The Gazette has partnered up with Basingstoke Together to promote the Top of Town and all its history.

This week, James Hood writes about Church Street and how its historical impact on Basingstoke.

Acting as a link through the Town Centre, Church Street has always offered a selection of businesses for visitors in the town. Diners at The Olive House, 21 Church Street can enjoy both delicious food and the rich history of the building. It is known that in the early 18th century an inn was present on the site. However further investigating inside the building has dated the structure back to the 1600’s. The building was formally known as “The Black Boy” and in more recent times “The Hop Leaf”. The Black Boy sign was removed from the pub when the name was changed, and the sign donated to The Willis Museum.

A Methodist Chapel once stood on Church Street, near to the entrance to Festival Place. The church was struck by bombs on 16th August 1940 during the second world war and although it was rebuilt, it was demolished in the 1960s as part of the town’s development.

Further down Church Street, at the entrance to Joice’s Yard, is a blue plaque in memory of Arthur Attwood. Affectionally known as Mr Basingstoke, Arthur Attwood lived in the same house in the town from the age of 4! Throughout his time in the town he become involved in many of the day to day activities of the town and the lives of its residents – including working for the Basingstoke Gazette! He was recognised for his work in 1989 when he became a “Freeman of the Borough” and again with an MBE in the 2000 honours list. The location of his plaque was the entrance to the site of the Gazette printers, Bird Brothers from 1878 to 1975. The name Joice’s Yard comes from John Joice, who in 1880 started a carriage works on the site. They would go on in later years to build and repair car bodies. Nowadays the square is home to a number of small businesses including Squirrels Antiques.

The bottom of Church Street meets Cross Street. This intersection within the Town Centre boasts its own rich cultural history. If you take your eyes away from the newly opened Willows Coffee Shop and Basingstoke Wellness Centre you may notice the carved panels in the pavement. The panels date back to 1992 and denotes Basingstoke’s twin towns in Europe. One of the panels also contains an Analammetic dial. These sundials mark solar time rather than clock time.

Whilst in Cross Street you may notice the Blue Coat Boy statue. Erected in 1994 by the Basingstoke Heritage Society, it is on the site of a Blue Coat School, founded by Richard Aldworth in 1646. Bluecoat schools were a type of charity school, founded in the 16th century. Although many have since closed some remain open to this day. Basingstoke’s closed in 1888.

Further down Church Street you can find St Michael’s Church. It is believed a church has stood on the site of St Michael’s Church for at least a thousand years. The structure we see today was built during the 14th – 15th century. As with many churches in Britain there is evidence many alterations were made to the building over time. The south porch of the church was built in 1539 and the War Memorial Chapel installed in 1920 following the First World War. In 1940, during the Second World War, the church was damaged by German bombings. Nowadays the church hosts a number of services and is open to welcome anyone to come and sit, pray or to just be.

Present day shoppers have a range of small and independent businesses covering a variety of services. Many visit to pamper themselves at one of the nail bars like USA Nails or enjoy a range of skincare treatments at Waxworks. Hobbyists can often be found visiting Church Street Models or Nicola’s Florist while hairdressers like Arc, Careys or Dusun Barber Shop have built up a loyal base of customers who eagerly returned to get their lockdown locks sorted! Those wanting to explore different cuisines can also visit Sloniatko Polish Delicatessen or Surya’s International Food Store.