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A Brief History
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Redditch has a long history spanning many centuries, here we have attempted to offer a very brief insight into our past. Further information is available from the public library and the Bordesley Abbey Visitors Centre.
One thousand years ago at the end of the first millenium the area that is now modern Redditch lay close to the great forest of Feckenham, a vast 190 sq. mile oak forest that became the site of King John's Royal Hunting Lodge. Below the village of Feckenham, in the valley of the River Arrow, lay the two tiny settlements of Osmerley and Bordesley. It was here in 1141 that Cisterian monks established their Abbey following the granting of a charter. The monks called it St.Mary of Bordesley. They swiftly removed both settlements and re-directed the Arrow to power their mill and
create a fishpond. The name Osmerley disappeared.
Gradually a few dwellings sprang up around the Abbey and by 1348 the growing hamlet had acquired the name "La Rededitch". The Cisterian monks remained for 400 years and established a strong community. Everything changed in 1538 when King Henry VIII ordered the dissoluton of Bordsley Abbey and three years later the property passed into the ownership of Lord Windsor (who was forced to accept the Abbey in exchange for his own house at Stanwell which Henry VIII had taken a fancy to).
After dissolution the displaced community moved from the valley of the River Arrow up the hill to a wide flat area of land that was to become the centre of Redditch. The only part of the Abbey to survive was St.Stephen's Chapel by the West Gate, this continued to be used by the settlers until 1805 when it was replaced by a Chapel in the centre of the town. The area was of little significance and did not appear on any map until the 16th century.
Despite the existence of a variety of cottage industries needle-making emerged to dominate the area, the earliest references being 1639. Its popularity can be attributed to the plentiful supply of water used to power the scouring mills. As the population grew the work of cutting and pointing the needle wire was taken over by the rapid rise of needle factories. Needle scouring mills sprang up all across the area. The Forge Mill, built in 1730, is now the only remaining water-driven needle scouring mill in the world, converted into a Museum, it offers a unique insight into the life and history of Redditch.
In 1855 the town finally became a parish in its own right and the Chapel in the centre of town was replaced by St.Stephen's Church. Industry thrived and diversified with the coming of spring making, fishing tackle and cycle manufacturers, and in 1894 Redditch Urban District Council was created allowing the town to be governed by its own local authority. By the early 1960's the population had risen to 32,000, then, in 1964, came New Town designation.
Large new housing estates and industrial estates were built, the town centre was largely demolished and replaced with the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, new schools, road systems and extensive landscaping followed. The population rocketed to almost 80,000 and in 1974 the town was designated a Distrct Council.
Today Redditch is a beautifully landscaped community, with excellent parks and recreational areas, a shopping centre that is one of the largest and most popular in the midlands, well laid out residential and industrial areas serviced by an efficient road system.
In 1980, over 800 years after the Bordesley Abbey Charter was signed another Royal Charter was signed conveying to the town the status of Borough Council. Redditch Borough installed its first Mayor and celebrated with an official visit from HM Queen Elizabeth II.
In subsequent years Redditch has seen a massive growth in retail, industry and entertainment. Millions of pounds has been invested in the reburbished Kingfisher Centre, Palace Theatre, out of town shopping areas, pubs, clubs and leisure facilities. The town continues to attract outside investment while the residents benefit from one of the greenest and most thoughtfully landscaped towns in the country.
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