Audley
| Audley | |
| Staffordshire | |
|---|---|
 Audley's Parish Church of St James | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SJ796509 |
| Location: | 53°3’11"N, 2°18’14"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 8,437 (2011) |
| Post town: | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Postcode: | ST7 |
| Dialling code: | 01782 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Newcastle-under-Lyme |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Newcastle-under-Lyme |
Audley is a large village in the north of Staffordshire, about four miles north-west of Newcastle-under-Lyme and three miles from Alsager near the border of Cheshire to the north.
The wider civil parish extends up to the Cheshire border, including such minor hamlets as Foxley to the north.
The village itself is on the B5500, the former A52 road. Just south of the A500, and about five minutes from the M6 motorway.
The first mention of Audley is in the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was called Aldidelege. The book records that the lands were held by an Englishman called Gamel. At this time, the area was very sparsely populated, and because of its distance from the major towns of Stafford and Chester there was little outside contact.
There was a mediæval castle at Audley Castle Hill during the late 13th century; only a low earthwork remains of the former motte. Excavations have yielded some stonework.
Church
The parish church of St James is on Church Street, at the top of Wilbraham's Walk. Christians have met together on the site of the present church building for nearly 1000 years. Part of the Diocese of Lichfield of the Church of England, the church is linked to St John's, Alsager's Bank and St Martin's, Talke in a united benefice established by the Diocese. It is a Grade II* listed building,[1]
Thomas Audley, whose commemorative brass is in St James Church in Audley, was the son of the second Lord Audley, James (Baron Audley of Redcastle and Heleigh) and Elizabeth Lestrange of Knokyn. James 2nd Baron Audley's first wife was Joan Mortimer, daughter of Roger Mortimer. James's cousin Sir James Audley was Edward 'The Black Prince's' hero on the battlefield and was created 21st Knight of the Garter. Sir James's father was Hugh Audley Baron Audley of Stratton.
Theatre
The volunteer-run Audley Theatre is located in the former Coronation Cinema on Hall Street.
The cinema was originally opened in 1911. In the 1930s it was renamed the Palace Cinema, and after 1962 was converted into a bingo club. It later stood empty. It was purchased by the Audley Players in 1967, and renovated; in 1969 the Audley Theatre was opened by Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch.[2]
Sport
- Bowling
- Cricket: Audley Cricket Club, based at Kent Hills Cricket Ground
- Football: Audley Football Club
- Audley Climbing Centre
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Audley) |
- St James Church
- Website for charities, organisations and businesses, in and around the Audley area
- Audley in the Domesday Book
- Audley Cricket Club
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1038613: Church of St James (Grade II* listing)
- ↑ Audley Theatre: Cinema Treasures
- Audley Parish Millennium 1000 – 2000 AD, ed. Robert Speake