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Coordinates: 52°46′08″N 1°31′59″W / 52.769°N 1.533°W / 52.769; -1.533
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{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
| official_name= Woodville
{{more citations needed|date=June 2009}}
| map_type= Derbyshire
{{Infobox UK place
| country= England
|official_name= Woodville
| region= East Midlands
|coordinates = {{coord|52.769|-1.533|display=inline,title}}
| population=
|os_grid_reference= SK3119
|static_image =[[Image:377186 2b40e9dc-by-Mark-Walton.jpg]]
|label_position= top
|static_image_caption=A kiln at Woodville.
|population= 5,161
| os_grid_reference= SK316191
|population_ref= (2011)
| latitude= 52.769
|static_image_name= The Parish Church St. Stephen the Martyr - geograph.org.uk - 377162.jpg
| longitude= -1.533
|static_image_caption=Parish Church of [[St Stephen's Church, Woodville|St Stephen the Martyr]], Woodville
| map_type= Derbyshire
|civil_parish= Woodville
| post_town= SWADLINCOTE
|shire_district= [[South Derbyshire]] and [[North West Leicestershire]]
| postcode_area= DE
|shire_county= [[Derbyshire]] and [[Leicestershire]]
| postcode_district= DE11
|region= East Midlands
| dial_code= 01283
|country= England
| constituency_westminster= [[South Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Derbyshire]]
|post_town= [[Swadlincote]]
| civil_parish=Woodville
|postcode_area= DE
| shire_district=[[South Derbyshire]]
|postcode_district= DE11
| shire_county=[[Derbyshire]]
|dial_code= 01283
}}
|constituency_westminster= [[South Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Derbyshire]] and [[North West Leicestershire (UK Parliament constituency)|Leicestershire]]
|website=
}}


'''Woodville''' is a large suburban village and [[civil parish]] that crosses two districts - [[South Derbyshire]] district of [[Derbyshire]] and [[North West Leicestershire]] district of [[Leicestershire]], England, {{convert|2|miles|km}} east of [[Swadlincote]]. At the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]], the parish had a population of 5,161,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11130917&c=Woodville&d=16&e=62&g=6415045&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1459607723224&enc=1 |title=Woodville (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census |work=Neighbourhood Statistics |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=2 April 2016}}</ref> an increase from 3,420 at the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11130917&c=Woodville&d=16&e=15&g=6415045&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1494171430138&enc=1 |title=Woodville (Parish): Key Figures for 2001 Census |work=Neighbourhood Statistics |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> The centre of the village, known as the Tollgate, is a busy traffic island on the [[A511 road|A511]]. Woodville forms part of the border with [[Leicestershire]].


==History==
[[Category:Villages in Derbyshire]]
[[File:Measham_Bargeware_Teapot.jpg|thumb|right|A Measham Bargeware Teapot showing the original name of Woodville as 'Wooden Box']]


Woodville was formerly known as Wooden Box, named after the wooden toll booth on the toll road between [[Ashby de la Zouch]] and [[Burton-upon-Trent]].
'''Woodville''' is a busy [[South Derbyshire]] village just outside [[Swadlincote]] in [[Derbyshire]], [[England]]. The centre of the village, known as the Tollgate, is a busy traffic island on the [[A511 road|A511]].


The area around the roundabout, which is the modern equivalent of the toll booth, is still known as 'Tollgate'. The name Woodville first appeared in a leaflet issued when the foundation stone of the [[Church of England parish church]] of [[St Stephen's Church, Woodville|St Stephen]] was laid on 7 November 1845.<ref>''A Brief History of Knowles'' [John Knowles & Co (Wooden Box) Ltd], no date, page 3</ref> St Stephen's is a [[Norman architecture|Norman]] revival building designed by [[Henry Isaac Stevens]] and completed in 1846.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pevsner |first1=Nikolaus |author1-link=Nikolaus Pevsner |last2=Williamson |first2=Elizabeth |series=[[Pevsner Architectural Guides#Buildings of England|The Buildings of England]] |title=Derbyshire |orig-year=1953 |year=1978 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |location=Harmondsworth |isbn=0-14-071008-6 |page=361}}</ref>
__TOC__


The Woodville area is rich in industrial heritage with a wide variety of industries such as potteries, crate-making, pipe works, breweries, rope-making and railways all having had a presence in the area which is now either totally gone or extremely diminished.<ref>[http://www.lhi.org.uk/projects_directory/projects_by_region/east_midlands/derbyshire/woodville_heritage_project/woodvilles.html Local Heritage Initiative Website]</ref>
__NOTOC__


One of the most famous Woodville potteries was [[Bretby Art Pottery]], founded in 1882 by Henry Tooth and [[William Ault]].
==History==


==Local geography==
Formerly known as Wooden Box, named after the wooden toll booth on the toll road from [[Ashby de la Zouch]] to [[Burton-upon-Trent]]. The area around the roundabout, which is the modern equivalent of the toll booth, is still known as 'Tollgate'
On some approaches it is difficult to tell where the village starts and ends as it is increasingly contiguous with neighbouring Swadlincote and [[Albert Village]].


On the northern edge of Woodville is the Goseley district which was constructed during the 1950s. There has been much development of the surrounding area with large private estates of new homes having been constructed, including the ‘Bird’ district.
The Woodville area is rich in heritage with a wide variety of industries such as potteries, crate making, pipe works, breweries, rope-making and railways all having had a presence in the area which is now either totally gone or extremely diminished.<ref>''Local Heritage Initiative Website'' http://www.lhi.org.uk/projects_directory/projects_by_region/east_midlands/derbyshire/woodville_heritage_project/woodvilles.html </ref>


To the south of Woodville, along the county border with [[Leicestershire]], a large community of new houses is being developed (unofficially referred to as Woodville Woodlands) by the developers [[Bloor Homes]]<ref>[http://www.bloorhomes.com/developments/derbyshire/the-hollies/summary/120869.aspx Bloor Homes development]</ref> and [[Bryant Homes]].<ref>[http://www.bryant.co.uk/Midlands/TheCoppice Bryant Homes: The Coppice]</ref> This development is built on the land of the former Woodville Pipe Works and incorporates the planting of new trees on the former [[fire clay]] pit as part of the [[National Forest, England|National Forest]] scheme.<ref>[http://www.nationalforest.org/grow_for/index.html The National Forest]</ref>
==Notable Residents==


The Mount Pleasant works operated by John Knowles & Company, demolished in 1993, produced pottery and has been replaced by a housing development. A discovery by archaeologists led to the preservation of some of its records.<ref>[http://www.archaeologists.tv/content/view/22/64/ Archaeological report]</ref>
* [[John Hurt]], lived in [[Woodville, Derbyshire|Woodville]] from the ages of five to thirteen. His father was the vicar of local St Stephen's church.


Off Hartshorne Road is the site of the [[Woodville (Derbyshire) railway station|former Woodville railway station]] which opened in 1851 and connected the village with Swadlincote, Ashby and Burton-Upon-Trent but the station closed in 1947 and the line in 1964. The site is now an industrial estate.


==Public Amenities==
==Amenities==
Woodville High Street (which is part of the [[A511 road]]) has a small shopping area incorporating a convenience store, a pharmacy and a [[fish and chip shop]]. Also located on the High Street side of the road are additional food outlets, including a Chinese takeaway, a further fish and chip shop, and Indian and Chinese restaurants.


There is a village [[post office]] together with further shops and light industrial and commercial units.
'''Woodville''' High Street (which forms part of the [[A511 road|A511]]) also has a small shopping area incorporating a [[Tesco Express]] (a [[convenience store]]), [[Dean and Smedly]] pharmacy and a [[Fish and chip shop|Fish & Chip Shop]]. Also located on High Street side of the road are additional food outlets, including a Chinese takeaway, a further [[Fish and chip shop|Fish & Chip Shop]], Indian Restaurant and a Chinese Restaurant.


Woodville has a 24-hour petrol station, incorporating a convenience store, and a tyre and exhaust centre which is located on the Tollgate roundabout.
There is also a village [[Post Office]] together with further shops and light industrial and commercial units.


Woodville has a Scout Group.<ref>[http://www.woodvillescouts.co.uk 1st Woodville (St Stephens) Scout Group]</ref>
'''Woodville''' Also has a 24 hour [[Total]] petrol station, incorporating a [[Spar]] [[convenience store]], and a [[Kwik-Fit]] tyre and exhuast centre which is located on the Tolgate roundabout.


Woodville has an infant school and a Church of England Junior School.<ref>[http://www.woodvillejuniorschool.co.uk Woodville Junior School]</ref> Both schools are off the High Street.
==Local Geography==


==Sport==
On some approaches it is difficult to tell where the village starts and ends as it well incorporated into the [[urban sprawl]] of the surrounding towns and villages, including [[Midway]] and [[Swadlincote]].
Woodville Rangers Football Club was founded in 2005 and caters for all age groups from four to adult. Their nickname is The Tollers after the famous toll gate which was situated in Woodville for many years. The club badge shows the toll house. Woodville Rangers gained FA Charter Standard status early in 2008.<ref>[http://www.woodvillerangers.co.uk Woodville Rangers F.C.]</ref>


A short lived [[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|greyhound racing]] track called the Victory Greyhound and Whippet Racing Track was opened during October 1929 at the Woodville Cricket Ground on the Burton Road. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the [[National Greyhound Racing Club]]) and was known as a flapping track, which was the nickname given to independent tracks.<ref>{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 419|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books|isbn=0-948955-15-5}}</ref> The venue usually raced on Saturdays and regularly attracted over 1,000 people despite being so close to Swandlicote Greyhound Stadium. A second season of racing was held in 1930 but there is no evidence of anything beyond 2 May 1930.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://greyhoundracingtimes.co.uk/2019/03/05/woodville/|title=Woodville|publisher=Greyhound Racing Times}}</ref>
On the Northern Edge of Woodville is a the Gosley Estate, which was constructed during the 1950's. There has been much development of the surrounding area and there are large private estates of new homes that have been consructed in the surrounding area.


==Industrial heritage==
To the South of Woodville, along the county border with [[Leicestershire]] a large community of new house is being developed (unofficially referred to as 'Woodville Woodlands') by the developers [[Bloor Homes]] <ref>''Developers Website'' http://www.bloorhomes.com/developments/derbyshire/the-hollies/summary/120869.aspx </ref> and [[Bryant Homes]]<ref>''Developers Website'' http://www.bryant.co.uk/Midlands/TheCoppice </ref> (formerly [[George Wimpey]]). This development is constructed on the former land of the Woodville Pipe Works and the development also incoporates the planting of new trees on the former [[fire clay]] pit as part of the [National Forest] scheme. <ref>''The National Forest'' http://www.nationalforest.org/grow_for/index.html </ref>
[[File:Woodville Behive kiln.jpg|thumb|right|Woodville Beehive kiln, [[Headland Archaeology|Archaeological Investigations Ltd]]]]
[[File:Woodville tunnel kiln cutaway.jpeg|thumb|right|Woodville Tunnel kiln, [[Headland Archaeology|additional image at Archaeological Investigations Ltd]]]]


John Knowle's Mount Pleasant Pipe-works at Woodville was once a major employer in the area. It has now been demolished but before redevelopment the bases of a [[kiln|tunnel kiln and beehive kiln]] were excavated.<ref>[http://www.archaeologists.tv/content/view/22/64/ Archaeological report]</ref><ref>Cradock-Bennett, L (2007) 'John Knowles & Co. Mount Pleasant Works, Woodville Woodlands', Hereford Archaeology Series – Archaeological Investigation and history of the works, ref 757, 969.</ref> Together with detailed records going back to the 19th century and photos preserved by ex-employees it has been possible to create detailed 3-D reconstructions of the plant.
==Local Sports==


The beehive kilns were down-draft kilns. In this case they had a double skin with fire holes around the external circumference and a main loading door. Counter-weighted covers were used to open and close these openings. The heat would initially rise to the top of the kiln and then be forced down through the centre around the product, finally being vented below ground in tunnels to a chimney at the end of the group of kilns. The kilns were specifically designed for the production of salt-glazed sewerage pipes. Their construction reflects this as the salt could be added to the fires and then distributed evenly across the product as vapour at a certain stage of firing.
Woodville is home to Woodville Rangers Football Club which was founded in 2005 and caters for all age groups from 4 up to adult. Their nickname in 'The Tollers' after the famous Toll Gate which was situated in Woodville for many years. The club badge depicts the Toll House.


The tunnel kiln produced 70% of the country's gas fire radiants (white ceramic grills that sit in the front of many domestic gas fires) in the mid-20th century and was difficult to visualise from the archaeological evidence alone. The digital reconstruction has assisted in understanding how the technology worked. The later design of the tunnel kiln enabled continuous firing thereby minimising delays while waiting for it to cool before loading and unloading. The product was slowly passed through a central chamber using gas to fire it.
Woodville Rangers gained FA Charter Standard status early on in 2008. The club details can be found at their website www.woodvillerangers.co.uk

==Notable residents==
* [[John Hurt]], the actor, lived in Woodville for seven years (1945–1952) from the ages of five to twelve. His father was the vicar of St Stephen's parish church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.derbyshirelife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/john-hurt-derbyshire-actor-1-1635332|title = John Hurt, Derbyshire actor|date = 29 April 2010}}</ref>
* Dr Selwyn Goodacre (b.1940), South Derbyshire GP, writer on [[Lewis Carroll]], medical practice and book collecting has been resident in Woodville since 1970.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2063599.Selwyn_H_Goodacre|title = Selwyn H. Goodacre}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://textualities.net/selwyn-goodacre/serendipitous-collecting|title=Serendipitous Collecting : Textualities}}</ref>
*[[Jane Plant]] (1943-2016), pioneer in the field of geochemical surveys and environmental surveys, was born in Woodville and lived there until she attended university. Her parents were the village shopkeepers.

==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Woodville, Derbyshire]]
*[[Listed buildings in Swadlincote]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Woodville, Derbyshire}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in Derbyshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Derbyshire]]
[[Category:South Derbyshire District]]

Revision as of 22:27, 20 February 2024

Woodville
Parish Church of St Stephen the Martyr, Woodville
Woodville is located in Earth
Woodville
Woodville
Location within
Population5,161 (2011)
OS grid referenceSK3119
Civil parish
  • Woodville
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSwadlincote
Postcode districtDE11
Dialling code01283
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
52°46′08″N 1°31′59″W / 52.769°N 1.533°W / 52.769; -1.533

Woodville is a large suburban village and civil parish that crosses two districts - South Derbyshire district of Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire district of Leicestershire, England, 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Swadlincote. At the 2011 Census, the parish had a population of 5,161,[1] an increase from 3,420 at the 2001 Census.[2] The centre of the village, known as the Tollgate, is a busy traffic island on the A511. Woodville forms part of the border with Leicestershire.

History

A Measham Bargeware Teapot showing the original name of Woodville as 'Wooden Box'

Woodville was formerly known as Wooden Box, named after the wooden toll booth on the toll road between Ashby de la Zouch and Burton-upon-Trent.

The area around the roundabout, which is the modern equivalent of the toll booth, is still known as 'Tollgate'. The name Woodville first appeared in a leaflet issued when the foundation stone of the Church of England parish church of St Stephen was laid on 7 November 1845.[3] St Stephen's is a Norman revival building designed by Henry Isaac Stevens and completed in 1846.[4]

The Woodville area is rich in industrial heritage with a wide variety of industries such as potteries, crate-making, pipe works, breweries, rope-making and railways all having had a presence in the area which is now either totally gone or extremely diminished.[5]

One of the most famous Woodville potteries was Bretby Art Pottery, founded in 1882 by Henry Tooth and William Ault.

Local geography

On some approaches it is difficult to tell where the village starts and ends as it is increasingly contiguous with neighbouring Swadlincote and Albert Village.

On the northern edge of Woodville is the Goseley district which was constructed during the 1950s. There has been much development of the surrounding area with large private estates of new homes having been constructed, including the ‘Bird’ district.

To the south of Woodville, along the county border with Leicestershire, a large community of new houses is being developed (unofficially referred to as Woodville Woodlands) by the developers Bloor Homes[6] and Bryant Homes.[7] This development is built on the land of the former Woodville Pipe Works and incorporates the planting of new trees on the former fire clay pit as part of the National Forest scheme.[8]

The Mount Pleasant works operated by John Knowles & Company, demolished in 1993, produced pottery and has been replaced by a housing development. A discovery by archaeologists led to the preservation of some of its records.[9]

Off Hartshorne Road is the site of the former Woodville railway station which opened in 1851 and connected the village with Swadlincote, Ashby and Burton-Upon-Trent but the station closed in 1947 and the line in 1964. The site is now an industrial estate.

Amenities

Woodville High Street (which is part of the A511 road) has a small shopping area incorporating a convenience store, a pharmacy and a fish and chip shop. Also located on the High Street side of the road are additional food outlets, including a Chinese takeaway, a further fish and chip shop, and Indian and Chinese restaurants.

There is a village post office together with further shops and light industrial and commercial units.

Woodville has a 24-hour petrol station, incorporating a convenience store, and a tyre and exhaust centre which is located on the Tollgate roundabout.

Woodville has a Scout Group.[10]

Woodville has an infant school and a Church of England Junior School.[11] Both schools are off the High Street.

Sport

Woodville Rangers Football Club was founded in 2005 and caters for all age groups from four to adult. Their nickname is The Tollers after the famous toll gate which was situated in Woodville for many years. The club badge shows the toll house. Woodville Rangers gained FA Charter Standard status early in 2008.[12]

A short lived greyhound racing track called the Victory Greyhound and Whippet Racing Track was opened during October 1929 at the Woodville Cricket Ground on the Burton Road. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club) and was known as a flapping track, which was the nickname given to independent tracks.[13] The venue usually raced on Saturdays and regularly attracted over 1,000 people despite being so close to Swandlicote Greyhound Stadium. A second season of racing was held in 1930 but there is no evidence of anything beyond 2 May 1930.[14]

Industrial heritage

Woodville Beehive kiln, Archaeological Investigations Ltd
Woodville Tunnel kiln, additional image at Archaeological Investigations Ltd

John Knowle's Mount Pleasant Pipe-works at Woodville was once a major employer in the area. It has now been demolished but before redevelopment the bases of a tunnel kiln and beehive kiln were excavated.[15][16] Together with detailed records going back to the 19th century and photos preserved by ex-employees it has been possible to create detailed 3-D reconstructions of the plant.

The beehive kilns were down-draft kilns. In this case they had a double skin with fire holes around the external circumference and a main loading door. Counter-weighted covers were used to open and close these openings. The heat would initially rise to the top of the kiln and then be forced down through the centre around the product, finally being vented below ground in tunnels to a chimney at the end of the group of kilns. The kilns were specifically designed for the production of salt-glazed sewerage pipes. Their construction reflects this as the salt could be added to the fires and then distributed evenly across the product as vapour at a certain stage of firing.

The tunnel kiln produced 70% of the country's gas fire radiants (white ceramic grills that sit in the front of many domestic gas fires) in the mid-20th century and was difficult to visualise from the archaeological evidence alone. The digital reconstruction has assisted in understanding how the technology worked. The later design of the tunnel kiln enabled continuous firing thereby minimising delays while waiting for it to cool before loading and unloading. The product was slowly passed through a central chamber using gas to fire it.

Notable residents

  • John Hurt, the actor, lived in Woodville for seven years (1945–1952) from the ages of five to twelve. His father was the vicar of St Stephen's parish church.[17]
  • Dr Selwyn Goodacre (b.1940), South Derbyshire GP, writer on Lewis Carroll, medical practice and book collecting has been resident in Woodville since 1970.[18][19]
  • Jane Plant (1943-2016), pioneer in the field of geochemical surveys and environmental surveys, was born in Woodville and lived there until she attended university. Her parents were the village shopkeepers.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Woodville (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Woodville (Parish): Key Figures for 2001 Census". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  3. ^ A Brief History of Knowles [John Knowles & Co (Wooden Box) Ltd], no date, page 3
  4. ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus; Williamson, Elizabeth (1978) [1953]. Derbyshire. The Buildings of England. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. p. 361. ISBN 0-14-071008-6.
  5. ^ Local Heritage Initiative Website
  6. ^ Bloor Homes development
  7. ^ Bryant Homes: The Coppice
  8. ^ The National Forest
  9. ^ Archaeological report
  10. ^ 1st Woodville (St Stephens) Scout Group
  11. ^ Woodville Junior School
  12. ^ Woodville Rangers F.C.
  13. ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 419. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  14. ^ "Woodville". Greyhound Racing Times.
  15. ^ Archaeological report
  16. ^ Cradock-Bennett, L (2007) 'John Knowles & Co. Mount Pleasant Works, Woodville Woodlands', Hereford Archaeology Series – Archaeological Investigation and history of the works, ref 757, 969.
  17. ^ "John Hurt, Derbyshire actor". 29 April 2010.
  18. ^ "Selwyn H. Goodacre".
  19. ^ "Serendipitous Collecting : Textualities".

Media related to Woodville, Derbyshire at Wikimedia Commons