Market Weighton
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| Market Weighton | |
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  Market Weighton shown within the East Riding of Yorkshire |
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| Population | 5,212 (2001 census)[1] |
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| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Market Weighton |
| Unitary authority | East Riding of Yorkshire |
| Ceremonial county | East Riding of Yorkshire |
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | YORK |
| Postcode district | YO43 |
| Dialling code | 01430 |
| Police | Humberside |
| Fire | Humberside |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| European Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament | East Yorkshire |
| List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire | |
Market Weighton is a small town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is one of the main market towns in the East Yorkshire Wolds and lies midway between Hull and York, about 20 miles from either one. According to the 2001 UK census, Market Weighton parish had a population of 5,212.[1]
Historically it is listed in the Domesday Book as "Wicstun" and was granted its charter to become a market town in 1251. Architecturally the town boasts: a parish church, parts of which are Norman, the Londesborough Arms an 18th century coaching inn, a Wesleyan chapel, a Methodist chapel and a high street still recognisable from the 1800s. Other sights of interest include the Post Office (delightful architecture), the duck pond, and Station Farm. Market Weighton has a bright and colourful history, largely based around William Bradley the Yorkshire Giant. However, it's other notable residents include Peg Fyfe, the local witch, who reputedly skinned a young local resident alive in the 1660s and was later hanged for the crime but swallowed a spoon to save herself only to be "finished off" by two passing knights.
Tourists are made very welcome in Market Weighton. Every year in May people take to the streets of Market Weighton for the Giant Bradley Day festival in a celebration of the life and times of William Bradley. There is also now a new (spring 2005) Giant Bradley town trail, with footprints the exact same as Bradley's, taking you all around the town and showing you all the old and meaningful buildings that many have forgotten or don't know about. It was organised by the Market Weighton Civic Society. There is a free trail book for anyone who would like to follow it.
Industry in the town is largely based around agriculture. The town is known geologically for having given its name to the Market Weighton Axis.
The construction of large housing estates to the south of the town centre was the cause of much debate. Town councillors decided to honour a former councillor by naming a street after him. However, the timing of this dedication was unfortunate, as the street was named Shipman Road
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[edit] Governance
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
Market Weighton as a town council.
[edit] Noted people from Market Weighton
- William Bradley (1787–1820), tallest ever Briton
- Frank Mitchell (1872–1935), cricketeer
[edit] Transport
The town used to have a railway station at the junction of the lines from Selby to Driffield, and York to Beverley, but the last train ran in 1965. The abandoned lines north of the town are used as scenic walks, comprising nature reserves and the like.
The three-mile £5.1m A1079 bypass opened in March 1991.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b 2001 Census: Key Statistics: Parish Headcounts: Area: Market Weighton CP (Parish). Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
[edit] External links
- Market Weighton Homepage
- Market Weighton Community Website
- The Market Weighton Reference Website
- Information about William Bradley and Giant Bradley Day
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