Thrapston

Infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Thrapston
latitude= 52.394
longitude= -0.535
civil_parish=
population = 4,835 (2001 Census)
shire_district= East Northamptonshire
shire_county= Northamptonshire
region= East Midlands
constituency_westminster= Corby
post_town= KETTERING
postcode_district = NN14
postcode_area= NN
dial_code= 01832
os_grid_reference= SP997784

Thrapston is a small town in Northamptonshire, England. It is the headquarters of the East Northamptonshire district, and in 2001 had a population of 4,855. By 2006, this was estimated to have risen to 5,702 [http://www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/pp/service/detail.asp?id=2541] .

It is close to the River Nene and is on the junction of the A14 and the A45. Until the 1960s Thrapston had two railway stations. Thrapston (Midland) was on the Kettering to Cambridge route, and the former station and viaduct can be seen from the adjacent A14 road. Thrapston (Bridge Street) was on the former LNWR Northampton to Peterborough line.

The market charter was granted over 800 years ago in the year 1205, in exchange for two palfreys. This is celebrated every year with the town's charter fair, where the high street is closed and the people in the town get together to commemorate this event. A relative of George Washington, Sir John Washington lived in Chancery Lane within the town, and his wife is buried in the church. Sir John was brother to George Washington's great-grandfather.

Thrapston has two schools, Thrapston Primary and King John middle school, which serves children from four to thirteen.Thrapston Primary is for years reception to 4 and King John is for years 5 to 8. After this children go to schools in different places, usually Prince William School in Oundle, but not in Thrapston.

External links

* [http://www.thrapstononline.co.uk Thrapston OnLine]
* [http://www.scottsofthrapston.co.uk/ Scotts of Thrapston] - one of the town's major employers
* [http://www.mbraymer.com/ Martin's Thrapston Weather Site] - amateur meteorologist's live weather data
* [http://www.thrapston-primary.northants.sch.uk/ Thrapston Primary School]
* [http://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/thrapston.asp Thrapston Tourist Information]