Averham
Encyclopedia
Averham is a village and civil parish
in the Newark and Sherwood
district of Nottinghamshire
, England
. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 187. The village is just west of Newark-on-Trent
.
navigation. Salmon can pass this weir in times of high water.
The town of Newark
became severely affected "in about 1558, when the Sutton family of Averham cut a channel near Farndon
which diverted most of the water of the River Trent into what had been a small stream through Averham, Kelham
and Muskham. This not only stopped boats from reaching Newark, but, much more serious at the time, it left Newark's six mills high and dry. The mills were used both to grind corn and for the fulling of cloth, Newark's main industry, so the owners took court action, forcing the owners of Averham to build, and maintain in perpetuity, a weir at Averham to ensure that an adequate flow continued to Newark."
Originally, "the whole river used to flow through Newark, and a separate small stream flowed through Averham, Kelham and Muskham, and joined the Trent
at Crinkle Point. In 1558 a channel was cut by the Suttons of Kelham to join the Trent to the stream near Averham. This diverted the river along the course of the stream, leaving Newark with insufficient water to drive its mills. The weir was constructed to ensure enough water for Newark."
"January 10, 1951...the swollen River Trent is also fast washing away ground from Averham. The Rector of Averham, the Rev D. N. Allenby said that in the churchyard a gravestone has fallen into the river and part of a coffin is overhanging the water where the bank has been eaten away."
Theatre "stands in the quiet village of Averham (old spelling Ayrham) village 3 miles from Newark and 5 miles from Southwell
. The theatre was built in the grounds of Averham rectory in 1913. It was designed by the Rev. Joseph Cyril Walker and built by the village carpenter, Robert Lee, assisted by local voluntary labour. The full name chosen for the theatre at that time was the Robin Hood Opera House."
"The 150 seat Robin Hood theatre lies behind the church in Averham village (pop. 200). Built in 1913 by the local vicar Cyril Walker, for his amateur operatic society. It closed in 1951, and reopened ten years later under a charitable trust. It has struggled financially. In 1980 the County Council took over the trusteeship."
Regarding Averham's theatrical tradition, "traditionally, the Cambridge Footlights brigade presented a performance at the Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, where they tested out material from which to select sketches and skits for the Edinburgh Fringe
shows."
In October 2007 the Robin Hood Youth Theatre appointed a new Director, Matthew Bird. After six years of working as a professional actor, Matthew is now a Drama Practitioner working with many different groups including his own Musical Youth Theatre, "Overture."
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the Newark and Sherwood
Newark and Sherwood
Newark and Sherwood is a local government district of eastern Nottinghamshire, England. The district is predominantly rural, with some large forestry plantations, and the towns of Newark-on-Trent, Southwell and Ollerton....
district of Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 187. The village is just west of Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
.
Averham weir
Averham has a large weir at the start of the River TrentRiver Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
navigation. Salmon can pass this weir in times of high water.
The town of Newark
Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
became severely affected "in about 1558, when the Sutton family of Averham cut a channel near Farndon
Farndon, Nottinghamshire
Farndon is a small village on the Fosse Way or A46 Roman road, 2.5 miles south-west of Newark-on-Trent, on the banks of the River Trent. The name Farndon means "Fern Hill". It is thought to be the site of the Roman fort Ad Pontem or "the place by the bridges." The parish church of St...
which diverted most of the water of the River Trent into what had been a small stream through Averham, Kelham
Kelham
Kelham is a small village in Nottinghamshire variously estimated as "3.36 miles," "3 miles," or "2.92 miles"to the northwest of Newark on a bend in the A617 road near its crossing of the River Trent.-Historical:...
and Muskham. This not only stopped boats from reaching Newark, but, much more serious at the time, it left Newark's six mills high and dry. The mills were used both to grind corn and for the fulling of cloth, Newark's main industry, so the owners took court action, forcing the owners of Averham to build, and maintain in perpetuity, a weir at Averham to ensure that an adequate flow continued to Newark."
Originally, "the whole river used to flow through Newark, and a separate small stream flowed through Averham, Kelham and Muskham, and joined the Trent
River Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
at Crinkle Point. In 1558 a channel was cut by the Suttons of Kelham to join the Trent to the stream near Averham. This diverted the river along the course of the stream, leaving Newark with insufficient water to drive its mills. The weir was constructed to ensure enough water for Newark."
"January 10, 1951...the swollen River Trent is also fast washing away ground from Averham. The Rector of Averham, the Rev D. N. Allenby said that in the churchyard a gravestone has fallen into the river and part of a coffin is overhanging the water where the bank has been eaten away."
Theatrical tradition
For many decades, the village has been famous locally for staging plays. The Robin HoodRobin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
Theatre "stands in the quiet village of Averham (old spelling Ayrham) village 3 miles from Newark and 5 miles from Southwell
Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Southwell is a town in Nottinghamshire, England, best known as the site of Southwell Minster, the seat of the Church of England diocese that covers Nottinghamshire...
. The theatre was built in the grounds of Averham rectory in 1913. It was designed by the Rev. Joseph Cyril Walker and built by the village carpenter, Robert Lee, assisted by local voluntary labour. The full name chosen for the theatre at that time was the Robin Hood Opera House."
"The 150 seat Robin Hood theatre lies behind the church in Averham village (pop. 200). Built in 1913 by the local vicar Cyril Walker, for his amateur operatic society. It closed in 1951, and reopened ten years later under a charitable trust. It has struggled financially. In 1980 the County Council took over the trusteeship."
Regarding Averham's theatrical tradition, "traditionally, the Cambridge Footlights brigade presented a performance at the Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, where they tested out material from which to select sketches and skits for the Edinburgh Fringe
Edinburgh Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital, in the month of August...
shows."
Robin Hood Youth Theatre
The Youth section of the Robin Hood Theatre has 20 members, under the leadership of Chris Lebeter and Adele Charlesworth. They perform regularly in the Nottingham And Nottinghamshire Drama Association Festival, winning in the categories Best Overall Play and Best Entertainment.In October 2007 the Robin Hood Youth Theatre appointed a new Director, Matthew Bird. After six years of working as a professional actor, Matthew is now a Drama Practitioner working with many different groups including his own Musical Youth Theatre, "Overture."
External links
- History
- Pictures of recent theatrical productions
- Map of locality
- the Averham Weir on the River Trent
- Averham Weir another view
- Picture of the Averham weir and bifurcation of the Trent into the northern section through Averham & Muskham straight ahead and the original southern section passing through Newark to the right
- A 1652 marriage certificate from Averham Parish Register
- St Michael's & All Angels Parish Church Averham
- Tomb of Sir William Sutton (c.1611) inside Averham Parish Church
- History of the Sutton family at Averham or Aram
- Heraldry on Averham church porch
