St Neots is a town in the Huntingdonshire district of Cambridgeshire, England. The town originally developed next to a mediaeval priory in the form of market stalls. These were replaced over the years by permanent structures, which eventually defined the boundaries of today's Market Square. There is some evidence of pre-Roman and Roman activity in the area, but the main story of the town begins with the founding of St Neots Priory in mediaeval times. There is evidence for Iron Age and earlier settlement in the vicinity of St Neots, mainly in the valley of the River Great Ouse where soils are easily cultivated. The first settlements in the valley were in Neolithic times. The Black Death struck St Neots in 1348, spreading very quickly and resulting in the deaths of about 35% of the population. In 1378 only seven monks remained in the Priory, and three of these returned to France.
Market SquareThis was a convenient midweek jaunt after work and we travelled via London Kings Cross to St Neots station. Rowley Park is only a few minutes walk from the station and can be seen from the platform. However, before venturing to the ground, Mr & Mrs Pieman had a stroll around this pleasant market town. This was not the first time this Pieman had been to St Neots to see a match. Back in 1985, I witnessed a friendly match between St Neots Town and Tottenham Hotspur at the former Shortsands ground. That centrally located ground is now covered in houses. We took advantage of a 40% discount offer at an Indian restaurant and very good the meal was too.
The match was very one-sided with Newport Pagnell Town suffering a 5-1 defeat. It was good to experience that non-league treat of tea in mugs on this occasion.
The Pieman's earlier vist to Shortsands (October 1985)
The Pieman's subsequent visit to 'new' Rowley Park
