Wolsingham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wolsingham is a small market town in Weardale,County Durham, in England. It is situated by the River Wear, between Crook and Stanhope.
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 the Monk’s Life of Godric where it is stated that the Saint lived there for almost 2 years about 1120 AD with Elric the hermit .
According to the Domesday Book of Durham, Wolsingham was 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.
It is traditionally reported that Edward III on return from an expedition against the Scots 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. 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, drapers, weaving materials and clothes were always in demand. Drapers from Yorkshire and Newcastle frequented the market, as did hatters from Hexham. Barnard Castle spice and gingerbread was also evident. Unfortunately, despite revival attempts , the market has long ceased to exist.
There is also, in Wolsingham, 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 strong Roman Catholic Church and Convent in the town, along with large Church of England, Baptist, and Methodist denominations congregating.
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
There are many historic buildings within the town, some dating back well over 200 years.
Wolsingham Agricultural Society holds its annual 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.
