Corby is known as an industrial town in Northamptonshire.
Corby’s history goes back to the 8th century when the Dane’s had a settlement in the area.
Corby is known as an industrial town in Northamptonshire.
Corby’s history goes back to the 8th century when the Dane’s had a settlement in the area.
It was in 1568 that Queen Elizabeth I, it is said, fell from her horse in Rockingham Forest, whilst out hunting and because of the kindness of the villagers that rescued her she granted local landowners the right to refuse to serve in the local militia. In 1862 to celebrate the charter, Corby Pole Fair, was started and this has taken place every 20 years since then.
The area has been known for its iron ore since the Roman times. In the 19th century extensive ironstone beds were found and by 1910 an ironstone works had been built.
Corby began to grow at a fast rate and was soon an industrial town especially when the iron works company, Stewarts and Lloyds, built a large steel and ironworks in town. This was the start of Corby becoming home to people from all over the country eager to get work many of whom travelled down from Scotland and Ireland.
The first steel was produced in Corby in 1935.
During World War II thick black clouds were made by the burning of oil and latex to hide the glow from the furnaces and this must have worked because the steel works suffered little damage. The old post office, now Maddisons bar and Storm nightclub has bullet holes on the front facia made by a German attack.
The British Steel industry was nationalised in 1967 and Stewarts and Lloyds steel tube works became part of British Steel. In 1973 a government strategy of keeping steel producers to five main areas was planned for South Wales, Sheffield, Scunthorpe, Teesside and Scotland. In 1979 it was announced that steel making in Corby was to end. Corby, by the late 1980’s had an unemployment rate of 30% with a total loss of 11,000 jobs.
Within ten years other industries had come to the town and once again Corby people had jobs with unemployment down to the national average.
There are many Scottish people or at least of Scottish decent estimated at 33% of the towns population. Because of this there are several Scottish sports and social clubs and a Highland Gathering is held each year in Corby when Scottish music and dancing takes place around the town.
The town is accessible via the A43, A427, A6003 and from the A14 at Kettering.
There is no railway station, at present in town, Kettering being the nearest but a new railway station is due to open in 2008 to replace the shuttle bus that runs to Kettering. This is to be located at the old bus depot.
Property for rental is available at prices around £525pcm for a 2 bed flat and £625pcm for a 3 bed house.
A new shopping centre, Willow Place, was opened in 2007 and further development plans are expected to be submitted soon. During the next three years a new swimming pool and Civic Centre are due to be built.
It was in 1568 that Queen Elizabeth I, it is said, fell from her horse in Rockingham Forest, whilst out hunting and because of the kindness of the villagers that rescued her she granted local landowners the right to refuse to serve in the local militia. In 1862 to celebrate the charter, Corby Pole Fair, was started and this has taken place every 20 years since then.
The area has been known for its iron ore since the Roman times. In the 19th century extensive ironstone beds were found and by 1910 an ironstone works had been built.
Corby began to grow at a fast rate and was soon an industrial town especially when the iron works company, Stewarts and Lloyds, built a large steel and ironworks in town. This was the start of Corby becoming home to people from all over the country eager to get work many of whom travelled down from Scotland and Ireland.
The first steel was produced in Corby in 1935.
During World War II thick black clouds were made by the burning of oil and latex to hide the glow from the furnaces and this must have worked because the steel works suffered little damage. The old post office, now Maddisons bar and Storm nightclub has bullet holes on the front facia made by a German attack.
The British Steel industry was nationalised in 1967 and Stewarts and Lloyds steel tube works became part of British Steel. In 1973 a government strategy of keeping steel producers to five main areas was planned for South Wales, Sheffield, Scunthorpe, Teesside and Scotland. In 1979 it was announced that steel making in Corby was to end. Corby, by the late 1980’s had an unemployment rate of 30% with a total loss of 11,000 jobs.
Within ten years other industries had come to the town and once again Corby people had jobs with unemployment down to the national average.
There are many Scottish people or at least of Scottish decent estimated at 33% of the towns population. Because of this there are several Scottish sports and social clubs and a Highland Gathering is held each year in Corby when Scottish music and dancing takes place around the town.
The town is accessible via the A43, A427, A6003 and from the A14 at Kettering.
There is no railway station, at present in town, Kettering being the nearest but a new railway station is due to open in 2008 to replace the shuttle bus that runs to Kettering. This is to be located at the old bus depot.
Property for rental is available at prices around £525pcm for a 2 bed flat and £625pcm for a 3 bed house.
A new shopping centre, Willow Place, was opened in 2007 and further development plans are expected to be submitted soon. During the next three years a new swimming pool and Civic Centre are due to be built.
|
