Market Weighton
Coordinates: 53°51′51″N 0°39′45″W / 53.8642°N 0.6624°W
| Market Weighton | |
 All Saints Church |
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 Arms of Market Weighton Town Council |
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 Market Weighton
Market Weighton shown within the East Riding of Yorkshire |
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| Population | 5,212 (2001 census)[1] |
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| OS grid reference | SE879417 |
| Civil parish | Market Weighton |
| Unitary authority | East Riding of Yorkshire |
| Ceremonial county | East Riding of Yorkshire |
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | YORK |
| Postcode district | YO43 |
| Dialling code | 01430 |
| Police | Humberside |
| Fire | Humberside |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament | East Yorkshire |
| List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire | |
Market Weighton is a small town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is one of the main market towns in the East Yorkshire Wolds and lies midway between Hull and York, about 20 miles (32 km) from either one. According to the 2001 UK census, Market Weighton parish had a population of 5,212.[1]
Historically it is listed in the Domesday Book as "Wicstun" and was granted its charter to become a market town in 1251. Notable architecture includes: a parish church, parts of which are Norman, the Londesborough Arms (an 18th century coaching inn), a Wesleyan chapel, a Methodist chapel and a high street still recognisable from the 1800s. Other sights of interest include the post office, the duck pond and Station Farm. Market Weighton history includes William Bradley, the Yorkshire Giant who at the age of 20 was seven feet and nine inches tall. Another resident was Peg Fyfe, a local witch, who reputedly skinned a young local resident alive in the 1660s and was later hanged for the crime, but swallowed a spoon to save herself only to be "finished off" by two passing knights.[citation needed]
In May of each year local residents take to the streets of Market Weighton for the Giant Bradley Day festival in a celebration of the life and times of William Bradley.
Industry in the town is largely based around agriculture. The town is known geologically for having given its name to the Market Weighton Axis.
The Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, a long distance footpath, passes through the town.
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[edit] Governance
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This section requires expansion. |
Market Weighton has a town council, which operates under the East Riding of Yorkshire County Council.
[edit] Transport
The town used to be a route centre for connecting the major cities of York and Hull, and had a railway station at the junction of the lines from Selby to Driffield and York to Beverley, but the last train ran in 1965.[2] The abandoned lines north of the town are used as scenic walks, cycle routes and nature reserves. Bus service X46, provided by East Yorkshire Motor Services, links the town with Beverley, Hull, Pocklington and York.
The three-mile £5.1 million A1079 bypass opened in March 1991.
The Minsters Rail Campaign is campaigning to re-open the railway line between Beverley and York (with stops at Stamford Bridge, Pocklington and Market Weighton). The re-opened railway would skirt the edge of the town as the former alignment has since been developed.[3]
[edit] Noted people from Market Weighton
- William Bradley (1787–1820), tallest ever Briton
- Frank Mitchell (1872–1935), cricketer[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "2001 Census: Key Statistics: Parish Headcounts: Area: Market Weighton CP (Parish)". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=791000&c=Market+Weighton&d=16&e=15&g=391464&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1211193324251&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ Butt, R. V. J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations: details every public and private passenger station, halt, platform and stopping place, past and present (1st ed.). Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-8526-0508-1. OCLC 60251199.
- ^ http://www.minstersrail.net/marketweighton.html
- ^ Frank Mitchell's obituary in the 1936 Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
- Gazetteer — A–Z of Towns Villages and Hamlets. East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 2006. p. 8.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Market Weighton |
- Market Weighton Homepage
- Market Weighton Community Website
- The Market Weighton Reference Website
- Information about William Bradley and Giant Bradley Day
- Market Weighton United AFC
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