Royal Wootton Bassett ( /ˈrɔɪəl ˈwʊtən ˈbæsɪt/), informally known as Wootton Bassett, is a small market town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, with a population of 11,043 in 2001. Situated in the north of the county, it lies 6 miles (9.5 km) to the southwest of the major town of Swindon.
The town was granted royal patronage in March 2011 by Elizabeth II in recognition of its role in the early 21st century military funeral repatriations, which passed through the town. This honour was officially conferred in a ceremony on 16 October 2011 – the first royal patronage to be conferred upon a town (as distinguished from a borough or county) since 1909.
Read more about Royal Wootton Bassett: Geography, Governance, Population, Education, Economy, RAF Lyneham, Repatriations, Arms of Royal Wootton Bassett, Transport
Famous quotes containing the word royal:
“a highly respectable gondolier,
Who promised the Royal babe to rear
And teach him the trade of a timoneer
With his own beloved brattling.”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)