Atherstone is a town in Warwickshire, England. Atherstone is located near the northernmost tip of Warwickshire, close to the border with Staffordshire and Leicestershire, and is the administrative headquarters of the borough of North Warwickshire.
Atherstone has a long history going back to Roman times. An important defended Roman settlement named Manduessedum existed at Mancetter near the site of modern day Atherstone, and the Roman road, the Watling Street (now known as the A5) ran through Atherstone. It is believed by some historians that the rebel Queen of the Britons Boudica was defeated at the Battle of Watling Street by the Romans in her final battle near Manduessedum. Atherstone was once an important hatting town, and became well known for its felt hats. The industry began in the 17th century, and at its height there were seven firms employing 3000 people. Due to cheap imports, the trade had largely died out by the 1960s, and ended completely in 1998.
In recent years Atherstone has been promoting itself as a book town. In part due to its central location in the UK (on the main A5 national route and close to the M42 motorway), Atherstone's economy has expanded rapidly since the 1990s, with several major companies such as TNT, Aldi, Bhs and 3M setting-up their head office operations and/or national distribution centres in Atherstone.
An annual tradition in Atherstone is Shrove Tuesday Football or mob football played on public highways with large crowds. The game celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1999.
North Warwickshire is a local government district and borough in Warwickshire, England. The main town in the district is Atherstone where the council is based. Other significant places include Coleshill, Polesworth and Kingsbury. North Warwickshire is a mostly rural area with several small towns. The area historically had a large coal mining industry, but this has almost died out.The boundaries of North Warwickshire are almost the same as the North Warwickshire parliamentary constituency. However the constituency also includes Bedworth. The local MP is Mike O'Brien.
The towns and villages of North Warwickshire include Ansley, Arley, Astley, Atherstone, Austrey, Baddesley Ensor, Baxterley, Bentley, Blythe End, Caldecote, Coleshill, Corley, Curdworth, Dordon, Fillongley, Furnace End, Gilson, Great Packington, Grendon, Warwickshire, Hartshill, Heath Whitacre, Kingsbury, Lea Marston, Little Packington, Mancetter, Maxstoke, Merevale, Middleton, Moxhull, Nether Whitacre, Newton Regis, Over Whitacre, Polesworth, Seckington, Shustoke, Shuttington, Warton, Water Orton, Whitacre Heath, Wiggins Hill, and Wishaw.
Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 by David Wilding
The traditional Shrove Tuesday Atherstone Ball game has come around once again, and this year we’ve launched a brand new dedicated ball game website to commenorate the fact.
The Atherstone Ball game is an ancient Shrove Tuesday tradition in which the people of this normally sleepy rural North Warickshire Town awaken and literally brawl over […]
Friday, November 30th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
Despite one local book trader describing the BookTown concept in Atherstone as”dead”, October 2007 saw representatives from the Borough exchanging greetings with the people of Becherel as part of a fact-finding visit to find out more about this well established booktown in France.
Peter Playdon of Throckmortons bookshop in The Market Square made his comments to […]
Thursday, November 29th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
Franchisee Dave Carter of the Atherstone branch of Clive’s Easylearn Pop Music Schools is proud to be a signatory to a new government initiative which aims to promote opportunities in music for young people.
At the heart of the initiative is the desire to give every child the chance to experience the power of music, thereby […]
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
A successful fundraising year for a former North Warwickshire Mayor has meant that extra cash is available for local charities.
Adrian Edgington, Mayor of North Warwickshire for 2006/7 raised a record breaking £12,272 during his Mayoral year. The Mayor’s two charities, which were Childline and Young Carers, have already received their allocations of £3,865 and £4,200. […]
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
VANDALS have smashed windows and damaged paving slabs at three libraries in North Warwickshire, causing thousands of pounds of damage.
Grendon library in Little Brum, Grendon, a handrail was damaged and the slabs beneath also damaged Bedworth Heath library in Heath Road, Bedworth, was closed after seven large double windows were damaged on the Smarts […]
Monday, November 26th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
Walkers will be able to see Mr. Walter Treadwell’s work of art carved in stone as they visit a new heritage trail linking the 12 parishes of North Warwickshire.
Mr Treadwell, aged 64, who lives in Whitehall Close, Hartshill, near Nuneaton, has designed one of a series of stone markers for the picturesque 25-mile route. His […]
Sunday, November 25th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
The long awaited confirmation of a direct Atherstone to London Euston and Liverpool rail link has now been announced. The service should be up and running in early 2009, which will mean new direct services from Rugeley, Atherstone and Polesworth for the first time in years.
The start date is subject to delivery of brand new […]
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All aboard in 2009: Atherstone to London Euston and Liverpool rail link confirmed 
Atherstone Ball Game 2008 Sunny Funday Former Hat Workers revive old Custom "Book Town Dead" Says trader but others disagree Booktown Bistro at Atherstone College Adders March On In FA Cup South Street Plans go to Appeal Stolen car parts dealer had only £9,000 in assets Speed Problem Cushions 
