Little Chester

Little Chester, or Chester Green as it is often referred to by locals, is a suburb of the city of Derby, in Derbyshire, England, located directly north of the city centre. It is also bounded by the River Derwent, the main railway line to Sheffield and Darley Park.

History

Roman times

Main article: Derventio (Little Chester)

It is the most historic area of Derby, the location of a large fortified Roman settlement, which they called Derventio.^[1] This fort, which later became a town, was not only protected the river crossing, but also stood at the junction and gave protection to five Roman roads. The most important was Ryknield Street, which connected Gloucester and the West Country with Yorkshire and the North East.^[1]

Little of the Roman settlement remains at Little Chester today, apart from two Roman wells, one on Marcus Street and the other in the garden of the vicarage of St Paul's Church.^[1] However, a series of excavations in the last fifty years have established both its importance and prosperity, including the discovery of an underfloor heating system on Parker’s Piece and an abundance of coins.

Later times

The district has been continually inhabited since the departure of the Romans, next being settled by Saxons.^[1] Chester Green, the open land which is the centrepiece of the area, is first referred to by name in written records dating back to 1495, and has been a public park since 1866.^[2] In modern times the name Chester Green, applied to the district as a whole, seems to have overtaken the "correct" name in popular usage.^[2]

Sports clubs

Chester Green Cobras FC is a single junior team founded in 2006 by parents unhappy with their previous club. Their home kit is a red top, black shorts, and socks. Their away kit is a white top, black shorts & socks. They are currently in the U12 Derby City League.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Rippon, Nicola (2001). Derby Our City. Derby: Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-245-8
2. ^ ^{a b} Chester Green. Derby City Council. Retrieved on 29 October 2008

Coordinates: 52°55′53″N 1°28′21″W / 52.9313°N 1.47257°W / 52.9313; -1.47257