NANTWICH - “the Jewel”

These notes on the history of Nantwich have been kindly supplied by Allan Whatley, one of the founder members of the Crewe and Nantwich Group of the U3A(University of the Third Age)1995-- He is leader of the Nantwich Local History Group(U3A)2000-

Visitors and local residents become very attached to Nantwich. They say it is a `jewel`, `a gem`, a very nice little place with character. Why it that? It is partly due to what they see now but far more due to the past which has created the town of today - its history? See also Photo Gallery?

Let us suppose that we are going on a guided walk of the central part of the town and at the same time be told something of the historical background. We need a few links on which to hang the detail that follows. These links are as follows:

Salt and the Romans, then the Saxons...

Normans and the Domesday Survey of 1086...

Nantwich Castle...

Combermere Abbey and the Cistercians...

St Mary`s Parish Church...

The Great Fire...

The Battle of Nantwich...

Inn signs; the Wilbraham family...

The leather, cotton and clothing industries...

The industrial revolution...

Cholera epidemics and public health...

Queen Victoria`s Golden jubilee...

Nantwich Free Library...

Local government re-organisation - Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council...

As we pass from street to street, building to building, and name to name, we shall discover how the town grew up on the banks of the river Weaver, a slow winding, small stream on its way northwards to join the river Mersey. Someone, unknown, but perhaps a Roman, came upon a spring - a salt spring - and this led to the creation of an important industry, making salt, distributing it, selling it or exchanging it for other commodities. Recent excavations suggest that this industry was much larger than previously thought. In 2002-03 amazing discoveries were made.

After the Romans the country was conquered by the Normans who set themselves to rule the country in a very methodical way, starting with a survey, or census,of the lands, landowners and people who lived in (most of) England. In turn they encouraged the setting up of places of worship, starting with Acton to the north of the town.

Not long after the Domesday Survey, the Normans supported the group of Cistercians who set up an abbey at Combermere. The monks began their work by starting a church in Acton - one wonders why since Nantwich was the bigger place.

Before very long the monks built a chapel in Nantwich and from it we can see how St Mary`s Parish church came on the scene. Soon after that the present church was built but we have to ask the question: why was it made so large?

The story moves on to the sixteenth century. We are intrigued by the Tudors and anything to do with Queen Elizabeth. Because of an accident a man set fire to his home in (lower) High Street. The time was December. A strong wind was blowing. Soon a large part of the town was burning. This was the Great Fire of Nantwich.

Through the generosity of the Queen and many other people in England the town was rebuilt much as it appeared before the fire. What remains today it what gives Nantwich its atmosphere of `an Elizabethan town`.

The making of salt is still very important for the prosperity of the town but there are signs that other towns to the north, that is Winsford and Northwich, are better placed to continue the salt industry. Due to connections with the Welsh, a second industry is already doing very well. The leather industry becomes the most important one the town ever had. As salt dwindles so leather emerges.

When the country gets involved in Civil Wars in the 17th century, the town finds itself in a prominent position among the many skirmishes and battles that took place. Although the Battle of Nantwich (in Acton) does not rate as of very much significance in terms of size or importance, it was of note as a turning point in the outcome of the struggles.

Figures available show that the population of Nantwich was growing very slowly during the middle ages and after. Ignorance of science, nature and health but strong religious beliefs led to tragedy throughout the kingdom. Nantwich had already experienced a number of periods of plagues, famine and epidemics. The worst came in mid-nineteenth century, 1849, when another attack of cholera decimated the town. To learn that "grass grew in the streets" shows how serious was the visitation.

A survey spoke of appalling conditions in Nantwich. A new Public Health Act was immediately used to bring about a major change - the supply of piped water and a good sewage system.

Up to this time many men and women made a living from the work which they did in their own homes. Their products were then taken to markets or to factors who handled the goods for sale elsewhere. This was the peak of the boot and shoe making industry. When someone wanted to introduce the new sewing machines into a building to which the workers had to go each day, that is, a `factory`, they rebelled - and lost out.

Fortunately, although the boot and shoe industry was continued for some years, the workers of Nantwich were able to turn to another industry. This was the clothing industry - with no option but to accept the factory system. For over a hundred years there were several small clothing factories in Nantwich. In them a great many local people found their livelihood.

To celebrate Queen Victoria`s Golden Jubilee(in 1887) - fifty years on the throne- the citizens accepted the idea that, in order to mark the occasion, they would like to have a `free` library. The building can be seen in Pillory Street. It now houses Nantwich Museum.

In the twentieth century the town expanded with a number of small housing estates. By then Crewe(only four miles away) had grown very rapidly and was soon much larger than Nantwich. Local people could now find employment in the Locomotive Works or in the clothing factories there.

The two world wars had their effects on the towns - many lives were lost. Plans made for reconstruction after 1945 produced the unpopular fact that Crewe, as the larger town, should in future be linked to Nantwich in a new form of administration: Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council. Nantwich could have its local town council but with very limited powers.

Slowly the clothing factories have closed down one after another. So what do Nantwich people work at now? Local buying and selling of imported goods together with a few small businesses, such as Chatwin`s Bakery. Otherwise they must travel outside the town to find employment elsewhere. However there has developed a new `industry`. This is tourism: accommodation, specialist high quality shops, guided tours or special guides as in St Mary`s.

Today the town might be seen as a dormitory town and a retirement town with so many residential homes for the elderly. While there is now an outburst of new housing, many complaints have been heard which regret that the housing is mostly for wealthy incomers and very little for young Nantwich citizens.

We will look at these features of the history in more detail. The pictures will illustrate which of them are still visible and of importance in preserving Nantwich as an historic town which must be preserved as you see it now.

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