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Godmanchester

Coordinates: 52°19′03″N 0°10′21″W / 52.3176°N 0.1725°W / 52.3176; -0.1725
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the town in England. For the town in Canada, see Godmanchester, Quebec.

Godmanchester
Post Street in Godmanchester,
with the tower of St Mary's Church
Godmanchester is located in Cambridgeshire
Godmanchester
Godmanchester
Location within Cambridgeshire
Area1.983 km2 (0.766 sq mi) civil parish
Population7,893 (2021)
• Density3,980/km2 (10,300/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTL245704
• London56 miles (90 km)
Civil parish
  • Godmanchester [1]
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townHUNTINGDON
Postcode districtPE29
Dialling code01480
PoliceCambridgeshire
FireCambridgeshire
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Cambridgeshire
52°19′03″N 0°10′21″W / 52.3176°N 0.1725°W / 52.3176; -0.1725

Godmanchester (/ˈɡɒdməntʃɛstər/ GOD-mən-ches-tər)[2] is a town and civil parish in the Huntingdonshire district of Cambridgeshire, England. It is separated from Huntingdon, 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north, by the valley of the River Great Ouse. Being on the Roman road network, the town has a long history. It has a waterside location, surrounded by open countryside of high value for its biodiversity but it remains highly accessible, with a railway line to London, the A1 road and M11/A14 which run nearby.[3]

Etymology

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The name ‘Godmanchester’ is first attested as Godmundcestre in the Domesday Book of 1086, and subsequently variously appears as Gutmuncetre, Gudmencestre, Gudmundcestria, Gum(m)uncestre, Gumencestre, Guncestre, Gumcestria, Gumecestre, Gommecestre, Gomecestria, Gummecestre, Gurmund(es)cestre, Gormecestre, Gormancestre, Gomecestre, Gunnecestre, Gurmecestre, Godmechestre, Gurminchestre, Gumchestre, Gurmencestre, Gumcestre, Gumestre, Godmonchestre, Gumecestur and Gumycestre.[4]

The first part of the name comes from an Anglo-Saxon personal name, either Guðmund or Godmund. Godmund is also the basis of the place-names Goodmanham (East Riding of Yorkshire) and Gumley (Leicestershire). Later forms of these names occur with a spelling Guth- or Gut-. The second part of the name refers to the Roman fort or ‘chester’ (from the Latin ‘castrum’) south of the River Ouse, identified with the Durovigutum mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary.[4]

There is no etymological or historical connection between the town and the Danish King Guðrum of East Anglia (c.835–890) or with the Goths, a Germanic people of central and eastern Europe.[4]

A minority of visitors, former residents and residents continue to pronounce the place as Gumster (/ˈɡʌmstər/), though this has long-since been superseded by Godmunchester, with stress on the first syllable.[5][6]

History

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The town is on the site of the Roman town of Durovigutum.[7] There is archaeological evidence of Celtic and earlier habitation prior to the establishment of a key Roman town and a mansio (inn), so the area has probably been continuously occupied for more than 2,000 years. In contrast to Huntingdon, archaeological finds have been extensive in the centre of Godmanchester. The town has two conservation areas [8] showing architecture from the last 400 years. Over 100 privately occupied Listed buildings, including many timber-framed Tudor houses may be seen. The largest being Tudor Farm, dating from 1600 and restored in 1995.

Pre-Roman

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The remains of a 6.3-hectare (16-acre) neolithic temple of considerable importance, carbon dated to 3685–3365 cal BCE and aligned to the Beltane sunrise, were documented on the edge of Godmanchester.[9] The site between the town and the village of Hemingford Abbots has been exposed to gravel extraction.[10][11] The location is likely to have been originally settled due to the gravel beds providing a ford across the River Great Ouse.

Post-Roman

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The Roman settlement was at a crossroads of: Ermine Street, (from London to York); the Via Devana (from Colchester through Cambridge to Chester); and a military road from Sandy, Bedfordshire. Archeological discoveries include a basilica, a bathhouse, temple, a "Mansio" which is one of the largest in the UK, other villas, farmsteads and a hoard of Jewelry, suggesting a population of upto 3000 people. The end of the third century saw a catastrophic contraction of the Roman town, probably following an attack by Saxon raiders[12][13]

The town's prosperity since the Romans has been closely tied to its strategic position on the old Roman Road from London to York. It is suggested that, in the Middle Ages, the Danes allowed development of an inland port by digging the Mill Lade.[14]

The place was listed as Godmundcestre in the Domesday Book of 1086 in the Hundred of Leightonstone in Huntingdonshire.[15] The survey records that there were 26 ploughlands, with capacity for a further 31 and, in addition to the arable land, there were 160 acres (65 hectares) of meadows, 50 acres (20 hectares) of woodland and three water mills, a church and a priest.[16]

Godmanchester was first recognised with a town charter by King John in 1212, although it had been a market town and royal manor for some years. King James I granted a second Royal Charter in 1604.[14]

Farm Hall, on West Street, was used as a bugged detention centre for German nuclear scientists as part of Operation Epsilon, from July 1945 to January 1946.[17] The plot was succesfully produced as a West End play in 2023[18]

Government

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Godmanchester Town Hall

Godmanchester was a municipal borough based at Godmanchester Town Hall in the county of Huntingdonshire until 1961.[19] It was then part of the borough of Huntingdon and Godmanchester until 1974.[19] At county level, the town was in Huntingdonshire until 1965, when it became part of the new administrative county of Huntingdon and Peterborough.[20] In 1974, the former, relatively diminutive, county of Huntingdon and Peterborough was absorbed into the administrative county of Cambridgeshire.[21]

The highest tier of local government is Cambridgeshire County Council, locally represented by two county councillors serving Godmanchester and Huntingdon East (electoral division).[22][23]

The second tier of local government, the planning authority and council-tax collecting body, is Huntingdonshire District Council, a non-metropolitan district, locally represented by two councillors elected for an eponymous ward.[22][24]

The third and lowest tier of local government is Godmanchester town council. The council comprises 17 councillors, including a mayor and a deputy mayor.[25]

Godmanchester is represented within the parliamentary constituency of Huntingdon, in the House of Commons. Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) was elected as MP in 2024, replacing Jonathan Djanogly[22]

Demography

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Population

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Since 1801, the population has been recorded every ten years by the UK census, the only exception being in 1941 due to the Second World War. In the 19th century, the population ranged from 1,573 (in 1801) to 2,438 (recorded in 1861).[26] The fastest growth, an 81% increase in population, was between 1981 and 1991[27]

Population figures since 1911 are:

Parish 1911 1921 1931 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021
Godmanchester 2,130 2,035 1,993 2,502 2,955 5,255 5,996 6,711 7,893
Population census figures from report Historic Census figures Cambridgeshire to 2011 by Cambridgeshire Insight.[26][28]

The censuses of 1961 and 1971 are omitted as Huntingdon and Godmanchester were merged into a single municipal borough.

In 2021, the parish covered an area of 4,900 acres (1,983 hectares)[26] and so the population density for Godmanchester in 2021 was 10,300 persons per square mile (3,980 per square kilometre).[29]

By 2016, Godmanchester had a population of about 6800 in 3,100 homes;[30] it is expected that this will further increase to at least 4050 homes and 8600 residents by 2036.[31][32]

Culture and community

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The town has a waterside location surrounded by open countryside of high value for its biodiversity, agricultural land value, scenic beauty and landscape quality.[33]

The Causeway, which overlooks the River Great Ouse
The Causeway

There are several bridges across the Great Ouse to Huntingdon. The Old Bridge, Huntingdon, a historic, medieval bridge, was the only road until 1975. In that year the original bypass route which is now used as a local road was built. Pedestrian traffic across the river is principally served by three additional footbridges.

England's largest meadow Portholme may be accessed from Godmanchester or Huntingdon, but lies within the Parish of Brampton.[34] It remains an important flood plain, but has served as an equestrian racecourse and centre for early aviation.

To the North and East of the town are West and Eastside Common (SSSI), and Godmanchester Nature Reserve. These commons are intersected by The Ouse Valley Way and Pathfinder Way[35] long-distance footpaths, and the route of a disused railway which connected the demolished Godmanchester Station and St Ives.

South of the town centre are the headquarters and a large operational shelter of veterinary/rescue charity Wood Green Animal Shelters.

A number of small businesses, plus DHL and Coop warehouses are situated on the southern edge of the town, on Chord Business park, Roman Way Industrial Estate and Cardinal Business Park.

Original historical documents relating to Godmanchester, including the original church parish registers, local government records, maps, photographs and the surviving borough charters, are held by Cambridgeshire Archives and Local Studies at the County Record Office, Huntingdon.

In October 2003, BBC1's Songs Of Praise was once again (previous transmission 1976) hosted by the parish church of St Mary the Virgin and featured the new hymn tune Godmanchester, written by the then vicar, Peter Moger.[36]

Landmarks

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Chinese Bridge

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Main article: Godmanchester Chinese Bridge
The Chinese Bridge

One of the town's largest public works of art and of landscaping is its Chinese Bridge, which connects to a water meadow. Local legend has it that the bridge was built without the use of nails or other fixings. The bridge was removed by crane on 9 February 2010. A new replica was built off-site in two parts and was installed on 15–16 February 2010.[37] Today the Chinese Bridge does feature nails. The claims are believed to be false; a bridge in Queens' College, Cambridge, had the same urban myth. Expert commentators write that the original nails had corroded away, masking their presence.

Twin towns – sister cities

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Godmanchester is twinned with:

Facilitated by Huntingdon and Godmanchester Twinning Association[38]

Sport and leisure

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The non-League football club Godmanchester Rovers F.C. play at Bearscroft Lane, whose teams play in various regional divisions.

Transport

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In 2019 the six lane A14 was opened allowing heavy traffic to pass unhindered over the 0.5 miles (0.80 km) long Great Ouse Viaduct, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) south of the town.[39][40] The arterial road connects the West Midlands to the Haven ports of Ipswich, Harwich and Felixstowe and via the M11 to London. Since opening in 2020 the A1307 provides a resilient route for light vehicles, north across the river into Huntingdon, or south to St. Ives and Cambridge .[41] (Historically this route has been repeatedly renamed:[42] most recent first, A1307, A14, A604, A132, Via Devana). The A1198 road, Ermine Street links traffic to the A14 or to Royston, and is used for shorter journeys south avoiding the A1.

Huntingdon railway station, a semi-major stop on the East Coast Main Line is less than 1.8 miles (2.9 km) from the town centre by car.

The town of Huntingdon and railway station may also be accessed on foot via the expansive meadow or by National Cycle Network route 51.

Local buses from Godmanchester are provided by Whippet (bus company) on routes 66 (to Huntingdon and St Neots) and X2/X3 (to Huntingdon or Papworth and Cambridge).

Notable people

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Godmanchester Town Council – Town Hall, Post Street, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire. PE29 2NB". gmccouncil.com. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Guide wrongly corrects the pronunciation of Godmanchester to Gumster | Cambridge News". 17 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Report on Godmanchester Neighbourhood Plan 2017-2036" (PDF). Huntingdon District Council. 30 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Godmanchester". Survey of English Place-Names. nottingham.ac.uk. 1923–2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Guide wrongly corrects the pronunciation of Godmanchester to Gumster - Cambridge News". 17 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ Candida Lycett Green, England: travels through an unwrecked landscape (1996), p. 74: "GODMANCHESTER Huntingdonshire... As a child I was taught to pronounce it 'Gumster'."
  7. ^ Rivet, A.L.F.; Smith, Colin (1979). The Place-Names of Roman Britain. London. p. 354.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ "Conservation Areas in Godmanchester (c) Stuart Bond 2002". godmanchester.net. Archived from the original on 9 January 2006.
  9. ^ Lyons, Alice (2019). Rectory Farm, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire: Excavations 1988-1995, Neolithic Monument to Roman Villa Farm. Oxford Archaeology East. ISBN 978-1-907588-12-9. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024.
  10. ^ Keys, David (23 March 1991). "Godmanchester's temple of the Sun". New Scientist.
  11. ^ "Godmanchester's temple of the Sun: Archaeologists diggingaway amid the gravel pits of Cambridgeshire have discovered what appearstobe ancient Europe's most sophisticated astronomical computer". Archived from the original on 13 April 2016.
  12. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20240624120304/http://godmanchester.co.uk/roman-godmanchester
  13. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20241123181558/https://huntshistoryfest.wordpress.com/2021/02/16/roman-godmanchester-durovigitum-the-thriving-fort/
  14. ^ a b Sneath, Pam; Sneath, Ken (2011). Godmanchester A Celebration of 800 Years. EAH Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-9560384-4-9.
  15. ^ Ann Williams; G.H. Martin, eds. (1992). Domesday Book: A Complete Translation. London: Penguin Books. p. 1349. ISBN 0-141-00523-8.
  16. ^ J.J.N. Palmer. "Open Domesday: Place - Godmanchester". www.opendomesday.org. Anna Powell-Smith. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  17. ^ Bernstein 2001, p. 60
  18. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20230419214922/www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/mar/15/farm-hall-review-riveting-wartime-thriller-shows-secret-mission-to-bug-german-nuclear-scientists
  19. ^ a b "Godmanchester MB". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Local Government (East Midlands) HC Deb 09 March 1964 vol 691 cc170-211". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 9 March 1964. Retrieved 5 June 2008.
  21. ^ Local Government Act 1972
  22. ^ a b c "Ordnance Survey Election Maps". www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  23. ^ "Cambridgeshire County Council: Councillors". www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Cambridgeshirte County Council. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  24. ^ "Huntingdonshire District Council: Councillors". www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk. Huntingdonshire District Council. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  25. ^ "Godmanchester Town Council: Councillors". www.gmccouncil.com. Godmanchester Town Council. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  26. ^ a b c "Historic Census figures Cambridgeshire to 2011". www.cambridgeshireinsight.org.uk. Cambridgeshire Insight. Archived from the original (xlsx - download) on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  27. ^ "Population - godmanchester.net (c) All rights reserved 1998-2006 - The authoritative site about Godmanchester and its residents, more than 330 pages about the town, forums and events". Stuart Bond.
  28. ^ "Census data". City Population (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  29. ^ "United Kingdom: East of England (Local Authority Districts and Parishes) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  30. ^ "Huntingdonshire Annual demographic and socio-economic report, Appendix 6-7" (PDF). Cambridgeshire County Council. 1 April 2011. pp. 50–52.
  31. ^ "Godmanchester Neighbourhood Plan 2017-2036" (PDF). Godmanchester Town Council. p. 9.
  32. ^ "Huntingshire District Report 2011" (PDF). Cambridgeshire Insight.
  33. ^ "Report on Godmanchester Neighbourhood Plan 2017-2036" (PDF). Huntingdon District Council. 30 August 2017.
  34. ^ "Portholme Godmanchester (c) Stuart Bond 2002". godmanchester.net. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012.
  35. ^ www.jameskirby.me.uk, MKH Computer Services Ltd-www mkh-computer-services co uk / James Kirby-. "Long Distance Walkers Association". www.ldwa.org.uk.
  36. ^ "St Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester - Archived Event". Archived from the original on 20 August 2008.
  37. ^ "The Chinese Bridge". Godmanchester Museum. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Home". hgta.co.uk.
  39. ^ "New A14 Huntingdon bypass officially opens to traffic". 9 December 2019.
  40. ^ "Timelapse video shows how huge A14 viaduct was constructed". 26 February 2019.
  41. ^ "New link road for Huntingdon Town Centre is open". 31 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  42. ^ "A132 (Colchester - Huntingdon) - Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki".
  43. ^ "The Ashforth profile: An engaging disciplinarian; Sir Mark Prescott has long been recognised as a skilful and intelligent trainer. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com.

Sources

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