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Things you didn't know about Spelthorne
Geography
Status Borough
Region South East England
Admin County Surrey
Area total 51.16km2
Admin HQ Staines
ONS code 43UH
Demographics
Population total (2008 est.) 91,200
Density 2032km2
Ethnicity 91.8% White
2.8% S Asian
3.8% S Asian
1.3% Black
1.7% Mixed race
1.3% Chinese or other
Politics
Leader |Vivienne Leighton
Chief Executive Roberto Tambini
Leadership Leader and Cabinet
Executive Conservative
MP Kwasi Kwarteng

Spelthorne is a Borough in Surrey.  It includes the towns of Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell and Sunbury. Boroughs adjacent to Spelthorne include Runnymede, Elmbridge and Windsor and Maidenhead. There are a number of large reservoirs including Queen Mary, Staines and King George VI, all important bird reserves as is the large Staines Moor, designated an area of outstanding scientific interest.
The ancient ceremony of swan upping takes place annually in July when swans are counted and marked according to ownership on a 70-mile, five-day journey up the Thames.
The area comprises 65% Green Belt and 30% of the total area is either floodplain or reservoir.
The River Thames is a particular feature, forming much of the Borough boundary and the Council is working hard to secure even more public access along this length of the Thames. The redevelopment of Memorial Gardens and a development of riverside flats have provided an attractive backdrop to the town.
Many of Spelthorne’s 750 acres of parks and open spaces are near the river and include: Lammas Recreation Ground, Laleham Park, Shepperton Tow Path, Manor Park, Shepperton and riverside walks in Sunbury.
The Romans were attracted to Staines because Staines Bridge was the lowest for crossing the River Thames going towards Roman settlements in the west country. The wooden structure was the first of a series of bridges up to the present one opened in 1832.
Spelthorne appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as Spelet(h)orne. Spelthorne was a hundred (these are not marked on the Surrey map, which shows only Domesday manors) an administrative area, where local leaders met about once a month. The Spelthorne hundred also covered East Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth, all now in the London Borough of Hounslow in Greater London.
The Borough was formed in 1974 from Staines Urban District and Sunbury on Thames Urban District. The urban districts had originally been part of Middlesex; however in 1965 when much of the rest of Middlesex was absorbed into Greater London these two were instead transferred to Surrey. Its boundary changed in 1995 when Poyle was transferred to Slough in Berkshire. The Borough remained inside the Metropolitan Police District, and was not transferred to Surrey Police until the boundary was realigned to Greater London in 2000.
The Coat of Arms depicts the Thames and a thorn tree that gave its name to the ancient ‘Hundred’ or Borough, of Spelthorne. The motto ‘Ad Solem Prospicimus’ means ‘we look towards the sun’.
Staines developed into a prosperous market town throughout the middle ages and there has been a strong farming community because of its flat, fertile land.
Industry arrived in the 19th century with the arrival of the railway. Linoleum became the product that put the town on the map nationally and internationally. Lagonda cars followed on and soon, improved transport and nearness to Heathrow brought business and commuters to the area.
Major redevelopment of the main shopping centre – including pedestrianisation - has transformed it into a vibrant area with good shopping.
A £7.5m refurbishment to the Elmsleigh Shopping Centre started in 2003 with a new glazed entrance and atria. Public art schemes are installed through the centre.
Spelthorne Borough is a compact urban area, with a population of approximately 90,000 people, covering some 20 square miles. The Council has 39 members – 31 Conservative and 8 Liberal Democrat.
The MP is David Wilshire (Conservative) and there are 10 members of the European Parliament for the South East.
The average (Band D) Council Tax is currently £1,450 a year.
Surrey County councillors meet at a local committee to allocate funds to promote ‘well-being’ in Spelthorne and act as advocates for Spelthorne in County Council planning and policy development. Residents are involved and their views are sought.  There are also seven Spelthorne councillors who are members of the committee.
Spelthorne has two leisure centres, one in Staines and one in Sunbury – both with 25-metre swimming pools, sports halls, fitness suites and air conditioned studios.
There is a wide range of leisure activities and heritage sites including St Mary’s Church, Sunbury, Lord Knyvett Hall, Stanwell, Shepperton Village Allotment Garden etc.
There are five libraries in Staines, Ashford, Sunbury, Shepperton and Stanwell.