Alsager facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alsager |
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 Town centre |
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 Arms of Alsager |
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 Alsager
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| Population | 13,389 (2021 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SJ796554 |
| • London | 144 mi (231 km) SE |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STOKE-ON-TRENT |
| Postcode district | ST7 |
| Dialling code | 01270 |
| Police | Cheshire |
| Fire | Cheshire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Alsager is a lively town in Cheshire, England. It's located near Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe. About 13,389 people lived here in 2021.
The town is surrounded by other small areas called parishes. These include Betchton to the north and Church Lawton to the east.
Alsager has a fun summer carnival every year since 1998. It moved to the Alsager School playing fields for a while to make more space. In 2008, Alsager became a Fairtrade Town. This means it supports fair prices for farmers and workers around the world.
Contents
- Alsager's Story: A Look at Its History
- Arts and Fun: Alsager's Culture Scene
- Learning in Alsager: Schools and Education
- Getting Around: Transport in Alsager
- News and Entertainment: Alsager's Media
- Shopping and Jobs: Alsager's Economy
- Sports and Activities in Alsager
- Green Spaces: Parks in Alsager
- Nature and Wildlife in Alsager
- Famous People from Alsager
- See also
Alsager's Story: A Look at Its History
The name Alsager means 'the farming land of a person named Ælle'. This comes from an old English name.
Alsager was first written down in a very old book called the Domesday Book in 1086. Back then, it was just a small farming village. In the 1800s, things changed. People who managed pottery factories in nearby Stoke-on-Trent started moving here. They liked Alsager because it had good train links and a nice countryside feel.
During World War II, a big factory was built nearby at ROF Radway Green. It made weapons for the war. Many new workers came to Alsager, and the town grew a lot.
A camp called HMS Excalibur was also built for training Royal Marines. After the war, in 1948, it became a camp for refugees. These were people from countries like Estonia and Latvia. They couldn't go home because their countries were taken over by the Soviet Union. A school was set up for their children. This school, called "Excalibur School," used the old wooden huts for many years.
Alsager has several churches. The oldest Anglican churches are Christ Church (built in 1789) and St Mary Magdalene (built in 1898). There is also St Gabriel's Church for the Roman Catholic community.
Arts and Fun: Alsager's Culture Scene
Alsager is home to the Alsager Community Theatre (ACT). This group has been putting on plays since 1973. They perform at the Alsager Civic Centre and sometimes at the historic Little Moreton Hall.
The town also hosts the yearly Alsager Music Festival. It takes place in Milton Gardens. In 2010, Alsager also started its first Arts Festival.
Learning in Alsager: Schools and Education
Public schools in Alsager are managed by Cheshire East Council. All the schools in town work together as part of the Alsager Community Trust.
Alsager Schools
Alsager School is the main secondary school. It's an Academy school for students aged 11 to 18. Over 1,300 pupils attend this school. It focuses on business and enterprise.
Six primary schools prepare students for Alsager School:
- Alsager Highfields
- Cranberry Academy
- Excalibur Primary School
- Pikemere School
- Rode Heath School
- St Gabriel's R.C. Primary School
Former Manchester Metropolitan University Campus
During World War II, a hostel was built here for factory workers. After the war, in 1945, it became "Alsager Training College" for teachers.
Later, this site became part of Manchester Metropolitan University. It was home to arts and sports science departments. The university started moving departments to its Crewe campus in 2006. By 2012, the Alsager campus was closed.
In 2015, plans were made to build new houses on the old campus site. By 2018, all the university buildings were taken down. A new housing estate called "Scholar's Place" is now being built there.
Getting Around: Transport in Alsager
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Alsager is close to Junction 16 of the M6 motorway.
The town has its own train station, Alsager railway station. You can catch trains to places like Derby and Stafford from here.
Local bus services connect Alsager to nearby towns. Key routes include:
- Route 103 to Crewe and Hanley
- Route 317 to Rode Heath, Sandbach and Leighton Hospital
- Route 318 to Rode Heath and Congleton
The Trent and Mersey Canal runs just north-east of Alsager. You can walk along its towpath. The canal and a path called the Salt Line are also part of the National Cycle Network for bikes.
News and Entertainment: Alsager's Media
You can watch local news and TV from BBC North West and ITV Granada. Local radio stations include BBC Radio Stoke and Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire.
Alsager has its own local newspapers, the Alsager Chronicle and The Sentinel.
Shopping and Jobs: Alsager's Economy
Alsager town centre has many local and charity shops. There is also a medium-sized Asda supermarket and a Sainsbury's Local store.
A BAE Systems Global Combat Systems factory is in the nearby village of Radway Green. It makes ammunition for the British armed forces.
Recent Changes in Town
Between 2012 and 2021, Alsager town centre has seen some changes. The The Co-operative Food store was rebuilt and became an Asda supermarket. A new Town Square has been created. Fairview park has also been rebuilt.
There were plans for a new Sainsbury's store. However, these plans are being reviewed. This is because more people are now shopping online or at smaller local stores.
Sports and Activities in Alsager
Alsager has many sports teams and clubs.
Football
Alsager Town F.C. is the local football club. They play their home games at Wood Park. AFC Alsager is another club with over 26 different teams. The Alsager Football Group helps local people play casual football. Alsager also has Alsager Old Boys FC and Linley Tavern FC.
Other Sports
You can find Alsager Cricket Club and Alsager Golf and Country Club here. There's also the Alsager Institute Bowling Club and the Alsager Company of Archers. Other clubs include Triton Hockey Club, Alsager Lawn Tennis Club, and a swimming club.
Leisure Centre and Sports Hub
Alsager has a leisure centre managed by Cheshire East Council. A new Alsager Sports Hub opened in 2019. It has a pavilion, five grass football pitches, and two artificial pitches. It's home to Triton Hockey Club and AFC Alsager.
Alsager also hosts a big 5-mile road race every February. Many top athletes come to compete.
Green Spaces: Parks in Alsager
Alsager has several parks. The main one is Milton Garden. It has a beautiful sunken garden, a skatepark, a small football pitch, and a play area for kids.
Nature and Wildlife in Alsager
The Mere is a lake in the centre of Alsager. You can see it from two public viewing areas.
Borrow Pit Meadows is a lovely natural area in the north of town. It leads to the Salt Line walking path. The town also has woodlands that connect to Church Lawton.
Near the train station, there's another path called Merelake Way. It runs mostly alongside Alsager Golf Course.
Famous People from Alsager
Alsager has been home to some well-known people:
- Arthur Lockett (1877–1957) – A footballer who played for teams like Aston Villa.
- James Lloyd (1905–1974) – A famous artist who grew up on a farm nearby.
- William John Branch (1911–1985) – A professional golfer from Alsager.
- Lee Bell (born 1983) – A football manager and former player for Macclesfield Town. He now manages Crewe Alexandra.
- Shaun Miller (born 1987) – A professional footballer who played for Bolton Wanderers.
- Lloyd Saxton (born 1990) – An English footballer who played for a Swedish club.
- Rowan Cheshire (born 1995) – A British freestyle skier who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Alsager para niños
