Breaston

Breaston (respelled|p=on|BREE-stən ["BBC Pronouncing Dictionary of British Names" Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 212976 7] ) is a large village in Derbyshire, England on the A6005 very close to the M1. Infobox UK place
official_name= Breaston
country= England
region= East Midlands
static_

static_image_caption=The village of Breaston.
population=
os_grid_reference=
latitude= 52.89249
longitude= -1.31772
map_type= Derbyshire
post_town= DERBY
postcode_area= DE
postcode_district= DE72
dial_code= 01332
constituency_westminster= Erewash
civil_parish=
shire_district= Erewash
shire_county=Derbyshire

History

Breaston was mentioned in the Domesday book as belonging to Henry de FerrersHenry was given a large number of manors in Derbyshire including land in Swarkestone, Markeaton, Sinfin and Cowley.] and being worth four shillings."Domesday Book: A Complete Translation". London: Penguin, 2003. ISBN 0-14-143994-7 p.748]

Originally an agricultural village, Breaston has continued to grow for centuries until it has reached its current size, separated from the neighbouring Long Eaton only by the M1.

Breaston today is mainly residential. There is a church (St Michael), a Methodist chapel, three pubs, still named as they were in 1846 - The Bulls Head, Chequers Inn [ [http://www.picturesofengland.com/pictures/1000/Breaston_1137432495.jpgThe Chequers Inn site] ] and The Navigation Inn; a club (which is now a pub and called "The Victory"), a medical centre, and a comprehensive range of shops, including a Co-op, located in the centre of the village around the church and village green of which the green is one of the biggest in the country. Duffield Close, as it is known, holds an annual May Day Fete.

Train station

The first Long Eaton railway station was on Sawley Lane, Breaston. First used in 1839, when the line opened, it was the third station on the line west from Nottingham. It was originally called Breaston, but the name was changed to avoid confusion with nearby Beeston.

Notable people

*Blessed Edward James, Catholic martyr
*Geoff Hoon, Chief Whip in the United Kingdom, and former Secretary of State for Defence up until 2005.

References

External links

* [http://www.breastonpreschoolplaygroup.org.uk/ Breaston Pre-school Playgroup]
* [http://www.erewash.gov.uk/LeisureCulture/TourismTravel/placesToVisit/breaston.htm Page at Erewash Council]
* [http://www.ingirum.co.uk/breaston/shops.htm Shops in Breaston]