Cottingham and Middleton

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Providing news and information for the villages of Cottingham and Middleton, Northamptonshire A Methodist Chapel opened on Corby Road, Cottingham in 1808.

The history of Cottingham and Middleton can be traced back to Roman times. The Via Devana' Roman road from Leicester to Huntingdon ran along the route of Corby Road, part of School Lane and Ashley Road, and remains of a Roman building were discovered in Bury Close during construction in the 1960s. Cotingeham is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, at which time the village was owned by Peterborough Abbey. Although Middleton was not around at this time, it still dates back to at least 1197 when it is mentioned in a ‘feet of fines’, which were registers of land transfers. In the 1700s, hand loom weaving was a major industry in the area but, by the mid 1800s, agriculture and farming had taken over as the main occupations. There are two limekilns, a brickyard and several mills recorded in the villages and, in 1874, clothing manufacturers Wallis and Linnell opened a factory on Rockingham Road, Cottingham. This building later became Cottingham Closures shoe factory before its recent conversion into apartments. The parish church of St Mary Magdalene dates back to the 13th Century with the earliest recorded Rector in the village being Hugh de Patteshall in 1239. This chapel later became the Methodist Hall when the larger chapel was built alongside in 1878. A Congregational Chapel opened in Main Street, Middleton in 1844. This building is now a private house. From the 18th Century, Cottingham and Middleton were unusual in having many Copyholders, private landowners who had a marked influence in the development of the local community. In 1854, the Copyholders installed iron water pipes to channel natural spring water to pumps in the villages. This system supplied villagers with fresh water for some hundred years before mains water was installed in 1957. The Copyholders also contributed towards the construction of Middleton school in Camsdale Walk (opened 1856) and a major restoration of St Mary Magdalene Church in 1880. Cottingham and Middleton are served by one community shop, but many of our older villagers can remember a time when there were two post offices, several general stores, bakeries, butchers and even a bookmaker and undertaker in the villages. Around the end of the 19th Century, villagers would have had up to eight pubs to choose from – the Royal George, Spread Eagle, Three Horseshoes, Crown and King’s Head in Cottingham – and the Red Lion, Exeter Arms and Woolpack in Middleton. Rumour has it that women were not allowed into the pubs at this time, and that some used to gather in the Reading Room on Church Street, Cottingham to have their drinks passed through a hatchway from the King’s Head pub next door! Cottingham, Middleton and East Carlton now together form Corby’s Rural West ward which, at the time of the 2001 Census, boasted a population of 1,510. More photographs and information about the history of Cottingham can be found on www.cottinghamhistory.co.uk

02/11/2026

We came across this fascinating piece of village history the other day, given to us some time ago by Fred Simpson. Does anyone have any more information about this please, e.g. how the Cottingham Sick Benefit Friendly Society worked, who set it up and when it operated? Any info or memories are most welcome 🙏 x

31/10/2026

Happy Halloween from the Woollentops Wee Woolly Witchies 🧙 🎃 👻 They’ve raised £208 for the Cottingham Church loo fund. Thanks everyone for your support 🥰 ###

29/10/2026

John Freeman has sent us this amazing photo of an outing from the Rockingham Road Factory in 1947. He has given us lots of names, but we have a few missing. Do you recognise anyone? Can you help fill in the gaps please 🙏? x

Names so far:

Back row: Laurie Jackson, - , ? Crane, Cyril Crane, Bernard Jackson, Elsie Jackson, Ruth Cooper, Gwen Crane, ? Panter, Elsie Cooper, - , - , Glad Panter, - , - , Mrs Lawson, - , Irene (Renie) Glover, Nell Chambers, (Grandad Lawson?)

2nd row?: - , - , - , Eric Lawson, - , - , Mrs Musson, Olive Wildman, Maisie Panter, - , Joyce Harrison, Billy Perkins, Joyce Jarman, Gladys Horsely, Jack Harrison, Ruth Harrison, Ethel Jackson

Greta Pearson, Les Pearson, Mrs Pearson, Ena Perkins, Joan Claypole, Mrs Dodd, Pam Moore, -, - , - , Jean Langley, - , Francis Barron, - , Mrs Barron, Mrs Eddie Crane, - , - , -

- , -, Les Corbidge? , - , - , Sylv Jackson, - , Keith Adams, Florrie Jarman, Muriel Jarman, Joan Potter, Neil Abraham, Freddie Freeman, Eileen Barron, Audrey Townsin, Dolly Townsin, Mr Porter, ?, Phylis Townsin

28/10/2026

Come along and join in the fun. Completely free, no experience necessary! We'll have loads going on, just come along and join in. There's something for everyone – crafts, games, silliness, all sorts of sweet treats, and of course, how Jesus helps us when things go a BIT WONKY DONKEY!! See you Sunday!!! 😘

22/10/2026

Continuing with the rebuild of the Cottingham History website, does anyone recognise any of these guys, or know the occasion or date please? 🏆😊 x

18/10/2026

Young people are taking up bell ringing to make connections. Interested? Follow the link in the comments to find out how you can get involved 🔔 🤗

Katie Anderson says making music with others is an antidote to screens and scrolling.

Address

Cottingham And Middleton
Market Harborough
LE168XY

Website

http://www.cottinghamnews.co.uk/

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