Highworth

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Highworth
civil_parish= Highworth
unitary_england= Swindon
lieutenancy_england= Wiltshire
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= North Swindon
post_town= SWINDON
postcode_district = SN6
postcode_area= SN
dial_code= 01793

Highworth is a market town in the unitary authority of Swindon in Wiltshire, England, located about six miles north-east of Swindon town centre. At the 2001 census it had a population of 7,996. [ [http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:RCho0PS4DPgJ:www.swindon.gov.uk/copy_of_cnp_our_comm_nd_highworth.pdf+2001+census+highworth&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk 2001 census statistics] ]

Highworth is often described as the "gateway to the Cotswolds". The town is notable for its Queen Anne and Georgian buildings dating from its pre-eminence in the 18th century.

History

Highworth is mentioned in the Domesday Book as 'Wrde'. During the English Civil War, when Charles I fought against Parliament, Highworth was a royalist stronghold. From 1894 to 1974 there was a Highworth Rural District. In 2006 the town celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of the charter for its market, which is still held every Saturday.Highworth, with a population of over 2,000, was formerly larger than neighbouring Swindon. The origins and layout of Highworth are medieval, with many surviving 16th- and 17th-century features. The centre of the old town has been designated as a conservation area.

Highworth was first recorded as a post town in 1673. From 1835–39 there was a Penny Post between Highworth and Cold Harbour, a village on the Swindon to Cirencester road near Broad Blunsdon. [Siggers, Dr. John (1982) "Wiltshire and its Postmarks", p. 309, Devizes, Wiltshire: Sandcliff Press, ISBN 0 9507685 0 2] Mrs. Mabel Stranks, who was postmistress here during World War II, was a key reference point for members of the Auxiliary Units, a resistance organisation. [ "Hitler's Britain", Channel 5, 3 July 2003] A memorial plaque on the wall of the former post office records her contribution.

Notable residents

William Joscelyn Arkell, geologist and palaeontologist.

References

External links

*¹ [http://www.Highworthlink.co.uk Highworth Link]
*² [http://www.hellenicleague.co.uk/club_details/highworth.html Highworth Town F.C.]
*³ [http://www.highworthchoral.org.uk Highworth Choral Society]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/image_galleries/historic_highworth_photos_gallery1.shtml Historic Highworth photos] at [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire BBC Wiltshire]
*⁴ [http://www.highworthbowlsclub.org Highworth Bowls Club]
*⁵ [http://www.busylittlemarkettown.fotopic.net A local man's contemporary photo gallery]