Redditch

Infobox Settlement
name = Redditch
official_name =
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type = Town and Borough
total_type = Admin (Borough)
motto =
translit_lang1=
translit_lang1_type=
translit_lang1_info=
translit_lang1_type1=
translit_lang1_info1=
translit_lang1_type2=
translit_lang1_info2=
translit_lang1_type3=
translit_lang1_info3=
translit_lang1_type4=
translit_lang1_info4=
translit_lang1_type5=
translit_lang1_info5=
translit_lang1_type6=
translit_lang1_info6=
translit_lang2=
translit_lang2_type=
translit_lang2_info=
translit_lang2_type1=
translit_lang2_info1=
translit_lang2_type2=
translit_lang2_info2=
translit_lang2_type3=
translit_lang2_info3=
translit_lang2_type4=
translit_lang2_info4=
translit_lang2_type5=
translit_lang2_info5=
translit_lang2_type6=
translit_lang2_info6=

---

imagesize = 290px
image_caption = The former Redditch Bus Station, circa 1996


flag_size =
image_

seal_size =
image_shield =
shield_size =
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
blank_emblem_size =


mapsize = 120px
map_caption =
"Shown within Worcestershire"


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
image_dot_

dot_mapsize =
dot_map_caption =
dot_x = |dot_y =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = State Party
subdivision_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
subdivision_type1 = Constituent Country
subdivision_name1 = England
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = West Midlands
subdivision_type3 = Ceremonial County
subdivision_name3 = Worcestershire
subdivision_type4 = District
subdivision_name4 = Redditch Borough
seat_type =
seat =
parts_type =
parts_style =
parts =
p1 =
p2 =
government_footnotes =Leadership
Leader & Cabinet
government_type =Borough
leader_title =Executive (2006)
leader_name =EnglishDistrictControl|ONS=47UD
leader_title1 =MP(2006)
leader_name1 =Jacqui Smith
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title1 =
established_date1 =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
founder =
named_for =
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes = (Ranked 295th)
area_total_km2 = 54.25
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_dunam =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_blank1_title =
area_blank1_km2 =
area_blank1_sq_mi =
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
elevation_max_m =
elevation_max_ft =
elevation_min_m =
elevation_min_ft =
population_as_of =
population_footnotes = (Ranked EnglishDistrictRank|ONS=47UD)
population_note =
population_total = #switch: 47UD
45UB = 60,300
16UB = 94,300
35UB = 32,000
17UB = 120,000
45UC = 145,700
37UB = 115,700
29UB = 111,200
11UB = 172,000
42UB = 86,700
00AB = 165,700
00AC = 328,600
00CC = 223,500
16UC = 71,800
22UB = 168,600
24UB = 158,700
37UC = 111,400
00HA = 175,600
09UD = 154,700
35UC = 26,000
00AD = 221,600
00CN = 1,006,500
31UB = 92,500
00EX = 141,200
00EY = 142,700
35UD = 81,200
17UC = 73,900
00BL = 262,400
32UB = 58,300
00HN = 161,200
00MA = 112,200
00CX = 493,100
22UC = 139,700
33UB = 128,300
00AE = 271,400
22UD = 70,900
39UB = 51,800
00ML = 251,400
00HB = 410,500
33UC = 122,200
00AF = 299,100
47UB = 91,600
26UB = 88,900
37UD = 110,400
30UD = 88,000
00BM = 182,900
00CY = 198,500
12UB = 117,900
00AG = 227,500
41UB = 94,300
29UC = 146,200
15UB = 83,300
16UD = 103,300
15UC = 91,300
35UE = 49,500
22UE = 88,600
31UC = 162,400
22UF = 162,800
23UB = 111,500
38UB = 137,400
13UB = 119,700
17UD = 100,500
20UB = 53,200
45UD = 108,900
11UC = 90,300
30UE = 103,700
19UC = 45,000
00AA = 7,800
22UG = 170,800
13UC = 92,400
16UE = 70,300
34UB = 54,800
23UC = 83,200
00CQ = 306,600
36UB = 55,500
45UE = 99,900
13UD = 115,800
00AH = 337,000
26UC = 138,400
00EH = 99,300
29UD = 89,900
34UC = 78,200
00FK = 236,300
17UF = 69,800
20UD = 86,500
00CE = 290,300
29UE = 106,400
00CR = 305,300
20UE = 92,200
00AJ = 306,400
20UF = 94,000
12UC = 79,600
18UB = 131,100
19UD = 85,000
24UC = 110,100
26UD = 132,600
32UC = 138,500
34UD = 84,000
00FB = 330,900
41UC = 107,700
21UC = 94,900
24UD = 119,000
16UF = 51,700
13UE = 81,800
43UB = 129,500
00AK = 285,300
22UH = 122,900
43UC = 69,600
17UG = 110,400
18UC = 119,600
24UE = 108,400
12UD = 90,100
42UC = 62,100
23UD = 81,700
30UF = 75,700
00CH = 190,500
37UE = 111,700
23UE = 113,200
24UF = 78,200
29UG = 97,400
33UD = 93,400
00AL = 222,600
43UD = 133,100
00AM = 208,400
00ET = 119,500
36UC = 86,300
00AN = 171,400
31UD = 81,300
00

22UJ = 78,100
36UD = 157,800
00AQ = 214,600
24UG = 88,800
00EB = 91,100
21UD = 86,100
24UH = 116,800
00AR = 227,300
00GA = 177,800
26UE = 96,000
17UH = 92,000
00AS = 250,000
31UE = 103,800
45UF = 128,300
00AT = 218,600
00FA = 256,200
12UE = 166,600
30UG = 82,200
42UD = 120,400
00MW = 138,500
15UH = 2,100
00AU = 185,500
46UB = 78,200
00AW = 178,000
15UD = 98,000
34UE = 87,900
33UE = 142,300
00AX = 155,900
00CZ = 398,200
00BX = 151,300
00AY = 272,000
30UH = 143,000
00DA = 750,200
00FN = 289,700
21UF = 93,900
00AZ = 255,700
41UD = 96,700
32UD = 87,600
00BY = 436,100
00KA = 186,800
13UG = 150,600
29UH = 142,800
22UK = 61,700
47UC = 73,900
00BN = 452,000
37UF = 99,900
00LC = 251,700
31UG = 48,900
40UB = 108,300
00BA = 197,700
09UC = 132,200
18UD = 74,500
42UE = 92,000
45UG = 129,100
00EC = 138,400
00MG = 224,800
43UE = 80,500
24UJ = 173,700
37UG = 111,700
00CJ = 270,500
41UE = 123,800
00BB = 248,400
15UE = 85,300
18UE = 91,500
19UE = 66,700
17UJ = 97,700
00FC = 158,900
26UF = 121,500
32UE = 103,200
00FD = 159,000
33UF = 100,600
39UC = 59,500
00HC = 201,400
00CK = 195,000
44UB = 62,300
31UH = 89,600
46UC = 130,400
34UF = 200,100
33UG = 129,500
00FY = 286,400
44UC = 120,700
31UJ = 56,500
00BP = 219,600
39UD = 39,700
38UC = 149,100
30UJ = 90,100
15UF = 64,400
00JA = 163,300
00HG = 248,100
00HP = 136,900
00MR = 196,400
30UK = 132,000
19UG = 45,200
00MC = 142,800
00BC = 251,900
00EE = 139,500
47UD = 79500
43UF = 129,800
15UG = 101,900
30UL = 57,800
00BD = 179,500
36UE = 51,000
00BQ = 206,500
22UL = 81,100
30UM = 66,700
21UG = 87,600
00CF = 253,300
44UD = 90,200
43UG = 81,200
37UJ = 108,200
24UL = 88,700
00FP = 38,300
36UF = 52,900
00BR = 218,000
46UD = 115,300
00CS = 287,600
36UG = 108,300
20UG = 87,700
40UC = 111,000
00CA = 277,400
36UH = 79,800
29UK = 113,700
00CG = 525,800
29UL = 99,600
39UE = 95,900
00MD = 119,500
00CT = 203,000
09UE = 117,000
11UE = 63,700
12UG = 135,400
17UK = 89,800
00HD = 254,400
18UG = 83,200
32UF = 82,100
32UG = 130,100
16UG = 104,800
33UH = 116,200
34UG = 88,800
38UD = 128,100
30UN = 106,400
39UF = 42,300
40UD = 156,700
41UF = 106,200
00CL = 151,000
00MS = 228,600
00KF = 159,900
00BE = 269,200
43UH = 90,500
26UG = 131,300
42UF = 101,900
00BZ = 177,600
41UG = 123,400
41UH = 95,300
26UH = 79,300
00BS = 280,600
00EF = 189,100
00GL = 239,700
44UE = 116,100
23UF = 110,300
42UG = 122,200
00CM = 280,600
43UJ = 82,400
00BF = 184,400
29UM = 128,500
00HX = 186,600
00BT = 214,400
41UK = 75,400
43UK = 81,300
40UE = 107,400
20UH = 24,800
18UH = 125,500
00GF = 161,900
22UN = 144,600
24UN = 113,600
23UG = 78,800
29UN = 128,600
26UJ = 85,500
00KG = 148,900
29UP = 113,900
00HH = 133,200
18UK = 64,200
00BG = 212,800
00BU = 211,800
29UQ = 104,600
35UF = 59,500
22UQ = 71,400
38UE = 117,100
13UH = 126,000
00DB = 321,200
00CU = 254,500
00BH = 221,700
00BJ = 279,000
35UG = 61,700
00EU = 194,000
44UF = 132,900
26UK = 79,600
42UH = 116,800
43UL = 116,800
21UH = 143,700
20UJ = 62,300
34UH = 75,500
26UL = 105,500
00MB = 148,800
18UL = 51,200
19UH = 96,200
30UP = 109,800
32UH = 86,500
38UF = 100,200
40UF = 35,300
46UF = 124,800
00BK = 231,900
19UJ = 64,900
00BW = 305,500
24UP = 110,000
00ME = 138,800
00CB = 311,200
43UM = 90,700
00MF = 153,800
00CW = 236,600
47UE = 93,400
45UH = 98,700
47UF = 116,300
11UF = 161,300
30UQ = 110,400
47UG = 98,200
00FF = 191,800
population_density_km2 = auto
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
population_blank1_title =Ethnicity
population_blank1 =94.8% White
2.7% S.Asian
population_density_blank1_km2 =
population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
timezone =
utc_offset =
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
coor_type =
latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS=
longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW=
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
twin1 =
twin1_country =
twin2 =
twin2_country =
twin3 =
twin3_country =
twin4 =
twin4_country =
twin5 =
twin5_country =
twin6 =
twin6_country =
twin7 =
twin7_country =
blank_name =Geographic coordinates
blank_info =coord|52|19|N|1|56|W|type:city
blank1_name =ONS code
blank1_info =47UD
blank2_name =
blank2_info =
blank3_name =
blank3_info =
blank4_name =
blank4_info =
blank5_name =
blank5_info =
blank6_name =
blank6_info =
website =
footnotes =

Redditch is a town and local government district in north-east Worcestershire, England. The district had a population of 79,216 in 2005.

Geography

Redditch lies just south of (but is not part of) the West Midlands urban area, northwest of Studley on the A435, which skirts it to the East. The main route of access is the A441, a trunk road from Birmingham to Cookhill, via junction 2 of the M42 Motorway. The Roman Road known as Icknield Street is prominent, running North to South through the eastern side of the town.

History

The first recorded mention of Redditch ("Red-Dych", thought to be a reference to the red clay of the nearby River Arrow) is in 1348, the year of the outbreak of the Black Death. During the Middle Ages it became a centre of needle-making and later prominent industries were fish-hooks, fishing tackle, motorcycles and springs, the latter notably by Herbert Terry and Sons. It was designated a new town in 1964 and the population increased dramatically from 32,000 to around 77,000. Housing developments such as Church Hill, Matchborough, Winyates, Lodge Park and Woodrow were created to accommodate the large overspill from an industrially expanding Birmingham. Redditch was built as a 'flagship' town using new methods and new town planning, all the main roads in Redditch were banked to reduce noise to the new housing estates and the whole of Redditch was landscaped.

Today needle-making and other traditional industries have been replaced by modern light industry and services, with Redditch also functioning as a dormitory town for Birmingham. The automotive retailer Halfords and engineering giant GKN both have their headquarters in Redditch. Manufacturer of precious metal contacts Samuel Taylor Ltd have manufacturing plants within the town. With the redevelopment of the flagship Kingfisher Shopping Centre in 2002 Redditch is undergoing an economic and cultural renaissance.

The town is home to several historical sites. Besides the National Needle Museum and the ruins of Bordesley Abbey (situated in the Abbey Ward district of Redditch), there are also the remains of a moated settlement called Moons Moat - a Mediaeval moated settlement situated within the Church Hill estate.

In 2007 the town enjoyed increased publicity after its MP Jacqui Smith was chosen to be the country's first female Home Secretary.

On a lighter note, Redditch has the distiction of appearing in a section heading in An Utterly Impartial History of Britain by John O'Farrell. [England Divided into Separate Kingdoms: no one wants Redditch, p49]

Politics

The constituency of Redditch is represented by Jacqui Smith of the Labour Party (2007). With the resignation of Tony Blair and the succession of Gordon Brown, Jacqui Smith was chosen by the new Prime Minister to be Home Secretary, this making her the UK's first female Home Secretary. The borough council became Conservative controlled in the 2008 local elections after being under either Labour control or no overall control for 26 years.

Redditch Student Council

Redditch has its own Student Council, set up by the Borough Council in 1993 to help the Council to get in touch with young people. The Student Council is made up by representatives from the four main High Schools. They are democratically elected every year.

In the last year (November 2006 - February 2008) the Student Council won funding to deliver a series of multi-cultural events: two in Redditch and a further five across the County of Worcestershire.

HMP Hewell

Redditch was to be the new designation of reorganised prison HMP Hewell, due to be created from the merger of three prisons at Hewell Grange in nearby Tardebigge: Hewell Grange, Brockhill and Blakenhurst prisons. This is one of the first mergers along the Titan Prison concept. It was originally to be called 'HMP Redditch' but the name was changed due to a public outcry, especially as the prison was not to be located in the town. The new name was announced in March 2008 [cite web|url=http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/news/ranewslatest/display.var.2110754.0.new_name_for_prison_chosen.php|date=2008-03-11|accessdate=2008-03-31|work=Redditch Advertiser|title=New name for prison chosen] .

Transport

Located in the heart of England, Redditch is an ideal point of departure for destinations in the surrounding region. The M42 motorway is a short drive away and it is linked by dual carriageways and A-class roads to surrounding towns such as Bromsgrove and Evesham. There are regular bus services to Studley, Bromsgrove, Catshill and Birmingham.

Railway

The Cross-City Line provides a regular train service via Birmingham New Street to Lichfield. Redditch railway station, the southern terminus of the line, was first opened as the terminus of the Redditch Railway on September 19, 1859, alongside what is now Clive Road. This first station stayed until May 4 1868 when the last section from Alcester to Redditch of the Redditch and Evesham Railway was opened, at which point a second station was built alongside the junction of Bromsgrove Road and Plymouth Road. This station was provided with a standard Midland Railway design and two platforms. The current station, built in 1993 offering little more than a ticket office and a store, is now a shadow of its former self.

Buses

There is an extensive network of local bus services run by Diamond Bus, First and other operators (including Hardings Coaches, Johnsons Excel Bus). Many services run from the bus station in the town centre, a postcard of which was voted Britain's most boring postcard in a competition run by the photographer Martin Parr. The bus station was rebuilt as part of the 2002 shopping centre expansion.

Some areas of Redditch have dedicated bus routes; however, there have been issues with safety on these routes and 3 children have died over the past 15 yearscite web|url=http://80.194.82.59//obsstandard2/2008/week%2034/redditch/rstr003c220808v1-web.pdf|title=Marching for safer bus route|date=2008-08-20|publisher=Redditch Standard|accessdate=2008-09-08] . A campaign group called The Redditch Foundation is being set up to campaign for better safety on the bus routes.

Road system

Redditch is locally well known for its confusing road system dominated by a system of dual carriageways built when it became a New Town, including the only cloverleaf interchange in England at the junction of the A441 and the Bromsgrove-bound A448. Due to the similar appearance of the road layout, drivers easily become disorientated, although the story of an elderly couple admitted to hospital with severe dehydration after spending more than sixty hours trying to navigate the highway system is an urban legend. Redditch was briefly famous for a tongue-in-cheek calendar featuring its "picturesque" roundabouts created by a local printing company. The calendar was called, unsurprisingly, 'Redditch Roundabouts,' and it proved so successful that it sparked a national series.

Education

::"See also List of schools in Worcestershire"Redditch schools operate a three-tier system, where students progress from a 'First (or Primary) School', to a 'Middle School', and then to a High School (rather than the more common two-tier system). Redditch currently has four high schools, Saint Augustine's High School, Kingsley College, Trinity High School and Arrow Vale High School.

North East Worcestershire College (often referred to locally as "New College") is a large general further education college: one of its two campuses is in central Redditch; the other is in Bromsgrove.

Places of Interest

*Bordesley Abbey: remains of a former Cistercian abbey, later used as a Royal Swannery.
*Forge Mill Needle Museum: exhibition of traditional needle making.

Kingfisher Shopping Centre

The Kingfisher Shopping Centre was opened in 1976 by the then Prime Minister James Callaghan and now forms the town's primary retail centre. It is well known for its palm trees in the centre's Worcester Square. The original trees and their accompanying fountain were removed by the centre's management after health and safety fears relating to the age of the trees, which were nearly thirty years old. More appropriate palm trees were planted after the 2002 redevelopment, and remain as of 2008. The centre is also well known for its large mosaic panels designed by famous Scottish artist and sculptor, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. The centre has over convert|1100000|sqft|m2 of retail space [cite web|url=http://www.liberty-international.co.uk/files/presentation/2016/prudentialpresentation_2005_web.pdf|title=Major UK Shopping Transaction with Prudential|publisher=Liberty International|date=2005-03|accessdate=2008-02-29] , making it one of the largest covered shopping centres in the United Kingdom. In 2007, a cinema opened on the new upper floor.

Arrow Valley Country Park

Redditch benefits from convert|900|acre|km2 of public open space in Arrow Valley Country Park. This incorporates the 27 acre Arrow Valley Lake, fed from the River Arrow. It features a countryside centre, which was opened in 2000 and features countryside and wildlife displays and has a cafe and conferencing facilities.

Royal Enfield motorcycles

Redditch was the home of the Royal Enfield motorcycle. This is where the main factory of the original company was located and the business continued manufacturing through the sixties, the last model being the [http://www.ozemate.com/interceptor Interceptor] . In the mid fifties the Company established a partner Madras in India, who manufactured the Bullet model. The Indian factory is still very successful, with new Indian models and has taken Royal Enfield into its third century of manufacturing. English Enfield manufacturing ended in 1970. Many of the original factory buildings still remain, most remain in a derelict state and can been seen at the beginning of Bromsgrove Road and opposite the town railway station. Some buildings have been taken over and now make the old part of Enfield Industrial Estate closest to the town centre.

Notable residents

*John Bonham (1948–1980) of Led Zeppelin was born in Redditch. [Bonham, Mick. "Bonham by Bonham: My Brother John" (Solihull: Icarus Publications, 2003). ISBN 0-9545717-0-3]
*Rik Mayall (1958–) (comedian) spent his early life in Redditch. [ [http://www.tv.com/rik-mayall/person/19450/biography.html TV.com - Rik Mayall Biography] ]
*Charles Dance (1946–) (actor) was born in Redditch
*Ruth England (1970–) (TV presenter) was educated in Redditch.
*Raymond Thompson (scriptwriter and TV producer) was born in Redditch.
*Craig Rogers - Four-time World Pinball Champion (1999, 2001-2003).Fact|date=December 2007
*Jamie (James) Mackay British Masters Record 800m Freestyle Swimming in the 2004 British Swimming Masters Championships cite web |author=British Swimming|title=Senior Age Group Records|publisher=British Swimming |date=03-05-2008|work= British Swimming Website|url=http://asaftp.sportcentric.net/sports/masters/records/longcourse-snr.htm |accessdate=03-05-2008
*Zoë Lister- Actress Hollyoaks
*John Taylor (1960–) - Bassist in the group Duran Duran. He grew up in Hollywood, Birmingham and went to the Abbey High School in Redditch.
*Russell Brookes (1945–) -British Rally Champion [ [http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?type=profile&driverid=3118 Rallybase web site] ]
*Tony Martin (1957–) - Singer for Black Sabbath 1987-1991, 1994-1997
*Jacqui Smith MP [ [http://www.jacquismithmp.co.uk/biography Jacqui Smith MP's web site] Biography] - First female Home Secretary for the UK Government.
*Steff Caldicott - Contestant in Big Brother (UK) Series 4 (finished 4th)
*Jimmy Davis (1982-2003) - Footballer who played for Manchester United, Swindon Town and Watford before his death in a car crash at the age of 21
*Tom Paddock (1822–1863) also known as the "Redditch Needlepointer" - champion heavyweight bare-knuckle boxer of England in 1856 [Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]
*Jim Moran winner of a Gold medal in Heavyweight boxing in the 1986 Commonwealth Games
*Lionel Britton (1887–1971) – Working-class novelist and writer of science fiction plays [Clute and Nicholls's Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (1993)]

Local Dialect

Due to its geographical location Redditch was isolated from the Worcestershire vernacular, instead developing a soft Brummie mode of speechFact|date=February 2008 which owes more to the influence of nearby Birmingham. The establishment of Redditch as a new town and the accompanying influx of migrants from the West Midlands area, along with the influence of national television, mean that particularly amongst the younger generation virtually all traces of a local dialect have been lost.

However the Redditch accent is known to be a worcester accent. Redditch People tend to speak correctly.

Town twinning

In 1956 Redditch was twinned with Auxerre in Burgundy, France. This twinning proved sufficiently popular to form an organisation named The Friends of Auxerre (FoA). At the beginning of June each year the coupling of these two towns is officially celebrated.

In 1986 Redditch was twinned with Mtwara in Tanzania. Frequent events are organised with assistance from the community of Tanzanian students at Birmingham University and Selly Oak College.

*flagicon|France Auxerre, France
*flagicon|Tanzania Mtwara, Tanzania

Friendship Links

Redditch also has formal “Friendship” links [ [http://redditch.whub.org.uk/home/rbcindex/rbc-visit/rbc-your-council-friendship-links_.htm More Information on "Friendship Links"] ] with:
*flagicon|Jamaica St.Elizabeth, West Indies
*flagicon|France Gruchet-Le-Valasse, France
*flagicon|Pakistan Gujar Khan, Pakistan

port

Redditch sport teams include:

*Redditch United F.C. playing Football in the Conference North
*Redditch Ravens RLFC playing Rugby League
* [http://www.bishahockey.com/ Redditch Rockets] Skater Hockey Club
*Redditch Swimming Club Swimming [http://homepages.tesco.net/~stephen.bridgman/RSCFramed/]
*The Redditch Road and Path Cycling Club [http://www.rrpcc.co.uk/]

ee also

*http://www.kingfisherfm.co.uk - Local Community Radio for Redditch

*Radio Redditch

External links

* [http://www.redditchstandard.co.uk/ Redditch Standard] Local Redditch weekly newspaper
* [http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/ Redditch Advertiser] Local Redditch weekly newspaper

References

*