1991 – Rasen intellect dies

snippet from Market Rasen Mail

PROFESSOR Charles Wilson CBE, one of Market Rasen's greatest intellects, has died in Sydney aged 77.
He was Britain's most distinguished historian of the Netherlands and the founder of business history as a genre in academic study.
Born in Rasen in 1914, he was the younger son of a town tailor and attended De Aston School from 1925 to 1933.
He went to Jesus College, Cambridge, in 1933 as a history exhibitioner and achieved striking success in several ways, obtaining a double first with distinction in history besides a first in English and becoming president of the University Music Club.
Working for the Royal Navy Volunteer reserve and then the Admiralty during the War years, he was Bursar of Jesus College for nine years from 1945 onwards.
He wrote several historical works and turned down professorships at Harvard and London. Wilson was elected to Cambridge's chair of Modern History in 1965 and over the next 25 years he published further works and edited part of the Cambridge Economic History of Europe.
Professor Wilson's nameis still to be seen on the Rollof Honour boards at DeAston School.

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May 20 1992 - The end for fatstock market

IT WAS the final end...On May 20 1992 – Market Rasen suffered one of the biggest blows in its long history.
The historic weekly fatstock market, held on Linwood Road every Wednesday, was closed for good because of 'the many problems within the red meat trade.'
There was an air of gloom in the offices of local auctioneers Mawer Mason Bell as they posted out letters informing farmers and dealers of the decision.
Auctioneer Mike Perkins was in sombre mood as he rang the bell for the last time at the Rasen market.
He said: "Although I understand the decision, I cannot hide the fact I am very upset to lose such a traditional part of our agricultural life."
And retired farmer Ernest Pickering told us: "Farming has changed and everyone must accept that it will never be the same again.
"It's all about big money...that's the trouble."
The loss of the market also meant the end for another of the town's great institutions, the Christmas Fatstock Show.
The market had been held on Linwood Road since the 1930s when James Nettleship bought the land.
Before that it was held on the cobbles of the Market Place.
By 1992 there had been no cattle at the market for several years and business had concentrated on sheep.
Ironically, the last ever fatstock market was one of the busiest for a long time. Old friends turned out to see the end of an era.
For farmers, dealers and butchers it was more than a market. It was a meeting place where yarns were exchanged and the world put to rights.
Its loss was a sad blow for the town.

The end: Auctioneer Mike Perkins rings the bell for the final time at the Rasen fatstock market in 1992.

Sad day: Ernest Pickering of Market Rasen, who farmed all his life at Holton le Moor, watches the final fatstock market.

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1992 - 'I met Wacko Jacko'

WITH pop superstar Michael Jackson in the news more than ever at the moment we flashback to 1992 - when a local lad met the man himself.
Neil Wakefield (14) of Market Rasen had a once in a lifetime meeting with Jacko in London.
The Youth Club member was selected as one of just 95 youngsters from across Europe to attend a children's congress in the capital.
The congress was supporting the Heal the World Foundation which Michael Jackson had adopted as his cause.
Neil and the other youngsters were taken to Wembley Stadium to see Jacko in concert - in the comfort of VIP seats.
The youngster was then chosen to be one of a small group who met the superstar.
Neil told the Mail at the time: "I couldn't believe it when he walked into the room and sat next to me!"
He described Michael Jackson as 'really nice' but said he spoke quietly because he had lost his voice.
On the question of the superstar's face melting away Neil said he looked normal but had a 'ridge on his nose'.
As for what Neil said to Jacko he hadn't a clue! "I can't remember what I said to him but he was with us for 20 minutes."
Neil said Jackson would not allow any other adults in the room.
If all that wasn't enough excitement for the youngsters Jacko stayed on to watch some of them perform, including Neil.

Amazing meeting: Rasen's Neil Wakefield met Michael Jackson back in 1992.

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