Longnor Village

Longnor Once a thriving market town, lies at a northern point of the Staffordshire Moorlands close to the Derbyshire boundary, in the Peak District National Park. It is sited on a high ridge dividing the rivers Dove and Manifold, close to ancient trade routes. To the south, the Potteries, with both clay goods and coal. To the west, the Cheshire plain, with textile trades at Macclesfield for example and rich salt deposites at Nantwich and beyond.

Early village history is unclear, but are records of activities in the area from the days of the Saxon kings of Mercia around 700 AD.

Although Longnor is not referred to in the Doomsday book, verbal history speaks of the village being burnt to the ground in the reign of William II, as a punishment for poaching deer in Leek forest.

History does record a personal intervention by the Conqueror in 1070 AD, following revolts within the local Moorlands. Although some earlier settlement will have undoubtedly occurred in the area, the first written reference to Longnor records the founding of a St. Bartholomew’s church in 1223 AD on the current church site.

This establishment suggests a growth in stature and trading significance in the area. Agricultural activity was also increasing on the valley sides and on strip fields around the village, whilst nearby smaller settlements including Badgers Croft, Fernyford, Hardingbooth and Wilshaw also developed.

A period of stability endured for two centuries, the number of homes in the village then being some 15 to 20. Trading activity grew apace, and by the mid 16th century, 4 annual fairs and 2 weekly events had superseded the one fair held in the churchyard during medieval times. Church market tolls were 1 penny for covered stalls and half that for any open stands.

The Harpur-Crewe family became lords of the Longnor manor at this time, thus beginning a long-standing association with Longnor. A physical reminder remains in the form of the Crewe & Harpur Arms, on the market square. Other inns carry historical references in their names : The Horseshoe, The Cheshire Cheese ( near an old cheese store) and the Red Bull in Chapel street which may refer to the local practice of bull baiting. The earliest reference to alehouses is dated 1593, and the Horseshoe inn is known to have been first built in 1609. Much criminality was recorded during the 17th Century, at a time when 8 alehouse licences were granted here. The civil war ensued and established houses in Longnor grew to 40. The earliest church registers begin in 1690.

William Billinge, one of Staffordshire’s most famous warriors, was born near Longnor in 1679. After an illustrious, and well-travelled career, he died in 1791 being 112 years old.

By the 18th century, the village had expanded even further. Bustling Longnor boasted a Methodist chapel, more alehouses, a beehive shaped lock-up, a market hall and a water powered mill. The market hall was described as vaulted and arched, with 8 upper rooms. A Masonic lodge was formed at this time, as were the earliest known schools. The nearby mill on the river Manifold was producing flour and meal from local harvests. The site was in use from 1605, the building being replaced in 1769. Horses, carrier wagons and visitors crowded the streets of Longnor during market days, and cottage industry flourished. Goods including oats, barley, salt, pottery, saddlery, beans, cheese, meats, malt, wheat and corn passed through were stored. Some copper and coal was extracted nearby, and silica was conveyed to Stoke, carriers then bringing finished wares back. Macclesfield silk was brought in for spinning on local looms.

A host of trades existed in and around the village, including blacksmiths, wheelwright, butcher, brick maker, cobbler, candle maker, brewer, carpenter, miller, saddler, druggist, toymaker, tailor, watchmaker, grocer, baker and mason. Food from farms and homes also provided goods for local consumption and for the markets in Buxton, Leek and Bakewell.

As the availability of the goods and services increased, more visitors came to the village on fair days, adding to the demands on the villagers to meet their needs. Tolls for produce sales were established, evidence remaining in the form of a toll charge board on the front of the market hall. In 1817 a Royal permission was granted for 8 annual and 2 weekly fairs, and the local directory lists 7 alehouses.

Sales at livestock holding fairs, exchange of labour at hiring fairs, shipment of cereals, farming produce and manufactured goods added to Longnor’s growing reputation. Bulk corn, grain and feeds storage thrived, one feed store building is still trading to this day.

The mid 19th century saw the population of Longnor rise to 600. The busy moorland’s centre was now referred to as a “market town” for the first time. This period marked the heyday of Longnor town, with a dozen busy alehouses and a police station with cells. It was a period of continued rowdiness and criminality on the one hand and increasing social awareness on the other, with several schools being established and a firm musical presence in the village, centred on the church. The original church was rebuilt by the opening of the century, and extended in 1812 to cater for growing numbers. The Methodist chapel, built in 1780, was also enlarged to include a gallery and an organ. Education took its place with the establishment of dame schools, ladies and boys boarding schools, and a free school, built in 1845. This was rebuilt in 1872 and remains part of the present day building.

Other changes including the opening of a small library in 1858, rebuilding of the market hall in 1873, opening of a reading room in 1890 and alterations to the church from 1893 to 1898.

Developing transport infrastructures, road improvements and the rapid growth of the railway network, undoubtedly became one catalyst whereby the reliance upon local transport systems, carriages, carts and pack horses, moved inevitably into a slow decline. Goods were moved by road and rail in larger quantities, passengers gained easy access to towns and cities and the centres of commercial power shifted towards larger conurbations. Road and rail networks grew and their services improved. Together with developments in powered machinery great changes were to be wrought upon daily life everywhere.

The outset of the 20th century marked some prosperity for Longnor but also oversaw a continuing decline. More people in Longnor and its surroundings sought employment away from traditional places; from farms, houses and mills, workers migrated to quarrying , road building, railways, engineering and employment in the growing towns and cities. Whilst agriculture was less affected, remaining a major factor in local life, change was to be brought about by developments in machinery and farm practice. The new century oversaw great changes in rural life. The advances in technology, engineering, communication and science added to the momentum for change.

Today much of the structure of Longnor remains untouched and agricultural activity still forms a constant backdrop. The character and pace of village activity now reflect the new demands of life in one of the most popular national parks in the world. Growing interests in foodstuffs, farm life, arts and crafts and rural history has led to developments in these areas and to promising revivals in age-old activities which still retain their roots in the colourful history of Longnor – old market town.