Cramlington
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cramlington | |
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| Population | 39,000 (2004 est.) |
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| OS grid reference | |
| District | Blyth Valley |
| Shire county | Northumberland |
| Region | North East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CRAMLINGTON |
| Postcode district | NE23 |
| Dial code | 01670 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| UK Parliament | Blyth Valley |
| European Parliament | North East England |
| List of places: UK • England • Northumberland | |
The small town of Cramlington in the county of Northumberland is situated nine miles north of the provincial city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the north east of England. Its population is about 39,000. Its name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or Anglo-Saxon origin, the word ‘Ton’ meaning town.
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[edit] History
The first record of the Manor of Cramlington is from a mention in 1135 when the land was granted to Nicholas de Grenville. A register of early chaplains begins with John the Clerk of Cramlington (c.1163-1180). The register continues to the present day.
From the 12th Century onwards, its history has been mostly rural incorporating several farms and the parish church of St. Nicholas (built at a cost of £3,000 during 1865-1868 in the Gothic style) but during the early 19th Century, coal mining with several mine shafts in the immediate vicinity (the first was sunk in 1824) began to change that. It remained small, however, until 1964 when it was proclaimed a New Town and developers (such as William Leech and J.T.Bell) developed large housing estates. It has effectively become a suburb of the much larger city to its south.
During World War I, the North East of England was protected by the No. 36 Home Defence Squadron. The squadron was formed at Cramlington on February 1, 1916 by Capt. R. O. Abercromby, with Cramlington subsequently becoming an important base for military planes and airships. A reference to Cramlington airfield is made in W. E. Johns 1935 book The Black Peril from the extremely popular Biggles series.
[edit] Geography and infrastructure
The latitude and longitude of Cramlington are 55.07N & 01.59W NZ2676. The River Blyth is close by, as is Plessey Woods Country Park.
The town is served by Cramlington railway station, with services to the MetroCentre, Morpeth and Newcastle upon Tyne provided by Northern Rail. Cramlington has an extensive bus service of which is provided by Arriva Northumbria. With the X1,X2,X3,X4,X5 and X6 buses linking the town to Newcastle Upon Tyne respectively. As of early 2007, there have been rumours of a possible metro link being established in the future through sharing the somewhat redundant line between neighbouring towns Blyth, Bedlington, Ashington and Morpeth. Cramlington also has good road transport links, being situated between the A1, A19 and A189 roads. The town is also notable for its many roundabouts, especially the notorious Moor Farm roundabout which links the A19 and A189 as well as other roads to Cramlington. In 2006, it was announced that Moor Farm roundabout is to be 'traffic controlled' with traffic lights installed, working on a similar operation to those at the A19 Silverlink roundabout, due to continuous congestion and also frequent accidents on a severe scale. It has also been announced that Blyth Valley Council are proposing the construction of a new bus concourse, of which will be located near to Manor Walks Shopping Centre to improve public transport links for commuters.
[edit] Economy
There are several large industrial zones in Cramlington, most to the town's north-west, housing major pharmaceutical companies including Merck Sharp and Dohme. Other growing chemical companies including Aesica Pharmaceuticals are also present.[1]
The popular Manor Walks shopping centre was constructed in the centre of the town in the 1970s, and was subsequently expanded in the mid-1990s and in 2003/4. The centre now includes retailers such as Argos, ASDA, Boots, Next and Sainsbury's.
Provisional permissions were recently given to an open cast mining operation to the north-west of the town, however the fine detail of how much coal is to be extracted has yet to be agreed.[2] As of July 2006, it now appears mining will not go ahead.[3]
[edit] Education
Schools in Northumberland currently operate under a three tier system, however, the council recently made the decision to convert to the national two tier system. This change will affect all schools in the town. For example, Cramlington Community High School, which is currently one of the largest high schools in the country, will absorb a neighbouring middle school to increase its student capacity.
Prior to the closure of the area's many middle schools, some elementary schools will be relocating to the former middle school sites, which will allow disused sites and land to be sold to housing developers and other parties. It has been proposed that the changes will begin as of September 2007, however there has been concern from local residents over traffic and parking arrangements at the new sites.[4]
[edit] Leisure
Cramlington's main leisure centre, Concordia, is situated in the town centre adjacent to the shopping mall and was opened by the Queen in the 1977. It boasts a leisure pool, originally designed in the 1970s as an indoor tropical paradise, indoor football pitches, tennis, badminton and squash courts, as well as a climbing wall. It also features a well-equipped gymnasium, sauna and bowling green.
As part of the new town design, the town has a large cycle path network. A cycle route also connects the town to the nearest beach, in Blyth. As of late March 2007, Blyth Valley council have announced that the cycle network is to be extended to allow access to neighbouring town Bedlington.
There are few pubs located around Cramlington, however the original Cramlington Village, ajacent the modern town centre is now more well-known for its nightlife. As the village incorporates popular pubs The Plough, The Blagdon Arms, The Travellers Rest, Capella's wine bar, The commrades club and the social club.
[edit] Religion
Cramlington has a number of churches of various denominations.
Methodist
- Doxford Place Methodist Church
- Welcome Methodist Church (formerly Station Terrace Methodist Church)
Church of England
- St. Nicholas Parish Church
- St. Andrew's
- St. Peter's
Catholic
- St. Paul's
[edit] Famous residents
The acclaimed comedian Ross Noble comes from Cramlington. Footballers Alan Shearer, Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage also started their careers playing for Cramlington Juniors F.C.. Sting briefly was a first school teacher at St Paul's First School. Trade unionist Charles Fenwick was born in the town. Middlesbrough F.C winger Graeme Owens was also born in Cramlington. Proffessional Skateboarder, Jamie Adair also originates from the town.
[edit] Twin towns
- Solingen, Germany
- Ratingen, Germany
- Gelendzhik, Russia
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ http://www.blyth-wansbecktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1115&ArticleID=1974999
[edit] External links
- History of the No. 36 Home Defence squadron
- Northumberland Communities Photos and maps of Cramlington from 1610-1910.
| Major settlements in Northumberland |  |
|---|---|
| Alnwick | Ashington | Bamburgh | Bedlington | Berwick-upon-Tweed | Blyth | Cramlington | Haltwhistle | Hexham | Morpeth | Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | Ponteland | Prudhoe | Rothbury | Seahouses | Wooler | |
