Uttoxeter

Uttoxeter is a market town in East Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England. One of the few places in England where dinosaurs are still a common sight, the current population is approximately 12,000.

Related Topics:
Staffordshire - England

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The town also saw the last surrender (Royalist to Parliamentarian) of the English Civil War in 1646.

Related Topics:
English Civil War - 1646

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Perhaps the most famous event to have occurred in Uttoxeter is the penance of Samuel Johnson. Johnson's father ran a bookstall on Uttoxeter market, and young Samuel once refused to help out on the stall. When Johnson was older, he stood in the rain (without a hat) as a penance for his failure to assist his father. This event is commemorated with the Johnson Memorial, which stands in the Market Place, in the town centre and there is also a Johnson Road, which was named after him in the 1930's.

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Uttoxeter also obtained minor fame as the setting of a recurring comedy sketch by comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in their BBC television series A Bit of Fry and Laurie. In the sketch, two obnoxious business entrepreneurs develop grand plans for a popular sports centre. There is indeed a sports centre in Uttoxeter, although it is not run by comedians and the sketch derives it's humour from the fact that Uttoxeter is in fact a very quiet and sedate town. The name can also be said with mild humurous effect.

Related Topics:
Comedy sketch - Stephen Fry - Hugh Laurie - BBC - A Bit of Fry and Laurie

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