Belton-in-Rutland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Belton-in-Rutland is a village in the county of Rutland in the East Midlands of England. It is located about six miles south-west of Oakham and about four miles west of Uppingham and overlooks the A47. In 2001 it had a population of 323.
Belton was renamed Belton-in-Rutland in 1982 to distinguish the village from Belton in Leicestershire.
Belton is part of Braunston & Belton ward which has one councillor on Rutland County Council.
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Belton In Rutland History
Village History In 1776 a terrible fire swept through the village destroying twenty seven houses, it has been said that the flames even managed to reach the church, as evidenced by the red marks on the stone pillars. A servant girl throwing out hot ashes at what is now ' Ivydene' was thought to have started the fire. A few cottages which remain today at Littleworth are said to be those saved from the fire, hence the name.
In 1942, a Dornier 217 dropped four large bombs straddling Chapel Lane, damaging a few houses, and 'The Black Horse' in particular, burying a pig into the bargain. Fortunately no one was hurt. The bomber shot down a Spitfire pursuing him and returned to cannon the streets.
On Mayday the children of the village would go to school at 8:30a.m.and then go on the church for a short service. Afterwards they would go to the Vicarage and Union Jacks would be handed out, then proceeding round the village collecting money and then on to Allexton and Wardley. The children would sing may songs as they went.
Belton was a self-sufficient community as there was no main landowner, but composed of a number of farms and their workers. There were two bake houses of Messrs Clarke and Bond, the last closing in about 1950; Johnny Webb was the last blacksmith in the 1920's and his shop had been next to the pinfold, the 'smithy' finally moved over the road opposite. The pond next to the pinfold, now filled in, was affectionately known as the 'Old Weir'. Cotton End Cottages next to the Chapel, as the name implies was where, a number of dressmakers lived and worked.
Two inns, 'The Lamb' closed before 1880 and 'The Black Horse' some four years ago. It is said that an old workhouse existed in the 19th Century in the building ( now a garage) next to 5 Main Street, and it is told that a windmill existed on Mill Close, but there are know details known.
The 16th and 17th Century farmhouses and the Old Hall suggest Belton was once a prosperous place, as it controlled the Wardley Hill entry to Rutland. In 1332 it had a three day fair, and, after all Charles the 1st is supposed to have rested on the King Stone following his defeat at Naseby.
See the grotesque gargoyles outside St Peters on the hill, at the many other fine features in this remarkable church. There are pleasant walks across the fields to Lambley Lodge, College Farm and Leighfield Lodge. Once some of these lodges were hunting bases.
