Nuneaton &
North Warwickshire
Family History Society
The friendly family history society for all of North Warwickshire
The friendly family history society for all of North Warwickshire
In 1985 Atherstone celebrated the 600th anniversary of its church. In the early 1980s a great deal of restoration was done as part of a Youth Opportunities Training Scheme and the lounge area at the back was built. The highlight of the celebrations was the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales on the 27th of June. Atherstone church overlooks the Market Square and I had never seen so many people crowded into the square on that day waiting to see the Prince and Princess. They were not disappointed as the Prince and Princess went on an informal walkabout before entering the church and opening the new lounge. They then went on a tour of a special exhibition in the church put on by local schools and industries. They spent the morning in Atherstone having lunch at Chapel House, which is right next to St Mary`s …
This year (2013) 12th February was Shove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which denotes the start of Lent in the Christian calendar. In France they celebrate it as Mardi Gras whereas in this country it is ‘Pancake Day’ when we traditionally eat pancakes. Many towns across the country hold pancake races, but not in Atherstone, in Atherstone they have the Ball Game.
The Ball Game is now Atherstone’s main claim to fame following the closure of the hat factories. The origins of the game are lost in the mists of time. One version is that it started in the 12th century in the reign of King John as a contest between the lads of Warwickshire and Leicestershire but John Austin, in his book “Hats, Coal and Bloodshed”, suggests that its origins may be even further back in time. He thinks it may have originated as a …
During WW2 my father, Fred Fowler was a well known local hairdresser in Chilvers Coton conducting his business from 99 Coton Rd, not far from Coton Arches. But at night time he was a war time Policeman, PC.PWR 339, stationed at Nuneaton Police Station Coton Rd. From here he policed the streets and was on duty through some of the worst bombing to occur over Nuneaton and witnessing at first hand the terrible aftermath.
One memorable event was when he was called to attend and guard the crash site of the German bomber which came down in flames over Nuneaton in January 1942. While there he retrieved a German belt buckle from the wreckage inscribed (HAMBURG NOW A 1938). It has remained in the family ever since as a memory to those terrible days.
An extract from his Police note book of 1939, mentions …
I was prompted by reading Peter Lee’s article to write about my memories of Courtalds factory. I spent my school years living on Princes St across from the Police houses. I used to pass by the factory on my way to school on Greenmore Road, I crossed the “patch”, then up a back lane, over the canal bridge and another back lane to reach school. I used to be there all day as I stayed at school for lunch.
Of course this was during the war. One day coming home I crossed the bridge, came down the lane and what did I see but the entire patch covered with American soldiers and their vehicles – mostly trucks. I wandered into the camp with no one bothering me, I guess I looked harmless in those days. As I wandered around, probably looking for someone to give me some gum, …
The following article appeared in the Nuneaton Tribune 1st February 1990
One of Nuneaton’s most prominent landmarks, the 70 year old Courtaulds clock, is keeping perfect time thanks to a great deal of loving care and attention. The one time thriving factory in Marlborough Road closed down in Nuneaton almost ten years ago and since then the clock has been kept going.
Harold Lapworth, the present clock “caretaker” said: “I have a great sense of conservation and satisfaction for this very fine piece of mechanism which has been keeping time within seconds, throughout its 70 years of excellent service.” He added: “I have lived 60 years within the sound of the Courtaulds clock – I’ve been interested in clocks since a child and my father used to give me a clock to keep me busy by taking it apart and putting it back …
Location
Four miles south-east of Sutton Coldfield
Church
St Chad
History
The village was called Witscaga in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was owned by the Knights Templar until passing to the Beresford family. The modern village is a scattering of houses but with no village centre. The church is 13th century and was restored in 1887. It is believed to occupy the site of a Roman church.
Links
Victoria County History from British History Online
© Copyright NNWFHS 1998/2009
Location
This is an ancient parish on the eastern border of the county adjoining Leicestershire, south of Nuneaton and north of Burton Hastings.
Church
There is no church in the village
History
The village was called Stratone in the Domesday Book of 1086. The village became deserted in 1474 when the landowner Henry Smith turned out the residents and turned over the land to grazing. The church of that time fell into ruin. Although Stretton Baskerville is an ancient parish, it has not had a church or chapel since at least the reign of Henry VII. It is generally regarded that Burton Hastings parish encompassed the scattered dwellings of Stretton Baskerville. There are today, a few farms and houses and the area has become a civil parish.
Links
Victoria County History from British History Online
© Copyright NNWFHS 1998/2009
Location
The village is 6 miles east of Tamworth
Churches
Holy Trinity
Baptist Chapel (demolished 1971)
Primitive Methodist Chapel (closed)
History
Originally a hamlet within the parish of Polesworth, Warton became independent in 1849. There was an outbreak of cholera in the village in the 1850’s.
Links
Victoria County History from British History Online see Polesworth
© Copyright NNWFHS 1998/2009
Location
Stockingford is a parish within the town of Nuneaton
Church
St Paul
History
Stockingford is first referred to in 1157 as Stoccingford. Stocc is an Old English word meaning to root up trees, which suggests that the village started life as a forest clearing. The manor of Stockingford may be identified with the messuages, mill and land there granted in 1280 by Hugh de Lilleburne to his son, Hugh. The church was built in 1824 when Stockingford was created a separate parish out of Nuneaton. George Eliot, in her book “Scenes of Clerical Life”, referred to Stockingford as Paddiford Common. The main industries were coal mining and brickyards. Within the parish is Arbury Hall, the home of the Newdigate family.
Links
Victoria County History from British History Online see Nuneaton
© Copyright NNWFHS 1998/2009
Location
The village is 4 miles north of Tamworth
Church
St Matthew
History
The village was called Cetitone in the Domesday Book of 1086. The church was a chapelry belonging to Alvecote Priory. It dates from Norman time.
Links
Victoria County History from British History Online
© Copyright NNWFHS 1998/2009