Fenton, Staffordshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates: 52°59′52″N 2°09′28″W / 52.9977°N 2.1578°W
| Fenton | |
  Fenton shown within Staffordshire |
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| Population | 12,194 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Ceremonial county | Staffordshire |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STOKE-ON-TRENT |
| Postcode district | ST4 |
| Dialling code | 01782 |
| Police | Staffordshire |
| Fire | Staffordshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| European Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Stoke-on-Trent South |
| List of places: UK • England • Staffordshire | |
Fenton is one of the six towns of the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation which were federated in 1910. It is situated in the south-east of the city. Arnold Bennett called his fictionalised version of Stoke on Trent the "Five Towns", and Fenton has been dubbed the town Arnold Bennett forgot.
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[edit] History
[edit] Etymology
The name Fenton means flat, marshy land.
[edit] Administration
Fenton started to become populated as a group of farms and private small-holdings were built there, alongside a lane running from the southern reaches of Hanley (by 1933 this lane was very busy and given the title of the A50).
Around the 1750s, the land was commonly known as Fenton Vivian. By the 1850s, the area around Duke Street and China Street had become populated during the rapid development of the Potteries.
Potters settled in Fenton in large houses alongside their pot-banks. Such houses include Great Fenton Hall, Heron Cottage and Grove House.
The two principal districts, Fenton Vivian and Fenton Culvert – each with their scattered communities, were brought together to make an urban district with its own board of guardians in in 1894.
On 1 April 1910, Stoke-on-Trent was officially incorporated with Fenton as one of the six towns. By 1925 the area was granted city status.
[edit] Industry
Fenton has been the home of a number of potteries such as Coalport, and its architectural heritage includes listed bottle ovens.[1]
[edit] Geography
It lies in a key geographical location, within easy reach of the A500, A34 and the A50, and is just a short distance away from Longton, Hanley and Newcastle.
[edit] Suburbs
Although Fenton has had its share of big industry, particularly from the Potteries trade, it has always been considered more of a residential area.
Fenton is still considered a sprawl of villages by many, and it includes Heron Cross, Mount Pleasant, Saxonfields and Pool Dole. Residential hot spots like Fenpark and Saxonfields have served to enhance the traditional properties expected in a town like Fenton.
[edit] Places of interest
Fenton Manor boasts a swimming pool, gym and fitness centre. Inside the Fenton Manor Sports Complex is the biggest swimming pool in Staffordshire and a 1,300-seater arena. Fenton Park is also popular with families, and has its own football pitches, pavilions and playground.
The town’s library lies on Baker Street, and is based within the Carnegie library, the only such building in Stoke-on-Trent.
Fenton also has a magistrates court, which serves the whole city from within Fenton’s old town hall.
[edit] Economy
Fenton differs from the other Potteries towns in that it doesn’t have a centre. Instead, amenities and shops are spread over a sizeable area.
Every Thursday a market is held, with about 25 stalls; this is based in City Road. Along Victoria Road, there are DIY shops, home furnishing and electrical stores, while at the retail park, also on Victoria Road, chains include Dunelm Mill and Curry’s.
[edit] Education
Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College has also been an integral part of the everyday life in Fenton for many years, but it is set to relocate away from Fenton [2]and will be replaced by a multi-million pound leisure centre.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Use interactive maps to find historic artefacts and photographs of old Fenton at exploringthepotteries.org.uk
- Town profile at The Sentinel (local newspaper)
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