Malton
| Malton | |
| Yorkshire North Riding | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Malton Market Place | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SE788722 |
| Location: | 54°8’20"N, -0°47’31"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 12,520 |
| Post town: | Malton |
| Postcode: | YO17 |
| Dialling code: | 01653 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Ryedale |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Thirsk and Malton |
Malton is a market town in the North Riding of Yorkshire, to the north of the River Derwent which forms the boundary between the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire. Facing Malton on the other side of the Derwent is Norton-on-Derwent, in the East Riding. Malton Bacon Factory, Malton bus station and Malton railway station are actually located in Norton-on-Derwent.
Malton itself has a population of around 13,000.
Malton is the local commercial and retail centre. In the town centre there are many small traditional independent shops along with some high street names. The market place has recently become a meeting area with a number of coffee bars and cafés opening all day to complement the public houses. The town has decalred its aim to become 'Yorkshire's Food Capital'.
History
The town stands on the site of a former Roman settlement, although no firm conclusion has been agreed upon as to where this settlement actually was nor its name; it has been claimed as Derventio known from records but contradictory records describe Derventio as being either 7 or 17 miles east of Eboracum (York); if the latter, Derventio is Malton and if the former it is by Stamford Bridge, and Malton may be Delgovicia.
In the 11th century, a wooden Norman castle was built in what is now castle Garden. This had been rebuilt in stone by Eustace de Vescy by the time Richard the Lionheart visited the castle in 1189. Other visitors included Edward II, in 1307 and Robert the Bruce in 1322. The great house subsequently became ruined.[1]
The castle site was inherited by Lord William Eure in 1544, when he was also made a baron. William's son Ralph, born in 1510, defended Scarborough Castle against the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536 and became Warden of the East Marches . He was also involved in the burning of Edinburgh in 1544, and inspired Sir Walter Scott's poem 'Lord Eurie'. In 1569, Ralph Eure built a new house on the castle site and in 1602, the house was rebuilt in much grander style. This was a spectacular property and it was described by the diarist and gunpowder plotter Sir Henry Slingsby as the rival of many other great houses, including that at Audley End.[1] The house was subsequently demolished in 1674.
About the town
Attractions in modern Malton include the signposted remains of the Roman fort at 'Orchard Fields', and Malton Priory a Gilbertine priory. Eden Camp, a military themed museum, is located just outside the town.
Both towns are known in connection with Charles Dickens, who made regular visits to the area to see his friend Charles Smithson; he also wrote the famous novel "A Christmas Carol" while staying in Malton. There have been recent revivals of Dickens-related festivals.
Malton and the neighbouring village of Old Malton provide the settings for the collection of stories told in the book, "All is Bright - A Yorkshire Lad's Christmas" by Dave Preston.
In 2007 WSP Group and Atisreal for Ryedale District Council and Yorkshire Forward revealed new regeneration plans for Malton, with wild and ambitious plans for blocks of flats, modernist shopping areas, broad streets and new roads driven through. The major property owners, the Fitzwilliam Estate, considers that taking a more traditionalist approach is a more appropriate option for the town.[2]
Malton holds a market every Saturday, as well as a farmers' market once every month. The town has a war memorial and several historical churches (Norton-on-Derwent also holds large church buildings). The town is served by Malton railway station.
Churches
There are two churches:
- Church of England: St Michael's
- Roman Catholic: Ss Leonard & Mary
Visiting
Malton is a popular destination for people visiting North Yorkshire because of the nearby village of Kirby Misperton, the location of the largest amusement park in the region, Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo.
Malton is the middle-ground between York, Pickering (access to the North York Moors and also a terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway), Scarborough, Filey and Whitby.
The route of The White Rose Way, a long distance walk from Leeds to Scarborough also passes through.
Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estate
The Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estate owns and manages commercial, residential and agricultural property in and around the town of Malton. The Estate, whilst it has a commercial property business to manage, has a strong community focus with the aim of improving the town both socially and economically for the benefit of its tenants and the wider community.[3]
Local community organisations are supported by charitable donations through the Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust.
A recent milestone occurred when the Estate celebrated its 300th anniversary of its involvement with Malton. In 2013, The Hon Thomas Watson Wentworth purchased the Manor of Malton, thus beginning a long association between the town and families variously known as Wentworth, Watson-Wentworth, Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, and Naylor-Leyland. A book detailing the history since 1713 was published in 2013, entitled '300 years of continuity and change: families and business in Malton from the 18th Century to the present.'
We Love Malton
The ‘We Love Malton’ campaign was launched in March 2009. It aims to reinvigorate the town of Malton as a 'Food Lovers' destination and raise its appeal with both residents and tourists. We Love Malton host events throughout the year, the flagship of these being the Malton Food Lovers Festival. This annual event entices over 10,000 visitors to the North Yorkshire town and features Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs and patrons. As well as this there are over 100 producers stalls, beer, wine and cider festival and family entertainment. The festival is now known as Yorkshire's Finest.[4] The most recent Food Lovers Festival took place on 18 and 19 May 2013. The dates for 2014's Malton Food Lovers Festival is Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May.
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Malton Castle Garden". Derwent Riverside Project. 2008. http://www.maltoncastlegarden.org.uk/History.html. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ↑ "Fitzwilliam Malton Estate". maltonestate.co.uk. http://www.maltonestate.co.uk/html/story4.htm. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
- ↑ "Fitzwilliam Malton Estate". maltonestate.co.uk. http://www.maltonestate.co.uk/. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ↑ "We Love Malton". welovemalton.co.uk. http://www.welovemalton.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- Derventio - (Malton) Roman Fort and Civilian Settlement L. Peter Wenham (Cameo Books 1974)
- The Romans In East Yorkshire John H. Rumsby, English Life Publications 1980
- Mosaic – the Pavement that Walked Clive Ashman (Voreda Books, London, 2008: ISBN 978-0-9556398-0-7)