Whitchurch, Shropshire
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History
Originally a settlement founded by the Romans around 70AD, it was called Mediolanum, meaning The place in the middle of the plain. The settlement was located on a major Roman route between Chester and Wroxeter. Roman artifacts can be seen at the Whitchurch Heritage Centre.
The current name comes from the phrase White church, referring to an old church from Norman times made from white stone. The current church of Saint Alkmunds, built in 1712 using sandstone, stands on the site of the Norman church. The heart of Sir John Talbot, a military commander who fought Joan of Arc, is buried under the church.
Whitchurch is a crossroads for roads from Nantwich, Chester and Shrewsbury, and has a railway station on the line from Crewe down the English side of the Welsh border (the Welsh Marches Line) towards Cardiff.
Residents
Whitchurch is the home of the JB Joyce tower clocks company, established in 1690, who are the oldest tower clock-making company in the world and whose clocks can be found in Singapore and Kabul.
One famous resident was composer Sir Edward German, who was born in the town and is buried in the local cemetary. Bestselling author Kate Long also lives in Whitchurch.
According to the 2001 Census the population of the town is 8067.
Miscellaneous
- There is a [cottage hospital] in the town.
- Whitchurch is twinned with the French town of Neufchatel-en-Bray.
Notes
External links
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