What is the history of Much Wenlock?

Much Wenlock has become known as the birthplace of Wenlock Olympian Games set up by William Penny Brookes and his Wenlock Olympian Society (WOS) in 1850. In 1861 he was also instrumental in setting up the Shropshire Olympian Games and later in 1866, the National Olympian Games.

Why is Much Wenlock famous?

Much Wenlock is a stunningly beautiful medieval town and played a major part in the 19th century revival of the Olympic Games. It is the home town of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement and founder of the Wenlock Olympian Society.

What is the connection between Much Wenlock and the Olympics?

Much Wenlock is home to the Wenlock Olympian Games. These famous games and Dr. William Penny Brookes, the founder, are thought to have inspired the modern Olympic Games that began in 1896, only 6 years after Baron Pierre de Coubertin (the founder of the International Olympic Committee) visited the Games.

Why is Wenlock called Wenlock?

Wenlock takes his name from the town of Much Wenlock in Shropshire, which still hosts the traditional Much Wenlock Games. These were one of Pierre de Coubertin's sources of inspiration for the modern Olympic Games.

How old is Much Wenlock?

years ago. Much Wenlock developed around an abbey which was founded around 685. This remained unƟl the invasion of Danish Vikings around 874. In the 11th century a religious house was built on the same site.

9 Facts About Much Wenlock Historic Shropshire Abbey Priory Olympics and Tony Robinson

Why is Much Wenlock called Much Wenlock?

The name Wenlock probably comes from the Celtic name Wininicas, meaning "white area" (in reference to the limestone of Wenlock Edge), plus the Old English loca, meaning "enclosed place". The town was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wenloch.

How many people live in Much Wenlock?

In recognition of our sporting heritage, the 2012 London Olympic Games named one of their mascots Wenlock. Today, with a population of around 3,000 people, Much Wenlock feels much more like a village than a town.

Did the Olympics start in Much Wenlock?

Much Wenlock is the birthplace of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement and founder of the Wenlock Olympian Society. It was in 1850 that the first ever Wenlock Olympian Games were held here in Much Wenlock.

What does "much" mean in Old English?

The Middle English version of this word was muchel, "large," from the Old English micel, "great in amount or extent." Definitions of much. adjective. (quantifier used with mass nouns) great in quantity or degree or extent.

Is Much Wenlock a town or village?

Much Wenlock is a small medieval market town, located in the east of the county midway between Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth. Much Wenlock developed around an abbey, founded around 685.

Why were Wenlock and Mandeville chosen?

May 19 saw the launch of the London 2012 mascots Wenlock and Mandeville and as you can imagine with our own history so involved in the Stoke Mandeville heritage we were delighted that the London 2012 organising committee had chosen to highlight the Stoke Mandeville Games legacy.

Why is it Team GB and not England in the Olympics?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which governs the Olympics, does not recognise the individual independent countries and all British athletes compete together under the Team GB umbrella.

Who is Britain's greatest Olympian?

The most successful British Olympian by gold medals and total medals won is Sir Jason Kenny, who has won seven gold medals and nine overall, all in track cycling.

Who owns Wenlock Abbey now?

Parts of the building became a house later known as "Wenlock Abbey", which is privately owned by Gabrielle Drake, the actress, who bought it with her late husband, Louis de Wet, in 1983, but most of Wenlock Priory is open to the public under the care of English Heritage and is used mostly for recreational purposes.

What is the birthplace of the modern Olympics?

1896 Games

The first Games held under the auspices of the IOC were hosted in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens in 1896.

What was the role of the Wenlock Olympian Society?

The Society was founded by William Penny Brookes in 1850 as 'Wenlock Olympian Class' to provide annual competitions in sports and the arts for “every man in every grade of life” that is for the benefit of every member of the general public – and so Wenlock Olympian Games was born.

What is the crime rate in Much Wenlock?

Annual total crime rate in your local area is 30.7 crimes per thousand resident population.

What does Much Wenlock mean?

Those who stayed in England were gradually assimilated, rather like the name of the town we start our drive in, Much Wenlock. It gets its Much is from Anglo-Saxon mycel, meaning 'great' or 'much'. Wenlock comes from Celtic wininicas, 'white area', and the Anglo-Saxon loca, 'place'.

Is Much Wenlock a nice place to live?

A proper Shropshire town with a small village feel and a big heart. Few places capture the spirit of Shropshire quite like Much Wenlock. This is a proper Shropshire town – a place where the pubs are friendly, the food is good, and the serenity of nature is moments away. And, of course, there are secrets to unravel.

Is Much Wenlock worth visiting?

Much Wenlock is worth visiting for its rich history, unique link to the Olympics, and charming character. The town's picturesque streets are filled with Tudor and Georgian architecture, providing a glimpse into its storied past.

What does much mean in a place name?

MUCH comes from the Middle English (1150-1500) word meaning 'muchel' 'mochel' meaning great. WEN is from the Welsh 'gwyn' meaning white, (the feminine form of gwyn is “gwen”). LOCK maybe from the Old Welsh “loc” meaning monastery or from the English 'loca' meaning enclosed place.

What is the population of Much Wenlock?

Much Wenlock is a market town with a population of around 3,000. The Town Council has 11 Councillors, including a Mayor. There are eight part-time staff (see organization chart). The Council's precept for 2024/5 is £275,287, with an overall budget of just under £350,000 for the year.

Who is Britain's oldest Olympian?

Nick Skelton became Team GB's oldest Olympic medallist in 104 years as he won Britain's first ever individual showjumping gold after a dramatic final at Rio 2016. The 58-year-old triumphed on board Big Star in a six-man jump-off to take his second career gold medal at a record seventh Olympic Games.

What Olympics are next?

Next up are the 2026 Winter Games in Italy and the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in the United States for the first time since 1996. At the Winter Olympics, some notable storylines to watch include alpine skier Lindsey Vonn's planned comeback and new events thrown into the mix.

Why is the UK Olympic team called GB?

Branding strategy

The individual sports join to become Team GB, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team." The Team GB brand was used as part of a licensing and merchandising strategy following the BOA's athletes success at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.