Newton Aycliffe History
Newton Aycliffe was an experimental village created in postwar Britain with the intent of establishing a public-private welfare community. Located in northern England, the land on which Newton Aycliffe sits was heavily influenced by the effects of the Ice Age and, later, Saxon settlers. The town has gone through a number of changes over the years, beginning as a major factory site and ultimately developing into a modern society.
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Ice Age
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The area of Newton Aycliffe was covered by a thick layer of ice believed to have descended from Norway during the Ice Age. Following the melting of the glaciers, a large lake formed, which one historian cited by the Greenfield School Community and Arts College believes was still present when the Romans came to Britain. The government of the city has maintained a section of land they refer to as "The Moors" or "John Clare's Bog" that preserves the aftermath of the Ice Age.
Early Settlements
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Saxon settlers came to the region in 500 AD, removing much of the forest that permeated the area. The culture created the name that would ultimately define the city, Aycliffe, which meant "oak clearing" in Saxon. It is estimated that the lake that existed through the ancient age disappeared and gave way to the River Skerne. This prompted the Saxons to construct their village away from the wet area where the land was dryer. The culture also built what became known as the Aycliffe church.
Wartime Origins
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Near the site of modern Newton Aycliffe resides the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first steam locomotive for public transportation use. Built in 1825, it was designed to transport people to nearby towns and villages. Due to the location's proximity to the line, the British military built an ordnance factory nearby. By the end of the war, approximately 6,000 workers were employed by the various firms in the area. This helped prompt the city to be built to house those workers.
New Town
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Following the war, the Labor Party came to power in the United Kingdom, prompting the establishment of the welfare state. Initiated by this concept, Lord Beveridge decided to establish a town called Newton based on the concept of the "New Town." The principles of the area would be a state-sponsored society, intent on balancing freedoms and social necessity. On Nov. 9, 1948, Beveridge opened his first house for the public with the tenant D.G. Perry, a former captain in the army.
Modern Times
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Since the 1950s, Newton Aycliffe grew exponentially, with the factories of the war being replaced by many new industries, including 3M and Flymo, a lawnmower company. In 1980, the council stopped building publicly-funded homes and allowed private enterprise to move into the area. Much of the private area that exists to this day is referred to as Woodham Village.
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- Photo Credit Durham County with Newton Aycliffe; Jhamez84; Public Domain
