Eastwood, Nottinghamshire

infobox UK place
static_

static_image_caption = Nottingham Road, the town's main street.
map_type = Nottinghamshire
latitude= 53.0175
longitude= -1.3060
population= 18,612 cite web
title = Eastwood North and Greasley (Beauvale) (Ward) key statistics
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5943882&c=greasley&d=14&e=16&g=478235&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210028100768&enc=1
accessdate = 2008-05-01
cite web
title = Eastwood South (Ward) key statistics
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5943881&c=eastwood&d=14&e=16&g=478246&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210028141611&enc=1
accessdate = 2008-05-01
cite web
title = Greasley (Giltbrook and Newthorpe) (Ward) key statistics
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5943880&c=greasley&d=14&e=16&g=478278&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210028051987&enc=1
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]
os_grid_reference= SK465469
london_distance= 116 mi (187 km) SSE
country = England
region= East Midlands
shire_county= Nottinghamshire
shire_district= Broxtowe
civil_parish= Broxtowe
post_town= NOTTINGHAM
postcode_district= NG16
postcode_area= NG
dial_code= 01773
constituency_westminster=Ashfield
official_name= Eastwood

Eastwood is a former coal mining town in the Broxtowe district of Nottinghamshire, England. With a population of over 18,000, it is 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Nottingham, and 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Derby. It is on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Mentioned in Domesday Book, it expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. The Midland Railway was formed here, and it is the birthplace of D. H. Lawrence.

History

It seems that "Eastwood" is a place-name, formed from Old English "Est", for "East", and Old Norse "Þveit" (pronEng|θveɪt), for "meadow", "cleared meadow", or "clearing in a wood": this is a common element in English place-names, often found as "Thwaite".Citation
last = Ekwall
first = Eilert
publication-date = 1960
year = 2004
title = The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names
edition = 4th Edition
publisher = Oxford University Press
page = 158
isbn = 0-19-869103-3] Therefore "Eastwood" might mean "eastern clearing", the place possibly beginning as a Viking Age clearing in Sherwood Forest. [Local place-names "Newthorpe" and "Newmanley [Mill] ", shown on the map, suggest the same.]

Eastwood is one of the few places where the distinctive dialect of East Midlands English is extensively spoken, in which the name is pronEng|ˈeɪswʊd.

There is some evidence to suggest that the land around Eastwood was occupied in the Middle and Late Palaeolithic periods. Stronger indications of later settlement include fragments of characteristic Bronze Age pottery, weapons, and dug-out canoes, now preserved at Nottingham Castle, and at the University of Nottingham.Citation
title = History of Broxtowe
publisher = Broxtowe Borough Council
url = http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=235
accessdate = 2008-05-29] The location of the settlement is due primarily to the availability of rich agricultural land, the proximity of the River Erewash and – most importantly - the extensive and easily mined coal deposits. It is mentioned in Domesday Book as "Estewic", part of the fee of William Peverel: [Cf. "Peveril of the Peak".]

During the reign of Henry I (1100 -1135), William Peverel was confirmed in possession of his estates, but his son, William Peverel the Younger, forfeited these to the Crown in 1155. The estates were eventually divided, much of the land around Eastwood being given to the Greys of Codnor Castle. Tenant farming prevailed throughout the Middle Ages, whilst common was mainly used for grazing.When King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England in 1603, Eastwood had a population of about 170, and it remained a small village until the 18th century when, in 1779, the Trent Navigation Company opened the Erewash Canal. [Citation
date = 1945-11-24
title = Notts Villages
publisher = Nottingham Guardian
url = http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/articles/doubleday/eastwood2.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-01] Citation
date = 1945-11-24
title = History - The beginning
publisher = Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association
url = http://www.erewashcanal.org.uk/history.html#Construction
accessdate = 2008-05-01] This was one of the first man made waterways in England, with locks at Beeston linking Eastwood to the River Trent and Nottingham, and its arrival led to a rapid expansion of the local coal mining industry. Other industries soon followed, including framework knitting, corn milling, pottery, brewing, rope making and brick making.

The town expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, and in the 19th century it experienced the greatest increase in population density of any parish in Nottinghamshire.Citation
last = Preston
first = Peter
title = D. H. Lawrence in the modern world
last2 = Hoare
first2 = Peter
author2-link =
publication-date = 1090
date =
year =
title =
edition =
volume =
series =
publication-place =
place = Cambridge, [England]
publisher = Cambridge University Press
pages =
page = 125
id =
isbn = 0-521-37169-4
doi =
oclc =
url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=J5nRoaOwkPMC&printsec=frontcover#PPA125,M1
accessdate = 2008-05-11 Essay 8: The Sense of History in The Rainbow by Mark Kinkead-Weekes] By 1880 the population had increased to 4,500.Citation
year = 2004
title = The History of Eastwood
last = Plumb
first = Malcolm
publisher = Broxtowe Borough Council
url = http://www.eastwood-town-council.org.uk/htmfiles/history.html
accessdate = 2008-05-01] Factories were built to accommodate the new industries, land becoming available for them as the rural population moved to urban areas. This industrialisation of the countryside was only restricted from the early 19th century, when, somewhat belatedly, the effect of the Enclosures began to be felt in Nottinghamshire. In a local manifestation of this period of upheaval, marchers of the Pentrich Revolution of 1817 passed through the town, and were met by soldiers at nearby Giltbrook: the residents of Eastwood boarded up their houses and hid in the woods.

In 1832, a historic meeting took place at the Sun Inn (built 1750), which resulted in the creation of the Midland Counties Railway, and the construction of a line from Pinxton to Leicester. Industrialisation continued with the opening in 1868 of Moorgreen , and in 1875 the demand for coal resulted in a railway station in Eastwood, with services to Nottingham on the Great Northern Railway.Citation
date = 1945-11-24
title = Tourism, Arts & Leisure - Colliers Wood
publisher = Broxtowe Borough Council
url = http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2256
accessdate = 2008-05-01]

D.H. Lawrence was born in 1885, and the local area is mentioned in many of his novels, especially "The White Peacock", against a backdrop of industrialisation. There were ten coal mines, or "pits", within easy walking distance of his home, and an overwhelming majority of the local male population were .Citation
year = 1997
title = Biography of DH Lawrence
last = Worthen
first = john
publisher = myvillage.com
url = http://www.myvillage.com/nottingham/celebs&gossip-d_h_lawrence.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-01] As Lawrence was growing up, the coal boom was ending. Eastwood continued to expand, Nottingham Road and its feeder streets became established as a shopping area, and in 1908 the local Urban District Council opened its offices. However, few jobs remained outside the coal industry. Most women were housewives, and boys were desperate to reach the age of fourteen, when they could start working in the mines. In the early 20th century, trams provided a new means of transport between Nottingham, Ripley and Heanor. Lawrence lived next to the line, and described it as the most dangerous tram service in England.During the two world wars, Eastwood coal, metal castings, rope, wire and agricultural products made valuable contributions. In the Second World War, Eastwood supplied soldiers to the Sherwood Foresters Regiment. A memorial on Nottingham Road commemorates Eastwood residents who gave their lives in both world wars.

In 1946 the coal industry was nationalised, and the new National Coal Board acquired Eastwood Hall as their Area Office. This later became their National Office, and was the location for several crisis meetings during the national Miners' Strike of the 1980s. At its height of production in 1963, Moorgreen Colliery alone produced one million tons of coal, but the last coal mine in the area closed in 1985.

In recent years, tourism has become increasingly important. Lawrence's birthplace is now a museum, and a painted line on the pavement, called the ‘Blue Line Trail’, guides visitors around eleven sites of local interest including three of Lawrence's homes. The trail was the first of its kind in England, the concept being based on the Freedom Trail in Boston, USA.Citation
year = 2004
title = The blue line trail (leaflet)
publisher = Broxtowe Borough Council
url = http://www.nottinghamonline.com/Downloads/DH%20Lawrence/blue%20line%20trai.pdf
accessdate = 2008-05-01]

Governance

The Urban District Council for Eastwood became part of Broxtowe District Council in 1974. In 1977 the Council was granted "borough" status, becoming the Borough of Broxtowe. The current mayor is Brian Wombwell.

Eastwood now consists of 3 wards within the borough:

*Eastwood South
*Eastwood North and Greasley (Beauvale)
*Greasley (Giltbrook and Newthorpe)

All of these lie within the Borough of Broxtowe for local government. For national elections, however, the first two wards are in the Ashfield constituency – not the Broxtowe constituency.

In the 1951 census, around 11.5% of the total population listed their occupation as "Mining & Quarrying".cite web
title = 1951 Census of England and Wales, Occupation Tables Eastwood UD
publisher = Vision of Britain through time FROM 1951 census
url = http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/census/table_page.jsp?tab_id=EW1951OCC_M21&u_id=10136477&show=DB
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ] By the 2001 survey, this had fallen to 0.15%.cite web
title = Neighbourhood Statistics Area: Area: Eastwood South (Ward) Industry of Employment - All People (KS11A)
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5943881&c=eastwood&d=14&e=15&g=478246&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210027859318&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27
accessdate = 2008-05-01
cite web
title = Neighbourhood Statistics Area: Eastwood North and Greasley (Beauvale) (Ward) Industry of Employment - All People (KS11A)
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5943882&c=eastwood&d=14&e=15&g=478235&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210027760319&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27
accessdate = 2008-05-01
cite web
title = Neighbourhood Statistics Area: Greasley (Giltbrook and Newthorpe) (Ward) Industry of Employment - All People (KS11A)
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5943880&c=greasley&d=14&e=15&g=478278&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210027905270&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

In the 2001 census, Over 98% of the population selected the ethnicity "White: British". The national average for England was 87%.cite web
title = Neighbourhood Statistics Area: Area: Eastwood South (Ward) Ethnic Group (KS06)
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5943881&c=eastwood&d=14&e=16&g=478246&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210028141626&enc=1&dsFamilyId=87
accessdate = 2008-05-01
cite web
title = Neighbourhood Statistics Area: Eastwood North and Greasley (Beauvale) (Ward) Ethnic Group (KS06)
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5943882&c=eastwood&d=14&e=15&g=478235&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210028361124&enc=1&dsFamilyId=47
accessdate = 2008-05-01
cite web
title = Neighbourhood Statistics Area: Greasley (Giltbrook and Newthorpe) (Ward) Ethnic Group (KS06)
publisher = Office for National Statistics
url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5943880&c=greasley&d=14&e=15&g=478278&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1210028504778&enc=1&dsFamilyId=47
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Landmarks

"The Buildings" is a housing estate, consisting of some 300 terraced miners' cottages, built in the 1860s. They were saved from demolition by a council scheme, which won an EEC habitat award in 1977. It was also used to illustrate the European Community's Urban Renaissance competition in 1980.Citation
title = Community Development - Eastwood Town
publisher = Broxtowe Borough Council
url = http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1011
accessdate = 2008-05-29]

Colliers wood is a 14 hectare community woodland, part of the Greenwood Community Forest, created in 1996/97 to reclaim some of the woodland and fields destroyed by the mining developments. Over 17,500 trees and hedgerows were planted, and two ponds created. The footpath is made from reclaimed shale.Citation
title = Estwic - the community website for Eastwood
url = http://www.estwic.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=9
accessdate = 2008-05-29] Habitats cater to a wide variety of birds, including mute swans, goldfinches, lesser redpoll, skylarks, and willow warblers.Citation
title = Moorgreen, Annesley and Colliers Wood
publisher = Nottinghamshire Birds
url = http://www.nottmbirds.org.uk/sites/Moorgreen.html
accessdate = 2008-06-01]

A war memorial was unveiled in 1921, inscribed "to the men of Eastwood, who fell in the Great War 1914-1918". Later, World War II dedications were added, and it was moved to its present location at Plumptre Way. It is in the shape of an obelisk, made of Italian marble with a base of Whatstandwell stone.cite web
title = Listed Buildings Online
publisher = Heritage Gateway
url = http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=495784&resourceID=5
accessdate = 2008-05-19 ]

The Library, opened in 1975, includes an extensive collection of books by and about D H Lawrence. Also on view is Lawrence's desk and the headstone from his grave in Vence, France.

Greasley Castle (c.1341) was founded by Nicholas de Cantilupe. The remains are now covered by Greasley Castle Farmhouse (c. 1800), which incorporates fragments of medieval masonry.cite web
title = Greasley Castle
publisher = Nottinghamshire History
url = http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/articles/tts/tts1934/greasleycastle1.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-19 cite web
title = Greasley Castle
publisher = CastleUK.net
url = http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_midlands/129/greasleycastle.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-19]

The "Blue Line Trail" - painted along the pavement - guides visitors around the areas connected with the author D H Lawrence and include the birthplace Museum set out as a working class Victorian House, Durban House Heritage Centre with Lawrence exhibition, Bistro and art gallery and the three other houses that Lawrence lived in.
title = Tourism, Arts & Leisure - The Blue Line Trail
publisher = Broxtowe Borough Council
url = http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2263
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Eastwood Hall was the headquarters of British Coal. It is now a conference centre.

The Man In Space public house was built in the 1960s. It appeared briefly in the film Carry On at Your Convenience.

Transport

The M1 motorway runs close to Eastwood (junctions 26 and 27).

Eastwood is served by Trent Barton buses, one of the few independent bus operators in the UK. Buses from Nottingham's Victoria bus station take 40 minutes.cite web
title = Nottingham - Eastwood - Ripley (Rainbow 1)
publisher = Nottinghamshire County Council
url = http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/large-static/nottsbus/timetables/TBR_1.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

The nearest railway station is at Langley Mill, which has connections to Nottingham, Sheffield, Chesterfield and Manchester.

The East Midlands Airport is 13 miles away.

Education

There are several junior schools in the area, including Eastwood Junior School, Brookhill Leys Primary and Nursery School, Greasley Beauvale Junior School, Lynncroft Primary and Nursery School, Priory Catholic Primary School, and Greasley Beauvale D. H. Lawrence Infant School (which Lawrence attended).cite web
title = Directgov.co.uk Find information about schools, childcare and nurseries
publisher = Directgov.co.uk
url = http://schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk/search-results/?schooltype=primary&searchstring=ng16
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Most older local students attend Eastwood Comprehensive School, which is a Specialist Arts College, and also has a small sixth-form. The OFSTED report of 2007 notes that "The social and economic backgrounds of students are below average and fewer than average come from homes with a tradition of higher education".cite web
title = OFSTED Inspection Report - Eastwood Comprehensive School 122855
publisher = Office for Standards in Education
url = http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem.7c7b38b14d870c7bb1890a01637046a0/?event=getReport&urn=122855&inspectionNumber=295430&providerCategoryID=8192&fileName=\school\122\s5_122855_20070607.xml.
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Castle College, Nottingham, has a centre in Eastwood, with community courses in Arts & Crafts, First Aid, Cake Decorating and Languages.

Eastwood Skills Shop offers courses including IT, Arts & Crafts, Spanish and Interior Design.cite web
title = Eastwood Skills Shop
publisher = Castle College
url = http://www.castlecollege.ac.uk/?p=92
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Eastwood Library, in the centre of the town, provides traditional book loans, but also has free internet access, CDRoms and a range of information services. cite web | title=Eastwood Library | publisher=Nottinghamshire County Council | url=http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/libraries/librariesuserguide/librariesdetails.htm?libraryid=9120 | accessdate=2008-05-01 ]

Eastwood Community Sports Centre has a four-court sports hall, and 2 junior and 2 full sized football pitches. cite web | title=Eastwood Community Sports Centre | publisher=Broxtowe Borough Council | url=http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2115 | accessdate=2008-05-01 ]

Religious sites

St Mary's Parish Church has an open evangelical style of worship. There has been a church on the site since 1250, and there are some remains of the original structure. It was enlarged in 1826, largely replaced in 1858, and almost destroyed by fire in 1963. Only the tower remained; the rest of the present building was added in 1967, and consecrated on 25th September. [Citation
title = A church near you: Eastwood: St Mary, Eastwood
publisher = Church of England
url = http://www.achurchnearyou.com/venue.php?V=914
accessdate = 2008-05-29]

Beauvale Priory was founded in 1343. One of nine English houses which owed allegiance to the Grand Prior of Chartreuse, the monks rules were similar to those of Benedictines.cite web
title = The History of Nottinghamshire
author = Cornelius Brown
publisher = Nottinghamshire history
url = http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/Brown1896/beauvale.htm
accessdate = 2008-05-01
date=1896] It was referred to as "The Abbey" in D. H. Lawrence's "The White Peacock".cite web
title = A sprinkle of coal-dust
author = Christopher Middleton
publisher = Telegraph.co.uk
url = http://webspeed.telegraph.co.uk/travel/729597/Nottingham-A-sprinkle-of-coal-dust.html
accessdate = 2008-05-01
date = 2004-02-03]

Other churches in the area include;

*Assemblies of God Church, Nottingham Rd
*Our Lady Of Good Counsel RC Church, Nottingham Rd
*Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Derby Rd
*Eastwood Baptist Church, Percy St

ports

Eastwood Town Football Club, known as the Badgers, play in the Northern Premier League (known as the Unibond league).cite web
title = Northern Premier (Unibond) league table
publisher = Northern Premier League
url = http://www.unibondleague.com/tables.php
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ] Their home ground is Coronation Park.

Eastwood Town Cricket Club plays in the Gunn & Moore South Notts League.cite web
title = Gunn and Moore South Notts Cricket
publisher = Gunn and Moore South Notts Cricket League
url = http://www.sncricketleague.co.uk/
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Notable people

Jeffrey (Jeff) Astle (13 May 1942 – 19 January 2002), born in Eastwood, was an English footballer. He played for West Bromwich Albion and England.

Tony Woodcock was born in Eastwood in 1955. He received 42 caps and scored 16 goals for England.

Several cricket players were born in the area, including Thomas Limb and William Rigley.

D. H. Lawrence (11 September 1885 – 2 March 1930), author, was born in Eastwood. His birthplace and residences now attract visitors from all over the world. Many of his best-known novels describe Eastwood and its culture. Among his works are poems written in the local dialect.cite web
title = Dialect Poems by D. H. Lawrence
publisher = Peter Gill, playwright and theatre director
url = http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/abj76/PG/pieces/lawrence/colliers_wife.shtml
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Actor Roy Spencer grew up in Eastwood. He wrote several books about D. H. Lawrence.

Benjamin Drawater (1748-1816) was the surgeon's second mate on the ship Resolution, during James Cook's second voyage. His birthplace is uncertain, but he did live in Eastwood from 1783 to 1801. He is buried in St. Mary's churchyard. [cite web|url=http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/jcr/~cookmen3.html|title=The Men who sailed with Captain James Cook, C - D|last=Robson|first=John|date=March 2007|accessdate=2008-06-01]

William A. Pickering (1840-1907), the first Protector of the Chinese Straits settlement, also began life in Eastwood.

"Barber, Walker and Company" played a large role in shaping Eastwood, owning the majority of the local pits. Thomas Barber was born at Greasley Castle Farm, and Thomas Walker at Bilborough. The company was formed in 1787, and remained active until the 1947 nationalization.Citation
last =Whitelock
first = G.C.H.
year = 1957
title = 250 Years in Coal The History of Barber Walker and Company Limited colliery proprietors in Nottinghamshire & Yorkshire 1680 - 1946
publication-place = Derby and London
publisher = Bemrose]

Future plans

The Giltbrook retail park, 1.5 miles (2.5 km) South-west of Eastwood, is currently undergoing a £60 million expansion. The 8.5 hectacre site will have 2,350 car parking spaces. British Home Stores, Laura Ashley, Mamas & Papas, Argos, Comet, Starbucks, Subway and Frankie & Benny's have all expressed interest. The whole park is expected to be open by Christmas 2008.cite web
title = Big name businesses coming to Giltbrook
publisher = Eastwood & Kimberley Advertisor
url = http://www.eastwoodadvertiser.co.uk/news/Big-name-businesses-coming-to.4015710.jp
accessdate = 2008-05-01
date = 2008-04-25
cite web
title = Giltbrook Retail Park, Nottingham
publisher = Mclaren Construction
url = http://www.mclarenconstruction.co.uk/casestudy/4/36/giltbrook-retail-park--nottingham.html
accessdate = 2008-05-01 ]

Culture and community

Eastwood Collieries' Male Voice Choir formed in 1919. They appeared on BBC television in 1963, and are one of the oldest surviving colliery choirs in the UK.cite web
title = History of the Choir 1920 to Date
author = Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir
url = http://www.eastwoodcollieriesmvc.co.uk/
accessdate = 2008-05-01]

Eastwood Arcadians are a local marching band.

The local newspaper is the [http://www.eastwoodadvertiser.co.uk/ Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser] .

References

External links

* [http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2232 D.H. Lawrence Heritage Museum] Retrieved on May 13 2008.