Revision 546257 of "Melton Mowbray" on testwiki

{{short description|Town in Leicestershire, England}}
{{for |the similarly named town in Ireland|Milltown Malbay}}
{{db-test}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Condense|date=July 2020}}
{{Lead missing|date=July 2020}}
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{{Non-free|date=July 2020}}
{{External links|date=July 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}

{{infobox UK place
|country = England
|coordinates = {{coord|52.7661|-0.8860|display=inline,title}}
|official_name = Melton Mowbray
|static_image_name = Melton Market Place - geograph.org.uk - 1280046.jpg
|static_image_caption = Market Place, Melton Mowbray
|population = 27,158
|population_ref = ([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]])
|shire_district = [[Melton (borough)|Melton]]
|shire_county = [[Leicestershire]]
|region = East Midlands
|post_town = MELTON MOWBRAY
|postcode_district = LE13
|postcode_area = LE
|dial_code = 01664
|os_grid_reference = SK751193
|constituency_westminster = [[Rutland and Melton (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutland and Melton]]
|london_distance = {{convert|95|mi|km|0}} [[Boxing the compass|SSE]]
}}
<!---start of article--->
'''Melton Mowbray''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɛ|l|t|ən|_|ˈ|m|oʊ|b|r|i}}) is a town in [[Leicestershire]], England, {{convert|19|mi|km|0}} north-east of [[Leicester]], and {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} south-east of [[Nottingham]]. It lies on the [[River Eye, Leicestershire|Rivers Eye]] and the [[River Wreake|Wreake]] and has a population of 25,554.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.melton.co.uk/about.htm |title=About the Town of Melton Mowbray| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613202424/http://www.melton.co.uk/about.htm |archivedate=13 June 2007 |publisher=www.melton.co.uk |year=2004 |accessdate=27 June 2007}}</ref> The town is known for a culinary speciality, the [[Melton Mowbray pork pie]], and as the home of one of the six licensed makers of [[Stilton cheese]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stiltoncheese.co.uk/the_stilton_producers |title=Stilton Cheese – The Stilton Producers |first=Iconography |last=Ltd |website=www.stiltoncheese.co.uk |access-date=6 July 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217133754/http://www.stiltoncheese.co.uk/the_stilton_producers |url-status=dead }}</ref> On those grounds it is sometimes promoted as Britain's "Rural Capital of Food".<ref>{{Cite news |title= Around Britain with a fork |url= https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/04/food.melton.mowbary |work=The Guardian |date=4 October 2008 |accessdate=26 May 2016 }}</ref>

==History==
{{More citations needed|date=June 2007}}

===Toponymy===
[[File:Melton Mowbray St Marys SE aspect.JPG|thumb|400px|Melton Mowbray's imposing St Mary's church]]
The name comes from the early English word Medeltone – meaning "Middletown surrounded by small hamlets" (as do Milton and Middleton). [[House of Mowbray|Mowbray]] is the [[Normans|Norman]] family name of early [[Lord of the Manor|Lords of the Manor]] – namely [[Robert de Mowbray]].<ref>Plea Rolls of the Court of Common Pleas; National Archives; CP 40/555, dated 1399; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/H4/CP40no555/aCP40no555fronts/IMG_0227.htm; sixth entry, the defendant is a shoemaker in 'Melton Moubray'</ref>

===Early history===
In and around Melton, there are 28 scheduled ancient monuments, some 705 buildings listed as having special architectural or historical interest, 16 sites of special scientific interest, and several deserted village sites.<ref>Essays in Leicestershire History, W. G. Hoskins</ref><ref>The Depopulation Returns for Leicestershire 1607,L. A. Parker</ref><ref>http://www.le.ac.uk/lahs/downloads/7DMVPagesfromXXXII-3.pdf</ref>

There is industrial archaeology, including the [[Grantham Canal]] and the remains of the [[Melton Mowbray Navigation]]. Windmill sites, ironstone working and smelting archaeological evidence suggest that Melton borough was densely populated in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Many small village communities existed and strategic points at [[Burrough Hill]] and [[Belvoir Castle|Belvoir]] were fortified. There is also evidence that the site of Melton Mowbray in the Wreake Valley was inhabited before the Roman occupation of AD 43.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Melon Net |url=http://www.melton.co.uk/history.htm |title=Melton Mowbray History |publisher=Melton.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref>

===Roman times===
In Roman times, Melton benefited from the proximity of the [[Fosse Way]] and other important Roman roads, and of military centres at Leicester and Lincoln. Intermediate camps were also established, for example, at Six Hills on the Fosse Way. Other Roman trackways in the locality passed north of Melton along the top of the Vale of Belvoir scarp, linking [[Market Harborough]] to Belvoir, and the Fosse Way to [[Oakham]] and [[Stamford, Lincolnshire|Stamford]].

===Danelaw===
Evidence of settlement throughout Anglo-Saxon and 8th–9th-century [[Danelaw]] periods is reflected in many place names. Along the Wreake Valley, the Danish suffix "-by" is common, as exemplified in Asfordby, Dalby, Frisby, Hoby, Rearsby and Gaddesby. A cemetery of 50–60 graves of pagan Anglo-Saxon origin, has been found in Melton Mowbray. most villages and their churches had origins before the [[Norman Conquest]] of 1066. Stone crosses at Asfordby and Sproxton churches and Anglo-Saxon cemeteries as found at Goadby Marwood, Sysonby and Stapleford certainly pre-date the Conquest.

Melton Mowbray itself had six recorded crosses, whose construction spanned several centuries: (i) Kettleby Cross (close to the present filling station near the junction of Dalby Road to the Leicester Road); (ii) Sheep Cross, on what was Spital End, (now Nottingham Street/Park Road Junction); (iii) Corn Cross at the Swine Lane/Spittle End junction, (reconstructed and reinstated on the Nottingham St/High St junction in 1996 as a memorial to the [[Royal Army Veterinary Corps]]); (iv) Butter Cross or High Cross, at the west end of Beast Market (again reconstructed from partial remains of the original Saxon cross in 1986–1987 in the Market Place); (v) Sage Cross, at the East end of the Beast Market close to Saltgate, (in Sherrard Street opposite Sage Cross Street); and (vi) Thorpe Cross at the end of Saltgate (near the junction of Thorps Road and Saxby Road). All the original crosses were removed or destroyed during the Reformation and other iconoclastic periods, or simply to make room for traffic or other development.<ref>''The Story of Melton Mowbray'' by Philip E Hunt: [http://www.reprintuk.com/subjects/melton_mowbray&start=10 Retrieved 4 October 2011.]</ref>

===Post-conquest===
[[File:AnneMeltonRH.JPG|left|thumb| Anne of Cleves house]]
The effects of the [[Norman Conquest]] are recorded in the 1086 [[Domesday Book]]. This indicates that settlements at [[Long Clawson]] and [[Bottesford, Leicestershire|Bottesford]] were of noteworthy size, and that Melton Mowbray was a thriving market town of some 200 inhabitants, with weekly markets, two water mills and two priests. The water mills, still in use up to the 18th century, are remembered in the present names of Beckmill Court and Mill Street.

So Melton Mowbray has been a market town for over 1,000 years. Recorded as Leicestershire's only market in the 1086 [[Domesday Survey]], it is the third oldest market in England. Tuesday has been market day ever since royal approval was given in 1324. The market was established with tolls before 1077.

Legacies from the medieval period include consolidation of village and market-town patterns; in Melton Mowbray, Bottesford, Wymondham, and Waltham-on-the-Wolds. The last had a market in medieval times that continued until 1921, and an annual fair of horses and cattle. Many buildings in Melton Market Place, Nottingham Street, Church Lane, King Street and Sherrard Street have ancient foundations. Alterations to No. 16 Church Street revealed a medieval circular stone wall subjected to considerable heat. This is probably the "Manor Oven" mentioned in 13th century documents. Surveys of 5 King Street show it belonged to an early medieval open-halled house. It may be part of the castle or fortified manor of the Mowbrays, which existed in the 14th century.

[[Richard I of England|King Richard I]] and [[John of England|King John]] visited the town and may have stayed at an earlier castle. In 1549 following the Dissolution of the chantries, monasteries and religious guilds, church plate was sold and land purchased for the town. Resulting rents were used to maintain [[Melton School]], first recorded in 1347, as one of the oldest educational establishments in Britain. Funds were also used to maintain roads and bridges and to repair the church clock.

===Civil War===
During the [[English Civil War]], Melton was a [[Roundhead]] garrison commanded by a Colonel Rossiter. Two battles were fought in the town: in November 1643, Royalists caught the garrison unaware and carried away prisoners and booty; in February 1645, Sir [[Marmaduke Langdale, 1st Baron Langdale of Holme|Marmaduke Langdale]], commanding a Royalist force of 1,500 men, inflicted severe losses on the Roundheads. Some 300 men were said to have been killed. According to legend, a hillside where the battle was thought to have been fought was ankle deep in blood, hence the name '[[Ankle Hill]]'. However, this name is already mentioned in documents pre-dating the Civil War. Furthermore, the names of Dalby Road and Ankle Hill have since been switched, so confusing the true site of the battle.

Local notable families seem to have had divided loyalties, although the Civil War ended with great rejoicings outside the "Limes" in Sherrard Street, home of Sir Henry Hudson. His father, Robert Hudson founded the Maison Dieu almshouses opposite the Church in 1640, which complement the stone-built "Anne of Cleves House" opposite. This was built in 1384 and housed chantry priests until the Dissolution. It was then included in the estates of [[Anne of Cleves]] by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], as a divorce settlement in the 16th century, although there is local debate about whether she ever stayed there. A Grade II* listed building, it is now a public house owned by [[Everards]], a Leicester-based brewery.<ref>{{NHLE| num=1265121 |desc=ANNE OF CLEVES HOUSE |accessdate=18 November 2013}}</ref>

===Modern period===
On 6 April 1837, the [[Henry Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford|3rd Marquess of Waterford]] and his hunting party went on a "spree" through the streets of Melton, causing much damage. This event was recorded in the ''London Examiner''. [[Henry Alken]]'s pictures ''A Spree at Melton Mowbray'' and ''Larking at the Grantham Tollgate'' are said to illustrate the event. They appeared also in a play called ''The Meltonians'' at The [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]] in 1838.<ref group="Note">For a script of ''The Meltonians'', see [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6k3mPatxKZ2ODFmODI0YjctMTJmOS00Njg5LWI1YmMtOTgzOTgzYzgzNmMz&hl=en_US].</ref>

Between 1942 and 1964, [[RAF Melton Mowbray]] lay to the south of the town, towards [[Great Dalby]]. The [[Class A airfield]] was originally intended for aircraft maintenance, but was taken over by [[RAF Transport Command]]. Between 1946 and 1958, the site was used as a [[Displaced persons camps in post-World War II Europe|displaced persons camp]] by the [[Polish Resettlement Corps]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.polishresettlementcampsintheuk.co.uk/meltonmowbary01.htm |title=New Page 1 |website=www.polishresettlementcampsintheuk.co.uk}}</ref> Melton Mowbray served as a [[Project Emily|Thor]] strategic missile site between 1958 and 1963, when [[No. 254 Squadron RAF|254(SM) Squadron]] operated a flight of three missiles from the base.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pike |first=John |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/uk/raf_melton_mowbray.htm |title=RAF Melton Mowbray |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |date= |accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref>

==Melton Mowbray produce==
{{stack|
[[Image:Blue Stilton A.jpg|thumb|The round corner of a blue Stilton cheese, made in the traditional cylindrical shape.]]
[[Image:DickMorrisRH.JPG|thumb|[[Samworth Brothers|Dickinson and Morris]] Pie Shop]]
}}
[[Stilton cheese]] originated through a commercial venture developed to manufacture cheese for retail sale at the village of [[Stilton]] in [[Cambridgeshire]], which has led to some claims that the cheese itself originated outside that village. Historical evidence would suggest an evolution of the form of the cheese over many years, with some sourced from Melton Mowbray or surroundings. Stilton is still made in the town at the Tuxford & Tebbutt creamery, one of only six [[Dairy|dairies]] licensed to do so, while makers in Cambridgeshire are ironically prohibited from naming their own cheese Stilton, even if it is in fact made there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stiltoncheese.co.uk/the-stilton-story/ |title=Stilton Cheese – The story of Stilton |publisher=Stilton Cheesemakers' Association}}</ref> The earliest reference cited is [[Daniel Defoe]], who in 1724 called the Stilton-produced cheese, ''the English [[Parmesan]]''. Growth of business due to travellers on the [[Great North Road (United Kingdom)|Great North Road]], as well as sale into [[London]], led to a need to source additional cheese from further afield, including the region of Melton Mowbray, and over time the modern [[blue cheese]] developed.

[[Pork pie#Melton Mowbray pork pie|Melton Mowbray pork pies]] are made by a specific "hand-raising" process and recipe. On 4 April 2008 the [[European Union]] awarded the Melton Mowbray pork pie [[Protected Geographical Indication]] status, after a long-standing application made by the [[Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association]]. As a result, pies made only within a designated zone around Melton using uncured pork are allowed to carry the Melton Mowbray name on their packaging.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pork pie makers celebrate status |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7331238.stm |work=BBC News |date=4 April 2008 |accessdate=4 April 2008}}</ref>

Melton Mowbray is home to Melton cloth (first mentioned in 1823), a tightly woven woollen fabric, heavily milled with a [[nap (textile)|nap]] raised to form a short, dense, non-lustrous [[pile (textile)|pile]]. Sailors' [[pea coat]]s are traditionally made of Melton cloth, as are the commonly worn workmen's [[donkey jacket]]s of Britain and Ireland, and loggers' "cruising jackets" and [[Mackinaw cloth|Mackinaw]]s in North America.

==Governance==
{{Expand section|date=September 2015}}
Melton is part of the [[Rutland and Melton (UK Parliament constituency)|Rutland and Melton]] parliamentary constituency, for which the Member of Parliament is currently [[Alicia Kearns]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]]). Since its formation in 1974 the town has been the main settlement of the [[Borough of Melton]] local government district. The town returns three councillors to [[Leicestershire County Council]] in the wards of Melton East, Melton West, and Melton Wolds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://politics.leics.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0|title=Your Councillors|date=2020-04-15|website=politics.leics.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-04-15}}</ref>

===Town Estate===
Melton Mowbray is home to a rare example of early town government. The Melton Mowbray Town Estate<ref>[http://www.meltonmowbraytownestate.co.uk]</ref> was founded at the time of the Reformation, in 1549, when two townsfolk sold silver and plate sequestered from the church and bought land to be held in trust for all inhabitants. The Town Estate provided early forms of education, the first street lighting, and today owns and operates the town's parks and sports grounds, and the town's market.

From its inception in 1549, day-to-day running of the Town Estate was traditionally undertaken by Town Wardens. In 1989, a new Scheme of Arrangement was drawn up by the Charity Commission after public consultation, whereby management of the Town Estate transferred to a body of 14 [[Feoffee]]s,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.meltonmowbraytownestate.co.uk/melton-mowbray-town-estate-response-to-bbc-inside-out |title=Town Estate response to BBC Inside Out |publisher=Meltonmowbraytownestate.co.uk |accessdate=2 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209043928/http://www.meltonmowbraytownestate.co.uk/melton-mowbray-town-estate-response-to-bbc-inside-out |archivedate=9 December 2010 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> two of whom are known as Senior and Junior Town Warden.

Nowadays, the position of Town Warden is titular only, as the public face of the Town Estate at civic or ceremonial occasions.

===Demography===
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
Melton Mowbray had 1766 inhabitants in 1801, which had increased by 1831 to 3327, in 1841 to 3740, by 1851 to 4434, and by 1861 to 4436. The [http://www.melton.co.uk/about.htm Melton Mowbray official web site's About page] lists the current (2009) population of the town as 25,276, and that of Melton Borough as 46,861.

==Economy==
Before 1960, the Production Engineering Research Association of Great Britain came to Nottingham Road and employed about 400 people in supporting research and development in industry.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19981111183538/http://www.pera.com/ PERA].</ref> It is also houses the East Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110902055735/http://www.mas-em.org.uk/].</ref> The former [[East Midlands Regional Assembly]] was based in a Nottingham Road building.

[[Pedigree Petfoods|Petfoods]] came to the town in 1951 as Chappie Ltd, employing at its peak over 2,000 people. It still employs about 1,000. The firm changed its name to Petfoods in 1957, to Pedigree Petfoods in 1972, and most recently to Masterfoods in January 2002. At Melton, it makes four million items of pet food a day, which is less than earlier. Masterfoods now has its UK headquarters close to Melton at [[Waltham-on-the-Wolds]].<ref>[http://www.waltham.com].</ref>

The uPVC windows and door manufacturer TruFrame Trade Frames Ltd. relocated from [[Market Harborough]] to the Saxby Road Industrial Estate in Melton in December 1999. It was employing about 170 people in August 2013.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

==Landmarks==
===Parish church===
See [[St. Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray]]

==Entertainment and facilities==
[[Image:MeltonRegal.JPG|right|thumb|150px|Melton Regal Cinema]]
[[Image:StaplefordRailway.JPG|thumb|150px|Stapleford Miniature Railway]]
[[Melton Carnegie Museum]], based in Melton Mowbray, has recently been refurbished and visitors can expect a "hands-on", audio-visual, family-orientated experience of the history and importance of the town. Included are sounds from the ages, a history of the hunt, a preserved phone box, a buried (underfoot and perspex) Saxon and shrapnel from World War II.

Melton Mowbray is renowned for its music-making. The Melton Band (a traditional British-style brass band) can trace its directors back to 1856, and was until recently called Melton Borough Band. The colourful Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers Marching Band was formed in 1936; and Happy Jazz – a Dixieland jazz band – had its headquarters in the town from 1996 until 2014. There is also the Melton Mowbray Tally Ho Band, formed in 1936, and Tornado Brass, a mixed brass and woodwind group founded in the 1980s.

Melton has several pubs, some of which, like the ''Generous Britain'' (nicknamed the Jenny B) continue to encourage live music.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Band Me Up Scotty |url=http://www.band-me-up.com/FIND/venue/venue_details.asp?TID=862&NAME=The+Generous+Briton |title=The Generous Briton Midlands England – Find Venue, BandMeUp Royal Wedding |publisher=Band-me-up.com |date= |accessdate=2 May 2011 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707210336/http://www.band-me-up.com/FIND/venue/venue_details.asp?TID=862&NAME=The+Generous+Briton |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ''Noels Arms'' free house was Melton Mowbray District [[CAMRA]] Pub of the Year in 2014. The ''Noels'' also houses Gasdog Brewery, the first brewery in the town for over a hundred years. It hosts new and established bands and musicians every Friday and Saturday night, and acoustic acts on Sunday afternoons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38372603318 |title=Niet compatibele browser |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref> There are several other surviving pubs in Melton, including one of the oldest in the area, the ''Anne of Cleves''. This ancient building in Burton Street, close to St Mary's Church, has features dating from the early 14th century. Once home to chantry monks, the building was given after the Dissolution by Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves, as part of her divorce settlement.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.everards.co.uk/pubs/anne_of_cleves_6/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927083039/http://www.everards.co.uk/pubs/anne_of_cleves_6/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2006 |title=The Anne of Cleves, Melton Mowbray |publisher=Everards |date=6 September 2010 |accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref>

The town has an unusual cinema, The Regal] in King Street, in the centre of the town.<ref>[http://regalcinemamelton.com/]</ref> The building itself is a preserved purpose-built theatre complete with period interior design, sumptuous colours, winding staircases and fancy plasterwork.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.regal-melton.co.uk/ |title=Regal Cinema, Melton Mowbray: Home Page |publisher=Regal-melton.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2 May 2011}} dead link</ref> It re-opened in 2013 after refurbishment.

Concerts have been held in the Carousel Bandstand in Melton Mowbray Park since August 1909. There are still regular concerts there on summer Sundays.

Melton's radio station, 103 FM The Eye, broadcasts to Melton Borough and the Vale of Belvoir and parts of Rushcliffe Borough. It can also be heard on the internet.<ref>[http://www.103theeye.co.uk.]</ref> When it was launched in 2005, it was the first in the UK to go on the air under the new tier of community radio, licensed by the broadcasting regulator OFCOM. The station has since won a number of awards for its work. It is named after the local River Eye.

The historic [[Stapleford Miniature Railway]], built in 1958, is a private, steam-hauled passenger railway at Stapleford Park about {{convert|3|mi|0}} to the east of Melton Mowbray. Famous for a fleet of steam locos and its scenic location, it attracts visitors and tourists during occasional summer openings for charity. It has the same {{convert |10+1/4 |in |mm |abbr=on}} gauge as the Town Estates railway around Play Close Park in Melton.

Also {{convert|1/2|mi|m|sigfig=1}} to the north-east of Melton is the [[Twinlakes Theme Park]], providing a range of family and children's attractions and rides.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.twinlakespark.co.uk/ |title=Family day out at a fun filled theme park |publisher=Twinlakespark.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref> Melton's Waterfield Leisure Pools include a well-equipped gym and fitness suite, as well as swimming.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.melton.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/sport_and_physical_activity/waterfield_leisure_pools/free_swimming.aspx |title=Free Swimming |publisher=Melton.gov.uk |date=31 July 2010 |accessdate=2 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928025423/http://www.melton.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/sport_and_physical_activity/waterfield_leisure_pools/free_swimming.aspx |archivedate=28 September 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The library in Wilton Road is close to the town centre<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.leics.gov.uk/meltonmowbray_library.htm |title=Melton Mowbray Library – Leicestershire County Council |publisher=Leics.gov.uk |date=4 February 2011 |accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref> and adjacent is Melton Theatre, part of [[Brooksby Melton College]], on the junction with Asfordby Road. The theatre, which first opened in 1976, has recently been refurbished and continues to provide a variety of entertainment. In the past few years, it has produced ballet, opera and stage-play performances of many types, and provided a venue for bands and acts, pantomime and art displays.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.meltontheatre.co.uk/ |title=Melton Theatre |publisher=Melton Theatre |date= |accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref>

There is a fire station, a police station, and a hospital that includes St Mary's Maternity Centre. The War Memorial Hospital off Ankle Hill, originally Wyndham Lodge, donated to the town in 1920 by Colonel Richard Dalgleish, was sold in 2010 to help fund St Mary's Hospital. [[Melton Country Park]] provides green space.

==Education==
[[File:King Edward VII School - Melton Mowbray.JPG|thumb|250px|
The former King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray]]
The secondary schools in Melton are [[Long Field Academy]] and [[John Ferneley College]], which take students aged 11 to 16, and the [[Melton Vale Post 16 Centre]] (MV16) for sixth-formers. The town has several primary schools – Brownlow, Grove, St Francis RC, St Mary's C of E, Sherard and Swallowdale – while the Birchwood Special School caters for young people of primary and secondary-school age. Melton's largest school used to be the [[King Edward VII School (Melton Mowbray)|King Edward VII]], which at one time had some 2,000 pupils aged between 11 and 19. It was founded as a grammar school in 1910, became comprehensive in the late 1960s, and closed recently after reaching its centenary. [[Brooksby Melton College]] which provides vocational, further and higher education in a wide range of subjects has a campus on Asfordby Road in Melton and an annex in King Street. These facilities complement those on the college's Brooksby campus {{convert|6|mi|0}} out of town.

==Transport==

===Rail===
[[Melton Mowbray railway station]] is on the line from [[Birmingham]] to [[Stansted Airport]] via [[Leicester]], [[Peterborough]] and [[Cambridge]]. Trains run hourly in each direction. The station is also served by peak-hour trains to and from [[Nottingham]], [[Norwich]] and [[Sleaford]]. The station is managed by [[East Midlands Railway]], although most services are operated by [[CrossCountry]]. CrossCountry intends to enhance its service gradually to half-hourly on this route. Since early 2009, [[East Midlands Trains]] have offered a single daily journey from Melton Mowbray to [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]] and return. This is notable for being the first regular passenger service to cross the historic [[Welland Viaduct]] since 1966. In 2010, the company introduced a single daily journey to [[Derby]] and return.

===Bus===

[[Arriva Fox County|Arriva Midlands]] operates service 5A/5X into [[Leicester]]. [[Centrebus]] operates the other services around the town, with longer-distance routes to [[Syston]], [[Nottingham]], [[Grantham]], [[Loughborough]], [[Oakham]] and elsewhere, and to surrounding villages.

==Sports==
[[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|Greyhound racing]] was held at the [[Melton Mowbray Greyhound Stadium]] on the north side of Saxby Road from 1946 until 1969.<ref name=DM>{{Cite book |last=Barnes |first=Julia |title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, p. 419 |year=1988 |publisher=Ringpress Books |isbn=0-948955-15-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Melton%20Mowbray%20Greyhound%20stadium.html |title=Melton Mowbray Greyhound Stadium |publisher=Greyhound Derby.com}}</ref>

[[Motorcycle speedway]] racing was held at the Greyhound Stadium in 1949–1950.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Melton%20Mowbray.htm |title=Melton Mowbray Speedway |publisher=Defunct Speedway.co.uk}}</ref> The cinder track was laid before and lifted after each meeting. The events, staged on a Sunday, fell foul of the [[Lord's Day Observance Society]] for a short time. The stadium was also the venue for a few meetings in 1950 when the Melton Lions faced select teams.

The town is home to Melton Rugby club, which competes in [[Midlands 3 East (North)|Midlands 3 East]]. The town has its own Sunday Football League in which some 15 teams compete every Sunday. Asfordby Hill is home to Holwell Sports, which plays in the Leicestershire Senior League premier division.

==Notable people==
===Arts and music===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Carlo Curley]] (1952–2012) – concert organist
*[[Louise Doughty]] (born 1963) – novelist and broadcaster
*[[John Ferneley]] (1782–1860) – artist
*[[Francis Grant (artist)|Francis Grant]] (1803–1878) – artist
*[[Tom Marshall (artist)|Tom Marshall]] (born 1988) – artist and photo colouriser
*[[Malcolm Sargent|Sir Malcolm Sargent]] (1895–1967) – conductor

===Sports===
*[[Paul Anderson (footballer)|Paul Anderson]] (born 1988) – league footballer for [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.]]
*[[Len Boyd]] (1923–2008) – league footballer
*[[Stuart Broad]] (born 1986) – test cricketer
*[[John Brooks (referee)|John Brooks]] (born 1990) – Premier League assistant referee
*[[Paul Butlin]] (born 1976) – heavyweight boxer
*[[Craig Dalrymple]] (born 1976) – league footballer
*[[Craig Dolby]] (born 1988) – racing driver
*[[Arthur Fitton]] (1902–1984) – league footballer
*[[Reuben Jones]] (1932–1990) – Olympian equestrian sportsman
*[[Robert Turner King]] (1824–1884) – county cricketer
*[[Bob Lee (footballer)|Bob Lee]] (born 1953) – league footballer
*[[Dixie McNeil]] (born 1947) – league footballer and manager
*[[Tim Munton]] (born 1965) – test cricketer
*[[James Tebbs]] (1874-post 1901) – league footballer
*[[Jamie Vardy]] (born 1987) – league footballer
*[[Alison Williamson]] (born 1971) – Olympic archer<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympics.org.uk/beijing2008/AthleteProfile.aspx?id=3247 |title=Team GB > Beijing 2008 > Athlete profile > Alison Williamson |publisher=www.olympics.org.uk |accessdate=16 November 2010 |archive-date=9 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809213142/http://www.olympics.org.uk/beijing2008/AthleteProfile.aspx?ID=3247 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Eliot Zborowski]] (1858–1903) – car racing driver

===Stage/screen===
*[[Charlie Bruce]] (born 1990) – jazz dancer
*[[Graham Chapman]] (1941–1989) – comedian, [[Monty Python]]
*[[William Anthony Furness, 2nd Viscount Furness|William Furness]] (1929–1995) – theatre producer and peer
*[[Peter Meineck]] (born 1967) – founder director of [[Aquila Theatre]]
*[[Steve Oram]] (born 1973) – actor, [[Sightseers]]
*[[Adrian Scarborough]] (born 1968) – actor, [[Gavin & Stacey]] and [[Psychoville]]
*[[Clive Standen]] (born 1981) – actor
*[[Mark Wingett]] (born 1961) – actor, Jim Carver in [[The Bill]]

===Other===
*[[Tom Brake]] (born 1962) – former member of Parliament
*[[Richard Henry Burton]] (1923–1993) – [[Victoria Cross|VC]] awarded in the [[Second World War]]
*[[John Gretton, 1st Baron Gretton|John Gretton]] (1867–1947) – politician, businessman and Olympic sailor
*[[John Henley (clergyman)|John Henley]] (1692–1756) – preacher
*[[William Levett (dean)|William Levett]] (c. 1643–1694) – scholar and cleric
*[[Arthur Wakerley]] (1862–1932) – architect
}}

==Gallery==

<gallery perrow="6">
Image:MeltonNttmRdRH.jpg|Approaching the Market from Nottingham Street
Image:Melton Mowbray Butter Cross Rebuilt.JPG|Melton Mowbray Butter Cross Reconstructed
Image:AnneMeltonRH.JPG|Anne of Cleves public house
Image:ColesHallMeltonRH.JPG|The former Coles Hall
Image:MeltonManchestersRH.JPG|Rear of the old Tourist Office now Melton Toys
Image:Melton Mowbray River and Footbridge.JPG|River Eye and Footbridge
Image:Melton Mowbray Harboro Hotel.JPG|Harboro Hotel
Image:Melton Mowbray Burton Street.JPG|Burton Street
Image:Melton Mowbray Swan Porch 2011.JPG|Swan Porch
Image:Melton Mowbray Wesleyan Centenery Buildings.JPG|Wesleyan Centenary Buildings
Image:MeltonBabtist.JPG|Reused Baptist Chapel on Nottingham Street
Image:Melton Mowbray The Generous Briton.JPG|The Generous Briton
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association]]
*[[Melton, Victoria]], Australia.

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note|colwidth=60em}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Melton Mowbray}}
*{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Melton Mowbray |volume=18 |page=101|short=x}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060220061155/http://www.meltononline.co.uk/ Melton Online]
*[http://www.melton.gov.uk Melton Borough Council services]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050826151423/http://www.touruk.co.uk/leicester/lei_melt.htm Melton Tourist information]

{{Leicestershire}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Melton Mowbray| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Leicestershire]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Leicestershire]]
[[Category:Borough of Melton]]<noinclude>

<small>This page was moved from [[:en:Melton Mowbray]]. Its edit history can be viewed at [[Melton Mowbray/edithistory]]</small></noinclude>