Melton Mowbray (GB)
Melton Mowbray is a town in Leicestershire, England, 19 miles north-east of Leicester, and 20 miles south-east of Nottingham. It lies on the River Eye and the River Wreake and has a population of 25,554. The town is best known for its culinary speciality, the Melton Mowbray pork pie, and as the home of one of the six licensed makers of Stilton cheese. Melton Mowbray is promoted as Britain's "Rural Capital of Food"
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, commanding a Royalist force of 1,500 men, inflicted severe losses on the Roundheads. Around 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 around, thus confusing the true site of the battle.
Local notable families seem to have had divided loyalties, although the 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, as a divorce settlement in the 16th century, although there is local debate about whether she ever stayed there. It is now a public house owned by Everards Brewery, a Leicester-based brewery. It is a Grade II* listed building. RAF Melton Mowbray
RAF Melton Mowbray
Between 1942 and 1964, RAF Melton Mowbray was situated 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 camp by the Polish Resettlement Corps.
Melton Mowbray served as a Thor strategic missile site between 1958 and 1963, when 254(SM) Squadron operated a flight of three missiles from the base.
Melton Mowbray was allocated the 522 Post Office Numeral.
Postmark Examples
_b.jpg) Cover sent from Melton Mowbray to Staplehurst Jan 6 1854 |
_a.jpg) Melton Mowbray dated despatch cancel with Staplehurst receiver single ring in brown. |
