Sutton-in-Ashfield
Sutton-in-Ashfield is a market town in the Ashfield district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population of around 45,809 it is the largest town in the district of Ashfield.[1] It is situated four miles west of Mansfield, two miles from the Derbyshire border and twelve miles north of Nottingham.
Sutton-in-Ashfield | |
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The Sutton-in-Ashfield sundial, designed by Karl Spooner Spours | |
Sutton-in-Ashfield Location within Nottinghamshire | |
Population | 45,848 |
OS grid reference | SK 49446 58935 |
District |
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Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Sutton-in-Ashfield |
Postcode district | NG17 |
Dialling code | 01623/01773 |
Police | Nottinghamshire |
Fire | Nottinghamshire |
Ambulance | East Midlands |
UK Parliament |
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There a several villages and hamlets which are part of Sutton-in-Ashfield these include Teversal,Teversal Village, Skegby, Stanley, Stanton Hill, Norwood and Huthwaite.[2]
Sutton in Ashfield lies close to Sherwood Forest and relatively close to the Peak District National Park.[3]
Geography
For demographic purposes Sutton-in-Ashfield is included in the Mansfield Urban Area, although it administratively forms part of the separate council district of Ashfield, which is based in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. To the north is Teversal, Skegby and Stanton Hill.
Landmarks
Sundial:
Sutton-in-Ashfield is home to what was the largest sundial in Europe. It is located in the middle of Portland Square, adjacent to the Idlewells Shopping Centre and Sutton Community Academy. The sundial was unveiled on 29 April 1995.[4]
Former Colliery site:
The former site of Silverhill Colliery, close to the scenic village of Teversal on the north-west edge of Ashfield, has been transformed from the colliery to a woodland, which features several walks for all abilities and also features the highest point in Nottinghamshire.[5] At the highest point stands a monument to all the miners who have worked in the area's coalfields.
Supermarket: The main supermarket in the town is Asda, with Morrisons in nearby Mansfield. The Asda in April 1999 had the United Kingdom's first blessing and reception in a supermarket.[6] It had been unable to get a ceremony licence for the supermarket.
Sherwood Observatory:
The Sherwood Observatory is located on the B6139 and is run by the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society.
History
Saxons:
The area was first settled in the Saxon times and the Saxon suffix "ton" means "an enclosure or fenced in clearing".[7]
The Nottinghamshire History website 2016 states ‘in the Domesday Book of A.D. 1084 Sutton-in-Ashfield is stated to be a Berewic of Mansfield and Thoroton in his History of Nottinghamshire states that "This Sutone with Hockenhale Houthweit and Skegby were Bernes of the Sok of Mansfield which was Edward the Confessor's Land, and afterwards King William the Conqueror's”’. [8]
The Tudors:
The Manor, Sutton-in-Ashfield - links with Bess of Hardwick:
The Nottinghamshire History website 2016 also states that ‘Neville did not long retain possession passing them on to James Hardwick and in 1574 a Recovery by Nicholas Hardwick and Richard Eckingfield was made by Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, of the Manor of Sutton-in-Ashfield. It is an unaccountable trait in human nature that James Hardwick was allowed to die in the Fleet Prison for debt, although his sister Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury, was the wealthiest woman in England’
Also in ‘1677 William Lord Cavendish the brother of Mary and eldest son of Elizabeth is stated to be in possession, and remained in his family till an exchange of lands between the Dukes of Devonshire and Portland took place about the year 1800’. [9]
There are also documents from 1189 showing that Gerard, son of Walter de Sutton, gave two bovates of land and the church at Sutton to Thurgarton Priory.
Clock Making:
The British Museum website 2006 states in 1705 to 1767, John Boot, Clockmaker, born in 1705 the son of John Boot, Blacksmith of Mansfield. Apprenticed in 1718 to Thomas Binch. Worked in Sutton in Ashfield where he died in 1767. [10]
Sutton Hall at the Sutton Lawns:
Sutton lawns date back to the mid-eighteenth century when Samuel Unwin built his magnificent castle-styled cotton mill and family residence, Sutton Hall. Sutton Hall is no longer in existence. [11]
Lindsey’s Mill:
The mill was built in the 1820s and is a Grade 2 listed building. Built by James Lindley to replace a post mill that was damaged by a gale in 1818 the mill fell into disuse in the early 1900s. All that remains is the stone tower which was restored in 2014. [12]
Saint Mary’s Gardens:
The gardens were constructed in a former quarry, Wright’s Hollow, which was filled in. Sutton and its surrounding villages were once well known for their production of limestone. Old quarry sites can be found all over the area. The best quality stone was used in buildings such as Hardwick Hall and the Houses of Parliament. [13]
Teversal Village:
This country village is the setting for D. H. Lawrence’s ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’, including an ancient manor house, the fictional home of Lady Chatterley. The village is designated as a conservation area due to its architectural and historic importance. There are several listed buildings, primarily constructed from local stone and traditional roofing materials. The parish church of St. Katherine still possesses box pews amongst a wealth of fascinating antiquities. The Earls of Carnarvon were the Lords of the Manor; the fifth Earl being the financier of the ill-fated excavation of Tutankhamen’s tomb.[14]
Churches
The Sutton-in-Ashfield area was first settled in Saxon times and the first records of a place of worship in the area date from Norman times (1170). As the population of the settlement grew so the variety of religious denominations represented increased. This was particularly true during the industrial expansion of the nineteenth century. The following is a list of the churches that still have a presence in Sutton, together with brief historical details.
- Church of St Mary Magdalene
- Church of St Joseph the Worker
- Church of St John
- United Reformed Church
- New Cross Community Church
Church of St Mary Magdalene
This Anglican church, situated off Lammas Road and built in local stone, contains a few parts that date back to 1170. The tower and spire date from 1395. However, much of the rest of the church was subject to re-building in the second half of the nineteenth century. The church is a Grade II* listed building.[15][16] By American searches, in 1607, on 5 July 1607, Edward Fitzrandolph was baptised at St. Mary's Church Sutton, marrying Elizabeth Blossom in Scituate, Plymouth, Massachusette, - they are Barack Obama's 10x greatparents.
Church of St Michael and All Angels
This was another Anglican church in Sutton, situated at the junction of Outram Street with St Michael's Street. The church was built in two stages. The first stage was designed by John Folwler of Louth and opened in 1887. The second stage was designed by Louis Ambler and completed in 1909. The church building is still standing but is no longer in use for worship.[17] [18]
Church of St Joseph the Worker
In the early part of the twentieth century, Catholics worshipped in one another's homes or in a room above a garage off of Outram Street. In 1961, a full-size church was opened in Forest Street. This was designed in a Romanesque style with a 70 feet tall bell tower.[19]
Church of St John
In 2015, Methodism in Sutton-in-Ashfield is represented by St John's Methodist Church in Titchfield Avenue. This church was built (and later extended) in the twentieth century. Over the years, there have been Methodist churches in several locations around the town:
- There were Primitive Methodist churches on Mansfield Road (built 1866, now a Zion Baptist Church) and at New Cross (built 1895, now the Ecumenical Partnership Community Church).[20]
- There was a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on the south side of Outram Street. This was erected in 1882. An adjoining Sunday School in Welbeck Street was opened in 1904 and was demolished around 2011.[21]
United Reformed Church
This church on High Pavement was opened in 1906. The architects of the building were G. Baines & Son of London and the builders were J. Greenwood's of Mansfield. Mainly because of the unusual nature of the pews inside, it is a Grade II Listed Building.[22][23]
New Cross Community Church
This was built in 1895 as a Primitive Methodist Church. It is now run by the New Cross Community Church Anglican/Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership.[24][25]
Zion Baptist Church
This was built in 1866 as a Primitive Methodist Chapel. It is now a Zion Baptist Church and is closely associated with the adjoining Eastside Community Centre.[26]
Transport
Road
The town is located about two miles from Junction 28 of the M1 motorway and accessed via the A38. The A38 Bypass, which opened in 2005, is a wide single-carriageway that passes through much of the eastern part of the town, meeting the A619 Mansfield Bypass at Kings Mill. The former main road through the town centre is now identified as the B6023 and includes Alfreton Road, Lammas Road, Priestsic Road and Mansfield Road. Other main roads include Kirkby Road, Station Road, Huthwaite Road and Outram Street.
Buses
Sutton-in-Ashfield is served by Trentbarton which provides regular bus services from Nottingham, Mansfield and Derby. The bus station is located next to the Idlewells Shopping Centre. Also. Stagecoach East Midlands Serve the town with the Mansfield Miller 1. Between Mansfield and Huthwaite. Continuing every 30 mins to East Midlands Designer Outlet. And hourly to Alfreton via Tibself [27]
Rail
Since 1995, the town is served by the Robin Hood Line which provides regular rail service between Nottingham and Worksop. The Sutton Parkway railway station is two miles south of the town centre at the junction of Low Moor Road (B6021) towards Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Penny Emma Way. The railway was formerly mostly used by the area's pits, which closed in the early 1990s.
Parks/Nature and Leisure Facilities
Kings Mill Reservoir:
The reservoir, which lies within Sutton in Ashfield itself and not in the neighbouring town of Mansfield, is home to the Mill Adventure Base[28] with sailing activities. This is one of three Nottinghamshire adventure bases, with the other two at Holme Pierrepont (Lakeside) and Worksop (Sandhill), all of which are available for people aged 11–19. The sailing club has used the reservoir since 1959.[29] Kings Mill received its name from a mill on the north-east of the reservoir, once owned by John Cockle and his wife, who gave Henry II of England a night's lodgings and breakfast during his reign.[30]
Sutton Lawns:
The Ashfield District Council 2020 states on their website ‘The park consists mainly of grassed areas with areas of woodland and avenues of trees. The lake is located in the south east of the park, and is well used by anglers and walkers. Rumbles Café is located to the west of the site and is located close to the play areas, a skate park, ball court and outdoor gym. The site also has bowling and tennis clubs.
The Lawn Pleasure Grounds encompass the grounds of the former Sutton Hall, built as the residence of Samuel Unwin, a merchant hosier, and the land associated with his nearby Cotton Spinning Mill and Mill Lake.’[31]
Brierley Forest Park:
To the west is the 250 acres (100 ha) Brierley Forest Park,[32] built on the site of Sutton Colliery, also known as Brierley Colliery, which was named due to many of the miners coming from Brierley Hill. It is a nature reserve and opened in 1999, it hold the Green Flag Award.[33] Kings Mill Reservoir is also a nature reserve.
Silverhill: According to Forestry England 2020 states, Silverhill, ‘Formally two colliery sites, Silverhill Wood has been transformed into woodland through a process of coal washing, engineering, landscaping, fertilising and planting. Its mixture of rich broadleaf and conifer trees and open meadows. [34]
Silverhill boasts views from the highest point in Nottinghamshire. The viewpoint is marked by an impressive miner's memorial statue’
Teversal and Skegby Trails:
According to Discover Ashfield 2020 ‘The trails follow the track beds of the former colliery railways. Along with the local footpaths these provide a network of varied and enchanting walks through countryside. Abundant with wildlife, much of the network has now been designated a Local Nature Reserve’. [35]
Leisure facilities:
Sutton-in-Ashfield has had a public swimming pool since 1926. The first one was built on Brook Street and was paid for by the local Miners Welfare fund. Initially, the pool was only open during the summer months, with the pool being covered and used as a dancehall in the winter. In 1969, a new 25m-long pool (with high diving board and 4m deep end) was opened next door to the original pool (which was from then on used as a teaching pool).[36] In the 1970s, as part of the construction of the Sutton Centre School, a public ice rink was provided.[37] In 2008, the Brook Street swimming pools and the Sutton Centre ice rink were closed and the Lammas Leisure Centre on Lammas Road opened. The formal opening was performed by Dame Kelly Holmes. The Lammas Leisure Centre has 2 swimming pools (main and teaching), an ice rink (home to Sutton Sting Ice Hockey Academy), a gym, a multi-purpose sports hall and an indoor bowling green.[38]
Sports clubs:
There is a local athletics club, the Sutton-in-Ashfield Harriers,[39] and swimming club associated with both local schools and the Lammas Leisure Centre itself. There is also the multi-faceted Coxmoor Golf Club on Coxmoor Road (B6139), next to the A611. As a result of local council grant applications for sport development, Sebastian Coe opened a new athletics track for the town at the nearby Ashfield School in February 2007.
Sutton Town AFC:
Sutton Town was a football club founded in 1923. Known as the Snipes, the team was a member of the Midland League from 1923 to 1927. The club was reborn in 1958 and was a member of the Midland League until 1982 when the club became a founding member of the Northern Counties East League.[40] In 1992, the team name was changed to Ashfield United, but the team folded after the 1996-97 season.[41] North Notts Football Club began operations in 2000 as a member of the Central Midlands League, changing its name to Sutton Town AFC for the 2001-03 season.[42] The team finished runner up in 2002-03, winning promotion to the Northern Counties East League. In 2004-05 the club won promotion to the NCEL Premier Division. However, in 2007-08, the club resigned from the NCEL and moved down the football pyramid to the Central Midlands League.[43] The club was promoted to the East Midlands Counties League in 2013 but in June 2014 the club resigned from the league after they were unable to come to a suitable agreement over a lease at home ground "The Fieldings" that would enable them to get promoted in the future, which was a league requirement.[44]
Greyhound racing:
A greyhound racing track was opened around the Avenue Ground situated on the Mansfield Road behind the Pot Makers Arms, a venue used by Sutton Town AFC. The first meeting took place on 14 May 1932. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club) and was known as a flapping track, which was the nickname given to independent tracks.[45] Racing came to an end there on 13 May 1972.[46]
Schools
- Brierley Forest Primary and Nursery School - Ages 3 to 11
- Croft Primary School -Ages 5 to 11
- Dalestorth Primary School – Ages 3 to 11
- Forest Glade Primary School – Ages 4 to 11
- Mapplewells Primary School – Ages 3 to 11
- Hillocks Primary & Nursery School
- Leamington Primary and Nursery School – Ages 3 to 11
- Priestsic Primary School - Ages 3 to 11
- St. Mary Magdalene C of E Primary School – Ages 4 to 11
- Quarrydale Academy – Ages 11 to 18
- Sutton Community Academy – Ages 11 to 18, with courses for adults
- Lammas School – Ages 5 to 16
Ashfield School is also very near the town, on the other side of the A38 (Kings Mill Road East).
Health
King's Mill Hospital is situated between Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield, next to the A38. The Hospital is part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. [47]
The local Clinical Commissioning Group NHS CCG is NHS Mansfield and Ashfield CCG.
Regeneration
Towns Funding - Sutton in Ashfield:
The Government announced in 2019 that Sutton in Ashfield had been selected as two of 101 towns which will receive up to £25m each, as part of a Town Deal. [49]
Industry
Coal mining:
Sutton Colliery was actually outside of the town in Stanton Hill. It closed in 1989.
Hosiery:
The Pretty Polly brand of hosiery originated in the town in around 1927, and was manufactured there on Unwin Road until April 2005. Samuel Eden Socks closed in July 2005.
Notable people
- Edward Fitz Randolph, a far ancestor of Barack Obama, the former president of the United States. [50]
- Chris Gascoyne, British Actor who plays Peter Barlow in Coronation Street was from Huthwaite, Sutton in Ashfield. [51]
- John Boot, Clockmaker. [52]
- Pascal Broadley, cricketer
- Jake Buxton, footballer for Mansfield Town, Burton Albion and Derby County
- Kris Commons, footballer for Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Celtic
- Andrew Lewis, composer
- Jeremiah Brandreth, last person to be publicly beheaded with an axe in the United Kingdom in 1817.
- Trevor Ashmore, famous for his museum quality forgeries of Anglo-Saxon and early English coinage
- Michael Willetts, one of the first British soldiers to be killed during The Troubles in Northern Ireland
- Jimmy Walker, football goalkeeper previously of Walsall and West Ham
- Alex Baptiste, football defender for Mansfield Town and Blackpool F.C.
- Horace Burrows, footballer for Sheffield Wednesday and England
- Steve Ogrizovic, football goalkeeper for Chesterfield, Shrewsbury, Liverpool and Coventry City
- Wayne Bullimore, footballer for Barnsley
- Lisa McKenzie, sociologist based at Durham University
- John Briggs (1862–1902) born in Lord Street, the only man to have scored a 100 and taken a hat-trick in the history of Ashes cricket
- Joel Peat, lead guitarist in band Lawson
- Jack Rankin, Famous for his work in the aviation industry.
References
- "Ashfield district council website". Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huthwaite https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skegby https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teversal http://geobrit.uk/298895733-norwood-hamlet-nottinghamshire-sk478632#.XzBxjmnTXqs https://tssneighbourhoodplan.org/Teversal/
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huthwaite https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skegby https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teversal http://geobrit.uk/298895733-norwood-hamlet-nottinghamshire-sk478632#.XzBxjmnTXqs https://tssneighbourhoodplan.org/Teversal/
- "A Heritage Tour of Sutton-in-Ashfield".
- Silverhill, Nottinghamshire
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/316277.stm
- Sutton-in-Ashfield Tourist Information Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine at tourUK.co.uk – the holiday and travel guide to the UK
- 37 Nottinghamshire History 2016 - http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/books/bonser1948/sutton08.htm Visited 9th August 2020
- 37 Nottinghamshire History 2016 http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/books/bonser1948/sutton08.htm Visited 9th August 2020
- 38 The British Museum 2006, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG207777 Visited 9th August 2020
- https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/visiting/parks-and-visitor-centres/sutton-lawn/ Visited 16th August 2020
- http://discoverashfield.co.uk/things-to-do/lindleys-mill/ Visited 16th August 2020
- http://www.suttonheritage.org.uk/?page_id=99 Visited 16th August 2020
- https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/visiting/local-history-heritage/teversal-village/ Visited on 9th August 2020
- "St Mary History". Southwell & Nottingham Church History Project. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- "St Mary Listing". English Heritage. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- "St Michael History". Southwell & Nottingham Church History Project. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- "St Michael History". Nottinghamshire History. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- "St Joseph History". St Joseph's Church. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- "Primitive Methodist History". Nottinghamshire History. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- "Wesleyan Methodist History". Nottinghamshire History. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- "United Reformed Church History". Nottinghamshire History. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- "United Reformed Church Listing". English Heritage. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- "New Cross Church History". Nottinghamshire History. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- "New Cross Community Church Partnership". New Cross Community Church Partnership. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- "Zion Baptist Church". Eastside Centre. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/
- http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/education/outdoor-and-environmental-education/outdoor-education/the-mill
- http://www.suttoninashfieldsailingclub.co.uk/
- http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/suttoninashfield1907/sutton8.htm#miller
- 39 Ashfield District Council website 2020, https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/visiting/parks-and-visitor-centres/sutton-lawn/ Visited 9th August 2020
- "Description of Brierley Forest Park". Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- List of Green Flag Award holders Archived 15 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- 40 Forestry England 2020, https://www.forestryengland.uk/silverhill-wood Visited 9th August 2020
- 41 Discover Ashfield 2020,http://discoverashfield.co.uk/teversal-trails Visited 9th August 2020
- "Brook Street Swimming Pools". Our Nottinghamshire. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- "Sutton Centre Ice Rink". Lammas Ice Skating Club. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- "Lammas Leisure Centre Opening". Ashfield CHAD. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- http://www.sutton-in-ashfield-harriers.co.uk/
- http://www.fchd.info/SUTTONTA.HTM
- http://www.fchd.info/ASHFIELU.HTM
- http://www.fchd.info/N-NOTTS.HTM
- http://www.fchd.info/SUTTTXNN.HTM
- "Snipes ponder future after resignation". chad.co.uk. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 413. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- "Sutton in Ashfield". Greyhound Racing Times.
- 43 Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust 2020, https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/our-hospitals/kings-mill-hospital/ Visited 9th August 2020
- 42 Mansfield and Ashfield CCG 2020,https://www.mansfieldandashfieldccg.nhs.uk/ Visited 9th August 2020
- 44 Discover Ashfield Towns funding 2020, http://discoverashfield.co.uk/towns-funding-for-kirkby-and-sutton Visited 9th August 2020
- 35 Fitz Randolph's Information see link https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-13559738 Visited 9th August 2020
- 36 Chris Gascoyne information - http://www.huthwaite-online.net/gallery/genealogy/chris_gascoyne.php Visited 9th August 2020
- 38 The British Museum 2006, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG207777 Visited 9th August 2020
35 Fitz Randolph's Information see link https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-13559738 Visited 9th August 2020.
36 Chris Gascoyne information - http://www.huthwaite-online.net/gallery/genealogy/chris_gascoyne.php Visited 9th August 2020.
37 Nottinghamshire History 2016 - http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/books/bonser1948/sutton08.htm Visited 9th August 2020.
38 The British Museum 2006, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG207777 Visited 9th August 2020.
39 Ashfield District Council website 2020, https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/visiting/parks-and-visitor-centres/sutton-lawn/ Visited 9th August 2020.
40 Forestry England 2020, https://www.forestryengland.uk/silverhill-wood Visited 9th August 2020.
41 Discover Ashfield 2020, http://discoverashfield.co.uk/teversal-trails Visited 9th August 2020.
42 Mansfield and Ashfield CCG 2020, https://www.mansfieldandashfieldccg.nhs.uk/ Visited 9th August 2020.
43 Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust 2020, https://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/our-hospitals/kings-mill-hospital/ Visited 9th August 2020.
44 Discover Ashfield Towns funding 2020, http://discoverashfield.co.uk/towns-funding-for-kirkby-and-sutton Visited 9th August 2020.