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Uttoxeter
lies on the River Dove, close to the cities of Stoke on Trent,
Lichfield and Derby.
The small
market town has ancient origins and was mentioned in the Domesday
Book (compiled in 1086). In 1646 the town saw the last Royalist
to Parliamentarian surrender of the English Civil War.
Samuel
Johnson (1709 - 84), one of England's greatest literary figures,
is associated with the town. His father ran a bookstall in
Uttoxeter market and on one occasion Johnson refused to assist
on the stall. Years later Johnson stood for hours in the
rain, without a hat, as a penance for failing to help his
father.
This
event, probably the most famous to have occured Uttoxeter,
is commemorated by the Johnson Memorial in the Market Place.
The centre
of the town is currently being redeveloped.
The town's
main visitor attraction is Uttoxeter
Racecourse, claimed to be 'The Finest Country Racecourse
in the land'. Uttoxeter Racecourse hosts many important jump
meetings throughout the year and is the home of the Midlands
Grand National.
Uttoxeter
was the birthplace of Joseph Cyril Bamford, creater of the
JCB empire. The company now produces agricultural machinery
and heavy products at three local sites and is the largest
employer in the area. The international headquarters of JCB
is located at the nearby village of Rocester.
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Uttoxeter
