Averham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Averham is a village and civil parish in the Newark and Sherwood district of Nottinghamshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 187. The village is just west of Newark-on-Trent.

Contents 1 Averham weir 2 Theatrical tradition 3 Notes 4 External links

[edit] Averham weir

Averham has an impressive weir at the start of the River Trent navigation. Of the Averham weir it is said in angling circles that, "Salmon can pass this weir in times of high water."^[1]

The town of Newark became severely affected "in about 1558, when the Sutton family of Averham cut a channel near Farndon which diverted most of the water of the River Trent into what had been a small stream through Averham, Kelham and Muskham. This not only stopped boats from reaching Newark, but, much more serious at the time, it left Newark's six mills high and dry. The mills were used both to grind corn and for the fulling of cloth, Newark's main industry, so the owners took court action, forcing the owners of Averham to build, and maintain in perpetuity, a weir at Averham to ensure that an adequate flow continued to Newark."^[2]

Originally, "the whole river used to flow through[Newark, and a separate small stream flowed through Averham, Kelham and Muskham, and joined the Trent at Crinkle Point. In 1558 a channel was cut by the Suttons of Kelham to join the Trent to the stream near Averham. This diverted the river along the course of the stream, leaving Newark with insufficient water to drive its mills. The weir was constructed to ensure enough water for Newark."^[3]

"January 10, 1951...the swollen River Trent is also fast washing away ground from Averham. The Rector of Averham, the Rev D. N. Allenby said that in the churchyard a gravestone has fallen into the river and part of a coffin is overhanging the water where the bank has been eaten away."^[4]

[edit] Theatrical tradition

For many decades, the village has been famous locally for staging plays. The Robin Hood Theatre "stands in the quiet village of Averham (old spelling Ayrham) village 3 miles from Newark and 5 miles from Southwell. The theatre was built in the grounds of Averham rectory in 1913. It was designed by the Rev. Joseph Cyril Walker and built by the village carpenter, Robert Lee, assisted by local voluntary labour. The full name chosen for the theatre at that time was the Robin Hood Opera House."^[5]

"The 150 seat Robin Hood theatre lies behind the church in Averham village (pop. 200). Built in 1913 by the local vicar Cyril Walker, for his amateur operatic society. It closed in 1951, and reopened ten years later under a charitable trust. It has struggled financially. In 1980 the County Council took over the trusteeship."^[6]

Regarding Averham's theatrical tradition, "traditionally, the Cambridge Footlights brigade presented a performance at the Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, where they tested out material from which to select sketches and skits for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows."^[7]

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• History
• Pictures of recent theatrical productions
• Map of locality
• the Averham Weir on the River Trent
• Averham Weir another view
• Picture of the Averham weir and bifurcation of the Trent into the northen section through Averham & Muskham straight ahead and the original southern section passing through Newark to the right
• A 1652 marriage certificate from Averham Parish Register
• St Michael's & All Angels Parish Church Averham
• Tomb of Sir William Sutton (c.1611) inside Averham Parish Church
• History of the Sutton family at Averham or Aram
• Heraldry on Averham church porch