Category: Local History

Pudding Bag Lane – Kettering

Between B&M and the old M&S building is an alley called Walkers Lane, which leads to the Wadcroft Car Park. But it wasn’t always called that… According to the key included with the Kettering Town Map from 1826, it was once named Pudding Bag Lane; so-called because if you went too far along it, you… Continue reading Pudding Bag Lane – Kettering

Northamptonshire’s Lace-Making Schools

The Victorian era saw a rise in the lace-making industry. But this had a dark side, especially in rural schools in some parts of Northamptonshire. Lace schools were essentially cottage workshops where children, mostly girls, were taught to produce bobbin lace – but in reality they functioned more like child labour camps than schools. Reverend… Continue reading Northamptonshire’s Lace-Making Schools

Cob Cottages of Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire is home to several historic Cob Cottages. Cob is a mixture of sand, clay, and straw. It would be finished with a plaster mixture of lime and sand, often a year later to ensure the building had fully dried. Cob buildings are often recognisable by their deep-set windows, rounded or uneven corners, and thick,… Continue reading Cob Cottages of Northamptonshire

The Sunday Schools of Old Kettering

It might seem strange today that entire buildings were dedicated to Sunday Schools. But historically, they played a much different role than they do today. Sunday Schools were an important resource for working class families. They provided a basic formal education to children who had to work in the week, or were being taught at… Continue reading The Sunday Schools of Old Kettering

The Lost Schools of Old Kettering

History is all around us, the past leaves footprints everywhere. Sometimes a footprint is a hole in the ground, or a space where something once was. There’s a number of school buildings in Kettering which have disappeared over the years, for various reasons… Types of Schools + A Timeline of the Schooling System If you… Continue reading The Lost Schools of Old Kettering

The Former Schools of Old Kettering

History is all around us, the past leaves footprints everywhere. Scattered across Kettering are old buildings which were once schools… Types of Schools + A Timeline of the Schooling System If you want to skip this section, click here. 1530s onwards – Parish Instruction Parish priests or curates were expected to teach boys the catechism… Continue reading The Former Schools of Old Kettering

Queen Victoria’s Tour of Northamptonshire

In November 1844, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were invited to Burghley House. This was for the Christening of the Marquess and Marchioness of Exeter’s daughter, named Victoria. As there were limited train lines at that point, the closest they could arrive by rail was Weedon, Northamptonshire. Having departed from Euston Station and stopping at… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Tour of Northamptonshire

When Dickens came to Kettering

There are a number of streets in Kettering which are named after famous authors. But there’s only one who’s been known to visit our town. Near Dickens Drive are Foyle Close and Copperfield Close: Foyle Close could be named after Foyles, a London bookshop founded by William Foyle, a big fan of Dickens. Copperfield Close… Continue reading When Dickens came to Kettering