24 Oct 11 Five Triumphs and Disasters for Burton Albion FC
Burton may be famous for its brewing heritage but the small town in Staffordshire is also home to a great football team called Burton Albion FC. Burton Albion FC is a professional club which plays in League 2 and currently plays home games at the Pirelli Stadium, after leaving Eton Park back in 2005. Keeping in tune with the history of the area, the club’s nickname is The Brewers and they were founded fairly recently in 1950.
The club has been through many ups and downs and here are some of the most poignant triumphs and disasters that Burton Albion Football Club has gone through:
1. Promotion to the League
The most notable achievement for Burton Albion FC came about in the 2008/09 season when the team claimed promotion from the Conference into the Football League. Following their promotion to the league, the club appointed former Canadian international Paul Peschisolido and said farewell to caretaker manager Roy McFarland. Since their founding in 1950, the club has never played in the professional league making this the most noteworthy accomplishment for Burton Albion Football Club to date.
2. Demolition of Eton Park
In 2005, the club said goodbye to their home ground at Eton Park, as the site was demolished bringing an end to a long era of tradition for the team. Burton Albion had played all their home games at Eton Park from its founding in 1950 through to 2005 and the sadness of seeing Eton Park being replaced by housing was felt by many loyal fans. While this was considered to be a disaster at the time, many fans soon looked forward to spending time in the new stadium, which holds 6,912 people.
3. Bass Charity Vase
Burton Albion is no stranger to taking home the Bass Charity Vase. The club has won it on no less than 12 occasions in 1954, 1961, 1970, 1971, 1981, 1986, 1997, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. This is a great achievement for the club and as well as winning the cup 12 times throughout history, the team has also claimed the runner-up spot 12 times, in 1952, 1957, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010. This is a highlight for Burton Albion as the club seems to have successfully dominated the competition for many years!
4. FA Cup Misery…
In 1985, Burton Albion lost dismally to Leicester City suffering a 6-1 defeat with Gary Lineker scoring a hat-trick to see off the challenge from The Brewers. Paul Evans stood in goal for Burton Albion and was unfortunately hit by a missile which was thrown from the taunting crowd. The score line wasn’t upheld as the attack led to a new game to be played behind closed doors and Burton Albion lost again – but with a more respectable score of 1-0!
5. FA Cup Success
A hugely notable triumph for Burton Albion was enjoyed on January 8, 2006 when the club managed an impressive 0-0 draw with Premier League high-flyers Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup. While Manchester United won 5-0 in the replay at Old Trafford, gaining the replay was a great triumph for the small-town club and a whopping 11,000 loyal fans travelled to Old Trafford to watch the match. Their success continued into 2011 when Burton Albion knocked Championship side Middlesbrough out of the tournament with a 2-1 win.
Burton Albion has enjoyed many ups and a few downs with relegation and promotion being fought for, won and lost throughout the years. With Burton Albion now competing in the Football League, the club looks set to continue its footballing journey with more passion than ever before…
Burton FC fans need look no further than the Burton Mail for the lowdown on their team. For the latest results and fixtures for Burton football club, visit the Burton Mail online.
Tags: Burton FC, Burton football club, Burton Mail
24 Oct 11 Five Interesting Bits of Trivia about Burton RFC
Burton Rugby Club is one of the oldest in Rugby Union and it was originally founded way back in 1870. It was created by brewers working for a local pub and in 2001, during incorporation, the club changed its name to Burton Rugby Football Club. Burton RFC is hugely popular in the town as well as the surrounding areas and the kit has remained the same except for a few experimental changes since 1877, with white shirts with a black stripe, white shorts and black socks.
If you’re a fan of Burton Rugby Club, check out the top five interesting bits of trivia on the club:
1. When the club was originally founded, like many other clubs back in the 1800s, Burton had its own set of rules which all visiting clubs had to abide by. These rules were changed in 1876 when the club adopted the rules of the Rugby Football Union. The same year, the club chose to stop playing football as well as rugby and became solely a rugby team. Unusually for the time, the club began admitting women into their ground in 1889 and have since always valued their support even when women were struggling to earn equal rights with men.
2. Burton Rugby Club has played its games at many grounds and for the first 18 years, the club actually played its matches at a cricket ground. Peel Croft, Ind Coope Ground, Marston’s Ground and Crescent Brewery Ground are some of the more notable. Peel Croft is currently the home ground for Burton Rugby Club and the ground also shows big sporting events on their live TVs, including the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where England rugby fans can come to watch the games together over a sandwich and soft drink..
3. One of the finest sides to step on the pitch played for Burton RFC in 1900 and then again in the inter-war period. The 1932-33 season saw the side captained by G.T. Barker, who was one of the clubs most notable players. He captained Burton RFC for a further five years and during this period, the Peel Croft Social Club was introduced serving up refreshments to visiting teams.
4. As with many top sporting clubs both in rugby and in other sports, Burton RFC is known in the area for its charitable connections. The Acorns Children’s Hospice is the named charity for the 2011-12 season and this particular charity relies on donations for up to 70 per cent of its activities.
5. Burton RFC attracts many high-profile sponsors from local companies and Marston’s is the primary club sponsor for the 2011-12 season and is unsurprising thanks to the town’s brewing history. For many years, the town was renowned all over the country for its brewing abilities and now it is just as famous for its brewing heritage. Several local companies sponsor Burton RFC and the team attracts a lot of attention in the sports industry due to their long established roots.
If you live in Burton or you are a rugby fan it is likely that you are familiar with Burton RFC. The team is one of the most notable sporting teams in the area partly due to its long history and even non-rugby fans are proud if the town’s sporting heritage. There are many shops to explore in Burton and avid hikers can explore the nearby National Forest while sporting enthusiasts can enjoy watching a rugby game.
Burton Rugby Club has a long and proud history, plus some very loyal fans. For all the latest news and results from Burton RFC, visit the Burton Mail.
Tags: Burton Mail, Burton RFC, Burton Rugby Club
20 Oct 11 10 Good Reasons to Move to Burton on Trent
Burton on Trent goes by a few other names such as Burton and Burton upon Trent and the quaint town is a wonderful place to live for a variety of reasons. Locals are generally known as Burtonians and the East Staffordshire town is most famous for its heritage in the brewing industry.
However, in more recent times, Burton attracts new residents thanks to its location close to large cities such as Derby, Stoke on Trent and Leicester as well as big towns such as Stafford and Tamworth. Many Burton residents choose to reside in the pretty town that lies close to the National Forest and travel to work in nearby towns and cities. Some choose to rent in Burton on Trent while others prefer to put their money towards mortgage payments and settle permanently in the town.
Here are the top 10 reasons to move to Burton on Trent:
1. Natural Surroundings
Burton is surrounded by natural woodlands and parks as well as a host of fields, meadows, lake and rivers that are perfect for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
2. Easy Commuting
Anyone who works in a large city such as Derby or Leicester may enjoy living a little further away and commuting to work from Burton. Estate agents Burton on Trent are often inundated with interest in houses in Burton from people who work in the nearby cities and towns.
3. Unique Traditions
The town of Burton on Trent is a great mix of old fashioned and modern with a range of contemporary shops that blend in perfectly with an older, more traditional way of life that can be seen in its many churches.
4. Sporting Roots
Burton Albion play their games in the Football League and their home games attract thousands of supporters. Burton is the home of the English National Football Centre and Burton RUFC lays claim to being one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. Burton Cricket Club plays its games in the popular Burton & District Cricket League and the town is the perfect place to live for sports fanatics!
5. Cultural Influences
Anyone with an artistic side who is looking to buy or rent in Burton on Trent will enjoy learning more about the town’s connections with many arts groups. The Burton Operatic Society creates two productions every year and The Little Theatre Company is perfect for anyone interested in amateur dramatics.
6. Friendly Atmosphere
Due to its traditional way of life, many people who want to buy or rent in Burton on Trent do so because of the friendly locals. Many annual events can be enjoyed throughout the summer months including the yearly Statutes fair at the end of September that occupies the marketplace as well as parts of the main high street for two days.
7. Local Businesses
There are a few job opportunities in Burton on Trent as there are many businesses found in the town. The Cooper Square Shopping Centre is home to endless shops and the famous tyre manufacturer Pirelli are based in Burton and they remain one of the largest employers in the area.
8. Education opportunities
Burton College accepts 13,000 students who range from 14-year-olds through to adults who can choose between part and full time education.
9. River Trent
The River Trent runs close to the town and makes for a great place to enjoy many leisure activities such as canoeing, walking along the tow paths and boating.
10. Historical Institution
Burton on Trent has a long and interesting history behind it from its connections with the brewing industry through to being the birthplace of the famous love-it-or-hate-it savoury paste Marmite.
The town’s brewing heritage is famous in the region and many people who choose to buy or rent in Burton on Trent do so knowing its connections to the sector, as well as its great location for commuters and its location close to various beautiful, natural landscapes.
With so many reasons to move the the town, estate agents Burton on Trent are kept very busy! If you want to rent in Burton on Trent, visit HomesNow.
Tags: Burton Mail, estate agents Burton on Trent, rent in Burton on Trent
18 Oct 11 Cinemas in Burton on Trent
There’s only one commercial cinema in Burton on Trent today and that is currently being operated by Cineworld at Middle Yard in Guild Street, not very far from the town centre. Cineworld is now one of the leading cinema groups in the UK in terms of site numbers, admissions and number of screens with a chain of 78 cinemas housing a total of 790 screens. Most of these outlets are multiplex, i.e. they have more than five screens and 64 currently have 3D capability. So, although there’s only one cinema in Burton town, you perhaps have more choice of films than in the days when there were several different outlets.
Burton on Trent Cinema Prices
You also have an astonishing choice of price options for this Burton on Trent multiplex cinema. Adults normally pay £7.30 except for before 5 pm Monday and Wednesday to Friday when it’s £6.30. Children (under 14) and senior citizens pay £5.60 for the same discounted period, as do students with a student card. Bargain Tuesdays however are £5.60 all day. Delux screens (more comfortable seats and space) are a bit more expensive, with the same days discounted, and movies for juniors on Saturday a.m. are only £1. Then there’s Orange Wednesdays which involve free tickets for Orange phone users, the details of which you will be spared here. Finally, there’s an additional £2.10 for 3D films with a charge of 80p for those slightly ridiculous but essential glasses. Credit cards are accepted and bookings can be made online.
This list of pricing options is nearly as complicated as trying to book a train ticket at the best price (well, maybe not that bad), but there’s no doubt the cinema is much better value. Compared to other outings, the Burton on Trent cinema trip must be one of the cheaper options, especially if you take advantage of some of the discounts and avoid munching their popcorn and drinks during the screening.
British Influences
It is easy to forget in this age of Hollywood blockbusters that the first moving pictures were actually taken in Hyde Park, London, in 1889, and this tradition of British film making has continued ever since. In many ways, England could be said to be the true home of cinema and as recently as 2009 British films grossed US$2 billion worldwide, not bad work during a period of economic stagnation. Indeed, if you pop down to the Burton on Trent cinema on most evenings, you will most probably have a British film on offer on one of the screens.
A Modern Cinema
After several periods of past decline, the modern cinema just keeps fighting back to retain audiences with new offerings that feature impressive CGI, 3D and full stereo sound, all of it served up in comfortable air-conditioned auditoria at a generally affordable price. This sustained recovery is all the more remarkable given the very wide choice of home entertainment with multi channel wide screen TV, computers, games, iPods and just about anything else with a plug on the end. And then there’s the pub, restaurant, sports and even shopping to compete for our precious leisure time yet still the cinema marches on.
Up and down the land, there are old cinema buildings lingering on as bingo halls, cheap shopping outlets or even fallen into dereliction, but Burton still has its Grade 2 listed art deco Robins Cinema building (also called the Ritz Cinema) mostly in one piece. First opened in the heyday of cinema in 1935 and closed for the past ten years, its new owners plan to find a fresh use for this building, and it is hoped this will give it a new lease of life. Designed by John Fairbrother and with plasterwork by a top notch plasterer, George Legge, this really is a Burton on Trent cinema building worth saving, even if it is unable to perform its previous function.
Visiting the cinema Burton on Trent is a fun outing for anyone visiting the Staffordshire town. For the latest news and showings from the Burton on Trent cinema, visit the Burton Mail.
Tags: Burton Mail, Burton on Trent cinema, cinema Burton on Trent
21 Sep 11 A Look at Burton College
When the UK’s then Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair made ‘Education, education, education’ his political manifesto battle cry in 2000, he was indicating a strong commitment to improving educational standards, and this policy extended into post-18 education with the Government’s drive in 2001 towards getting 50 per cent of pupils undertaking higher education.
By 2008, however, the increase in students moving into higher education began to level off, well short of New Labour’s 50 per cent target as the combined effect of rapidly rising tuition fees with rising graduate unemployment began to impact. During this period, many colleges across the country had moved to become universities, increasing the number of places but reducing local choice to study for more vocational courses. Which is where Burton College (now named Burton and South Derbyshire College) comes into the picture.
Formed over 60 years ago in a very different world and workplace, Burton and South Derbyshire College has proudly retained its college identity. Although it also offers higher education courses on a part-time or full-time basis, its main emphasis remains on providing its students with the core skills needed for the world of work. The advantages of a vocational qualification over a more academic degree are being appreciated by a new generation of young people, as hungry to work as they are to gain new knowledge and skills.
Instead of having to fork out for massive university tuition fees (or take out a student loan) and move into digs in a distant town or city, they can live at home and pay out for the much more affordable college fees, perhaps on a part-time basis while they continue to earn an income.
Burton and South Derbyshire College courses
More than 13,000 students from home and abroad choose to take Burton and South Derbyshire College courses every year, and they surely can’t all be wrong. The college is conveniently sited in the town centre, making access easy, and enjoys modern facilities in pleasant surroundings. More than 500 courses are currently on offer, from basic entry level part-time courses through to degree level.
Entry level includes such things as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL: vital provision in a multicultural society) followed by Level 1 which includes GCSEs, Introductory BTECs and NVQs. The scale then climbs to GCSE A*-C, BTEC First Diplomas and Level 2 NVQs. Level 3 covers A-levels, Level 3 BTECs and Level 3 NVQs followed by Level 4 BTEC Professional Diplomas, HNCs and Level 4 NVQs. Finally, Level 5 covers HNCs and HNDs, BTEC Professional Diplomas, Level 5 NVQs and a Foundation Degree.
The list of subjects covered by Burton and South Derbyshire College courses is endless. Beauty treatments from waxing to bridal make-up, photography, website design, marketing, plumbing, electrics, art, yoga, first aid – you can study virtually everything from A to Z here.
Notable achievements at Burton and South Derbyshire College
This year, Burton and South Derbyshire College won a commendation from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) for listening and responding to its customers’ needs. At the same time, it’s a-level students achieved an impressive 99 per cent pass rate. The previous year also saw the college win the LSIS award for the Most Improved Provider. The Burton and South Derbyshire College students also do work for the community, recently raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK, as well as holding a community drama festival (this year’s was entitled Fantasia). The Creative Arts students held a local exhibition entitled Twenty Eleven featuring a cross-section of art, design, film and media work. There was also an annual fashion show held locally as well as a photography exhibition which moved on to showcase in London. It’s no wonder then that Burton and South Derbyshire College achieved a ‘good’ grading from the probing Ofsted examination in 2007. With the continuing push to improve standards at the college, a future Ofsted visit might be tempted to award the much-coveted ‘outstanding’ grade.
With over 500 Burton college courses available, most students will be able to find something to their liking. To stay up to date on news about Burton college, visit the Burton Mail regularly.
Tags: Burton college, Burton college courses, Burton Mail, Burton on Trent
04 Aug 11 Burton Rugby Club Throughout the Years
Burton-on-Trent is known for many things and especially the excellent beer that came (but no longer comes) from its fast-flowing mineral-rich river water and Burton RFC. Beer gave many of Burton’s townsfolk food on the table and a roof over their heads, but all work and no play can make Jack a very dull boy. Fortunately, there’s one game (other than darts) that is almost synonymous with beer drinking and that is rugby football, so it is no surprise to find that the brewing men of Burton set up Burton Rugby Club to run off their excess energy and build up that all-important thirst.
A Brief History
The story of Burton RFC began when some brewers met in the Swan Hotel in Burton on October 5, 1870, to establish a club, long before the irrevocable split between Association Football and rugby happened. As a result, Burton Rugby Club is entitled to call itself a football club rather just than a rugby club. Initially, like other teams, it played by its own rules but finally adopted the rules of the Rugby Football Union in 1876, at the same time ending playing ‘ordinary’ football on alternate weekends. By 1876, the rules of the Rugby Football Union were adopted and in 1877 an AGM chose the club colours, black diagonal stripe on a white jersey, which is still used today. Ladies were admitted as club members (but not players!) as early as 1889, a remarkable bit of gender equality for that time. The ground itself has changed venue several times, sometimes controversially, but has ended up at Peel Croft which was first used as early as 1872.
Notable Players
The period 1870 to 1914 saw Burton RFC at its peak, gaining the Midland Counties Challenge Cup twice. They even managed a victory over the Maori Tourists in 1888 topped by a victory over the newly formed Barbarians in 1890. However, the 1932/33 side was captained by G. T. Barker and they beat well-rated Swansea, Barker continuing as captain for the next five years. He also set up Peel Croft Social Club to entertain teams who visited Burton’s ground, and plenty of Burton beer was available to quench their thirst.
Rugby is very much a full team game, so that individual performances are often less prominent than in football but there were some prominent names at Burton Rugby Club such as S. H. Evershed, who captained the Midlands Counties side as well as Burton. Naturally, he was also involved in running a local Burton brewery. Alongside him were six other Burton players, a measure of how good the local team of the day was. Today, Dominic ‘Spud’ Taylor has impressively been called up to play in England’s Under-19 squad.
Triumphs and Failures
Perhaps the greatest success at Burton Rugby Club is the fact that it has kept going from the very beginning of the sport, right up to today. This year, for instance, they have won the RFU’s Whole Club Seal of Approval, awarded in part for the long-term sustainability of the club and its contribution to the overall development of rugby as a sport. This is not a club obsessed with filling a cabinet with silverware, being more concerned with playing the game of rugby for its own sake. It has had periods of glory, such as winning the Midland Counties Challenge Cup twice, and in 1992, gained promotion to the Midlands League.
Since then, it has come very close to achieving National League status, coming second on three occasions, and it should only be a matter of time before it finally achieves this ambition, not least because club membership has steadily increased. Rugby may have unfairly been described as a gentleman’s game played by hooligans, but Burton RFC has proved that this sport can be played by proper gentlemen.
Burton Rugby Club fans need look no further than the Burton Mail to keep up to date with their team. For all the latest Burton RFC fixtures, results and news, visit the Burton Mail online.
Tags: Burton Mail, Burton RFC, Burton Rugby Club
05 Apr 11 Junior Football Teams in Burton
The Burton Junior Football League (BJFL) is the name of the league which rules the junior teams in the Burton area. There is a range of teams in Burton, all catering to different age groups including an under-7s, under-8s, under-9s, under-10s, under-11s, under-12s, under-13s under-14s, under-15s and under-16s teams. All of these teams train and practice at Winkleton Fields apart from the under 16s who train every Friday at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre. There is also a girls’ junior football team in Burton and the age range for these groups go from school years one to eight.
Burton Football for Kids
Winkleton Fields can be found just outside Burton on Stony Lane, and all of the home matches for all teams are held here. No dogs are allowed in the fields and cars can be parked in the field area, making it easy for visitors to get to and from the matches. There are three mini pitches, four mid-sized pitches and two larger pitches which are reserved for games for the under-15 and under-16 teams.
Teams in the BJFL
There are more than 300 teams which take part in the junior football league in Burton and here are just a handful of the current teams:
• Stapenhill FC
• Repton Casuals White
• Doveridge FC
• Gresley Juniors Lions
• Rolleston FC
• Stretton Swifts U18
• Snarestone United
• Ashby Ivanhoe
• Midway FC
• TS Sports Claret
• Stretton Eagles United
• TS Sports
• Belvedere Park Juniors
Burton football is really popular and it provides local youngsters with fun things to do and there are many different teams suitable for all age ranges to play in.
A History of the BJFL
After going out of existence in 1983, the BJFL was restarted in 1988 and is now dedicated to ensuring that local children enjoy themselves in a safe environment. The last 20 years have seen many changes in the BJFL and chairmen and committee members have come and gone, but the same chairman has now been in place since the 98/99 season when the Mini or Small Sided Soccer scheme was piloted. In the 98/99 season there were 37 teams playing on Sunday afternoons and Saturday mornings. The committee now features 15 people who devote their spare time to local Burton children in the quest to entertain them on the football fields.
Currently, more than 300 teams with a total of almost 40,000 players from 55 clubs now play in the BJFL and this includes the league for girls which was introduced in 2004. The Burton Junior Football League has to raise a lot of money every year in order to cater for such a large amount of teams and they are always on the look-out for new sponsorship deals. The more money that they can raise, the more coaches and staff they can employ, allowing even more youngsters in the area the chance to join in all the fun!
Sponsorship for Burton’s Junior Teams
Slades Homes, HSBC, Winkton Auto Centre, Coastline Produce Limited, Christchurch Mortgages, JD Brickwork and Holton Homes are all part of the sponsorship deals for the junior teams in the area. The BJFL works hard to ensure that as many local sponsors as possible are active in supporting the local teams and avidly encourages more companies to take part in the sponsorship deals.
The town of Burton is home to many junior football teams. For more information on these teams and other Burton football clubs, visit the Burton Mail.
Tags: Burton, Burton football, Burton Mail
01 Apr 11 Burton’s Most Notable Residents
Burton is famous for its brewing heritage and the pretty town lies within the boundaries of the National Forest. As well as brewing, the town is also the birthplace of Marmite and along with its stunning architecture, Burton attracts a lot of famous faces.
The Bass Family
William Bass is arguably the town’s most famous resident as he founded one of the largest and most successful breweries in Burton that went a long way to cementing the town’s history with the industry. Born in Burton in 1717, the brewery boss created Bass & Co in 1777 and he died just one decade later. The first Baron of Burton was Michael Arthur Bass who was born in 1837 and the philanthropist was famous for the magnificent buildings which he created for the town. These included the town hall, St. Margaret’s Church and St. Paul’s Church.
Andrew Birch
The Private Eye cartoonist is a local Burtonian and he has worked for famous publications including The Observer, The Guardian and The Independent. A former biologist, Birch creates cartoons that are funny without being overly vulgar and his cartoons include editorial and feature illustrations. He lives in Burton on Trent and when he isn’t working in London, he can often be seen shopping in the town centre.
Tracey Hallam
Tracey was born in 1975 in Burton and the professional badminton player proudly took part in the 2008 Olympic Games, held in Beijing. She was knocked out in the third round but she did win the title of the women’s singles in badminton during the 2006 Commonwealth Games. While she spends much of her time training and travelling the world attending various sporting events, Hallam is well known in Burton.
Joe Jackson
Jackson was born in Burton on Trent in 1954 and the English singer/songwriter now resides in Germany but rumour has it that he still owns a property in his birthplace. During his long career he was nominated for a Grammy five times over a period that spanned 22 years and was one of the three musicians who challenged the punk era in the 70s, along with Graham Parker and Elvis Costello. While he was actually born in Burton itself, Jackson grew up in neighbouring Swadlincote.
Rob McElwee
The BBC’s longest serving weatherman, Rob McElwee was born in Burton and lived there for many years before moving to Buckinghamshire. McElwee made his inaugural appearance on the BBC in 1991 and his final broadcast went out on January 11, 2011 as the BBC moved him to the back offices in a bid to save money. As well as being an official Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, McElwee presented forecasts to the UK public on BBC News, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC World News, BBC Radio 4 and BBC One.
As well as all of these famous residents, Burton has also been home to famous jazz drummer Phil Seaman, the last religious martyr who was burnt at the stake, Edward Wightman, actor Philip Bond, co-founder of Porlzilla Designer Toys Paul Burke, MP David Maurice Curry, former England netball captain Olivia Murphy, BBC News presenter Alistair Yates and weightlifting champion Steve Gardner.
Whatever it is about Burton, it certainly seems to have a habit of producing famous faces…
As well as producing several well-known names, the town of Burton on Trent has many other qualities that attract visitors. For the latest news and information about Burton, visit the Burton Mail.
Tags: Burton, Burton Mail, Burton on Trent
14 Oct 10 Employment in Burton upon Trent
Burton-on-Trent has a long history, being placed at a suitable point for bridging the sometimes-surging and dangerous waters of the River Trent. Burton’s crossing point is the reason why an abbey was sited here in medieval times, bringing wealth and providing the first Burton business aside from food production. The monks had not just come to pray, as the waters of the Trent were perfect for making one essential product; good old English beer. In those days, with water often unsafe to drink without boiling, beer was both a daily beverage and calorie intake and the Trent’s water was ideal because it contained high levels of dissolved salts such as gypsum, enabling Burton brewers to use extra hops that extended the beer’s life. The river also gave Burton business another bonus, providing a watery highway to other areas at a time when the horse was the main vehicle and roads were just muddy tracks.
Employment opportunities in Burton today
The number of Burton breweries might have shrunk from 20 in its heyday (when half the working population worked in the industry) to a depleted six but they still provide a hard nucleus of employment for the 65,000 people in the town. Today’s breweries include Marston’s, Burton Bridge, Molson Coors, Cottage Brewery, Tower Brewery and White Shield microbrewery.
The last National Census showed that people working in elementary occupations in Burton was higher than the national average, reflecting its origins as a town that produces things. Unfortunately, Branston Pickle (named after a Burton suburb) moved out in 2004 but there are still many other Burton businesses. Marmite, for instance, is a by-product of brewing and has a factory in town; and Pirelli tyres also has a large workforce there. Burton College attracts 13,000 students annually and provides work as well as educational opportunities for local people.
On the retail and leisure side, there are a number of shopping centres such as Cooper’s Square, the Octagon Centre and Burton Place, again providing many jobs locally, and there are employment opportunities at the newly refurbished Meadowside Leisure Centre. There are also several conference centres on Burton’s outskirts, again providing service sector jobs for locals. A recent measure to boost Burton recruitment and Burton business was the relocation of Business Enterprise Support Ltd into town to encourage new business start-ups in the area.
New job opportunities
Burton recruitment is getting a significant boost from the establishment of the National Forest, as it is effectively the capital of this green swathe of seven million new trees. There are a number of schemes to boost visitor numbers, all of whom will need feeding and watering by a new generation of tea rooms and cafes, not to mention the Burton pubs with all that locally made refreshing beer. There are also new businesses developing forest products such as logs for the fire, charcoal etc. as well as spin-off extra income for outlets such as fuel stations, outdoor clothing stores, cycle shops and other Burton businesses.
So, in spite of the persistence of the recent recession and the potential threat to UK jobs after government cutbacks, Burton businesses still have much to offer future job seekers.
Although Burton business is mainly associated with the brewing industry, there are many other companies offering employment. If you are looking for a job in the Burton area, visit the Burton Mail for Burton recruitment ads.
21 Sep 10 A History of Burton Industry
During World War II, RAF pilots used to refer to crashed and presumably dead comrades as having gone for a Burton, especially if they had gone down into the sea (also nicknamed the drink). The probable reason for this expression is that the major Burton-on-Trent business was and still is the production of large quantities of beer. In medieval times, up to a dozen breweries operated here on the banks of the great British river, the Trent, which provided the ideal waterway for local activities.
The Science of Brewing
Originally the site of an abbey and with a bridge over the wide and often dangerous River Trent, this town has grown to over 65,000 people and still manages to run five breweries and one micro-brewery. So, what makes Burton business so special when it comes to the art of making good beer?
The answer lies in the fast flowing waters of the Trent which are full of dissolved salts, particularly gypsum, that have leached out from the surrounding high ground. This chemical bonus enabled the Burton brewers to use more hops in their beer which, in turn, acted as a preservative. The bottom line is that this allowed Burton businesses to send their beer much further afield, putting them at a competitive advantage, especially as they also experienced less wastage. Another advantage that having the Trent run past their door gave to Burton businesses is that it provided a navigation route all the way to the east coast, allowing distribution of their beer over a large area of lowland England and even as far as the Baltic.
The Rise of the Breweries
The building of a rail link to London added to Burton’s advantages in the brewing trade. At its height, an astonishing quarter of all beer sold in Britain was brewed by Burton business, and Burton India Pale Ale was sent as far as the subcontinent. As is often the case, all this success was eventually hit by change. The anti-drinking campaign of the Liberal Government in the early 20th century reduced the number of Burton businesses still in the brewing trade from 20 down to eight by 1928.
Today, the waters of the Trent are still used in Burton’s business of beer making, with restrictions on chemical usage on surrounding farmland. The recent establishment of the National Forest with Burton at its heart has also contributed to improving the local water quality, which is good news for all beer lovers.
Modern Day Burton
Still operating from this brewery town are Coors Brewers Ltd, Marstons plc, Burton Bridge Brewery, Tower Brewery and Cottage Brewery as well as White Shield micro-brewery alongside Coors’ Visitor Centre. These are not the only Burton businesses however. As a by-product of brewing, Marmite (either love it or hate it!) is made here as well as Branston Pickle, and Pirelli Tyres employs a number of people in town. Also, the newly established National Forest with all its potential leisure activity and associated industries, such as forest products, has provided a new and much-needed economic impetus for the town.
But for some time to come, the main Burton business will remain beer making from those natural salt-laden waters of the Trent, so let’s all say ‘cheers’ and ‘bottoms up’ to the bustling Midland town of Burton-on-Trent!
Burton on Trent business continues to be largely focused towards brewing but there are other companies in operation too. Visit the Burton Mail for the latest Burton business news, about organisations of all sizes.
Tags: Burton business, Burton Mail, Burton on Trent business
