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{{Short description|Town and borough in Hertfordshire, England}} {{other uses}} {{Use British English|date=December 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Stevenage | other_name = | settlement_type = [[List of towns in the United Kingdom|Town]] and [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough]] | motto = "The heart of a town lies in its people" <!-- images and maps -----------> | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | perrow = 1 | total_width = 250 | image1 = Looking north along the High Street, Stevenage Old Town - geograph.org.uk - 3983186.jpg | caption1 = The old town centre | image2 = Stevenage Town Centre and Joyride statue.jpg | caption2 = The new town centre with the [[Stevenage Clock Tower|clock tower]] fountain and [[Franta Belsky]] ''Joyride'' statue }} | image_blank_emblem = Stevenage Coat of Arms.png | blank_emblem_type = Borough council coat of arms | blank_emblem_size = 100px | blank_emblem_link = | image_map = Stevenage UK locator map.svg | map_caption = Stevenage shown within [[Hertfordshire]] <!-- Location ------------------> | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]] | subdivision_name = {{GBR}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]] | subdivision_name1 = {{ENG}} | subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of England|Region]] | subdivision_name2 = [[East of England]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Hertfordshire]] | subdivision_type4 = Admin HQ | subdivision_name4 = Stevenage <!-- Politics -----------------> | government_footnotes = | government_type = [[Non-metropolitan district]] | leader_title = Governing body | leader_name = [[Stevenage Borough Council]] | leader_title1 = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]] | leader_name1 = Myla Arceno<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/mayor-of-stevenage | title=Mayor of Stevenage }}</ref> | leader_title2 = Council control | leader_name2 = {{English district control|GSS=E07000243}} | leader_title3 = [[Results of the 2024 United Kingdom general election by constituency|MP]] | leader_name3 = [[Kevin Bonavia]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]) | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | established_title = | established_date = | established_title2 = | established_date2 = <!-- Area ---------------------> | area_magnitude = | unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 25.96 | area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox_Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion--> | area_water_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> | population_as_of = {{English statistics year}} | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = {{English district population|GSS = E07000243}} ([[List of English districts by population|Ranked {{English district rank|GSS = E07000243}}]]) | population_density_km2 = | population_density_sq_mi = | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | population_density_urban_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = 3081 | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- demographics (section 1) --> | demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span> | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000243|title=Stevenage Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> | demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]] | demographics1_info1 = {{Collapsible list | 82.8% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]] | 7.5% [[British Asians|Asian]] | 4.8% [[Black British people|Black]] | 3.6% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]] | 1.3% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]] }} <!-- demographics (section 2) --> | demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span> | demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/> | demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]] | demographics2_info1 = {{Collapsible list | 44.9% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]] | 43.3% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]] | 8.6% [[Religion in England|other]] | 3.2% [[Islam in England|Islam]] }} | population_density_blank2_km2 = | population_density_blank2_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> | timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time]] | utc_offset = +0 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = {{Coord|51|54|06|N|00|12|07|W|type:city|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags--> | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> | postal_code_type = Postcode areas | postal_code = [[SG postcode area|SG1, SG2]] | area_code = 01438 | blank_name = <!-- [[ISO 3166-2:GB|ISO 3166-2]] --> | blank_info = | blank1_name = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]] | blank1_info = 26UH (ONS)<br />E07000243 (GSS) | blank2_name = [[British national grid reference system|OS grid reference]] | blank2_info = {{gbmappingsmall|TL2424}} | blank3_name = <small>[[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] 3</small> | blank3_info = | blank4_name = | blank4_info = | blank5_name = Police | blank5_info = [[Hertfordshire Constabulary|Hertfordshire]] | blank6_name = Fire | blank6_info = [[Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service|Hertfordshire]] | blank7_name = Ambulance | blank7_info = [[East of England Ambulance Service|East of England]] | website = {{URL|http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/|stevenage.gov.uk}} | footnotes = | name = }} '''Stevenage''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|t|iː|v|ən|ᵻ|dʒ}} {{respell|STEE|vən|ij}}) is a town and [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough]] in [[Hertfordshire]], [[England]], about {{convert|28|miles}} north of [[London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/UK_Distance_Result.asp?vr=apes&fromplace=Town%20Square,%20Stevenage,UK&toplace=Charing%20Cross,%20London,UK |title=Distance between Town Square, Stevenage and Charing Cross, London |publisher=Distancecalculator.globefeed.com |access-date=4 June 2022}}</ref> Stevenage is east of junctions 7 and 8 of the [[A1(M) motorway|A1(M)]], between [[Letchworth Garden City]] to the north and [[Welwyn Garden City]] to the south. In 1946, Stevenage was designated the United Kingdom's first [[New towns in the United Kingdom|New Town]] under the [[New Towns Act 1946|New Towns Act]]. == Etymology == "Stevenage" may derive from [[Old English language|Old English]] ''stiþen āc'' / ''stiðen āc'' / ''stithen ac'' (various [[Old English language|Old English]] dialects cited here) meaning "(place at) the stiff [[oak]]".<ref>{{cite book |last=Stokes|first=H.G.|year=1948|chapter=A Land of Woods and Water|title=English Place-Names|location=Edinburgh|publisher=B. T. Batsford Ltd.|page=6}}</ref> The name was recorded as ''Stithenæce'' in {{circa}} 1060 and as ''Stigenace'' in the [[Domesday Book]] in 1086. ==History== ===Pre-Conquest=== Stevenage lies near the line of the [[Roman road]] from [[Verulamium]] to [[Baldock]]. Some [[Romano-British]] remains were discovered during the building of the New Town, and a hoard of 2,000 silver Roman coins was discovered during housebuilding in the Chells Manor area in 1986. Other artefacts included a [[dodecahedron]] toy, fragments of [[amphorae]] for imported wine, bone hairpins, and [[samian ware]] pottery associated with high status families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum/history-of-stevenage/stevenage-through-the-ages/roman-stevenage|title=Roman Stevenage|first=Stevenage Borough|last=Council|website=www.stevenage.gov.uk}}</ref> Archeological excavations have confirmed the existence of a small Roman farmstead, a [[malting]] kiln and a Celtic [[Roundhouse (dwelling)|round house]] in the Chells area, and a cemetery containing 25 [[cremation]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/22377709.ever-wondered-stevenage-streets-roman-names/|title=Have you ever wondered why Stevenage streets have Roman names?|date=25 February 2018|website=The Comet}}</ref> The most substantial evidence of activity from Roman times is [[Six Hills]], six [[tumulus|tumuli]] by the side of the old [[Great North Road (United Kingdom)|Great North Road]] that are presumably the burial places of members of a local family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=45f35835-a631-4c96-949c-870a445a0a07&resourceID=19191|title=Heritage Gateway - Results|website=www.heritagegateway.org.uk}}</ref> The first [[Saxon people|Saxon]] camp, a little to the east of the Roman sites, was in a clearing in the woods where the church, the [[manor house]] and the first [[village]] were later built. Settlements also sprang up in Chells, Broadwater and Shephall. Before the New Town was established, [[Shephall]] was a separate parish, and Broadwater was split between the parishes of Shephall and Knebworth. During the 9th and 10th centuries AD, the Saxon village in Stevenage faced frequent attacks from [[Viking]] raiders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stevenage-even-better.com/history-of-stevenage/|title=History of Stevenage}}</ref> Stevenage was on the border of the [[Danelaw]]. A Viking spearhead was discovered by archaeologists at nearby [[Ardeley]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum/history-of-stevenage/stevenage-through-the-ages/saxon-and-viking-stevenage|title=Saxon and Viking Stevenage|first=Stevenage Borough|last=Council|website=www.stevenage.gov.uk}}</ref> ===Middle Ages=== According to the [[Domesday Book]], in 1086 the [[Lord of the Manor]] was the [[Abbot of Westminster|Abbot]] of [[Westminster Abbey]]. The settlement had moved down to the Great North Road. In 1281 it was granted a [[Royal Charter]] to hold a weekly market and annual fair, still held in the High Street. The earliest part of [[St Nicholas' Church, Stevenage|St Nicholas's Church]] dates from the 12th century, but it was probably a site of worship much earlier. The list of rectors (parish priests) is relatively complete from 1213. Around 1500 the church was much improved, with decorative woodwork and the addition of a [[clerestory]]. North of the Old Town is Jack's Hill, associated with the legendary archer [[Jack O'Legs]] of [[Weston, Hertfordshire|Weston]]. According to local folklore, Jack stole flour from the [[baker]]s of [[Baldock]] to feed the poor during a [[famine]], like [[Robin Hood]]. The remains of a [[Medieval architecture|medieval]] moated homestead in Whomerley Wood comprise an 80-yard-square trench almost five feet wide in parts. It was probably the home of Ralph de Homle. Pieces of Roman and later pottery have been found there. [[Grade II* listed buildings in Stevenage|The oldest surviving house in Stevenage]] is Tudor House in Letchmore Street, built before 1500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/education/educational-images/tudor-house-letchmore-road-stevenage-2193|title=Tudor House, Letchmore Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire | Educational Images | Historic England|website=historicengland.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMJE0_The_Old_Workhouse_by_Mabel_Culley_2_Letchmore_Rd_Stevenage_Herts_UK|title="The Old Workhouse" by Mabel Culley – 2 Letchmore Rd, Stevenage, Herts, UK - Paintings Then and Now on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com}}</ref> During the 16th century it was a [[butcher]]'s shop owned by a man named Scott.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101348095-2-letchmore-road-stevenage-old-town-ward|title=2, Letchmore Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> From 1773 onwards it served as the town's [[workhouse]], and later became a school from 1835 until 1885.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.workhouses.org.uk/Hitchin/|title=The Workhouse in Hitchin, Hertfordshire|website=www.workhouses.org.uk}}</ref><ref name="Herts genealogy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/places/places-s/stevenage/stevenage-old-workhouse.htm|title=Hertfordshire Genealogy: Places: Stevenage Old Workhouse|website=www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk}}</ref> It was the headquarters of the local [[town gas]] company from c.1885 until 1936, when it was converted into a private dwelling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/towns-and-villages/stevenage/a_stevenage_picture_book|title=A Stevenage Picture Book}}</ref> [[Chells Manor]], a medieval [[hall house]] located three miles from the Old Town, was built in the 14th century for the Wake family on the foundations of a much older [[moat]]ed [[manor house]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum/history-of-stevenage/articles-about-the-towns-early-history/settlement-in-the-stevenage-area-in-the-mediaeval-period|title=Settlement in the Stevenage area in the Mediaeval period|first=Stevenage Borough|last=Council|website=www.stevenage.gov.uk}}</ref> mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=365003&resourceID=19191|title=Heritage Gateway - Results|website=www.heritagegateway.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1101434|title=CHELLS MANOR, Non Civil Parish - 1101434 | Historic England|website=historicengland.org.uk}}</ref> The site of the [[lost village]] of Chells was redeveloped during the extension of the [[#Stevenage New Town|New Town]] in the 1980s, and a hoard of [[Roman coin]]s was discovered.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourstevenage.org.uk/content/category/place/chells-manor|title=Chells Manor}}</ref> In the present day, Chells is a suburb of New Stevenage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/herts/vol3/pp139-148#h3-0007|title=Parishes: Stevenage | British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> ===Tudor, Stuart and Georgian eras=== [[File:The history of England, from the accession of James the Second (1914) (14779982211).jpg|thumb|James Whitney, the [[dandy]] [[highwayman]].]] [[File:37 High Street, Stevenage (27432952625).jpg|thumb|Henry Trigg's house, 37 High Street.]] In 1558 [[Thomas Alleyne]], then the Rector of Stevenage, founded a free [[grammar school]] for boys, [[The Thomas Alleyne Academy|Alleyne's Grammar School]], which, despite becoming a boys' comprehensive school in 1967 (starting with the 1969 year), had an unbroken existence (unlike the grammar school in neighbouring [[Hitchin]]) until 1989, when it was merged with Stevenage Girls' School to become the Thomas Alleyne School. [[Francis Cammaerts]] was Headmaster of Alleyne's Grammar School from 1952 to 1961. The school, which has been since 1989 a mixed [[comprehensive school]] and is now an [[academy]] as of 2013, still exists on its original site at the north end of the High Street. It was intended to move the school to [[Great Ashby]], but the [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|Coalition government (2010–15)]] scrapped the move owing to [[Building Schools for the Future|budget cuts]]. During the 17th century, the Elizabethan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101101168-37-high-street-stevenage-old-town-ward|title=37, High Street, Old Town, Hertfordshire|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> house at 37 High Street was the home of greengrocer and [[churchwarden]] [[Henry Trigg (testator)|Henry Trigg]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourstevenage.org.uk/content/place/old-town/buried-in-the-loft-the-legend-of-henry-trigg-and-the-old-castle-inn|title=Buried in the loft: The legend of Henry Trigg and the Old Castle Inn}}</ref> Trigg was a philanthropist who donated another of his properties to serve as Stevenage's first workhouse.<ref name="Herts genealogy"/> When Henry died in 1724 his coffin was placed in the rafters of the adjoining barn to prevent [[Body snatching|resurrection men]] from stealing his remains.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101096090-triggs-barn-stevenage-old-town-ward|title=Triggs Barn, Old Town, Hertfordshire|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> In 1774, Trigg's house became the Old Castle [[coaching inn]], and was used as a [[staging post]] by the [[Royal Mail]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/books/books-5/book-0559-notes-on-stevenage.htm|title=Book: Notes on Stevenage Illustrated: by E. V. Methold, 1902 (Hertfordshire Genealogy)|website=www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk}}</ref> From 1999 until 2016 it served as a branch of [[NatWest]], and as of 2022 it has been converted into a [[dentist]]'s [[surgery]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/topics/supernatural-and-unexplained-phenomena/henry-triggs-house-buried-roof|title=Henry Trigg's House - Buried in the Roof}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/22417235.former-natwest-branch-building-stevenage-old-town-home-henry-triggs-coffin-auction/|title=Former NatWest branch building in Stevenage Old Town which has been home to Henry Trigg's coffin up for auction|date=25 April 2016|website=The Comet}}</ref> Stevenage's prosperity came in part from the Great North Road, which was turnpiked in the early 18th century on the site of the present day [[Marquess of Granby]] pub. Many inns in the High Street served the [[stagecoach]]es, 21 of which passed through Stevenage each day in 1800. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the road now known as [[Six Hills]] Way was the haunt of [[highwaymen]] who would use the ancient [[burial mounds]] as a hiding place. James Whitney, the namesake of the Highwayman pub in [[Graveley, Hertfordshire|Graveley]], was hanged at [[Newgate]] in 1693 for robbing travellers in this area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum/history-of-stevenage/stevenage-through-the-ages/tudor-and-stuart-stevenage|title=Tudor and Stuart Stevenage|first=Stevenage Borough|last=Council|website=www.stevenage.gov.uk}}</ref> Whitney, a [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]], was born in Stevenage c.1660 and was apprenticed to a [[butcher]] in Hitchin before opening an [[inn]] in [[Cheshunt]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9coiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA140|title=Lives and Exploits of the Most Noted Highwaymen, Robbers and Murderers, of All Nations|first=Charles|last=Whitehead|date=18 January 1854|publisher=Silas Andrus|via=Google Books}}</ref> Due to the failure of his business, Whitney began robbing wealthy travellers and by 1690 he had a gang of over 50 men.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/22575367.james-whitney-hertfordshires-dandy-highwayman/|title=James Whitney: Hertfordshire's dandy highwayman|date=12 August 2019|website=Great British Life}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.executedtoday.com/2014/12/19/1694-james-whitney-highwayman/|title=1694: James Whitney, highwayman | Executed Today|date=19 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pascalbonenfant.com/18c/newgatecalendar/james_whitney.html|title=The Newgate Calendar: James Whitney|website=www.pascalbonenfant.com}}</ref> On 10 July 1807, the '''Great Fire of Stevenage'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=12roo9kpwTQC&pg=PA546|title=The chronological historian; or A record of public events illustrative of the history of Great Britain and its dependencies|first=William|last=Toone|date=18 January 1826|via=Google Books}}</ref> destroyed 42 properties in Middle Row, including Hellard's [[almshouse]] of 1501.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/towns-and-villages/stevenage/stevenage-hellard|title=Stevenage. Hellard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4iKoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT130|title=Stevenage Through Time|first=Hugh|last=Madgin|date=15 November 2009|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=978-1-4456-3112-7 |via=Google Books}}</ref> The fire is believed to have been started when a young girl employed as a [[chambermaid]] at one of the [[coaching inn]]s emptied embers from the fireplace into the street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acM7AQAAMAAJ|title=The New Annual Register: Or General Repository of History, Politics, Arts, Sciences, and Literature|date=18 January 1808|publisher=G. Robinson|via=Google Books}}</ref> Sparks from the embers ignited the thatched roof of a nearby [[wheelwright]]'s shop, and quickly engulfed the other [[timber framed building]]s in the north end of the Old Town due to a strong North wind.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-stevenage/|title=A History of Stevenage|first=Tim|last=Lambert|date=14 March 2021}}</ref> The conflagration was only stopped from engulfing the entire street by demolishing a house to serve as a [[firebreak]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8bFOAQAAMAAJ|title=The Athenaeum|date=18 January 1807|publisher=Longmans, Hurst, Rees, and Orme|via=Google Books}}</ref> After the fire was extinguished by Stevenage's [[volunteer firefighter]]s using a hand-operated [[fire engine]] made in 1763, the houses and inns were rebuilt with brick facades<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101348066-the-two-diamonds-public-house-stevenage-old-town-ward|title=The Two Diamonds Public House, Old Town, Hertfordshire|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> and tiled roofs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourstevenage.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cms/Oxfam_Middle_Row_History.pdf|title=Oxfam Stevenage}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/herts/vol3/pp139-148|title=Parishes: Stevenage | British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> Troopers from the [[Hertfordshire Yeomanry]] assisted the firefighters in the operation.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44222686 | jstor=44222686 | title=Local Military Forces in Hertfordshire, 1793-1814 | last1=Busby | first1=J. H. | journal=Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research | date=1953 | volume=31 | issue=125 | pages=15–24 }}</ref> ===Victorian era to 20th century=== [[File:Albert-ebenezer-fox.jpg|thumb|The Fox Brothers in the early 20th century.]] In 1850 the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] was constructed and the era of the stagecoach ended. Stevenage grew only slowly throughout the 19th century and a second church (Holy Trinity) was constructed at the south end of the High Street. In 1861 Dickens commented, "The village street was like most other village streets: wide for its height, silent for its size, and drowsy in the dullest degree. The quietest little dwellings with the largest of window-shutters to shut up nothing as if it were the Mint or the Bank of England." At the turn of the century, the twin [[poachers]] [[Albert and Ebenezer Fox]] were active in the area. While in jail, they were studied by [[police commissioner]] [[Edward Henry]] to confirm his theory on the usefulness of [[fingerprinting]] in [[forensic science]]. In 1928 Philip Vincent bought the [[HRD Motorcycles|HRD Motorcycle Co Ltd]] out of receivership, immediately moving it to Stevenage and renaming it the [[Vincent Motorcycles|Vincent HRD Motorcycle Co Ltd]]. He produced the legendary motorcycles, including the Black Shadow and Black Lightning, in the town until 1955. ==Stevenage New Town== [[File:Stevenage Town Square building works in 1959.jpg|alt=|thumb|Stevenage Town Square under development in 1959]] [[File:Park Place from Stevenage Town Centre Gardens.jpg|alt=|thumb|200x200px|Park Place from Stevenage Town Centre Gardens]] [[File:Stevenage Old Town - Middle Row.jpg|alt=Middle Row in Stevenage Old Town|thumb|Middle Row, Stevenage Old Town]] [[File:Autumn Oak - Broadhall Way - Stevenage.jpg|alt=|thumb|Autumn Oak - Broadhall Way, Stevenage]] [[File:Stevenage Town Centre Gardens.jpg|alt=|thumb|Stevenage Town Centre Gardens]] [[File:Meadway Playing Fields.jpg|thumb|Meadway Playing Fields]] Slow growth in Stevenage continued until just after the [[Second World War]], when the [[County of London Plan|Abercrombie Plan]] called for the establishment of a ring of [[New towns in the United Kingdom|new towns]] around London. On 1 August 1946, Stevenage was designated the first New Town under the [[New Towns Act 1946|New Towns Act]].<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-37826783|title=The town that aimed for Utopia|first=Jodie|last=Halford|work=BBC News |date=11 November 2016}}</ref> The plan was not popular and local people protested at a meeting held in the town hall before [[Lewis Silkin]], minister in the Labour Government of Clement Attlee. As Lewis Silkin arrived at the railway station for this meeting, some local people had changed the signs 'Stevenage' to 'Silkingrad'. Silkin was obstinate at the meeting, telling a crowd of 3,000 people outside the town hall (around half the town's residents): "It's no good your jeering, it's going to be done." Despite the hostile reaction to Silkin and a referendum that showed 52% (turnout 2,500) 'entirely against' the expansion, the plan went ahead.<ref name=Austerity>{{cite book|title=Austerity Britain 1945–51|author=David Kynaston|author-link = David Kynaston|isbn=978-0-7475-9923-4|pages=161, 162|year=2008|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury]]}}</ref> The first significant building to be demolished to make way for a gyratory system was the Old Town Hall, in which the opposition had been expressed, in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/documents/planning-policy/supplementary-guidance-and-material-considerations/orchard-road-beams-2009.pdf|title=Orchard Road Conservation Area Appraisal|page=15|year=2009|publisher=Stevenage Council|access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> The inaugural chairman of the Stevenage Development Corporation was the architect [[Clough Williams-Ellis]], appointed by Lewis Silkin in 1946, with the radical town planner Dr [[Monica Felton]] as his deputy. In 1949 she became chairman but she was sacked within two years. There were a number of reasons for her dismissal by the government but a lack of hands-on town planning leadership and her opposition to the [[Korean War]] (for which she was later awarded the [[Lenin Peace Prize]]) sullied her reputation. Felton was replaced first by Allan Duff and later [[Thomas Bennett (architect)|Thomas Bennett]], who carried the project to completion. [[Gordon Stephenson]] was the planner, [[Peter Shepheard]] the architect, and Eric Claxton the engineer. Claxton took the attitude that the new town should separate bicycles from the automobile as much as possible. Mary Tabor was the Housing Director of Stevenage New Town from 1951 until 1972.<ref>{{Cite news |date=Feb 20, 2022 |title=Death Notices |pages=20 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Tabor was a member of the Society of Women Housing Managers, which was founded by women trained under [[Octavia Hill]]. Mary Tabor, with the support of more than 40 housing management staff by 1960, provided a notably personal and caring service to tenants of the town. Many early residents of the town would recall with gratitude how much she had done for them and the town as a whole.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Balchin |first=Jack |title=First New Town |publisher=Stevenage Development Corporation |year=1980 |pages=160–161}}</ref> In May 1953, Sir Roydon Dash took over the position of chairman from Bennett. In 1962, Sir Arthur Rucker was appointed Chairman of the Stevenage Development Corporation, retiring from the position in 1966. He was succeeded by [[Evelyn Denington, Baroness Denington|Evelyn Denington]], who joined the board in 1950.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=Spring 1966 |title=Corporation's New Chairman |journal=Purpose |pages=14}}</ref> Denington remained the chairman until the dissolution of the Corporation in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2021 |title=The Forgotten Pioneers – Celebrating the Women of the Garden City Movement |url=https://tcpa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/tcpaforgottenpioneers.pdf |access-date=28 April 2022 |website=Town and Country Planning Association}}</ref> Having become a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1974, Denington was elevated to the peerage in 1978, choosing to assume the title of Baroness Denington of Stevenage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baroness Denington of Stevenage |url=https://www.talkingnewtowns.org.uk/content/category/towns/stevenage/baroness-denington-of-stevenage |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=Talking New Towns |language=en}}</ref> In keeping with the sociological outlook of the day, the town was planned with six self-contained neighbourhoods, each to house between ten and twelve thousand people.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Stevenage Official Guide |publisher=British Publishing Company Limited |year=1979 |page=17}}</ref> The first two estates to be occupied were the Stoney Hall and Monks Wood estates, in 1951. The Twin Foxes pub, on the Monks Wood estate, was Stevenage's first new public house and was named after local notorious identical-twin [[poaching|poachers]] ([[Albert and Ebenezer Fox]]). It closed in 2017. At least two other public houses have a direct relationship to local history. The Edward the Confessor pub (closed 2006) could have had a connection to St Mary's Church in nearby [[Walkern]] as [[Edward the Confessor|King Edward]] reigned from 1042 until his death in 1066 and Walkern's church dates from this period. The second pub with a link to local history is the Our Mutual Friend in Broadwater. The name of the pub is the title of [[Our Mutual Friend|a novel]] by [[Charles Dickens]]. Dickens was an occasional guest of [[Edward Bulwer-Lytton|Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton]] in nearby [[Knebworth House]] and knew Stevenage very well. Next to be built and occupied were the neighbourhoods of Bedwell in 1952, and then came Broadwater and Shephall (1953), Chells in the 1960s and later Pin Green and [[Symonds Green]]. Another new development to the north of the town is Great Ashby. {{As of|2014}} it was still under construction. The Government gave almost £2 million for a purpose-built homeless shelter, which will serve a large part of Hertfordshire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130702/debtext/130702-0003.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 02 July 2013 (pt 0003)}}</ref> ===Industrial area=== Stevenage Development Corporation zoned an area for industry between the East Coast railway line and the A1 road, which came to be known as Gunnels Wood Industrial Area. An additional area for industry has since been developed at Pin Green.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Stevenage Official Guide |publisher=The British Publishing Company Limited |year=1979 |page=49}}</ref> The primary industrial area is in a location that is separate—but adjacent to—the residential areas of town. [[British Aerospace]] (now [[MBDA]]) was the largest employer in this area, but it has now been replaced by [[GSK plc|GSK]]. The firm occupies a large complex, hosting one of GSK's two global R&D hubs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-unveils-plan-for-one-of-europe-s-largest-life-science-campuses-in-stevenage/ |title=GSK unveils plan for one of Europe's largest life science campuses in Stevenage|date=16 July 2021 |access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref> [[Airbus | Airbus Defence and Space]] (previously British Aerospace) is located in a smaller industrial park.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ukspacefacilities.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Airbus-DS-Stevenage.aspx|title=Airbus DS Stevenage |access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref> This is the same area that both [[Matra Marconi Space]] and [[Astrium]], a prime contractor and equipment supplier of spacecraft, previously occupied.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/ap32632/matra-marconi-space |title=THE SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP: Matra Marconi Space |access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref><ref> {{cite web |url=https://connectivity.esa.int/contractors/eads-astrium-sas|title=EADS ASTRIUM SAS |access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref> The site is used to assemble a number of spacecraft and rovers including [[Rosalind Franklin (rover)|''Rosalind Franklin'']]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-24 |title=UK-built Mars rover saved from museum retirement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63741201 |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> and the [[Solar Orbiter]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Speare-Cole |first=Rebecca |date=2020-02-08 |title=Solar Orbiter designed in UK to embark on 'significant space mission' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/space-orbiter-uk-space-mission-a4357126.html |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref> and conduct analysis on others such as the [[NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return#Earth Return Orbiter (ERO)|Mars Earth Return Orbiter]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marklew |first=Philip |date=2020-10-19 |title=Airbus to bring first Mars samples to Earth |url=https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/airbus-to-bring-first-mars-samples-to-earth/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=AGN |language=en-en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-28 |title=Earth Return Orbiter’s first step to Mars |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-06-earth-return-orbiters-first-step-to-mars |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Airbus |language=en}}</ref> There are also small- to medium-sized firms such as [[Jackie Hunter|Stevenage BioScience Catalyst (SBC)]], a new science park aimed at attracting small and start-up life-sciences enterprises, opened in 2011 on a site next to GSK.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stevenagecatalyst.com/news/minister-for-universities-and-science-performs-top/|title=Minister for Universities and Science performs topping-out ceremony |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref> ===Stevenage town centre=== The pedestrianised town centre was the first purpose-built traffic-free shopping zone in [[UK|Britain]], taking its inspiration from the [[Lijnbaan]] in Rotterdam,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Pedestrian and the City |last=Hass-Klau |first=Carmen |year=2014 |publisher= Routledge |page=87 }}</ref> and was officially opened in 1959 by the [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Architectural guide to Cambridge and East Anglia since 1920 |last=McKean |first=Charles |year=1982 |publisher=[[Royal Institute of British Architects|ERA Publications Board, RIBA Eastern Region]] |isbn=978-0-907598-01-5 |page=174 }}</ref> A landmark in the town centre is the [[Stevenage Clock Tower|clock tower]] and ornamental pool. Nearby is ''Joyride'', a mother and child sculpture by [[Franta Belsky]]. Next to the Town Garden, the Church of St Andrew and St George is an example of modern church design and has housed Stevenage Museum in its crypt since 1976. The church is a Grade 2 listed building. It is also the largest parish church to have been built in England since World War Two. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother laid the foundation stone in July 1956 and was also present at the consecration of the Bishop of St Alban's, the Right Reverend [[Michael Gresford Jones|Michael Gresford-Jones]], on Advent Sunday 27 November 1960. The frame is constructed from a continuous pour of concrete into moulds, creating [[interlacing arches]] and leaving no apparent joints. There are twelve [[Purbeck Marble|Purbeck-marble]] columns around the high altar and the external walls are clad in panels faced with Normandy pebble. The campanile houses the loudspeakers for an electro-acoustic carillon. A popular sculpture, 'The Urban Elephant' by [[Andrew Burton (sculptor)|Andrew Burton]], was commissioned in 1992. Although revolutionary for its time, the town centre is showing signs of age and, in 2005, plans were revealed for a major regeneration to take place over the next decade. Details are still being debated by the council, landowners and other interested parties. Multimillion-pound plans to redevelop Stevenage town centre were scrapped owing to the [[2008 financial crisis]] and the lack of interested private-sector partners.<ref name="thecomet.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage_town_centre_redevelopment_plans_scrapped_1_1389325|title=Stevenage town centre redevelopment plans scrapped|first=Richard|last=Young|date=25 May 2012 }}</ref> On 24 May 2012 Stevenage Borough Council announced that a £250m scheme for the shopping area has been pulled by Stevenage Regeneration Limited (SRL) because of the continuing adverse economic conditions.<ref name="thecomet.net"/> The plans, which included realigning streets, moving the bus station and building a new department store, cinema, hotel, restaurants, and flats, had been given council planning approval in January 2012.<ref name="thecomet.net"/> ===Events=== Stevenage holds a number of annual events, including Stevenage Day<ref>[http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/townandcommunity/stevenageday] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921010000/http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/townandcommunity/stevenageday|date=21 September 2010}}</ref> and Rock in the Park. In past years Stevenage Carnival has also been held, with a number of attempts to revive it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenagecarnivalday.org|title=The Energy Alternative That Is Going Mainstream}}</ref> In June 2022, Stevenage Day returned to the King George Playing Fields to celebrate the [[platinum jubilee of Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/22325114.thousands-enjoy-return-stevenage-day-two-years-virtual-events/|title=Thousands enjoy return of Stevenage Day after two years of virtual events|date=14 June 2022|website=The Comet}}</ref> It was the first carnival held in Stevenage since 2019, due to the [[coronavirus pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/news/plans-announced-for-stevenage-day-2022|title=Stevenage Day}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/22333556.floats-fun-fancy-dress-remember-stevenage-carnival/|title=Floats, fun and fancy dress: Do you remember Stevenage Carnival?|date=1 August 2021|website=The Comet}}</ref> In 2016, Stevenage "celebrated" its seventieth anniversary as a New Town.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-37826783|title=Stevenage: The town that aimed for Utopia|last=Halford|first=Jodie|date=11 November 2016|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref> ===Later schemes=== The Town Centre Regeneration Strategy (2002) called for better-quality shops (including a major department store), improved public transport with a combined [[interchange station|bus and rail interchange]], high-density town-centre living, substantially improved civic facilities, increased office space and an improved 'public realm'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-stevenage/regeneration-economic-dev/23959/ |title=Town Centre Regeneration Strategy |access-date=4 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813043506/http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-stevenage/regeneration-economic-dev/23959/ |archive-date=13 August 2014 }}</ref> YMCA Space Stevenage (a youth and community centre) was evicted and replaced by Paddy Power (a betting shop).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage_charity_centre_faces_eviction_1_3103054?usurv=skip|title=Stevenage charity centre faces eviction|first=Martin|last=Dunne|date=12 December 2013 }}</ref> Other well-known stores, such as [[Maplin Electronics]], and Marks & Spencer have also disappeared from Stevenage town centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/graemearcher/100243582/i-have-bad-news-prepare-yourselves-maplin-in-stevenage-has-closed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102023121/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/graemearcher/100243582/i-have-bad-news-prepare-yourselves-maplin-in-stevenage-has-closed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-11-02|title=I have bad news. Prepare yourselves. Maplin in Stevenage has closed|work=News – Telegraph Blogs}}</ref> The town has a large central library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/libraries/findlib/libs/ste |title=Hertsdirect.org: Stevenage Central Library|publisher=Hertfordshire County Council |access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> in Southgate, at the southern end of the pedestrian precinct, with facilities including printing, fax and photocopying, children's events, study space, a carers' information point and a large public computer suite, as well as a small branch library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/libraries/findlib/libs/sot |title=Hertsdirect.org: Stevenage Old Town Library|publisher=Hertfordshire County Council |access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> at the northern end of the High Street in the Old Town. There is also a public library in nearby Knebworth,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/libraries/findlib/libs/kne |title=Hertsdirect.org: Stevenage Old Town Library|publisher=Hertfordshire County Council |access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> located in St Martin's Road. The town is still growing. It is set to expand west of the A1(M) [[motorway]] and may be further identified for development. The main area of more recent{{when|date=March 2018}} development is [[Great Ashby]] to the north-east of the town (but actually in North Hertfordshire District). A considerable amount of in-borough development has been undertaken at Chrysalis Park on the old Dixon's Warehouse site adjacent to the Pin Green Industrial Estate. === Regeneration === The town and the Stevenage First partnership has now launched a new, £1bn, 20-year regeneration programme designed to transform central spaces and introduce new residential, commercial and retail facilities, amongst others.<ref name="bbc.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-43212856|title=£350m town centre revamp plans launched|date=2018-02-27|access-date=2020-01-02|language=en-GB}}</ref> The programme is formed of a number of individual schemes including the £350m ‘SG1’ programme being led by Mace<ref name="Sketchley">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/mace-sign-for-regeneration-development-in-stevenage-town-centre/54014/|title=Mace sign for regeneration development in Stevenage town centre|last=Sketchley|first=Elisha|date=2019-03-14|website=Planning, BIM & Construction Today|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> and the £50m redevelopment of Queensway North, the former site of Marks & Spencer.<ref name="stevenage-even-better.com">{{Cite web|url=https://stevenage-even-better.com/reef-to-develop-50m-queensway-north-stevenage-scheme/|title=Reef to develop £50m Queensway North scheme|date=2019-05-20|website=Stevenage Even Better|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/50-million-queensway-revamp-kick-starts-stevenage-town-centre-regeneration-1-5816168|title=Early phase of £1 billion Stevenage town centre regeneration set to start|last=McEvoy|first=Louise|website=The Comet|date=13 December 2018 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> In addition, Stevenage's Town Square is also being regenerated with new bars, restaurants, flexible working facilities and shops being introduced to the area.<ref name="bbc.com"/> The plans are based on the local government authority's Local Plan which was given approval on 26 March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage-local-plan-holding-decision-lifted-1-5959516|title=Stevenage Local Plan can progress after holding decision lifted|last=Barrow|first=Georgia|website=The Comet|date=26 March 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> The town is also introducing a new public services hub which will consolidate services that are currently spread across Stevenage into one central space<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stevenage-even-better.com/our-regeneration-schemes/|title=Our Regeneration Schemes|website=Stevenage Even Better|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> A new [[Stevenage Bus Interchange|Bus Interchange]] opened on Sunday 26 June 2022, closer to the train station, and adjacent to the [[Gordon Craig Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Stevenage Borough |title=Stevenage Bus Interchange to open on Sunday 26 June |url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/news/stevenage-bus-interchange-to-open-on-sunday-26-june |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=www.stevenage.gov.uk |language=English}}</ref> A number of other developments, including the conversion of a series of commercial spaces into residential facilities, are already completed or underway with a series of additional programmes set to launch in the coming years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apse.org.uk/apse/index.cfm/news/articles/2019/regenerating-stevenage/|title=Regenerating Stevenage - apse|website=www.apse.org.uk|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> ==Geography== ===Climate=== Stevenage experiences an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'') similar to almost all of the United Kingdom. {{Weather box |location = Stevenage |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |Jan high C = 7 |Feb high C = 8 |Mar high C = 11 |Apr high C = 13 |May high C = 17 |Jun high C = 19 |Jul high C = 22 |Aug high C = 23 |Sep high C = 19 |Oct high C = 14 |Nov high C = 10 |Dec high C = 7 |year high C = 14 |Jan low C = 2 |Feb low C = 2 |Mar low C = 4 |Apr low C = 4 |May low C = 7 |Jun low C = 10 |Jul low C = 12 |Aug low C = 12 |Sep low C = 10 |Oct low C = 8 |Nov low C = 5 |Dec low C = 3 |year low C = 7 |Jan precipitation mm = 45.1 |Feb precipitation mm = 33.9 |Mar precipitation mm = 28.7 |Apr precipitation mm = 43.9 |May precipitation mm = 34.9 |Jun precipitation mm = 46.6 |Jul precipitation mm = 42.1 |Aug precipitation mm = 46.9 |Sep precipitation mm = 54.9 |Oct precipitation mm = 56.8 |Nov precipitation mm = 48.0 |Dec precipitation mm = 49.8 |year precipitation mm = 531.6 |source 1 = <ref>{{cite web | url = http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:UKXX0513&q=Stevenage%2c+GBR+forecast:averagesm | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130129090300/http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:UKXX0513&q=Stevenage,+GBR+forecast:averagesm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2013-01-29 | title = Averages for Stevenage }}</ref> |date=August 2010 }} === Neighbourhoods === Bedwell, [[Bragbury End]], Broadwater, Chells, Chells Manor, Pin Green, Poplars, Old Town, Great Ashby, [[Shephall]] and [[Symonds Green]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neighbourhoods |url=https://www.ourstevenage.org.uk/content/category/place |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Our Stevenage |language=en}}</ref> ==Governance== {{Infobox historic subdivision |Name=Stevenage |subdivision_type=[[Local board of health|Local Government District]] (1873{{ndash}}1894)<br />[[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|Urban District]] (1894{{ndash}}1974) |HQ=Stevenage <!-- Statuses --> |Start=2 October 1873 |End=31 March 1974 |Replace=[[Stevenage Borough Council]] <!-- Memberships --> | membership_title1 = County Council | membership1 = [[Hertfordshire County Council|Hertfordshire]] |PopulationFirst=3,309<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10094161 |title=Stevenage Urban Sanitary District, ''A Vision of Britain through Time'' |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref> |PopulationLast=66,585<ref name=StevenageUD>{{cite web |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10089657 |title=Stevenage Urban District, ''A Vision of Britain through Time'' |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref> |PopulationFirstYear=1891 |PopulationLastYear=1971 }} There are two tiers of local government covering Stevenage, at district and county level: [[Stevenage Borough Council]] and [[Hertfordshire County Council]]. Stevenage was an [[Civil parish#Ancient parishes|ancient parish]] in the [[hundred (county division)|hundred]] of [[List of hundreds of England|Broadwater]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Stevenage Ancient Parish / Civil Parish |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10148972 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> From 1835 Stevenage was included in the [[Hitchin]] [[Poor Law Union]]. As such it became part of the Hitchin [[Sanitary district|Rural Sanitary District]] in 1872, with local government functions passing to the Hitchin Board of Guardians.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Hitchin/ |title=Hitchin Poor Law Union |last=Higginbotham |first=Peter |website=The Workhouse |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> The following year the town voted to become a Local Government District governed by a [[Local board of health|Local Board]], which would have the effect of also making the town an Urban Sanitary District, independent of the Hitchin Rural Sanitary District. The Stevenage Local Government District took effect on 2 October 1873, covering the whole parish of Stevenage.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Notice of adoption of the Local Government Act, 1858, in the parish of Stevenage, Hertfordshire |journal=London Gazette |date=3 October 1873 |issue=24022 |page=4434 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24022/page/4434 |access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref> The first meeting of the Stevenage Local Board was held on 4 December 1873 at the recently built Town Hall on Orchard Road. The first chairman of the board was George Becher Blomfield, who was the rector of the town's parish church of St Nicholas.<ref>Stevenage: Local Board Meeting, ''Hertford Mercury'', 6 December 1873, page 3</ref> Under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], the Local Board became Stevenage Urban District Council on 31 December 1894. Stevenage Urban District was enlarged several times, notably in 1953 when it absorbed the neighbouring parish of [[Shephall]]. Until 1964 the council met at the Town Hall on Orchard Road. With the designation of the New Town, several plans for a civic centre in the new town centre were put forward, but none came to fruition. In September 1964, the council moved its offices and meeting place to a recently-built office building in the new town centre called Southgate House (later renamed Vista Tower). The old Town Hall was demolished shortly afterwards to make way for Lytton Way. The council was based at Southgate House until 1980, when it moved to Daneshill House, which had previously been the headquarters of the New Town Corporation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cole |first1=Emily |last2=Harwood |first2=Elain |title=The New Town Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire: Architecture and Significance |date=2020 |publisher=Historic England |pages=118, 150 |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/research/results/reports/8209/TheNewTownCentreStevenageHertfordshire_ArchitectureandSignificance |access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref> The [[Local Government Act 1972]] reconstituted Stevenage Urban District as a [[non-metropolitan district]] with effect from 1 April 1974.<ref name=StevenageUD/> The town was awarded [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] on the same date and has been governed by [[Stevenage Borough Council]] since.<ref>{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145 |website=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |access-date=4 December 2021 |date=28 March 1974}}</ref> The borough's coat of arms consists of a shield and crest. On the shield is a sword running through an oak tree with acorns. The oak tree represents surrounding woodland and the acorns symbolise the steady growth of the town. The sword is from the [[Bishop of London|Arms of the Bishops of London]], former landowners. A red [[Fess|fesse]] depicts the [[Great North Road (Great Britain)|Great North Road]] and upon the fesse are six stars representing the neighbourhoods of Old Stevenage, Bedwell, Broadwater, Shephall, Chells and Pin Green. The [[Hart (deer)|hart]] on the crest is from the arms of the county of Hertfordshire; one of its [[Hoof|hooves]] rests upon a cogwheel, a symbol of the town's industry. The gold crown atop a helmet represents a planned area.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Stevenage Official Guide |publisher=The British Publishing Company Limited |year=1979 |page=19}}</ref> ==Demographics== The population of Stevenage increased significantly during the 20th century. Little more than a large village at the start of the 19th century, the population in 1801 was 1,430. By 1901, Stevenage opened the 20th century with a population of 4,048. After Stevenage was designated a [[New towns in the United Kingdom|new town]] under the [[New Towns Act 1946|New Towns Act of 1946]], the population exploded in the 1950s and 1960s. By the start of the 21st century, the 2001 population had grown to 79,715<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=6275260&c=Stevenage&d=13&e=15&g=6434810&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1481564269400&enc=1|title=Stevenage population 2001|publisher=Office for National Statistics|access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref> reaching 83,957 a decade later (2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=6275260&c=Stevenage&d=13&e=62&g=6434810&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1481564269744&enc=1|title=Stevenage population 2011|publisher=Office for National Statistics|access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref> {{As of|2016}} the population is estimated at 87,100. ==Religion== As of the 2021 census, the religious makeup was: {| class="wikitable" !Area !All people !Christian (%) !Buddhist (%) !Hindu (%) !Jewish (%) !Muslim (%) !Sikh (%) !Other (%) !No religion (%) !Not stated (%) |- style="background:#fee;" |England and Wales |56,490,048 |46.3 |0.5 |1.8 |0.5 |6.7 |0.9 |0.6 |36.7 |6.0 |- style="background:#fee;" |'''Stevenage''' |89,495 |43.26 |0.44 |1.56 |0.18 |3.15 |0.34 |0.58 |44.87 |5.60 |} ==Sport and leisure== [[File:Lewis Hamilton cidadão honorário.jpg|thumb|F1 champion [[Lewis Hamilton]] is a resident of Stevenage.]] [[File:Stevenage FC Lamex Stadium View from East Terrace 2022.jpg|thumb|Stevenage FC stadium in 2022.]] [[List of King George V Playing Fields (Hertfordshire)|King George's Field]], named in memory of [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]], hosts Stevenage Cricket Club, Stevenage Hockey Club and Stevenage Town Bowls Club. The cricket ground is called [[Ditchmore Lane]]. The nearby Stevenage Leisure Park has a multiplex cinema, clubs, and restaurants. The main shopping area is around Queensway and the Westgate. At the south of the town, there is a retail park called 9Yards<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://9-yards.co.uk/locations/stevenage/ |title=9Yards Corporate Website |access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref> (formerly Roaring Meg), its former name being taken from a stream (a tributary of the [[River Beane]]) that runs under it. The river can be seen along the western edge of the area. There is also shopping in the Old Town. 9Yards once had an ice rink and bowling alley, but these were demolished in 2000 to allow the construction of more stores.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/content/committees/117036/117048/117112/Planning-28-October-2014-Item3.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 June 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103438/http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/content/committees/117036/117048/117112/Planning-28-October-2014-Item3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Stevenage FC]], formerly known as Stevenage Borough,<ref name="Stevenage to drop Borough from name">{{Cite news | title = Stevenage to drop Borough from name | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/8689789.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 18 May 2010 | access-date = 18 May 2010}}</ref> is the town's major [[football (soccer)|football]] team, playing their home matches at [[Broadhall Way]]. Founded in 1976, the club were promoted to the [[Football Conference]], the highest tier of non-league football, in 1994. After sixteen seasons in this division, Stevenage won the [[Conference Premier]] title during the [[2009–10 in English football|2009–10]] season, having previously been denied promotion to [[the Football League]] due to insufficient ground facilities in 1996.<ref name="Kidderminster 0–2 Stevenage">{{cite news | title = Kidderminster 0–2 Stevenage | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/default.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 17 April 2010 | access-date = 17 April 2010 | archive-date = 14 April 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100414095651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/default.stm | url-status = dead }}</ref> During Stevenage's first season as a Football League club, they secured back-to-back promotions to [[Football League One|League One]], the third tier of English football, after beating [[Torquay United FC|Torquay United]] 1–0 in the [[2011 Football League Two play-off Final|2010–11 play-off final]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref name="Stevenage promoted to League One by beating Torquay">{{cite news | title = Stevenage promoted to League One by beating Torquay | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13482198.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 28 May 2011 | access-date = 21 July 2011}}</ref> Stevenage also won the [[FA Trophy]] in 2007, beating [[Kidderminster Harriers FC|Kidderminster Harriers]] 3–2 at [[Wembley Stadium]] in front of a crowd of 53,262.<ref name="Kidderminster 2–3 Stevenage">{{cite news | title = Kidderminster 2–3 Stevenage | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6649807.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 12 May 2007 | access-date = 23 August 2009}}</ref> It was the first competitive club game and cup final to be held at the new stadium.<ref name="Henry the first">{{cite news | title = Henry the first | url = http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFATrophy/NewsAndFeatures/2009/Trophy_MatchReaction2.aspx | publisher = TheFA.com | date = 13 May 2007 | access-date = 13 August 2009}}</ref> Stevenage reached the final again in 2009, beating York City 2–0.<ref name="Stevenage 2–0 York City">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 2–0 York | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8036407.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 9 May 2009 | access-date = 22 July 2009}}</ref> The club has also enjoyed several runs in the [[FA Cup]], raising the town's profile in the process. During the [[1997–98 in English football|1997–98]] campaign, Stevenage held Premier League side [[Newcastle United FC|Newcastle United]] to a draw at Broadhall Way, before losing the replay 2–1 at Newcastle.<ref name="Football: Grazioli keeps Stevenage under the spotlight ">{{cite news | title = Football: Grazioli keeps Stevenage under the spotlight | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-grazioli-keeps-stevenage-under-the-spotlight-1140932.html | newspaper = The Independent | date = 26 January 1998 | access-date = 23 August 2009 | location=London | first=Phil | last=Shaw}}</ref> The club would go one better in 2010, securing a 3–1 home victory over Newcastle in the third round of the competition – the first time the club had beaten first tier opposition.<ref name="Stevenage 3–1 Newcastle">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 3–1 Newcastle | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9341905.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 8 January 2011 | access-date = 8 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="Stevenage win league award">{{cite news |title = Stevenage win league award |url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2320688,00.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211218210239/https://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2320688,00.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 18 December 2021 |publisher = Stevenage F.C. |date = 20 March 2011 |access-date = 22 March 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Stevenage win team performance gong">{{cite news | title = Stevenage win team performance gong | url = http://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/stevenage_win_team_performance_gong_1_835813 | work = [[The Comet (newspaper)|The Comet]] | publisher = [[Archant]] | date = 21 March 2011 | access-date = 22 March 2011}}</ref> The [[2011–12 Stevenage F.C. season|following season]], Stevenage held [[Tottenham Hotspur FC|Tottenham Hotspur]] to a 0–0 draw at home in the fifth round, before losing the subsequent replay 3–1 at [[White Hart Lane]].<ref name="Tottenham 3–1 Stevenage">{{cite news |title = Tottenham 3–1 Stevenage |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17201215 |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 8 March 2012 |access-date = 23 May 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120309003341/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17201215 |archive-date = 9 March 2012 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Stevenage 0–0 Tottenham">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 0–0 Tottenham | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17001797 | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 19 February 2012 | access-date = 23 May 2012}}</ref> The town also has a number of other successful sports clubs, including a women's football team (Stevenage Borough Ladies FC) and Stevenage Town Rugby Club. Many top class sporting heroes have come from Stevenage, including footballers [[Kevin Phillips (footballer)|Kevin Phillips]] and [[Ashley Young]], seven-time [[Formula One]] World Champion [[Lewis Hamilton]], and golfer [[Ian Poulter]]. Fairlands Valley is a large area of parkland with boating lakes. It is home to a [[Parkrun]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=On the run: tackling the Stevenage parkrun at Fairlands Valley Park |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/21499643.run-tackling-stevenage-parkrun-fairlands-valley-park/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=East Anglian Daily Times |date=6 April 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The town is a very green town, with avenues of trees (typically Norway Maple) throughout but also large woods such as Monks & Whomerley Wood, which is ancient semi-natural woodland. Indeed, the [[Woodland Trust]] ranks it as one of the best places in the UK for ease of access to large woodland, with 99.9% of the population having access to woodland over {{convert|2|ha|acre|0}} within {{convert|4|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}, only slightly behind those living in the [[Forest of Dean]] or [[New Forest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/mediafile/100083906/space-for-people.pdf|title=2638 Space for People|year=2010|access-date=3 January 2014|work=[[Woodland Trust]]}}</ref> There are also many playing fields (e.g. St. Nicholas playing fields near Ripon Road). The town's schools all have a substantial amount of ground; key examples are Ashtree Primary School, Moss Bury Primary School, Longmeadow Primary School and Barnwell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/leisure-culture-and-wellbeing/parks-and-open-spaces/fairlands-valley-park/about-fairlands-valley-park|title=Fairlands park}}</ref> Stevenage also has a basketball team: East Herts Royals (Formerly known as Stevenage Scorpions) The town is surrounded by the Stevenage Outer Orbital Path (STOOP), a {{convert|27|mi|km|adj=on}} circuit walk established by the North Herts Ramblers Group in 2008. The circuit provides an informal, active recreational leisure amenity readily available to the residents of Stevenage and the surrounding villages. The STOOP is split into several sections, accessible via a series of links from the town. The route passes through [[Graveley, Hertfordshire|Graveley]], [[Walkern]], [[River Beane|Beane Valley]], [[Datchworth]], [[Woolmer Green]], [[Knebworth Park]], [[St Ippolyts]] and [[Little Wymondley]]. It was launched on 20 September 2008.<ref name="ramblers">{{cite web|url=http://www.ramblers-herts-northmiddlesex.org.uk/stoop.htm|title=STOOP (Stevenage Outer Orbital Path)|publisher=Hertfordshire & North Middlesex Area of the Ramblers' Association|access-date=25 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422143050/http://ramblers-herts-northmiddlesex.org.uk/stoop.htm|archive-date=22 April 2009}}</ref><ref name="SBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/townandcommunity/soneighbourly/stooprightonit|title=STOOP right on it|publisher=[[Stevenage Borough Council]]|access-date=25 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718111408/http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/townandcommunity/soneighbourly/stooprightonit|archive-date=18 July 2011}}</ref> ==Culture== A small community arts centre is located in the Roaring Meg Retail Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/31028/31013/|title=Arts in Stevenage}}</ref> The Boxfield and Foyer Gallery is situated in the [[Gordon Craig Theatre]], which forms part of the large central Leisure Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gordon-craig.co.uk/EducationsVisualArts/VisualArts.aspx|title=Gordon Craig Theatre|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021220506/http://www.gordon-craig.co.uk/EducationsVisualArts/VisualArts.aspx|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Stevenage Museum is located under the St. Andrew and St. George's church on St George's Way.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-stevenage/museum/|title=Museum}}</ref> Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC East]] and [[BBC London]] on BBC One and [[ITV Anglia]] and [[ITV London]] on ITV. Television signals are received from either the [[Sandy Heath transmitting station|Sandy Heath]] or [[Crystal Palace transmitting station|Crystal Palace]] transmitters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Sandy_Heath | title=Sandy Heath (Central Bedfordshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter | date=May 2004 }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Crystal_Palace | title=Crystal Palace (Greater London, England) Full Freeview transmitter | date=May 2004 }}</ref> Local radio stations are [[BBC Three Counties Radio]] on 90.4 FM and [[Heart Hertfordshire]] on 106.7 FM. [[The Comet (newspaper)|The Comet]] is the town's weekly local newspaper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-eang/the-comet/|title=The Comet | British Newspapers Online|first=The Theme|last=Foundry|date=23 July 2013}}</ref> ==Nearby attractions== North of Stevenage Old Town, near St Nicholas' Church, lies [[Rooks Nest House|Rooks' Nest]] ("under the big [[wych elm|wych-elm]]"), home of the novelist [[E. M. Forster]] from 1884 to 1894. Forster used Rooksnest and the surrounding area as the setting for his novel ''[[Howards End]]''. In the preface to one paperback edition of ''Howards End'' there is information about landmarks of Stevenage and their relationship to the story of the novel, such as Stevenage High Street and the [[Six Hills]]. The land north of St Nicholas' Church, known as Forster Country, is the last remaining farmland within the boundary of Stevenage borough.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forstercountry.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=27|title=Where is Forster Country?|publisher=Friends of the Forster Country|date=28 August 2007|access-date=23 August 2009}}</ref> Forster was unhappy with the development of new Stevenage, which would, in his words, "fall out of the blue sky like a meteorite upon the ancient and delicate scenery of Hertfordshire".<ref name=Austerity/> In the spring of 2023, [[Forster Country]] was threatened by housing development. 2,000 people petitioned the council to rethink plans to build a car park, landfill site and power station in the country park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/23388473.stevenage-forster-country-park-plans-deferred/|title=Decision on Forster Country park plans deferred|date=15 March 2023|website=The Comet}}</ref> To the south of Stevenage is [[Knebworth House]], a [[Gothic Revival architecture|gothic]] stately home and venue of globally renowned rock concerts since 1974. The house was once home to [[Edward Bulwer-Lytton|Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton]], Victorian English novelist and spiritualist. [[Astonbury Wood]], south-east of Stevenage, is a nature reserve of [[Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust]]. It is [[ancient woodland]], area {{convert|54|ha}}.<ref>[https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/astonbury-wood "Astonbury Wood"] ''Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust''. Retrieved 22 April 2024.</ref> ==Transport== A distinctive feature of Stevenage is its urban landscape. There are many [[roundabout]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenheartpartnership.org/site/68/253.html|title=Stevenage "sunken" roundabout|author=Green Heart Partnership|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413022700/http://www.greenheartpartnership.org/site/68/253.html|archive-date=13 April 2011}}</ref> few [[traffic light]]s, a network of completely segregated [[Segregated cycle facilities|cycleways]], and some of the tallest [[street light]]s in Britain. Eric Claxton was chief engineer of Stevenage from 1962 to 1972, and the comprehensive separate cycle network was planned and implemented by him during that period. Despite this network, the bicycle's modal share is 2.7%.<ref>{{cite news|title=Build it and they will come? Why Britain's 1960s cycling revolution flopped|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/sep/19/britains-1960s-cycling-revolution-flopped-stevenage|access-date=19 September 2017|work=The Guardian|date=19 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Carlton|title=The sad tale of a cycle network innovator forgotten by the New Town he built|url=http://www.roadswerenotbuiltforcars.com/stevenage/|publisher=Roads Were Not Built For Cars|access-date=21 March 2013|date=25 February 2013}}</ref> Claxton was also of the view that Stevenage should contain as few traffic lights as possible, hence his preference for roundabouts to regulate traffic flow. He was so adamant about roundabouts that he had a house built for himself on the gyratory system in the Old Town. The [[A1(M) motorway]] bypasses the town to the west. Work on the 7.5-mile bypass was started on Monday 30 May 1960 at Langley Sidings, by [[Ernest Marples]]. 54 miles of dual carriageway, on the A1, had been opened, with 75 miles under construction. It would cost £1.8m, to take 19 months.<ref>''Hertford Mercury'' Friday 3 June 1960, page 18</ref> The southern end started from a roundabout at the Clock restaurant near Welwyn. The bridges were built by [[Simon Carves]] of south Manchester, and the main contractor was Martin Cowley Ltd, of [[Clay Cross]], in Derbyshire. The old [[Great North Road (Great Britain)|Great North Road]], in part classified as the [[B197 road|B197]], runs through the town and the Old Town's High Street has several pubs that were formerly [[coaching inn]]s. The [[A602 road|A602]] connects the town to [[Hitchin]], [[Watton-at-Stone]], Hertford and [[Ware, Hertfordshire|Ware]]. The main bus operator is [[Arriva Herts & Essex]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/herts-and-essex/bus-travel-in-stevenage|title=Arriva Bus|website=www.arrivabus.co.uk}}</ref> which have a depot situated on Babbage Road. They run over 10 routes in and around the town, with intercity services to [[Luton]] (on the 100/101), [[St Albans]] (on the 301), [[Welwyn Garden City]] (on the 908), and [[Letchworth|Letchworth Garden City]] (on the 55), among others. Another operator in the town is [[Uno (bus company)|unō]], who run the 635 between [[Watford]] and [[Hitchin]] via Stevenage, which provides discounted travel to [[University of Hertfordshire]] students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unobus.info/uhstudents/?region=|title=UHstudents | Uno|website=www.unobus.info}}</ref> [[Centrebus]] also operate some services out of their Luton depot, including the Connect Herts branded routes 390 and 907, to [[Hertford]] and [[Cheshunt]] respectively. Vectare, formerly Central Connect, also operate. On Sunday 26 June 2022,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecomet.net/news/22325191.opening-date-revealed-stevenage-bus-interchange/|title=Opening date revealed for Stevenage Bus Interchange|date=9 June 2022|website=The Comet}}</ref> the new Stevenage Interchange opened, replacing the former bus station as that land needed to be repurposed for redevelopment. The new bus station has toilets, a heated and air conditioned waiting room with a help desk, a small shop and a small café. It has 10 stands lettered A to K, skipping I. On Lytton Way, there is a coach stand, lettered L. Currently, the only coach service to operate to Stand L is the 006 between [[Cambridge]] and [[London]], operated by [[FlixBus]]. [[Stevenage railway station]] on the [[East Coast Main Line]] has regular commuter services to {{stnlnk|London King's Cross}} (taking 24 minutes) and {{stnlnk|Cambridge}} (taking 37 minutes), as well as connections to northern England and Scotland. ==Education== Many schools were built in the 1950s/60s due to an influx of Londoners to affordable terraced housing in areas such as Shephall, Broadwater, Chells and St Nicholas. The town has around 23 primary schools (see below). Some go to the surrounding villages of [[Aston, Hertfordshire|Aston]], [[Benington, Hertfordshire|Benington]], [[Walkern]], [[Datchworth]] for their schooling. Stevenage also has a number of secondary schools and the central campus for North Hertfordshire College. ===Primary schools=== * Almond Hill Junior<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almondhill.herts.sch.uk |title=Almond Hill Junior |publisher=almondhill.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Ashtree Primary School and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ashtree.herts.sch.uk |title=Ashtree Primary School and Nursery |publisher=ashtree.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Bedwell Primary School and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bedwell.herts.sch.uk |title=Bedwell Primary School and Nursery |publisher=bedwell.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Broom Barns Community Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broombarns.herts.sch.uk |title=Broom Barns Community Primary |publisher=broombarns.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Camps Hill Community Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://campshill.herts.sch.uk |title=Camps Hill Community Primary |publisher=campshill.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Fairlands Primary School and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairlands.herts.sch.uk |title=Fairlands Primary School and Nursery |publisher=fairlands.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Featherstone Wood Primary School and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.featherstonewood.herts.sch.uk |title=Featherstone Wood Primary School and Nursery |publisher=featherstonewood.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Giles Junior<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gilesjm.herts.sch.uk |title=Giles Junior |publisher=gilesjm.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Giles Nursery and Infants<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gilesnurseryandinfants.co.uk |title=Giles Nursery & Infants |publisher=gilesnurseryandinfants.co.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Letchmore Infants' and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letchmore.herts.sch.uk |title=Letchmore Infants' and Nursery |publisher=letchmore.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * The Leys Primary and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leys.herts.sch.uk |title=The Leys Primary and Nursery |publisher=leys.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Lodge Farm Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lodgefarm.herts.sch.uk |title=Lodge Farm Primary |publisher=lodgefarm.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Longmeadow Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longmeadow.herts.sch.uk |title=Longmeadow Primary |publisher=longmeadow.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Martins Wood Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.martinswood.herts.sch.uk |title=Martins Wood Primary |publisher=martinswood.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Moss Bury Primary School and Nursery<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mossbury.herts.sch.uk |title=Moss Bury Primary School and Nursery |publisher=mossbury.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018045131/http://www.mossbury.herts.sch.uk/ |archive-date=18 October 2015 }}</ref> * Peartree Spring Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peartreespringjm.herts.sch.uk |title= Peartree Spring Primary |publisher=peartreespringjm.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Roebuck Primary School and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roebuck.herts.sch.uk |title= Roebuck Primary School and Nursery |publisher=roebuck.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Shephalbury Park Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shephalburypark.herts.sch.uk |title= Shephalbury Park Primary |publisher=shephalburypark.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * St Margaret Clitherow Roman Catholic Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clitherow.herts.sch.uk |title=St Margaret Clitherow Roman Catholic Primary |publisher=clitherow.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * St Nicholas C of E Primary School and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stnicholas120.herts.sch.uk |title=St Nicholas C of E Primary School and Nursery |publisher=stnicholas120.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stvincent.herts.sch.uk |title=St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary |publisher=stvincent.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Trotts Hill Primary and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trottshill.herts.sch.uk |title=Trotts Hill Primary and Nursery |publisher=trottshill.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Woolenwick Infant and Nursery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woolenwickinfants.herts.sch.uk |title=Woolenwick Infant and Nursery |publisher=woolenwickinfants.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Woolenwick JM<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woolenwickjm.herts.sch.uk |title=Woolenwick JM |publisher=woolenwickjm.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> ===Special needs schools=== * Larwood Primary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larwood.herts.sch.uk |title=Larwood Primary |publisher=larwood.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Lonsdale<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonsdale.herts.sch.uk |title=Lonsdale School |publisher=lonsdale.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Greenside<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenside.herts.sch.uk |title=Greenside School |publisher=greenside.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * The Valley Secondary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thevalley.herts.sch.uk |title=The Valley Secondary |publisher=thevalley.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Barnwell (containing the VIBase<ref>{{cite web |url=http://barnwellschool.co.uk/subjects/learning-support/visually-impaired/ |title=Base for Blind and Visually Impaired Students |publisher=Barnwellschool.co.uk |access-date=24 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225151631/http://barnwellschool.co.uk/subjects/learning-support/visually-impaired/ |archive-date=25 December 2014 }}</ref> for blind & visually impaired pupils and the SPLD Base<ref>{{cite web |url=http://barnwellschool.co.uk/subjects/learning-support/specific-learning-difficulties/ |title=Specific Learning Difficulties |publisher=Barnwellschool.co.uk |access-date=24 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225151633/http://barnwellschool.co.uk/subjects/learning-support/specific-learning-difficulties/ |archive-date=25 December 2014 }}</ref> for Pupils with specific learning difficulties) ===Secondary schools=== * [[Barnwell School]] – in 2006, Barnwell school took in students from Collenswood School after its closure. Students are now taught on two sites: Barnwell Middle Campus and Barnwell Upper Campus<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barnwellschool.co.uk |title=Barnwell School |publisher=barnwellschool.co.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Barclay Academy]] * [[The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School, Stevenage|The John Henry Newman School]] – a specialist arts school<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jhn.herts.sch.uk |title=The John Henry Newman School |publisher=jhn.hert.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Marriotts School]] – A sports college. Marriotts converted to sponsored [[Academy (English school)|Academy]] status with potential completion in September 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marriotts.herts.sch.uk/academy |title=marriotts.herts.sch.uk/academy |publisher=marriotts.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * [[The Nobel School]] – a specialist performing arts and science [[DCSF]] training school<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nobel.herts.sch.uk/ |title=nobel.herts.sch.uk |publisher=nobel.herts.sch.uk |access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> * [[The Thomas Alleyne Academy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tas.herts.sch.uk |title=The Thomas Alleyne Academy |publisher=tas.herts.sch.uk |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> ===Colleges=== * [[North Hertfordshire College]] (Stevenage Campus), Monkswood Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.ac.uk/ |publisher=nhc.ac.uk |title=North Hertfordshire College |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> ===Former schools=== * Round Diamond (site in Pin Green closed and relocated to [[Great Ashby]], now officially classified as a North Hertfordshire school)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/schadd/?district=&postcode=&type=Primary+Mixed |title=List of Primary Schools in Hertfordshire |publisher=Hertfordshire County Council |access-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> * Pope Pius XII RC JMI (site in Chells closed and amalgamated with St John Southworth RC JMI, September 1990) * St John Southworth RC JMI (site in Bedwell amalgamated with Pope Pius XII RC JMI to become St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary, September 1990) * Pin Green JMI * Burydale (amalgamated with Shephall Green Infant School in September 2005, now closed) * Collenswood School (secondary school, closed in 2006 and the site became part of Barnwell School) * Stevenage Girls School (amalgamated with Alleyne's School to become The Thomas Alleyne School) * Chells School (a secondary school, the former site of which is now occupied by The Nobel School) * Heathcote School (secondary school, closed in 2012 and the site became part of Barnwell School) * St Michael's (Catholic boys secondary school, moved from Mount St Michael France to Hitchin then to Stevenage now amalgamated with St Angela's to form John Henry Newman) * Shephalbury Secondary Modern School (Shephalbury Park, now a housing estate) * The Grange (c.1847–c.1939) * Bedwell Secondary School (the former site is now occupied by Marriotts School) * The Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering – a [[studio school]] specialising in science and engineering<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davinci-school.co.uk |title=The Da Vinci Studio School |publisher=davinci-school.co.uk |access-date=28 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106053443/http://www.davinci-school.co.uk/ |archive-date=6 January 2016 }}</ref> ==Places of worship== [[File:St Andrew and St George's Church, Stevenage, 2014-02-26.JPG|thumb|St Andrew & St George]] [[File:Bunyan Baptist Church. Basil's Road, Stevenage. - geograph.org.uk - 108276.jpg|thumb|Bunyan Baptist Church]] [[File:Holy Trinity Church, Stevenage Old Town. - geograph.org.uk - 108329.jpg|thumb|Holy Trinity]] Stevenage has an active network of Christian churches of many denominations. Many of the churches work together for town-wide projects under the banner of "Churches Together in Stevenage".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenagechurches.org.uk |title=stevenagechurches.org.uk |publisher=stevenagechurches.org.uk |access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> Stevenage also has a [[mosque]] and a Liberal Jewish [[Synagogue]]. Alongside "Churches Together in Stevenage", Stevenage also has an "Interfaith Forum" dedicated to dialogue between different religious presences in the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stevenageinterfaith.org.uk/ |title=Stevenage Interfaith Forum |publisher=Stevenage Interfaith Forum |access-date=19 May 2018}}</ref> Some of the places of worship include: * All Saints Church ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]]/[[Methodism|Methodist]] Union)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allsaints-stevenage.org.uk/ |title=All Saints Church |publisher=allsaints-stevenage.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Bunyan [[Baptist]] Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bunyan.org.uk/ |title=Bunyan Baptist Church |publisher=bunyan.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> *Christ the King Church ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.achurchnearyou.com/stevenage-christ-the-king/ |title=Christ the King Church |publisher=The Church of England |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * City of David Church ([[Redeemed Christian Church of God]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rccgstevenage.org.uk/wp/ |title=City of David Church |publisher=rccgstevenage.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * The Cathedral of Saint George ([[Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland|Coptic Orthodox]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.copticcentre.com/st-georges-cathedral/ |title=St George Cathedral |publisher=The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK |access-date=19 May 2018}}</ref> * [[Elim Pentecostal Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenagechurches.org.uk/memAlpha.htm#af |title=Elim Pentecostal Church |publisher=Churches Together in Stevenage |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Grace Community Church ([[Newfrontiers]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grace-community-church.org.uk/ |title=Grace Community Church |publisher=grace-community-church.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Great Ashby Community Church ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]]/[[Baptist]] Joint Project)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatashbycc.org.uk/ |title=Great Ashby Community Church |publisher=greatashbycc.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * High Street [[Methodism|Methodist]] Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenagechurches.org.uk/memAlpha.htm#gr |title=High Street Methodist Church |publisher=Churchest Together in Stevenage |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Holy Trinity Church ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.achurchnearyou.com/stevenage-holy-trinity/ |title=Holy Trinity Church |publisher=The Church of England |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Kingdom Hall of [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage_s_jehovah_s_witnesses_celebrate_worship_hall_s_makeover_and_invite_public_to_come_along_1_4228859 |title=Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses |publisher=Archant Hertfordshire |date=11 September 2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Longmeadow [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longmeadow-church.org.uk |title=Longmeadow Evangelical Church |publisher=longmeadow-church.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Friends Meeting House ([[Quakers]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenagechurches.org.uk/memAlpha.htm#gr |title=Religious Society of Friends |publisher=Churches Together in Stevenage |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Oak Church Stevenage – A youth-focused [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oakchurchstevenage.org/ |title=Oak Church Stevenage |publisher=Oak Church Stevenage |access-date=10 July 2018}}</ref> * [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] Church of St Hilda<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parish.rcdow.org.uk/stevenageshephall/ |title=Roman Catholic Church of St Hilda |publisher=Diocese of Westminster |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] Church of St Joseph<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parish.rcdow.org.uk/stevenage/ |title=Roman Catholic Church of St Joseph |publisher=Diocese of Westminster |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] Church of the Transfiguration<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parish.rcdow.org.uk/stevenagetransfiguration/ |title=Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration |publisher=Diocese of Westminster |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Salvation Army]] Corps<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/stevenage |title=Salvation Army Stevenage |publisher=The Salvation Army |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Church of St Andrew & St George ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.achurchnearyou.com/stevenage-st-andrew-and-st-george/ |title=St Andrew & St George Church |publisher=The Church of England |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenagechurches.org.uk/memAlpha.htm#stm |title=Seventh Day Adventist Church |publisher=Churches Together in Stevenage |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Stevenage Liberal Synagogue ([[Liberal Judaism (UK)|Liberal Judaism]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk/ |title=Stevenage Liberal Syngagogue |publisher=stevenageliberalsynagogue.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Stevenage [[Islam|Muslim]] Community Centre<ref>{{cite web|url=http://smcc786.co.uk/ |title=Stevenage Muslim Community Centre |publisher=smcc786.co.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * St Hugh & St John Church ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]]/[[Methodism|Methodist]] Union)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.achurchnearyou.com/stevenage-st-hugh-st-john-chells/ |title=St Hugh & St John Church |publisher=The Church of England |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * St Mary's Church ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stmaryshephall.co.uk/ |title=St Mary's Church |publisher=stmaryshephall.co.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * [[St Nicholas' Church, Stevenage|St Nicholas' Church]] ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saintnicholaschurch.org.uk/ |title=St Nicholas Church |publisher=saintnicholaschurch.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * St Paul's Church ([[Methodism|Methodist]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenagechurches.org.uk/memAlpha.htm#stnz |title=St Paul's Church |publisher=Churches Together in Stevenage |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * St Peter's Church ([[Anglicanism|Anglican]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stpetersweb.co.uk/ |title=St Peter's Church |publisher=stpetersweb.co.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Stevenage [[Association of Vineyard Churches|Vineyard]] Fellowship<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenage-vineyard.co.uk/ |title=Stevenage Vineyard Fellowship |publisher=stevenage-vineyard.co.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] – Stevenage Ward<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mormon.org.uk/meetinghouse|title=Find A Meetinghouse Near You |access-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> * [[United Reformed Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenageurc.org.uk/ |title=United Reformed Church |publisher=stevenageurc.org.uk |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Whomerley [[Spiritualism (movement)|Spiritual]] Church & Centre<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whomerleycentre.weebly.com/ |title=Whomerley Spiritual Church & Centre |publisher=whomerleycentre.weebly.com |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> ==Notable people== [[File:Emma Kennedy, As It Occurs To Me, Leicester Square Theatre 20 Jun 2011.jpg|thumb|Actress [[Emma Kennedy]]]] ;Born in Stevenage [[File:Lee "Scratch" Perry Dkluba (40596157473).jpg|thumb|[[Scratch Perry]]]] * [[Omo Aikeremiokha]] (born 2005), trampoline gymnast * [[Daniel Ballard]] (b. 1999), [[Sunderland A.F.C.]] footballer * [[Harry Bates (sculptor)|Harry Bates]] (1850–1899), sculptor * [[Oliver Cheshire]] (b. 1988), fashion model * Sir Thomas Clarke (b. 1527), knighted by [[Henry VIII]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~genealogyquest/clarke.htm |title=Descendants of Sir Thomas Clarke |website=Rootsweb |access-date=24 November 2014}}</ref> * [[E. E. Cowper]] (1859–1930), novelist * [[Edward Gordon Craig]] (1872–1966), [[scenographer]] and theatre theorist * [[Andrew Croft]] (1906–1991) explorer and SOE ([[Special Operations Executive]]) agent * [[David Croft (broadcaster)|David Croft]] (b. 1970), Commentator for [[Sky Sports F1]] * [[Keinan Davis]] (b. 1998), [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] footballer * [[Mark E'Beyer]] (b. 1984), footballer * [[Albert and Ebenezer Fox]] (1857–1926, 1857–1936), infamous poachers * [[Marshall Frost]] (born 2005), trampoline gymnast * [[Gabz|Gabz Gardiner]], finalist in [[Britain's Got Talent (series 7)|series 7]] of ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage_s_gabz_gardiner_through_to_britain_s_got_talent_final_1_2213984|title=Stevenage's Gabz Gardiner through to Britain's Got Talent final|last=Gill|first=Nick|date=29 May 2013|work=[[The Comet (newspaper)|The Comet]]|publisher=[[Archant]] |access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> * Jack Gladman (b. 24 April 1997), International Para Athlete and Pro Boxing Matchmaker * [[Sir Lewis Hamilton]] (b. 1985), 7-time [[Formula One]] World Champion (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) * [[Nicolas Hamilton]] (b. 1992), racing driver * [[Peter Harper (racing driver)|Peter Harper]] (1921–2003) International Rally Driver * [[Aleks Josh]], contestant on ''[[The Voice UK]]''<ref name="Four Corners">{{cite news|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/aleks_josh_and_four_corners_impress_on_the_voice_and_britain_s_got_talent_1_1371142|title=Aleks Josh and Four Corners impress on The Voice and Britain's Got Talent|access-date=8 May 2012}}</ref> * [[William Jowitt, 1st Earl Jowitt]] (1885–1957), Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from 1945 to 1951 * [[The Voice UK (series 2)#Episode 2 (6 April)|Nadeem Leigh]], contestant on ''The Voice UK''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage_singer_nadeem_leigh_wows_judge_danny_o_donoghue_on_bbc_one_s_the_voice_1_2003965|title=Stevenage singer Nadeem Leigh wows judge Danny O'Donoghue on BBC One's The Voice|last=Gill|first=Nick|date=6 April 2013|work=[[The Comet (newspaper)|The Comet]] |publisher=[[Archant]] |access-date=7 April 2013}}</ref> * [[Cathy Lesurf]], singer and member of bands such as [[Oysterband]], [[Fiddler's Dram]], [[Fairport Convention]] and [[The Albion Country Band]] * [[Edward Morse (cricketer)|Edward Morse]] (born 1986), English cricketer * [[Richard Norwood]] (c. 1590–1675), first person to survey the islands of Bermuda * [[Alex Pettyfer]] (b. 1990), actor * [[Elizabeth Poston]], composer, born in Highfield House, Pin Green (now the site of Hampson Park) and later lived in Rooks Nest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage_composer_s_private_papers_archived_1_2904133|title=Stevenage composer's private papers archived|last=Dunne|first=Martin|work=The Comet|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref> * [[Jason Shackell]] (b. 1983), footballer * [[Henry Trigg (testator)|Henry Trigg]] (c. 1667–1724), local grocer who became famous for his eccentric will * [[Sam Wallace (journalist)|Sam Wallace]], Chief Football Writer at ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' since 2015. * [[Ed Westwick]] (b. 1987), actor * [[Ben Wilmot]] (b. 1999), [[Stoke City F.C.]] footballer * [[Karen Woo]], surgeon, killed along with other aid workers in Afghanistan ([[2010 Badakhshan massacre]]) * [[Tony Wright (cricketer)|Anthony (Tony) John Wright]] (b. 1962), cricketer * [[Ashley Young]] (b. 1985), current [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] footballer and former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] captain * [[Gary Younge]], (b. 1969), journalist, author. Lived in Stevenage until the age of 17.<ref name="About Gary Younge">{{cite web|url=http://www.garyyounge.com/?page_id=2|title=About Gary Younge|access-date=3 June 2012}}</ref> ;Stevenage residents * [[George Brown (motorcyclist)|George Brown]] (1912–79), motorcyclist, worked for the [[Vincent Motorcycle Company]] from 1933 to 1951 and died in Stevenage in 1979. * [[Francis Cammaerts]] (1916–2006), French Resistance leader, headmaster of Alleyne's Grammar School and witness in the Lady Chatterley Trial, October 1960. * [[John Cooper Clarke]], performance poet, briefly lived in Stevenage, and allegedly wrote "Evidently Chickentown" about his experiences in the locale.<ref name="John Cooper Clarke">{{cite web|url=http://www.internettreehouse.co.uk/nme2.htm?page_id=2|title=John Cooper Clarke – Britain's alternative poet laureate visits dockland for a laugh and a joke|access-date=7 August 2013}}</ref> * [[Evelyn Denington, Baroness Denington]] (1907–1998), politician who served as chair of the Stevenage Development Corporation * [[Denholm Elliott]] (1922–1992), actor, who lived in the house now known as the 'Little Folks Lab' nursery in North Road. * [[Thomas Fellowes (Royal Navy officer, born 1827)|Thomas Fellowes]] (1827–1923), Royal Navy officer * [[Ken Follett]] (born 1947), author * [[E. M. Forster]] (1879–1970), novelist, lived in the house at Rooks Nest from 1883 to 1893. * [[Tommy Hampson]] (1907–1965), Olympic athlete. Hampson Park is named after him.<ref name="Hampson">{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/parks/61072/61077/|title=Hampson Park History|publisher=Stevenage Borough Council|access-date=16 October 2013|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812183659/http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/parks/61072/61077/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Ken Hensley]] (b. 1945), keyboard player and main songwriter of [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] in the 1970s * [[Denis Ovens]] (b. 1957), former professional darts player * [[Emma Kennedy]] (born 1967), who wrote the BBC drama ''[[The Kennedys (TV series)|The Kennedys]]'' based on her childhood there * [[Stephen McPartland]] (born 1976), MP for Stevenage * [[Wilf Mannion]] (1918–2000), English international footballer. Landlord of The Pied Piper, Oaks Cross. * [[Miguel of Portugal]], King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, is reputed to have lived on the High Street around 1845<ref name="So Stunning: Old Town">{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/townandcommunity/soneighbourly/sooldstevenage/stunningoldtownsymondsgreenandwoodfield/sostunning/oldtown|title=So Stunning: Old Town|publisher=[[Stevenage Borough Council]]|access-date=15 April 2011}}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> * [[Lee "Scratch" Perry]] (1936–2021), [[Reggae]] artist, producer, recorded "battle of armageddon" album with local reggae band. Played at Stevenage college and at the Pyramid pub when he lived in the town during the 1980s. * [[Leslie Phillips]], actor, evacuated to Stevenage during the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Stevenage Museum: What's On">{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/content/15953/29460/29465/museum-whats-on-january-april-2013.pdf|title=Stevenage Museum: What's On|access-date=27 July 2014}}</ref> * [[David Schaal (actor)|David Schaal]], actor, spent his teenage years in Stevenage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://davidschaal.com/biography.html|title=Biography=|access-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927181835/http://davidschaal.com/biography.html|archive-date=27 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Naum Slutzky]] (1894–1965), designer, master of [[Bauhaus University, Weimar]] * [[John Thurloe]] (1616–1668), secretary to Oliver Cromwell, lived in what is now the Cromwell Hotel ==In popular culture== Stevenage was the setting for two feature films, ''[[Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (film)|Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush]]'' (1967) and ''[[Boston Kickout]]'' (1995). Stevenage was the filming location, though not the on-screen setting, for two other films, ''[[Serious Charge]]'' (1959) and ''[[Spy Game]]'' (2001), standing in as the [[Washington, D.C.]] area for the latter film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reelstreets.com/index.php/component/films/?task=view&id=2085&film_ref=serious_charge|title=FILM : Serious Charge|publisher=Reel Streets|access-date=6 February 2016}}</ref> The 2009 [[psychological horror]] [[Found footage (film technique)|found footage]] [[short film]] and [[web series]] ''[[No Through Road (web series)|No Through Road]]'' by Steven Chamberlain follows four seventeen-year-old teenagers en route to Stevenage who find themselves trapped in a [[time loop]] along two [[Road signs in the United Kingdom|road signs]] marking an [[Intersection (road)|intersection]] between [[Benington, Hertfordshire|Benington]] and [[Watton-at-Stone|Watton]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Peters|first=Lucia|title=The Weird Part Of YouTube: The Making Of "''No Through Road''" And The Power Of Unanswered Questions|url=https://theghostinmymachine.com/2020/11/16/the-weird-part-of-youtube-the-making-of-no-through-road-and-the-power-of-unanswered-questions-found-footage-stevenage-broomhill-farm-time-loop|website=The Ghost in My Machine|access-date=November 16, 2020|date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116175053/https://theghostinmymachine.com/2020/11/16/the-weird-part-of-youtube-the-making-of-no-through-road-and-the-power-of-unanswered-questions-found-footage-stevenage-broomhill-farm-time-loop/|archive-date=November 16, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kok|first=Nestor|title=Ghosts in the Machine: Trick-Editing, Time Loops, and Terror in "''No Through Road''"|url=https://fnewsmagazine.com/2022/03/ghosts-in-the-machine-trick-editing-time-loops-and-terror-in-no-through-road|website=[[School of the Art Institute of Chicago#F Newsmagazine|F Newsmagazine]]|access-date=March 18, 2022|date=March 18, 2022}}</ref> The 2015 BBC One comedy series ''[[The Kennedys (TV series)|The Kennedys]]'' is set on an estate in New Town Stevenage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC One announces the cast for brand new family comedy The Kennedys|url=http://bbc.com/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/the-kennedys/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=bbc.com|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Saxondale]]'' a critically acclaimed 2007 situation comedy starring Steve Coogan as a divorcee and ex-roadie with anger management issues. The 2018 [[Channel 4]] comedy series, ''[[Lee and Dean]]'', is filmed and set in Stevenage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thecomet.net/news/comedy-based-in-stevenage-starring-two-friends-coming-to-channel-4-1-5455259|title=Comedy based in Stevenage starring two friends coming to Channel 4 |last=Barrow|first=Georgia|date=29 March 2018|work=[[The Comet (newspaper)|The Comet]]|access-date=29 April 2018}}</ref> In one episode of UK quiz show ''Only Connect'', one of the contestants made what could be seen as a frivolous mention of Stevenage, playfully suggesting that that could be where the literary character Mrs Malaprop comes from. Coincidentally, the title of the quiz show is taken from the [[E. M. Forster]] novel ''[[Howards End]]'', which Forster based on a house he lived in Stevenage between 1883 and 1893.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00084t6|title=BBC Two - Only Connect, Series 15|website=BBC}}</ref> [[Stevenage woman]] has been profiled as a crucial swing voter for the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2023 |title=What is the 'Stevenage Woman' stereotype? The voters who could be key for Labour |url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-04-03/what-is-the-stevenage-woman-and-why-is-she-important-for-the-next-election |website=ITV News}}</ref> ==Twin towns== {| class="wikitable" style="background:#ffffef; float:left;" ! City ! Country ! Year |- | [[Ingelheim am Rhein]] | Germany | 1963 |- | [[Autun]] | France | 1975 |- | [[Kadoma, Zimbabwe|Kadoma]] | Zimbabwe | 1989 |- | [[Shymkent]] | Kazakhstan | 1990 |} {{clear}} ==See also== *[[Stevenage (UK Parliament constituency)]] *[[Grade I listed buildings in Hertfordshire#Stevenage|Grade I listed buildings in Stevenage]] *[[Grade II* listed buildings in Stevenage]] == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Stevenage}} {{Wikivoyage|Stevenage}} * [http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/ Stevenage Borough Council] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120829143320/http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=105366 Stevenage Health Profile 2011 (PDF)] * [https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum Stevenage Museum] {{Geographic location |title = '''Neighbouring areas''' |Northwest = [[St Ippollitts]], [[Little Wymondley]], [[Great Wymondley]], [[Hitchin]] |North = [[Great Ashby]], [[Graveley, Hertfordshire|Graveley]], [[Weston, Hertfordshire|Weston]], [[Letchworth]], [[Baldock]] |Northeast = [[Cottered]], [[Buntingford]] |West = [[Langley, Hertfordshire|Langley]], [[Preston, Hertfordshire|Preston]], [[King's Walden]], [[St Paul's Walden]], [[Luton]] |Centre = Stevenage |East = [[Walkern]], [[Benington, Hertfordshire|Benington]], [[Braughing]], [[Standon, Hertfordshire|Standon]], [[Bishop's Stortford]] |Southwest = [[Kimpton, Hertfordshire|Kimpton]], [[Harpenden]] |South = [[Knebworth]], [[Datchworth]], [[Welwyn Garden City]] |Southeast = [[Watton-at-Stone]], [[Ware, Hertfordshire|Ware]], [[Hertford]] }} {{Hertfordshire}} {{East of England}} {{Civil parishes of Hertfordshire}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Stevenage| ]] [[Category:Boroughs in England]] [[Category:Districts of Hertfordshire]] [[Category:Planned communities established in the 1950s]] [[Category:Planned communities in England]] [[Category:Radburn design housing estates]] [[Category:Towns in Hertfordshire]] [[Category:Unparished areas in Hertfordshire]]
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