Hinckley Info : News and Information

Hinckley is a town in southwest Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 43,246 (2001 census). It is administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

History

Hinckley has a history going back to Saxon times. The name originally referred to the "woodland clearing (Old English leah) of a man called Hynca". By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Hinckley was quite a large village, and grew over the course of the following 200 years into a small market town – a market was first recorded there in 1311. In the 17th century the town developed a hosiery industry, producing stockings and similar items.

Hinckley played a prominent part in the English Civil War. Its proximity to several rival strongholds - the royalist garrisons at Ashby de la Zouch and Leicester, those of the Parliamentarians at Tamworth and Coventry, and the presence of parties of troops or brigands occupying several fortified houses in nearby Warwickshire – ensured frequent visits by the warring parties. The local townsfolk were forced to decide whether to declare their allegiances openly or attempt to remain neutral – with the risk of having to pay levies, ransoms, and fines to both sides. In March 1644 Hinckley was occupied by a group of Royalist troops, though they were soon driven out by a force of Parliamentarians, who took many prisoners.

The Civil War years were a particularly unsettled time for the clergy in and around Hinckley. Parsons with parliamentary leanings like Thomas Cleveland, the vicar of Hinckley, suffered sequestration by the Leicester County Committee, like some of his ‘malignant’ neighbours accused of visiting royalist garrisons or preaching against parliament.*[1]

The town was visited by both parliamentary and royalists troops from the rival garrisons, particularly parliamentary troops from Tamworth, Coventry, and Astley castle in Warwickshire. Troops from Coventry garrison were particularly active in the town, taking horses and "free quarter" and availing themselves of ‘dyett and Beere’, and taking some of the inhabitants hostage for ransom. Royalist troops raided the town to threaten those with parliamentary sympathies. The notorious Lord Hastings of Ashby de la Zouch is recorded to have "coursed about the country as far as Dunton and Lutterworth and took near upon a hundred of the clergymen and others, and carried them prisoners … threatening to hang all them that should take the Parliament’s Covenant". Parliamentary newsheets record that on the night of March 4th, 1644 Hastings’ men brought in "26 honest countrymen from several towns" intending to take them to Ashby de la Zouch, along with a huge herd of cattle, oxen and horses from the country people and a minister named Mr Warner. These prisoners were herded into Hinckley church and asked "in a jeering manner, ‘Where are the Round-heads your brethren at Leicester? Why come they not to redeem you?’".

The Parliamentarians responded in a memorable "Skirmish or Great Victory for Parliament". Colonel Grey with 120 foot soldiers and thirty troopers from Bagworth House rushed to Hinckley and re-took the town, routed the Royalists, rescued the cattle and released their imprisoned countrymen. No doubt the inhabitants of the town were as relieved as any when Ashby finally surrendered, as Vicars records, ‘a great mercy and mighty preservation of the peace and tranquillity of all those adjacent parts about it’. 

Castle Street in Hinckley is also the first known location of 'Ludditism' where disgruntled workers, replaced by machinery in their jobs took sledgehammers to the machines.

Hinckley became an urban district under the Local Government Act 1894, covering the ancient parish of Hinckley. In 1934, under a County Review Order, Hinckley urban district expanded to cover the ancient parishes of Barwell, Burbage and Earl Shilton and most of Stoke Golding.

In 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 the Hinckley urban district was abolished, becoming an unparished area in the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth. Since then, civil parishes of Stoke Golding, Earl Shilton and Burbage have been set up again. The core urban area remained unparished. Hinckley is currently the second largest town in the historic county of Leicestershire after Loughborough (Leicester itself being a city).

Entertainment

Concordia Theatre

From Derelict Knitting Factory to the Best Amateur Theatre of its Kind in the UK!

In 1969 Fred Robottom loaned £10,000 to buy an old derelict knitting factory on Stockwell Head and convert it into a theatre.

In 1972 the Concordia Theatre opened its doors.People from the many Hinckley theatre and musical societies worked together to design, raise money and convert the old building into the well-equipped theatre that exists today.

Located in the centre of Hinckley, it has a 400-seat auditorium. It was extended by the purchase of an adjacent building in 1978 and the stage area and facilities were substantially enhanced in 1988.  Both of these developments were funded from the theatre’s own resources.

The theatre is wholly owned and administered by the Hinckley Concordia Association (HCA) as a registered charity, with a democratically elected executive (Theatre Council) responsible for maintaining and operating the theatre.

It is an exceptionally well-equipped establishment, staffed and maintained entirely by volunteers (with just two part-time cleaners employed).  It is run in a thoroughly professional manner for both amateur and professional performers alike.

Over 45,000 tickets are sold annually for amateur performances. Many outside professional shows are also staged. The Concordia is open all year round for rehearsals and for a nine-month season of shows. Anyone can become an individual member of HCA on payment of an annual subscription.  In return for this, you can participate in all theatre activities, receive a monthly newsletter and priority booking privileges for shows, and are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM.

The members are still raising money - and the volunteer ethos which made this dream come true is still in existence today.

Current Contact Details – Judy Peatfield, Publicity Officer – 01455 847676 and – tours and talks are undertaken by arrangement.

Industry

Hinckley is a traditional centre of the hosiery industry. The first framework knitting machine was brought here by Joseph Iliffe in the 17th century and by the 19th century Hinckley was responsible for a large proportion of Britain's hosiery production.

Since the Second World War the hosiery industry has steadily shrunk in size although several textiles firms remain in the area. Hinckley & District Museum, which is housed in a range of former framework knitters' cottages, tells the story of the hosiery industry and contains some interesting examples of framework knitting machines.

Hinckley also has a history of engineering and is home to the Triumph Motorcycle company. The town's central location and good links to the UK motorway network have made it a popular location for distribution warehouses.

Transport links

Hinckley is served by the A5 and the M69. The M69 links Hinckley to the nearest cities, Coventry and Leicester and the M1 and M6 motorways.

By Rail, Hinckley is served by the Nuneaton - Leicester stretch of the Birmingham to Peterborough Line and has regular rail services between Birmingham and Leicester via Narborough, Hinckley, and Nuneaton. Journeys to London can be competed via the West Coast Main Line through Nuneaton, or the Midland Main Line via Leicester.

The terminus of the Midland route is London St Pancras which will become the home of Eurostar international services in November 2007.

The nearest airports are Coventry and East Midlands.

The town is equidistant (19 km / 12 miles) from the cities of Coventry and Leicester and 8 km (5 miles) to the east of the larger neighbouring town of Nuneaton. The small town of Ibstock is 18 km (11 miles) to the north on the A447.

Suburbs

Hollycroft, Middlefield, Wykin.

Burbage is often mistaken for a suburb of Hinckley but is in fact separate. It is a large village, and merges with Hinckley to the south, separated by the railway line. Sketchley is another small villiage which has also merged into Burbage.

Media

The local radio station, Fosseway Radio, serves the town and the surrounding area, as described by jingles such as "Fenny Drayton's Hits and Memories: Fosseway Radio" - you can hear me Mark Rowley the owner/creator of this site Saturday from 6am - Noon and Sunday Noon - 4pm.

The main local newspaper is the weekly Hinckley Times. The daily Leicester Mercury also publishes a Hinckley edition. The free (advertising-funded) Hinckley Herald & Journal is distributed to most houses. Hinckley has its own community website and online news resource www.hinckley-info.co.uk

Sport

One of the newest clubs in senior Non-League football, Hinckley United, was formed as recently as Wednesday 18th June 1997. A meeting on that date saw shareholders of Hinckley Athletic (Interlink Express Midland Alliance) approve a merger with neighbours Hinckley Town (Dr Marten's Southern League Midland Division).  

Merger moves were made immediately at the end of the 1996-97 season when Athletic narrowly missed out on promotion to the Dr Marten's League for the third consecutive campaign following finishes of 2nd, 3rd and 2nd again. A meeting of the respective chairmen, Mick Voce (Athletic) and Kevin Downes (Town), established there was some common ground with each club having something positive to offer.  

Formed in 1889, Athletic had the traditional support of the Hinckley people, averaging 250 and a Dr Marten's League approved ground at Middlefield Lane with good and ever improving facilities as well as exciting development plans in hand. Town were formed in 1958 and made rapid strides from local football to the Dr Marten's League with the 1980's being a successful decade. Consequently, the new club were to play at Middlefield Lane with Town's Leicester Road set up being used as a training ground, and once the FA and Southern League had approved the merger, United inherited Town's Dr Marten's League spot.  

The new club acted quickly in appointing it's managerial team as Dean Thomas had been released from his contract with Bedworth United and he became team manager with former Athletic boss John Hanna being appointed general manager, although Hanna relinquished his position in the new year leaving the former Nott’s County player in sole charge. United run a reserve side, a Youth side and numerous junior sides.  Off the field, the board of directors has fourteen members, seven from either club, with Kevin Downes taking the chair.  

The club colours are red and blue stripes, a blend of the main colours from Athletic and Town whilst the club held a competition for fans to come up with a nickname and The Knitters was chosen reflecting one of the longest standing industries associated with the town. It is also a pretty poor nickname, but it could've been worse like 'city' or 'boro'.  

The aim of the merger was to bring a higher standard of football to the Town. Within four years that was achieved. After a mid table finish in their first season, Hinckley United improved with finishes of fourth, third and then won the Dr Marten Midland/Western Championship in season 2000-2001. That season saw Hinckley score 102 league goals and extend an unbeaten home record to 51 games. Only losing at home on the last day of the season.  

In their first season in the Dr Marten Premier division Hinckley United ended up in 12th place, and though were never in the relegation zone, were in a relegation battle for the second half of the season.

Their second season in Dr Marten's Premier was much the same with consolidation the aim of the club. The third season however was better than anyone could've expected and the club finished in their highest ever position of sixth. That also meant finishing in a position to be accepted into the newly established Conference North division for 2004-2005.  

After 2 mid table finishes consolidating in Conference North, Season 2006-2007 was accepted as the season Hinckley would make a serious challenge for the title. However after a good start tragedy struck the club when popular defender Matthew Gadsby collapsed and died on the pitch at Harrogate on 9th September 2006. Hinckley players took a month away from football and spent the rest of the season playing 'catch up.' When Hinckley returned to action the season was one of up and down, but held on to a play off spot, eventually rallying on and off the field to secure 4th place in the league, reaching the play off final, but missing out on promotion conceding a last minute penalty, plus off field events raised over £60000 for a Memorial Fund set up in the name of Matt Gadsby.  

Also in our short history Hinckley have had a number of FA Cup runs. In 1997-1998 we reached the 4th Qualifying round losing 1-2 to Colwyn Bay. In the Championship season they went slightly better having drawn 1-1 at home to Telford United of the Conference in the 4th Qualifying, they lost the replay 4-1 at the New Bucks Head ground. In season 2001-2002 Hinckley had their best ever FA Cup run. They managed to win through to the 2nd round proper, eventually losing at home 0-2 to Cheltenham Town of Nationwide Division 3, in front of 2661 fans at Middlefield Lane. Hinckley best ever Cup run was achieved in 2004-2005 which included defeating Torquay 2-0 at Middlefield Lane then drawing with Brentford in front of the Match of the Day cameras, before losing out in the replay.  

The FA Trophy has not been as good for Hinckley. Their best performance was in 1998-1999 when they managed to get to the 4th round. An away tie to Conference Yeovil Town saw Hinckley narrowly lose 3-2 in front of their biggest away crowd of 2351.  Off the pitch things gathered pace with the development of the club. A move away from Middlefield Lane happened on 5th March 2005 when we played our first game at the new Marston Stadium.

The Marston Stadium being a purpose built 4329 capacity football ground, including extra junior and reserve pitches plus an all weather floodlit pitch and conferencing facilities. Attendances increased at the new Stadium and a record was set for Hinckley when nearly 2900 watched Hinckley draw with Nuneaton on Boxing Day 2006.

Finally you may hear the team called The Knitters - a nickname that comes from the town's history as a textile-producing centre.

Schools

Hinckley has many schools and three colleges: John Cleveland College, Adult Centre and North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. Hinckley Primary Schools are quite famous. famous for their , Holliers Walk Primary School also features the hansom cab on its uniform.

There are several Secondary Schools including: Mount Grace High School and Redmoor High School.

Education

Hinckley operates a three tier schooling system and has several schools ranging from primary schools to colleges.

The main primary schools in the area are: Battling Brook CP, Holliers Walk, Richmond, St. Peters Catholic, St. Mary's Church of England and Westfield Infant/Junior.

The high (secondary) schools include:Mount Grace. St. Martins is not in Hinckley (in Stoke Golding), nor is Hastings (in Burbage) but both are feeder schools for John Cleveland College, the main college in the town for school Years 10 and 11.

JCC also includes a Sixth Form, as does North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, a further education college.

The only other major college in the area is William Bradford (Earl Shilton), but most students (within Hinckley and the surrounding villages) transferring from Year 9 to Year 10 choose JCC.

Miscellaneous

• The town is mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry IV, part 2 (Act 5, Scene 1):

Davy: Now, sir, a new link to the bucket must need be had: and, sir, do you mean to stop any of William's wages, about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley fair?

• Hinckley is twinned with Le Grand Quevilly, France and Herford, Germany.
• Joseph Hansom built the first Hansom cab in Hinckley in 1835.
• Hinckley was known to its residents for many years as "Tin 'At" (tin hat). It is reputed that, many years ago, one of the itinerant sheep drovers bragged that he could drink a hat full of ale. The local landlord put this man to the test by getting the local blacksmith to make a tin hat, which he then filled with ale. Thereafter, the town became known as "Tin 'At". A tin hat can be seen on top of the flag pole which sits on the roof of the building society at the corner of Castle Street and Market Place.
• In 2007 Hinckley resident Tony Alleyne, 54, sold his one bedroomed flat - transformed into a precise replica of a Star Trek ship - for £425,000.

Places of interest

• Hinckley museum is located in a range of 17th-century timber-framed framework knitters' cottages.
• The Great Meeting of 1722, hidden away behind old hosiery factories, is an excellent early example of nonconformist architecture with a charming galleried interior.
• The Ashby Canal, the longest contour canal in England, passes through the town.
• The site of the Battle of Bosworth, administered by Leicestershire County Council, includes an interpretation centre at Ambion Hill, where Richard III encamped the night before the battle. St. James Church at Dadlington is the place where many of the dead were buried and where a chantry was founded on their behalf.
• Stoke Golding has one of the most beautiful medieval churches in Leicestershire, with an exquisitely carved arcade and very fine 13th century window tracery.
• St Mary's Parish Church, situated in the centre of the town, is a 13th century church.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses some material from the Wikipedia article "Hinckley" and from www.hinckleyunitedfc.co.uk and some written by www.hinckley-info.co.uk.