Bevois Explained

Country:England
Map Type:Southampton
Official Name:Bevois Ward
Coordinates:50.9194°N -1.3932°W
Population:16,844
Population Ref:[1]
Area Total Km2:2.17
Post Town:SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode Area:SO
Dial Code:023
Constituency Westminster:Southampton Test[2]
Region:South East England
Postcode District:SO14

Bevois is an Electoral Ward in the Unitary Authority of Southampton, England comprising the suburbs Bevois Valley, Nicholstown and Northam, with a population of 16,844.

The ward is bounded by (clockwise from north) Portswood Ward, Bitterne Park Ward, Peartree Ward, Bargate Ward and Freemantle Ward.

The ward is part of the Southampton Test constituency.

Origins

The ward was created by the Boundary Committee Review in 2002 out of parts of the old St Lukes Ward and Bargate Ward to the south. The name change was proposed by Southampton City Council and the Liberal Democrats, the latter arguing that “the conversion of St Lukes Church to a Sikh temple has removed the sole surviving landmark bearing the former ward name," and that the new name better reflected local community ties.[3]

In contrast with St Lukes, the name Bevois has a strong attachment to the area, which contains landmarks such as Bevois Town Primary School and Church, and Bevois Castle Pub and Hotel. These landmarks, like the area, gleaned their names from the legend of Bevis of Hampton, who was said to have thrown up the mound of dirt that became Bevois Mount to obstruct the Danes in their endeavours to cross the River Itchen.[4]

In the 2011 Census 39.2% of the population of Bevois Ward was born outside the UK.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bevois (Ward) - Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics . . 2011 . 2015-06-29 .
  2. Web site: Members of Parliament . Southampton City Council . 2008-07-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506080639/http://www.southampton.gov.uk/thecouncil/thecouncil/mp/default.asp . 2008-05-06 .
  3. Web site: Final recommendations for future electoral arrangements in Southampton. . . July 2000 . 2008-07-04.
  4. Brayley . Edward Wedlake . Edward Wedlake Brayley . Britton . John . John Britton (antiquary) . The Beauties of England and Wales . Printed by Thomas Maiden . 1805 . 121 . 2008-07-04 .