MARKET TOWNS OF HEREFORDSHIRE.

 

When we knew that our speaker was to be Penny Platts, we knew that we were going to be taken on a whirlwind tour of Herefordshire.  Today, we called in on the market towns.

 

The first identifiable market town in Herefordshire was Credenhill Camp back over

2,000 years ago.  The Romans took it over, by 100AD there were over 4,000 inhabitants and the area was used for sacred ceremonies as well as the market  trading of wheat, acorns for pigs, sheep and their wool.  Trade brought wealth, and the county thrived. By the late 18th Century cattle were a major trading item, with an export market to the USA - the Hereford cattle were bred to survive poor pasture but provide good meat, and the pedigree herd book was started in 1846.

 

All the market towns share certain features.  They all have to have a charter - Hereford received theirs in 1189, and it is on show at Hereford Town Hall even now. The Market Place is the hub of community activity, and each town has a 'Broad Street' where the animals were kept for inspection before purchase.

 

Bromyard was a very popular centre in the times of Napoleonic wars, it was a great

place for horse racing. Even more people came when the Victorian Railways stopped there.  Looking at the architecture now, one can see that the 12th century churches were refurbished with the wealth from the wool merchants in the 13th and 14th centuries.  Many of the redbrick frontages cover original wooden framed buildings.

 

Ledbury boasts several famous people, including Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who lived here before Wimpole Street, and John Masefield poet laureate from 1930 to his death in 1967.  The railway played a big part in the development of Ledbury, including its famous viaduct which contained over 5 million bricks constructed in two years!  Of course, the forefathers of the Weston Cider makers (now in their 5th generation) used the railway to their advantage too.

 

Ross-On-Wye was included, but briefly, showing some of the more famous views.

 

Kington still values its Elizabethan heritage with its timber framed buildings.  The rich brought in all the new plants, and samples of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Birches and Maples can still be admired today.

 

Leominster was our last visit before returning to the start of the circle, and we were

told how the town prospered from the 4 'W's - Wood - oak, Wine - first grown in the

medieval warm period, Water - low lying land and plenty for irrigation and lastly Women.  One of the first ladies to win the title of 'Miss World' came from Leominster.  

 

Alice Hyde proved herself not only to be a beauty, but also proficient at riding and

rowing, and talented at singing and reciting poetry.  (I wonder how some of today's

contestants would fare if challenged with these activities?) After winning her prize she was offered a screen-test in Hollywood, but turned it down in favour of marriage to a local farmer.

 

Time had gone in a flash, and we were back in Credenhill Camp having visited the

circle of market towns around Herefordshire.  We thanked Penny for her absorbing

and enthusiastic talk, after which a couple of our members took her to one side, they had once been her teachers, and were now pleased to have been one of her pupils!

 

At most of our monthly meetings we have a guest, speaking on a range of topics to

interest  all our members.  If you would like to join us why not contact our membership secretary on 01989 567789 you would be made very welcome.