Redditch, Worcestershire

19 October 2007

The history of Redditch is thought to date back as far as the twelfth century. Cistercian Monks built an Abbey at Bordesley in the valley of the River Arrow.
Over the next three centuries this hamlet of new families, which had settled near the abbey became known as La Redditch.

The name 'Redditch' which was first mentioned in medieval documents from 1348 comes from the little Arrow Brook, which flows in to the River Arrow and runs through a layer of clay which often turns the water red.During 1538 much of the community living near the abbey moved to drier land preferring it to the lowland near the River Arrow. It is on this drier plateau where the Town Centre stands today.

Redditch became best known for it's needle making, by the nineteenth century it led the field in needle production, as well as other metal based trades such as fish hook and spring manufacture. Tourists can actually visit the Forge Mill Needle Museum, Needle Mill Lane, Riverside, Redditch, which is a unique industrial museum which tells the story of how needles are made.

The expansion of these trades encouraged the population of Redditch to rise quite steadily during the early twentieth century, as people were coming to work in the industry.

The Council, who were then known as the Urban District Council had to build new housing developments in Abbeydale, Batchley and Mayfields in order to house the increasing population of the town.

With a population of 32,000 in 1964, Redditch was selected a New Town to reduce Birmingham's overcrowding housing estates. Church Hill, Matchborough, Oakenshaw and Winyates were all transformed to housing developments, while Church Hill, Washford, Moons Moat and Park Farm became major industrial estates.

Major landscaping works such as the 900 acre Arrow Valley Park also came under development. It is now home to the £1 million Countryside Centre which has planted more than two million trees since opening.

Redditch became a district within the new county of Hereford and Worcester in 1974, and on the 1st May 1980, gained Borough status when a Royal Charter was signed.
The Kingfisher Shopping Centre was opened in 1976 by the then Prime Minister James Callaghan. Over the last few decades it has been recognised as one of the largest and best shopping centres within the West Midlands.

The population of Redditch stands today at around 77,000 and the industry has a great range of businesses from established crafts to expertise in modern technology.

Forge Mill Needle Museum

Forge Mill Needle Museum is housed in historic buildings located in the beautiful Arrow Valley and offers a unique look into a past way of life.

Forge Mill Needle Museum tells the interesting, yet sometimes grisly story of the Redditch needle industry. The original working water-powered machinery and recreated scenes of the past show a vivid image of how needles were made during the last century.

The link with needles has established the museum as a leading centre for textile fans. There are often exhibitions and workshops taken by top textile artists and the Charles Henry Foyle Trust sponsored national needlework competition attract enthusiasts from all around Britain. The museum also holds a shop which specialises in selling sewing accessories and unusual needles.

For more information about Redditch visit www.redditchstandard.co.uk

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