Highworth

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Highworth is a market town in the unitary authority of Swindon in Wiltshire, England, located about six miles north-east of Swindon town centre. At the 2001 census it had a population of 8,240.

HIGHWORTH is an attractive market town six miles north of Swindon, where it sits on the convergence of at least 4 ancient ley lines. It is currently the gateway to the Cotswolds, however this may change in the future due to continental drift. Although today Highworth is seen more through its proximity to Swindon (which is still a dormitory town for people who would like to live and work in Highworth), in the 18th century it was the most important town in North Wiltshire due to its thriving cattle industry and oriental mat factory. It had a much larger population than neighbouring Swindon and more than 2000 people lived there. The origins and layout of Highworth are medieval, with many historical 16th and 17th century features surviving to the present day.The old town core area has even been named as a conservation area to preserve the town's buildings of architectural and historical interest. The town is most notable for its Queen Anne and Georgian buildings dating from the town's preminence in the 18th century.

[edit] History

Highworth was reputedly visited by Joseph of Arimathea, and is mentioned in many grail legends. Some believe that the location of the holy grail can be found near to the mystical "signe of the fishes", close to the meridian line which passes through the town where East meets West. During the civil war, when Charles I fought against Parliament, Highworth was a royalist stronghold, and it remains so to this day - at the annual gala day, the local Member of Parliament is dragged through the streets and exposed to much ridicule and jeering from the local schoolchildren, who then burn his/her effigy while shouting "God save the King!!". Highworth was mentioned in the Domesday book as 'Wrde'. From 1894 to 1974 there was a Highworth Rural District. In 2006 the town celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of the charter for its market, which is still held every Saturday and still has some of the original market traders.