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'Wootton Bassett' is a small market town located in northern Wiltshire, UK. At the 2001 census its population was 11,043, indicating that the town has virtually tripled in size over the last 50 years.

Contents

History

Transport

References

See also

External links

History

The year 681AD is usually taken as the starting point for recorded history of Wootton Bassett, then known as Wodeton, it being referred to in that year in a Malmesbury Abbey charter granting land to the Abbot. It is a very ancient town which lies 6 miles southwest of Swindon and 10 miles to the northwest of Marlborough.
Wootton Bassett is mentioned in the Domesday Book''Domesday Book: A Complete Transliteration''. London: Penguin, 2003. ISBN 0-14-143994-7 p.183 where is wan noted that Miles Crispin held the rights and these included "land for 12 ploughs... a mill..and 24 acres of meadow...33 acres of pasture and woodland which is two leagues by a league". It was said to be worth nine pounds.
The right was first gained to send two representatives to Parliament as early as 1446 and prior to the Reform Act of 1832 Wootton Bassett was known as a 'Rotten' or 'Pocket' Borough, due to the way in which elections were conducted there, which were the antithesis of modern democratic elections. Voters were required to state their preferences in public before representatives of each side, and were openly bribed. In 1754 the accounts of a successful candidate show that his supporters were paid £30 each for their vote, and in the run up to the election the candidates secured the allegiance of public houses in the town, where voters were plied with free refreshments. Free beer was also provided by men who carried containers about the town. The same accounts show that £1,077 was paid out to 12 'pubs' for the refreshments.

Transport

The town is within close proximity of Junction 16 of the M4 allowing easy access to other towns and cities of the M4 corridor as well as London, located roughly 80 miles east of the town. Since the construction of the M4 the town has become attractive to commuters, many traveling to the towns and cities of Swindon, Chippenham, Bath and Bristol. The town also has a significant RAF population due to the nearby RAF Lyneham.
The main Bristol to London railway line passes through Wootton Bassett as well as an important junction linking Gloucester the southern route to Bristol (Temple Meads) via Bath and the northern route to Bristol(Parkway) and South Wales to the capital. Despite this there is no railway station in the town due to its closure in 1966.
A section of the Wilts and Berks Canal runs past the south of the town and is currently in the process of being restored.

References

See also

★ Wootton Bassett Town F.C.

★ Winterbourne Viaduct - on the Wootton Bassett to Patchway railway line.

★ South Wales Main Line - junctions from the main line at Wootton Bassett with a double junction.

★ Great Western Main Line

External links

★ Wootton Bassett Town Council

★ Online Weather Station for Brinkworth, Wootton Bassett and area

★ Wootton Bassett Secondary School

★ Wootton Bassett Rugby Club

★ Wootton Bassett Town Football Club

★ Wootton Bassett Otters Swimming Club