Barton-under-Needwood

Coordinates: 52°45′47″N 1°43′37″W / 52.763°N 1.727°W / 52.763; -1.727

Barton-under-Needwood
Barton-under-Needwood  Barton-under-Needwood shown within Staffordshire
OS grid reference	SK185185
District	East Staffordshire
Shire county	Staffordshire
Region	West Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BURTON-ON-TRENT
Postcode district	DE13
Dialling code	01283
Police	Staffordshire
Fire	Staffordshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
EU Parliament	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Burton
List of places: UK • England • Staffordshire

Barton-under-Needwood is a large village in Staffordshire, England. It is situated a mile from the A38 between Burton upon Trent and Lichfield. It has a population of about 5000 people^{[citation needed]}, most of whom commute^{[citation needed]} to Burton or Lichfield or further afield to places such as Derby or Birmingham

Overview

The village's focal point is a 15th Century Tudor Church, and has several local shops along Main Street, the(B5016) including a Post Office & book shop, Pharmacy, News agent, Hair dresser, Local Co-Op store, Village hall. Local infant/junior schools, and a larger secondary school are also located within the village: John Taylor High School, which serves Barton and the surrounding villages.It has 5 pubs all owned by Marstons. Barton also has a large marina complex home to some 300 narrow boats, also has a number of shops & restaurant facilities, which has become a local tourist attraction. It is located on the Trent and Mersey canal. Thomas Gisbourne became curate of the village in 1783, being succeeded by his fourth son in 1820.

The village sports teams are based at the Holland Sports club, which has facilities for cricket, football, rugby, tennis and tug of war. The club is named after the famous Holland family who were resident in Barton for 600 years from the 14th century to the mid 1900s. The earliest member of the family was Richard de Holland who was involved in the Battle of Burton Bridge in the 1320s^{[citation needed]}.

The Tug of War team based at the Holland Sports Club have won many national and international honours since forming in 1970 - including the title 'Guinness World Record Holders' for a record in Tug of War Endurance which was created in 2000, and being selected to represent England at the 2008 World Tug of War Championships in Sweden.

Barton has four churches : St James C of E, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Christadelphian.^[1]

Saint James' Church Barton

The village of Barton had the name 'under Needwood' added in 1327^{[citation needed]} to distinguish it from the other Bartons in England. The village has a very rich and interesting history, in 1995 a written history of Barton under Needwood was produced, named 'Under the Needwood Tree', researched written and compiled by Steve Gardner with the help of a book committee, including Arthur and Christine Kennedy, Pauline and Bill Shingles, and Jeff Pattison. In 2001 Steve published a second history book for Barton: Life and Times in Barton, and in 2007 the final book in the trilogy was released: 'Memories of Old Barton'.

Indie rock bands Wild Youth, The Vibrant Poppies, Seabrook Potato, Mr-Man and Cedrics Belly were founded in Barton.

Dunstall Hall stately home is situated about a mile outside Barton in the hamlet of Dunstall. It was alleged that, American rock singer Michael Jackson showed an interest in buying the property but eventually the house was bought by property tycoon Sir Stan Clarke before he died in September 2004, it is now a conference centre and venue for weddings.

The UK's first Travelodge was opened in 1985 on the A38 just outside the village.

Famous people from Barton-under-Needwood

• John Taylor - Ambassador for France to King Henry VIII, First Master of the Rolls. A benefactor to Barton, responsible for the building of the present Church, between 1517 and 1533.
• Thomas Russell - A member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. A benefactor to Barton, responsible for building the first School.
• Sir Stanley Clarke OBE - Stanley William Clarke, businessman and racecourse owner: born Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire 7 June 1933; chairman, St Modwen Properties plc 1986-2004, president 2004; awarded the CBE in 1990; founder and chairman, Northern Racing 1994-2004, president 2004; Knighted in 2001; married 1958 Hilda Leavesley (one son, three daughters); died Barton-under- Needwood, Staffordshire 19 September 2004. Sir Stanley was the owner of the 1997 Grand National Winner: Lord Gyllene.His memorial is the Argos building.
• Dean Heaps - (born 1954) Actor and dramatist, famous for playing victim, ageing rocker, fictitious lifestyle and "yuff" culture roles.
• Steve Gardner - (born 1956)Weightlifter, Strongman and Strength Athlete. Steve was former World All Round Weightlifting Heavyweight Champion (1988,1990) a member of the Great Britain Drug Free Powerlifting Team (European Heavyweight Champion 1990)Placed 4th in Worlds Lorry Pull Championships 1985 and a Champion Tug of War Puller. Steve coached an England team at the World Championships in Sweden!
• Slydor Hamiamong Master of Quogg - Formally known as The Moose. Philatelist and protector of the post.
• Jethro Tull - (born 1674) English agriculturist,Invented the seed drill and gave his name to a famous 70s rock band.

See also

• Holland Tug of War Club - The village tug of war team from Barton under Needwood who represented England in the 2008 World Championships: Web site: www.hollandtugofwar.co.uk

References

External links

• Barton under Needwood Golf Society
• Barton Alrewas and Yoxall Darts League
• Barton-under-Needwood Christadelphians
• Shoulder of Mutton - The Home of Rock
• Holland Tug of War Club (http://www.hollandtugofwar.co.uk)
• Thomas Russell Junior School - Outdoor Pool Fundraising Campaign [1]
• Barton under Needwood Community Forum