Biddulph

This article is about the town. For other uses, see Biddulph (disambiguation).

Biddulph
Biddulph High Street
Biddulph  Biddulph shown within Staffordshire
Population	17,241 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	SJ8857
District	Staffordshire Moorlands
Shire county	Staffordshire
Region	West Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Stoke-on-Trent
Postcode district	ST8
Dialling code	01782
Police	Staffordshire
Fire	Staffordshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
EU Parliament	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Staffordshire Moorlands
List of places: UK • England • Staffordshire

Biddulph is a town in Staffordshire, England, north of Stoke-on-Trent and south east of Congleton, Cheshire.

Origin of the name

Biddulph's name may come from Anglo-Saxon bī dylfe = "beside the pit or quarry". Some have said that the name Biddulph is a corruption of the Saxon Bidulfe, signifying Wolf Slayer, and as a result the Biddulph family crest is a wolf rampant.

Education

In common with other parts of the area administered by Staffordshire LEA, the Middle School system operates in Biddulph.

Biddulph has one high school (ages 13 to 16) with a sixth form (ages 16 to 18). Called Biddulph High School, it was awarded Sports College status in 2002. It has since gained Technology College status. Biddulph also has two middle schools: Woodhouse Middle School and James Bateman Junior High School (formerly Park Middle School), serving pupils aged 9–13. These are fed by several first schools, such as Kingsfield First School, Knypersley First School, Squirrel Hayes First School, Oxhey First School, and several more.

Recent developments

The supermarket chain Sainsbury's opened a new store in Biddulph in November 2010.

In addition to the supermarket development, a number of derelict and semi-derelict buildings are currently being refurbished or rebuilt by the local Councils and private owners. These are in line with the intentions set out in the Town Centre Area Action Plan (2007), which aims to reverse the spiral of decline that has threatened the long-term vaiability of the town centre since the early 1990s.

A new 3000 square metre primary health facility for the North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust is also planned for the town centre as part of the ongoing regeneration and investment programme.

A new cafe for youngsters, 'Biddulph Young People’s Place' opened in March 2011 at Kingsfield First School after a year of planning and fund-raising.

Biddulph Post Office closed on Friday 10th June 2011, the eight Post Office staff and customers alike have yet to be told if the office is to re open. A source from the Biddulph Post Office staff said "We haven't been told anything; we are waiting to hear if it will open again just as much as customers are. We know there is a demand for a Post Office because we can't walk down the street without getting stopped. People keep asking us when it's going to open to which we have no answer." Staffordshire Moorlands council are not giving any information other than the Post Office helpline phone number which when called are not able to give any further details at this moment in time. Several rumours are being put about Biddulph including... the Office shall be moved into Sainsbury's, it's being moved into Barclays old premises and that it shall re open where it is but closed off from the shop. Even if the Post Office is moved to another location I am sure it would be impossible for it to happen over night. Biddulph waits to discover the fate of its much needed commodity.

Main sights

Biddulph Grange

Within the bowl created by the ridges of Mow Cop and Biddulph Moor, there are ancient burial mounds; evidence of the English Civil War; the bubonic plague; Black Bull Colliery; tombs of possible Crusader knights; an Iron Age fort; and the site of a meeting of the Methodist movement with the Wesleys.

Biddulph is also home to the Biddulph Grange, a house and landscaped gardens owned by the National Trust.

Twin towns

• Fusignano, Italy.