History of Spennymoor
As far as can be told from records the name Spennymoor dates back to Saxon times when the name would have been Spinamor, which was derived from two words, the Latin - Spina (Thorn) and the Saxon - Mor (Waste or Moorland), which was likely an area providing free grazing. Throughout the Middle Ages the Spennymoor area was the property of the Earls of Northumberland and later it was possessed by the Nevilles who, in 1569, forfeited their land to the Crown because of the failure of the Rising of the North. By 1862 the Borough had become the property of the Church and was controlled by Bishop Van Mildert of Durham.
The moor was the common centre which linked Kirk Merrington, Whitworth, Old Park, Binchester, Byers Green and Tudhoe, and provided free grazing for all cattle in the Borough. Spennymoor suffered under Norman Rule when the Conqueror laid waste the whole of the North of England. Wild animals roamed about the moor and outlaws terrorised the inhabitants. In the 13th century, Merrington Priory acquired all the grazing rights from the surrounding villages. The Charter of 1279 mentions Tudhoe and Spennymoor. At this time, the Scots were constantly attacking and robbing the inhabitants.
In 1346, Merrington Church and Village, and Croxdale (Butcher’s Race), were closely associated with the Battle of Neville’s Cross.
1616 marked the commencement of coal mining and this was the beginning of a new outlook and later prosperity in Spennymoor. During the 1800’s, Spennymoor continued to prosper. New collieries opened at Whitworth and an Iron Foundry at Tudhoe. Housing was speedily improved but 1879 saw the end of industrial progress and a terrible colliery disaster at Tudhoe added to the problems.
During 1892 the Ironworks at Spennymoor grew to become the largest in Europe and prosperity returned to the town.
The National Coal Strike in 1926 dealt a devastating blow to Spennymoor and the Borough. Many collieries were closed down and the Borough became known as a depressed area. The years prior to World War Two did much to re-establish Spennymoor when the Government built a Royal Ordnance Factory and a group of modern factories.
Later the Government decided the town should become an important centre for new industrial and manufacturing complexes. Industrial Estates at Merrington Lane and Green Lane were established and have been highly successful.
Social housing is controlled by two groups - Sedgefield Borough Council and a number of Housing Associations, and they are responsible for the management of over 2,600 houses built since 1945. Estates comprise modern landscaping and are situated within a few minutes walk from the town centre. The towns population is now over 19,000.
Private houses have been built at Greenways Estate, Tudhoe Grange and at Middlestone Moor. Older properties have been modernised. A comprehensive regeneration of the Bessemer Park area is now nearly complete involving major refurbishment of the existing housing and the construction of new dwellings. Three villages, Byers Green, Kirk Merrington and Tudhoe have been improved and now attract people wishing to settle in pleasant rural communities.
The shopping centre has adequate car parking and has attracted much business to the town. The town centre has been further enhanced by the remodelling of the market area and the enhancement of other public spaces.
The imposing Town Hall with its prominent clock tower situated in the High Street caters for many civic and private functions.
An interest in sport has been fostered since 1900, when Spennymoor F.C. came into being. The club has enjoyed 80 years of entertaining and successful sport played in various Northern Leagues. Local enterprises are fostered by modern factories, family businesses, the shopping centre and a number of hotels.
A more detailed history can be found here with research done by Robert Jackson.
