Waltham on the Wolds

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.821129
longitude= -0.804534
official_name= Waltham on the Wolds
civil_parish= Waltham and Thorpe Arnold
population =
shire_district= Melton
shire_county = Leicestershire
region= East Midlands
constituency_westminster=
post_town= MELTON MOWBRAY
postcode_district = LE14
postcode_area= LE
dial_code= 01664
os_grid_reference= SK805255
london_distance=
static_

static_image_caption=The parish church of St Mary Magdalene

Waltham on the Wolds is a village located in the civil parish of Waltham and Thorpe Arnold, in the Melton borough of Leicestershire, England, about convert|5|mi|km|1 northeast of Melton Mowbray and convert|11|mi|km|1 south-west of Grantham on the A607 road.

Geography

The parish had a population of about 967 as of the United Kingdom Census 2001, and is the [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/41129 site] of the Waltham television transmitting station, which serves most of the East Midlands. Apart from the main village, the parish also includes the village of Thorpe Arnold, which is just to the northeast of Melton. To the southeast is Stonesby, which is nearer to the 1033ft transmitter. The village is on a ridge which has an escarpment close to the north-west that dramatically overlooks the Vale of Belvoir.

History

One of the earliest mentions of this place is in the Domesday book where it is listed amongst the lands given to Hugh de Grandmesnil"Domesday Book: A Complete Transliteration". London: Penguin, 2003. p. 653 ISBN 0-14-143994-7] by the King. There was 100 acres of meadow and land for 11 ploughs. It was valued at six pounds.

The village had a railway station one mile north of the village which opened in 1883 as a branch line from Scalford, but was only used sparingly for special occasions such as events at Croxton Park. The line, owned by GNR, was used mainly for nearby iron ore works near Knipton, and the line's remains are still visible.

Waltham Centre

Waltham-on-the-Wolds is also known for its connection with Masterfoods UK, and the much-advertised [http://www.waltham.com Waltham Centre] for Pet Nutrition. Not everyone [http://www.buav.org/pdf/H1PetFood.pdf agrees] with what they do, although it is mainly research into effect of diet on cats, dogs and [http://www.spillers-feeds.com/en-gb/united-kingdom/header-bottom/nutrition-area/the-science-behind-spillers/waltham horses] (for Spillers).

Amenities

The parish [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/33231 church] is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. On February 27 2008, the church's spire was badly damaged by the 2008 Lincolnshire earthquake, and the top 30ft of the spire will have to be completely rebuilt at a cost of around £100,000. Village pubs are the " [http://www.everards.co.uk/pubs/marquis_of_granby_88/ Marquis of Granby] " on "High Street" and the "Royal Horseshoes" on "Melton Road". There is a small village shop with a post office, a delicatessen, and a [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/697001 primary school] .

References

External links

* [http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/walthamonthewolds Leicestershire Villages]
* [http://www.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/walthamthorpearnold Parish Council]
* [http://www.waltham.leics.sch.uk Primary school]
* [http://saveourspire.org.uk Church spire appeal]
* [http://www.meltonmowbray.steamrailways.com/Scalford.htm Former railway station]
* [http://wikimapia.org/9595098/Waltham-on-the-Wolds Wikimapia]