Home Putting Melton First Saving the War Memorial Hospital Hill House Project Craven Lodge Messages & Support News Releases Clippings Archive Contact 28/08/2008 15:17 Putting Melton First Message from John Southerington, Melton First Chairman Dear Friends, Melton Mowbray has existed for centuries. The town was known to the ancient Britons and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Popularity grew throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. As well as being the home of the Pork Pie and Stilton cheese, it was also the location of the original Grand National, and caused the phrase 'painting the town red', when the Marquis of Waterford's rowdy friends misbehaved in April 1837, and the incident was so headlined in the London newspapers of the time. All the famous names of the day resided here, from 'Jersey' Lillie Langtry, to the dandy, Beau Brummel. From Melton's Bede Houses and substantial 12th century parish church of St Mary to the many local hunting lodges, the town was full of life, money, and outstanding buildings. It isn't widely known that in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Melton's grand houses and some 40 hunting lodges provided homes for much of Europe's nobility. Melton became their country home away from London, and it was said not to be unusual for seven Kings to be seen out hunting with the Melton Hunt. In the 1920s, Edward, Prince of Wales, came here to stay, as did several of his brothers. He had an apartment built for his use at the Craven Lodge Club. This was the setting for many of Edward's well-known affairs with married women and the wooing of Wallis Simpson. Possibly the most important political event of the past 100 years, Edward VIII's abdication of 1936 shook the British monarchy to its roots, yet Melton's association with the crisis has never been promoted. Saving Melton's heritage is important precisely because of the town's unique link with this historical legacy. Yet it would be difficult to recognise the old town today; most of the hunting lodges have disappeared and the grand houses have gone. The needless destruction of our ancient environment has been irreversible and regretted by many. Melton First is fighting to keep the War Memorial Hospital and Craven Lodge, two of the town's remaining heritage properties, in public hands. The outstanding natural landscape of the War Memorial site adjoins the last green belt in Melton. It's vital that we save these important heritage amenities for posterity, and persuade those who think otherwise that it's unnecessary to cover every beautiful space with housing. I hope you'll agree with me that the community should come first, and help us to put Melton First! Thank you. Also in this section: Putting Melton First - Melton's lost heritage... How you can help Melton First... The history & heritage of Melton Mowbray... Read some of Melton First's many letters of support, and send us some of your own...! Melton First       -       From the Land to the Hand