Guildford 77783 226152106 2008-07-17T01:36:26Z ArdClose 5039541 /* Guildford and the media */ {{for|the larger local government district|Guildford (borough)}} {{otheruses}} {{infobox UK place| |country = England |latitude= 51.2354 |longitude= -0.5746 |official_name= Guildford |static_image=[[Image:guildford high street 1.jpg|240px|]] |static_image_caption=<small>Guildford High Street</small> |population = 66,773<ref name=scccensus>[http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspublications.nsf/591f7dda55aad72a80256c670041a50d/1c602ea59c869c9180256e600054b26c/$FILE/Town%20populations.pdf Surrey County Council census data]</ref> |shire_district= [[Guildford (borough)|Guildford]] |shire_county = [[Surrey]] |region= South East England |constituency_westminster= [[Guildford (UK Parliament constituency)|Guildford]] |post_town= GUILDFORD |postcode_district = GU1-4 |postcode_area= GU |dial_code= 01483 |os_grid_reference= SU9949 |london_distance= }} '''Guildford''' ({{Audio|En-uk-Guildford.ogg|pronunciation}}; [[Help:Pronunciation|IPA]] {{IPA|/ˈgɪlfəd/}}) is the [[county town]] of [[Surrey]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Leisure/Guildford+Museum/GuildfordSites/HistoryNotes/Medieval+Guildford.htm | title=Guildford Borough Council Website--"Henry III confirmed Guildford's status as the county town of Surrey in 1257" | accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> [[England]], as well as the seat for the [[Guildford (borough)|borough of Guildford]] and the administrative headquarters of the [[South East England]] region. It is situated some 50 km (31 miles) southwest of London on the [[A3 road|A3]] [[trunk road]] linking the capital to [[Portsmouth]]. The town has [[Saxon]] roots, <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Leisure/GuildfordMuseum/GuildfordSites/HistoryNotes/Saxon+Guildford.htm |title=Saxon Guildford |publisher=www.guildford.gov.uk |accessdate=2008-03-28 }} </ref> and likely owes its location to the existence of a gap in the [[North Downs]] where the [[River Wey]] is [[Ford (crossing)|forded]] by the [[Harrow Way]]. The town grew enough in importance by 978 to be the [[Royal Mint]]. With the building of the [[Wey Navigation]] and [[Basingstoke Canal]] Guildford was in the centre of a network of waterways that aided its prosperity. The [[Guildford pub bombing]] in 1974 killed five people including four off-duty soldiers from the local barracks.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch74.htm#Oct | title= CAIN: Chronology of the conflict October 1974| accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> The subsequently arrested suspects became known as the [[Guildford Four]]. ==History== It is believed that Guildford was founded by [[Saxons|Saxon]] settlers shortly after [[Roman Empire|Roman]] authority had been removed from Britain (which was c.[[410]]AD). The site was likely chosen because the [[Harrow Way]] (an [[ancient trackway]] that continues along [[Hog's Back]]) crosses the [[River Wey]] at this point, via a [[Ford (crossing)|ford]]. This probably gives rise to the second half of Guildford's name. The root of the first part is gold rather than society or meeting place. It has been suggested that the gold may refer to golden flowers by the ford, or the golden sand, but this is not certain. In [[Sir Thomas Malory]]'s ''[[Le Morte d'Arthur]]'', Guildford is identified with [[Astolat]] of [[King Arthur|Arthurian]] renown.<ref name=garc>Guildford- A Residential Centre. The official Guide of the Corporation of Guildford. 11th Ed. 1946</ref> Guildford's model railway club, the Astolat Model Railway Circle,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.astolatmrc.co.uk/ | title=Astolat Model Railway Club Website | accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref> and a local pub, the Astolat,<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/38/3880/Astolat/Guildford | title= beerintheevening.com Website: Astolat, Guildford, Surrey | accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref> are just a couple of the modern day reminders of the legend to be found in the town. From 978 Guildford was the location of the [[Royal Mint]].<ref name=garc /> [[Alfred Atheling]], son of King [[Ethelred II of England|Ethelred II]], had been living in [[Normandy]] in France during the Danish invasion of Saxon England. After [[Canute the Great|Canute]] died, around 1040, Alfred returned to England, where he was met and entertained in Guildford by the Earl Godwine. Godwine handed him to [[Harold Harefoot]]'s men, who blinded and mutilated him to the extent that he died not long after. [[Image:Guildford castle 1.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Guildford Castle]] Guildford castle may date back to Saxon times, if not much earlier. Its situation overlooks the pass through the hills taken by the [[Pilgrims' Way]], and also, presumably, once overlooked the ancient ford across the Wey, thus giving a key point of military control of this important East-West route way across the country; just as [[Windsor castle]] and the [[Tower of London]] once guarded the Thames. Guildford appears in [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as ''Geldeford'' and ''Gildeford''. It was held by [[William the Conqueror]]. Its domesday assets were: a town; the king held 75 hagæ (houses enclosed in fences'). It rendered £32. Stoke, a suburb within today's Guildford, appears in [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as ''Stoch''. It was held by [[William the Conqueror]]. Its domesday assets were: 1 church, 2 [[Mill (grinding)|mill]]s worth 5s, 22 [[plough]]s, 16 acres of [[meadow]], [[woodland]] worth 40 [[hog (swine)|hog]]s. It was in the King's park. It rendered £15.<ref>[http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book]</ref> [[William the Conqueror]] himself used The Pilgrims' Way when he sacked the countryside, including Guildford, after his victory at the [[Battle of Hastings]]. He then had the castle built, or maybe rebuilt, in the classic [[Norman architecture|Norman]] style, the keep of which still stands. There can be no doubt that another major purpose of Norman castle building was to overawe the conquered population and at Guildford this also was the case. As the threat of invasion and insurrection declined the castle's status was demoted to that of a Royal hunting lodge as Guildford was, at that time, at the edge of [[Windsor Great Park]]. It was visited on several occasions by [[John I of England|King John]] and [[Henry III of England|King Henry III]].<ref name=garc /> The surviving parts of the castle were restored in Victorian times and then in 2004; the rest of the grounds are a pleasant public garden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Groups/Guildford+Castle+and+Grounds.htm | title=Guildford Borough Council Website: Castle and Grounds}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/england/guildford/guildford.php | title=www.castleexplorer.co.uk}}</ref> In 1995, a chamber was discovered in the High Street, which is considered to be the remains of a 12th century [[synagogue]]. While this remains a matter of contention, it is likely to be the oldest remaining synagogue in Western [[Europe]]. Guildford elected two members to the [[Unreformed House of Commons]]. From the 14th century to the 18th century, it prospered with the wool trade. In the 1300s the [[Guild Hall]] was constructed and still stands today as a noticeable landmark of Guildford. The north end was extended in 1589 and the Council Chamber was added in 1683. It was in 1683 when the elegant projecting clock was made for the front of the building and can be seen throughout the High Street. In 1598, a court case referred to a sport called ''kreckett'' being played at the [[Royal Grammar School, Guildford]] around 1550. The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] gives this as the first recorded instance of [[cricket]] in the [[English language]]. [[Image:Guildford alms houses 1.jpg|250px|left|thumb|The Hospital of the Holy Trinity still has a charitable role]] In 1619 [[George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury|George Abbot]] founded the Hospital of the Holy Trinity,<ref name=garc /> now commonly known as Abbot's Hospital,<ref name=ghbt>A Guide to the Hospital of the Blessed Trinity Guildford. J.W.Penycate 1976</ref> one of the finest sets of [[almshouse]]s in the country. It is sited at the top end of the High Street, opposite Holy Trinity church. The brick-built, three-storey entrance tower faces the church; a grand stone archway leads into the courtyard. On each corner of the tower there is an octagonal turret rising an extra floor, with lead [[ogee]] domes.<ref name=ghbt /> [[Image:River Wey & Canal at Guildford.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The [[River Wey]] in Guildford is canalised into the [[Wey Navigation]]]] One of the greatest boosts to Guildford’s prosperity came in 1653 with the completion, after many wrangles, of the [[Wey Navigation]]. This made it possible for Guildford businesses to access the Thames at Weybridge by boat and predated the major canal building program in Britain by more than a century. In 1764 the navigation was extended as far as [[Godalming]] and in 1816 to the sea at Arundel via the [[Wey and Arun Canal|Wey and Arun Junction Canal]] and the Arun Navigation. The [[Basingstoke Canal]] also was built to connect with the Wey navigation, putting Guildford in the centre of a network of waterways. Although the Wey was never made navigable as far as [[Farnham]], that town also benefited greatly from the existing navigation, being able to transport produce to and from Guildford via the [[Pilgrims' Way]]. In the years from 1820 to 1865 Guildford was the scene of severe outbursts of semi-organised lawlessness commonly known as the “Guy Riots” The Guys would mass on the edge of the town from daybreak on November the fifth, wearing masks or bizarre disguises and armed with clubs and lighted torches. With the onset of nightfall, or maybe before, they would enter the town and avenge themselves on those who had crossed them in the preceding year by committing assaults and damaging property; often looting the belongings of victims from their houses and burning them on bonfires in the middle of the street. In later years attempts to suppress the Guys led to the deaths of two police officers. In 1866 and 68 the Guys were dispersed by cavalry and this seems to have brought an end to the riots. Similar disorder surrounding the St Catherine’s Hill Fair, held just outside the town on the Pilgrims' Way, was suppressed around the same time. <ref>{{cite book| title=The Guildford Guy Riots| author=Gavin Morgan|date=1992|publisher= Northside Books |isbn=9780952020509}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/bonfire-night/features/the-guildford-guy-riots | title= icons.org.uk}}</ref> The [[diocese of Guildford]] was created in 1927, and [[Guildford Cathedral]] was consecrated in 1961. Previously, Guildford had been part of the [[diocese of Winchester]]. During [[World War II]], the Borough Council built 18 communal [[air raid shelter]]s.<ref name=FoxQuar>{{cite web | url=http://www.weyriver.co.uk/theriver/places_7_guildford_B.html#FoxendenQuarry | title=The Foxenden Quarry Air Raid Shelter | work=In and around Guildford| accessdate=2008-05-17 }}</ref> One of these shelters, known as the Foxenden Quarry deep shelter, was built into the side of a disused chalk quarry. Taking a year to build, it comprised two main tunnels with interconnecting tunnels for the sleeping bunks. It could accommodate 1000 people and provided sanitation and first aid facilities. Having been sealed since decommissioning in 1944, it has survived fairly intact.<ref name=FoxQuar /><ref>{{YouTube|R68KhOJAe14|Video tour of Foxenden Quarry Air Raid Shelter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://sub-ex.blogspot.com/2007/09/foxenden-quarry-shelter-guildford.html| title=Foxenden Quarry Shelter, Guildford|work = Subterranean Exploration|| accessdate=2008-05-17 }}</ref> The quarry itself is now the site of the York Road car park, but the shelter is preserved and open once a year to the public. On [[October 5]], [[1974]], bombs planted by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] [[Guildford pub bombing|went off in two Guildford pubs]], killing four off-duty soldiers and a [[civilian]]. The pubs were targeted because soldiers from barracks near Guildford were known to frequent them.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch74.htm#Oct | title= CAIN: Chronology of the conflict October 1974| accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> The subsequently arrested suspects, who became known as the [[Guildford Four]], were convicted and sentenced to long prison sentences in October 1975. They claimed to have been [[torture]]d by the police and denied involvement in the bombing. In 1989, after a long legal battle, their convictions were overturned and they were released.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/19/newsid_2490000/2490039.stm | title=BBC News: 19 October 1989 | accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> In the summer of [[2007]], a farm near the local village of [[Normandy, Surrey]] was the centre of a [[foot and mouth]] disease [[2007 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak|crisis]] amongst livestock. A major operation occurred to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6931142.stm | title=BBC News: 4 August 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-12}}</ref> ==Geography== [[Image:g abbot.jpg|thumb|left|portrait|The statue of Archbishop [[George Abbot (Archbishop of Canterbury)|George Abbot]] stands at the top of Guildford High Street]] [[Image:Friary centre Guildford 1.jpg|thumb|right|The Friary Centre lies on the site of an old [[friary]]]] In the 21st Century Guildford is a bustling English town, with an attractive High Street made of granite setts (frequently referred to as cobbled), numerous shops and department stores. There is a Tourist Information Office<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/TIC/ | title=Guildford Borough Council Website-Tourist Information Centre | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref> and several hotels including the historic Angel Hotel which long served as a coaching stop on the main [[London]] to [[Portsmouth]] [[stagecoach]] route.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.angelpostinghouse.com/History%20of%20The%20Angel%20Guildford.html | title=A History of The Angel Posting House| accessdate=2007-02-13 }}</ref> According to [[Channel Four Television]]'s "The Best and Worst Places to Live in the UK" TV show Guildford was the 9th best place to live in Britain in 2006<ref>{{cite web | title = Channel 4 "The Best and the Worst Places to Live In Britain" | url = http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/best&worst/best&worst_best.html | accessdate = 2007-02-08 }}</ref> but slipped to 12th position in 2007, largely due to the pollution produced by the numerous cars found on the roads<ref>{{cite web | title = Guildford - Best and Worst Places to Live - Channel 4 | url = http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/best&worst/2007/top20/Best-Worst-Guildford.html | accessdate = 2007-11-06 }}</ref>. Guildford is the most attractive and safe shopping destination in the UK, according to the Eve Prime Retail Survey 2004<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=133843| title= PRNewswire: Top of the Shops - Gerald Eve Publishes Prime Retail| accessdate=2007-04-16|date=2004-11-05}}</ref> and ranked 27th in the country overall<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.geraldeve.com/asp/uploads/uploadedfiles/1/1829/prime%20retail%20flyer%202004%20(for%20website).pdf| title= Gerald Eve Prime Retail Flyer | accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref>. There is a small [[Guildford Museum|museum]] in the town centre and the [[University of Surrey]] is situated to the north-west of the town centre, about ten minutes' walk from [[Guildford (Surrey) railway station|Guildford main line railway station]]. [[Guildford Cathedral]] is adjacent to the university's main campus and the [[Royal Surrey County Hospital]] is nearby. Guildford has the most visited Art Gallery in Surrey, Guildford House Gallery, with over 120,000 visitors per annum.<ref>[http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Groups/Guildford+House.htm Guildford House Gallery<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Gallery is situated in the High Street, in a 17th century [[Listed building|Grade I Listed]] Town House and is run by Guildford Borough. It is open Tuesdays to Saturdays and admission is free. Its own art collection includes works of Guildford and the surrounding area, and work by Guildford Artists, most notably [[John Russell (painter)|John Russell R.A]]. The town's principal commercial theatre is the ''[[Yvonne Arnaud Theatre]]'' which often shows productions before (and after) they have spent time in London's West End. ''The Electric Theatre'' opened in 1997 to host performances by musicians and amateur drama groups.<ref>[http://www.electrictheatre.co.uk Redirect<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Guildford also has an [[Odeon Cinemas|Odeon]] cinema multiplex, which is as of June 2007 the only cinema in the world showing digital [[Digital cinema|4K]] films to the public <ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/tech/0,1518,488114,00.html| title= Der Spiegel (German): Der 8 Megapixel-Filmpalast| accessdate=2007-06-12}}</ref>. The Guildford Odeon's former site, now modern apartments, was located near the town's St. Luke's Hospital and the Guildford Civic Hall opposite a parade of shops and businesses. The current Odeon was built on the site of the former Guildford Leisure Centre which was superseded by the Spectrum in 1993. A wide variety of cuisines are available in the many restaurants in Guildford. Additionally, there are numerous pubs and bars and several nightclubs. [[Stoke Park]] is the venue for both the [[Guilfest]] music festival during the summer and the Surrey County Show (agricultural and general) on the last bank holiday Monday in May. Previous to 2007, the Ambient Picnic was held in Shalford Park, by the [[River Wey]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cheekyhalf.net/agp/pr2007.html| title=COG Press Release 6 Feb 2007 "Ambient Picnic moves to [[Epsom]]" | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ambientpicnic.co.uk| title=Ambient Picnic Official Website | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref> It is also home to several local radio stations including [[96.4 The Eagle]], [[County Sound Radio 1566 AM]], [[GU2 Radio]], and [[BBC Southern Counties Radio]]. It is a [[market town]] with the [[market]] being held on Fridays and Saturdays. A [[farmers' market]] is usually held on the first Tuesday of each month. ==Sport== Guildford's [[Guildford Spectrum|Spectrum Leisure Centre]], in [[Stoke Park]], is a national prizewinning<ref>{{cite web | url=http://cmis.derby.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=4366 |title=Derby City Council Bulletin 4 July 2005 "highest score of 87% which was given to Guildford Spectrum" | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.isrm.co.uk/education/pool_award_national.html | title=National Pool Safety Awards | access date=2007-02-13}}</ref> sports centre that includes a variety of pools (for leisure and for serious swimming),<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk/content/view/35/58/ | title= Guildford Spectrum Website- Swimming | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref> [[Ten-pin bowling]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk/content/view/33/52/ | title= Guildford Spectrum Website- Tenpin Bowling | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref> a small inflatable [[Laser tag]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk/content/view/43/77/ | title= Guildford Spectrum Website- Childrens Parties | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref> (with a similar facility in the town centre<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Tourism/Children/LaserQuest.htm | title= Guildford Borough Council Website- Tourism- Laser Quest | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref>), an ice rink<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk/content/view/12/44/ | title= Guildford Spectrum Website- Ice Skating | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref> and an athletics track, as well as general halls used for indoor sports including [[gymnastics]] and [[trampolining]]. The Spectrum is home to several local sports teams, including the [[Guildford Flames]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildfordflames.com/ | title=Guildford Flames Official Website | accessdate=2007-02-13}}</ref> of the [[English Premier Ice Hockey League]], [[Guildford City]] of the [[Combined Counties Football League]], [[Guildford International]] of the [[National Volleyball League]] and [[Guildford Heat]] of the [[British Basketball League]] who are the current League champions and holders of the BBL Cup. [[Guildford Cricket Club]] play their home matches at the [[Woodbridge Road]] ground. [[Surrey County Cricket Club]] also play one or two matches a season there. The town is home to two-time [[British Collegiate American Football League|BCAFL]] Southern Conference, Southern Division Champions, and the [[Surrey Stingers]] [[American Football]] team. [[Charlotteville Cycling Club]] is based in Guildford and named after one of the areas of the town. They promote the Guildford Town Centre Cycle Races that take place on the cobbled high street each July. There is also a martial arts and fitness centre, AJIMA located on Cabell Road in [[Park Barn Estate|Park Barn]]{{Fact|date=June 2007}}. ==Education== ===Primary and secondary=== [[Image:RGS old building.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The Royal Grammar School is towards the east end of the High Street]] Probably the best-known school in the town is the [[Royal Grammar School, Guildford]]. The 'old school' building which was constructed over the turn of the [[Tudor period|Tudor]] and [[Elizabethan period|Elizabethan]] periods and houses a [[chained library]], lies towards the top of the High Street. The feeder school for the Royal Grammar School is [[Lanesborough School|Lanesborough Preparatory School]] which is the choir school for Guildford Cathedral. Other schools in the town include [[St. Peter's School, Guildford|St Peter's School]], [[Guildford County School]], [[George Abbot School|George Abbot]], [[Christ's College, Guildford|Christ's College]], [[Guildford High School]], [[King's College, Guildford|King's College]], Queen Eleanor's C of E Junior School, Bushy Hill Junior School, [[Northmead Junior School|Northmead Junior]], [[Rydes Hill Preparatory School]], [[Tormead School]], [[Worplesdon Primary School]] and [[St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, Guildford|St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School]] ===Tertiary=== The [[campus]] of the [[University of Surrey]] is in Guildford. Battersea College of Technology (previously the Battersea Polytechnic Institute) moved to the town in 1966, gaining a [[Royal Charter]] in order to award its own degrees and changing its name to its current title. The town is home to the inaugural campus of [[The College of Law]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.college-of-law.co.uk/about_us/about-1334.html|title=A Brief History 1960's|publisher=The College of Law|accessdate=2008-03-20}}</ref> and to the [[Guildford School of Acting]]. Other institutions in Guildford include [[Guildford College|Guildford College of Further and Higher Education]] and the [[Academy of Contemporary Music]]. ==Administration== Though often referred to as a city Guildford is a town, but has applied for [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] several times. Guildford's 2002 application to be granted the [[City status in the United Kingdom|status of a city]] was unsuccessful, losing out to [[Preston]], the only English town being formally recognised as a city as part of the [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen]]'s Golden Jubilee celebrations. Traditionally, the establishment of a [[List of Church of England dioceses|diocesan cathedral]] in a town conferred city status, and the presence of a [[University]] is often used as a rule of thumb in determining a settlement's status. Guildford has both of these institutions, has a rich social history and is a significant economic hub in Surrey, a county with no city. Even though Guildford is the county town for [[Surrey]], the council itself has its administrative base in [[Kingston upon Thames]]<ref> {{cite web | url=http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/County+Hall?opendocument | title= Surrey County Council Website: County Hall | accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> which, although formerly in Surrey, is now in [[Greater London]]. Other organisations of note that have headquarters in Guildford include [[Surrey Police]] and [[SEEDA]], the South East England Development Agency. The [[South East England Regional Assembly]] also meets in Guildford. Politically, the [[Guildford (UK Parliament constituency)|constituency of Guildford]] is thought of as a traditional [[Conservatism|conservative]] seat. However, for the first time in over ninety years, the 2001 general election returned a [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] [[Member of Parliament]], [[Sue Doughty]]. The 2003 [[Guildford local elections|Borough Elections]] returned a majority council for the [[Conservative party (UK)|Conservative party]], replacing the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]]-controlled council. In the 2005 general election Guildford returned a Conservative Party [[Member of parliament|MP]], [[Anne Milton]] &ndash; by a narrow margin (0.7% of the voting electorate, or 347 votes) and despite a 0.5% rise in the Liberal Democrat vote. The Conservatives also held the council majority in the local elections of 2007<ref>{{cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2007/councils/html/43ud.stm | title= BBC News- Election 2007- Local Council Elections- Guildford Council| accessdate=2007-05-04 |date=2007-05-04}}</ref>. The town is twinned with [[Freiburg]] in southern [[Germany]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/20D341C8-A20A-4407-8EB6-C4AA56004143/5651/Minutes041007.pdf | title=Guildford Borough Council Meeting Minutes 7 Oct 2004 "As part of the 25th anniversary of the twinning with Freiburg, the Mayor had recently hosted a very successful visit by a delegation from Freiburg." | accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> and linked with [[Mukono]] in central [[Uganda]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildford-uganda.com/ | title=Guildford-Mukono Link Website | accessdate=2007-02-12}}</ref> ==Business== [[Image:Surrey Advertiser 1.jpg|250px|left|thumb|The [[Surrey Advertiser]] offices are next to the [[A3 road|A3]] and [[River Wey]]]] [[Image:Slyfield 1.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Slyfield Industrial Estate is in the north east of the town]] Guildford is a thriving commercial town with the 2006 [[Financial Times]] annual list of Top 500 Global Companies listing four major businesses with a significant presence in the town<ref name=ft500>{{cite web | url= http://www.ft.com/reports/ft5002006/ | title=Financial Times top 500 Global Companies|date=1996 | accessdate=2007-05-30| quote=List includes [[Vodafone]], [[Mitsubishi]], [[Electronic Arts]], and [[Colgate-Palmolive]]}}</ref>. Other notable companies include the games company [[Lionhead Studios]], run by Guildford-born [[Peter Molyneux]], and [[Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd]]. The bus and fire engine manufacturer [[Dennis Specialist Vehicles]] and [[Alexander Dennis]] are also located in the town as well as military vehicle builders [[Automotive Technik]]. ==Transport== ===Rail=== There are two railway stations in Guildford: *The main station, entitled [[Guildford railway station, Surrey|Guildford]], is located near the original town bridge on the west side of the [[River Wey]] and serves the main line between [[London]] [[Waterloo station|Waterloo]] and [[Portsmouth]]. There are also lines to [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Epsom railway station|Epsom]], [[London Gatwick Airport|Gatwick airport]], [[London Bridge station|London Bridge]] and long distance services, operated by [[CrossCountry]], connect Guildford with [[Birmingham]] and [[Manchester]]. *[[London Road (Guildford) railway station|London Road]] station is on the other side of the town centre to the main station. It serves stopping services running between the main station and [[Waterloo station|Waterloo]] and [[London Bridge station|London Bridge]] stations. ===Road=== The [[A3 road|A3]] links Guildford to [[Portsmouth]], [[London]] and the [[M25 motorway|M25]]. ===Bus and coach=== Bus services in Guildford are primarily operated by [[Arriva Guildford and West Surrey|Arriva]] with some additional services provided by [[Countryliner Coaches|Countryliner]], [[Safeguard Coaches|Safeguard]] and [[Stagecoach in Hants & Surrey|Stagecoach]]. Most routes are centred on the bus station which is attached to the Friary shopping centre. Many internal bus services within Guildford are loop shaped (starting and ending at the bus station) with different numbers for the clockwise and anticlockwise services. There are also services to many surrounding towns and villages including [[Woking]] and [[Aldershot]]. Due to the location of the main railway station on the other side of the river from the bus station, only a small proportion of bus services stop at the railway station leading to poor integration between bus and rail services, however there is a free town centre shuttle that connects the two and other parts of the town.<ref>[http://www.guildford.gov.uk/guildfordweb/tourism/mapstravel/bybus/buses.htm Guildford Shuttle Website]</ref><ref>[http://www.guildford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/9B4610E8-8D2C-442B-B8A1-937BE192FD21/4212/shuttle3.pdf Guildford Shuttle leaflet pdf]</ref> There is also a popular [[Arriva Guildford and West Surrey#Guildford Park and Ride|Park and Ride]] service, with two main sites and a third to be added soon.<ref>[http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Environment/Transport/ParkRide.htm Park and Ride website]</ref><ref>[http://www.guildford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D6AA4E71-F333-47B2-AE44-A08B27FF298D/0/Parkandrideleaflet2006.pdf Park and Ride leaflet pdf]</ref> [[National Express]] operate [[Coach (vehicle)|coach]] service 030 between [[London]] [[Victoria Coach Station]] and [[Portsmouth]] [[Southsea]] via Park Barn in Guildford, but not stopping in the congested town centre.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nationalexpress.com/ | title=National Express Website | accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref> ==Notable residents (past and present)== :''See also: [[:Category:People from Guildford|People from Guildford]]'' Guildford has been the home of several notable writers. [[Lewis Carroll]] (1832-1898), author of ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland]]'' and ''[[Through the Looking-Glass]]'', had a house in Guildford and is buried in the [[Mount Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Leisure/Guildford+Museum/GuildfordSites/HistoryNotes/Lewis+Carroll.htm | title=Guildford Borough Council Website- Lewis Carroll| accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref> [[Edward Carpenter]], the [[homosexual|gay]] [[socialist]] [[poet]] and activist, moved to the town after the [[World War I|First World War]] and lived there until his death in 1929. He too is buried in Mount Cemetery. Other authors from the town include [[Gerald Seymour]], writer of ''[[Harry's Game]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/geraldseymour/ | title= Gerald Seymour at Transworld | accessdate=2007-03-06}}</ref> [[P. G. Wodehouse]] was born, prematurely, in Guildford in 1881 whilst his mother was visiting the town.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.todayinliterature.com/biography/p.g.wodehouse.asp | title=Today in Literature-P.G.Wodehouse | accessdate=2007-03-07}}</ref> In music, Guildford lays claim to rock group [[The Stranglers]], who were based in the town in the early 1970s and were briefly known as "The Guildford Stranglers". Drummer [[Jet Black]] ran an [[off-licence]] in the town and bass player [[Jean Jacques Burnel]] attended the [[Royal Grammar School]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.stranglers.net/b_ground.html | title= Stranglers website: History | accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref> [[Prog rock]] musicians [[Mike Rutherford]], of [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] and [[Andrew Latimer]] of the band [[Camel (band)| Camel]], were both born in Guildford, as was [[jazz music|jazz]] [[saxophone|saxophonist]] [[Iain Ballamy]]. In more contemporary music, [[drum and bass]] producers [[Cause 4 Concern]] are from the town.<ref name=c4c1>{{cite web | url=http://www.rolldabeats.com/artist/cause_4_concern |title= Rolldabeats listing | accessdat=2007-03-10}}</ref> [[Sam Sparro]] also lived in Guildford at the turn of the century before moving to America. Several actors and actresses live in the area, including: [[Edward Kelsey]], who plays Joe Grundy in ''[[The Archers]]'';{{Fact|date=October 2007}}, [[Stuart Wilson (actor)|Stuart Wilson]], <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0934179/ | title= Internet Movie Database- Stuart Wilson| accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref> and [[Bonnie Langford]].<ref name=bonnie>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16690554&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=bonnie-and-glide--name_page.html | title= Daily Record | accessdate=2007-02-15 |date=2006-02-11}}</ref> [[Yvonne Arnaud]], singer and actress, lived in the town for many years before she died.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.collectorspost.com/cgi-bin/ShopLoader.cgi?Actors/yvonne_arnaud.html | title= CollectorsPost Website: Yvonne Arnaud Biography | accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref> [[Terry Jones]], the [[Monty Python]] writer, went to the [[Royal Grammar School, Guildford|Royal Grammar School]] from 1953-61.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rgs-guildford.co.uk/default.aspx?tabid=730 | title= Royal Grammar School website- Terry Jones | accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref> Other entertainers born in Guildford include [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] wrestler [[Paul Burchill]]<ref> {{imdb name|1451856|Paul Burchill}}</ref> and [[Holly Samos]] &ndash;&nbsp;radio researcher and presenter, and former member of [[Chris Evans (broadcaster)|Chris Evans]]' Zoo Squad.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}, In sport, Guildford has been home to [[ChampCar]] driver [[Katherine Legge]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=768&fArticleId=2953408 | title=Motoring.co.za: Woman driver set to test for Minardi| accessdate=2007-03-07}}</ref> and [[Allan Wells]], gold medallist in the [[100 metres]] at the [[1980 Summer Olympics|1980 Olympics]]. Other notable residents include mathematician, logician and cryptographer, [[Alan Turing]], whose family home was in Guildford;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/mathematicians.html | title=Famous Mathematicians of Guildford | accessdate=2007-03-06}}</ref> [[Michael Buerk]], [[BBC]] newsreader;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/correspondents/newsid_2626000/2626349.stm | title=BBC Correspondents | accessdate=2007-06-03}}</ref> [[Roger Fry]], the English artist, critic and member of the [[Bloomsbury Group]] who lived in the house (Durbins) he designed and built in the town from 1909 to 1919; <ref>Frances Spalding, Roger Fry, art and life (1980) ISBN 0-520-04126-7</ref>. The fictional [[Ford Prefect (character)|Ford Prefect]], from ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' by [[Douglas Adams]], claimed to be from Guildford, though in fact he was born near [[Betelgeuse]].<ref>{{cite book | isbn= 0-330-25864-8 | last=Adams | first= Douglas | title= [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (book)|The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy]] | year =1979 }}</ref> ==Guildford and the media== Guildford has been captured on film in ''[[Carry on Sergeant]]'', which was filmed at Cardwell's Keep in North Guildford, and ''[[The Omen]]'', a scene from which was filmed at [[Guildford Cathedral]]. Singer/songwriter [[Robyn Hitchcock]] has sung about the town in "No, I Don't Remember Guildford", a song from his 1999 album "Jewels for Sophia".<ref>Song Title-"No, I Don't Remember Guildford" on his 1999 album "Jewels for Sophia" [http://nndb.com/music/339/000058165/ nndb entry]</ref>. In January 2003, [[Girls Aloud]] singer [[Cheryl Cole|Cheryl Tweedy]] was arrested for the [[assault]] and racial abuse of a [[toilet attendant]] in Guildford at The Drink [[nightclub]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3207822.stm | title=BBC News: "Singer Tweedy guilty of assault" | accessdate=2007-02-14 |date=2003-10-20}}</ref> Four years later in April 2007, [[Sugababes]] singer [[Amelle Berrabah]] was arrested following a dance floor brawl in Bar Med.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6606685.stm | title=BBC News: "Sugababe arrested over 'assault'" |accessdate=2007-04-30 |date=2007-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=451601&in_page_id=1773 | title= Daily Mail. "Sugababe singer arrested after nightclub brawl" | accessdate=2007-04-30 |date=2007-04-30}}</ref> The TV show Top Gear is filmed in Guilford == References == {{Reflist|2}} == External links == * [http://www.guildford.gov.uk/ Guildford Borough Council] * [http://wikitravel.org/en/Guildford Guildford tourist guide from Wikitravel] * [http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/GuildfordTheatres.htm Information and archive images of Guildford's Lost Theatres] * [http://www.thetimechamber.co.uk/sites/Underground/Deepshelter/Foxenden/Foxenden.htm Foxenden Quarry Shelter] {{commonscat|Guildford}} {{wiktionary|Guildford}} [[Category:Guildford| ]] [[Category:Towns in Surrey]] [[Category:County towns in England]] [[Category:Articles including recorded pronunciations (UK English)]] [[ar:جيلفورد]] [[de:Guildford]] [[es:Guildford]] [[fr:Guildford]] [[it:Guildford]] [[nl:Guildford (stad)]] [[no:Guildford]] [[pl:Guildford]] [[pt:Guildford]] [[ro:Guildford]] [[ru:Гилдфорд]] [[fi:Guildford]] [[sv:Guildford]] [[vec:Guildford]]