h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You guys are doing an absolutely OUTSTANDING job at getting this entry up and running! I do have to warn you though that there's a very good chance that DEVON might be the very first of our County entries to be accepted into the EG - I thought you might like to know that there are maybe only another 2 or 3 counties that are anywhere near as well advanced as you lot!

Keep it going!

Paully

Thanks for the kind words on the Argyle front... as an outsider who came on holiday to the South West as a kid and ended up supporting the local side as a result, most of what I can say is about getting to Devon.

I've got three usual ways of getting to Plymouth and I always find them hugely inspiring - I know Plymothians tend to complain about it not being a proper motorway, but I've always loved attacking the Devon Banks on the A38 and the scenery's not bad. There and again, if I've got a bit more time the drive over Dartmoor's fantastic, but best of all's the train journey from Exeter to Plymouth - down the west bank of the River Exe estuary, snaking along the coast by Dawlish and Teignmouth darting in and out of tunnels and then up the Teign Valley.

Of course, you have to make sure you get a window seat on the left-hand side of the train at all costs.

Travelling up from London, of course, you can often make the train cheaper (although it's a bit slower) by travelling to Exeter from Waterloo on South West Trains (are they still called that?) rather than Paddington on the Great Western, and buying a separate ticket if going on from Exeter (which you can usually do before setting out). Or if you're really doing it on the cheap there's the Megabus or National Express...

Actually, in getting to Devon from London terms - where do you stand on the M4/M5 vs M3/A303 debate?

Its a toughie, generally speaking I tend to go M4/M5 I find that it takes slightly longer, but less stopages so it feels quicker.

re: the train thing. Have you ever been on the train when the waves are washing right up almost onto the track Six? I think it is well when that happens.

For the ocuple of paragraphs on Plymouth how about:-

"Plymouth is a historic city dating back to Saxon times. One of the most famous and significant elements of its history was in 1588 when Sir Francis Drake famously defeated the Spanish Armada. Popular legend has it that Drake played bowls on Plymouth Hoe and declined to sail to meet the Armada as the tide was against them and he was proved to be correct.

In 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from the Mayflower steps to found America and more recently in 1831 Darwin left the UK from Plymouth on his earth changing visit to the Galapogas islands.

Due to Plymouth extensive and importan naval base and dockyards it was extensivly bombed during WW2, the famouse Bombed out church at Charles Cross remains a poignant reminder to the Blitz. Much of modern Plymouth remains architetually plain due to this, however the historic Barbican has many intersting building dating back to Elizebethan times."

Spelling aside any use?

I think I remember hearing somewhere that Plymouth was the second most-bombed city in England after London.

I'm an A303 man myself - I find it slightly more challenging driving, I never was much of a one for long-haul motorway journeys, I always find myself struggling to concentrate...

Indeed I do understand that, however I like to listen to music *LOUD* and headbang when driving. I find this easier on the motorway where you just have to point the wheel and keep you foot in the same place like!

I know what you mean, my old Citroen has controls for the stereo on the steering wheel - which I've pounded so much playing the drums on it that I've had to stop, because half the time when I do it now it makes the stereo cut out.

A confession. I've nicked Skankyrich's template and used it for an entry on Staffordshire.

A cry for help. Skankyrich - where did you get your population stats from?

In addition to my post 25 I was thinking that added on the end could be:-

"Today Plymouth is the largest city in Devon with a population of nearly 250,000 having absorbed the local towns of Plympton and Plymstock."

or something like that?

A303 every time. I don't know anyone who prefers the M5 route.

A303. And the A30, cos my Granny used to live at Fovant, which is exactly halfway between my home-town and my university town.

Don't wait for me on the history, I'm pressed for time at the moment and I really have no idea where I've archived my old stuff.

Mol

Please don't add text to the entry page or I'll end up with loads of conversations to wade through - it's far easier to just have one thread from which to update the entry

Add anything new here so I know where I'm up to - if new threads pop up I can't guarantee I'll keep up with them!

Sorry; Ferrettbadger - thats exactly what we need, and your 'Plymouth' section has been added as a blueprint for other towns. Thank you!

OK, some facts and figures based on the official 2004 definitions of Urban and Rural;

Population of devon living in -
16% Town and Fringe
66% Urban > 10K
19% Village, Hamlet & Isolated Dwellings

Area of Devon that is:
14% Town and Fringe
8% Urban > 10K
78% Village, Hamlet & Isolated Dwellings


Meaning the population per hectare in these areas is:
Town and Fringe 1.849097176
Urban > 10K 13.27091573
Village, Hamlet & Isolated Dwellings 0.379260184

Hopefully I will get England figures for comparision later on.

Population figures are 2001 census figures and if you want the actual numbers let me know.

CHawke

No worries Skankyrich anything to help.

Devon and Plymouth is a subject close to my like!

Ahem. Anyone know where I could find similar stats for Staffordshire?

I probably can generate the entire England counties when I have the full set of 2001 Ward population figures I am trying to get from my old job - at the moment I can easilly provide any South West figures.

Everything comes from Statistics.gov.uk but it is a dreadful site and you need to merge two data sets together once you have found them.

CHawke

Thanks C! to add later

Incidentally, I think the priority now is to get some more town descriptions like Ferrettbadger's. Anyone who can provide a brief couple of paragraphs to start filling out that section would find their contribution very much appreciated.

I'll be back later tonight to add C's population statistics and political material, plus anything else that's ready in the meantime

OK here are some England figure of the Rural/Urban split no densities as I have yet to source the area figures.

http://www.chawke.co.uk/pop1.htm

Is by county.

IMPORTANT, except for Devon Unitary Authorities are NOT included.

http://www.chawke.co.uk/pop2.htm

Is Unitaries by Gov regions - so if you know what unitaries you have in your "county" you can do the maths.

Sorry about the formating, a bit of a rush job - wife is wondering where I have gone to and why the pizas are not in the oven yet.

CHawke