Hatley, Cambridgeshire

{{Short description|Civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England}} {{Use British English|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox UK place |country =England |coordinates = {{coord|52.1427|-0.1288|display=inline,title}} |official_name=Hatley |population=181 |population_ref= (2011) |shire_district=South Cambridgeshire |shire_county=Cambridgeshire |region=East of England |constituency_westminster=South Cambridgeshire |post_town=SANDY |postcode_district =SG19 |postcode_area=SG |dial_code=01767 |os_grid_reference=TL281510 |static_image=Churchstdenis 4216.JPG |static_image_width=240px |static_image_caption= Church of St Denis, East Hatley |london_distance= }}

'''Hatley''' is a civil parish in South Cambridgeshire, England. It lies between the villages of Gamlingay and Croydon, 12 miles south-west of the city of Cambridge and eight miles south-east of the town of St Neots. In 2001, the population of Hatley parish was 205 people living in 77 households, reducing at the 2011 Census to a population of 181 in 78 households.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11124326&c=Hatley&d=16&e=62&g=6406620&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1468872082818&enc=1|title=Civil Parish population 2011|accessdate=18 July 2016|publisher=Office for National statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}</ref>

==History== The Hatley name was in use as early as 986,<ref name="britishhistory">{{cite web|title= Parishes: Hatley St. George |work= History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 5 (1973) |url= http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66678 |publisher= British History Online|accessdate=13 July 2008}}</ref> derived from 'laie' or 'ley', a woodland clearing,<ref name="history"/> or 'woodland clearing on the hill'.<ref>{{cite book |last = Mills |first = A.D. |title = A Dictionary of English Place-names |year = 1998 |location=Oxford |publisher = Oxford University Press |pages = 170|isbn = 0-19-280074-4}}</ref> The spelling ''Hatelaie'' was used in the 1086 Domesday Book. The parishes were known as 'Hungry Hatley' by 1218, possibly because the clay soil could not be cultivated effectively until mechanisation in the 20th century.<ref name="history">{{cite web|title= A brief history |work= |url= http://www.hatley.info/about/briefhistory.htm |publisher= Hatley.info |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> The adjoining parish of Cockayne Hatley, in Bedfordshire, is said to be unconnected to the Cambridgeshire Hatleys.<ref>{{cite web|title= About Hatley |work= |url= http://www.hatley.info/about/index.htm |publisher= Hatley.info |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref>

In 1831, the population of the parish of Hatley St George was 105 people.<ref>{{cite web|title= Hatley St George |work= |url= http://www.cambridgeshirehistory.com/cambridgeshire/TownsandVillages/HatleyStGeorge/ |publisher= Cambridgeshire History.com |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> At the time of the census in 1921, it was 67 people.<ref name="genukigeorge">{{cite web|title= Hatley St George |work= Cambridgeshire |url= http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CAM/HatleyStGeorge/ |publisher= GENUKI|accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref>

==Governance== The parish was established in 1957 when the parish of Hatley St George was united with East Hatley.<ref name="britishhistory"/> Hatley Parish Council comprises five elected members (a chairman, vice-chairman and three others) and a clerk.<ref> {{cite web|title= Hatley Parish Council |work= |url= http://www.hatley.info/pc/index.htm |publisher= Hatley.info |accessdate=16 July 2018}}</ref> The parish is represented on the South Cambridgeshire District Council by one councillor for The Mordens ward<ref>{{cite web|title=Electoral wards |work=Council and democracy |url=https://www.scambs.gov.uk/councillors |publisher=South Cambridgeshire District Council |accessdate=16 July 2018 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724183938/http://www.scambs.gov.uk/CouncilAndDemocracy/Elections/newwards.htm |archivedate=24 July 2008 }}</ref> and on Cambridgeshire County Council by one councillor for the Gamlingay electoral division.<ref>{{cite web|title=Councillors |work=Democracy and decision making |url=https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/councillors-&-meetings/county-councillors/ |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council |accessdate=16 July 2018 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513055242/http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/db/council1.nsf/menus/councillors?OpenDocument |archivedate=13 May 2009 }}</ref> It is represented at the House of Commons as part of the South Cambridgeshire constituency.

==Geography== Hatley is 12 miles south-west of the county town of Cambridge and 45 miles north of London. The elevation ranges between 55 and 79 metres (180–260 feet) above sea level.<ref name="getamap">{{cite web|title= 1:25,000 mapping |work=getamap.co.uk |url= http://www.getamap.co.uk |publisher= Ordnance Survey |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> The soil is clay subsoil with boulder clay.<ref name="genukigeorge"/> The parish covers an area of 958 hectares.<ref name="census">{{cite web|title=2001 Census Profile: Hatley Parish, South Cambridgeshire |work=Cambridgeshire.gov.uk |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/CA74044E-7A40-40F8-BE05-12745CCDB7CC/0/Hatley.pdf |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council |accessdate=24 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609182530/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/CA74044E-7A40-40F8-BE05-12745CCDB7CC/0/Hatley.pdf |archivedate=9 June 2011 }}</ref>

Around half of the land in Hatley parish belongs to the Hatley Park Estate. 76% of land is used for crops or fallow land; 9.5% is covered by grass, 4.9% by woodland and 7.1% by set-aside. Wheat, barley and rapeseed are grown. In summer, the estate's parkland is grazed by beef cattle and by sheep in winter. The yard at Church Farm, owned by the estate, has been converted to small business units. One other farm is in the parish and two neighbouring farmers use land in it.<ref name="land">{{cite web|title=The Social Contribution of Land-based Industries to Rural Communities – Final report. Prepared for the Commission for Rural Communities by the Countryside and Community Research Unit, University of Gloucestershire |url=http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/Land-Comm%20final%20report_final.pdf |publisher=Commission for Rural Communities |accessdate=24 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107210036/http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/Land-Comm%20final%20report_final.pdf |archivedate=7 November 2007 }}</ref>

There are two main settlements in the parish, connected by a minor road. '''Hatley St George''' consists of a row of houses along the Gamlingay-Croydon road. It has a small shop and post office,<ref>{{cite web|title= Shop and post office |work= |url= http://www.hatley.info/shop/index.htm|publisher= Hatley.info |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> (subsidised by the estate)<ref name="land"/> a playing field, playground and cricket club. It is presumed that the hamlet's name is derived from that of the St George family, who were the principal landowners from the 13th century to 1658.<ref name="britishhistory"/> Hatley St George is an 'estate village' – Hatley Park Estate owns all the houses except for five. About a third are used for current and retired estate workers, with the others rented out.<ref name="land"/>

thumb|left|Church of St George '''East Hatley''' is a row of houses along a smaller road. It was formerly known as Castell Hatley.<ref name="historywalk">{{cite web|title= History walk |work= |url= http://www.hatley.info/leisure/historywalk.htm |publisher= Hatley.info |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> In 1929, the hamlet was owned by the Master and Fellows of Downing College, Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web|title= East Hatley|work=Cambridgeshire |url= http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CAM/EastHatley/ |publisher= GENUKI |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet, after whom Downing Street is named, owned land in East Hatley (his grandson, Sir George Downing, 3rd Baronet, founded Downing College).<ref name="history"/>

Historically, East Hatley housed local farm labourers. Now, few agricultural workers live there and it has been described as a 'small, middle-class commuter settlement'. The houses are mainly privately owned but there are three council-owned bungalows. There is little interaction between East Hatley and Hatley St George.<ref name="land"/>

Hatley village hall was built by the estate in 1960.<ref name="britishhistory"/> It was run as a social club before it became financially unviable, closing in 2005, and is now run by the Parish Council.<ref>{{cite web|title= Village hall |work= |url= http://www.hatley.info/localgroups/sportsandsocial.htm |publisher= Hatley.info |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref>

Around one-third of the parish is occupied by '''Hatley Park''', an area of private landscaped parkland south of the road,<ref name="historywalk"/> formerly owned by Sir John Astor MBE.<ref>{{cite news|title= Sir John Astor obituary |work=Guardian.co.uk |url= https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/sep/13/guardianobituaries2 |publisher= The Guardian|accessdate=24 April 2009 | location=London | date=13 September 2000}}</ref>

{{Geographic Location |title = '''Neighbouring parishes''' |Northwest = Gamlingay |North = Little Gransden |Northeast = Longstowe |West = Gamlingay |Centre = Hatley |East = Croydon |Southwest = Wrestlingworth and<br>Cockayne Hatley |South = Tadlow |Southeast = Croydon }}

==Demography== At the time of the 2001 census, the population of Hatley parish was 205 people living in 77 households. The ethnic group of 98.6% of Hatley residents was white and 1.4% Asian or Asian British. 73.7% described themselves as Christian.<ref name="census"/>

Hatley has a high rate of in-migration and commuting, and retains economically strong farming activities. Hatley Park once employed most Hatley St George residents. There was formerly a Thoroughbred stud farm in Hatley Park, employing 15 people, but it is now a livery yard staffed by two for most of the year. Seven Hatley St George residents were employed on the estate in 2007; a number of people work for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, whose headquarters is nearby at Sandy, Bedfordshire. At the time of the 2001 census, 17.7% of Hatley residents were self-employed, 2.1% were unemployed and 4% were employed in agriculture.<ref name="land"/>

==Landmarks== thumb|right|Buff Wood In addition to the two churches, two buildings in Hatley parish are listed: Hatley Park Lodge<ref>{{cite web|title= Lodge to Hatley Park |work=historicengland.org.uk |url= https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1330932 |publisher= English Heritage|accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> and model farm buildings at Church Farm, Hatley St George.<ref>{{cite web|title= Model farmbuildings |work=historicengland.org.uk |url= https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1163986 |publisher= English Heritage |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref>

Hatley St George has a church, dedicated to St George, which was first built in 1352. It is a Grade II* listed building.<ref>{{cite web|title= Church of St George |work=historicengland.org.uk |url= https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1128154 |publisher= English Heritage |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> Services take place every two weeks.<ref name="ely">{{cite web|title= St George, Hatley St George |work= |url= http://www.ely.anglican.org/parishes/gamlingay/chhatley.htm |publisher= The Diocese of Ely |accessdate=24 April 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509145536/http://www.ely.anglican.org/parishes/gamlingay/chhatley.htm |archivedate=9 May 2008}}</ref> East Hatley's church, dedicated to St Denis, has been disused since 1980.<ref>{{cite web|title= St Denis Church, East Hatley |work= Haymills.com |url= http://www.haymills.com/projectdetails.php?id=122&PHPSESSID=1e83b93c1508150fa038c45888046c4a |publisher= Haymills Construction |accessdate=24 April 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070923175119/http://www.haymills.com/projectdetails.php?id=122&PHPSESSID=c230928c2d4ef96ffb16a32e02d6a879 |archivedate=23 September 2007}}</ref> It is also a Grade II* listed building.<ref>{{cite web|title= Church of St Denis |work=historicengland.org.uk |url= https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1128153 |publisher= English Heritage |accessdate=24 April 2009}}</ref> Hatley's churches are part of the ecclesiastical parish of ''Gamlingay with Hatley St George and East Hatley'', in the diocese of Ely.<ref name="ely"/>

There are remnants of ancient woodland: Buff Wood, south-west of East Hatley, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) owned by the estate and managed by the local Wildlife Trust,<ref>{{cite web |title= Buff Wood |work= Visit a reserve |url= http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=40 |publisher= The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough |accessdate= 7 February 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110526222916/http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=40 |archive-date= 26 May 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref> and Hayley Wood, another SSSI,<ref>{{cite web |title= Hayley Wood |work= Visit a reserve |url= http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=51 |publisher= The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough |accessdate= 7 February 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110526221721/http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=51 |archive-date= 26 May 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref> borders the parish in the north.<ref name="getamap"/>

==See also== * List of places in Cambridgeshire

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Hatley, Cambridgeshire}}

{{Cambridgeshire}}

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Category:Civil parishes in Cambridgeshire Category:South Cambridgeshire District