| Retford | |
  Retford shown within Nottinghamshire |
|
| Population | 21,314 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Bassetlaw |
| Shire county | Nottinghamshire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | RETFORD |
| Postcode district | DN22 |
| Dialling code | 01777 |
| Police | Nottinghamshire |
| Fire | Nottinghamshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| European Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Newark |
| List of places: UK • England • Nottinghamshire | |
Retford is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands of England, located 31 miles from the county town of Nottingham, in the district of Bassetlaw. Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government Bassetlaw is the northernmost district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population according to the 2001 UK census of 107713 Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties are one of the four levels of Subdivisions of England used for the purposes of Local government outside Greater London Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire The region, also known as the government office region, is currently the highest tier of local government sub-national entity of England, with only one The East Midlands is one of the Regions of England and consists of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged gives an overview of States around the world with information on the extent of their Sovereignty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A post town is a required part of all postal addresses in the United Kingdom, and a basic unit of the postal delivery system UK Postal codes are known as postcodes. UK postcodes are Alphanumeric. The DN postcode area, also known as the Doncaster postcode area, is a group of postal districts around Barnetby, Barrow upon Humber, Barton-upon-Humber The UK Telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, is the system used for assigning Telephone numbers in the United There are a number of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom. Nottinghamshire Police is the Home Office police force responsible for policing the Shire county of Nottinghamshire and the Unitary authority The fire service in the United Kingdom operates under separate legislative and administrative arrangements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service covering Nottinghamshire (including the Unitary authority of Nottingham The East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS is the NHS ambulance service serving the East Midlands region of England. East Midlands is a constituency of the European Parliament. It currently elects 6 MEPs using the D'Hondt method of Party-list proportional This is a list of the 646 constituencies currently represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as at the 2005 general election Newark is a Constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. A Gazetteer of place names in the United Kingdom showing each place's County, Unitary authority or council area and its geographical coordinates List of places --> List of cities in the United Kingdom List of towns in England Lists of places This is a list of settlements in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Market town or market right is a legal term originating in the Medieval period for a European settlement that has the right to hold Markets Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire The East Midlands is one of the Regions of England and consists of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A county town is the 'capital' of a County in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. Nottingham ( is a city in the Ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. Bassetlaw is the northernmost district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population according to the 2001 UK census of 107713 The town is situated in a valley with the River Idle running through the centre of the town. In Geology, a valley (also called a vale, dale, glen or strath and near or in Appalachia, a draw) is The River Idle is a River in Nottinghamshire, England. Its source is the confluence of the River Maun and River Meden, near
Contents |
History
Retford gained its first charter in 1246, when Henry III granted the right for a fair, this was later extended to holding a Saturday Market by Edward I in 1275. Henry III (1 October 1207 &ndash 16 November 1272 was the son and successor of John "Lackland" as King of England, reigning for fifty-six years from 1216 Edward I (17 June 1239 – 7 July 1307 popularly known as Longshanks, was a King of England who achieved historical fame by conquering large parts of Wales and almost It was reformed by the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, and then remained a municipal borough until 1974 when it was merged into Bassetlaw district. The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 (5 & 6 Wm IV c76 - sometimes known as the Municipal Reform Act - required members of town councils ( Municipal corporations Municipal boroughs were a type of Local government which existed in England and Wales between 1835 and 1974 in Northern Ireland from 1840 to Its civic traditions are maintained by Charter Trustees. In England and Wales, Charter Trustees are set up to maintain the continuity of a Town charter or City charter after a district with the status
The origins of its name are unknown and have been subject to much debate, but consensus seems to conclude that it gets its name from an ancient ford crossing the River Idle. The River Idle is a River in Nottinghamshire, England. Its source is the confluence of the River Maun and River Meden, near It was originally named Redforde because the river water was tinged red due to the red clay river bed and frequent crossing of people and livestock disturbing the clay river bed. [1] The first land settled was on the western side of the ford – this area being less liable to flooding – but as the community grew it spread to occupy land on the other bank of the river, and it was this eastern part of the town that eventually became more important; hence Retford's alternative (and, for administrative purposes, still official) name of East Retford. The highly unusual coat of arms for the town consists of two rampant choughs. Chough is the Genus Pyrrhocorax of Birds in the Corvidae ( Crow) family.
Retford was largely destroyed by a fire in 1528, but prospered after the Great North Road was diverted to run through the town in 1766 and the Chesterfield Canal (1777) and the direct London to York railway (1849) were both routed via the borough. The Chesterfield Canal is in the north of England. It was opened in 1777 and ran 46 miles (74 km from the River Trent at West Stockwith, The East Coast Main Line ( ECML) is the electrified high-speed railway link between London and Edinburgh connecting Yorkshire, North East The Great North Road was bypassed around the town in 1961 and part of the route through the town is now a pedestrian precinct.
The Pilgrim Fathers, a name commonly applied to early settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts originated from villages of Babworth and Scrooby on the outskirts of East Retford between 1586 and 1605. Pilgrims, or Pilgrim Fathers (or Pilgrim Mothers) is a name commonly applied to the early settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Plymouth Babworth is a village and Civil parish in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England about 1½ miles west of East Retford. Scrooby is a small Village, on the River Ryton and near Bawtry, in the northern part of the English county of Nottinghamshire
On June 27, 2007, a few low lying parts of the town were affected by the 2007 United Kingdom floods. The 2007 United Kingdom floods were a series of destructive floods that occurred in various areas across the country during the summer of 2007 The majority of Kings Park was flooded under three feet of water. The ASDA and Morrisons supermarkets were also flooded. Asda is a United Kingdom Supermarket chain which retails food clothing and general merchandise Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC ( is the fourth largest chain of Supermarkets in the United Kingdom. [2][3]
Landmarks
In the Market Square there is an ornate French-inspired Victorian Town Hall, in front of which is The Broad Stone. Legend says that this stone had a hollow in it that used to be filled with vinegar during plague times to disinfect coins. However, it is thought to be the upturned base of a boundary marker - perhaps the 'Dominie Cross'.
Also in the Market Square is the war memorial unveiled by Sir Frederick Milner in 1921. The memorial is in the form of an Eleanor cross an octagonal structure of late gothic design. The names of the men killed in the 1914 - 1918 war are on the lower 8 panels and on bronze plaques are the names of those who were killed in the 1939 -1945 war.
The monument was designed by architect Leonard W. Barnard F. R. I. B. A. of Cheltenham. The memorial is constructed of Stancliffe Stone from Darley Dale, Derbyshire. [1] [www. restorethememorial. co. uk]
Just across from the Market Square is Cannon Square which has St Swithun's Church and a cannon captured from the Russians during the Siege of Sevastopol at the end of the Crimean War in 1855. The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War (Восточная война Vostochnaya Vojna) (March 1854–February 1856 was fought Victoria Crosses are made from the metal taken from cannon captured during this battle.
Nikolaus Pevsner, architectural historian, is fairly scathing about Retford and its lack of distinguished buildings. Sir Nikolaus Bernhard Leon Pevsner, CBE, ( January 30, 1902 &ndash August 18, 1983) was a German-born British scholar of "A singularly unattractive town," he wrote. [4]
Transport
- See also: Retford railway station
Retford is bypassed by the A1 trunk road and the A57 which links Retford to a number of major towns and cities. Retford railway station serves the town of Retford in Nottinghamshire, England. The A57 is a major road in England. It runs east from Liverpool to Lincoln, via Warrington and Manchester, then through the Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield is also within driving distance up the A638 towards Doncaster. Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield is an international Airport located at the former RAF Finningley airbase in Finningley, South Yorkshire The A638 is a main road in England that runs between Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire. Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire, England and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster.
Retford is served by two railway lines, the East Coast Main Line which runs between London and Edinburgh and the Sheffield to Lincoln Line which has links to Sheffield, Lincoln, Worksop, Grimsby and Cleethorpes. The East Coast Main Line ( ECML) is the electrified high-speed railway link between London and Edinburgh connecting Yorkshire, North East London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Sheffield-Lincoln Sheffield Midland Darnall Woodhouse Kiveton Bridge Sheffield ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. Worksop is a town in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England on the River Ryton at the northern edge of Sherwood Forest Grimsby (or archaically Great Grimsby) is a Seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. Cleethorpes is a town and Unparished area in North East Lincolnshire, England, situated on the Estuary of the River Humber.
The town is also served by a number of buses operated by Stagecoach in Bassetlaw, Stagecoach in Lincolnshire, Veolia Transport as well as smaller local bus operators, to destinations including Worksop, Newark, Robin Hood Airport and Bawtry. Stagecoach Group plc ( is a leading international transport group operating Bus, Train, Tram, express coach and Ferry operations Stagecoach Lincolnshire is a bus company formerly known as Lincolnshire RoadCar, which runs services throughout Lincolnshire. Veolia Transportation (formerly Connex) is the international transport services division of the French -based multinational company Veolia Environnement Bawtry is a small market town which lies at the point where the Great North Road crosses the River Idle in South Yorkshire, England. Retford is also the terminus of the 450 National Express coach service between Victoria Coach Station in London and Retford. National Express Group plc ( is a UK -based Transport group with headquarters in London that operates Bus, coach, rail Victoria Coach Station is the largest and most significant coach station in London, and is operated by Victoria Coach Station Ltd
Retford is connected to the UK Inland Waterways network by the Chesterfield Canal. The Chesterfield Canal is in the north of England. It was opened in 1777 and ran 46 miles (74 km from the River Trent at West Stockwith, Indeed, up to Retford, the canal is accessible by broad-beam boats rather than the more usual narrowboats, Retford Town Lock being the first narrow lock on the canal from its junction with the River Trent at West Stockwith. A narrowboat or narrow boat is a Boat of a distinctive design made to fit the narrow Canals of England and Wales. The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire between Biddulph and Biddulph Moor. West Stockwith is a village within the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England.
Sport
Retford has an established football team called Retford United F.C. which plays at Cannon Park on the outskirts of Retford. Retford United Football Club (also known as the Badgers are an English football club based at Cannon Park in Retford, Nottinghamshire. Retford is also home to Retford Town F. C. , a smaller football club, and East Retford R. U. F. C. , who play Rugby Union. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short
Retford also host one of the up-and-coming UK Judo Clubs, Retford Judo Club [2]
Leisure and Entertainment
Retford is home to the Bassetlaw Museum, which was created in 1983 and has a number of collections donated by people in the local area.
Retford has two theatres in the town. The Majestic Theatre, which hosts famous entertainers, music concerts from local performers and plays, and was a former cinema. Retford Little Theatre is a smaller theatre which hosts the Retford Little Theatre amateur drama group.
Retford also features a skate park within the grounds of Kings Park in the centre of Retford. A skatepark is a purpose-built Recreational environment for Skateboarders to ride and develop their technique
The new Retford Leisure Centre offers aquatic activities such as lane swimming, fun swims, and water aerobics; along with a state of the art gym facilities.
Media
Retford is primarily served by two local radio stations, BBC Radio Sheffield and the local commercial radio station Trax FM. Trax FM is an Independent Local Radio station that broadcasts Doncaster and Bassetlaw. Retford also has two newspapers published in the town, the Retford Times and the Guardian and Trader newspaper. The Retford Times is a weekly local newspaper founded in 1869
Retford's Senior Schools
- Elizabethan High School
- Retford Oaks
- St. Giles
As part of a major overhaul of Secondary schools in the Bassetlaw area, all schools have now been moved to new facilities built around the town as part of the Transform Schools scheme. Retford is home to a Post-16 centre which has united all Sixth Form students from each of the above schools in one site and provide other courses available through North Nottinghamshire College (based at Worksop).
Famous Retfordians
- Anthony Perrinott Lysberg Barber, Baron Barber, PC (4 July 1920 – 16 December 2005), was a British Conservative politician who served as a member of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Anthony Perrinott Lysberg Barber Baron Barber, PC (4 July 1920 &ndash 16 December 2005 was a British Conservative politician who served as a member
- Liam Lawrence, football player for Stoke City FC football club and the Republic of Ireland national football team. Liam Lawrence ( December 14, 1981 in Retford, England) is a football right winger, who currently plays for Stoke City Stoke City Football Club is a football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in international football.
- Derek Randall, cricketer who played first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and the English cricket team in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Derek William Randall (b 24 February 1951 Retford, Nottinghamshire) is a former Cricketer who played First-class cricket for Nottinghamshire Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries First-class cricket refers to the class of Cricket matches of three or more days scheduled duration between two sides of eleven players and officially adjudged first-class by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English domestic Cricket structure representing the historic county of The England cricket team is the national cricket team which represents England and Wales.
- Philip Jackson, actor best known for his role as Chief Inspector Japp in the telelvision series Agatha Christie's Poirot. Philip Jackson (born 18 June 1948, Retford) is an English Actor, Singer and Television presenter, best known Detective Chief Inspector James Japp is a Fictional character of Scotland Yard appearing in many of Agatha Christie 's novels and stories about Hercule Agatha Christie's Poirot is a British television Drama that has aired on ITV1 since 1989
- Bloody Kev (Kevin Greenham) vocalist in hardcore band Raging Speedhorn and Hard To Swallow etc. Raging Speedhorn was a British metal band founded in Corby, Northamptonshire, although now the band is spread far and wide as far as Cardiff
See also
References
- ^ Piercy, John Shadrach. Retford railway station serves the town of Retford in Nottinghamshire, England. Retford United Football Club (also known as the Badgers are an English football club based at Cannon Park in Retford, Nottinghamshire. East Retford was a Rural district in Nottinghamshire, England from 1894 to 1974 The History of Retford. 1828. cited at Derivation of the Towns Name Updated May 29, 2003, accessed June 17, 2006. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Gallery : Flooding in Notts. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV
- ^ Villagers braced for more floods. BBC News (2007-06-28). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Retrieved on 2008-05-04. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV
- ^ Nikolaus Pevsner. The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire, 1951, Penguin Books, p63. Penguin Books is a British Publisher founded in 1935 by Allen Lane.
External links
- Retford Times newspaper
- The History of Retford, written by John Shadrach Piercy published in 1828
- History of the Great North Road through Retford
- Retford Exists
- Retford Judo Club
- Elizabethan High School
- Retford Oaks High School
- Retford & District Lifesavers
- Seth Ellis Canal Trip Boat - trips along the Chesterfield Canal in Retford
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