River villages’ history goes back thousands of years
IN 1987, the villages of Tutbury and Hatton were plunged into the spotlight in a bid to drum up trade and visitors. Today we revisit this Burton Mail feature by Stephen Sinfield and take a step back in time to the 1980s
DIRECTLY across the river from Tutbury stands Hatton, on the north bank of the River Dove.
It has close links with Tutbury, including its history.
In 1831, thousands of 14th-century silver coins were found in the Dove near to Hatton. The coins belonged to the Earl of Lancaster and had been lost in the river as he fled into Derbyshire from Edward II.
The village is now largely residential and shops and inns have grown to meet the needs of residents.
The village shops are small and their owners aim to give customers a friendly personal service. The village shopping atmosphere is very strong and the service is excellent.
Standing on the banks of the River Dove, Tutbury is probably East Staffordshire’s biggest tourist attraction.
The town has a richer and more colourful history than many bigger towns and cities.
People have lived in Tutbury since the Iron Age, and in the Domesday Book the town was already seen as an important trading centre.
The castle, on the site of an earlier hill fort, was started after the Norman invasion and grew up over the Middle Ages.
Standing in the shadow of the castle and on the grounds of the former monastery, the Priory Church of St Mary the Virgin has some fine Norman work.
Some of England’s most famous monarchs have been to Tutbury.
Henry III, King John, James I and Charles I all visited the town, but the most famous “guest” was undoubtedly Mary Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned in the castle from 1569 to 1587 by Queen Elizabeth I.
The fortress eventually fell to the Parliamentary Army of Oliver Cromwell in 1646.
As well as the fascinating ruins, the castle has extensive grounds which include nature trails and tea rooms. Many of the buildings in the town are of 18th and 19th-century design, but there are many that are older.
Tutbury has several old pubs and inns and a wide variety of shops are small traditional family businesses offering customers a very special and personal style of service.
Tutbury is famous worldwide for its fine crystal glass. There is a long tradition of high quality craftsmanship, and the town now has two glassworks attracting visitors from all over the world.
Traditional craftsmanship and a growing global reputation will guarantee any visitor to Georgian Crystal the finest in cut-glass products. The Tutbury firm has been operating for six years and has a wide selection of goods for customers.
Since it started manufacturing, the company built up a successful export market. Georgian Crystal’s managing director, Peter Shaw, said: “We now export glass as far afield as New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.”
Other shops in the village are often independently owned, so customers can be assured of a high standard of service.
With its wide High Street and choice of small shops, Tutbury has a pleasant, friendly atmosphere to shop in, and maybe even offers the chance to find that special gift.