Raunds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raunds |
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 St Peter's Church and War Memorial |
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 Raunds
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| Population | 9,379 (2021 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SP9972 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WELLINGBOROUGH |
| Postcode district | NN9 |
| Dialling code | 01933 |
| Police | Northamptonshire |
| Fire | Northamptonshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Raunds is a busy market town in North Northamptonshire, England. In 2021, about 9,379 people lived there. It is known for its history and its beautiful natural surroundings.
Contents
Exploring Raunds
Raunds is located about 21 miles north-east of Northampton. It sits on the southern edge of the Nene Valley. The area around the town is mostly farmland.
Stanwick Lakes
Raunds is very close to Stanwick Lakes. This is a large country park that used to be gravel pits. The Rockingham Forest Trust takes care of it. Stanwick Lakes is famous around the world for its many different birds. You can walk to the park from Raunds using the Meadow Lane path.
Weather Record
On August 9, 1911, Raunds had a very hot day. The temperature reached 36.7 degrees Celsius (98.1 degrees Fahrenheit). For 79 years, this was the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK! It shared this record with Canterbury, Kent, until 1990.
A Look Back in Time
Raunds has a long and interesting history. People have lived here for a very long time.
Ancient Discoveries
In the mid-1980s, workers were digging for sand in the Nene Valley. They found the remains of an old Roman villa. This was a large house from Roman times. Archaeologists (people who study old things) spent many years carefully digging up the area.
Later, in 2002, a TV show called Time Team explored a garden in Raunds. They found an Anglo-Saxon cemetery. This means people from the Anglo-Saxon period were buried there.
What's in a Name?
The name "Raunds" is very old. It first appeared in an Anglo-Saxon document around 972–992. It was called Randan back then. In the Domesday Book of 1086, it was written as Rande. The name comes from an old English word, rand, which means "border."
The Boot and Shoe Industry
For many years, Raunds was famous for making boots and shoes. This industry was very important to the town. But in the 1950s and 1960s, the industry started to decline.
In 1905, there was a big disagreement about how much money army bootmakers should be paid. This led to a large march to London in May of that year. Many factories closed down by the early 1990s. Some were torn down, and new houses were built where they once stood. The Coggins boot factory was one of the last to close.
Important Buildings
Raunds has several historic buildings. The Historic England website lists 19 important buildings and six ancient monuments in or near the town.
- St Peter's Church on Church Street.
- The Manor House at 2 Manor Street.
St Peter's Church belongs to the Church of England. St Thomas More's Church is a Roman Catholic church.
How Many People Live Here?
The number of people living in Raunds has changed a lot over the years:
- In 1801, there were 800 people.
- By 1841, there were 1,653 people.
- In 2011, the population grew to 8,641 people.
- In 2021, the population was 9,379 people.
Getting Around
Roads
Raunds is close to major roads like the A45 and the A14. These roads connect to bigger motorways like the M1 and A1. The A14 also goes to Felixstowe, which is a very large port. Because of these good road links, many companies that store and deliver goods have warehouses near Raunds.
Buses
Bus services in Raunds are not very frequent. The X46 bus connects the town to Wellingborough, Rushden, and Northampton. It runs once an hour. There are also some other local bus routes.
Trains
You can catch trains from Wellingborough and Kettering railway stations. These trains can take you directly to London St Pancras International, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.
Raunds used to have its own train station. It was on a line that went from Kettering to Huntingdon. However, this station closed in 1959.
Waterways
Stanwick Lakes are close enough to reach by walking or cycling. From there, you can connect to the Nene Valley river system. You can even travel by boat to places like Oundle in a day. The Nene Valley also connects to other waterways, making it possible to reach Cambridge and Peterborough by boat.
Businesses and Shops
Raunds has many small businesses. Many people also travel to bigger towns for work.
The town is home to large distribution centers for companies like Hotpoint, Robert Wiseman Dairies, Avery Dennison, DPD, Howdens Joinery, and Dr. Martens. These are all located at the Warth Park estate.
There is an Asda supermarket in Raunds, which opened in 2017. The town also has a market every Friday in the town square. You can find butchers, plant sellers, homemade jewelry, and sweets there. Local groups and clubs can also set up stalls.
Learning and Schools
Raunds has several schools for different age groups:
- A day nursery
- A playgroup
- An infant school
- A primary school
- A junior school
- A secondary school
Fun and Culture
Raunds has many events and activities for its residents.
Music and Arts
Every year in early May, Raunds holds a music festival. It features rock, jazz, and folk concerts with famous artists. The Raunds Community Choir and Raunds Temperance Band also perform. There are also dancing shows and a youth dance competition.
The Raunds Music and Drama Society (MADS) puts on several plays and shows throughout the year.
Festivals
The town celebrates with a Christmas festival in the square. They also hold special markets each year to celebrate other countries.
Clubs and Gatherings
For many years, the Woodbine Working Men's Club and the Conservative Club have provided places for people to meet and have fun.
The cricket club also hosts an annual beer festival. It offers different local beers and ciders, along with music from local artists.
News and Media
Local news and TV shows for Raunds come from BBC East and ITV Anglia.
For radio, you can listen to BBC Radio Northampton on 103.6 FM, Heart East on 96.6 FM, and Smooth East Midlands on 97.2 FM.
Local newspapers include the Northampton Herald & Post and the Northamptonshire Telegraph.
Sports and Hobbies
Football
Raunds Town F.C. is the local football club. They play at Kiln Park. Besides the main team, they also have reserve, women's, and youth teams. Raunds Tigers F.C. focuses on junior football and has several youth teams.
Cricket
Raunds Town Cricket Club has a ground on Marshalls Road. The team plays in the Northamptonshire Cricket League.
Archery
The Archers of Raunds meet at Manor School and Sports College.
Town Leaders
Since 2005, the Raunds Town Council has chosen a Mayor to lead the council. Here are some of the people who have been Mayor:
- 2005-06: Lisa Costello
- 2006-07: Dudley Hughes
- 2007-08: Michelle Goring
- 2008-10: Peter Wathen
- 2010-13: Michael Clements
- 2013-14: Pauline Williams
- 2014-15: Louisa Thomas
- 2015-17: Helen Howell
- 2017-18: Nicholas Beck
- 2018-20: Richard Levell
- 2020-22: Sylvia Hughes
- 2022-23: Richard Levell
- 2023- : Paul Byrne
Town Councillors
The town is divided into two areas, or wards, for its councillors.
Saxon Ward
- Bill Cross
- Ollie Curtis
- Helen Howell
- Dudley Hughes
- Magdalena Levell
- Lee Wilkes
Windmill Ward
- Rosalie Beattie
- Paul Byrne (Mayor)
- Kirk Harrison
- Richard Levell
- Trevor Swailes
- Vacancy
Famous People from Raunds
Some well-known people have connections to Raunds:
- Ada Salter (1866–1942), an environmentalist.
- Elizabeth Emery (1841-1924), whose granddaughter, Bess Truman, married Harry S Truman. He later became the President of the USA.
- Sir David Frost (1939–2013), a famous television personality.
Nearby Places
Other towns and villages close to Raunds include: Ringstead, Keyston, Stanwick, Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Thrapston, Hargrave, Wellingborough, Irthlingborough, Chelveston.
Images for kids
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St Peter's Church and War Memorial
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St Peter's Church, Raunds
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Raunds Town Council Offices
See also
In Spanish: Raunds para niños
