Kettering

Kettering Northamptonshire Computer Services

 Approximate Population: 51,063

 Kettering is a town in the north of Northamptonshire, England. It is the main town within the Borough of Kettering. It is on the River Ise, a tributary of the Nene and is twinned with Lahnstein, Germany and Kettering, Ohio, in the United States.

Kettering’s economy was built on the boot and shoe industry. With the arrival of railways in the 19th century, industries such as engineering and clothing grew up. The clothing manufacturer Aquascutum built its first factory here in 1909. Now Kettering’s economy is based on service and distribution industries due to its central location and transport links. A large and growing commuter population takes advantage of Kettering’s position on the East Midlands Trains railway. Kettering has a link to St Pancras railway station, home of Eurostar.

Kettering traces its origins to an early Romano British settlement. The local Roman industry is represented by the pottery kilns at Barton Seagrave and Boughton.

In mid-2003 the population of Kettering was estimated at 86,000.

Kettering is centrally located in North Northamptonshire, the biggest single growth area outside London. Set to grow to 370,000 people by 2021, North Northamptonshire will be a community equivalent in population to Bristol. It will see 52,100 new homes by 2021 with a further provisional 28,000 homes by 2031. The East Kettering development area alone covers 300 hectares and extends from the A43 in the north to the A14 in the south.

In March 2007, a project was revealed to refurbish and bring new leisure and shopping to the town centre, including water features, public art, sculptures, street furniture, trees, plants and an innovative pavement lighting scheme.

Kettering Northamptonshire Computer Services

Northampton

Northampton Northamptonshire Computer Services

Approximate Population: 189,474

Northampton became significant in the 11th century, when the Normans built town walls and a large castle under the stewardship of the Norman earl, Simon de Senlis.  The original defence line of the walls is preserved in today’s street pattern (Bridge St, The Drapery, Bearward St and Scarletwell Street). The town grew rapidly after the Normans arrived, and beyond the early defences.   By the time of the Domesday Book, the town had a population of about 1500 residents, living in 300 houses.

The town and its castle were important in the early 12th century and the King often held Court in the town. During his famous fall out with Henry II, Thomas Becket at one time escaped from Northampton Castle through the unguarded Northern gate to flee the country.

Northampton had a large Jewish population in the 13th century, centred around Gold Street.   In 1277 300 Jews were executed, allegedly for clipping the King’s coin, and the Jews of Northampton were driven out of the town.

The town was originally controlled by officials acting for the King who collected taxes and upheld the law.   In 1189 King Richard I gave the town its first charter.   In 1215 King John authorised the appointment of William Tilly as the town’s first Mayor and ordered that: ‘twelve of the better and more discreet residents of the town join him as a council to assist him’.   In 1176 the Assize of Northampton laid down new powers for dealing with law breakers.

Northampton Northamptonshire Computer Services