Wetwang

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]

Public transport

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.

Honorary Mayor

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


References

  1. ^ a b Office for National Statistics. "2001 Census: Key Statistics: Parish Headcounts: Area: Wetwang CP (Parish)". Neighbourhood Statistics. http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=791065&c=wetwang&d=16&e=15&g=391495&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779. Retrieved 4 September 2007. 
  2. ^ Loades, Mike (25 January 2005). "Wetwang: A Chariot Fit for a Queen?". History Trails Archaeology. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/archaeology/wetwang/wetwang_chariot_queen_01.shtml. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  3. ^ Thompson, Karen. "The Villages of the Yorkshire Wolds - Wetwang". Driffield Online. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_wetwang.htm. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  4. ^ Rivet, A.L.F.; Smith, Colin (1979). The Place-Names of Roman Britain. London. pp. 331–332. 
  5. ^ Butt, R. V. J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations: details every public and private passenger station, halt, platform and stopping place, past and present (1st ed.). Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-8526-0508-1. OCLC 60251199. 
  6. ^ "Wetwang" in Adams, D. and Lloyd, J. the Meaning of Liff. Pan books, 1983
  7. ^ "From Wilberforce to Mayor Whiteley". Yorkshire Post. 26 September 2007. http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/features/From-Wilberforce-to-Mayor-Whiteley.3236217.jp. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  8. ^ "Paul Hudson – Weatherman". BBC Look North. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/looknorthhull/content/articles/2006/12/30/paul_hudson_feature.shtml. Retrieved 12 February 2011. 
  • Gazetteer — A–Z of Towns Villages and Hamlets. East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 2006. p. 11.