We’ve been in Twyford for over 35 years and during that time we have had visitors from all over the world. Every single one of them says what a wonderful place Twyford is to live in, and I can only agree. It’s a uniquely characterful place with all sorts of different aspects that make it so desirable, even though not everything is idyllic. I always start off by telling visitors the derivation of the name Twyford, as in ‘two river crossings’. I boast about the fact that Benjamin Franklin wrote his memoirs here. I crow about the five music festivals that we managed to put on at Humphreys Farm. I revel in the fact that we still have two fantastic and contrasting pubs in the village which leads me on, of course, to reminisce about the Dolphin and how much I wish I could have downed a pint or two in the Volunteer. That takes me on to how much the village has changed just in those short 35 years. Up the road from the Volunteer back then was Latham’s butchers shop, which later developed into a fruit and veg emporium and finally became a successful photography shop, before turning into a gluten-free cafe and wellness centre. When we arrived in Twyford there were three banks, a toy shop, two antique shops, a hairdresser (still there) and the glory that was Tin Tacks, where you could buy a single bolt or screw. We reminisce about oddities such as ‘Le Club Français’ near the crossroads and, in more recent times, the tiny wooden cupboard that served as a food outlet at the end of The Drove. Of course we always show everybody the Water Meadows and delve into its unusual history, along with that of the Itchen Navigation, which was hardly ever used for its intended purpose. If we are lucky, we can show guests the famous white cows in the meadows and try to explain why the privately owned bridge near the church has been allowed to decay so shamefully, and why Norris’s Bridge has never had any proper traffic calming installed so that visitors could contemplate one of the most beautiful vistas in Hampshire without the threat of being run over. We continue to boast about the great train links to London and how easy it is to get to Winchester, and indeed Eastleigh, that underrated place that features a beautiful park, good shopping, a great arts centre, superb sports facilities and a splendid cinema complex. If only we still had a bus to allow us to get there! Then of course there is the fascinating history of the Waterworks and the slightly quirky but thankfully tucked-away Industrial Estate featuring flowers, wine and world-famous ice cream. The post office and stores, together with its subterranean café, are the jewel in Twyford’s crown, but if you need medical attention we have not only a dental facility but also a superb surgery and comprehensive pharmacy. There are also chiropractors and other specialists, which leads us to the Parish Hall, a super venue for almost any kind of event including drama, music, guides/scouts and child care. That would be enough for most villages, but Twyford also has a Community Centre that puts on events and a church that punches way above its weight by bringing international music stars to the village. When we first moved here, we lived in School Road and I remember feeling hugely complimented when visitors said it had the vibe of a Cornish fishing village. Indeed it does. We lived directly opposite the very sweet and high quality Primary School. In the mornings, we merely opened the front door in our dressing gowns and pushed the children out. After school, they were able to take advantage of the beautiful environment of Ballard’s Close, such a wonderful gift to the community. Let’s not forget the private Prep School either, a highly respected academic institution. Twyford, amazingly, has another, even more stunning recreational facility at Hunter Park, with comprehensive sporting and play facilities and even a coffee pod. The massive elephant in the room, of course, is the busy main road which splits the village in two. All these decades we have waited in vain for some effective traffic calming and something to deter the terrifying juggernauts. Congratulations to Daryl Henry for achieving the pedestrian traffic lights near Northfields. That’s the kind of thing we need more of. Any community, of course, is dependent on the people in it and my goodness, there are some marvellous personalities in Twyford. Graham Hill, the trusty village historian and his wife Christine, conscientiously tending the flowers on the main road. Chris Corcoran, the knowledgeable gentleman who has been so effective over the years via the Parish Council. Happy memories of Richard and Simon from the Post Office. Who remembers when they ran the café Bean Below and brought us gourmet Valentine nights and glorious cabaret? Emma and family from the Phoenix who have made it continue to be so successful. Of course the quite astonishing Councillor Sue Cook, the human whirlwind, who would do anything to help anybody in need. We now have an excellent Green City Councillor representing us as well. And the village is well endowed with plumbers, carpenters, gardeners, electricians and others who help keep the wheels turning. Certain things in Twyford couldn’t be found anywhere else – the clock shop, beautiful classical piano music wafting over School Road and the unique Minis’R’Us.
This is only scratching the surface, just a few initial ideas that have come into my head. Please add tributes to any of the many other village facilities and personalities.
Watercolour of Finches Lane by David Eaton
