Cheddleton, Staffordshire

__NOTOC__infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Cheddleton
population = approx 5000
os_grid_reference = SJ972518
latitude= 53.064
longitude= -2.043
shire_district = Staffordshire Moorlands
shire_county = Staffordshire
region= West Midlands
post_town = Leek
postcode_district= ST13
postcode_area= ST
dial_code = 01538
constituency_westminster = Staffordshire Moorlands

Cheddleton is a large village in the Staffordshire Moorlands, near to the town of Leek. It is divided into two distinct communities - the traditional village and the modern Redrow development located at St. Edward's Park, on the grounds of the old St. Edward's Psychiatric Hospital. This extensive site has been redeveloped and many of the old listed hospital buildings have been renovated, including the old hospital water tower,the highest building in the surrounding area, which now serves as an impressive private dwelling. The traditional village is served by a handful of shops, a Post Office, 3 public houses (" [http://www.the-boatinn.co.uk/ The Boat Inn] ", "The Black Lion" and "The Red Lion") and two churches: St Edward's (Anglican) and St Andrew's Methodist. The modern development has limited amenities, although there is a Latin American cuisine restaurant, [http://www.castros-restaurant.co.uk/ Castro's] , situated on the canal side, nearby.

The village is twinned with Mitterteich in Germany. The twinning association holds regular meetings and exchanges between the two villages.

Tourist Attractions

There are many reasons to visit Cheddleton, including:

Churnet Valley Railway

Cheddleton railway station was opened September 1 1849. Although not open as part of the national network, it is operated by a private concern, the Churnet Valley Railway. It regularly holds special fun day events both in the day and at night along the refurbished line between the Leekbrook and Kingsley & Froghall Stations. It has reopened and expanded in stages, funded mainly through share issues in the holding company. Trainhead Pete Waterman was a special guest invited to officially open the station at Consall, on the line between the Cheddleton and Kingsley & Froghall Stations.

Cheddleton Flint Mill

Cheddleton Flint Mill is a Grade II* listed building, situated along the Caldon Canal. It is a prime example of Staffordshire's industrial past – a flint grinding watermill previously used for supplying the pottery industry further along the canal in Stoke on Trent. It is open to the public free of charge, and has been preserved, with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, by the [http://www.people.ex.ac.uk/akoutram/cheddleton-mill/ Cheddleton Flint Mill Industrial Heritage Trust.]

Cheddleton Carnival

Every year there is a Carnival organised by the Cheddleton Carnival Committee on the second Saturday in August, held on the Ashcombe Park Cricket Club car park. The Committee also organises other events in the village throughout the rest of the year, most notably the Bonfire Night fireworks display – held, again, in the car park, and the 'Duck Race,' held annually at The Boat Inn and raced along the canal. The Committee raises funds for Cancer Research UK and to date have raised over £500,000.

Christmas Pudding 10K

Also organised by the Carnival Committee, principally committee member Stan Winterton, is the 'pudding run' which takes place every year on the final Saturday in November. It is a very popular event and attracts hundreds of visiting runners from surrounding running clubs, especially Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club runners. The event consist of the main 10K race (three laps of the course) and a fun run (one lap).

Cheddleton In Bloom

Over two days in July villagers put their gardens on show in the Cheddleton in Bloom event, organised by St. Edwards Church.

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Notable Residents

Despite the size of the village it does have a (fairly) well known sporting hero, Lee Pearson. Lee is a paralympic horse riding champion, having won over 10 Paralympic Gold medals, as well as an MBE from the Queen. In 2004 he was awarded BBC Midlands Sports Personality of the Year [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/features/2004/10/midlands_sports_awards.shtml BBC Staffordshire] ] .

Lee was born with Arthrogryphosis, leaving him severely disabled, but, with the help of over 15 operations, can now walk with the help of splints and crutches.

chools

Cheddleton is supported by [http://www.st-edwards-first.staffs.sch.uk St. Edward's CE (c) First School] , close to St. Edward's Church and the local community centre. Children attend the school from the beginning of their education up to Key Stage 2 (Reception class to Year 4). The school is also home to a popular after-school club Robins Den.

The old schoolhouse has been turned into a well established tea room, almost opposite St. Edwards.

On the St Edward's Site, the former Isolation Hospital has been restored and converted into a Children's Day Nursery. Teddy's Garden Day Nursery was recently judged as Outstanding by Ofsted. [http://www.teddys-garden.co.uk Teddy's Garden Day Nursery] In the Press

House Fire

The village hit the headlines in March 2006 when a fire at a house on Hillside Road killed four people. The cause of the fire was quickly established as arson and eight months later a local man called Mark Goldstraw was found guilty on four counts of murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 35 years [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6106498.stm BBC News] Man jailed for four fire murders] .

Pointon's Accident

An employee was crushed when he fell into the offal pit and was ocercome by fumes at the Pointon's rendering plant. Glynn Thompson had been trying to rescue colleague Ivan Torr, who had become trapped. Pointon's were fined over £600,000 for breach of health and safety rules [ [http://www.thepostandtimes.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=236326&command=displayContent&sourceNode=236150&contentPK=17977832&folderPk=111804&pNodeId=236166 Leek Post & Times Online] £600,000 Fine For Pointon's Tragedy] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6549855.stm BBC News] Boss accused over offal pit death] .

Other Information

*There is a house in the village called 'The Curate's Egg'. The myth is that one day a Curate visited the house, as it is located opposite a church, and had an egg for supper: which was good and bad in places.
*Cheddleton is home to [http://www.leekrufc.co.uk Leek RUFC] , who play their home games at Post & Times Park on St. Edward's Park. The club moved to their (relatively) new home having formerly played their home games at Birchall playing fields on the outskirts of Leek.
*Cheddleton is also home to [http://www.ashcombepark.co.uk Ashcombe Park Cricket Club] , who play their home games at Ashcombe Park Cricket Ground at the south end of the village. Over recent years it has become a thriving social venue amongst locals.
*On the outskirts of the village, on the Wetley Rocks road to the South, is the [http://www.johnpointonandsons.co.uk/index.asp Pointon's Animal Rendering Plant] . Many villagers oppose this plant, due to its fumes and unsuitable access roads for traffic, notably large lorries, accessing the plant. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/news/2004/09/180904.shtml BBC Staffordshire] ]

External links

* [http://www.standrews-cheddleton.co.uk St. Andrews Methodist Church website]
* [http://www.cheddleton.net Cheddleton Community forum/website]
* [http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/ Churnet Valley Railway]
* [http://www.cheddletonhistoricalsociety.co.uk/ Cheddleton Historical Society]
* [http://www.stedwardspark.org St. Edward's Park Community Website]

References