History In the 14th century Welney was called Wellenhe, meaning ‘a river called Welle’ (the old name of the Old Croft River). In the 18th century Woad was grown in the parish. In 1820 a road was built from Welney across The Wash to the New Bedford River (also known as the Hundred Foot Drain), where a ferry-boat was established opposite the public house of Thomas Golding, formerly Washington's; this provided a direct route into Lincolnshire through Wisbech from Bury St Edmunds, Ely and Cambridge. In the second half of the 19th century Welney became significant for its skaters. On 21 February 1855 Turkey Smart of Welney became champion skater of the Fens. James Smart of Welney became champion on 21 January 1891. William Loveday of Welney came 2nd to James Aveling of March in the amateur championship.
History In the 14th century Welney was called Wellenhe, meaning ‘a river called Welle’ (the old name of the Old Croft River). In the 18th century Woad was grown in the parish. In 1820 a road was built from Welney across The Wash to the New Bedford River (also known as the Hundred Foot Drain), where a ferry-boat was established opposite the public house of Thomas Golding, formerly Washington's; this provided a direct route into Lincolnshire through Wisbech from Bury St Edmunds, Ely and Cambridge. In the second half of the 19th century Welney became significant for its skaters. On 21 February 1855 Turkey Smart of Welney became champion skater of the Fens. James Smart of Welney became champion on 21 January 1891. William Loveday of Welney came 2nd to James Aveling of March in the amateur championship.