- 0 During the Roman occupation Iknield (Rykneld) Street built as a main 80 mile N-S more......- 60 Following the Roman times and prior to the Norman conquest England was settled by the Saxons. more......- 1138 On this date the Cistercian Order were granted a charter for the founding of Borde more......- 1138 Waleran de Beaumont, Lord of Worcester, lays foundation stone of Cistercian Abbey more......- 1300 Early in the history of the monastery the name Red Dyche (Redditch) came into ex more......- 1538 The abbey prospered for some hundreds of years until it was dissolved by King Henr more......- 1542 Manor of Bordesley given to Lord Windsor by Henry VIII in exchange for Manor of St more......- 1650 A William Lee began manufacturing needles in Studley. This was essentially a cotta more......- 1680 s By this time needles were main employment in Redditch more......- 1687 Small gatehouse chapel at St Stephen restored by Earl of Plymouth for worship by l more......- 1704 Quakers build first house of worship in town on site of Present Washford Mills in more......- 1730 The firm of Henry Millward founded at the original Washord Mill (the mill which is more......- 1730 Henry Milward and Sons founded. more......- 1752 John Wesley first visits Redditch, and preaches on town "green" or common. more......- 1756 John Wesley's second visit more......- 1785 Abel Morrall founded more......- 1785 The famous needle manufacturer, Abel Morrel was founded more......- 1799 - Estimated 2,000 people now engaged in needlemaking in area. more......- 1800 Serious riot took place at Redditch on account of the high price of provisions more......- 1800 Around this time the population of Redditch had risen to about 1000 more......- 1800 Bromsgrove Militia called to Redditch to disperse mobs noting over bread prices. more......- 1803 Samuel AUcock founds fishing tackle and hooks business. more......- 1803 The famous fishhook manufacturer Samual Alcock founded more......- 1806 Redditch Militia formed. more......- 1807 The Tardebigge wharf on Birmingham-Worcester canal was opened. This gave Redditch more......- 1808 St Stephen's Chapel on the Green consecrated. more......- 1817 Chapel on the Green Dedicated in 1807 and completed in 1808 and built from stone f more......- 1822 Estimated 4,000 people engaged in needlemaking. more......- 1824 Stone lock-up erected at Alcester Street junction with Red Lion Street. more......- 1826 The Turnpike system arrived at Redditch with the building of the Pershore Road. Th more......- 1828 Great South Road to Birmingham opens. more......- 1829 Earl of Plymouth builds elementary school for poor at Bates Hill junction with Un more......- 1830 Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership lately subsisting between us, the und more......- 1832 The Earl of PlymouthThe royal party visited Hewell in November 1832 and the party more......- 1832 The cholera has made its appearance at Redditch more......- 1832 The provisions of the Act ll. Geo.4th, Cap 27, entitled "An Act for the Watching a more......- 1832 Fifty die in cholera epidemic. more......- 1834 Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church consecrated. more......- 1834 Opening of a new Catholic ChurchMount Carmel ChurchOpened 24th April 1834 more......- 1837 Webb's bakery established. more......- 1838 The attempt made to establish races at this spirited little place (Charles Whadc more......- 1838 We have been informed by a Commercial Gentleman that a letter for London must be p more......- 1840 A Petition presented to the Needle Manufacturers more......- 1840 RedditchThe Marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, Monday February 10th 1840 more......- 1840 With the development of steam power, industry was able to move from its reliance o more......- 1842 New Chapel of Ease at Ipsley Worcestershire Chronicle Berrows Worcester JournalThu more......- 1843 Bates Hill Wesleyan chapel opens. more......- 1843 Gas Works opens in Gas Street (Windsor Street). more......- 1843 The Duc de Bourdeaux and suite, visited Redditch, on Wednesday last, for the purpo more......- 1843 The Wesleyan Methodists of Headless Cross, near Redditch, have recently erected tw more......- 1844 The Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Company on Monday commenced the conveyance o more......- 1844 First gaslit streets. more......- 1845 The Redditch Teetotal Society celebrated their sixth anniversary on Wednesday last more......- 1846 New National Schools more......- 1846 The Allotment System more......- 1846 National school (St Stephen's) opens in Peakman Street. more......- 1848 New MagistratesHenry Milward Esq. and Charles Milward Esq., brothers of Redditch, more......- 1848 Prize FightOne of those brutal exhibitions called prize fights took place on a pie more......- 1849 Literary more......- 1849 Opening of a new chapelAt the new primitive Methodist chapel on Sunday last, a Mrs more......- 1850 25 million needles and 5 million fishhooks made in town per week more......- 1850 The Championship of England this very dubious honour, with 200 sovs. a side, was on more......- 1850 An elephant escapes from the Fair more......- 1850 The "Truck System" and "Tommy Shops"We are informed that the iniquitous truck syst more......- 1850 Headless CrossAn arrangement has just been completed, by which this neighbourhood more......- 1851 Needle-Making more......- 1852 Revival of Redditch horse racing more......- 1852 State of the Roads Roads kept in so bad a state as Redditch and its neighbourhood more......- 1852 Fire Steam-mill of Mr Affifi Lely, hook and eye manufacturer, Wellington Street more......- 1852 Smallpox and VaccinationsAt Redditch and at Headless Cross, small-pox has prevaile more......- 1852 A Hurricane Shortly after nine oclock in the forenoon of Saturday sennight the tow more......- 1852 Redditch Worcestershire Horde Racing. These races took place on Monday and Tuesda more......- 1853 Last Services at the Chapel St Stephens Church, Church Green Foundation stone la more......- 1853 Dorcas Society This very useful society has been in operation for three years, dur more......- 1854 Early News Mr Doughty, the spirited proprietor of the coach and waggons plying bet more......- 1854 Philharmonic SocietyA meeting was held last week at Smiths Temperance Hotel, for t more......- 1854 English Needles in the New York Exhibition A bronze medal has been awarded in the more......- 1854 Redditch Institute (Public Library's forerunner) opens. more......- 1855 Bishop of Worcester consecrates St Stephen's parish church on Chapel on the Green more......- 1855 HerbertTerry and Sons springmaker established. more......- 1855 Herbert Terry began in small workshop and, by his inventiveness, quickly expanded more......- 1855 The Paris Exhibition more......- 1857 Fire at the Red Lion Inn more......- 1857 State of Trade more......- 1857 Postal RegulationsWe are informed that application has been made for a second dail more......- 1858 Turning the First Sod of the Redditch RailwayPerrys Bankrupt and Insolvent Gazette more......- 1858 Be more......- 1858 Local Government Act more......- 1858 The State of Trade more......- 1858 A Step in the Right Direction more......- 1858 A Disappointment more......- 1858 Adoption of the public Health Act at Redditch more......- 1858 Wallets Great Equestrian Company continued more......- 1859 Laying the Foundation Stone of the Wesleyan Day and Sunday Schools. - more......- 1859 Redditch Building Society formed. more......- 1859 Railway opened up to Redditch. more......- 1859 Gas Works removes to Birmingham Road. more......- 1859 W. T. Hemming establishes Redditch Indicator, on Prospect Hill. more......- 1859 William Heming founded the Redditch Indicator Local Newspaper. more......- 1859 The construction of the railway line to Redditch from Barnt Green began in 1858 a more......- 1859 The opening of the new Railway line has been postponed for a month. more......- 1859 Lighting of the Town more......- 1859 The Local Government Act more......- 1859 Mr Bartleet, of Redditch said he had suffered very greatly as a needle manufacture more......- 1859 Sir John Ratcliff, Mayor of Birmingham, laid the foundation-stone of a new School more......- 1859 The Streets more......- 1859 Opening of the Railway more......- 1862 New Petty Sessional Division of the County, to be called "The Redditch Division" more......- 1862 Redditch made a petty sessional division. more......- 1862 Mr Bartlett Counterfeit labels more......- 1862 The districts of Crabbs Cross and Astwood Bank were lighted with gas on Tuesday la more......- 1862 Diabolical Attempt at Wholesale Murder Near Redditch more......- 1862 The Baroness Windsor has given a shooting ground to the Redditch more......- 1863 County Police expenditure on the police-station, cells and magistrates rooms more......- 1863 Dramatic Entertainment more......- 1863 Royal Marriage (The marriage was of Prince Albert Edward (Prince of Wales), who b more......- 1863 The All England Cricket Eleven have engaged to play Twenty-two of Redditch and nei more......- 1863 The New Lock Up more......- 1863 Redditch The Earthquake more......- 1864 Redditch Police Station completed in Evesham Street more......- 1865 Workmen have been employed in pulling down two tenements more......- 1865 The Health of the town has for some time been far from good more......- 1865 more......- 1866 The Works of the Redditch and Evesham Railway have been fairly commenced at the Re more......- 1866 Factory Act Extension Act more......- 1866 The Post Office more......- 1866 To Builders more......- 1866 The Saturday Nights Entertainment more......- 1867 New Roman Catholic Schools more......- 1867 Opening of a New Baptist Chapel more......- 1867 The Post Office has this week been removed to its new site on Prospect Hill, Reddi more......- 1867 The Telegraph more......- 1868 Opening of a New Concert Hall more......- 1868 St Lukes Church, Headless Cross near Redditch more......- 1868 The Evesham and Redditch Railway more......- 1868 The Vine Music Room was opened on Saturday last. more......- 1868 Forgeries of Trade Mark more......- 1868 The railway line was extended from Redditch to Evesham and Ashchurch (the London l more......- 1868 Roman Catholic school built. more......- 1869 Concert by the Amateur Musical Society more......- 1869 The Gas Question more......- 1870 Choral Society more......- 1870 Church Consecration St Philips Church St Philip the Apostle, Webheath Consecrated more......- 1870 By this time the population of Redditch was about 7000 more......- 1871 Sangers Great Hippodrome and Circus more......- 1872 Re-opening of the Roman Catholic Church more......- 1872 A School of Art for Redditch more......- 1872 Local Board more......- 1873 Millwards Redditch Local Board more......- 1873 The Redditch Local Board more......- 1874 Opening of a New Wesleyan Chapel more......- 1875 Election of Local Board Members more......- 1875 Extension of the Local Board Boundary more......- 1875 New Church at Redditch. St Georges Parish Church, St Georges Road, Redditch Built more......- 1876 The Baptist Schools more......- 1876 St George's church consecrated. more......- 1876 Fall of a Building more......- 1876 Local Board more......- 1878 Evesham, Redditch and Stratford Railway more......- 1878 The Redditch Local Board more......- 1879 Opening of a Cocoa House more......- 1879 First bicycles made in Redditch by Charles Cross, in Windsor Street. more......- 1880 The Rifle Band more......- 1880 St Stephen's churchyard enclosed. more......- 1880 First union of needle finishers formed. more......- 1880 Balloon Descent more......- 1880 Town Band formed. more......- 1880 Needle Makers Association more......- 1880 Church Green Improvements more......- 1881 Captain Vctor Milward has been appointed Major of the 2nd Worcestershire Rifles. more......- 1881 First streets pavea in town centre. more......- 1881 Sewage disposal works completed. more......- 1881 Re-opening of the Wesleyan Chapel more......- 1881 The Weather more......- 1881 The Jubilee Singers more......- 1881 Local Board more......- 1881 A Public Bathing Place more......- 1881 Enlargement of the Wesleyan Chapel more......- 1882 Sangers Circus more......- 1882 Assassination attempt on Queen Victoria (In 1882 at Royal Windsor. more......- 1882 Balloon Ascent more......- 1882 Recreation Ground for Headless Cross more......- 1882 Swimming baths open in Hewell Road. more......- 1882 The Improvement of the Railway Station more......- 1882 Opening of the New Bathing Place more......- 1882 Fire Mr Hollingtons Draper Shop more......- 1882 The demonstration of the Blue Ribbon Army A Tribute to Mr Murphy and the Blue Ribb more......- 1882 Messrs John Sanger and Sons Circus more......- 1882 Local Board more......- 1883 Gift from Lord Windsor more......- 1883 St George's school opens. Ornamental fountain in churchyard gifted by R. S. Bartl more......- 1884 Redditch Park Road Room. The Court Minstrels (Livermore Brothers) gave a performan more......- 1884 The Resignation of the Vicar.The Rev. G. F. Fessey after 42 years more......- 1885 Theatrical Licence for the new Temperance Hall more......- 1885 Constable James Davies, of Beoley, murdered by poacher Moses Shrimpton who was sub more......- 1885 Execution of Moses Shrimpton more......- 1885 The New Public Hall more......- 1885 New School of Art and Institute for Redditch more......- 1885 Racing at Redditch to be revived more......- 1885 The New Temperance Hall, Redditch more......- 1885 Restoration of Beoley Church more......- 1885 The New Puublic Hall. This handsome public room was opened on Wednesday evening by more......- 1885 Lord Windsors New Mansion more......- 1886 A petition (On the 1881 census Edith Jennings aged 12, lived with her parents Wil more......- 1886 A Girl Sentenced to Penal Servitude Edith Jennings more......- 1886 Public Hall with Miss Vesta Tilley more......- 1886 New Institute and School of Art For Redditch more......- 1887 The Needle Industry more......- 1887 Public Hall. Miss Vesta Tilley paid us her annual visit on Tuesday last, more......- 1887 The Queens Jubilee more......- 1887 Fifty Million Needles a week more......- 1887 General Post Office opens in Church Road. more......- 1887 The Weather more......- 1888 School of Art and Public Library and Public Hall open in Church Road. more......- 1889 Memorial window in memory of the late Vicar, The Rev. G. f. Fessey more......- 1889 Public Hall Managers, Messrs. Charles White and SonMr J. O. Stewarts company more......- 1889 The Shah at Bromsgrove and Hewll The Shahs Departure from Worcestershire continued more......- 1889 The Late Primrose League Soiree The Prime Minister was Robert Arthur Talbot Gasco more......- 1889 New Congregational Schools more......- 1890 The firm of Messrs. H. Milward and Sons, the well-known manufacturers of needles a more......- 1890 Exhibition Chess by Mr Blackburne (Joseph Henry Blackburne, 18411924, was named " more......- 1891 Serious Fire at Redditch more......- 1891 Midland Counties Cross County Championship, Redditch more......- 1891 The Temperance HallThe Sleeping Beauty more......- 1891 Free Education more......- 1891 New Primitive Wesleyan Chapel more......- 1891 Congregational Church more......- 1892 Cycling Sports at Redditch more......- 1892 St Stephen's renovated through £1,000 from William Smallwood Esq. more......- 1892 Munificent Gift of an Hospital more......- 1892 Public Improvements more......- 1892 The Bricklayers Strike at Redditch more......- 1892 Eadie Manufacturing established. more......- 1893 Lord George Sangers Circus At one time George Sanger worked with his brother Joh more......- 1893 Carpenters Strike at Redditch more......- 1893 Lantern Parade more......- 1893 Fire at a Manufactory more......- 1894 Redditch Urban District Council formed. more......- 1894 A Village Club for Webheath more......- 1894 Reopening of Redditch Parish Church more......- 1894 The Latest Bicycle more......- 1894 Our Redditch correspondent writes more......- 1895 Items of Interest – A Wonderful Pin more......- 1895 Cyclonic gale causes widespread damage; buildings wrecked include Wesleyan chapel more......- 1895 Smallwood Hospital opened by Lady Windsor. more......- 1895 Memorial Window more......- 1895 Lady Windsor is to open the Smallwood Hospital more......- 1895 Mr Albert Chevaliers Recitals more......- 1895 For Sale – Fox and Goose Hotel more......- 1895 Items of InterestA Wonderful Pin more......- 1896 Fire at Redditch more......- 1897 Lock-up demolished. New police station opens in Church Road (old station converted more......- 1897 James Harris of Redditch has died in terrible agony from hydrophobia (Rabies) more......- 1897 The Enfield Cycle Company was created in Hunt End. This grew from the Townseld cyc more......- 1897 Bandstand erected in churchyard. more......- 1898 Enfield Cycles established. more......- 1898 First annual Hospital Saturday (Carnival forerunner). more......- 1898 Public Hall In "The Sign of the Cross" The Ben Greet company 1902-1914, Ben Greet more......- 1898 The Redditch Needle Trade- amalgamation of the firms Henry Milward and Sons, Limit more......- 1899 The trustees of the United Methodist Free Church cause at Redditch have purchased more......- 1899 The Closing season will be the last of the Washford Mills Cricket Club more......- 1900 The Public rejoicing at the news of the relief of Ladysmith was marred by a seriou more......- 1900 The population of Redditch was now about 14000 more......- 1900 Five men from the Redditch Company of Volunteers set off for active service in Sou more......- 1900 Celebrations in Redditch after the relief of Mafeking more......- 1900 The detachment of the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment, which more......- 1900 For sale in Adelaide Street the property formerly used as the Primitive Methodist more......- 1900 Volunteer Artillery Corps., at Eadie Manufacturing Company of Redditch more......- 1901 Memorial Service to Colonel Victor Milward to take place at St. Stephens Parish Ch more......- 1901 At the churches here on Sunday special reference was made to the late Queen. A me more......- 1902 The Execution at Worcester of Samuel Middleton for a Redditch Murder, more......- 1902 Mr Austen Chamberlain at Redditch more......- 1902 Redditch has now practically a monopoly more......- 1903 Redditch Raid. "No Betting, No Trade more......- 1904 Eadie Manufacturing Company more......- 1904 Cycle Hands Strike more......- 1905 The Boom in the Cycle Trade more......- 1905 Redditch Football Club formed. more......- 1907 Mr Charles Duncan, M.P. more......- 1907 Cycle Amalgamation more......- 1907 The Royal Enfield moved to the new Hewell Road site. more......- 1907 Salvation Army Hall erected in Ipsley Street. more......- 1908 Labour demonstration during visit of Keir Hardie (first Labour MP.) more......- 1909 Redditch Secondary School opens in Easemore Road. more......- 1911 First Employment Exchange in Alcester Street. more......- 1911 Baden-Powell inspects Redditch Boy Scouts. more......- 1912 Midland Red starts bus service in Redditch. more......- 1912 Flood causes great damage; Beoley Brook rises by more than 7ft. more......- 1913 Redditch Petty Sessions. WednesdayBefore Mr J. Morgan (in the chair), Mr G. F. Lyn more......- 1913 The Midland Air Race more......- 1913 New Golf Course at Redditch more......- 1913 A Disastrous fire more......- 1913 Herbert Terry and Sons more......- 1913 Redditch Petty Sessions. WednesdayBefore Mr J. Morgan (in the chair), Colonel H. S more......- 1914 Tardebigge Village Hall converted to a hospital for wounded soldiers from the West more......- 1914 Geo. H. Harbon, a music teacher and pianoforte tuner, was charged with Attempted M more......- 1914 3,000 Rifles a Week more......- 1914 Alleged Pollution of The River Arrow by Redditch Works more......- 1914 The New £1 note more......- 1914 Aviation Fiasco more......- 1914 New Co-operative more......- 1914 Redditch FC win Birmingham Combination. more......- 1915 Schools Closed for Diptheria more......- 1915 Headless Cross School Accommodation more......- 1915 A serious outbreak of fire occurred at Redditch on Saturday evening, a large porti more......- 1915 J. H. Harper, Esq.., well-known local businessman, lost in Lusitania sinking. more......- 1916 Bostocks Unrivalled Circus, direct from France, is in Redditch, Friday next, May 2 more......- 1916 Sale of Redditch Baptist Church An Awkward Predicament more......- 1916 Redditch School Closed more......- 1916 Redditch District Education Committee decided to refuse the application for Boy La more......- 1916 Redditch Committees Protest Against child Labour more......- 1916 The snowstorm at Redditch was of remarkable violence and duration. more......- 1917 Serious Factory Fire at more......- 1917 A new Company, Redditch Hosiery Needles, registered with a capital of £15,000 in £ more......- 1917 The closing services in the present Baptist Church were held on Sunday, when the p more......- 1917 New Vicar of TardebiggeThe Rev. F. G. Ellerton, M.A., Oxford, Vicar of Ellesmere, more......- 1917 Death of the Rev. Canon Charles Allan Dickins, M.A., Vicar of Tardebigge more......- 1917 Womens Institute more......- 1917 The Salvation Army more......- 1918 Redditch Garden City more......- 1918 Batteries Limited purchased the ex-Enfield site in Hunt End and began manufacturin more......- 1918 The influenza epidemic has been severely felt in the Astwood Bank District with fa more......- 1918 Redditch Christmas at the Churches more......- 1918 Fire at Messrs. Hemmings factory in Hewell Road more......- 1918 By Direction of Albert Eadie Esq.,For Sale The Ipsley Estate more......- 1918 Influenza more......- 1919 The Proposed New Secondary School more......- 1919 Several Protests more......- 1919 Presentation of a Tank at Reddtch more......- 1919 A serious fire occurred on Saturday at the shops of Messrs. R. McGilchrist and E. more......- 1919 Consecration of Burial Ground more......- 1919 more......- 1919 Redditch Urban District more......- 1920 Serious Factory Fire at Redditch more......- 1921 Light Without Dazzle Southcrest Evangelical Church, Plymouth Road, Southcrest, Red more......- 1922 By Direction of the Earl of Plymouth, Valuable Freehold Property for Sale more......- 1922 War Memorial unveiled by Viscount Windsor. more......- 1923 Redditch Urban District Council A meeting of this Council was held on Tuesday nigh more......- 1923 Buffaloes Hospital more......- 1927 A Generous Gift to Redditch more......- 1927 Big Fire at Redditch more......- 1928 Permission for three picture houses in Redditch to open on Christmas Day more......- 1928 BSA Closure more......- 1928 Sewing the World more......- 1929 Britannia Batteries began battery manufacture at the Union Street site which had b more......- 1930 Where Do Needles Go? more......- 1930 Town Carnival established. more......- 1931 A ring of eight bells in the spire of Redditch Parish Church more......- 1932 County High School opens in Easemore Road. more......- 1932 Graf Zeppelin airship flies over (July 3). more......- 1933 Aviation Display at Redditch more......- 1933 Feckenham and Webheath incorporated into Redditch. more......- 1933 Hot Weather Fires in Redditch more......- 1933 Mavis Bennett the well-known broadcasting singer (from Redditch) gets married more......- 1934 Surprise for Prince George more......- 1935 The Silver Jubilee Celebration of King George V, the grandfather of Queen Elizabet more......- 1935 Child Singers Triumph more......- 1937 New Manager at the Danilo Cinema more......- 1937 Redditch Senior School Plans more......- 1937 For Sale Newly Built Houses, Jubilee Road, Headless Cross more......- 1937 Thirty three years ago (1904) the Rev. T. Everard Healey, then Curate at St Stephe more......- 1938 First double-decker buses. more......- 1938 Redditch Urban Council more......- 1939 Cedar Park Estate, Redditch Quality Houses more......- 1939 Redditch FC wins Birmingham senior Cup for third time. more......- 1939 High Duty Alloys factory opens in Windsor Road. more......- 1939 HDA began manufacturing at their brand new site in Windsor Road for the War effort more......- 1939 More A.R.P. Wardens wanted more......- 1939 Happy in their New Homes, 500 young evacuees in Redditch District more......- 1939 Crabbs Cross Methodist Church Extensions more......- 1939 Smallwood Hospital £30,000 Extension Scheme Appeal more......- 1939 Resignation of Earl of Plymouth more......- 1939 A new gun that fires 7000 rounds in 30 minutes In full production The Birmingham S more......- 1939 Air Minister on Britains Strength We can go forward in calm confidence more......- 1940 Churchyard railings removed to aid war effort. more......- 1941 The Duchess of Kent visits Redditch more......- 1942 Death Sentence more......- 1944 Rosaires Royal Command Circus and Zoo The Rosaire family circus has entertained f more......- 1944 New to Heraldry more......- 1945 60 Years Service more......- 1945 Headless Cross Womens Institute more......- 1945 Fun Fair more......- 1947 Needles more......- 1947 The Batteries Limited Hunt End site was closed and they were incorporated into the more......- 1948 To-Days Broadcasting Home Programme: London 342 metres; Midlands 296 metres; West more......- 1951 Census counts 29,000 population in Redditch. more......- 1951 Thousandth postwar council house erected. more......- 1952 Bridley Moor School opens. more......- 1953 Bus Station agreement hint more......- 1955 Lodge Farm School opens. more......- 1955 Redditch council provisionally agrees to build 1,000 homes to house Birmingham ove more......- 1957 The Redditch Branch of the British Red Cross Society Cadet Unit more......- 1957 Labour win control of council for first time. more......- 1957 Sixty years of church history celebrated. more......- 1957 Sixty years of church history celebrated more......- 1957 New Junior School at Headless Cross more......- 1957 Circus Lord George Sangers Beoley Road, Recreation Ground more......- 1958 Ridgeway and Ipsley County Primary school. more......- 1959 9Value to trading and business life of town more......- 1959 Housing Total more......- 1959 One Hundred Years of Service more......- 1959 The Prime Minister, Mr Harold Macmillan sends congratulatory message more......- 1959 Bungalow more......- 1959 Younger members of the Library more......- 1959 A Century ago we had few schools more......- 1961 Redditch factory blaze more......- 1962 Return of Rev Dennis Horwood more......- 1962 Royal Day at RedditchOld People who Listened inRunning commentaries on Princess Ma more......- 1963 Sir Keith Joseph announced that Redditch was to be a New Town. more......- 1964 Sir Edward Thompson appointed Chairman of RDC. more......- 1964 Redditch New Town Application Directive issued, Master Plan required. more......- 1964 Holmwood acquired as Headquarters. more......- 1964 Boards first meeting in August, Hugh Wilson appointed Consultant Planner. more......- 1964 Rail Fight Speeds Up more......- 1964 Firemen Equipped to Serve the New Town Station Cost £91,000 more......- 1964 Draft Redditch New Town Designation Order issued. more......- 1964 New Town development contract - Development Corporation (RDC) formed more......- 1964 Public Inquiry into New Town proposals. more......- 1965 Approval of first Housing Scheme at Greenlands. more......- 1965 Publication of Draft Plan and Interim Report. more......- 1965 First meeting of RDC - UDC Liaison committee. more......- 1965 Application for sewage powers at Spernal Ash. more......- 1965 Visit of Richard Crossman, Minister of Housing and Local Government. more......- 1965 Alderman Harry Watton appointed Deputy Chairman. more......- 1965 First Capital Investment Programme approved. more......- 1966 Regional Hospital Board to agree site for new District General Hospital. more......- 1966 Town Centre Study Group inaugurated. more......- 1966 Enfield site bought by RDC for development as industrial estate. more......- 1966 Visit of Bob Mellish, Parliamentary Secretary to MHLG. more......- 1966 Fastest Growing Church Wants to Move House continued more......- 1966 Final draft of Master Plan approved by Board. more......- 1966 Swimming Baths Open Again after £57,000 Face-Lift more......- 1966 Greenlands housing and Howard Road factories – contracts issued. more......- 1966 Industrial survey commissioned. more......- 1966 First housing development at Greenlands commenced. more......- 1967 Town Centre interim report accepted by Board. more......- 1967 Publication of Master Plan. more......- 1967 The first sixteen factories built by the RDC were ready for occupation. more......- 1967 Master Plan exhibition and public meetings held. more......- 1967 Public Inquiry on Master Plan proposals. more......- 1968 15,000 New Jobs Needed by 1976 more......- 1968 First house occupied in Greenlands. more......- 1968 Redditch New Town Master Plan Approved (May) more......- 1968 Park Farm industrial estate started. more......- 1968 New Town contract – Warwick Highway, 1968 – 1970. more......- 1968 Gaumont Cinema closes. more......- 1968 BLK relocates to new factory on the Washford Estate. more......- 1968 Social Development plan accepted. more......- 1968 Exhibition of Town Centre proposals. more......- 1968 Council to build 500 new homes more......- 1968 Redditch New Town. Town Centre Exhibition more......- 1968 Tony Greenwood, Minister of Housing and Local Government, opens first house. more......- 1968 First house occupied in Woodrow. more......- 1968 Health Centre proposals at Smallwood Hospital agreed. more......- 1969 Declaration of interest by Halfords to move to Redditch. more......- 1969 Publicity and information office agreed. more......- 1969 Washford industrial estate started. more......- 1969 New Town contract – Palace Theatre phase 1, 1969 – 1971, Contract 20/801. more......- 1969 Funding of Town Centre Phases 1 and 11 agreed. more......- 1969 Temporary meeting room opened at Woodrow. more......- 1969 Woodland management dedication scheme approved. more......- 1969 First multi-storey car park scheme approved. more......- 1969 Lord Mayor of Birmingham opened the new Park Farm industrial estate. more......- 1969 Archaeological investigations of Moons Moat commenced. more......- 1969 Dudley, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield and West Bromwich included as “overspill” au more......- 1970 New Town contract - Car Park 1 extension, Contract E 206. more......- 1970 New Town contract – Shopping Centre Phase 1, 1970 – 1972, Contract 20/516. more......- 1970 New Town contract – Car Park 4, 1970 – 1971, Contract E 112. more......- 1970 Halfords relocates its offices & distribution depot to Washford area. more......- 1970 Greenlands estate awarded national “Housing Design Award”. more......- 1970 Board approved compulsory purchase orders in Town Centre. more......- 1970 Urban District Council accepted Palace Theatre scheme. more......- 1970 Dennis Howell, Minister of State for Housing, opened 1000th rented house. more......- 1970 Paul Channon, Parliamentary Secretary places a pile for first multi-storey car par more......- 1970 Vlscount Cobham, Lord Lieutenant of Worcs., opens Woodrow local centre. more......- 1970 Henley Highway opened. more......- 1970 Spernal Ash Sewage Works opens. more......- 1970 New Town contract – Coventry Highway, 1970 – 1972. more......- 1971 Title Kingfisher adopted for new Shopping Centre. more......- 1971 New Town contract – Transport Interchange 1, 1971- 1973, Contract E 52. more......- 1971 Leys High School opened. Headmaster G. M. Anstis, J.P. more......- 1971 Peter Walker, Secretary of State for the Environment, re-opens Palace Theatre. more......- 1971 Declaration of intent by Serck Services to build £500,000 factory at Washford. more......- 1971 Board approved plans for Transport Interchange and public transport routes. more......- 1971 Government White Paper on “A fair Deal for Housing issued. more......- 1971 Government directive on Sale on Rented Housing issued. more......- 1971 First house occupied at Matchborough. more......- 1971 First multi-storey car park opened. more......- 1971 Redditch MP, Terry Davis, opens link to western distributor road. more......- 1971 Southcrest Hotel opened. more......- 1971 New Town contract – Transport Interchange 2, 1975 – 1976. more......- 1971 Go ahead for special Redditch school more......- 1972 Reginald Eyre, Parliamentary Under-secretary of State, opened £1.5m Coventry Highw more......- 1972 Arrow Valley lake, 27 acre man-made site completed. more......- 1972 First Ugandan Asian families settled in Redditch. more......- 1972 Board approved visits to Germany, Japan and U.S.A. to attract overseas firms. more......- 1973 New Town contract – Royal Square Shops and Market, 1973 – 1975. more......- 1973 Spanish Palm Trees planted in the Kingfisher Centre. more......- 1973 Sidney Chapman, MP, plants millionth tree in the Plant a tree for 1973 campaign". more......- 1973 First phase of Kingfisher Shopping centre opened. more......- 1973 Visit to Japan by Jim Chesshire and Norman More. more......- 1973 100th Board meeting. more......- 1973 Visit of the Prlme Minister, the Rt. Hon. Edward Heath. more......- 1973 Approval of Ecumenical Centre project. more......- 1973 Japanese company, Marubeni Komatsu decided to settle at Moons Moat. more......- 1973 Proposals received for expansion of designated area. more......- 1974 Local Government re-organization came into effect. more......- 1974 New Town contract - Car Park 2, 1974 – 1976, Contract E 31. more......- 1974 Moons Moat (east & south) industrial estate started. more......- 1974 Sir Edward Thompson, Chairman of the RDC, announces his retirement. more......- 1974 The RDC visited by Mr. John Silkin, Minister for Planning and Local Government. more......- 1974 Round the world sailor Sir Alec Rose guest of honour. The Church of Jesus Christ o more......- 1974 Mr. James Chesshire, appointed new Chairman of the RDC. more......- 1974 Southcrest primary road opened at a cost of £1.4 million. more......- 1975 Dr. David Owen, Minister for Health, inspected the Woodrow Hospital site. more......- 1975 Church Hill housing estate starts on farmland to the north east of the town centre more......- 1975 New Town contract – Shopping Centre Phase 2, 1975 – 1976. more......- 1975 (Ecumenical Centre, Worcester Square, F.W. Woolworth and W.H. Smith etc.) more......- 1975 John Fraser, Under-Secretary of Employment, discusses industry and jobs on visit. more......- 1975 First house occupied at Church Hill. more......- 1975 French company, "Groupe Maison Familiale, building French type homes at Ipsley. more......- 1975 Consultations with County Council and District Council on Community Land Bill. more......- 1975 New Town contract – Redditch Ringway Phase 1, 1975 – 1977, Contract E 88. more......- 1975 Phase 11 of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre opened. more......- 1975 Town Centre Phase III approved. more......- 1976 GKN establishes its HQ in Ipsley. more......- 1976 Moons Moat (north) industrial estate started. more......- 1976 The Rt. Hon. James Callaghan, visits the Leys High School. more......- 1976 Visit of the Rt. Hon. James Callaghan, Prime Minister, to open Worcester Square. more......- 1976 Reddibus starts, giving effect to radical restructuring of public transport routes more......- 1976 Retirement of Alderman Harry Watton and Sir Joseph Hunt. more......- 1976 Double blow dealt to Anti-Woodrow lobby more......- 1976 British Leyland withdrew option on Redditch sites for production of new "Metros". more......- 1976 Retirement of Mr. A.M. Grier, C.M.G. as General Manager of RDC. more......- 1976 Avon Medicals Ltd., opened its £1.4 million site at Moons Moat. more......- 1976 New Town contract – Alvechurch Highway, 1976 –1978, Contract E 55 / ER 112. more......- 1976 Bill Evans, appointed as General Manager of RDC. more......- 1977 Guy Barnett, Under-Secretary of State, opens RDCs 5000th house. more......- 1977 Visit of Dr. David Owen, Minister of Health. more......- 1977 Winyates Craft Centre opened by Mr. Michael Casson. more......- 1977 The opening of the Developments 3,000th. new private home. more......- 1977 Service held to mark the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II. more......- 1977 "Traffic in Towns” Author, Colin Buchanan, approves of the public transport system more......- 1977 Victim of the times, t Davids Church, Willow Way, Batchley was a Church in the hea more......- 1977 Councillor Clive Wilkinson appointed Deputy Chairman. more......- 1978 Board agreed to assist the District Council in feasibility study for new Civic Off more......- 1978 Secretary of State decided not to reappoint James Cheshire. more......- 1978 New Town contract – Bromsgrove Highway,1978 – 1980. more......- 1978 Market Place pedestrianisation scheme approved. more......- 1978 Town Centre Ringway proposals formulated. more......- 1978 His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, opens the YMCA Centre. more......- 1978 His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, visits the Ecumenical Centre more......- 1978 Board agrees to a Joint Housings Policy Committee to agree housing transfer. more......- 1978 The three mile Alvechurch Highway, built at a cost of £8 million, opened. more......- 1978 Development proposals for Forge Mill and Bordesley Abbey excavations agreed. more......- 1978 Appointment of Professor Denys Hinton as Chairman of the Board. more......- 1978 Three new judiciary courts opened. more......- 1978 Roland Moyle, Minister of State for Health, confirms the Woodrow Hospital site. more......- 1978 Professor Denys Hinton accepts the post of Chairman of the RDC. more......- 1978 New Town contract – Shopping Centre Phase 3, 1978 – 1980. more......- 1979 Public inquiry held on Town Centre Ringway proposals. more......- 1979 Giant clock in Kingfisher Shopping Centre, motion proposed by Councillor Frank Car more......- 1979 Marks & Spencer announced their decision to move to Kingfisher Centre. more......- 1979 Appointment of Norman Moore as General Manager. more......- 1979 Terms for sale of rented housing agreed under New Towns circular 577. more......- 1979 HRH Duke of Gloucester opens the New Police Station and Magistrates Courts. more......- 1979 Inaugural meeting of Transportation Liaison Committee, the first in the UK more......- 1979 New Town contract – Car Park 3, 1979 – 1981, Contract ER 187. more......- 1979 Secretary of State issues instructions on the sale of industrial/commercial assets more......- 1979 Lakeside industrial estate started. more......- 1979 Guy Barnett opened 10,000th house of rented and private developments. more......- 1979 Secretary of State rejected Ringway proposals. more......- 1979 Retirement of Bill Evans as General Manager. more......- 1979 Bromsgrove Highway opened at a cost of £5 million. more......- 1979 Retirement of Mr. Brian Bunch, Chief Architect of Redditch New Town. more......- 1979 Mr. Norman More succeeds Mr. Bill Evans. more......- 1979 Retirement of RDC General Manager, Mr. Bill Evans, OBE. more......- 1979 Owen Owen announced their decision to move to Kingfisher Centre. more......- 1979 Meeting with Commission for the New Towns, to consider plans for RDC dissolution. more......- 1980 Improved rail link with Birmingham inaugurated. more......- 1980 New Town contract - Shopping Centre Phase 3a, 1980 – 1982. more......- 1980 Redditch BMX track opens 30th August 1980. more......- 1980 John Bonham, drummer with Led Zeppelin, dies on 24 September 1980 more......- 1980 Housing transfer scheme requested by Department for June 1980. more......- 1980 Dickens Housing Association Scheme for first time buyers opened. more......- 1980 Visit of Geoffrey Finsberg, Parliamentary Secretary Dept. of the Environment. more......- 1980 Visit of Dr. Gerard Vaughan, Minister of State for Health. more......- 1980 Redditch granted Borough status. more......- 1980 Bordesley Lodge northern area golf course and recreation centre study approved. more......- 1981 British Aluminium axes 180 jobs. more......- 1981 Queen Mother visits Studley. more......- 1981 New Town contract – Redditch Ringway Phase 2, 1981 – 1983, Contract E 156. more......- 1981 Meeting with Development Corporation and Borough Council representatives. more......- 1981 Marks & Spencers opens in Kingfisher Centre. more......- 1981 Bates Hill Methodist Church sold. more......- 1981 Councillor Clive Wilkinson, Deputy Chairman, retired from the Board. more......- 1981 Harold Waterman appointed Deputy Chairman. more......- 1981 Staff establishment re-organisation proposals approved. more......- 1981 Housing transfer deferred and proposals for Housing Agency submitted. more......- 1981 HMS Kingfisher model unveiled in main shopping centre. more......- 1981 Visit of Geoffrey Finsberg, Parliamentary Secretary to Dept. of the Environment. more......- 1981 The Queen Mother visits Studley more......- 1981 Debate in House of Commons, initiated by Hal Miller MP, on housing transfer. more......- 1981 H.D.A. Jobs Axe Rocks Redditch more......- 1981 Visit of Patrick Jenkins, Secretary of State for Industry. more......- 1981 Development policy and programme to cover extended life until Dec.1984 approved. more......- 1981 New Town contract – Church Green, 1981 – 1982. more......- 1981 Secretary of State issues revised target date for dissolution of RDC, now Dec. 198 more......- 1982 Hunt End industrial estate started. more......- 1982 Historian and leading light in the Forge Mill restoration, Geoff Rawlins dies. more......- 1982 Herbert Terry makes 150 workers redundant. more......- 1982 Forge Mill opens after refurbishment as the National Needle Museum. more......- 1982 Mass protests in Redditch over education cuts. more......- 1982 ALCAD electrifies the Eddystone Lighthouse. more......- 1982 Plans for the final stage of the Redditch Ringway approved. more......- 1982 BHS Store opens in the Kingfisher Centre. more......- 1982 Michael Cammeron appointed Artistic Director of the Palace Theatre. more......- 1982 New Methodist Church in Crabbs Cross dedicated. more......- 1982 New Town development contract – Car Park 7, 1982 – 1983. more......- 1982 New Town development contract – Transport Interchange, phase 3, 1982 – 1984. more......- 1982 Palace Theatre taken over by the Mercian Theatre & Arts Group. more......- 1982 Plans to improve the bus station announced. more......- 1982 History with Eddystone Light more......- 1982 RDC completes 5000th house in the New Town. Opened by Ian “The Saint” Olgivy. more......- 1982 New Town Hall opened. more......- 1982 Retirement of F.W. Singleton, Chief Engineer of Redditch New Town since 1964. more......- 1982 Dedication Day more......- 1982 Kingfisher Centre (Phase 111) completed. more......- 1982 Historic Firm in name change after 128 years more......- 1982 Visit from Sir George Young, Parliamentary Secretary, Dept. of the Environment. more......- 1982 Approval of Bordesley Lodge Golf Course proposals. more......- 1982 The £7.5m Redditch Town Hall, post office, bank and offices development opens. more......- 1982 Proposals for High Technology Units approved. more......- 1982 First business exhibition of Redditch firms at Enfield industrial estate. more......- 1982 Ogilvy and Mather appointed as Public Relations Consultants to promote Redditch. more......- 1982 Corporation sponsored Community Enterprise programme. more......- 1982 Bus station improvements approved. more......- 1982 New proposals on completion of Redditch Ringway. more......- 1982 Draft Housing Agency agreement. more......- 1982 Royal Square improvements agreed. more......- 1982 Job Hopes as Work starts on Hospital more......- 1983 The founder of the Batteries dies. more......- 1983 Village fury over pub facelift plans more......- 1983 Historic visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Redditch. more......- 1983 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opens National Needle Museum at Forge Mill. more......- 1983 Policy confirming RDC assets to be transferred to Commission for New Towns. more......- 1983 Contract awarded for Ringway completion. more......- 1983 Deputation to Kenneth Clark, Minister of Health, on need for a casualty service. more......- 1983 Application for Alcester Highway Phase II rejected by Secretary of State. more......- 1983 Redundancies at both HDA and GKN as the downturn in the economy continues. more......- 1983 RDC dissolution date confirmed as 30th June 1985. more......- 1983 Proposals on Community Related Assets discussed. more......- 1983 Minister issued a direction notice on housing transfer with effect from 1 April 19 more......- 1983 Housing Agency came into effect. more......- 1983 Clubs Mushroom after hall opens more......- 1983 Blaze Flames ripped through a Redditch School last week more......- 1983 Historic Firm in name change after 128 years more......- 1983 more......- 1983 Eduardo Paolozzi Mosaics in Millward Square unveiled by Sir William Rees-Mogg. more......- 1983 more......- 1983 Board agreed proposals to set up Chamber of Industry and Commerce. more......- 1983 Fastest firm on earth more......- 1984 The Corporation planted its 2.5 millionth tree. more......- 1984 Woodrow Medical Centre opens in a vacant house on the Woodrow estate. more......- 1984 Confirmation of target and dissolution dates. more......- 1984 Town Centre Ringway opened. more......- 1984 Visit of Lord Bellwin, Minister of State. Department of the Environment. more......- 1984 Defects survey on rented housing showed no defects of a serious nature. more......- 1984 Sir Neil Shields, Chairman of the New Towns Comn discusses transfer plans. more......- 1984 Mount Carmel Roman Catholic church opens its doors again on Friday December 14th, more......- 1984 Redditch Chamber of Industry and Commerce opened by John Butcher, M.P. more......- 1984 Needle MergerCompanies forecast improved prospects more......- 1985 Areo Needles celebrates 200th anniversary. more......- 1985 Old Water Tower saved and turned into residential property by Joan Adams. more......- 1985 Sir Hugh Wilson, the consultant who prepared the New Town Master Plan, Dies. more......- 1985 Hymatic celebrate £2m contract. more......- 1985 Ian McKay appointed the Redditch Executive Officer for the New Towns Comn. more......- 1985 Redditch New Town Corporation officially dissolved. more......- 1985 Draft Housing Transfer Agreement sent to Secretary of State. more......- 1985 Companies Celebrate more......- 1985 New town development contract – RDC transfers to the New Towns Commission. more......- 1985 Arrow Valley Park project approved. more......- 1986 Palace Theatre saved from bankruptcy by Redditch Borough Council. more......- 1986 Studley Needle Industries merge. more......- 1986 Statue by John Tonks to grace front of new Hospital. more......- 1986 Railway station relocated to the north of Birmingham Road. more......- 1986 New Winyates meeting rooms opened. more......- 1986 League of Friends of Alexandra Hospital formed. more......- 1986 Last Signal Box on Redditch station closes . more......- 1986 Istel launches new Data Centre in North Moons Moat employing 200 staff. more......- 1986 Improvement scheme extended to save Pitcheroak Wood. more......- 1986 Building/Opening District General Hospital (The Alexandra Hospital). more......- 1986 Dream hospital handed over more......- 1986 200 new jobs at hi-tech company more......- 1986 Last hospital staff leave Smallwood Hospital. more......- 1986 Sandfords DIY Store In Greenland opened by Ted Rodgers with Dusty Bin. more......- 1986 Friends go into action more......- 1987 Sainsburys purchases 7 acres land to build Abbey Retail park. more......- 1987 Marathon Alcad Ltd was sold to the French company, Saft. more......- 1988 Plan to move Abbey High School to new Church Hill site blocked. more......- 1988 Princess Royal visits new Worcestershire Regiment HQ in Winyates Way. more......- 1988 Redditch became the primary manufacturer of nickel-cadmium pocket plate cells. more......- 1988 Redditch Carnival attracts 30,000 visitor to town centre. more......- 1988 The Duke of Edinburgh Visits Anglepoise Lamp factory on Enfield estate. more......- 1988 Redditch Indicator changes name to Redditch Advertiser. more......- 1988 Special Committee form to attract visitors to the town. more......- 1988 Texas Homecare opens in Abbey Retail park. more......- 1988 Nippon Seiki plans £7m factory in Redditch. more......- 1988 £100,000 Day Care centre for family therapy opens in Southcrest. more......- 1988 Springmasters provide disc springs to rescue Nigel Mansell in British GP. more......- 1988 Marketing new look college more......- 1988 Istel moves to Highfield House. more......- 1988 Government Ministers decide fate of 5 applications for superstores. more......- 1988 Ancient Cider Mill in Hunt End moved to Avoncroft Museum. more......- 1988 £500,000 refurbishment of Kingfisher Centre begins. more......- 1988 £450,000 pounds to be spent improving flats on Batchley estate. more......- 1988 £200,000 changing rooms and toilets open in Morton Stanley Park. more......- 1988 Royal date for the mayor more......- 1988 Prince of happiness more......- 1988 Law Society moves to Ipsley Court. more......- 1988 £40m new prison complex to hold 600 inmates announced for Hewell Grange. more......- 1989 Holmwood House - derelict after it was vacated by RDC – converted to flats. more......- 1989 Istel to be bought out by AT&T. more......- 1989 Lodge Park Middle School suffers from arson attack. more......- 1989 New County Court opened in former post office in Church Road. more......- 1989 TV link-up with Billy Graham at Redditch Baptist Church. more......- 1989 Sainsburys moves to Abbey Retail park. more......- 1989 HDA sheds 97 workers in redundancy programme. more......- 1989 Sandford DIY store In Greenland taken over by Texas DIY group. more......- 1989 Nine Days Lane, Wirehill housing scheme for 100 homes given go-ahead. more......- 1989 Traders vow to fight closure of town food hall. more......- 1989 Princess in Redditch to officially open towns New collegeTaken from church website more......- 1989 Princess Royal opens New College. more......- 1989 Dial-A-Ride services approved. more......- 1989 Bumper gala night at club more......- 1989 £1m+ facelift for Woodrow estate announced. more......- 1989 £20,000 allocated to improve disabled access at towns attractions. more......- 1989 Abbey Retail park built. more......- 1989 Blaze delays opening of Leys refurbished sports facilities. more......- 1989 Bus fleet destroyed by bonfire night blaze. more......- 1989 Clews Road Business Park started. more......- 1989 Crabbs Cross Community Health Centre opens. more......- 1989 Hi-tech link for church more......- 1990 Aeroquip closes and 200 jobs lost. more......- 1990 Tescos opens Superstore in Oakenshaw. more......- 1990 Work starts on new church, St. John the Evangelist in Greenlands. more......- 1990 Work starts of Bordesley Abbey/Forge Mill Visitors centre. more......- 1990 Sandfords DIY Store In Greenland closes. more......- 1990 Redditch Borough Council takes over running of Forge Mill Museum. more......- 1990 Needle Industries sheds 80 workers at Studley works. more......- 1990 Earthquake rocks Redditch, students as Redditch College are evacuated. more......- 1990 Raising the roof more......- 1990 Hospital opens doors again after four years more......- 1990 Halls built at the double more......- 1990 Former Smallwood Hospital reopens after 4 years as multi-function Health Centre. more......- 1991 Clews Road Business park built. more......- 1991 McDonalds Drive Through comes to Oakenshaw. more......- 1991 Receivers bought in as Terrys collapses. more......- 1991 Saft purchased by the Swedish NIFE batteries company. more......- 1992 Mayfields prefabs to get £1m tonic. more......- 1992 A thriving Redditch Church is celebrating 100 years of worship more......- 1992 Woodrow estate facelift starts. more......- 1992 Trafford Park Retail park development. more......- 1992 New College developments start. more......- 1992 Heaphys moves out of Kingfisher Centre. more......- 1992 Bordesley Abbey Visitors centre opened by Bill “Compo” Owen. more......- 1992 Abbey Stadium £800,000 all-weather running track opened. more......- 1992 An American firm wins contact to run Britains first privately run jail at Blakenhu more......- 1992 Improvements to Redditch railway station starts. more......- 1993 Lo-cost first-time buyer homes to go on sale in Winyates. more......- 1993 Work starts on Ravensbank Business park. more......- 1993 Walter Stranz stands down from Worcestershire County Council. more......- 1993 The Alcad factory closes, products moved to the Swedish factory. more......- 1993 Tardebigge and Headless Cross WIs to close. more......- 1993 New railway station building officially opened by BBC presenter Kay Alexander. more......- 1993 HMS Kingfisher axed by Royal Navy. more......- 1993 Alvechurch by-pass opens. more......- 1993 £6.5m Kingfisher Centre refurbishment planned. more......- 1993 Worshippers mark 150 years more......- 1993 Shopping Centre work on target more......- 1993 Open on Sundays more......- 1993 Redditch Girls Brigade celebrate 100th anniversary. more......- 1994 Elsie Biggs nee Downing dies. more......- 1994 Railway line to Birmingham electrification completed. more......- 1994 Woodrow estate refurbishment and Woodrow Centre gets a facelift. more......- 1994 Washford Mill public house damaged in fire. more......- 1994 Redditch Society celebrates 50th anniversary. more......- 1994 New St. Andrews Church in Church Hill opened. more......- 1994 New Registry Office opens in Easemore Road. more......- 1994 Alex now NHS Trust more......- 1994 1st women priests more......- 1994 £8,000 college blaze more......- 1994 Historic pub in fire drama more......- 1994 Walter Stranz granted Freedom of the Borough. more......- 1994 Shoppers delight at CentreTaken from church websiteRedditch Spiritualist Church, 1 more......- 1994 Golden days on the programme more......- 1994 Alexandra Hospital granted NHS Trust status. more......- 1995 Work began on the site of the District General Hospital at Woodrow. more......- 1995 Sneakers Childcare providers established. more......- 1996 Commencement of the Brock Hill housing estate. more......- 1997 Redditch Nightstop opens providing overnight emergency stay for 16–25s. more......- 1997 The Redditch Parliamentary constituency created, Jacqui Smith is first MP. more......- 1998 Staples/Lidl Retail park development (planning permission granted). more......- 1999 Palace Theatre refurbishment. more......- 1999 Major Fire at NEW College, Redditch. more......- 1999 Last Carnival parade to be held. more......- 1999 Housing estate on the old Sandfords store in Greenlands built. more......- 1999 Cinema in Prospect Hill closes – Chicago Rock Café opens. more......- 1999 New era at sound of 8 bells more......- 1999 Development of the Alcad Batteries site housing starts. more......- 2000 Contracts secure engineering jobs more......- 2000 Tesco store to shut on Christmas Eve TESCO will be closing its doors in the Kingf more......- 2000 High Duty Alloys taken over by Mettis Aerospace. more......- 2000 JJB Sport to quadruple the size of their store in the Kingfisher Centre. more......- 2000 McDonalds Drive Through comes to Moons Moat. more......- 2000 Megabowl closes in Greenlands. more......- 2000 Moons Moat offices built. more......- 2000 Tesco closes its store in the Kingfisher Centre. more......- 2000 The Arrow Valley Countryside centre is opened by David Bellamy. more......- 2001 KFC in Trafford Park retail estate opens with traffic chaos. more......- 2001 TK Max to come to Evesham Walk in the Kingfisher Centre. more......- 2001 St. John Fisher RC School, Loxley Close, Church Hill closes. more......- 2001 Education revisions including closure of schools. more......- 2001 The skatepark, the UK’s largest outdoor supervised charity skatepark catering for more......- 2001 Fire at Tescos in Oakenshaw. more......- 2002 B&Q redeveloped as “Warehouse” store on the old Batteries site. more......- 2002 Kingfisher Development – closure of Royal Square & building of Debenhams. more......- 2002 Major roadworks to upgrade gas supplies, 250 kliometers of iron mains replaced. more......- 2002 New College development. more......- 2002 Tescos open enlarged store in Oakenshaw following rebuilding due to a fire. more......- 2003 Redditch famous after nationwide publicity of Roundabout Calendar. more......- 2003 Safeways to be taken over by Morrisons. more......- 2003 New public art in the town, the needles and the needle decoration on the path in t more......- 2003 Matchborough first school opens. more......- 2003 Hardings Coach Company closes its Evensham Road, Crabbs Cross Garage more......- 2003 Garage (Jaffa Motors) in Crabbs Cross closes and site to be developed with 23 home more......- 2003 New fears over Alex baby unit more......- 2003 Workers are gearing up for Royal visitor more......- 2003 Matalan opens in old B&Q Store. more......- 2004 Star & Garter in Crabbs Cross demolished and flats built. more......- 2004 The Soldier and Child Holocaust memorial near St. Stephens Church. more......- 2004 The Princess Royal open the new development at NEW College campus. more......- 2004 Palace Theatre refurbishment. more......- 2004 New Town development contract -Transport Interchange 4, 2004 – 2006. more......- 2004 New Town development contract -KSC modified and extended, 2004 – 2007. more......- 2005 Saying thanks as church reaches 150 more......- 2005 Time capsule uneartherd more......- 2005 Jools Holland appears at the AIR Festival. more......- 2005 Old railway yard to be developed with houses and hotel – opens 2007. more......- 2005 Refurbishment of the Garden of Remembrance in Plymouth Road. more......- 2005 Memorial in place more......- 2006 New Hotel - Travelodge – opens in Bordesley. more......- 2006 Phase 4 Bus Station and Kingfisher Centre re-development. more......- 2006 Renaming of Stranz square. Information centre turned into a cafe. more......- 2006 Work starts on new Central Mosque in Jinnah Road. more......- 2006 Apollo Cinema comes to Redditch. more......- 2006 Alex protesters mean business more......- 2006 more......- 2006 Start to be build of the Redditch Central Mosque on Jinnah Road. more......- 2006 Large increase in retail space at Tescos, Oakenshaw to sell household goods. more......- 2006 The closure of the Town Centre Job Centre, it moves to Easemore Road. more......- 2007 Building of Apollo Electrical Store Grove Street more......- 2007 Major power cuts after the fire at the electricity sub-station in Headless cross more......- 2007 Fountain gets a spring spruce-up continuedContractors B Evans and Sons are giving more......- 2007 Fountain gets a spring spruce-up THE fountain on St Stephens Church Green in Re more......- 2007 Primark comes to Redditch. more......- 2008 Demolition of Dingleside School gets under way more......- 2008 Churches will mark Abbeys anniversary more......- 2008 Redditch MarketrReturns to its historic site in Church Green. more......- 2008 Sillins Avenue eco-homes completed. more......- 2008 The last fair to be held in the Town Centre. more......- 2009 Theecumenical partnership formed by the merger of Headless Cross Methodist Church more......- 2009 Redditch Local History Society formed. more......- 2009 Redditch MP, Jacqui Smith made Home Secretary. more......- 2009 Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant on Church Green West burnt down. more......- 2010 Thousands turn out to witness our troops receive Freedom of Borough more......- 2010 Apple Orchard planted at Headless Cross. more......- 2010 Second Argos store in town opens at Abbey Retail park. more......- 2010 The all new Redditch BMX Track opening on the 10th July 2010. more......- 2010 The refurbishment of the Library. more......- 2011 Framework in place as £5.8m Abbey Stadium starts taking shape more......- 2011 The Alexandra Hospital celebrated its 25th anniversary. more......- 2011 The closure of the Town Centre tax office, it moves to Easemore Road. more......- 2011 The derelict Brockhill Pub in Batchley to become a Tesco Express Store. more......- 2011 The Kingfisher Shopping Centre is put up for sale. more......- 2011 The landmark Plough and Harrow pub, later the Liberal Club, demolished. more......- 2011 The Princess Royal pays a visit to a Redditch Training Centre (CSV) in Lakeside. more......- 2011 Vital restoration work is underway on Tardebigge lock flight. more......- 2011 Sainsburys get the green light for expansion. more......- 2011 Tony’s Handyman closes after nearly 40 years of trading. more......- 2011 Childrens ward to move in shake-up? more......- 2011 Hospital celebrates 25th anniversary more......- 2011 Plan for Crematorium waste heat to keep pool warm announced. more......- 2011 Palm trees had to be removed from Kingfisher Centre. more......- 2011 Royal visitor delights staff on tour of base more......- 2011 Arrow Valley Countryside Centre gets a major revamp. more......- 2011 Framework in place as £5.8m Abbey Stadium starts taking shape. more......- 2011 Headless Cross Brownies celebrated 50 years. more......- 2011 Lodge Park Pool is given a makeover. more......- 2011 The Towns tree population has been boosted more......- 2012 Historic bandstand set to stay put after plans to move it rejected. more......- 2012 Thousands sign Alex petition to keep A & E. and other resources under threat. more......- 2012 Hewell Road swimming baths close. more......- 2012 National cycle race around Redditch a great success. more......- 2012 VUE cinema buys out Apollo cinema. more......- 2012 Humphries shoe shop celebrated 150 years. more......- 2012 Kingfisher Centre in the top 20 in the country. more......- 2012 New owner for Kingfisher Centre. more......- 2012 Olympic Torch travels through Redditch. more......- 2012 St Georges Church to close. more......- 2012 The closure of Youth House. more......- 2012 Unique housing project on Marlfield Farm First School site begins. more......- 2012 HRH Duke of Kent visits Abbey Stadium. more......- 2012 Bordesley Abbey restoration and access improvements get underway. more......- 2012 Tesco Express store opens in Batchley. more......- 2012 Revamped Abbey Stadium. Delight all round as £6.5m centre opens its doors more......- 2012 Abbey Stadium expansion opened by double Olympian, Jamie Salter. more......- 2012 Hundreds say no to houses in Webheath. more......- 2012 Crowds flock to see top riders more......- 2012 Duke of Kent visits Abbey Stadium more......- 2012 60 Glorious Years of the Queen more......- 2012 Thousands sign Alex petition more......- 2012 Town enjoys the wheel thing more......- 2012 Towns miss out on Portas bids more......- 2012 Abbey restoration gets underway more......- 2012 Drama as fire strikes again more......- 2012 New owner eyes Kingfisher changes more......- 2012 Last chance for pool more......- 2012 Closure is an excuse to dive into history The Redditch Standard more......- 2012 Historic bandstand set to stay put more......- 2012 Save the Alex1,500 march for the Alex more......- 2012 Thousands in town for an historic day more......- 2013 The last Fish Hook Maker in Redditch, Vince Green dies. more......- 2013 GKN closes Ipsley HQ. more......- 2013 Holyoakes Field first school celebrates 100 years. more......- 2013 Ian Hayes, local historian dies. more......- 2013 New Hotel - Premier Inn – opens on the Birmingham Road. more......- 2013 Redditch Golf Clubs celebrates its 100th anniversary. more......- 2013 Sainsburys petrol station moves. more......- 2013 Smallwood Health Centre demolished. more......- 2013 Part of the Abel Morrall factory in Edward Street is demolished. more......- 2013 Diamond and First buses merge and become Diamond. more......- 2013 Law Society closes Ipsley HQ. more......- 2013 Second KFC opens in Oakenshaw. more......- 2013 School is top of the class more......- 2013 Palace Theatre celebrates 100th anniversary. more......- 2013 Councillors reject plans for 200 homes in Webheath. more......- 2013 Mayor on hand to open new centreA borough school has unveiled its new £300,000 six more......- 2013 Alex stroke beds closed as care moves to Worcester more......- 2013 Kingfisher plans get the go-ahead more......- 2013 65 years of the NHS more......- 2013 All geared up for the big race more......- 2013 Police Station cells to close more......- 2013 Abbey Stadium heat recovery from the crematorium starts functioning. more......- 2013 Alex Stroke beds closed as care moved to Worcester. more......- 2013 Church Hill Centre redevelopment starts. more......- 2013 Back to school for the 100th yearHolyoakes Field First School more......- 2013 Bus only restrictions lifted changing the traffic flow in the town centre. more......- 2014 Redditch celebrates its 50th years as a New Town. more......- 2014 St Augustine alumni reunite for big 40th more......- 2014 Rocklands more......- 2014 College Merger set for August more......- 2014 Opening up the doors in celebration more......- 2014 Tardebigge canal drained for repairs. more......- 2014 Charlotte Gilmartin from Redditch competes in Winter Olympics, Sochi. more......- 2014 Redditch Choral Society celebrates 50th Anniversary. more......- 2014 In 200 years time bowls will remain Hewell bowling club rounded off their centenar more......- 2014 New look post office will open seven days a week more......- 2014 Alexandra Hospital gets reprieve for A & E. department. more......- 2014 Princess Royal in town more......- 2014 Town lodge celebrates 100 years more......- 2014 Freedom of the borough honour more......- 2014 Alex plan wont be aired until after election more......- 2014 Pub to make way for new homes more......- 2014 Marking seventy years of study and discussion more......- 2014 Work to start more......- 2014 Leaders write to health chief to demand a new Alex review more......- 2014 First Webheath Brownies celebrate 100 years more......- 2014 A & E and baby services Should stay at Alex more......- 2014 Victorian needlemakers church goes up for sale more......- 9999 Two hundred reasons to celebrate at Crabbs Cross Methodist Church. more......- 9999 During the weekend a number of new allotments, were laid out one lot in Easemore Road. more......- 9999 Fire sweeps through town centre restaurant First published Thursday 6 November 20 more......- 9999 St Georges Church in Redditch to be shutFirst published Wednesday 25 April 2012 AF more......- 9999 more......
