Long Eaton
Encyclopedia
Long Eaton is a town in Derbyshire
, England. It lies just north of the River Trent
about 7 miles (11.3 km) southwest of Nottingham
and is part of the Nottingham Urban Area. Since 1974, Long Eaton has been part of Erewash
.
, and grew up close to the lowest bridging point of the River Erewash
.
In 1228 the town gained the "Long" prefix due to the length of the town. The "Great Fire of Long Eaton" ripped through 14 houses and several other building in the Market Place destroying them in 1694.
The town developed around the lace-making
and railway wagon industries in the nineteenth century. Long Eaton railway station
is on the Midland Main Line
and the Erewash Canal
passes through the town.
In 1921 Long Eaton's boundaries were extended bringing Wilsthorpe and parts of both Sandiacre and Sawley into the town.
on the border with Nottinghamshire
. Most residences have a Nottingham
address with the Nottingham postcode prefix NG, and use the Nottingham telephone area code 0115.
It is a common misconception that Long Eaton is part of Nottinghamshire. The reason for the NG prefix in the postal code is that all mail for Long Eaton first goes to the Royal Mail's Nottingham sorting office
in Beeston
(hence the NG), and then to Long Eaton's delivery office on Tamworth Road.
The Local Government Commission for England (1958 - 1967)
recommended that Long Eaton became part of an enlarged Nottingham City Council. This was not the only time Long Eaton's status in Derbyshire was threatened as the original draft of the Local Government Act 1972
had considered moving Long Eaton into Nottinghamshire
. The Redcliffe-Maud Report
proposals of 1969 also recommended the town be moved into Nottinghamshire but the incoming Conservative administration rejected the proposal. This issue has rumbled on over many years.
Long Eaton Hall, now part of the larger Long Eaton Town Hall complex of the late 1980s.
Another notable building is the Parish Church of St. Laurence. Local tradition dates the church to the 11th century, possibly built under King Cnut. However, it is more likely that it dates to after the Norman Conquest, possibly into the 12th century. It was originally a daughter church of All Saints, Sawley
, but gained its independence in the 19th century. Nowadays the church is overlooked by a large Tesco
Extra store, but originally it would have been surrounded by small cottages.
There are several fine examples of industrial architecture left in Long Eaton. Most are connected with the town's development as a lace-making centre. By 1907, the town housed almost 1,400 lace machines and the industry employed over 4,000 people (a quarter of the population). One of the largest lace-making mills, Harrington Mill, was built in 1885. It took one and a quarter million bricks to build the 167 metre long factory and it has 224 cast-iron windows down one side. Harrington Mill is a traditional, four-storey, red lace mill, built by a consortium of lace manufacturers. The turrets on the sides of the building house the original staircases.
A glance above the shops on High Street and the Market Place can reveal some surprisingly interesting architecture. There is also some bland and disappointing 1960s and 1970s styling but in general Long Eaton's main shopping streets have retained more character than those of most towns of its size.
In mid-2010 work began to enhance and improve the layout and paving of Long Eaton town centre and Taxi rank.
and Wilsthorpe Business and Enterprise College
as well as several primary schools. It is also home to the public school Trent College
and the Elms School
for children from 3-11.
Part of the Long Eaton school (which operated for years 7, 8 and 9) was demolished in 2006, after a new school was built next door, on the same grounds. Both upper and lower sections of the school are now in one building. Previously, the sections were separated by the Erewash Canal
. In 2005 Wilsthorpe School gained specialist status in business and enterprise. The Long Eaton School has also gained specialist status in science and has received the permanent eco-flag.
The Long Eaton School was recently rebuilt, and was opened by Gordon Brown
when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer.
, the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band, which is one of only two brass bands still functioning in Erewash. The band was formed in 1906 as a result of severance from the local Temperance Society. At the height of its success, it reached the Brass Band Second Section. The band still rehearses in the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band Club on Salisbury Street in Long Eaton.
In recent times, the band has regained some of its former glories under its current Musical Director, Sharon Stansfield. In 2006, the band's centenary year, the band won the Midland Area Regional Championships, the band's first contest win since 1966. This secured them promotion back to the Second Section, and an invitation to the National Championships of Great Britain. The band also won this contest, providing their best contest result since 1927, and also making Sharon Stansfield the first female conductor to win the National Finals in the Third Section.
racing was staged at the Long Eaton Stadium on Station Road, the first meeting was held on 18 May 1929 The Long Eaton Invaders became National Speedway Champions in 1984. However, the Speedway stadium closed in 1997. The former area of the speedway stadium has now received planning permission from the council for a series of new homes and a possibly a partial playing field for Grange Primary School.
Long Eaton United F.C.
play in the Northern Counties East Football League
. The town also has a Rugby
club, Long Eaton RUFC.
Long Eaton Rangers F.C.
was founded in 1889 but were bankrupt ten years later.
Long Eaton Cricket Club is a cricket club in the town of Long Eaton. The club plays in Division A of the South Notts Cricket League, with a Second XI in Division E and a Third XI in Division P. The club has three adult sides on Saturdays and two on Sundays, in addition to junior sides for all age groups from under-11s Kwik cricket
to under-15s. A Veterans' team plays regular matches on Friday evenings. They also have 2 mid-week teams.
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Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, England. It lies just north of the River Trent
River Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
about 7 miles (11.3 km) southwest of Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
and is part of the Nottingham Urban Area. Since 1974, Long Eaton has been part of Erewash
Erewash
Erewash is a local government district and borough in eastern Derbyshire, England, to the east of Derby and the west of Nottingham. It contains the towns of Ilkeston, Long Eaton and Sandiacre and fourteen civil parishes....
.
History
Long Eaton is referred to as Aitone, in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
, and grew up close to the lowest bridging point of the River Erewash
River Erewash
The River Erewash is a river in England that flows roughly southwards through Derbyshire, close to its eastern border with Nottinghamshire.-Etymology:...
.
In 1228 the town gained the "Long" prefix due to the length of the town. The "Great Fire of Long Eaton" ripped through 14 houses and several other building in the Market Place destroying them in 1694.
The town developed around the lace-making
Lace
Lace is an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand. The holes can be formed via removal of threads or cloth from a previously woven fabric, but more often open spaces are created as part of the lace fabric. Lace-making is an ancient craft. True lace was...
and railway wagon industries in the nineteenth century. Long Eaton railway station
Long Eaton railway station
Long Eaton railway station serves the town of Long Eaton in Derbyshire, in the United Kingdom. It lies on the Midland Main Line and the Derby - Nottingham line south east of Derby...
is on the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
and the Erewash Canal
Erewash Canal
The Erewash Canal is a broad canal in Derbyshire, England. It runs just under and has 14 locks. The first lock at Langley Bridge is actually part of the Cromford Canal.-Origins:...
passes through the town.
In 1921 Long Eaton's boundaries were extended bringing Wilsthorpe and parts of both Sandiacre and Sawley into the town.
Twin towns
Romorantin-LanthenayRomorantin-Lanthenay
Romorantin-Lanthenay is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France.-History:The current commune is the result of the merger, on 29 May 1961, of the former communes of Romorantin and Lanthenay.-Transportation:...
FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
LangenLangen, HesseLangen is a town of roughly 36,000 in the Offenbach district in the Regierungsbezirk of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany, between Darmstadt and Frankfurt am Main...
GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
County issues
Long Eaton is in the County of DerbyshireDerbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
on the border with Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
. Most residences have a Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
address with the Nottingham postcode prefix NG, and use the Nottingham telephone area code 0115.
It is a common misconception that Long Eaton is part of Nottinghamshire. The reason for the NG prefix in the postal code is that all mail for Long Eaton first goes to the Royal Mail's Nottingham sorting office
Sorting office
Sorting office or Processing and Distribution Center is any location where postal operators bring mail after collection for sorting into batches for delivery to the addressee, which may be a direct delivery or sent onwards to another regional or local sorting office, or to another postal...
in Beeston
Beeston, Nottinghamshire
Beeston is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is southwest of Nottingham city centre. Although typically regarded as a suburb of the City of Nottingham, and officially designated as part of the Nottingham Urban Area, for local government purposes it is in the borough of Broxtowe, lying outside...
(hence the NG), and then to Long Eaton's delivery office on Tamworth Road.
The Local Government Commission for England (1958 - 1967)
Local Government Commission for England (1958 - 1967)
The Local Government Commission for England was established by the Local Government Act 1958 to review the organisation of local government, and make "such proposals as are hereinafter authorised for effecting changes appearing to the Commissions desirable in the interests of effective and...
recommended that Long Eaton became part of an enlarged Nottingham City Council. This was not the only time Long Eaton's status in Derbyshire was threatened as the original draft of the Local Government Act 1972
Local Government Act 1972
The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....
had considered moving Long Eaton into Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
. The Redcliffe-Maud Report
Redcliffe-Maud Report
The Redcliffe–Maud Report is the name generally given to the report published by the Royal Commission on Local Government in England 1966–1969 under the chairmanship of Lord Redcliffe-Maud.-Terms of reference and membership:...
proposals of 1969 also recommended the town be moved into Nottinghamshire but the incoming Conservative administration rejected the proposal. This issue has rumbled on over many years.
Notable architecture
A notable building in the town is the PalladianPalladian architecture
Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio . The term "Palladian" normally refers to buildings in a style inspired by Palladio's own work; that which is recognised as Palladian architecture today is an evolution of...
Long Eaton Hall, now part of the larger Long Eaton Town Hall complex of the late 1980s.
Another notable building is the Parish Church of St. Laurence. Local tradition dates the church to the 11th century, possibly built under King Cnut. However, it is more likely that it dates to after the Norman Conquest, possibly into the 12th century. It was originally a daughter church of All Saints, Sawley
Sawley, Derbyshire
Sawley is a village and civil parish within the Borough of Erewash, in southeast Derbyshire, England. Around 6,500 people live in the parish. with a slightly higher than average number of people over 65....
, but gained its independence in the 19th century. Nowadays the church is overlooked by a large Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
Extra store, but originally it would have been surrounded by small cottages.
There are several fine examples of industrial architecture left in Long Eaton. Most are connected with the town's development as a lace-making centre. By 1907, the town housed almost 1,400 lace machines and the industry employed over 4,000 people (a quarter of the population). One of the largest lace-making mills, Harrington Mill, was built in 1885. It took one and a quarter million bricks to build the 167 metre long factory and it has 224 cast-iron windows down one side. Harrington Mill is a traditional, four-storey, red lace mill, built by a consortium of lace manufacturers. The turrets on the sides of the building house the original staircases.
A glance above the shops on High Street and the Market Place can reveal some surprisingly interesting architecture. There is also some bland and disappointing 1960s and 1970s styling but in general Long Eaton's main shopping streets have retained more character than those of most towns of its size.
In mid-2010 work began to enhance and improve the layout and paving of Long Eaton town centre and Taxi rank.
Schools
Long Eaton has two state secondary schools, The Long Eaton SchoolThe Long Eaton School
The Long Eaton School is a secondary comprehensive Academy on Thoresby Road in Long Eaton located between Nottingham and Derby.- History :...
and Wilsthorpe Business and Enterprise College
Wilsthorpe Business and Enterprise College
Wilsthorpe Community School is a secondary comprehensive school, in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.-History:It opened in 1954 as the Wilsthorpe Secondary Modern School. Neighbouring the school was the Parklands County Secondary Modern School, which became an infants school...
as well as several primary schools. It is also home to the public school Trent College
Trent College
Trent College is a co-educational, HMC independent day and boarding school. There are 760 pupils in the Senior School and 330 pupils in the Junior School, The Elms School...
and the Elms School
Elms School
The Elms School is the Nursery, Junior and Preparatory School for Trent College, a co-educational, HMC independent day and boarding school. The campus is located in grounds situated in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, between Nottingham and Derby. The Elms opened in 1999 as the Prep School of Trent College...
for children from 3-11.
Part of the Long Eaton school (which operated for years 7, 8 and 9) was demolished in 2006, after a new school was built next door, on the same grounds. Both upper and lower sections of the school are now in one building. Previously, the sections were separated by the Erewash Canal
Erewash Canal
The Erewash Canal is a broad canal in Derbyshire, England. It runs just under and has 14 locks. The first lock at Langley Bridge is actually part of the Cromford Canal.-Origins:...
. In 2005 Wilsthorpe School gained specialist status in business and enterprise. The Long Eaton School has also gained specialist status in science and has received the permanent eco-flag.
The Long Eaton School was recently rebuilt, and was opened by Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Brass band
Long Eaton also has a successful brass bandBrass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
, the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band, which is one of only two brass bands still functioning in Erewash. The band was formed in 1906 as a result of severance from the local Temperance Society. At the height of its success, it reached the Brass Band Second Section. The band still rehearses in the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band Club on Salisbury Street in Long Eaton.
In recent times, the band has regained some of its former glories under its current Musical Director, Sharon Stansfield. In 2006, the band's centenary year, the band won the Midland Area Regional Championships, the band's first contest win since 1966. This secured them promotion back to the Second Section, and an invitation to the National Championships of Great Britain. The band also won this contest, providing their best contest result since 1927, and also making Sharon Stansfield the first female conductor to win the National Finals in the Third Section.
Sport
SpeedwayMotorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
racing was staged at the Long Eaton Stadium on Station Road, the first meeting was held on 18 May 1929 The Long Eaton Invaders became National Speedway Champions in 1984. However, the Speedway stadium closed in 1997. The former area of the speedway stadium has now received planning permission from the council for a series of new homes and a possibly a partial playing field for Grange Primary School.
Long Eaton United F.C.
Long Eaton United F.C.
Long Eaton United F.C. are a football club from Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England who currently play in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.- Early history :...
play in the Northern Counties East Football League
Northern Counties East Football League
The Northern Counties East Football League is an English football league that was founded in 1982 by the merger of the former Yorkshire League and Midland League. The league has two divisions at present; The Premier Division and Division One which stand at the ninth and tenth levels of the football...
. The town also has a Rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club, Long Eaton RUFC.
Long Eaton Rangers F.C.
Long Eaton Rangers F.C.
Long Eaton Rangers F.C. was a football club based in Long Eaton, England. They were founding members of the second ever league, The Combination in 1888, and when that folded, the Football Alliance in 1889. In 1890, they joined the Midland League and were runners up one year, however, they left the...
was founded in 1889 but were bankrupt ten years later.
Long Eaton Cricket Club is a cricket club in the town of Long Eaton. The club plays in Division A of the South Notts Cricket League, with a Second XI in Division E and a Third XI in Division P. The club has three adult sides on Saturdays and two on Sundays, in addition to junior sides for all age groups from under-11s Kwik cricket
Kwik cricket
Kwik cricket is a high-speed version of cricket aimed mainly at encouraging children to take part in the main sport....
to under-15s. A Veterans' team plays regular matches on Friday evenings. They also have 2 mid-week teams.
Notable people
- Mark DraperMark DraperMark Draper is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder and represented England at under-21 level. He currently works as the Kit Man at Notts County.-Career:...
- footballer - Garry BirtlesGarry BirtlesGarry Birtles is a retired English footballer, who played as a forward in The Football League between the 1970s and 1990s. He is best known for his time at Nottingham Forest, during which he won the 1979 and 1980 European Cup Finals...
- footballer, signed for Nottingham Forest from Long Eaton United and won two European Cups with the club - Saira KhanSaira KhanSaira Khan is a British television personality and was the runner-up on the first UK series of reality TV show The Apprentice in 2005.-Television career:...
- TV presenter - Laura KnightLaura KnightDame Laura Knight, DBE was an English Impressionist painter known for painting the world of London's theatre, ballet and circus.-Early life and education:...
, DBE - impressionist painter (born 1877) - Lewis McGuganLewis McGuganLewis Shay McGugan is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Championship side Nottingham Forest...
- footballer - Dougie SquiresDougie SquiresDougie Squires is an English choreographer known best for his work in television that dates from the mid-1950s.The groups he has choreographed for television include:*The Dougie Squires Dancers...
, OBE - choreographer - John Walters - broadcaster
- Georgia GroomeGeorgia Groome-Career:Groome was one of the eight young adventurers on Serious Amazon in 2006 for CBBC. Groome had a well received starring role in the 2008 film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging....
- actress - AetherfxAetherfxAetherfx is the EBM alias of Jacob Tugby, an electronic musician based in the United Kingdom.-Overview:...
- electronic musician, lived and originally from Long Eaton
External links
- Erewash Borough Council
- LESAC (Long Eaton Sub-Aqua Club)
- Long Eaton Rugby Club
- Long Eaton & Sawley Archive
- Long Eaton Oasis Christian Centre
- Long Eaton Salvation Army
- Long Eaton Chamber of Trade
- Long Eaton Running Club
- Long Eaton news from the Derby Telegraph
- A driving video around Long Eaton in august 2009
- www.trentcollege.net
- www.elmsschool.net
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