Citylife in Rugeley and Cannock Chase July August 2022

A Window on the Past
Hodgeley
In the mediaeval period the town of
Rugeley was surrounded by the common
meadows along the Trent and by the three
great common arable fields - Upfield,
Churchfield and Hodgeley. Hodgeley lay to
the east of the town. It extended from
Mossley to Lichfield Street and then along
River Lane (the modern Forge Road and
Leathermill Lane) from Brewery Street to
the Trent.
In 1558, when Elizabeth I came to the throne,
there were only about 68 houses in the town
itself. This was a prosperous age and the number
of houses in the town doubled during the next
100 years.
Now, most of Hodgeley Field has been built
on - Heron Street, Queen Street, King Street,
and the name has been forgotten, although the
area was still known as Hodgeley right up until
the 1950s.
1. Heron Street in the early twentieth century.
The Roman Catholic church is on the extreme
left. The building near the centre with a bell
tower is the original Catholic School, later the
Guild Room.
2. The un-named lane leading from Lichfield
Street to Heron Street and commonly known as
‘School Lane.’ Taken in the mid-1980s.
3. Queen Street looking towards Forge Road
and the gasworks. The Victoria Inn is the first
building on the left. Taken in 1974 when the
street was being demolished.
4. King Street looking towards Heron Street
and Keystone Lane. Also taken in 1974.
5. The wharf on the Trent and Mersey canal,
from under the Love Lane bridge, in 1974.
6. The Forward Works in Mill Lane, c. 1925-
1929, when it was occupied by Fowell & Jones,
cork sock manufacturers. Previously it had been
a steam corn mill.
The Landor (local history) Society is a focus for
those who wish to learn more about the history
of Rugeley and its surrounding parishes. It was
founded in 1953 and was named in honour of
Walter Noble Landor, local and county
historian, who became the Society’s first
President. More information is available at
www.landorsocietyrugeley.uk
20
Continued on page 22