Hilgay
| Hilgay | ||
|---|---|---|
Shire county | ||
| Region | ||
| Country | England | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
| Post town | DOWNHAM MARKET | |
| Postcode district | PE38 | |
| Police | Norfolk | |
| Fire | Norfolk | |
| Ambulance | East of England | |
Hilgay is a village and
Geography
The parish boundary north of Hilgay village follows the River Wissey.[2] The only other settlement in the parish is the hamlet of Ten Mile Bank, alongside and near the Great Ouse, which crosses the parish from south to north.
History
The name Hilgay is derived from the
Hilgay village sits on a raised isle, some 66 feet (20 m) above the surrounding
The scholar and poet Phineas Fletcher (1580–1650) became chaplain to Sir Henry Willoughby, who presented him in 1621 to the rectory of Hilgay, where he married and spent the rest of his life.
Captain George William Manby, who lived for much of his life in Hilgay, is buried in the churchyard, and his memorial celebrates his invention of the Manby mortar to send a line to ships in distress.[5] He was awarded £2,000 by Parliament, as use of the device had saved 230 lives by 1823.[6]
A Hilgay village sign was erected in 1987. The musical instruments on it are displayed in honour of Hilgay Silver Band, which was still going strong over 100 years after its formation around 1896. Its original members were agricultural workers from the local area. A Manby mortar is also represented. The bridge depicted between the two instruments is Hilgay Old Bridge. The bridge was built in 1899 to transport traffic from the centre of the village over the River Wissey to the north. A small plaque attached to the bottom of the supporting post states the village sign was 'Erected by Hilgay Parish Council 1987'.[7]
In 2018, nine one-metre square test pits were dug as part of an archaeological investigation. The report was published in 2019. [8]
Hilgay Parish Council are responsible for the local allotments, cemetery and
Governance
Hilgay is part of the electoral ward of Hilgay with Denver. The population of this ward at the 2011 Census was 2,409.[10]
Amenities
All Saints, the
Primary schools at Hilgay and Ten Mile Bank are both run by the Diocese of Ely multi-academy trust.[14] In November 2023, plans were put forward to amalgamate the two schools and close the Ten Mile Bank site, owing to low numbers of pupils.[15]
References
- ^ "Parish population 2011". Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Election Maps: Great Britain". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Hilgay". www.access.arch.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- dissolution went to James Howe, belonged now to the Jones family and was rebuilt in the Tudor style in 1840."[citation needed]
- ^ Monger, Garry (2021). "George Manby". The Fens. April: 20.
- ^ Blair (2006)
- ^ "Hilgay". www.edp24.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ "Hilgay" (PDF). www.access.arch.cam.ac. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ "Hilgay Parish Council". hilgaypc.wixsite.com. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ "Hilgay with Denver population 2011". Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of All Saints (1077719)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St Mark (1391351)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "The Ouse Valley Benefice". Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "The Riverside Federation". riversidefederation-norfolk.demat.org.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Ten Mile Bank and Hilgay Amalgamation Consultation Response". Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust. November 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
Bibliography
- Andrew Hunter Blair (2006). The River Great Ouse and tributaries. Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson. ISBN 978-0-85288-943-5.
External links
Media related to Hilgay at Wikimedia Commons
- GENUKI page
- Map sources for Hilgay
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