Bedworth

Bedworth (/ˈbɛdwərθ/ or locally /ˈbɛdərθ/ or /ˈbɛdəf/) is a market town in the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth, Warwickshire, England.[1] It is situated between Coventry, 6 miles (10 km) to the south, and Nuneaton, 3.5 miles (6 km) to the north. In the 2011 census the town had a population of 30,438.[2]

Bedworth

Bedworth town centre and civic hall
Bedworth
Location within Warwickshire
Population30,648 (2011 census)
OS grid referenceSP3586
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBEDWORTH
Postcode districtCV12
Dialling code024
UK Parliament

Geography

Bedworth lies 101 miles (163 km) northwest of London, 19 miles (31 km) east of Birmingham and 17 miles (27 km) north northeast of the county town of Warwick.

Map of Bedworth and Bulkington.

Bedworth has six main suburban districts, namely Collycroft, Mount Pleasant, Bedworth Heath, Coalpit Field, Goodyers End and Exhall. Exhall is a generic name for the area surrounding junction 3 of the M6 motorway, comprising parts of both Bedworth and Coventry. Much of what is now considered Exhall within south Bedworth is also referred to as Hayes Green by locals and on older maps of the area.

The River Sowe rises in Bedworth flowing through Exhall, northern and eastern Coventry, Baginton and Stoneleigh, before joining the River Avon south of Stoneleigh.[3][4][5]

History

Originally a small market town with Saxon origins, Bedworth was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.[6] Bedworth developed into an industrial town in the 18th and 19th centuries, due largely to coal mining and the overspill of ribbon weaving and textile industries from nearby Coventry. The ribbon weaving industry had been introduced to the area by French Hugenot immigrants in the 18th century and thrived for nearly a century, until it was largely wiped out in the 1860s following the Cobden–Chevalier Treaty which removed tariffs on imported French silks, causing enormous hardship to the town. Hat making however grew and largely replaced the ribbon trade, and lasted until the 1950s.[7][8]

The opening of the Coventry Canal in 1789 and later, the railway in 1850 enhanced the town's growth.[8]

Bedworth was for many years primarily a coal mining town: Located on the Warwickshire Coalfield, coal mining in the area was recorded as early as the 13th century. The industry peaked in 1939 when there were 20 pits in the Bedworth area producing over 5.8 million tons of coal. The last colliery in Bedworth, Newdigate Colliery closed in 1982, and Coventry Colliery on the edge of the town closed in 1991.[7] In the middle of the 19th century, the large number of public houses, and thirsty miners lead to the town being called 'Black Bedworth'.

From 1894 Bedworth was a civil parish within the Foleshill Rural District. In 1928 Bedworth was incorporated as an urban district in its own right.[9] In 1932 the urban district was enlarged by the addition of Exhall and parts of Foleshill, Astley and Walsgrave on Sowe parishes.[10] It was further enlarged in 1938 by the addition of Bulkington. In 1974 the Bedworth Urban District was merged with the borough of Nuneaton to create the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth.[11]

Features
Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouses

The most notable buildings in Bedworth are the Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouses on All Saints' Square in the town centre, which are built in Tudor style and date from 1840,[6] having been funded by a legacy from the local benefactor Nicholas Chamberlaine (1632–1715) through his will. The almshouses were restored in the 1980s, and are now Grade II* listed.[12][13]

The majority of the town centre was redeveloped in the 1960s and early-1970s, and has the typical architecture of that period.[14] The town centre itself contains some of the usual high street retail names as well as many charity shops, card shops and banks.

The main venue in Bedworth is the Bedworth Civic Hall which opened in 1973 and has an attached arts centre.[15][16]

South of the town centre is the Miners' Welfare Park, which opened in 1923, originally to provide a recreation space for miners and their families. Now managed by the local council it includes playing fields, sports facilities, footpaths and gardens.[11][17]

The former Bedworth water tower is probably the most noticeable landmark building in Bedworth; built in 1898 in the then fashionable Romanesque style, at approximately 45 metres (148 ft) high, it is visible from miles around and has been Grade II listed since 1987.[18] It originally had a 60,000 gallon water tank, but became obsolete in 1988, when a new water mains was installed into Bedworth.[19] The tower was home to a pair of peregrine falcons in 2006.[20] In 2015 it was sold to be converted into six luxury apartments.[21]

All Saints' Square – church at the far end. The almshouses are to the left out of picture.
Miners' Welfare Park
Former topshops. They were a common feature in Bedworth's and Coventry's textiles industry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The lower two floors served as the weaver's private dwelling, while the upper floor acted as the workplace. This photograph clearly shows how the windows on the top floor were once much bigger, to allow more daylight.

Along Mill Street until recently were rows of former weavers' cottages which were once inhabited by Huguenot weavers.[6] Some of these were still used as shops, although most had become derelict. They have been demolished as part of the redevelopment of Tesco.

Domestic appliance insurer Domestic & General has offices in the town centre and provides substantial employment for the community.

Several years ago Bedworth Kwik Save (a 1960s steel reinforced concrete building with roof parking, known locally as the Hypermarket – the original name), was redeveloped into a new Aldi store. Next to it is a Home Bargains store. Tesco was in a similar type of building to Kwik Save, but in a brick-faced and arched windowed 1970s style, closed in January 2011,[22] and was redeveloped into a steel-framed Tesco Xtra store. Parking is at ground level, the store is on the first floor, with delivery access up a ramp to the first floor. It opened on 5 December 2011.

Bedworth has many pubs and working men's clubs: among others, the Bear and Ragged Staff, the White Horse, the Miners Arms, the Mount Pleasant, the Black Horse, the Black Bank, Saunders Hall, Collycroft Working Men's Club, Bedworth Liberal Club, Bedworth Conservative Club, the Griffin Inn, the Newdigate Arms, the Cross Keys, the Royal Oak, the Prince of Wales, JB's and Littleworks (reopened as Jack's Entertainment Club). Several others have closed.

Bedworth also has a skate park built in the Miners' Welfare Park in 2001 after campaigning by local youngsters. Previously, most youngsters would skate in the town centre, or in the market area, much to the annoyance of residents and the local police.

A new play area, on the site of the previous aviary and paddling pool near the cricket ground within the park, was dedicated in June 2012 to Sergeant Simon 'Val' Valentine. He was born and brought up in Bedworth, a soldier of 2nd battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers who died in August 2009 while serving his country in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.[23] The town centre was closed and thousands of townspeople paid their respects at Sergeant Valentine's funeral in 2009.[24]

Religion

Church of England

The town centre is dominated by All Saints' Parish Church (Church of England), which was rebuilt in the late 19th century of Runcorn stone in the Decorated style. The church has a square bell tower from the original church thought to date from 1450 which houses the town clock (1817); the church also has a peal of eight bells, which are rung for morning services and for special occasions. The church has several fine stained glass windows; of particular note, the north aisle window is a rare example of the work of Mr. H. Clarke depicting St Peter, St Paul, St Luke and St John. All Saints' was reordered in 2000 to include a narthex.

Roman Catholic

St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, a prominent building in the town centre, opened in June 1883. Casting a tentative shadow over Rye Piece (a small side street in the middle of the town), it was built at a time when Catholics were still viewed with suspicion. It was a modest, oblong structure in traditional Victorian redbrick with a small schoolroom running along the west side. The money to build it was raised by the priest, Fr Pius, not entirely from his sparse congregation but also by begging all over the country. Funds for further development were supplemented by two long-running novenas dedicated to St Peter of Alcantara and St Francis Xavier.

In 1894 a school was built close to the church; it initially accommodated some 150 pupils aged from 4 to 14 years, but was later superseded by a new school. It is now a nursery.

The church itself was extended to its present form to be consecrated on 4 September 1923 and one of the hundreds of Catholic churches built following the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. It is a memorial to all the dedicated priests and parishioners of the past, particularly Fr Francis (1892–1912). His French background undoubtedly influenced the unique character of the church. He acquired land around the church to build the new school, the presbytery, and social housing, and he bought an old brewery to serve as a social club. So the Catholic community which had first met in a disused shop in one of Bedworth's many yards, and then in a small chapel, finally had its own church, with the sanctuary at the west end and opposite to the original. Today it is in need of repair and modernisation to conform to health and safety legislation.

The church stands surrounded by gardens, with a Calvary and a grotto in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Other Christian denominations

There are also, Bedworth Methodist Church, and the United Reformed Church in Mill Street in the town centre, Bedworth Baptist Church on Coventry Road near the football ground as well as Life Church on Bulkington Road. A Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses is in Deronda Close, behind The Newdigate Arms. Zion Baptist Church is on Newdigate Road and is a striking 1977 replacement of the original 1796 chapel on High Street, which was demolished to make way for the Civic Centre (See external links.)

  • All Saints' Church of England Parish Church, Bedworth adjacent to the main shopping area.
  • St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Bedworth.
  • United Reformed Church, Bedworth.

Sport and leisure
The Oval Football Ground, home of Bedworth United.

Bedworth has a non-League football team Bedworth United F.C. who play at the Oval Ground. There is also a swimming club called Nuneaton and Bedworth Dolphins.

Bedworth is proud host to the Bedworth Parkrun on a Saturday and Bedworth Park 5k on a Sunday. Both of these runs are held in the Miners Welfare Park at 9am.

Armistice Day

Every year Armistice Day 11 November is well attended by the population, who gather in the town to watch the veterans' armistice parade that concludes with the laying of poppy wreaths at the war memorial, to pay their respects to those who fought and died in the armed forces. Local youth groups like the Girls' Brigade, and cadets march through the town as part of the parade, with bands playing commemorative music. Second World War Douglas C-47 Skytrain 'Dakota' military transport aircraft, also known as the civilian version Douglas DC-3, scatter remembrance poppy petals over the town, aiming at the war memorial if the weather permits. Before 2005 Spitfire fighters were used.

The flypasts were featured on the national TV news on remembrance days, but they were banned on health and safety grounds from low flying over an urban area.

Bedworth chose to keep 11 November as Armistice Day, even after 1939, when the rest of the country moved to the nearest Sunday. In more recent times, the tradition was kept up by Frank Parsons. The former Royal Marine died in 2011,[25] but his work over the previous 25 years not only kept Bedworth's tradition - unique in the United Kingdom - alive, but also lent significant weight to the campaign to move Remembrance Day back to 11 November.

Transport

Road

Bedworth has good transport links being situated immediately north of the M6 motorway at junction 3, with access via several slip roads onto the A444 dual carriageway bypass. The A444 also provides fast access to Nuneaton, the Ricoh Arena, the Arena Retail Park and northern/central Coventry.

Bedworth railway station

Rail

Bedworth railway station in the town centre is on the Coventry to Nuneaton railway line, and was reopened in 1988 after the original station at the same site was closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching Axe. Historically two more stations were in the vicinity of Bedworth which are now closed: Just south of Bedworth was Hawkesbury Lane railway station, also on the Coventry-Nuneaton line, which also closed in 1965, Just east of Bedworth was Bulkington railway station on the Trent Valley Line which closed in 1931.

Buses

Bus services to the city centre of Coventry are operated competitively by Stagecoach in Warwickshire and National Express Coventry. Stagecoach also provides direct services to Nuneaton, Bulkington, Keresley, Atherstone, Hinckley & Leicester and a direct service to the University Hospital in Walsgrave, Coventry is provided by Travel de Courcey.

The Coventry Canal at Bedworth

Waterways

The Coventry Canal runs along the eastern edge of the town. Just outside Bedworth to the north-east is Marston Junction where the Coventry Canal joins the Ashby Canal, at Hawkesbury Junction just to the south-east it joins the Oxford Canal.

Tramways

Historically Bedworth was the northern terminus of the Coventry Corporation Tramways system, which operated from the late 19th century until closure in 1940.[26]

Schools
Main article: List of schools in Warwickshire
Nicholas Chamberlaine School

Media

Radio

The local radio stations are:

Written media

The main local newspapers are:

  • The Nuneaton News (originally known as the Evening News upon launch and then the Heartland Evening News): Serving the whole of north Warwickshire and some border areas in Leicestershire, the paper is owned by Local World. The newspaper is published on weekdays. The Wednesday edition is circulated free throughout the town, whereas the daily paper on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are paid. It was founded in 1992, following the decision of the Tribune's publisher to switch to a weekly freesheet.
  • The Tribune (formerly the People's Tribune (1895), Midland Counties Tribune (1903) and Nuneaton Evening Tribune (1957)): It is owned by Trinity Mirror's Coventry Newspapers (publisher of the Coventry Telegraph). Covering 'northern Warwickshire' (particularly Bedworth, Atherstone & Nuneaton), the free paper is available weekly to collect at many newsagents in the area on a Thursday or Friday. In September 2015 The Tribune ceased publication. The last edition was published on Thursday 24 September.[27]
  • The Nuneaton Telegraph; a localised sub-edition of the Coventry Telegraph, it was launched in 1992 (when the aforementioned Tribune switched from daily to weekly production).

Television news

The Nuneaton area is covered on regional TV News by:

Notable people
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References
  1. OS Explorer Map 232 : Nuneaton & Tamworth: (1:25 000) :ISBN 0 319 46404 0
  2. "BEDWORTH in Warwickshire (West Midlands) Built-up Area Subdivision". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Idler's Quest: The River Sowe in Coventry". Idlersquest.blogspot.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  5. "Sowe Valley, Coventry [163 photos] :: Geograph Britain and Ireland". Geograph.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  6. Allen, Geoff, (2000) Warwickshire Towns & Villages, ISBN 1-85058-642-X
  7. "About Bedworth". Bedworth Society. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  8. Slater, Terry (1981) A History of Warwickshire, ISBN 0-85033-416-0
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2006.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Parishes: Bedworth". British History Online. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  11. "Bedworth Timeline". Bedworth Society. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  12. "Historic gem in the centre of Bedworth". BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  13. "Chamberlaine's Almshouses A Grade II* Listed Building in Bedworth, Warwickshire". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  14. "Townscapes--Bedworth". Nuneaton History. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  15. "Civic Hall, Bedworth". Theatres Online. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  16. "Civic hall set to close for refurbishment". BBC News. 15 April 2004. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  17. "MINERS' WELFARE PARK, BEDWORTH". Our Warwickshire. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  18. "Water Tower A Grade II Listed Building in Bedworth, Warwickshire". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  19. "Tower buyer will gain a top address". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  20. "Bird of prey released back into the wild". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 6 July 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  21. "Look: We go inside Bedworth Water Tower before it is converted into luxury flats". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  22. "Nuneaton latest news". Iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk. 29 June 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  23. "Play area to be dedicated to local hero in Bedworth | Central - ITV News". Itv.com. 16 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  24. "Thousands line streets for murdered soldier". Birmingham Post. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  25. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. A History of Coventry Tramways, F.K. Farrell, The Tramway Review, Vol. 4, No, 30, 1961
  27. Lambourne, Helen. "Trinity Mirror to axe 120-year-old Nuneaton Tribune - Journalism News from". HoldtheFrontPage. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  28. "30 celebrities you probably didn't know were from Warwickshire". Coventry Telegraph. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
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