Epworth, Lincolnshire

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This article is about the English parish and town. For other uses, see Epworth (disambiguation).
Coordinates: 53°31′00″N 0°49′00″W / 53.5167°N 0.8167°W / 53.5167; -0.8167
Epworth
Epworth

 Epworth shown within Lincolnshire
Population 3,734 (Parish)
OS grid reference SE7803
    - London 150 mi (240 km)  SSE
Unitary authority North Lincolnshire
Ceremonial county Lincolnshire
Region Yorkshire and the Humber
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town DONCASTER
Postcode district DN9
Dialling code 01427
Police Humberside
Fire Humberside
Ambulance East Midlands
EU Parliament Yorkshire and the Humber
List of places
UK
England
Lincolnshire

Epworth is a small town and civil parish in the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire, England.[1] The town lies on the A161, about halfway between Goole and Gainsborough. As the birthplace of John Wesley and Charles Wesley, it has given its name to many institutions associated with Methodism. Their father, Samuel Wesley, was the rector from 1695 to 1735.

History

Epworth, is situated in the Isle of Axholme. The Isle is so called because, until it was drained by the Dutch engineer Sir Cornelius Vermuyden (1627–1629), it was an inland island surrounded by rivers. A grant of the commons to the freeholders and other tenants, made by deed in 1360 by John de Mowbray, Lord of the Manor, gave privileges and freedoms. The deed caused repercussions in the reign of King Charles I when Vermuyden was given the task of draining the Isle. His work was an outstanding piece of irrigation engineering.

There has been extensive drainage since, which, together with periodic warping (intentional flooding to deposit silt and enrich the land), has made this an exceptionally fertile area.[citation needed]

The Isle of Axholme was originally the eight parishes of Althorpe, Belton, Crowle, Epworth, Haxey, Luddington, Owston and Wroot.[2]

The Axholme Joint Railway served Epworth; it is now closed.

Landmarks

Saint Andrew's Parish Church
Tower of St Andrew's Church
The Old Rectory, a Queen Anne style building, rebuilt after the fire of 1709, has been completely restored and is now the property of the World Methodist Council. It is maintained as a museum. It is also the site of supposed paranormal events that occurred there in 1716, while the Wesley family was living in the house.[3][4]

Epworth's parish church is dedicated to Saint Andrew, located on a hill overlooking the town. Its architecture suggests that its oldest part may have been built in the late 12th century with later additions in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is probable that a church stood on the site earlier than that.[citation needed]

As Epworth is said to be the 'Home of Methodism' there is a grand Methodist Church in the centre of the town. This was built in 1888 (opened for worship in 1889) and continues to be a busy hub in the centre of the community. The church (along with the town as a whole) attracts hundreds of visitors from around the world each year tracing the history of the Methodist movement.

An example of the Dutch influence on local architecture can be seen in the building now used as the Post Office, situated in the High Street.[citation needed]

Events

Epworth Show Logo

Epworth Show

The Epworth Show has been held for over 60 years, and takes place on the August Bank Holiday Monday.

The show was first held before the Second World War on Battle Green, later moving to Scawcett Lane. Today it is held at Wroot Road – the site has been enlarged and extra facilities added – where a number of other community events are held.[citation needed]

Originally the show catered only for the local area. Over the years it has grown, and whilst still having an agricultural aspect – with cattle, sheep, goats, shire horses and vintage tractors – it provides entertainment and activities including show jumping, mountain & moorland ponies, trade stands, vintage vehicles, a beer tent, children's entertainment and a dog show.[citation needed]

Epworth Show has links with the three Epworth churches which come together for a prior Sunday evening service, and on show day share an information tent.

The Show is run by the Epworth and District Agricultural Society, a charitable organisation. Its committee comprises community and honorary members, and patrons. Other activities run by the society between May and September include four horse & pony events, and an August Bank Holiday weekend Beer Festival with live bands.[citation needed]

Festival of the Plough

Epworth has hosted the Epworth Festival of the Plough agricultural fair for a number of years.[citation needed]

Notable people

Beside John and Charles Wesley, other notable people associated with Epworth are:

References

Notes
  1. ↑ OS Explorer Map 280: Isle of Axholme, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough: (1:25 000)  : ISBN 0 319 46432 6
  2. ↑ Epworth Equestrian
  3. ↑ Crain 2009, p. 109
  4. ↑ Hall, Trevor H. (1965). New Light on Old Ghosts. Gerald Duckworth. pp. 14–25. ISBN 0715602314. 
  5. ↑ John de Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray, 3rd par.; as seen July 15, 2013, 9.55pm CET-Summer.
  6. ↑ Alexander, Don (2007). What made the Steel city. ISBN 1901587681
  7. ↑ Temperton, Carrie (1999). Life of Sheridan Smith - Best Friends Forever. Gerald Duckworth. pp. 14–25. 
Bibliography
  • Crain, Mary Beth (2009), Haunted Christmas: Yuletide Ghosts and Other Spooky Holiday Happenings, Globe Pequot, ISBN 0762752750 

External links

Ceremonial county of Lincolnshire
England Portal
Unitary authorities
Boroughs or districts
Major settlements
Topics
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