User talk:Senra/Christchurch Lead

Draft lead for Christchurch, Dorset

Christchurch
Christchurch Priory from Wick
Christchurch Location within Dorset
Area	52.23608 km2 (20.16846 sq mi)
Population	44,865
• Density	859/km2 (2,220/sq mi)
OS grid reference	SZ156923
Shire county	Dorset
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom

Christchurch is a borough and town in Dorset on the English Channel coast, adjoining Bournemouth in the west, with the New Forest to the east. Historically in Hampshire, it is the most easterly borough in Dorset. The town, thought to have existed since around 650 AD, is built close to the lowest crossing point of two rivers, Avon and Stour. The original Old English name, Twynam or Twyneham, from "tweon eam", means (the settlement) between two rivers. Circa 900 AD, the town was first fortified by Alfred the Great. Following the construction of the priory in 1094, the town became known as Christchurch. The town was again fortified during the second world war.

Smugglers have made use of the sheltered harbour with easy access to neighbouring towns since the 18th century. Indeed, in 1784, The Battle of Mudeford was fought between such smugglers and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. The town has had a long association with the military. The Bailey bridge (Sir Donald Bailey) was designed and built at the towns barracks. At that time, known as the Experimental Bridging Company of Royal Engineers. From 1940 Airspeed Ltd. had a factory in the town where they manufactured the Airspeed Horsa, Airspeed Ambassador, De Havilland Mosquito, De Havilland Vampire, Sea Vampire, De Havilland Sea Venom and De Havilland Sea Vixen.

The population of 120 recorded in the Domesday survey has grown to over 45,000 (2007). The population density of 873 people per square kilometre is four times the U.K. average. Now it is a popular tourist town, with one-and-a-half-million annual visitors generating over GBP70,000.