Farnborough, Hampshire

Farnborough is a town in the county of Hampshire in the south of England. It is perhaps best known as the home of the Farnborough Air Show, an event that takes place once every two years.

Related Topics:
Town - Hampshire - England - Farnborough Air Show

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Farnborough lies in north-east Hampshire, close by the Surrey-Hampshire border. The border is defined by the River Blackwater. Over the other side of the river lies the county of Surrey.London is about 33 miles (50 km) further to the north east, and can be reached by rail or via the M3 motorway, which runs north of the town. The main road, named Farnborough Road, enters the town from Camberley to the north, and continues into Aldershot to the south. Farnborough's local government is Rushmoor Borough Council, which it shares with Aldershot.

Related Topics:
River Blackwater - Surrey - London - Mile - Km - Rail - M3 motorway - Camberley - Aldershot - Rushmoor

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The town is the home of Saint Michael's Abbey. The Imperial Crypt there is the burial place of Napoleon III (1808 - 1873), Emperor of France, and his wife Empress Eugenie (1826 - 1920). The crypt of St Peter's Old Parish Church is also believed to house the remains of many of the Earls of Anglesey.

Related Topics:
Saint Michael's Abbey - Napoleon III - Empress Eugenie - Crypt - Earls of Anglesey

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Farnborough consists of small villages. Its actual town centre is mostly dubbed as "boring" and "unattractive" by its locals. The two main villages are Cove and Southwood.

Related Topics:
Town centre - Villages

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There are three main public secondary schools. The first is Cove School which is often called the best school in the area but this title is under threat from Fernhill Secondary which is just a 15 minute walk away. Oak Farm Community School is the third secondary school in the area.

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There is also a football team based there, called Farnborough Town F.C., who currently play in the Conference South League.

Related Topics:
Football team - Farnborough Town F.C. - Conference South League

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The airshow takes place at Farnborough Airfield, situated between Farnborough and Fleet and the site of the historic Royal Aircraft Establishment.

Related Topics:
Farnborough Airfield - Fleet - Royal Aircraft Establishment

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Closely associated with Farnborough Airfield is Samuel Cody. Cody, or Col Sam Cody as he was known, was one of the early pioneers of aviation.

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A monument to the first jet fighter is sited on a roundabout along Ively Road. The replica Gloster (based on the prototype) was erected as a tribute to Sir Frank Whittle its inventor.

Related Topics:
Gloster - Frank Whittle

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Against strong opposition by the local community, Farnborough Airfield has been turned into a business airport within the last few years. Opposition to the business airport has been chronicled by Blackwater Environmental Justice (alternative link). FARA was formed by the local community to oppose the airport expansion. The airport is operated by TAG Aviation.

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Comprising one-third each, airport operator and users, local councils and local community, Farnborough Airport Consultative Committee (FACC) meets three times a year to discuss and hopefully resolve problems caused by the airport to the local community. The meetings are open to the public. Reports of the proceedings are usually covered by the local press ('Farnborough Mail' or 'Farnborough News') and 'Indymedia UK' (search for FACC or Farnborough Airport).

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It has two railway stations. Farnborough Main Railway Station and Farnborough North are situated there, with links to London Waterloo, Basingstoke from the former and links to Reading and Shalford from the latter.

Related Topics:
Farnborough Main Railway Station - Farnborough North - London Waterloo - Basingstoke - Reading - Shalford

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