Another millennia was recently added to Market Rasen's known history with a discovery on a new housing development on Linwood Road. After finding pots, site developer Mr. Hugh Bourn funded a detailed excavation that found a Roman pottery with quarry pits, a well, water management systems, gullies and evidence of pre-drying sheds but the most significant find was the actual kiln. Market Rasen was clearly an important site as far back as the second century.

The name Rasen comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'planks', perhaps from a wooden bridge or board walk over the River Rase, which has taken it's name from the place. Market Rasen was known as East Rasen at the time of the Domesday Book. It seems to have developed into a trading centre in medieval times through its position on a cross-roads acquiring a market charter about 700 years ago.

With the coming of the industrial revolution, the West Riding of Yorkshire provided the main market for the area's agriculture, as reflected in the turnpiking of the Louth to Bawtry road in the late 1760's, and improvements to the River Ancholme which brought water transport to within 6 miles of the town.

Railwaymania

Whilst there are some important Georgian buildings in the town it was the 19th century that saw the biggest growth. The same bed of fine blue clay that attracted the Roman potters provided the bricks and tiles for sustained building through the middle of the century massively boosted when the railway came in 1848.

The railway changed the face of the town physically, economically and socially and although small craftsmen may have suffered from the influx of cheap mass-produced items there is no doubt that for the majority of townsfolk it brought a new dimension to life for which they were very grateful.

As well as the efficient movement of goods in both directions and indirect benefits such as a better postal service, the new railway was taking people far and wide... "Bridlington and Scarborough and BACK in a DAY"... but it was also making Market Rasen a centre of attention. In 1856 the North Lincolnshire Agricultural Society reported that "The 19th annual Meeting? was held in the rapidly improving town of Market Rasen. The...Railway Companies afforded facilities at reduced fares for the conveyance of stock and implements... Attendance at the exhibition was estimated at 5000."

Imagine too the spectacle in 1858 at a "Grand Rural Fete" at Bayons Manor near Tealby. The Stamford Mercury reported: "The weather being favourable there was an immense attendance of visitors, many of whom came by special Railway trains... At 2 o'clock some 5000 persons were present..." *



* From "An Early Victorian Market Town" Special thanks to the late Douglas Boyce

Market Rasen Today

Nationally, Market Rasen is known for its racecourse. People locally know there is much more to Rasen than steeplechasing but ponder for a moment... why does this local treasure so regularly win the "Best Small Racecourse in the North" award?

It hosts 19 National Hunt meetings throughout the year and is renowned as one of the friendliest racecourses in the country. Its outstanding facilities and tranquil setting offer the perfect venue; whether for entertaining clients, celebrating an anniversary or just looking for a great day out.

Activity in the town itself centres around the Market Place, much busier and more colourful now that the Town Council has taken over its running. Tuesday's market and auction is now even busier with a regular Farmers Market and there's a WI Market on Fridays.

The difficult days of the mid 1990's when the Market Rasen Mail highlighted 17 empty shops are long gone. The town is now self-sufficient in variety and quality of shopping. The writer of this article will forever remember with shame traipsing around frenetic Lincoln late on a recent Christmas Eve finding only scraggy vegetables and worn out 'Saturday staff' then returning to find on his own doorstep a lively, friendly well stocked Market Place and welcoming shops!

With the environmental improvements now taking place around the town centre it's time to tell the world about it.

The Surrounding Countryside

If life in Market Rasen is described as "unhurried" then it is positively sleepy in the surrounding villages. That does not mean there is nothing to do, in fact for visitors it is often the attraction.

Market Rasen is a gateway to the Wolds, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Quiet roads, well marked public footpaths, picnic areas and beautiful countryside mean the simple pleasures of walking, cycling, picnicking and sight-seeing are easy to enjoy.

The well known Viking Way footpath links some of the Wold's prettiest villages. The "Number One National Cycle Route" from Hull to Harwich also passes through the area. The route has been chosen with great care, not just for easy and picturesque cycling but also for supporting services like pubs, tea shops, and places to stay. Strong marketing is already bringing many European visitors.

Those keen on particular pastimes will not have to look far for antiques, garden centres, golfing, fishing, riding, shooting and even flying because the area has a rich aviation heritage.