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The busy market town of Newcastle-under-Lyme
in Staffordshire (not to be confused with the city of Newcastle
upon Tyne) lies to the west of Stoke on Trent.
When the city of Stoke on Trent
was created in 1910 by the amalgamation of the 'Six Towns'
(Stoke upon Trent, Burslem, Hanley, Fenton, Longton
and Tunstall), Newcastle was not included despite its close
proximity.
Known to many locals as 'Castle',
the suburbs of Newcastle under Lyme, run directly into those
of Stoke on Trent and the conurbation now has a population
of over 360,000.
Newcastle takes its name from
a 'new castle' built by the Normans in the 12th century under
the forest of Lyme. Newcastle was granted permission
to hold a market in 1173. In the 17th and 18th century
the market town flourished manufacturing hats.
Later Newcastle's economy became
based around pottery and coal mining and like neighbouring
Stoke on Trent, the town formed part of the area known as
'The Potteries'.
These traditional industries
have declined recently and have been replaced by new industries
such as construction materials, electric motors, publishing
and computers.
Today the open air market is
still an important part of life in the town, operating 6 days
a week.
There a number of tourist attractions
in and around Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The Newcastle
Borough Museum and Art Gallery, set in 8 acres of parkland
in Brampton Park, illustrates over 800 years of the Borough's
history and includes a life-size Victorian street scene.
Local and national artists are featured in the Art Gallery,
along with travelling shows.
Just outside the town centre
is the New
Vic Theatre. The first purpose-built 'theatre in
the round' in Europe, the New Vic offers a wide range of entertainment,
including classic and modern plays and outstanding concert
performances.
To the west of the centre of
Newcastle-under-Lyme stands Keele University. Granted
University status in 1962, the Keele University campus is
located close to the village of Keele.
Newcastle is the home of 'Primitive
Methodism' and this is reflected in the large number of Methodist
churches in the town. The Venerable Hugh Bourne (1772
- 1852), the founder of the Primitive Methodism Movement,
had close links with the town.
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Newcastle-under-Lyme
