Wetwang | |
Wetwang
Wetwang shown within the East Riding of Yorkshire |
|
Population | 672 (2001 census)[1] |
---|---|
OS grid reference | SE932590 |
Parish | Wetwang |
Unitary authority | East Riding of Yorkshire |
Ceremonial county | East Riding of Yorkshire |
Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | DRIFFIELD |
Postcode district | YO25 |
Dialling code | 01377 |
Police | Humberside |
Fire | Humberside |
Ambulance | Yorkshire |
EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
UK Parliament | East Yorkshire |
List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire |
Wetwang is a Yorkshire Wolds village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Driffield on the A166 road.
According to the 2001 UK census, Wetwang parish had a population of 672.[1] St Nicholas's Church, Wetwang is a church of Norman origin which was restored by both Baronets between 1845 and 1902. It is on the Sykes Churches Trail devised by the East Yorkshire Churches Group.
It is known for its Iron Age chariot burial cemetery and its black swans.[2][3]
It is recorded in the Domesday Book as Wetuuangha. There are two interpretations of this. One is that it probably comes from the Old Norse vaett-vangr, 'field for the trial of a legal action'. Another theory is that it was the "Wet Field" compared to the nearby dry field at Driffield.
It has been hypothesised that the unlocated Romano-British town of Delgovicia is located at Wetwang.[4]
Until 1950, the village was served by Wetwang railway station, on the Malton to Driffield line, but this line has now closed.[5] The village is now served by an infrequent East Yorkshire Motor Services bus.
Its name (defined in The Meaning of Liff as meaning "a moist penis"[6]) often attracts mirth, even coming from Richard Whiteley of the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown; he held the honorary title Mayor of Wetwang from 1998 until his death in 2005.[7] On 25 June 2006, local weather forecaster Paul Hudson from BBC Look North was invested as Whiteley's successor to the position.[8]
Year | Mayor |
---|---|
1998–2005 | Richard Whiteley |
2006– | Paul Hudson |