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Atherstone

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Template:Infobox England place Atherstone is a town in Warwickshire, England. The town is located near the northernmost tip of Warwickshire, close to the border with Staffordshire and Leicestershire, and is the administrative headquarters of the North Warwickshire district.

Geography

It is situated 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Nuneaton, 13 km (8 miles) southeast of Tamworth and 21 km (13 miles) north of the nearest major city, Coventry. Atherstone is close to the River Anker which forms the border between Warwickshire and Leicestershire. Witherley village is on the opposite bank of the river in Leicestershire.

Atherstone itself has a population of 8,293 (2001 census), the population of its urban area which includes Mancetter is 10,742.

Its co-ordinates are 52°35′00″N 01°31′00″W / 52.58333°N 1.51667°W / 52.58333; -1.51667 (52.5833, -1.5167)1.

History

Atherstone market square and st Mary's church

Atherstone has a long history going back to Roman times. An important defended Roman settlement named Manduessedum existed at Mancetter near the site of modern day Atherstone, and the Roman road, the Watling Street (now known as the A5) ran through the town. It is believed by some historians that the rebel Queen of the Britons Boudica was defeated at the Battle of Watling Street by the Romans in her final battle near Manduessedum.

The ancient St Mary’s chapel in Atherstone dates from the early twelfth century when the monks of Bec made a donation of twelve acres to a house of friars hermits, later referred to as “Austin friars”. According to Nichols the chapel was granted to Henry Cartwright in 1542, then left abandoned and neglected until 1692 when Samuel Bracebridge gent. settled a yearly sum for the parson of Manceter to preach there every other Sunday in the Winter season (p. 1038)

After this, St Mary’s chapel seems to have experienced something of a revival, its square tower being rebuilt in the fashionable “Gothic” style in 1782. This drastic alteration probably aroused some controversy. although the fine architectural drawing of the chapel made by Mr Schnebbelie in 1790 prompted Nichols to assert that “the new tower provides a good effect”.

It is said that the Battle of Bosworth actually took place in the fields of Merevale above Atherstone. Certainly reparation was made to Atherstone after the battle, and not to Market Bosworth.

In Tudor times Atherstone was a thriving commercial centre for weaving and clothmaking. The town's favourable location laid out as a long ‘ribbon development’ along Watling Street, ensured its growth as a market town. While it remained an agricultural settlement in medieval times, attempts were made to encourage merchants and traders through the creation of burgage plots, a type of land tenure that provided them with special privileges. A manuscript discovered by Marjorie Morgan among the muniments of Cambridge’s Kings College (Ms. C9), refers to the creation of nine new burgage strips from land belonging to seven of the tenants in Atherstone vill.

By the late Tudor periods Atherstone had become a thriving centre for leatherworking, clothmaking, metalworking and ale-brewing. Local sheep farmers and cattle graziers supplied wool and leather to local tanners and shoemakers, while metalworkers, locksmiths and nailers fired their furnaces with local coal and the alemakers supplied thirsty palates on market days.

The surviving inventories from 16th century Mancetter provide a fascinating glimpse into Atherstone’s Elizabethan merchants and traders, before the town was economically overshadowed by the bustling city of Coventry. They show Atherstone at this time as a typical midland market town, taking full advantage of its location and agricultural setting. *[1]

Atherstone was once an important hatting town, and became well known for its felt hats. The industry began in the 17th century, and at its height there were seven firms employing 3000 people. Due to cheap imports, the trade had largely died out by the 1960s, and ended completely in 1998.

Economy

In recent years Atherstone has been promoting itself as a book town *[2]. In part due to its central location in the UK (on the main A5 national route and close to the M42 motorway), Atherstone's economy has expanded rapidly since the 1990s, with several major companies such as TNT, Aldi, Bhs and 3M setting-up their head office operations and/or national distribution centres in the town. 3M however were already there by 1974, and TNT by 1987.

Politics

Atherstone has one seat in the House of Commons, currently occupied by Labour MP Mike O'Brien. The local council (North Warwickshire) is currently under no overall control, with a Conservative and Liberal Democrat executive.

Transport

The Coventry Canal runs through the town, as does the West Coast Main Line railway. Atherstone has a railway station on this line, but currently very few trains call at it. Though temporarily closed, the station now has its first direct train to London for many years.

The historic station building, built in 1847, was under threat of demolition in the early 1980s. Thanks to a local group, the Railway and Steam Traction Society, listed status was obtained, with the building celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 1997. Building work won a special Ian Allen conservation award.

Recreation

The major football team in the town is Atherstone Town FC, known as 'The Adders'. Their ground is located on Sheepy road. Atherstone's team started out as Atherstone Town Football Club in 1954 but Folded in 1978*[3], from 1979 to 2004 Atherstone's football team was know as Atherstone United Football Club but folded yet again mid season in 2004 *[4]. The team then reverted back to the previous name Atherstone Town Football Club.

The major Rugby team is Atherstone Rugby Football Club who play in the Warwickshire two league. Their ground is at Ratcliffe road.

Atherstone Leisure Complex is at the north end of long street, it has a swimming pool and gym. Atherstone Memorial Hall is also part of the leisure complex.

Shrovetide football

An annual tradition in Atherstone is Shrove Tuesday Football or mob football played on public highways with large crowds. The game celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1999.

The game is a complete free-for-all played along Watling Street (the old Roman Road) at the point where it forms the main street of Atherstone town. The ball is decorated with red, white and blue ribbons and is filled with water to make it too heavy to kick far. The match starts at 3pm when the ball is thrown from the window of Barclays Bank and continues until about 5pm. However the ball may legitimately be deflated or hidden after 4.30pm. There are no teams and no goals, though in the last century the match was played between a team from Warwickshire and one from Leicestershire. Whoever is able to hang onto the ball at the end of the game not only wins the game but is allowed to keep the ball as well.

This traditional Shrove Tuesday 'ball game' has been held annually since the early 12th Century and is one of Atherstone's claims to fame. The origin of the game, in the reign of King John, is thought to have been a "Match of Gold that was played betwixt the Warwickshire Lads and the Leicestershire Lads on Shrove Tuesday".

The 'ball' used is specially made each year and is 'thrown out' by a prominent sporting or show business personality. Shop windows are boarded up and traffic is diverted on the afternoon whilst the game, in which hundreds of people take part, progresses along the town's main streets.

Trivia

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Atherstone on 27th June 1985. A plaque commemorates this outside St Marys church in the Market Square.

See also

  • Atherstone History A comprehensive history of Atherstone and the surrounding area from the Romans up until the 20th century.
  • [5] Atherstone 16th century inventories and map of the township printed in John Nichols' Antiquities of Leicestershire.
  • [6] Archdeaconry court case from Atherstone Fair with 18th century Bracebridge Estate map of the town showing the market square.
  • Atherstone Booktown Background, bookshops, and James Hanna.
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