Last Updated: 26 July 2010

The Romans established a settlement at Nantwich, attracted by the salt here, Nantwich became a prosperous town on the salt industry. A trading point between England and Wales, a fire on a scale to compete with the Great Fire of London, a Parliamentarian Stronghold during the Civil War, a victim of slum clearance in the Late Victorian Age - this market town has had a long and varied history.


THE WEAVER, THE FIRE AND WELSH ROW
The river has played a major part in the history of Nantwich, a vital route for salt transport, there was a Roman dock on the banks. Sheep were brought to market by Welsh drovers down "Welsh Row" which has crossed the Weaver at this point for centuries.

On 10th December 1583 a fire broke out in a brewery on the Waterlode and the fire burned for 20 days destroying many of the tightly packed timber framed houses the fire started in a brewery on the banks of the River Weaver


ELIZABETHAN REBUILD
Queen Elizabeth I donated five hundred pounds and oak from the nearby Royal Forest of Delamere to help rebuild the town.

FAMILY PRIDE
One of the few survivors of the Fire was Churche's Mansion, just 6 years old at the time of the fire, built buy Randolph Churche in 1577, this beautiful building has seen many uses over the centuries

The Churche family lived in the Mansion until 1717 when it was rented out to tenants. By the mid 1970s in had fallen into disrepair and was almost transported to America, but a local couple bought and restored the house. A landmark in the town, it still has part of the original walled garden, with fruit and walnut trees. On one of the eves is carved a golden salamander - believed to protect from fire ...


THE WEAVER AND THE CIVIL WAR
The Royalists had set up camp, both sides of the Weaver, connected by a wooden platform across the river, when an early thaw in January 1644 caused high water which washed the platform away, the majority of Royalists were on the wrong side of the river, at that time there was no close crossing point and the Royalists had to walk miles to Minshull to be able to cross the river and back to aid their comrades on the Nantwich side. The Parliamentarians took advantage of the situation, attacking the separated sections of the army before they could regroup, and winning the battle of Nantwich, until recently it was customary for residents to wear springs of holly to commemorate the battle on 25th January, "Holly Holy Day".


A GRATEFUL TOWN
A deep abiding gratitude is felt for a young US airman, Arthur L Brown who died at the controls of his Thunderbolt aircraft, on 14th January 1944, rather than let the damaged aircraft fall on the town, he lies at rest on the banks of the River Weaver, buried within the wreckage of his aeroplane. (The sand banks in the area meant that the aircraft was swallowed up on impact and the soft ground rendered it unsafe to retrieve the aircraft or the body). The grave is situated just off Shrewbridge Road close to the Railway Station.


MODERN BUILD
Built as a Dance Hall, the Civic Hall has been a a social meeting place for Nantwich townsfolk since 1951, during 2006 and 2007 the building was upgraded with new ceilings and lighting, making it a perfect venue for JL Fairs events.

CHESHIRE BEAD FAIR - SUNDAY 16TH MAY 2010

Stall costs include tables (if needed), chairs and electricity

6ft = £48

12ft = £95

18ft = £130