
 * Little Offley
 * Little Wymondley
 * Pirton
 * Preston
 * St Ippolyts
 * St Paul's Walden
 * Shillington
 * Weston
 * Whitwell

Famous connections
A famous connection to Hitchin is the English-born American actor/comedian Bob Hope, who died in 2003. Bob Hope was born in Eltham, south-east London in 1903 and emigrated to the USA in 1907 at the age of four. However, he maintained strong links with his family back in England and still has family in the Hitchin area. Indeed, Bob Hope "claimed to have inherited his sense of humour from his paternal grandfather from Hitchin".

The funeral of the conductor and founder of the Promenade Concerts, Henry Wood, took place in Hitchin at St. Mary's Church. He had been taken to Hitchin Hospital on 16 August 1944 and died there three days later.

Hitchin was at one time home to Sir Frank Whittle. It was also a home of Joseph Lister, and his old school is now the Lord Lister Hotel.

Home of Kane Kramer, inventor of the iPod.

Cyclist and author of cycle touring books Harold Briercliffe.

Jack Wilshere, midfielder for Arsenal FC, was raised in Hitchin. His family still lives there.

Notable people born in Hitchin
• 2