Manningtree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manningtree |
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 The River Stour at Manningtree |
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 Manningtree
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| Population | 911 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | TM105317 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MANNINGTREE |
| Postcode district | CO11 |
| Dialling code | 01206 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Manningtree is a small town in Essex, England. It sits right by the River Stour. This area is known for its beautiful nature. It is part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Contents
Is Manningtree England's Smallest Town?
Manningtree has often said it is the smallest town in England. In 2007, about 700 people lived there. By 2011, the population grew to 900. However, another town called Fordwich in Kent has only 351 people. So, Manningtree is not the smallest by population. But it might be the smallest town by its land size.
In 2009, there was an idea to join Manningtree with nearby villages. These were Mistley and Lawford. This would have made one big parish. But this merger has not happened as of 2023.
Manningtree's Past: A Look at History
The name Manningtree probably means 'many trees'. The town grew because of the wool trade. This was from the 1400s until the 1700s. It also traded a lot of corn, wood, and coal by ship. This shipping slowed down when the railway arrived.
Manningtree is famous for Matthew Hopkins. He called himself the "Witchfinder General". In 1644, he claimed to hear women talking about the devil. His accusations led to their deaths as witches.
Many buildings in the town center look Georgian. But they are much older inside. The Manningtree Library is one example. It was built as a place to trade corn. Later, around 1900, it was used for fun public shows. The Methodist church on South Street was finished in 1807.
A painting called The Ascension by John Constable was made for Manningtree. It was for the old church on High Street in 1821. That church was taken down in 1967. The painting is now in Dedham church.
How Manningtree is Governed
Manningtree is part of a larger area for elections. This area is called Manningtree, Mistley, Little Bentley and Tendring. In 2011, about 4,603 people lived in this election area.
Geography: Where is Manningtree Located?
Manningtree is on Holbrook Bay. This bay is part of the River Stour. It is in the north of Essex. The town is also on the eastern edge of Dedham Vale.
Nearby villages include Dedham, Mistley, Lawford, Wrabness and Brantham.
Getting Around: Transport in Manningtree
Manningtree railway station is on the Great Eastern Main Line. You can catch direct trains from here. These trains go to London, Norwich and Harwich.
Media: News and Radio
Local news and TV shows come from BBC East and ITV Anglia. TV signals are sent from the Sudbury TV tower.
The town also gets radio from BBC Essex and BBC Radio Suffolk. Other radio stations include Heart East, Greatest Hits Radio Essex, and Actual Radio.
The Harwich and Manningtree Standard is the local newspaper. It comes out every Friday.
Manningtree in Books and Plays
Manningtree appears in some stories. It is in Ronald Bassett's 1966 book Witchfinder General. It is also in A. K. Blakemore's 2021 book The Manningtree Witches.
In Shakespeare’s play Henry IV Part I, a character is called "that roasted Manningtree ox". This was marked in 2000 with a sculpture of an ox in the town center.
A. K. Blakemore's 2021 book, The Manningtree Witches, is set in the town. This book won the Desmond Elliott Prize in 2021. Judges called it "a stunning achievement."
Famous People from Manningtree
- Margaret Thatcher lived and worked in Manningtree. She worked for a company called BX Plastics.
- Matthew Hopkins, the Witch-Finder General, lived in Manningtree.
- Henry Patten, who won the 2024 Wimbledon doubles tennis championship, lived in Manningtree.
Twin Town
Manningtree is twinned with a town in Germany. This town is called Frankenberg, Hesse.
See also
In Spanish: Manningtree para niños
