Market Weighton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Historically it is listed in the Doomsday 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. 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.
Three years ago, the Horse Triangle was "destroyed" by the pulling down of its apex, the Black Horse Inn. The other two points in the triangle were the Bay Horse Inn and the Tack Shop. The history of the Horse Triangle is a complicated matter, too complicated to go into depth here. However, the original Horse Triangle comprised the Tack Shop, Lloyd's Bank and the Bay Horse Inn. The Black Horse Inn merely acted as the base of an imaginary starting post but still ultimately became an integral part of it. In typical Market Weighton fashion, this triangle had four corners.
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.
[edit] Transport
The town used to have a railway line from Selby to Bridlington, and one from Hull to York, but these closed in 1964. 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.
