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 […]
Sunday, November 25th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
Dozens of former workers in the hat trade met for lunch at Trinity Church, in Coleshill Road, on Friday, November 23rd.
St Clement is the patron saint of hat-makers and, in the old days, workers used to decorate the factory workrooms and hold a tea party with dancing. The tradition was revived four years ago with […]
Sunday, November 25th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
Over 80 boys aged from 8 to 14 years came together in Warwick to begin the very first County Boys Choir,organised by the Warwickshire County Music Service. Boys from Austrey CofE Primary School, Oakfield Junior School and Queen Elizabeth School and Sports College joined their counterparts from across the county for the first rehearsal aimed […]
Sunday, November 25th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
Speed cushions could be introduced on a stretch of road near Michael Drayton School in Church Road, Hartshill.
County councillors representing North Warwickshire will be meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to instal the traffic calming measures in Church Road, Hartshill.
Two areas of bollards on the footpath are also being proposed to keep the path clear […]
Saturday, November 24th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
A man who made £121,000 from dismantling stolen BMWs at a Warwickshire farm and selling the parts on e-bay has assets of less than £9,000, a judge has heard.
Professional receiver David Campbell, 42, of Red Lane, Burton Green, Kenilworth, was jailed for three years in May after he admitted conspiring to handle stolen property. But […]
Saturday, November 24th, 2007 by Geoff Wilding
A developer has appealed against North Warwickshire Borough Council’s refusal to allow the demolition of a house in a conservation area of Atherstone and replace it with six new homes.
The appeal, by David Wilson Homes, relates to 73 South Street.
It is against the council’s decision to refuse planning consent for the scheme.
The government’s Planning Inspectorate, […]
Sunday, September 9th, 2007 by Steve Clark
Jimmy Ginnellys Atherstone boys took a step closer to a place in next Mays FA Cup final with an impressive display at unbeaten North West Counties side New Mills.
New Mills AFC 1
Atherstone Town 3
Attendance: 234
Atherstone made the trip to North Derbyshire hoping to maintain their own unbeaten start to the season and book a place […]
Saturday, September 8th, 2007 by Peter Playdon
On the evening of Wednesday 19th September, the Booktown Bistro at Atherstone College will be holding their first Bistro Evening.
With a menu offering 2 or 3 course meals, with vegetarian options, the evening offers a chance to browse their books and socialise Atherstone’s booksellers. Sandra Willis, manager of the Booktown Bistro, said:
“We hope that this […]
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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 
