Oundle
| Oundle | |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,674 (2006 estimate) |
| OS grid reference | TL038880 |
| • London | 80 miles (129 km) |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Peterborough |
| Postcode district | PE8 |
| Dialling code | 01832 |
| Police | Northamptonshire |
| Fire | Northamptonshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
Oundle (Template:PronEng) is an ancient market town on the River Nene in Northamptonshire, England, with a population of 5,345 (2001 census) or 5,674 (2006 estimate)[1]. It is 80 miles (129 km) north of London and 12 miles (19.3 km) south-west of Peterborough. The nearest railway station is Corby railway station.
History
Inhabited since the Iron Age, Oundle was originally a trading place and market for local farmers and craftsmen. As the area became prosperous, wealthy traders set up shops and houses, and guilds were formed. Unlike other settlements in the vicinity, Oundle was unaffected by Black Death in the mid-14th century.[citation needed]
Buildings
Among the oldest buildings is the Talbot Inn. This was constructed of timber; it was rebuilt with stone from the ruins of nearby Fotheringhay Castle. Other public houses include The Rose & Crown, The Ship Inn (a 14th century coaching inn)[citation needed], The Angel, The George and The Riverside, which is currently derelict.
There are a number of churches. By far the most prominent – with the largest steeple in the area – is St Peter's parish church which occupies the main churchyard. There are also Methodist, Baptist and Roman Catholic churches. However, the Baptist church does not have its own building and holds services on Sunday mornings in Prince William School.
Other major buildings include the Stahl Theatre, a primary school, and Oundle School buildings which are sometimes open to the public. These include a full-length swimming pool and the Great Hall.
A farmers' market is held in the Market Place on the second Saturday of every month.
There is also a park with swings and climbing frames, as well as a skatepark built in 2005.
A fair annually attracts many locals.
Oundle is home to two of the three factories producing Fairline Boats, the third being in Weldon, near Corby. The original factory is at Barnwell Road in Oundle and the newer at the Nene Valley site.
Schools
The town has a primary school and a middle school which joined Kings Cliffe in 1992.[citation needed]. It is also home to the comprehensive school, Prince William School as well as a public school - Oundle School, each of which have a thousand students.
Festivals
The Oundle International Festival (OIF) is a music festival and pipe organ school. OIF was founded in 1985, with the training of young organists as its core. The summer schools are centred on an organ, built by Frobenius of Denmark and installed in Oundle School Chapel. A concurrent festival programme for the public was also planned as a recurrent feature.
Close by in Ashton, the world conker championships take place on the second Sunday of October. The championship started in 1965.
Oundle also hosts an annual literary festival; the Oundle Festival of Literature.
Returning last year Oundle held a Carnival on the 25th June.
References
- ^ "Statistics - East Northamptonshire Population Figures". Retrieved 2009-03-23.