Witney: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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{{short description|English town in West Oxfordshire}}
{{other uses|Witney (UK Parliament constituency)|Witney (name)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
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|os_grid_reference= SP3509
|label_position = bottom
|population = 3129,217632
|population_ref = (2021 Census)<ref name="bua2011">{{cite web |title=Witney |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southeastengland/admin/west_oxfordshire/E04008335__witney/ |website=City population |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref>
|civil_parish = Witney
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|website=[http://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/ Witney Town Council]
}}
{{Infobox coat of arms
|name=Arms of Witney Town Council
|shield=Vert on a Fess wavy Argent between in chief a sinister Glove of the last between two Leopards' Faces each holding in the mouth a Shuttle Or and in base a representation of the Butter Cross at Witney Gold a Barrulet wavy Azure.
|crest=On a Wreath of the Colours upon a Mount Vert between a Crescent and a Star Or a Paschal Lamb proper.
|motto=Ingenio Floremus
|notes=Granted to the [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district]] council on 9 September 1955.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/south_central.html#witney%20tc |title= WITNEY TOWN COUNCIL (OXFORDSHIRE) |publisher=Robert Young |access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>}}
'''Witney''' is a market town on the [[River Windrush]] in [[West Oxfordshire]] in the county of [[Oxfordshire]], England. It is {{convert|12|mi}} west of [[Oxford]].
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==Industry==
Witney has been famous for its woollen [[blanket]]s since the Middle Ages.<ref>{{cite web|author=Clare Sumner |url=http://www.witneyblanketstory.org.uk/WBP.asp?navigationPage=Brief |title=history Witney Blanket Story – A brief history of the wool trade in the Witney area |publisher=Witneyblanketstory.org.uk |access-date=13 November 2011}}</ref> The water for the production of these blankets is drawn from the [[River Windrush]], which was believed to be the secret of Witney's high-quality blankets. The cloth industry dominated life in Witney where one 17th-century observer noted that "almost 3,000 people from 8 years old to old age worked" in the manufacture of blankets.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steane |first=John |url= |title=Oxfordshire |date= |publisher=Pimlico |others= |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-7126-6199-7 |location=London |pages=ix |language=en}}</ref> Mops were also traditionally made by the blanket manufacturers; at one time every ship in the Royal Navy had Witney mops aboard. The Blanket Hall in High Street was built in 1721 for weighing and measuring blankets.<ref name=Sherwood846/> At one time there were five blanket factories in the town but with the closure of the largest blanket maker Early's, in 2002, the town's blanket industry completely ceased production. Early's factory, once a vital and important part of the town's history, has now been demolished, and is the site of several new housing estates.
One of the oldest mill sites in the town, New Mill, where there has been a mill since the [[Domesday Book]], now houses the head office of [[Audley Travel]]. For many years Witney had its own brewery and [[malting]]s: J.W. Clinch and Co, which founded the Eagle Maltings in 1841. [[Courage (brewery)|Courage]] took over Clinch's and closed it down, but since 1983 Refresh UK's [[Wychwood Brewery]] has brewed [[real ale]]s in the Eagle Maltings. In 2002 Refresh UK contracted to produce ales for [[Brakspear|W.H. Brakspear]], who had sold their former brewery in [[Henley-upon-Thames]] for redevelopment. Refresh UK also brews [[ale]] for [[Charles, Prince of Wales|the Prince of Wales]]' [[Waitrose Duchy Organic|Duchy Originals]] company.
For many years Witney had its own brewery and [[malting]]s: [[Clinch and Co Brewery|J.W. Clinch and Co]], which founded the Eagle Maltings in 1841. In 1961, [[Courage Brewery|Courage]] bought Clinch's for its pub estate and closed down the brewery. Paddy Glenny founded the Glenny Brewery at the former Clinch's site in 1983, but it was renamed to [[Wychwood Brewery]] in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-23 |title=History, Architecture and Timber Windows in Witney, Oxfordshire - The Sash Window Workshop |url=https://www.sashwindow.com/history-architecture-and-timber-windows-in-witney-oxfordshire/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Wychwood brewed [[real ale]]s, including [[Wychwood Brewery#Hobgoblin|Hobgoblin]], its [[flagship brand]]. Refresh UK, a subsidiary of [[Marston's Brewery]], took over the brewery in 2002,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Protz |first=Roger |date=2004-07-10 |title=Beat the bell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2004/jul/10/foodanddrink.shopping1 |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and Marston's bought Refresh UK and Wychwood Brewery outright in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interims 2008 Final - marstons_interims_2008_final.pdf |url=https://www.marstonspubs.co.uk/docs/financials/marstons_interims_2008_final.pdf }}</ref> Marston's brewing operations, including Wychwood Brewery, [[Marston's Brewery#History|were merged into Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company in 2020]], and Wychwood Brewery was shut down in November 2023, its brands continuing to be brewed elsewhere in the CMBC network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newsroom » Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company proposes closure of Wychwood Brewery « Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company |url=https://www.carlsbergmarstons.co.uk/newsroom/carlsberg-marston-s-brewing-company-proposes-closure-of-wychwood-brewery/ }}</ref>
==Railways==
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==Media==
The town receives its television signals from the [[Oxford transmitting station|Oxford]] TV transmitter]].
In May 2010, WitneyTV was launched as a non-profit online broadcaster with a weekly show that features local news and upcoming events within West Oxfordshire for the benefit of the community. An archive of videos featuring local attractions, clubs, organisations and previous shows is also available. ▼
A small-scale music festival, Witney Music festival, is held annually on The Leys Recreation Ground. While mostly hosting smaller local artists and [[Tribute act|tribute bands]], it has previously hosted acts such as [[EMF (band)|EMF]], [[The Farm (British band)|The Farm]] and [[N-Trance]].
Witney has a number of recording studios, including The Witney Music Rooms<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Witney Music Rooms |url=http://www.witneymusicrooms.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.witneymusicrooms.co.uk}}</ref> and GreenRoomStudios.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GreenRoomStudios - Rehearsal & Recording Studios - Home |url=https://grstudios.co.uk/}}</ref> There are also several small venues for music, including Fat Lil's, a music and comedy venue, Langdale Hall, a function venue that regularly hosts music acts, and Studio Se7en, a live music venue sited at GreenRoomStudios.
Witney has an independent [[record shop]] which was established in 2004 as Rapture. In 2011, Rapture's owner, Gary Smith, collaborated with [[Truck Festival]] co-founder Robin Bennett to open Truck Store, a sister store on [[Cowley Road, Oxford|Cowley Road in Oxford]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-01-06 |title=Witney record store expands to Oxford |url=https://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/8775206.witney-record-store-expands-to-oxford/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Witney Gazette |language=en}}</ref> Rapture adopted the Oxford store's name and branding in 2022 and now operates as Truck Witney.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Truck - Hicks.design |url=https://hicks.design/work/truck |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=hicks.design |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Truck |url=https://truckmusic.store/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Truck |language=en}}</ref>
Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Oxford]] on 95.2 FM, [[Heart West]] on 97.2, [[Heart South]] on 102.6, [[BBC Radio Wiltshire]] on 103.6FM, and [[Greatest Hits Radio South]] on 106.4 FM. On 30 November 2012 Witney Radio was launched., Providingproviding hyper-local news, music and current affairs to the people of Witney and West Oxfordshire. A licence to broadcast on FM radio was granted in April 2016 by the licensing authority [[Ofcom|OFCOM]]. On 14 July 2017 Witney Radio began to broadcast on 99.9fm to Witney and West Oxfordshire. The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with over 30 presenters from the local area. The station also broadcasts online for listeners online via [[TuneIn]].▼
▲In May 2010, WitneyTV was launched as a non-profit online broadcaster with a weekly show that features local news and upcoming events within West Oxfordshire for the benefit of the community. An archive of videos featuring local attractions, clubs, organisations and previous shows is also available.
An [[Internet radio]] station, Windrush Radio, was established in 2018. It broadcasts mostly pop and electronic music in the daytime, but has a number of hosts that present specific genres, including a showcase of local artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Windrush Radio {{!}} Oxfordshire, England |url=https://www.windrushradio.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Windrush Radio |language=en}}</ref> Windrush Radio has announced plans to broadcast over [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB radio]], and a small-scale radio multiplex license has been submitted to Ofcom. <ref>{{Cite web |title=First DAB Oxford Ltd - first-dab-oxford-ltd.pdf |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/manage-your-licence/digital-radio/small-scale-dab/applications/multiplex/round-3/oxford/first-dab-oxford-ltd.pdf }}</ref>
▲Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Oxford]] on 95.2 FM, [[Heart West]] on 97.2, [[Heart South]] on 102.6, [[BBC Radio Wiltshire]] on 103.6, and [[Greatest Hits Radio South]] on 106.4 FM. On 30 November 2012 Witney Radio was launched. Providing hyper-local news, music and current affairs to the people of Witney and West Oxfordshire. A licence to broadcast on FM radio was granted in April 2016 by the licensing authority [[Ofcom|OFCOM]]. On 14 July 2017 Witney Radio began to broadcast on 99.9fm to Witney and West Oxfordshire. The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with over 30 presenters from the local area. The station also broadcasts online for listeners online via [[TuneIn]].
The local newspapers are the ''[[The Oxford Times|Oxford Times]]'', ''[[Oxfordshire Guardian]]'' and ''Witney Gazette''.
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Notable people associated with Witney include:
*Steve Fletcher, horologist and TV personality
*[[Emma Appleton]], actress<ref name="witney">{{Cite journal|url= https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18117977.emma-appleton-witney-set-star-new-netflix-show-witcher/|title=Emma Appleton from Witney set to be star of new Netflix show The Witcher|journal=Oxford Mail|first=Liam|last=Rice|date=22 December 2019}}</ref>
*[[David Cameron]], former [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for Witney in [[British House of Commons|Parliament]], and former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]]UK and [[Conservativeformer Party (UK)|Conservative]]Foreign LeaderSecretary
*[[Jamie Cook (footballer)|Jamie Cook]], footballer
*[[Alan Dapre]], children's TV show writer
*[[Lawson D'Ath]], footballer, [[Yeovil Town F.C.]] lived in Witney and attended Henry Box School
*[[Jorge Grant]], footballer, [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]], attended [[Wood Green School]].
*[[Darrell Griffin]], [[England national rugby league team|England]] [[rugby league]] footballer
*[[Douglas Hurd]], former Conservative MP for Witney and former Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary
*[[Charlie Hutchison]], British communist
*[[Charlie Hutchison]], British communist, only black British volunteer to join the [[International Brigades]], and liberator of [[Bergen-Belsen concentration camp|Belsen concentration camp]], born in Witney.
*[[Martin Jones (pianist)|Martin Jones]], concert pianist
*[[Simon King (footballer)|Simon King]], Former [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] and [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] footballer, grew up in Witney and attended Henry Box School.
*[[Graham Leonard]], 130th [[Bishop of London]], subsequently [[Monsignor|Prelate of Honour]]▼
*Daniel Leach, [[Select Group]] 2 Assistant Referee
*[[Rhys Lewis (musician)|Rhys Lewis]], singer-songwriter signed with [[Decca Records]], 2017–present.▼
▲*[[Graham Leonard]], 130th [[Bishop of London]], subsequently [[Monsignor|Prelate of Honour]]
*[[Andrew Logan (sculptor)|Andrew Logan]], artist, born in Witney▼
▲*[[Rhys Lewis (musician)|Rhys Lewis]], singer-songwriter signed with [[Decca Records]], 2017–present.
*[[Gugu Mbatha-Raw]], TV and film actress, grew up in the town and attended Henry Box School▼
*[[Robert Llewellyn]], ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' actor and author, attended Henry Box School and was expelled
*[[Maddie Moate]], television presenter and YouTuber
▲*[[Andrew Logan (sculptor)|Andrew Logan]], artist, born in Witney
*[[David Moss (footballer born 1952)|David Moss]], footballer
▲*[[Gugu Mbatha-Raw]], TV and film actress, grew up in the town and attended Henry Box School
*[[Robbie Mustoe]], footballer
*[[Maddie Moate]], television presenter and YouTuber, attended Henry Box School and grew up in nearly [[Curbridge, Oxfordshire|Curbridge]]
*[[Lorraine Pascal]], model and TV chef, lived in Witney as a child▼
*[[David Moss (footballer born 1952)|David Moss]], footballer, [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]], previously [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] and [[Witney Town F.C.|Witney Town]]
*[[Miss Read]] (Dora Saint), author
*[[Robbie Mustoe]], footballer, notably with [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
*[[Larry Sanders (politician)|Larry Sanders]], Green party councillor and brother of US presidential candidate [[Bernie Sanders]]▼
▲*[[Lorraine Pascal]], model and TV chef, lived in Witney as a child
*[[Miss Read]] (Dora Saint), author, lived in Witney. The town was the inspiration for the fictional "Lulling" of the ''Thrush Green'' novels.
▲*[[Larry Sanders (politician)|Larry Sanders]], Green party councillor and brother of US presidential candidate [[Bernie Sanders]]
*[[William Smith (cricketer, born 1875)|William Smith]], cricketer
*[[James Allen Shuffrey]], notable watercolour artist, was born in Wood Green, Witney in 1858.
*[[Leonard Shuffrey]], leading architect and architectural designer, was born in Wood Green, Witney, in 1852.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Peatfield |first1=Susan |title=Angels in Ealing |date=2022 |publisher=St Peter's Church Ealing |location=London}}</ref>
*[[Patrick Steptoe]], pioneer of fertility treatment, attended [[Henry Box School]]
*[[Dan Tomlinson]], Labour politician
*[[Shaun Woodward]], Conservative and then Labour MP for Witney, then Labour MP for [[St Helens South (UK Parliament constituency)|St Helens South]] from 2001 to 2015.
==See also==
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*[http://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/ Official Witney Town Council website]
*[http://www.witney.net/ Witney website] – Witney website
*[http://www.thisiswitney.com/ This is Witney website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522014311/http://thisiswitney.com/ |date=22 May 2017 }}
*{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Witney |volume=28 |pages=761–762 |short=1}}
*[http://www.charlesgott.co.uk/ The Book Of Witney] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415194523/http://charlesgott.co.uk/ |date=15 April 2013 }} – by Charles and Joan Gott
*[http://www.witneyhistory.org/ Witney & District Historical and Archaeological Society] – Talks, articles and photo galleries relating to Witney and local area.
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/searchResults.asp?TownName=Witney&subjectType=PL&CountyName=&submit.x=38&submit.y=14 Archival material relating to Witney] listed at [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|the UK National Archives]]