Coordinates: 52°35′32″N 2°12′18″W / 52.5922°N 2.20492°W
| Perton | |
  Perton
Perton shown within Staffordshire |
|
| Population | 10,824 (2004 Estimate) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | South Staffordshire |
| Shire county | Staffordshire |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Wolverhampton |
| Postcode district | WV6 |
| Dialling code | 01902 |
| Police | Staffordshire |
| Fire | Staffordshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| List of places: UK • England • Staffordshire | |
Perton is a Civil Parish located within South Staffordshire, Staffordshire, England[1] to the south of Codsall, and to the west of the city of Wolverhampton (which is located within the West Midlands). It is situated within the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield.
Contents |
Overview
The original Perton was a long row of exclusive houses situated along the road from Wolverhampton to Pattingham, along a hilltop known as Perton Ridge. Supposedly 'Perton' derives its name from 'Pear Town' - in reference to the pear trees that grow in the area - and this is reflected on local school crests. In the 1970s and 1980s, a new housing development was built on the site of a former RAF station adjacent to the border with Wolverhampton. This now has a population of around 12,000, all living in the 4,129 homes built in the village on land which belonged to the Mander family. The name Perton now refers to this newer settlement. The remnants of army air raid shelters can still be found in the surrounding woodland.
It may be tempting to regard Perton as a suburb of Wolverhampton. Yet, it lies outside the city's local authority boundaries and although they are adjacent, the only direct road connection between the two is for the use of buses and emergency vehicles only; private vehicles must travel north or south from Perton and use the A41 or A454, a considerable detour which makes Wolverhampton appear much further away than it really is! However, Perton is part of the Wolverhampton Urban Area, and the West Midlands conurbation, as defined by the Office for National Statistics.
The main road in Perton is The Parkway; this name is given to a 2.25 mile long circular road as well as the two spurs which link it to the main road network. At the centre of the estate lies a shopping centre containing a Sainsbury's supermarket and a number of other shops, as well as an interdenominational church and Perton Christian Fellowship meeting in the Civic Centre. Perton has three schools: Perton First School, Perton Sandown First School and Perton Middle School. Despite the short history of the modern village, the sense of community can be evident by the death of the long term headmaster of Perton First School in the 1990s which drew hundreds of mourners from the village to fill the community centre for his funeral.
Churches
Perton has two very active Christian churches who work closely together to promote faith and to support the community
- The Church at Perton[1], which meets at the church in Anders Square in the centre of Perton, and
- Lakeside Community Church Perton (previously Perton Christian Fellowship)[2], which meets at Perton Civic Centre
The churches have facilities for all age groups, and encourage members to support community activity. This support includes tidying up the locality, walking groups, lunches for the elderley, play groups, and membership of the South Staffordshire environmental action group.
Schools
Perton has a total of 3 schools on the estate. They are:
- Perton First School (Manston Drive)
- Sandown First School (Sandown Drive)
- Perton Middle School (Gainsborough Drive)
When students leave the first schools at the age of nine, the majority of them go on to study at Perton Middle School.
However, some parents choose to send their children to schools in surrounding areas, such as Compton and Tettenhall.
When the students finish at the middle school at the age of 13, the majority leave to study at Codsall Community High School, in the nearby village of Codsall.
The area around Perton and Codsall is one of the few areas of the country which still uses the three-tier system for schools (i.e. 5-9 first schools, 9-13 middle schools and 13-16/18 secondary schools).
Shops and Facilities
Shops
Perton centre has a food shop, pet shop, newsagent (including a post office), toy shop, DIY store, clothes shop, charity shop and two other stores in addition to a Sainsbury's supermarket.
Food
Perton centre also has a fish and chip shop,a pub (the Wrottesley Arms) and an Indian restaurant.
Additional
In addition the the village centre there are also two farm shops, Brownies (on the Perton Bypass) and Bradshaw's; both are just outside the village boundary yet within walking distance. There is also another pub named The Pear and Partridge which is just inside the village boundary.
Services
Perton has two doctors' surgeries, two dentists, a chemist and an optician.
Events
The annual Perton Carnival draws great crowds to watch the parade of floats around the Parkway.
The internationally popular Tough Guy Competition is also held near here.
Countryside and Walks
Perton features many walks and areas of countryside.
There is a mainly level path from Perton centre and the big lake (upper lake) to the little lake (lower lake) which continues over a hill to Bluebell Wood. The whole route is about 1059 yards (3177'), or 2118 yards (6354') there and back (excluding the two woods).
There are also many walks around Bluebell Wood and there is another large wood across the road (next to The Pear and Partridge). The remains of an RAF airbase can be found in both woods due the the fact Perton was once an airfield.
Perton also has a pavilion located off Gainsborough Drive which has a car park, sports fields and a wood. Dippons Lane and a network of paths connects it to Bluebell Wood and its surrounding area [2].
Bats, foxes, and small birds such as blackbirds, sparrows, house martins, robins and wrens with the occasional greenfinches, goldfinches or even goldcrests can be found around the village and its woods. [3]
Ducks, swans, geese, coots, moorhens and grey wag tails can be seen on the two lakes and the river Penk (or The Brook as it is called locally)[4].
Surrounding area
Perton is nearer to Wolverhampton than any other town[5]. However, many residents also shop at Telford and Bridgnorth.
Baggeridge Country Park, Branch Locks, Highgate Common, Himley Hall and Wombourne with its railway walks are all within South Staffordshire and half an hour's driving distance from Perton. With more places as such as Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve (Newport,Staffordshire) and Dudmaston Hall (Shropshire) within an hour's driving distance. [6].
External links
- Map on Streetmap.co.uk
- Perton Parish Council
- Perton First School
- Perton Sandown First School
- Perton Middle School
- Codsall Community High School
- The Church At Perton
- Lakeside Community Church
- Perton and Codsall United FC website
- Tough Guy Competition website
References
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
