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Did you know that before Redditch became the bustling new town we know today, it had medieval roots? The town’s name, Red-Ditch, is believed to reference the vibrant red clay of the nearby River Arrow, and nearby Bordesley Abbey would have been a dominating presence in the local area. 

Redditch has always had an industrial spirit and was a centre for needle-making from the Middle Ages, and evolved into a hub of industrial innovation, producing everything from fishhooks to motorcycles.
 

But what exactly is a New Town? New Towns were part of a visionary plan developed in the aftermath of World War II, aimed at rebuilding Britain and offering a fresh start to those living in overcrowded or war-damaged cities. Redditch joined the ranks of these New Towns in April 1964 as part of a later wave of development, transforming from a small settlement into the vibrant community we see today.

The event will be taking place on Saturday 14 September 2024, at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre in Redditch between 10am – 4.00pm.

Here is what you can look forward to:

• Engaging Talks: Hear from the archivists who brought this project to life. Their talks at 11:00am and 2:00pm will give you a unique glimpse into the process of urban planning and public health during Redditch's development era.
• Exhibition: Explore an exhibition that delves deep into Redditch’s journey from a small settlement of 32,000 to a thriving town of over 77,000 residents by the 1980’s
• Get Involved: Share your memories of Redditch’s development on our memory board, trace your place in history with maps from the development era, and bring children along for some fun colouring activities.
• Meet the Experts: Chat with the archivists who have worked tirelessly on this project. They will be on hand throughout the day to answer your questions and guide you through the exhibition.

Vicky Fletcher, Archivist, said, "We’re really excited to be in Redditch to share these wonderful collections with local people. It has been a fantastic project to work on, the records provide insight into the process of urban and public health planning. We hope the event will inspire people to find out more about the history of where they live."

This event marks the completion of an ambitious project to catalogue the records of the Redditch Development Corporation, shedding light on the town's remarkable transformation, as part of the New Jerusalems Project, funded by the Wellcome Trust.

For more information email explorethepast@worcestershire.gov.uk, call 01905 766352 or