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Peterborough
The City of Peterborough is a cathedral city and Unitary Authority in the East of England. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire.
Peterborough Town Hall is located 73.7 miles (118.6 km) north from the centre of London at Charing Cross. The city is situated on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea approximately 30 miles to the north-east. The local topography is notoriously flat and low-lying, and in some places lies below sea-level. The area known as the Fens falls to the east of Peterborough.
The City of Peterborough includes the outlying settlements of Wittering and Thorney and as a unitary authority borders Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire.
In 2006 the City of Peterborough had an estimated population of 168,000.
Early History
The Romans first established the fort of Durobrivae in the vicinity around 43 AD which later grew into the town.
Peterborough (Burgh, Burgus sancti Petri) is proved by its original name Medeshampstede to have been a Saxon village before 655 when Saxulf, a monk, founded the monastery on land granted to him for that purpose by Penda, king of Mercia. Its name was altered to Burgh between 992 and 1005 after Abbot Kenulf had made a wall round the minster, but the town does not appear to have been a borough until the 12th century. The burgesses received their first charter from "Abbot Robert" — probably Robert of Sutton (1262–1273).
Historically the Dean and Chapter, who succeeded the Abbot as lords of the manor, appointed a high bailiff, and the constables and other borough officers were elected at their court leet, but the borough was incorporated in 1874 under the government of a Mayor, 6 aldermen and 18 councillors. Among the privileges claimed by the abbot as early as the 13th century was that of having a prison for felons taken in the soke and borough. In 1576 Bishop Scamble sold the lordship of the hundred of Nassaburgh, which is coextensive with the soke, to Queen Elizabeth I, who gave it to Lord Burghley, and from that time until the 19th century he and his descendants, marquesses of Exeter, had a separate gaol in Peterborough for prisoners arrested in the soke.
Modern History
Designated a "New town" in 1968, the Peterborough Development Corporation was formed in partnership with the City Council to house London's 'overspill' population in new townships sited around the existing built-up area. There were to be four townships; at Bretton, Orton, Paston/Werrington and Castor. The last of these was never built, but instead a fourth township is now taking shape south of the city at Hampton. A new network of high-speed roads, known as 'Parkways' were constructed around the city.
During the period between 1971 and 1991, Peterborough's population grew by 45.4%. In 2005 a new Urban Regeneration Company named Opportunity Peterborough was set up by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to oversee Peterborough's future development. During 2006-2012 a £1 billion re-development of the City Centre and surrounding areas will take place.
On February 18, 2005, Government figures released showed that Peterborough was experiencing a boom period, compared to the rest of the country. Economic growth on average for the UK was 5.5% whilst in Peterborough, it was 6.9%.
Famous Peterborians
Peterborough was the birthplace of many celebrities and historical figures. Musicians include Andy Bell, lead singer of the electronic pop band Erasure, who was born and spent his youth in Peterborough; Don Lusher, trombonist; Keith Palmer, better known as Maxim Reality, member of dance music band The Prodigy; and Nigel Sixsmith, founder member of The Art Of Sound, a musician and well known keytar player.
Other names from the entertainment world include Paul Nicholas, actor and singer; Sarah Cawood, television presenter; and Adrian Durham, radio presenter for talkSPORT; also Barrie Forgie, leader of the BBC Big Band, Scientist and broadcaster Brian J. Ford and West Ham United footballer Matthew Etherington was born in Peterborough and started his football career at Peterborough United FC.
Two famous businessmen are Peter Boizot, founder of the Pizza Express restaurant chain, who has supported the cultural and sporting development of the city, including a spell as owner and chairman of Peterborough United; and Henry Royce, co-founder of Rolls-Royce Limited.
Finally, two historical figures were born locally, the poet John Clare and Hereward the Wake, an outlaw who led resistance against William the Conqueror and now lends his name to several places and businesses in Peterborough.
Article Sourced from Wikipedia
Peterborough
Peterborough Town Hall is located 73.7 miles (118.6 km) north from the centre of London at Charing Cross. The city is situated on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea approximately 30 miles to the north-east. The local topography is notoriously flat and low-lying, and in some places lies below sea-level. The area known as the Fens falls to the east of Peterborough.
The City of Peterborough includes the outlying settlements of Wittering and Thorney and as a unitary authority borders Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire.
In 2006 the City of Peterborough had an estimated population of 168,000.
Early History
The Romans first established the fort of Durobrivae in the vicinity around 43 AD which later grew into the town.
Peterborough (Burgh, Burgus sancti Petri) is proved by its original name Medeshampstede to have been a Saxon village before 655 when Saxulf, a monk, founded the monastery on land granted to him for that purpose by Penda, king of Mercia. Its name was altered to Burgh between 992 and 1005 after Abbot Kenulf had made a wall round the minster, but the town does not appear to have been a borough until the 12th century. The burgesses received their first charter from "Abbot Robert" — probably Robert of Sutton (1262–1273).
Historically the Dean and Chapter, who succeeded the Abbot as lords of the manor, appointed a high bailiff, and the constables and other borough officers were elected at their court leet, but the borough was incorporated in 1874 under the government of a Mayor, 6 aldermen and 18 councillors. Among the privileges claimed by the abbot as early as the 13th century was that of having a prison for felons taken in the soke and borough. In 1576 Bishop Scamble sold the lordship of the hundred of Nassaburgh, which is coextensive with the soke, to Queen Elizabeth I, who gave it to Lord Burghley, and from that time until the 19th century he and his descendants, marquesses of Exeter, had a separate gaol in Peterborough for prisoners arrested in the soke.
Modern History
Designated a "New town" in 1968, the Peterborough Development Corporation was formed in partnership with the City Council to house London's 'overspill' population in new townships sited around the existing built-up area. There were to be four townships; at Bretton, Orton, Paston/Werrington and Castor. The last of these was never built, but instead a fourth township is now taking shape south of the city at Hampton. A new network of high-speed roads, known as 'Parkways' were constructed around the city.
During the period between 1971 and 1991, Peterborough's population grew by 45.4%. In 2005 a new Urban Regeneration Company named Opportunity Peterborough was set up by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to oversee Peterborough's future development. During 2006-2012 a £1 billion re-development of the City Centre and surrounding areas will take place.
On February 18, 2005, Government figures released showed that Peterborough was experiencing a boom period, compared to the rest of the country. Economic growth on average for the UK was 5.5% whilst in Peterborough, it was 6.9%.
Famous Peterborians
Peterborough was the birthplace of many celebrities and historical figures. Musicians include Andy Bell, lead singer of the electronic pop band Erasure, who was born and spent his youth in Peterborough; Don Lusher, trombonist; Keith Palmer, better known as Maxim Reality, member of dance music band The Prodigy; and Nigel Sixsmith, founder member of The Art Of Sound, a musician and well known keytar player.
Other names from the entertainment world include Paul Nicholas, actor and singer; Sarah Cawood, television presenter; and Adrian Durham, radio presenter for talkSPORT; also Barrie Forgie, leader of the BBC Big Band, Scientist and broadcaster Brian J. Ford and West Ham United footballer Matthew Etherington was born in Peterborough and started his football career at Peterborough United FC.
Two famous businessmen are Peter Boizot, founder of the Pizza Express restaurant chain, who has supported the cultural and sporting development of the city, including a spell as owner and chairman of Peterborough United; and Henry Royce, co-founder of Rolls-Royce Limited.
Finally, two historical figures were born locally, the poet John Clare and Hereward the Wake, an outlaw who led resistance against William the Conqueror and now lends his name to several places and businesses in Peterborough.
Article Sourced from Wikipedia
Peterborough