Burntwood

Burntwood
Christchurch
Burntwood  Burntwood shown within Staffordshire
Population	26,049 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference	SK0509
District	Lichfield
Shire county	Staffordshire
Region	West Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BURNTWOOD
Postcode district	WS7
Dialling code	01543
Police	Staffordshire
Fire	Staffordshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
EU Parliament	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Lichfield
Website	www.burntwood-tc.gov.uk
List of places UK England Staffordshire

Coordinates: 52°40′59″N 1°55′12″W / 52.6831°N 1.9200°W

Burntwood is a town in Staffordshire, England, approximately 4 miles (6 km) west of Lichfield. The town had a population of 26,049 at the time of the 2011 census and forms part of Lichfield district. The town forms one of the largest urbanised parishes^[2] in England. Samuel Johnson opened an academy in nearby Edial in 1736. The town is home to the smallest park in the UK, Prince's park, which is located next to Christ Church on the junction of Farewell Lane and Church Road. The town expanded in the nineteenth century around the coal mining industry.

Areas of Burntwood are Boney Hay, Chase Terrace, Chasetown, Gorstey Lea and Burntwood Green. Nearby places are Brownhills, Cannock, Cannock Wood, Norton Canes, Gentleshaw, Hammerwich and Lichfield.

In September 2009 it was announced that a Burntwood man, Terry Herbert, had discovered a hoard of Saxon treasure with a metal detector in a field in the adjoining village of Hammerwich.^[3] Known as the Staffordshire Hoard, it is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold yet found.

Burntwood has 7 primary schools, Fulfen Primary School, Holly Grove Primary School, Boney Hay Primary School, Chasetown Primary School, Springhill Primary school, Chase Terrace Primary School and Ridgeway Primary School. And 2 high schools which are Erasmus Darwin Academy (previously Chasetown Specialist Sports College) and Chase Terrace Technology College. Both schools fell victim to arson attacks in 2002 and 2004. Chasetown High School lost its sports gym facility and most of Chase Terrace High School was destroyed. Both have since been rebuilt.

Notable Current & Former Residents

• Stephen Sutton MBE English blogger and charity activist known for his blog Stephen's Story and his fundraising efforts for the Teenage Cancer Trust
• Kim Betts, also known as Lightning from Gladiators, who went to the local school,
• Gary Stringer, lead singer of the band Reef
• Jon Brookes, former drummer with the band The Charlatans
• Damon Minchella, a musician of Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller fame
• Dalian Atkinson Ex Aston Villa Footballer
• Gary Cahill, professional footballer with Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea and England.
• Sonia Lannaman Ex British international 100 metre and 200 metre sprinter.
• Alan Wiley former English football referee.
• Dave Goddard, motorsport commentator.

References

1. "2001 Census: Parish headcounts". Office for National Statistics. 28 April 2004. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
2. "Names and codes for Administrative Geography". Office for National Statistics. 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
3. "Anglo-Saxon treasures uncovered". BBC News. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2010.