Redditch is a town and local government district in north-east Worcestershire, England, approximately 15 miles (24 km) south of Birmingham. The district had a population
of 79,216 in 2005. In the 19th century it became the international
centre for the needle and fishing tackle industry, and 90% of the
world's needles were manufactured in the town and its neighbourhoods.
In the 1960s it became a model for modern new-town planning.
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.
By the 21st century needle-making and other traditional industries
had been replaced by modern light industry and services, with Redditch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. Following 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. The National Needle Museum and the ruins of Bordesley Abbey
are located in the Abbey Ward district of Redditch), and the remains of
a medieval moated settlement called Moons Moat is situated within the
Church Hill estate.
Forge Mill Needle Museum: exhibition of traditional needle making.
Wards
1. Abbey Ward 2. Batchley Ward 3. Central Ward 4. Church Hill Ward 5. Crabbs Cross Ward 6. Astwood Bank & Feckenham Ward
