Town Council - Working for the Community

THE

MAYOR

OF

IRTHLINGBOROUGH

COUNCILLOR

RON SILVER

History of Irthlingborough

Formerly known as Artleborough (after the bridge) the town has grown from a village to have a population of 7000. It is situated just off the A6, which locally connects the A14 at Kettering to Bedford.

This is another town with strong boot and shoe making traditions. 200 years ago Irthlingborough was the third most prominent shoe making community behind Northampton and Wellingborough. Today no factories exist and the dormant buildings have been demolished or converted to provide apartments. It has a small town centre with local or independent shops and one supermarket. The Pinetrees residential housing estate was developed in the 1980's.

A feature of the town is the football club Rushden & Diamonds F.C. an amalgamation of the old Irthlingborough Diamonds and Rushden Town football clubs. The club was financed including the construction of the entire stadium, Nene Park by millionaire Max Griggs of R Griggs Ltd (Dr Martens footwear).

Local Government began in Irthlingborough on Tuesday the 22nd day of October 1901 with the first meeting of the Urban District Council. Three phases took place, the first between 1901 and 1920 with the clean water and sewage projects. The second between 1920 and 1973 with the housing phase of building council houses with the creation of Allen Road and Hayway together with Crow Hill. The third between 1974 and 2000 with the start of the parish council (later to be the town council) and minor projects of floodlighting the church and the start of the Les O’dell Park.