The project aims to provide a guided Town Trail highlighting the architectural wealth of Market Weighton's built heritage. The town has a large number of Grade 2 listed buildings and the trail will provide 23 granite footsteps set into pavements around the town. They will be produced in the shape of the 15 inch shoe size of the town's most famous resident, William 'Giant' Bradley (1787-1820) who was born and died in Market Weighton. He is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest person ever born in Great Britain. He is buried in All Saints Church in the Town (a Grade 1 listed building), where there is also a plaque to his memory. His specially constructed house still exists and will be a focal point for the Town Trail.
Market Weighton Civic Society will lead on the project - all members of which are local residents. A 'task force' of four members has undertaken to progress the project and report back to each full meeting of the Society for discussion.
It is hoped that the 'footsteps' can be produced in the Town, thereby assisting the local economy.
Market Weighton is currently involved in the Market Town's initiative and English Heritage Economic Regeneration scheme that will revitalise the Town over the coming years.
Fundamental to this is the whole historic fabric of the Town and the 'footsteps' are a positive way of highlighting the heritage for residents (many of whom are relative 'newcomers') and visitors alike. This project will assist in opening the town to tourism and has the enthusiastic backing of other MTI focus groups, in particular that concerned with tourism, heritage and environment.
