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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2012}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}}
{{Refimprove|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox UK place
|country = England
|latitude= 53.3169
|longitude= -0.9408
|map_type = Nottinghamshire
|official_name= Retford
|population = 21,314
|shire_district= [[Bassetlaw]]
|shire_county = [[Nottinghamshire]]
|region= East Midlands
|constituency_westminster= [[Bassetlaw (UK Parliament constituency)|Bassetlaw]]
|post_town= RETFORD
|postcode_district = DN22
|postcode_area= DN
|dial_code= 01777
|os_grid_reference= SK705805
|static_image=[[File:Retford Town Hall, May 2012.JPG|250px]]
|static_image_caption=<small>Retford Town Hall</small>
}}
'''Retford''' (also known as '''East Retford''') is a [[market town]] in [[Nottinghamshire]] in the [[East Midlands]] of [[England]], located 31 miles from the [[city]] of [[Nottingham]], and 23 miles west of [[Lincoln, Lincolnshire|Lincoln]], in the district of [[Bassetlaw]]. The town is situated in a [[valley]] with the [[River Idle]] and the [[Chesterfield Canal]] running through the centre of the town. The village of [[Ordsall, Nottinghamshire|Ordsall]] is a suburb of the town, divided from Retford by the River Idle and the [[East Coast Main Line]] railway. Retford is under the control of Bassetlaw District Council, with their base being located in neighbouring [[Worksop]]. Retford is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with the town of [[Pfungstadt]], [[Germany]].
 
== History ==
[[File:Coat of arms, Retford.jpg|left|Retford coat of arms]] Retford gained its first charter in 1246, when [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] granted the right for a fair, this was later extended to holding a Saturday Market by [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] in 1275. It was reformed by the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], and then remained a [[municipal borough]] until 1974 when it was merged into Bassetlaw district. Its civic traditions are maintained by [[Charter Trustees]].
 
The origins of its name are unknown and have been subject to much debate, but consensus seems to conclude that it gets its name from an ancient ford crossing the [[River Idle]]. It was originally named '''Redforde''' because the river water was tinged red due to the red clay river bed and frequent crossing of people and livestock disturbing the clay river bed.<ref name="Redford">Piercy, John Shadrach. The History of Retford. 1828. cited at [http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/piercy1828/town_name.htm Derivation of the Towns Name] Updated 29 May 2003, accessed 17 June 2006.</ref> The first land settled was on the western side of the ford, this area being less liable to flooding. This was known as '''West Retforth'''.<ref>Plea rolls of the Court of Common Pleas; National Archives; CP 40 / 647; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT1/H6/CP40no647/aCP40no647fronts/IMG_0154.htm; fifth entry: John Haukeswell of West Retforth, carrier</ref>
 
However, as the community grew it spread to occupy land on the other bank of the river, and it was this eastern part of the town that eventually became more important; hence Retford's alternative (and, for administrative purposes, still official) name of '''East Retford'''. The highly unusual coat of arms for the town consists of two rampant [[chough]]s.
 
[[File:St Swithuns Retford Notts.JPG|thumb|left|St Swithuns Retford Notts]]Retford was largely destroyed by a fire in 1528, but prospered after the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|Great North Road]] was diverted to run through the town in 1766 and the [[Chesterfield Canal]] (1777) and the direct [[East Coast Main Line|London to York railway]] (1849) were both routed via the borough. The Great North Road was diverted around the town in 1961 and part of the route through the town is now a pedestrian precinct.
 
The [[Pilgrim Fathers]], a name commonly applied to early settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts originated from villages of [[Babworth]] and [[Scrooby]] on the outskirts of East Retford between 1586 and 1605.{{Coord|53|19|20.45|N|0|56|20.57|W|region:GB_type:landmark}}
 
In the late 1970s the then Mayor of Retford and Chairman of Bassetlaw District Council, Gerry McNeill, hosted a visit from [[Princess Margaret]] to Retford.
 
On 27 June 2007, a few low-lying parts of the town were affected by the [[2007 United Kingdom floods]]. The majority of Kings Park was flooded under three feet of water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/6247996.stm|title=Villagers braced for more floods|date=28 June 2007|accessdate=2008-05-04|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The [[Asda]] and [[Morrisons]] supermarkets adjacent to the river were also flooded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/image_galleries/flooding_june_2007_gallery.shtml|title=Gallery : Flooding in Notts|accessdate=2008-05-04|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
{{-}}
 
== Landmarks ==
[[File:Grove Street Methodist Church, Retford, Nottinghamshire .JPG|thumb|right|Grove Street Methodist Church]]
In the Market Square there is an ornate French-inspired Victorian Town Hall, in front of which is The Broad Stone. Legend says that this stone had a hollow in it that used to be filled with vinegar during plague times to disinfect coins. However, it is thought to be the upturned base of a boundary marker - perhaps the 'Dominie Cross'.
 
Also in the Market Square is the war memorial unveiled by Sir Frederick Milner in 1921. The memorial is in the form of an Eleanor cross an octagonal structure of late gothic design. The names of the men killed in [[World War I]] are on the lower 8 panels and on bronze plaques are the names of those who were killed in [[World War II]].
[[File:Retford Sebastopol Cannon.JPG|thumb|left|Retford's captured Sebastopol Cannon in front of St. Swithun's Church. Plaque on side states 'Captured 1855 [[Sevastopol]]']]
 
The monument was designed by architect Leonard W. Barnard F.R.I.B.A. of Cheltenham. The memorial is constructed of Stancliffe stone from [[Darley Dale]], [[Derbyshire]].<ref>[http://www.restorethememorial.co.uk/ restorethememorial.co.uk]</ref>
 
Just across from the Market Square is Cannon Square which has St Swithun's Church and a cannon captured from the Russians during the [[Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855)|Siege of Sevastopol]] at the end of the [[Crimean War]] in 1856.
 
[[Nikolaus Pevsner]], architectural historian, was fairly scathing about Retford and its lack of distinguished buildings. "A singularly unattractive town," he wrote.<ref>{{Cite book
| author = Nikolaus Pevsner
| title = ''The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire''
| edition = 1951
| publisher = [[Penguin Books]]
| page = 63
}}</ref>
{{-}}
 
However [[Bill Bryson]], the famous American author and former president of the [[Campaign to Protect Rural England]] praised the town. In his bestselling book [[Notes from a Small Island]], he writes, 'Retford, I am pleased to report, is a delightful and charming place even under the sort of oppressive grey clouds that make far more celebrated towns seem dreary and tired. Its centrepiece is an exceptionally large and handsome market square lined with a picturesque jumble of noble Georgian buildings. Beside the main church stood a weighty black cannon with a plaque saying 'Captured at Sevastopol 1855', which I thought was a remarkable piece of initiative on the part of the locals - it's not every day, after all, that you find a Nottinghamshire market town storming a Crimean redoubt and bringing home booty - and the shops seemed prosperous and well ordered.'<ref>{{Cite book
| author = Bill Bryson
| title = ''Notes from a Small Island''
| edition = 1996
| publisher = [[Black Swan]]
| page = 188
}}</ref>
{{-}}
 
Retford's Kings Park received national recognition in 2007 when it won the prestigious Britain's Best Park competition in the [[Midlands (England)|Midlands]] region. It also received the [[Green Flag Award]] in both 2008 and 2009. It is described as a 'jewel in the crown' by [[Bassetlaw]] council.
 
== Economy ==
Retford has a strong economy mainly consisting of services with some light industry. The town itself is an important commercial centre for the local area, with large supermarkets, many independent shops and a market every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Retford's town centre has an empty shop rate of only 5%, which is impressive considering the national average of 14.6%. There has also been substantial population growth and many new houses, with buyers attracted by the Retford's convenient location for commuters. Bassetlaw Council recently invested £1.5 million in Retford market square and £2.5 million in Retford Enterprise Centre. [[Bassetlaw]] has a very low unemployment rate of 3.3%. The council continues to work with Retford Business Forum on finding ways to help the local economy.
 
== Transport ==
 
===Road===
Retford is bypassed by the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1 trunk road]] and the [[A57 road|A57]] which links Retford to a number of major towns and cities, with [[London]] just over two hours away. The East Retford bypass was built in three stages mostly along what was previously the A57. In 1957, the West Drayton diversion opened up to the B6387 near [[Elkesley]]. Also near Elkesley and [[Gamston, Bassetlaw|Gamston]] is the [[Retford Gamston Airport]]. The section from Elkesley bypass to Five Lane Ends ([[A614 road|A614]] junction) at Apleyhead Wood opened in 1958, and the third section was from Five Lane Ends to north of Checker House at [[Ranby, Nottinghamshire|Ranby]] (A620 junction). Recent investment led to a renovation of junctions at [[Blyth, Nottinghamshire|Blyth]], Great Whin Covert and Markham Moor.
 
The town is also served by a number of buses operated by [[Stagecoach in Bassetlaw]], [[Stagecoach in Lincolnshire]], [[TM Travel]] as well as smaller local bus operators, to destinations including Worksop, Newark, Nottingham and Doncaster. [[Retford bus station]] is also the [[Bus terminus|terminus]] of the 450 [[National Express]] coach service between [[Victoria Coach Station]] in London and Retford.
[[File:Retford bus station.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Retford bus station]]
The current bus station was built and opened on 30 July 2007 at a cost of £1.4 million,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/traffic_and_travel/buses/busstations/retfordbusstation.htm|title=Retford bus station|accessdate=2009-05-07|publisher=Nottinghamshire County Council}}</ref> and was given a highly commended accolade in the infrastructure category of the UK Bus Awards 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukbusawards.org.uk/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=88|title=Infrastructure 2008|accessdate=2009-05-07|publisher=UK Bus Awards}}</ref> The previous bus station on the same site was a collection of bus shelters, but also allowed vehicles to drive illegally through the bus station. The new bus station has new traffic controls in to prevent this.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/retfordbusstation.pdf|title=Retford Bus Station|date=July 2007|accessdate=2009-05-07|publisher=Nottinghamshire County Council|format=pdf}}</ref>
 
===Rail===
Retford is served by two railway lines, the [[East Coast Main Line]] which runs between [[London]] and [[Scotland]], with trains taking from 1hr 20 minutes to London Kings Cross, and the [[Sheffield to Lincoln Line]] which has links to [[Sheffield]], [[Lincoln, Lincolnshire|Lincoln]], [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]], [[Worksop]], [[Grimsby]] and [[Cleethorpes]]. These two lines meet at [[Retford railway station]] which acts as an important interchange in the British rail network.
 
===Canal===
Retford is connected to the UK Inland Waterways network by the [[Chesterfield Canal]]. Indeed, up to Retford the canal was built to be accessible by broad-beam boats rather than the more usual [[narrowboat]]s, Retford Town Lock being the first narrow lock on the canal from its junction with the [[River Trent]] at [[West Stockwith]]. However, narrow sections now prevent such craft reaching Retford.<ref>Richardson, Christine, Lower John (2010). ''Chesterfield Canal – A Richlow Guide''. Richlow. ISBN 978-0-9552609-4-0</ref> The canal starts at [[Chesterfield]] in [[Derbyshire]].
Based in Retford on the lower side of the Town Lock is a boat club called Retford Mariners Boat Club<ref>[http://retfordmarinersboatclub.co.uk retfordmarinersboatclub.co.uk]</ref> (R.M.B.C), it was formed in November 1978 by a group of canal enthusiasts.
 
===Air===
[[Robin Hood Airport]] (formerly [[RAF Finningley]]) is nearby on the [[A638 road|A638]] towards [[Doncaster]]. A regular bus service is available from Retford bus station to the airport, which offers regular flights to other European countries. Due to its military past, Robin Hood airport has a long {{convert|2580|m}} runway, and so is capable of landing wide body jets such as [[Boeing 747]]s, and has plans of extending its destinations to include the [[USA]]. The popular discount airline [[easyjet]], commenced flying to many European destinations in March 2010, but withdrew by the end of the year citing commercial factors as a reason. The Hungarian airline [[WizzAir]] continues to serve several Eastern-European cities, and [[Thomson Holidays]] regularly runs charter services from there as part of their [[package holiday]] business.
 
Retford (Gamston) Airport is a private airport located a few miles south of Retford in the village of [[Gamston]], operated by Gamston Aviation Ltd.
 
== Leisure and entertainment ==
Retford is home to the [[Bassetlaw]] Museum, which was created in 1983 and has a number of collections donated by people in the local area. It was voted the [[Nottinghamshire]] Museum of the Year in 2009, following extensive renovation.
 
Retford has two theatres in the town: the Majestic Theatre,<ref>[http://www.majestictheatre.co.uk majestictheatre.co.uk]</ref> a former cinema, which hosts famous entertainers, music concerts from local performers and plays, and Retford Little Theatre,<ref>[http://www.rlt.org.uk rlt.org.uk]</ref> a smaller theatre which hosts the Retford Little Theatre amateur drama group.
 
===Leisure===
There are a number of gymnasiums, spas and health, beauty and fitness centres in Retford. The new Retford Leisure Centre offers aquatic activities such as lane swimming, fun swims, and water aerobics; along with a state of the art gym facilities.
 
There are well established [[Karate]] and [[Kung Fu]] schools, as well as a [[Judo]] club in Hallcroft, the estate running parallel to North road. Retford also features a small [[skate park]] within the grounds of Kings Park in the center of Retford.
 
Retford also has a wide range of restaurants and pubs, plus an antiques and collectables market every Friday and a farmers' market on the third Saturday of every month.
 
===Youth groups===
Retford is served by many youth groups including [[The Scout Association]], [[Girlguiding UK]], [[St. John Ambulance]] and Young Farmers, meeting within the town. Retford is also home to 1403 [[Air Training Corps|ATC]] Retford Squadron and [[Army Cadets]]. In addition Retford is served by an excellent youth musical theatre group known as The MOB (mini operatic bunch) the junior section of Retford Amateur Operatic Society. The MOB have a growing reputation for great musical theatre productions such as Les Misérables, Oliver& West Side Story www.the-mob.co.uk
 
===Idle Valley Nature Reserve===
{{main|Idle Valley Nature Reserve}}
[[File:Bug Arch at Idle Valley Nature Reserve.jpg|thumb|Bug Arch at Idle Valley Nature Reserve]]
The [http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/idle-valley Idle Valley nature reserve] is managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) and is the largest of the trust's reserves in Nottinghamshire. The eastern boundary is created by the natural path of the River Idle; redundant gravel quarries to the west of the river have created wetland areas which comprise the majority of the site. The reserve is a mosaic of different habitats over an area of 450 hectares, over 300 of which are designated with [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|SSSI]] status. It is the largest wetland area in Nottinghamshire and over 250 species of birds have been recorded there making it one of the top birding sites in the UK. NWT has a program of activities and events for the benefit of schools, community groups and individuals and is becoming increasingly popular with established walking groups in the area and also neighbouring counties.
 
===Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest===
 
Retford is close to the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] owned [[Clumber Park]] which is a major attraction for tourists and locals alike. Extensive woodlands in the area also form the remnants of [[Sherwood Forest]], home to the legend of [[Robin Hood]].
 
== Sport ==
Retford has an established football team called
[[Retford United F.C.]] who play in the premier division of the Baris Northern Counties East League. The club plays football at Cannon Park on the outskirts of the town. Retford is also home to Retford Town F.C., a smaller football club.
 
East Retford R.U.F.C., who play [[Rugby Union]], have a very successful junior section who compete in numerous competitions. The seniors are also very successful, competing in the Midlands League Division 5.
 
The Retford Town Cricket and Sports Club was established in 1850 and moved to its present ground in 1858. The club was a founding member of the Bassetlaw Cricket league in 1904, their inaugural match was against Whitwell Colliery. However, they had to wait until 1984 before they won the League Division 1A Championship under the captaincy of George Jones, who shortly after emigrated to Australia. During this successful season the club chairman was Colin Loates.
 
Retford also has a long running Snooker League consisting of 2 Divisions. The current Division 1 League Champions of 2007/08 are Liberal 'C' captained by Steve Norris.
 
Retford Swimming Club represent the town and the surrounding area in the pool. The club, established in 1896, trains swimmers and takes part in competitive [[swimming gala]]s against other teams in Nottinghamshire, in the Sports Centre League. Retford Swimming Club has been very successful recently, being promoted to Division 1 of the Sports Centre League at the end of last season. An annual Open Meet is held at [[Ponds Forge]] International Pool in Sheffield, hosted by the club.
 
== Media ==
Retford is primarily served by two local radio stations, [[BBC Radio Sheffield]] and the local commercial radio station [[Trax FM]]. [[Hallam FM]]'s coverage area also includes Retford. The majority of the town receives its terrestrial television from the [[Emley Moor transmitting station]], which broadcasts local news from [[BBC Look North (Yorkshire and North Midlands)|BBC Look North]] and [[Calendar (News)|Calendar News]]. A minority of residents receive programming from [[Belmont transmitting station|Belmont]] serving [[Lincolnshire]] and [[East Yorkshire]], [[Waltham transmitting station|Waltham]] serving the [[East Midlands]] or [[Bilsdale transmitting station|Bilsdale]] serving [[North Yorkshire]] and the [[Tees Valley]].
 
Retford also has two newspapers serving the town, the ''[[Retford Times]]'' which is published in Retford, and the ''Guardian and Trader'' newspaper, a free weekly newspaper published in Worksop. The ''Worksop Guardian'', although predominately a newspaper serving Worksop and its area, also covers stories in Retford.
 
==Education==
 
===Primary schools===
* St Swithun's C of E Primary & Nursery School<ref>[http://www.st-swithuns.notts.sch.uk/ st-swithuns.notts.sch.uk]</ref>
* St Josephs Catholic Primary school
* Bracken Lane Primary School
* Thrumpton Primary School
* Carr Hill Primary School
* Ordsall Primary School
Line 149 ⟶ 671:
* [[Retford Oaks Academy]]
* St. Giles
As part of a major overhaul of secondary schools in the Bassetlaw area, all schools have now been moved to new facilities built around the town as part of the Transform Schools scheme. Retford is home to a Post-16 centre which has united all Sixth Form students from each of the above schools in one site (formerly [[Ordsall Hall School]]) and provide other courses available through North Nottinghamshire College (based at Worksop).
 
== Famous Retfordians ==
* [[Anthony Barber, Baron Barber|Anthony Perrinott Lysberg Barber]], Baron Barber, PC (4 July 1920 – 16 December 2005), was a British Conservative politician who served as a member of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and Chancellor of the Exchequer 1970-4.
* [[Frank Branston]], (9 May 1939 – 14 August 2009), award-winning journalist and newspaper owner, also the first [[elected mayors in the United Kingdom|directly-elected mayor]] of [[Bedford (borough)|Bedford]].
* [[Doc Cox]], went to the King Edward VI School.
* [[Robert Craufurd]]. Major General during [[Peninsular War]] and Member of Parliament for East Retford between 1802-06.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/people/mr-robert-crauford|title=Mr Charles Crauford|accessdate=2009-03-14|publisher=Hansard}}</ref>
* [[Catherine Gore|Catherine Grace Frances Gore (Moody)]], novelist and playwright, was born in Retford, the daughter of a wine merchant, in 1799.
* [[Philip Jackson (actor)|Philip Jackson]], actor best known for his role as [[Chief Inspector Japp]] in the television series ''[[Agatha Christie's Poirot]].''
* [[John Kelsall]], (31 July 1947 – 4 November 1986), British composer, conductor and lecturer.
* [[Liam Lawrence]], football player for [[Portsmouth FC]] and the [[Republic of Ireland national football team]].
* [[Samuel Milner]], physicist.
*[[Derek Randall]], [[cricket]]er who played [[first-class cricket]] for [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club]] and the [[English cricket team]] in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Started his playing career at Retford Cricket Club
*[[Christopher P Sly]], [[Music]] as a [[composer]] wrote many compositions mainly for the American market
* [[Sam Trickett]], poker player.
* [[John Warham]], photographer.
* [[Jamie Bovill]], cricketer
* [[Christopher Beer]], Reached the fianl of University Challenge 2014 with Somerville College <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.some.ox.ac.uk/191-7061/all/1/UNIVERSITY_CHALLENGE_FINAL_-_The_Line-Up.aspx}}</ref>
 
== Nearby places ==
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Retford
|North = [[Bawtry]], ''[[Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield|Robin Hood Airport]]'', [[Doncaster]]
|Northeast = [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]], ''[[Isle of Axholme]]''
|East = ''[[River Trent]]'', [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]]
|Southeast = [[Newark-on-Trent]]
|South = [[Ollerton]], [[Nottingham]]
|Southwest = ''[[Clumber Park]]'', [[Mansfield]]
|West = [[Worksop]], [[Sheffield]]
|Northwest = [[Maltby, South Yorkshire|Maltby]], [[Rotherham]]
}}
 
== See also ==
{{Commons category|Retford}}
*[[Municipal Borough of East Retford]]
*[[Ordsall, Nottinghamshire]]
*[[Retford railway station]]
*[[Retford United F.C.]]
*[[Sloswicke's Hospital]]
*[[St Swithun's Church, East Retford]]
 
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
 
==External links==
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[[Category:Market towns in Nottinghamshire]]
[[Category:Bassetlaw]]
[[Category:Towns in Nottinghamshire]]
[[Category:Post towns in the DN postcode area]]
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