Wroughton
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Wroughton is a large village in Wiltshire in the South West England region of the UK. It is part of the Borough of Swindon and is situated some 7 km (4 miles) southeast of Swindon. The older name for the village is Ellendune (Ellendun). In the 2001 census the village had a population of 7,047.[1]
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[edit] History
The earliest evidence of human presence in the area is from the Mesolithic period,[2] although this is fairly limited. More significant evidence of settlement and occupation in the area is available for the Neolithic period, most notably due to the extensive ritual complex at Avebury (10km to the south) and scattered finds in the locality. The earliest archaeological evidence from within Wroughton dates from the Roman period (AD 43-410), showing a period of intensive settlement and farming in the area. Occupation of the area continued into the early Middle Ages (AD 410-1066) when two battles are understood to have taken place in the area: Breahburh (AD 567), thought to have been fought by Ceawlin of Wessex on the slopes of Barbury Hill, and Ellandun(AD 825) at Elcombe Hall.[2] Burial sites in the vicinity are believed to be associated with these battles.
Until the 19th century it was nothing but a mere country village. Wroughton is most prominent for its connection to The Ridgeway (which its secondary school is named after), a National Trail which is often related to the ancient Uffington White Horse.
In 1874, the village celebrated for two days after the horse George Frederick which was stabled in the High Street, won the Epsom Derby.[3] The horse and its trainer, Tom Leader, who was born in Wroughton, were escorted from Swindon railway station by a brass band and received in the village which had declared all of its pubs to be open houses and provided free beer for the occasion.[4]
[edit] Wroughton Feast
During the period of 1855-1930, Wroughton was home to the annual Feast. This was a week long summer fair attended by local farmers and residents from North Wiltshire taking place during the school holidays.
It featured amongst other events "A Programme of Horse, Pony, Donkey and Foot racing. Climbing the greasy pole..."[4] The prize for the latter being a leg of mutton attached to the end of the pole.
The rear of the Three Tuns public house was the congregation point for this and all local fairs of the time, to the extent that a grandstand was built in the field.[4]
The Chief Event of the Feast was the "Champion Gip Fight",[4] a bare-knuckle boxing competition between Gypsy clans.
Frederick Large, in his book A Swindon Retrospect 1855-1930 comments -
"AT Wroughton Feast, an annual festivity that lasted a whole week, it was the custom for many years for "the champion gip" to fight the best man who could be produced, for a purse of gold. The venue was the paddock at the back of the Three Tuns tavern, where the usual paraphernalia of fairs used to congregate in full force. The Feast always took place in the summer at a time which included a week of our school holidays. I was not more than seven or eight years of age when, without my parents' consent, I wandered over to Wroughton ... This annual event always commenced on a Sunday evening by friends and neighbours from Swindon, Wroughton and neighbouring villages congregating at the Three Tuns, where, crowded inside and out, large quantities of beer and spirits were consumed. A miniature grand stand was erected for Feast Week in an orchard adjoining the paddock, upon which many of the elite of the neighbourhood, both ladies and gentlemen, occupied seats, and indulged freely in choice fruits and refreshments."[5]
Over the years, the Feast was gradually toned down and became a village tea party before being abandoned as an annual event.
[edit] Trivia
Wroughton is sometimes claimed to be the largest village in England.
Wroughton was home to RAF Wroughton which closed in the early 1990s. The site is now used by the National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) as a storage site that occasionally opens to the public.
Wroughton has an annual carnival.
The Ellendune Centre is used as a sports and entertainment venue. A number of amateur entertainment and drama groups meet and perform there.
[edit] Attractions
- Wroughton Parish Church
- The Weir field
- The Ellendune Centre
- Wroughton Leisure Centre
- National Museum of Science and Industry
The 'Wroughton Fryer' is an excellent fish and chip shop and the cornerstone of village life. People have been known to travel from Las Vegas just for a proper takeaway! Bombay Spice is also worth a mention, with an equally far-flung clientele.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Wroughton Census Information. Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire County Council. Retrieved on 2006-12-19.
- ^ a b National Museum of Science and Industry (2005). Site History (PDF). NMSI Wroughton - Environmental Statement. Ove Arup & Partners Ltd. Retrieved on 2006-12-19.
- ^ Mathias, Shirley (2003). Fledgling flats with a pedigree. Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved on 2006-12-19.
- ^ a b c d Large, Frederick (1970). A Swindon Retrospect 1855-1930, Fourth Edition, United Kingdom: S.R. Publishers. ISBN 0-85409-592-6.
- ^ Frederick Large (1931). A Swindon Retrospect 1855-1930 (extract). localhistory.co.uk. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
