Aldridge
This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(April 2020) |
Aldridge | |
---|---|
![]() Aldridge Town Centre | |
Location within theWest Midlands | |
Population | 39,348 (2011)[1] |
OS grid reference | SK056009 |
•London | 128 mi (206 km)SE |
Metropolitan borough | |
Metropolitan county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Areas of the town (2011 census BUASD) | List
|
Post town | WALSALL |
Postcode district | WS9 |
Dialling code | 01543, 01922 |
Police | West Midlands |
Fire | West Midlands |
Ambulance | West Midlands |
UK Parliament | |
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/St._Mary_The_Virgin%2C_Aldridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1393895.jpg/220px-St._Mary_The_Virgin%2C_Aldridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1393895.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Gold_postbox_on_the_High_Street_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3132414.jpg/220px-Gold_postbox_on_the_High_Street_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3132414.jpg)
Aldridgeis a town andcivil parishin theWalsallborough,West Midlands,England. It ishistoricallya village that was part ofStaffordshireuntil 1974. The town is 3 miles (4.8 km) fromBrownhills,5 miles (8 km) fromWalsall,6 miles (9.7 km) fromSutton Coldfieldand 7 miles (11 km) fromLichfield.The town is also the second-largest town in the Walsall Borough (by population, after Walsall).[2]
History
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Anchor_Parade%2C_Aldridge_Town_and_shopping_centre.jpg/220px-Anchor_Parade%2C_Aldridge_Town_and_shopping_centre.jpg)
The name "Aldridge" is derived from the Anglo-Saxonalroralre+wīcmeaning 'alder (tree) + village'.[3]Another suggestion is that the name "Aldridge" means "outlying farm among alder-trees", from theOld Englishalorandwīc.[4]It was recorded asAlrewicin theDomesday Bookof 1086 when it was valued at 15 shillings and had a population of seven households; the Lord wasRobert (d'Oilly)and the tenant-in-chief wasWilliam son of Ansculf.[3][5]The name was recorded asAlrewichandAllerwychin the 12th century.[3]
Aldridge began as a small agricultural settlement, with farming being the most common occupation up until the 19th century.
In the 1800s, Aldridge became an industrial town withcoal minesandlime kilns.The coal and clay in the area prompted many to set up collieries and brickworks. Aldridge clay is especially useful in the manufacture of blue bricks. The1881 censusshows that the mines and brickworks were major employers. Because the coal and clay beneath the eastern side of Aldridge (towardsStonnall) is located much deeper under the surface, extraction of this coal and clay would not have been economically viable. As a result, farms continued to dominate the eastern part, though a sand quarry was set up and still remains on Birch Lane.[6]
During the 20th century, modern shops were built in the centre of Aldridge, as well as council buildings. During theSecond World War,the smallAldridge Airportwas used for military planes. It was subsequently used for passenger services for a time.
Aldridge became anurban districtinStaffordshirein 1894. Other villages within the district includedPelsall,Walsall Wood,ClayhangerandStreetly.These areas began to grow substantially with private house building from the 1930s, mostly bought by families relocating from the central areas of Walsall.
The urban district of Aldridge merged withBrownhillsin 1966 to formAldridge-Brownhills,and then became part of an expanded Metropolitan Borough of Walsall in 1974.
Demography
[edit]There were 39,463 usual residents as at Census day 2011. Of these, 99.7% lived in households and 0.3% lived in communal establishments. The average (mean) age of residents was 43.4 years. In total there were 17,317 household spaces. Of these, 16,922 (97.7%) had at least one usual resident and 395 (2.3%) had no usual residents.[7]
Politics
[edit]TheAldridge-Brownhillsconstituency is asafe seatfor theConservative Party.Re-elected at the2024 general election,theMember of Parliament(MP) isWendy Morton,first elected in2015.Her predecessor, SirRichard Shepherd,had held the seat since1979.[8][9]
Aldridge is made up of two council wards: Aldridge Central & South, Aldridge North & Walsall Wood. There are three Conservative Councillors for Aldridge Central & South: Pard Kaur, Bobby Bains and Tim Wilson. Aldridge North & Walsall Wood is also covered by three Conservative councillors: Keith Sears, Anthony Harris and Gary Clarke.[10]
Education
[edit]Aldridge has a number of primary and secondary schools. The primary schools are Cooper and Jordan Church of England Primary School, Leighswood, St Mary of the Angels (Roman Catholic) and Whetstone Field. Redhouse primary school closed in 2006.[11]The secondary schools areAldridge SchoolandSt Francis of Assisi Catholic College.
Industry and commerce
[edit]In Aldridge there are a number of factories with several large industrial estates in the area. Some of the most notable factories include the largeIbstockand Weinberger brick works, and theGKN Driveshaftsfactory, although the latter company closed in recent years due to relocation and cheaper foreign imports.Birlec,a manufacturer of industrial furnaces relocated to Aldridge in the late 1950s, but has since closed. Aldridge Plastics Ltd, a plastics injection moulder, was set up in the town in 1968 and continued trading for almost 40 years before ceasing production in 2007. From January 2011[needs update],GFP Engineering Ltd, a Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) moulding company, will commence trading after relocating from nearbyLichfield.[citation needed]There is also a marina, Aldridge Marina, offering facilities for canal boat moorers.
Most of the town's shops are located either on High Street, Anchor Road, or in the shopping area known as "The Parade". Well-known shops here includeWH Smith,Icelandsupermarket,Home Bargains,andBoots The Chemist.A purpose-builtSafeway (UK)opened in 1992 and started operating as aMorrisonsfrom 2004.B & Mtook over the formerFocus DIYin Coppice Lane and opened its doors for the first time on 1 August 2015. One of the oldest traders in Aldridge is R.H.N. Riley Insurances on Anchor Road, they have been trading since 1957 and in Aldridge since about 1970. Also in the area is a Wetherspoons Public House, in the former Avion cinema, latterly a bingo hall. Many of its original features have been retained including the protected facade.
Transport
[edit]Aldridge is served by local bus services. Many of the buses in Aldridge were renumbered in April 2010 as part ofCentro'sattempt to simplify bus services in and around the Walsall area. Some subsidised services have changed operator over time, such as 25 previously operated byArriva,iGo andDiamond.
As of July 2024 operating services through Aldridge include - Walsall Community Transport (25),Chaserider(36, 36A) andNational Express West Midlands(6, 7, 937, 937A, 997). These services operate to surrounding estates each terminating at Walsall, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Brownhills, Kingstanding and Lichfield.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Aldridge_station%2C_with_Society_Special_train%2C_1951_%28geograph_5039140%29.jpg/220px-Aldridge_station%2C_with_Society_Special_train%2C_1951_%28geograph_5039140%29.jpg)
Aldridge railway stationwas on theSutton Park Linerunning from Walsall toBirminghamvia Sutton Coldfield. It also had a direct link toWolverhamptonon the now defunctWolverhampton and Walsall Railwayas well as a direct link to Brownhills via Walsall Wood although this closed in 1960s. The station had passenger services to Walsall, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Brownhills. It closed in 1966 and since then the line has been used only for freight. Ongoing speculation about returning passenger services to Aldridge, which would require a new station to be built, has continued with the apparent inclusion of Aldridge andStreetlystations on a map in the 2016 West Midlands Strategic Transport Plan.[12]In February 2021, theWest Midlands Combined Authorityannounced that the land needed for the station to be rebuilt had been acquired for £400,000.[13]
Sports, recreation and entertainment
[edit]Aldridge has a cricket and hockey club called "The Stick and Wicket", located on the green behind the parish church,St. Mary's,and the Masonic Hall. Aldridge Hockey Club merged with Walsall Hockey Club in 2011; it is now known as Aldridge & Walsall Hockey Club.[14]
Aldridge Sailing Club was formed in 1967 and is RYA affiliated.
Aldridge Rugby Football Club was formed in 1998 from an amalgamation of two established rugby clubs based in Birmingham: Witton and Old Centrals. The club is based on the former Old Centrals sports ground at Bourne Vale in Aldridge and plays in Midlands 5 West (North), fielding three senior sides.
Aldridge Compass Suites (based at the Masonic Hall on the Green) is a venue for wedding receptions, christenings and other functions.
The Aldridge Youth Theatre was officially opened by the actorBernard Heptonand is located on Noddy Park Road. It is run by a group of volunteers and puts on a variety of plays throughout the year. A pantomime is usually staged in January.
425 (Aldridge) Squadron, part of Staffordshire Wing of theAir Training Corps,was formed in 1941 and currently occupies a purpose-built HQ close to the village centre. The Squadron is run by uniformedRAFVR(T)officers and ATC SNCO adult staff, assisted by civilian instructors and a padre.
The 36th Walsall 1st Aldridge scout group is located on Middlemore Lane, opposite Anchor Meadow, and runs Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer sections for boys aged 6 and upwards. The beavers are aged 6–8, cubs are aged 8–10/11, scouts are aged 11–14 and explorers are aged 14–18.
The Methodist church is used by 1st Aldridge Girl guides as well as two brownie groups and a rainbow group. The rainbows group is for girls aged 5–7, the brownies for girls aged 7–10, and guides aged 10–14. Older girls also take part and are known as the senior section.
St. Mary's Parish Church has one of the largest church youth groups in the area.[citation needed]Around 90 young people, between the ages of 13 and 18, attend the group. The group also hosts an annual summer camp in Wales (in recent years attracting over 100 teenagers), as well as a weekend away in February.
The 33rd Walsall Scout group is based at Aldridge Methodist Church and holds Beavers, Cubs and scouts for boys and girls aged 6–14.
The 49th Walsall Scout Group is the third Scout Group in Aldridge based at St Thomas's Church at the bottom of St Thomas Close, on the estate just off Lazy Hill Road and Greenwood Road. It also caters for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18.
Suburbs
[edit]Suburbs and villages of the town include: Castlefort (Part),Walsall Wood(Part), Leighswood.
Notable residents
[edit]Military
[edit]Air Chief MarshalStuart William Peach, Baron Peach,GBE,KCB,ADC,DLwas educated at Aldridge Grammar School.[15]
Military honours
[edit]Charles George BonnerVC, DSC, born in Aldridge, was an English recipient of theVictoria Cross,the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded toBritishandCommonwealthforces. Bonner Grove, a neighbourhood of social housing flats and privately owned houses, remembers his name.
Sports men and women
[edit]Charles Hollandwas a road bicycle racer, and one of the first two Britons to ride theTour de France.Rode in Olympic Games:Los Angeles 1932andBerlin 1936.[citation needed]
Vic Milnehad a doctor's surgery in Portland Road, Aldridge.[citation needed]Played football forAston Villa,including an appearance in the1924 FA Cup Finalwhere his team were defeated 2-0 byNewcastle United.
Tom Davies (GeoWizard),aYouTuberand the first man to crossNorwayandWalesin a straight line. He attendedAldridge School.
Lee Sinnott(born 12 July 1965 in Aldridge) is an English ex-professional footballer and was the manager ofFarsley Celtic,whom he led to promotion three times in four years. He went on to managePort Valefor a short period. He began his career atWalsallas an apprentice, and played in the 1984FA Cupfinal for his next clubWatfordin 1984. He captainedHuddersfield TowntoDivision Twoplayoff glory in 1995.
Colin Charvis,former captain of theWales national rugby union team,went to the Redhouse School in Aldridge.[16]
SwimmerEllie Simmondswon two gold medals at both the 2008 and 2012Paralympics.She attended Cooper and Jordan Primary School, thenAldridge School.[17]
References
[edit]- ^UK Census(2011)."Local Area Report – Brownhills Ward (as of 2011) (E05001308)".Nomis.Office for National Statistics.Retrieved26 June2019.
- ^"Aldridge (West Midlands, West Midlands, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information".citypopulation.de.Retrieved24 September2022.
- ^abcDuigan, W. H. (1902).Notes on Staffordshire Place Names.London: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press. p. 3.
- ^Field, John (1980).Place-names of Great Britain and Ireland.Newton Abbot, Devon: David & Charles. p. 23.ISBN0389201545.OCLC6964610.
- ^Powell-Smith, Anna."Aldridge | Domesday Book".Open Domesday.Retrieved18 August2020.
- ^"About Aldridge".Aldridge Local History Society.Retrieved18 August2020.
- ^"Custom report - Nomis - Official Labour Market Statistics".
- ^"British Parliamentary Election results 1997-: English Boroughs part 1".Election.demon.co.uk. 1 March 1995.Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2010.Retrieved2 May2010.
- ^"United Kingdom Parliamentary Election results 1983-97: English Boroughs part 1".Election.demon.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 19 August 2000.Retrieved2 May2010.
- ^"CMIS > Councillors".cmispublic.walsall.gov.uk.Retrieved11 April2023.
- ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2011.Retrieved30 July2010.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^"Movement for Growth: The West Midlands Strategic Transport Plan Summary"(PDF).wmca.org.uk.1 June 2016.Retrieved11 April2023.
- ^"Plans to give Aldridge its own railway station move forward with £400k land deal".wmca.org.uk.Retrieved11 April2023.
- ^"Aldridge & Walsall Hockey Club | Friendly club based in the West Midlands".Aldridge & Walsall Hockey Club.
- ^"Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach GBE KCB ADC DL".GOV.UK.
- ^"Former Wales rugby captain Colin Charvis returned to his Walsall roots".Birmingham Mail.
- ^Davies, Gareth A (15 September 2008)."Eleanor Simmonds claims two gold swimming medals at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing - Paralympics".Telegraph. Archived fromthe originalon 3 June 2011.Retrieved2 May2010.
External links
[edit]- Walsall council local historyArchived23 July 2011 at theWayback Machine
- Even more local historyArchived24 May 2014 at theWayback Machine
- Aldridge:historical and genealogical information atGENUKI.
- Aldridgein theDomesday Book