Redditch
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{{Infobox settlement |name = Redditch |official_name = |other_name = |native_name = |nickname = |settlement_type = Town and Borough |total_type = Admin (Borough) |motto = |translit_lang1= |translit_lang1_type= |translit_lang1_info= |translit_lang1_type1= |translit_lang1_info1= |translit_lang1_type2= |translit_lang1_info2= |translit_lang1_type3= |translit_lang1_info3= |translit_lang1_type4= |translit_lang1_info4= |translit_lang1_type5= |translit_lang1_info5= |translit_lang1_type6= |translit_lang1_info6= |translit_lang2= |translit_lang2_type= |translit_lang2_info= |translit_lang2_type1= |translit_lang2_info1= |translit_lang2_type2= |translit_lang2_info2= |translit_lang2_type3= |translit_lang2_info3= |translit_lang2_type4= |translit_lang2_info4= |translit_lang2_type5= |translit_lang2_info5= |translit_lang2_type6= |translit_lang2_info6= |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = WorcestershireRedditch.png |mapsize = 120px |map_caption = &
Shown within Worcestershire |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = State Party |subdivision_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |subdivision_type1 = Constituent Country |subdivision_name1 = England |subdivision_type2 = Region |subdivision_name2 = West Midlands |subdivision_type3 = Ceremonial County |subdivision_name3 = Worcestershire |subdivision_type4 = District |subdivision_name4 = Redditch Borough |seat_type = |seat = |parts_type = |parts_style = |parts = |p1 = |p2 = |government_footnotes =Leadership&
Leader & Cabinet |government_type =Borough |leader_title =Executive (2006) |leader_name =Cllr Carol Gandy (C) |leader_title1 =MP(2006) |leader_name1 =Karen Lumley (Con) |leader_title2 =Mayor Malcolm Hall (LD) |constituencywestminster=Redditch |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = |established_date = |established_title1 = |established_date1 = |established_title2 = |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |founder = |named_for = |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = |area_footnotes = (Ranked {{English district area rank) |area_total_km2 = 54.25 |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_total_dunam = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = |elevation_max_m = |elevation_max_ft = |elevation_min_m = |elevation_min_ft = |population_as_of = |population_footnotes = (Ranked Redditch is a town and local government district in north-east Worcestershire, England, approximately 15 mi (24.1 km) south of Birmingham. The district had a population of 79,216 in 2005. In the 19th century it became the international centre for the needle and fishing tackle industry, and 90% of the world's needles were manufactured in the town and its neighbourhoods. In the 1960s it became a model for modern new-town planning.

Geography

Redditch lies just south of the West Midlands urban area but is not part of it (being in Worcestershire), northwest of Studley on the A435, which skirts it to the East. The main route of access is the A441, a trunk road from Birmingham to Cookhill, via junction 2 of the M42 Motorway. The Roman Road known as Icknield Street is prominent, running North to South through the eastern side of the town.

Climate

Redditch experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.

History

thumb thumb The first recorded mention of Redditch ("'Red-Dych", thought to be a reference to the red clay of the nearby River Arrow) is in 1348, the year of the outbreak of the Black Death. During the Middle Ages it became a centre of needle-making and later prominent industries were fish-hooks, fishing tackle, motorcycles and springs, the latter notably by Herbert Terry and Sons. It was designated a new town in 1964 and the population increased dramatically from 32,000 to around 77,000. Housing developments such as Church Hill, Matchborough, Winyates, Lodge Park and Woodrow were created to accommodate the large overspill from an industrially expanding Birmingham. Redditch was built as a 'flagship' town using new methods and new town planning; all the main roads in Redditch were banked to reduce noise to the new housing estates and the whole of Redditch was landscaped. By the 21st century needle-making and other traditional industries had been replaced by modern light industry and services, with Redditch also functioning as a dormitory town for Birmingham. The automotive retailer Halfords and engineering giant GKN both have their headquarters in Redditch. Manufacturer of precious metal contacts Samuel Taylor Ltd has manufacturing plants within the town. Following the redevelopment of the flagship Kingfisher Shopping Centre in 2002 Redditch is undergoing an economic and cultural renaissance. The town is home to several historical sites. The National Needle Museum and the ruins of Bordesley Abbey are located in the Abbey Ward district of Redditch), and the remains of a medieval moated settlement called Moons Moat is situated within the Church Hill estate. Redditch is featured in a section heading in An Utterly Impartial History of Britain by John O'Farrell.

Politics

The constituency of Redditch is represented by Karen Lumley of the Conservatives. The borough council became Conservative controlled in the 2008 local elections after being under either Labour control or no overall control for 26 years. From 2008-2009 Cllr Jack Field(C) was the mayor of the town and now Cllr Malcolm Hall(LD) is the newly chosen mayor for 2009-2010.

Redditch Borough Council

Composition of Redditch Borough Council
Party Group Leader Seats Change (on 2007)
Carole Gandy 15 +4
Bill Harnett 10 -4
Malcolm Hall 3 0
British National Party David Enderby 1 0
Total Seats 29

     Home | Settlement R | Redditch



A by-election occurred in 2009, giving the Conservatives 15 seats, Labour 10 seats, Liberal Democrat 3 and the BNP 1 seat; and hence the Conservatives gained overall control.

Wards










































































































Abbey - Diane Thomas (Liberal Democrat), Colin MacMillan (Conservative)
Astwood Bank & Feckenham - Michael Chalk (Conservative), Brandon Clayton Conservative)
Batchley & Brockhill - Jack Cookson (Labour), Jinny Pearce (Conservative), Brenda Quinney (Conservative)
Central - Greg Chance (Labour), Debbie Taylor (Labour)
Church Hill - Bill Harnett (Labour), David Hunt (Labour), Robin King (Labour)
Crabbs Cross - David Smith (Conservative), Jack Field (Conservative)
Greenlands - Wanda King (Labour), Phil Mould (Labour), William Norton (Conservative)
Headless Cross & Oakenshaw - Peter Anderson (Conservative), Carole Gandy (Leader of the Council) (Conservative, Gay Hopkins (Conservative)
Lodge Park - Andrew Fry (Labour), Mark Shurmer (Labour)
Matchborough - Juliet Brunner (Conservative), Anita Clayton (Conservative)
West - Kath Banks (Conservaive), Michael Braley (Conservative)
Winyates - David Enderby (British National Party), Malcolm Hall (Mayor 2009-2010) (Liberal Democrat), Nigel Hicks (Liberal Democrat)

Redditch Student Council


Redditch has its own Student Council, set up by the Borough Council in 1993 to help the Council to get in touch with young people. The Student Council is made up by representatives from the four main High Schools. They are democratically elected every year.
In the last year (November 2006 - February 2008) the Student Council won funding to deliver a series of multi-cultural events: two in Redditch and a further five across the County of Worcestershire.

HMP Hewell


Redditch was to be the new designation of reorganised prison HMP Hewell, due to be created from the merger of three prisons at Hewell Grange in nearby Tardebigge: Hewell Grange, Brockhill and Blakenhurst prisons. This is one of the first mergers along the Titan Prison concept. It was originally to be called 'HMP Redditch' but the name was changed due to a public outcry, especially as the prison was not to be located in the town. The prison will lie in the neighbouring town of Bromsgrove. The new name was announced in March 2008.

Council Ward Constituency Boundary Party in Power Oppostition Party Councillors Parish/Village
Abbey Abbeydale, Riverside & Beoley Liberal Democrat Party & Conservative Party Lib Dem & Conservative Diane Thomas & Colin MacMillian
Astwood Bank & Feckenham Astwood Bank, Bradley Green, Feckenham, Hunt End & Ham Green Conservative Party Liberal Democrat Party Michael Chalk & Brandon Clayton Feckenham Parish
Batchley & Brockhill Batchley, Brockhill & Enfield Conservative Party & Labour Party Labour Party Jack Cookson, Brenda Quinney & Jinny Pearce
Central Redditch Town Centre, Church Green, Southcrest & Smallwood Labour Party Conservative Party Greg Chance & Debbie Taylor
Church Hill Church Hill & Moons Moat Labour Party Conservative Party & Liberal Democrat Party David Hunt, Bill Harnett & Robin King
Crabbs Cross Crabbs Cross, Walkwood & Callow Hill Conservative Party Labour Party Jack Field & David Smith Feckenham Parish Callow Hill ONLY
Greenlands Greenlands, Wire Hill, Woodrow & Park Farm Labour Party, Conservative Party Labour Party & Conservative Wanda King, William Norton & Phillip Mould
Headless Cross & Oakenshaw Headless Cross, Oakenshaw * Oakenshaw South Conservative Party Labour Party Gay Hopkins, Peter Anderson & (Leader of Council) Carole Gandy
Lodge Park Lodge Park, St. Georges, Lakeside & Greenlands Labour Party Conservative Party Andrew Fry & Mark Shurmer
Matchborough Matchborough, Ipsley & Washford Conservative Party Labour Party Juliet Brunner & Anita Clayton
West Webheath, Elcocks Brook, Cruise Hill & Norgrove Conservative Party Labour Party Kath Banks & Michael Braley Feckenham Parish - Elcock's Brook, Norgrove & Cruise Hill ONLY Webheath not included
Winyates Winyates Liberal Democrat Pary & British National Party Labour Party Malcolm Hall, David Enderby & Nigel Hicks

Latest News : Redditch : Tweet this RSS

Armed Forces Flag raised in Redditch - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser---REDDITCH- mayor Kath Banks raised a special flag at -Redditch- Town Hall on Monday to mark this year's Armed Forces Day. The mayor was joined by members of the ... - Date : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:06:12 GMT+00:00
Dedicated Redditch nurse to retire - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--All that changed however, when she moved to -Redditch- to become the first practice nurse at Winyates Health Centre. While there during the 1990s, ... - Date : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:05:05 GMT+00:00
Redditch pupils visit the Houses of Parliament - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--As part of the trip pupils on the school council got to see -Redditch- MP Karen Lumley at work and even got to ask her a few questions. ... - Date : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:07:58 GMT+00:00
Glamorous ladies take part in Redditch charity event - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--GLAMOUR and grace were in abundance at a Headless Cross pub when a Royal Ascot Ladies Day event was held for a very worthy cause. ... - Date : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:09:58 GMT+00:00
Witnesses sought to dangerous driving in Alvechurch and Redditch - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--POLICE are appealing for information and witnesses following an incident of dangerous driving in -Redditch-. The incident happened on Sunday, June 13, ... - Date : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:24:08 GMT+00:00
Primrose Hospice will continue to get vital funding - Bromsgrove Advertiser Tweet this news
Bromsgrove Advertiser--There was a threat in the last couple of weeks that funding for the hospice, which helps families in -Redditch- and Bromsgrove, would be cut. ... - Date : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:24:29 GMT+00:00
Redditch Boys Brigade - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--THE -Redditch- Boys Brigade is planning to celebrate 50 years of working with youngsters in the town. The group, affiliated with the Bridge Church in Headless ... - Date : Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:44:11 GMT+00:00
Redditch woman appears on BBC show - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--A -REDDITCH- woman who was conned out of £8000 by a dodgy builder has appeared on a TV show. Carol Alley, from Winyates, starred in an episode of the BBC1 ... - Date : Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:37:00 GMT+00:00
Redditch MP shows support for charity - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--AS part of her role as -Redditch- MP Karen Lumley has visited the Where Next Association. Mrs Lumley visited the charity, which provides employment and work ... - Date : Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:37:52 GMT+00:00
Schools launch magazine - Redditch Advertiser Tweet this news
Redditch Advertiser--A NUMBER of schools in -Redditch- have launched a magazine aimed at promoting the work they do. The magazine, called Reflections, shows the partnership ... - Date : Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:02:06 GMT+00:00

Composition of Redditch Borough Council
Party Group Leader Seats Change (on 2007)
Carole Gandy 15 +4
Bill Harnett 10 -4
Malcolm Hall 3 0
British National Party David Enderby 1 0
Total Seats 29

Council Ward Constituency Boundary Party in Power Oppostition Party Councillors Parish/Village
Abbey Abbeydale, Riverside & Beoley Liberal Democrat Party & Conservative Party Lib Dem & Conservative Diane Thomas & Colin MacMillian
Astwood Bank & Feckenham Astwood Bank, Bradley Green, Feckenham, Hunt End & Ham Green Conservative Party Liberal Democrat Party Michael Chalk & Brandon Clayton Feckenham Parish
Batchley & Brockhill Batchley, Brockhill & Enfield Conservative Party & Labour Party Labour Party Jack Cookson, Brenda Quinney & Jinny Pearce
Central Redditch Town Centre, Church Green, Southcrest & Smallwood Labour Party Conservative Party Greg Chance & Debbie Taylor
Church Hill Church Hill & Moons Moat Labour Party Conservative Party & Liberal Democrat Party David Hunt, Bill Harnett & Robin King
Crabbs Cross Crabbs Cross, Walkwood & Callow Hill Conservative Party Labour Party Jack Field & David Smith Feckenham Parish Callow Hill ONLY
Greenlands Greenlands, Wire Hill, Woodrow & Park Farm Labour Party, Conservative Party Labour Party & Conservative Wanda King, William Norton & Phillip Mould
Headless Cross & Oakenshaw Headless Cross, Oakenshaw * Oakenshaw South Conservative Party Labour Party Gay Hopkins, Peter Anderson & (Leader of Council) Carole Gandy
Lodge Park Lodge Park, St. Georges, Lakeside & Greenlands Labour Party Conservative Party Andrew Fry & Mark Shurmer
Matchborough Matchborough, Ipsley & Washford Conservative Party Labour Party Juliet Brunner & Anita Clayton
West Webheath, Elcocks Brook, Cruise Hill & Norgrove Conservative Party Labour Party Kath Banks & Michael Braley Feckenham Parish - Elcock's Brook, Norgrove & Cruise Hill ONLY Webheath not included
Winyates Winyates Liberal Democrat Pary & British National Party Labour Party Malcolm Hall, David Enderby & Nigel Hicks



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