Coordinates: 54°43′52″N 1°52′55″W / 54.731°N 1.882°W
| Wolsingham | |
.png)  Wolsingham
 Wolsingham shown within County Durham |
|
| Population | 2,061 (2001)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | County Durham |
| Ceremonial county | County Durham |
| Region | North East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BISHOP AUCKLAND |
| Postcode district | DL13 |
| Dialling code | 01388 |
| Police | Durham |
| Fire | County Durham and Darlington |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament | North West Durham |
| List of places: UK • England • County Durham | |
Wolsingham is a small market town in Weardale, County Durham, England. It is situated by the River Wear, between Crook and Stanhope.
Contents |
History
Wolsingham sits at the confluence of the River Wear and Waskerley Beck. It is a Saxon settlement and one of the first market towns in County Durham, deriving its name from Waelsingas or Sons of Wael an ancient Saxon family that once resided there. The earliest known record of the town is to be found in Reginald of Durham's Life of Godric where it is stated that the Saint lived there for almost 2 years about 1120 AD with Elric the hermit .
Wolsingham was then a thriving community, holding land by servile tenure. There were shepherds, plough-makers, beekeepers, forest keepers, wood turners, carters etc. They toiled for two purposes-producing corn and other foodstuffs for themselves and supplying the larder of the Bishop's Castle. The Bishop and his friends indulged in hawking, but hunting for red deer in the parks of Wolsingham and Stanhope was their principal pastime. The bishops' hunting forest in Weardale was the second largest in England after the New Forest.
It is traditionally reported that Edward III on returning from his unfruitful encounter with the Scots in Weardale in April 1327 rested at the Pack Horse Inn then situated in the High Street.
In 1615, a market charter was granted to the bailiff and inhabitants of Wolsingham and in 1667, the charter was confirmed with the appointment of a piece of land to hold the market and fairs. This market was of considerable importance and offered great facilities to the surrounding districts. There were several looms in the town; table linens, draperies, weaving materials and clothes were always in demand. Drapers from Yorkshire and Newcastle upon Tyne frequented the market, as did hatters from Hexham and Barnard Castle. Spices and gingerbread were also on sale.
There is a memorial to the Roman Catholic priest John Duckett, marking the spot where he was arrested before being taken to Tyburn, where he was executed in 1644. There is a Roman Catholic church and convent (now converted to housing) in the town, along with large Church of England, Baptist, and Methodist congregations.
A grammar school was established in 1614, and in 1911 a new building was opened. It is now part of a split site Comprehensive school
Modern Wolsingham
Wolsingham Agricultural Society holds its annual 230th show on the first weekend in September. It is said to be the oldest show in the country and this year recorded a record attendance of 35,000 on its first day.
Wolsingham is the current terminus of the Weardale Railway. Heritage trains are currently running on the 5 miles section of track between Stanhope, Frosterley and Wolsingham.
Trivia
Early on the morning of Saturday 26 May 2007, a van carrying oxy-acetylene welding equipment exploded in the town, killing one man and causing significant damage to local property.
The town has a children's recreation area inhabited by many ducks. It is still known locally as The Willas, which is the Anglo-Saxon word for duck-pond. Another ancient name still in use is lydgate which is Anglo-Saxon for a hanging gate.
Education
There are three schools in Wolsingham.
Wolsingham Primary School
Wolsingham Primary School is a primary school with currently over 200 pupils which are divided into classes. Foundation Stage 2 - Year 6 are located in the school. A small nursery is located in the school grounds. It includes: Disabled access, climbing frame, two playgrounds, 4 toilets, ICT room, school hall and 6 classrooms. Age rating: 5-11.
Headteacher: Mr J M Armitage
Wolsingham School & Community College
Headteacher: Mrs A Crawshaw
Wolsingham Lower School is part of Wolsingham School & Community College which has classes on two floors and a big playground. Age rating: 11-18.
Wolsingham Upper School has a number of floors. A stage is available. A swimming pool is located in the grounds called Wolsingham Swimming Pool which is currently run by the school. A sports hall is also located in the grounds. Age rating: 11-18
References
|
||||||||||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
