History factfile

• Edward, Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson probably met when they were house-guests at Burrough Court before beginning one of the world's most talked about romances.

• Long before Ascot became the place to be seen, the races at Burrough-on-the-Hill wre regularly attracting crowds of more than 2,000.

Horse racing, the Sport of Kings, certainly played its part in putting Melton on the map.

Steeplechasing was a popular hobby. It got its name because people usually raced each other on horeseback to a church steeple or some other landmark, and large sums of cash depended on the outcome.

Jack Brownlow’s book Queen of the Shires tells of one race in the 1820s from Great Dalby windmill to Tilton with 1,500 guineas – £1,575 – going to the winner.

The most famous meeting was probably Croxton Park Races which began in the early 19th century and remained a permanent fixture in the hunting

calendar until the First World War.

Croxton Park Jockey Club held its meetings at the George Hotel, Melton, and its race meetings were the height of fashion.

Long before Ascot became synonymous with hats and fashion, Melton Mowbray was the place to be seen.