About Millcaster

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Millcaster is a town in the English midlands. The 2001 census recorded a population of 67,182. The town, originally founded by the Romans was a leading manufacturing centre during the Industrial Revolution, supported by the river and canal. After the second world war, many immigrants came to the town from across the Commonwealth, but its prosperity suffered from the decline of manufacturing in the last part of the 20^th century. It is surrounded by extensive agricultural areas, with another wave of immigration after 2000 especially from Eastern Europe.

History

The arrival of the Romans in the area due to the strategic river crossing led to their building a fort, and explains the “caster” in the town name. After the departure of the Romans, the extensive agriculture in the area and the royal hunting forest made it an wealthy source of income. During the middle ages there was charcoal burning in the forest, and business associated with wood developed. But it was the coming of the industrial revolution, harnessing the power of the river through the mill that gave the town its modern name. Weaving was the dominant industry, with a strong engineering tradition also developing.                                                                                   

Geography/Demography

Millcaster is an ethnically diverse  community. There are a few longer established communities: Afro Caribbean, Asian (from Uganda),  Italian, Horn of Africa (part of immigrant dispersal programme).

There is recent immigration from Eastern Europe, Iraq, particularly to support agriculture and services.

Class – core of middle class – ringed by some postwar and 70s estates. Unemployment – youth and some loss of local manufacturing base. Millcaster is a university (post 1992)  town, so there are an increasing number of students, quite a number of academics as well those providing support services.  There are still a few landed gentry types with country houses, also active in charitable activities. There is a fast-growing Asian middle-class community of well established professionals.

Economy

Politics and society

The Millcaster Borough Council has over the last 20 years moved from being Labour dominated to Liberal-Democrat. The local MP remains Labour. There is a strong municipal presence: council/municipal offices with key departments (finance, grants, contracts, leisure services, education, environment etc). In the rural area ouside the borough, the local parish councils play an important role in local life.

The Millcaster and District Chronicle has a long history of non-conformism, being confrontational with much of the local establishment including that of local charities.

After World War II, an active Town Twinning movement led to strong links being created with Schilda (Germany), and there are many connections with the Schildbuerger culture and customs.

Famous residents

Millcaster's voluntary and community sector

Voluntary Action Millcaster is based in The Old Mill in the centre of town, in part of a former mill which has been converted into low cost office accomodation which also houses many of the town's charities, as well as arts and similar organisations. There is a communal cafe and shop space in the Centre of the complex which is open to the public as well as all the tenants; also a small theatre space.

 Typical third sector organisations found are:

• Mill Wharf Housing, which has an annual income of £7m
• Age Aid provides services and support which promote the welfare of older people across Millcaster
• Millcreek Lock Activity Centre provides a range of arts and cultural activities to enable members of their community, particularly those who are social excluded and disadvantaged, to take part in learning and leisure
• Sense Trust is a ‘nature therapy garden’ designed with access for older people and the disabled which was built on the site of a former sewage treatment works
• True Note provides interactive music sessions in residential homes and day centres for dementia sufferers to promote self-esteem and well being
• The Millcaster Play and Learn Bus is an Ofsted registered, mobile community facility providing informal training, childcare and information in a nonthreatening, easily identified environment
• Kinton Park and Village Hall is a state of the art community facility for local people and groups
• Millcaster Citizens Advice Bureau identify issues affecting local people and feed them into national Citizens Advice campaigns – recent issues include more free cash machines in poorer areas and clearer information about tax credits
• Millcaster Community Transport are part of a national lobby to extend free concessionary travel for older and disabled people to include community transport providers
• Millcaster’s network of Tenants and Residents Associations, supported by MillFed, represent the views and interests of the borough’s social housing tenants
• Millchester Hospice Charity shop – well established and full of frocks and china.
• Branch of national organisation – Eldercare which was part of a federation, has  just become a national organisation. 
• New charities, in particular a new mental health residential project for 4-5 people with severe and enduring problems
• Day centre for people with disabilities (has a proposal to set up a cafe, which is raising concern with local residents).
• Community centre containing: local CVS providing part time advice, literacy and esol, luncheon clubs and activities for older people (trips to the seaside, dial a ride, chiropody, home visits and DIY); internet access, grants advice, meeting rooms, mothers and toddlers activities. It has some new staff  who very highly motivated trying to generate a youth centre or activities for the roaming hoodies including a music project with much noise.
• Environmental campaigning  organisation – save our commons/wetlands.

Transport

The company running the bus service around the city (Route66) is strongly criticised as unreliable, and in addition as infrequent in the rural areas. It is heavily used by youth going to school and FE college and mothers with buggies. 

Education

Millcaster University - up to 1992 this was Millcaster Polytechnic.

Millcaster College (Further Education)

Edward VII Grammar School (now comprehensive and mixed), plus four other comprehensives.

Sport

The relegation of Millcaster Rovers from the Football League some years ago continues to be a matter of intense local discomfort.

Food and Drink

The famous Millcaster Brewery, still a family owned enterprise with its renowned Millcaster Imperial Pale Ale has commercial significance, and the town and surrounding area are also supported by the Brewery Charitable Trust.

References

External Links