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Sandbach
(pronounced Sandbatch) gets its name from the Anglo-Saxon
'Sandbęce' meaning 'sandy valley-stream'. The settlement,
mentioned in the Domesday Book, has held a market since the
16th century.
In its
cobbled market square stand two historic Saxon crosses. The
origin of these crosses is not certain but it is thought they
were created in the 9th century to mark the advent of Christianity
in this kingdom of Mercia in 653 AD.
In 1651,
during the English Civil War, a skimish took place at Sandbach,
when nearly 1,000 Scottish troops on horseback retreating
from the Battle of Worcester were attacked by local people.
The Church
of St Mary, dating from 1661, was restored in 1847 - 1849
under the direction of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
Opposite
the church stands the Old Hall Hotel, a fine timber-framed
building dating from the 17th century.
At the
turn of the 20th century Sandbach became famous for the production
of heavy goods vehicles. E.R.F and Foden were successful
manufaturers but both have since located elsewhere.
The Foden
Richardson Brass Band, originally created for the employees
of Foden, is world-famous.
Sandbach
has excellent transport links, being close to Junction 17
on the M6 and having its own railway station on the Crewe
to Manchester mainline.
The Trent
and Mersey Canal also passes through the town, bringing many
visitors in the summer.
In recent
years Sandbach, surrounded by pleasant dairy farmland, has
developed as a dormitory town for nearby Greater Manchester,
Merseyside and Stoke-on-Trent. The town is the administrative
centre of the Borough of Congleton.
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Sandbach
