Cramlington
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cramlington | |
  Cramlington shown within Northumberland |
|
| Population | 39,000 (2004 est.) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Blyth Valley |
| Shire county | Northumberland |
| Region | North East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CRAMLINGTON |
| Postcode district | NE23 |
| Dialling code | 01670 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| European Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament | Blyth Valley |
| List of places: UK • England • Northumberland | |
The town of Cramlington in the county of Northumberland is situated nine miles north of the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the north-east of England. Its population is about 39,000. Its name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or Anglo-Saxon origin, the word "ton" meaning town.
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[edit] History
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The first record of the Manor of Cramlington is from a mention in 1135 when the land was granted to Nicholas de Grenville. A register of early chaplains begins with John the Clerk of Cramlington (c.1163-1180). The register continues to the present day.
From the 12th Century onwards, its history has been mostly rural incorporating several farms and the parish church of St. Nicholas (built at a cost of £3,000 during 1865-1868 in the Gothic style) but during the early 19th Century, coal mining with several mine shafts in the immediate vicinity (the first was sunk in 1824) began to change that. It remained small, however, until 1964 when it was proclaimed a New Town and developers (such as William Leech and J.T.Bell) developed large housing estates. It has effectively become a dormitory town of the much larger city to its south.
During World War I, the North East of England was protected by the No. 36 Home Defence Squadron. The squadron was formed at Cramlington on 1 February 1916 by Capt. R. O. Abercromby, with Cramlington subsequently becoming an important base for military planes and airships. A reference to Cramlington airfield is made in W. E. Johns 1935 book The Black Peril from the extremely popular Biggles series.
[edit] Geography and infrastructure
The latitude and longitude of Cramlington are 55.07N & 01.59W and the national grid reference is NZ2676. To the north the River Blyth passes close by, flowing through the Plessey Woods Country Park.
The town is served by Cramlington railway station, with services to the MetroCentre, Morpeth and Newcastle upon Tyne provided by Northern Rail. Cramlington has an extensive bus service of which is provided by Arriva Northumbria, including a number of express services to Newcastle upon Tyne.
Cramlington also has good road transport links, being situated between the A1, A19 and A189 roads. In common with many New Towns, Cramlington is also notable for its many roundabouts.
[edit] Economy
There are several large industrial zones in Cramlington, most to the town's north-west, housing major pharmaceutical companies including Merck Sharp and Dohme. Other growing chemical companies including Aesica Pharmaceuticals are also present.[1]
The popular Manor Walks shopping centre was constructed in the centre of the town in the 1970s, and was subsequently expanded in the mid-1990s and in 2003/4. The centre now includes retailers such as Argos, ASDA, Boots, Next and Sainsbury's.
Provisional permissions were recently given to an open cast mining operation to the north-west of the town, however the fine detail of how much coal is to be extracted has yet to be agreed.[2] As of July 2006, it now appears mining will not go ahead.[3]
[edit] Education
Schools in Northumberland currently operate under a three tier system, however, the council recently made the decision to convert to the two tier system. This change will affect all schools in the town. For example, Cramlington Community High School, which is currently one of the largest high schools in the country, will be changing to the Cramlington Junior Learning Village. The new secondary school is being built by Gleeson next to Stonelaw Middle School.
Prior to the closure of the area's many middle schools, some primary schools will be relocating to the former middle school sites, which will allow disused sites and land to be sold to housing developers and other parties. It has been proposed that the changes will begin as of September 2007, however there has been concern from local residents over traffic and parking arrangements at the new sites.[4]
[edit] Cramlington Junior Learning Village
On the former playground of Stonelaw County Middle School is an under construction addition to the high school. GB Building Solutions are building a new block to add to the high school before it becomes the secondary school.
[edit] Leisure
Cramlington's main leisure centre, Concordia, is situated in the town centre adjacent to the shopping mall and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. It consists of a leisure pool, originally designed as an indoor tropical paradise, indoor football pitches, tennis, badminton and squash courts, as well as a climbing wall. It also features a gymnasium, sauna, bowling green and bar. 2008 sees a number of improvements to the centre to bring it in line with the current Disability Discrimation laws in England.
As part of the new town design, the town has a large cycle path network. A cycle route also connects the town to the nearest beach, in Blyth. As of late March 2007, Blyth Valley council have announced that the cycle network is to be extended to allow access to the neighbouring town of Bedlington.
[edit] Religion
Cramlington has a number of churches of various denominations.
Methodist
- Doxford Place Methodist Church
- Welcome Methodist Church (formerly Station Terrace Methodist Church)
Church of England
- St. Nicholas Parish Church
- St. Andrew's
- St. Peter's
Catholic
- St. Paul's
[edit] Famous residents
- Ross Noble: The acclaimed comedian comes from Cramlington.
- Footballers Alan Shearer, Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage also started their careers playing for Cramlington Juniors F.C..
- Sting briefly was a first school teacher at St Paul's First School.
- Charles Fenwick: The Trade Unionist was born in the town.
- Graeme Owens winger with Middlesbrough FC was born in Cramlington.
- James Brown Hartlepool United FC was born in Cramlington.
- Andy Sinton: Former Sheffield Wednesday and Spurs footballer was born in Cramlington.
- Ray Stevenson (actor) grew up in Cramlington.
[edit] References
- ^ How to Find Aesica Pharmaceuticals Limited
- ^ Revised Opencast Plans - Northumberland County Council
- ^ BBC NEWS | England | Tyne | Sculpture and pit plans scrapped
- ^ Site visits to schools as residents raise issues - News Post Leader
[edit] External links
- History of the No. 36 Home Defence squadron
- Northumberland Communities Photos and maps of Cramlington from 1610-1910.
| Major settlements in Northumberland |  |
|---|---|
| Alnwick | Ashington | Bamburgh | Bedlington | Berwick-upon-Tweed | Blyth | Cramlington | Haltwhistle | Hexham | Morpeth | Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | Ponteland | Prudhoe | Rothbury | Seahouses | Wooler | |
