| Averham | |
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Averham
Averham shown within Nottinghamshire |
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| OS grid reference | SK7654 |
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| Shire county | Nottinghamshire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NOTTINGHAM |
| Postcode district | NG23 |
| Police | Nottinghamshire |
| Fire | Nottinghamshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| List of places: UK • England • Nottinghamshire | |
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.
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Averham is the location of Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Averham.
Averham has a large weir at the start of the River Trent navigation. 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]
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."[3]
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 Fringe shows."[6]
The Youth section of the Robin Hood Theatre has 20 members, under the leadership of Chris Lebeter and Adele Charlesworth. They perform regularly in the Nottingham And Nottinghamshire Drama Association Festival, winning in the categories Best Overall Play and Best Entertainment.
In October 2007 the Robin Hood Youth Theatre appointed a new Director, Matthew Bird. After six years of working as a professional actor, Matthew is now a Drama Practitioner working with many different groups including his own Musical Youth Theatre, "Overture."
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