Welton, Lincolnshire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.302878
longitude= -0.475938
map_type=Lincolnshire
official_name= Welton by Lincoln
population = 3,821
shire_district= West Lindsey
shire_county = Lincolnshire
region= East Midlands
constituency_westminster=
post_town= LINCOLN
postcode_district = LN2
postcode_area= LN
dial_code= 01673
os_grid_reference= TF015795 Welton (or Welton by Lincoln) is a village and civil parish seven miles north of the city of Lincoln in the county of Lincolnshire, England, and the district of West Lindsey. The longer name "Welton by Lincoln" serves to distinguish it from two other Weltons in Lincolnshire, Welton le Wold and Welton le Marsh, and other Weltons elsewhere in England.

History

The name means, roughly, "village with a well", and indeed the village well still exists, complete with Victorian pump. Just as in nearby Lincoln, the area has a long history of human habitation. There is evidence of both Roman and Celtic settlement, and the village was well-established by the time of the Domesday Book, in which it is mentioned as "Welletone".

The [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/76170 village church] , the Prebendal Church of St. Mary, was originally Norman, but only a few fragments of this survive in the tower walls; the present building is in the Early English style from around 1250. An interesting piece of historical trivia is that the six church bells were cast by Henry Harrison, nephew of John Harrison who won a famous £20,000 prize for inventing the marine chronometer.

In 2001 the resident population of Welton was precisely 5,000, according to the census. However, this figure is for Welton ward, which includes other smaller villages nearby. The population of Welton parish was 3,821.

Geography

Welton is noted in geological circles for the rare chalk formation known as the 'Welton Band'. Ironically enough, the layer is not actually visible from Welton, but on just seven sites much further north east. Neighbouring to the south is Dunholme, near the A46. RAF Dunholme Lodge (on which the comprehensive school is built) is next to both villages and was a wartime [http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/s3.html bomber base] .

Amenities

Welton has two pubs, " [http://www.weltonmanorgolfcentre.co.uk/?page_id=13 The Falconer] " and " [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/542636 The Black Bull] ", and, situated on the playing field, a Sports and Social Club. There is also a [http://www.weltonmanorgolfcentre.co.uk golf course] , [http://www.weltonmanorgolfcentre.co.uk/?page_id=18 campsite] and a War Memorial. Additionally, the village is home to a successful secondary school, William Farr on "Lincoln Road", which is the best comprehensive in Lincolnshire as well as one of the best in England, in addition to a reputable veterinary clinic. There is a recently (February 2008) refurbished [http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?docId=54655&catId=3072 library] and a Co-op next door. There is St Mary's CE primary school on "School Drive".

External links

* [http://www.welton-village.org.uk Village website]
* [http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/ecolodge/25/Variegat.htm Welton Chalk formations]
* [http://www.welton-st-marys.lincs.sch.uk Primary school]
* [http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Lincolnshire/Welton.html War memorial]
* [http://www.welton-by-lincoln-pc.gov.uk Parish council]
* [http://www.welton-village.info Unofficial village website]