10 minute read
THE OW IN OUNDLE
Simon Dolby
Oundle is a beautiful market town with a strangely pronounced name
NOT BEING BROUGHT up in this area the first time I heard about Oundle was during a geography lesson at school in the west country. oodness knows why I remember it but it has stuck in my brain for over 40 years. Oundle and Belvoir were the places mentioned and their strange pronunciation. And even stranger that I ended up virtually living on both their doorsteps, and now know how to pronounce both of them; but I do pity non nglish speakers (and Americans) who visit Oundle!
Oundle in Northamptonshire is about 15 miles from Peterborough but couldn’t be more different. It’s a spectacularly pretty, rural market town, steeped in history with beautiful eorgian architecture and many listed buildings. The surrounding countryside is bucolic, dotted with pretty limestone villages.
A settlement in Oundle can be traced back to Saxon times and from then until the sixteenth century it was connected to Peterborough Abbey and was a town of great wealth, probably because of its market. Between the sixteenth and eighteenth century the town thrived as is evidenced by the amount of beautiful, large houses built during this period by prosperous local families, Cobthorne being perhaps the most prominent.
The Talbot
One of the most iconic and easily recognisable buildings in the town is, of course, The Talbot which dominates the centre. This 16th century coaching inn re ects the great wealth of the town at the time. Charles l visited the inn in 1645, the day before the Battle of Naseby. Behind the 1600s facade which was added in 1626 are the remains of a medieval timber framed building earning it its Grade 1 listing. The huge feature window which many of you will know is said to have come from Fotheringhay Palace which was demolished after 1625, as does the staircase which Mary Queen of Scots was said to have walked down on the way to her execution. Rumour has it that her ghostly presence can be detected on the stair…
Oundle School
Oundle School is the mainstay of the town and much of it is moulded by the presence of the school. The school was founded in 1556 with a legacy from Sir William Laxton for a grammar school. F W Sanderson’s appointment as head in 1892 transformed the school and therefore the town largely into what it is today. Considerable building took place during his tenure including the Great Hall, science block, the Yarrow and four large attractive houses on Milton Road. The school also bought many of the finest houses in the town at this time including Cobthorne where the head of the school is fortunate enough to now live. Mention must also go to the John Piper stained glass windows in the Memorial Chapel that were commissioned in the 1950s.
Today the town and school are very much entwined. You will see pupils moving around the town between lessons or during breaks which gives the pupils the feeling of belonging to the town as well as to the school which is appreciated by everyone.
But Oundle, the public school, is not the only school in the town. Prince William School is an academy teaching 11-18 year olds. This year it has celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Ivan Quetglas, Oundle school photographer
Out and about in Oundle
SIMILARLY TO THE 18th century the town still has many differing trades and occupations as well as a large range of independent retailers and businesses ranging from one of the oldest, Amps wine merchants, which was established in 1901 to the very recent such as Little Blue.
We have enjoyed visiting some of these independent businesses finding out more about their history, starting with Stu Pots
Stu Pots
Now located in the Market Place Stu Pots is in its 28th year under the ownership of Stuart Blow. This cook shop and hardware shop was originally located on West Street. Stuart bought the business with his parents and after a couple of years they relocated to the Market Place as they needed bigger premises.
If you have visited the shop you will know it is stuffed to the rafters with everything you could possibly need in your kitchen, and much more you didn’t know you needed as well! Stuart knows where everything is ‘as we put everything away but we do get the odd surprise.’ If you need a set of keys cut, Stuart’s your man; batteries, L plates, tools, pooh bags, thermos ask, food umbrella; you name it Stuart has it. He even has top of the range Smeg electric kettles and toasters and every sort of pan you can think of. Pop in and see him, he’s a fountain of knowledge and you won’t leave empty handed. www.stu-pots.com
The Coffee Tavern
This long established business in the Market Place has been offering the residents of Oundle tea, coffee, cake and food for over 50 years. Owner Cinthya prides herself on sourcing ingredients as locally as possible including bread, meat and vegetables and is renowned for her generous portions!
Cakes are homemade, there are over 45 avours of milkshakes to choose from and there are dairy and gluten free and vegan options on the menu too. What’s not to like
www.oundlecoffeetavern.com
Little Blue
Little Blue is a haberdashery and interiors shop selling a range of bespoke repurposed furniture and new and used interior accessories, with items sourced from the and France. It’s a lovely shop. Owner Ali Osborn offers a commission service and can source furniture for you. Before she opened the shop she ran an upcycling furniture business. She’s a champion of local artisans and can offer lots of inspiration and advice.
To celebrate her first year of trading Ali is holding an open day on Saturday October 2 between 10 and 4pm. On the day you can sign up for new courses crochet & paint techni ues, and meet some of the local makers of the beautiful products that she sells in the store. And there will be a 5 discount on everything (apart from Frenchic products) in the shop.
www.oundlemarket.com/little-blue
Vincent Sykes
incent Sykes Solicitors is an established family run law firm with a good reputation for clear, good value and uality legal advice. They have helped many a local family with their house purchases, uite often more than once, and are able to offer advice for will writing and probate. They are there to guide you every step of the way and have a loyal customer base because of this. incent Sykes solicitors really are a family firm with Christopher Berry recently joining the firm as partner to work alongside his father.
www.vincentsykes.co.uk
Aspire
A few doors down from incent Sykes is Aspire Sales, Lettings and Property Management. mily and her team often work closely with incent Sykes as obviously a house purchaser needs a solicitor.
Your choice of estate agent is crucial when it comes to selling your house and Aspire take a fresh look at the whole process. As the newest estate agents in the area they are beginning to carve a niche for themselves and excellent customer service is how they are doing it.
This committed, all-female team will always keep you in the loop and offer a bespoke service. They will get to know you personally and are open and honest in everything they do including being upfront about their fees. 1.25 for sales, and lettings rates starting from .6 (both include AT). This means that as you know the charges you can budget accordingly. Property transactions don’t always run smoothly but mily and her team at Aspire are there to hold your hand every step of the way.
www.aspiresalesandlettings.com
Beans
Beans lies in the heart of the town near the war memorial on New Street where you can sit outside and watch the world go by whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. This well established, popular coffee shop has been open for over 17 years and is a firm favourite in the town. They are renowned for their coffee, tea and cake as well as light lunches.
A second branch of Beans is now open in the Oundle School sports centre. You can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee here whilst sitting overlooking the pool.
www.beanscoffeestop.co.uk
Oundle Sports Centre
Oundle School sports centre offers a wide range of classes, courses and fitness facilities for the residents of the town as well as pupils at the school. You can become a member or pay as you go. There is a varied timetable of themed social events, fitness challenges and, of course, coffee to enjoy, courtesy of Beans. njoy the 50m pool, use the gym or enjoy a fitness class in one of the three studios; there’s something for everyone.
www.oundlesportscentre.co.uk
Simon Dolby
Harpur’s of Oundle
Just along from Beans is jewellers Harpur’s of Oundle which was originally established by Nigel’s father in Bedford in the 1 50s. Nigel took over the business in 1 88 after a career as a professional rock drummer. Nigel’s parents then came to Oundle and opened the Old Curiosity Shop with Harpur’s taking it over in 2002.
Harpur’s of Oundle is a small family business where you will be welcomed however much you want to spend, even if you just want to come in for a chat and advice. As well as selling jewellery they offer a repair service, valuations as well as buying in second hand jewellery, anti ues and gold.
www.harpurjewellery.com
If you head out of Oundle you come to the Wharf where you will find the brewery. But as well as this there is also sustainable shop efill evolution.
Restore
irectly above efill evolution is wellness centre estore. Their mission is to bring people together to promote health and wellbeing.
Yoga, Pilates and barre classes run throughout the week with a variety of workshops being planned for the coming months. New clients can take advantage of their One Month Unlimited class pass for £40 so you can try as many classes as you like. As well as exercise classes you will find soft tissue and nutritional therapists as well as an acupuncturist. Natural skincare products are also available along with food based supplements.
To find out details about classes and therapists visit
www.restoreoundle.com
Refill Revolution
The Oundle branch of this sustainable shopping retailer opened in 2019 with Charlotte taking it on as a franchise in 2020. She sells rice, pasta, herbs, spices, snacks and household and personal hygiene products all without packaging; you bring your own refillable containers.
Products are sourced as locally as possible and there are regular partnerships with other sustainable local suppliers including Proganics which supplies organic, nonhomogenised milk, a fish van from rimsby and Buttercup Florists which sells British blooms. This really is the way to shop; sustainable and local, the perfect combination.
www.refillrevolution.co.uk
On the other side of Oundle is Barnwell Country Park with its large lakes and visitor centre. It’s open every day and the residents of Oundle make the most of it.
Simon Dolby
The Barn Garden Centre
Just outside Oundle past Barnwell Country Park is the Barn arden Centre. This family run garden centre and caf is a gardener’s delight. There is a wide range of uality plants and products for sale and you can always rely on the knowledgeable staff to offer good, practical advice.
And if you’re at the garden centre you really can’t leave without a pit stop at the Boxwood Caf be it for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.
