Wellington, Shropshire

The origin of the name Wellington is the subject of debate. One theory derives it from the Old English weolaingtūn meaning 'settlement connected with Weola'. Other theories derive it from waluingtūn meaning 'settlement at the walled place' or wēohlēahtūn meaning 'holy settlement in a wood or clearing'. Alternatively, the first element could be wēoling meaning 'mechanical device'. A church has stood for almost 1,000years and a priest is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The original churchyard still remains. All Saints Church was designed by George Steuart and was built in 1789. Wellington's first market charter was granted to Giles of Erdington, lord of the manor, in 1244 and a market still…

Dawley New Town was designated by the government in 1963 and was expanded to encompass Wellington in 1968; it was given the new name of Telford, after the great engineer and first county surveyor of Shropshire, Thomas Telford. The creation of Telford has divided opinion in Wellington ever since, with some celebrating the jobs and investment it brought to the area and others bemoaning the negative impact on Wellington's own economy; as well as its status and sense of identity. The development of Telford Town Centre and local retail parks since the 1970s had an adverse effect on Wellington's retail centre. The local football team's name was changed from Wellington Town to Telford United in…