Forsbrook
| Forsbrook | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
| Coordinates: 52°58′15″N 2°03′18″W / 52.97084°N 2.05505°WCoordinates: 52°58′15″N 2°03′18″W / 52.97084°N 2.05505°W | |
| Country | England |
| County | Staffordshire |
Forsbrook is a village in Staffordshire, around three miles southwest of Cheadle and situated on the edge of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
It is an old village and is mentioned in the Domesday Book, with the rather unflattering description as waste ground.
The village derives its name from the Old English Fotes-broc - a brook or ditch. The brook flowed through the village square, where it was crossed by a wooden pedestrian bridge and a ford for horses and vehicles, until it was culverted in 1932.[1]
History
For hundreds of years the village was only a small settlement, situated on the turnpike road to Cheadle. However, it gradually grew in size with the coming of the North Staffordshire Railway to nearby Blythe Bridge in 1848.
The village totally changed in character during the post Second World War period as a large new housing estate was built, and the area gradually became an overspill of the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation. However, the village has still retained its rural charm and is surrounded by some beautiful countryside, and along with neighbouring Blythe Bridge is considered a desirable and much sought after place to live. This is helped by the excellent transport links nearby to the A50 and the local Blythe Bridge railway station with regular trains to Derby and Stoke-on-Trent.
Within the village there are shops and two public houses, the Roebuck and Butchers Arms. Once there were four pubs; the other two were The Miner's Arms (now a private residence), and the Bull's Head (demolished for road widening).
The village is also home to a Primitive Methodist Chapel built in 1856.
The now defunct Forsbrook Wakes were historically held in the first week of November. The traditional Forsbrook Wakes held on the Manor ground (now Blythe Bridge High School)and were abandoned following the start of the Great War as celebrating was deemed inappropriate. Several other local Wakes also met their demise at this time. The demolition of the Manor House, a materials shortage, lack of spare fire-wood and absence of able bodied men contributed to its suspension. The commencement of the Forsbrook Wakes were marked by the lighting of the beacon and with a candle taken and offered by Saint Peters Church. The Wakes were well attended by most locals and with a Bonfire lit from the beacon to allow late night prayer and revelry. Beeches Funfair was regular attraction and are now sadly untraceable. The ground immediately behind the Butchers Arms pub was the location of the winter quarters of Beech's Fair.
The Forsbrook Firework Spectacular was seen by many as the revival in part of the ancient Forsbrook Wakes. The two events are held on the same plot of land, the same week and with the presence of the funfair, stalls and celebrations. Although this community event and tourist attraction is held to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night, obvious comparisons are being made. Attendance to the event in 2013 exceeded 1500 people and marked the largest public gathering in the village in living memory. The event is hosted by Forsbrook Primary School and several charities. No beacon to date has been lit since 1914.
The Forsbrook Pendant, an item of Anglo-Saxon jewellery comprising a 7th-century ring enclosing a Roman gold coin, was found in Forsbrook by a labourer and sold to the British Museum in 1879.[2]
Forsbrook is contiguous with Blythe Bridge, with which it shares a parish council, and Blythe Marsh. It was formerly in the parish of All Saints Dilhorne.
During the First and Second World War 65 men from Forsbrook and Blythe Bridge laid down their lives for their country. The names are currently being updated and will be recorded on the village Calvary Cross in time for the centenary 2014 Commemorations. The Cross was erected in 1921 and lies in the grounds of St Peter's Church.
People from Forsbrook
- Arthur Bridgett (1882–1954), Sunderland and England footballer
- Richard JD Evans (born 1984), Nottingham Lions and Great Britain and Northern Ireland ice hockey and roller hockey player
- Stuart Hannah (born 1991), musician and notable writer and lyricist lives in Forsbrook.
- Captain Levison James Wood FRGS, BA Hons; Parachute Regiment (b1982) Explorer, adventurer and first person to walk the entire 4250 miles of the River Nile
References
http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=58199
3. Blythe Bridge, Forsbrook & Dilhorne History Soc. 'Lest We Forget' 1914-2014 commemorative Publication
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Forsbrook. |
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