Wednesfield

Infobox UK place
official_name= Wednesfield
country= England
map_type= West Midlands
region= West Midlands
population= 35,000 approx. (2001 Census)
os_grid_reference= SO944998
latitude= 52.5998
longitude= -2.0817
post_town= Wolverhampton
postcode_area= WV
postcode_district= WV
dial_code= 01902
constituency_westminster= Wolverhampton North East
civil_parish=
metropolitan_borough= Wolverhampton
metropolitan_county= West Midlands

Wednesfield (population about 35,000) is a town in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. It is to the northeast of Wolverhampton city centre, and on the A4124. It is not to be confused with the nearby town of Wednesbury, which is entirely separate from Wednesfield. Its name comes from the Old English "Wōdnesfeld" meaning "Woden's Field", open land belonging to, or holy to, the high god of the Germanic Pantheon.

Most of the former Wednesfield Urban District was merged into Wolverhampton County Borough in 1966, though some parts were incorporated into Walsall County Borough and other into South Staffordshire district.

It is covered by the Wednesfield North, Wednesfield South and parts of Fallings Park and Heath Town wards of Wolverhampton City Council.

Wednesfield was formerly well-known for making all kinds of traps, from mousetraps, to mantraps and locks. Many of the factories that dominated the area have been cleared to make way for houses and other buildings.

Wednesfield town centre is of a modest size, but has a small market on the High Street which is now a pedestrian and public transport area only. There are a number of shops, including a small supermarket and a large Sainsbury's which is due to undergo a major refurbishment and thiere is a Somerfield , and several pubs.

Wednesfield has links to Wolverhampton via the 559 & 560 bus and Birmingham via the frequent trains from Wolverhampton railway station. The 525, 528,511 and 698 all pass close to Wednesfield.

The Church of St Thomas dominated the town centre, being originally built in 1760, but was almost completely destroyed by fire on 18th January 1902.

Recently, the area to the west and south of the town centre has seen urban renewal take place, with the completion of a by-pass along the former route of the rail line through the town. There has also been a new leisure park built at Bentley Bridge called the Bentley Bridge Retail Park which has, a number of stores, , a Cineworld 14 screen cinema, and restaurants including; McDonalds and KFC/

Recently a new 'Waterworld' Leisure Centre has been built close to Bentley Bridge. The centre features a studio pool (with adjustable depth), 25 metre main pool, leisure pool, 2 flumes, jacuzzi, a sauna and steam room as well as an adequately equipped gym.

This is also a Gurdwara serving the local Sikh population.

The Wyrley and Essington Canal runs through the town.

Famous people from Wednesfield include Olympic Champion Tessa Sanderson, Olympic gymnast Hayley Price, ex-England rugby union player Martin Cooper, Apprentice runner-up Ruth Badger, Darts player Wayne Jones and recent X Factor contestants 4Sure.

Local areas include Ashmore Park and Wood End. There is also a pleasant formal garden at Wednesfield Park. These areas were mainly built by AMG Builders, of Wolverhampton.

External links

* [http://www.wednesfield.com/ Wednesfield Community Site]
* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/STS/Wednesfield/index.html GENUKI Wednesfield History]
* [http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/community_living/neighbourhood/centres/wednesfield_cc.htm Wednesfield Community Centre]