Redcar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redcar |
|
|---|---|
| Town | |
|
|
 Redcar
|
|
| Population | 37,073 |
| OS grid reference | NZ601252 |
| • London | 220 mi (350 km) SSE |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | REDCAR |
| Postcode district | TS10–TS11 |
| Dialling code | 01642 |
| Police | Cleveland |
| Fire | Cleveland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament |
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Redcar is a fun seaside town on the Yorkshire Coast in the Redcar and Cleveland area. It is part of North Yorkshire, England. Redcar is about 7 miles (11 km) east of Middlesbrough.
In 2011, about 37,073 people lived in the Redcar part of the Teesside area. The town includes places like Coatham, Dormanstown, Kirkleatham, and Warrenby.
Redcar became a proper town with its own charter in 1922. It was run by its own town council until 1968. Since 1974, it has been part of a larger local government area.
Contents
Redcar's Story: A Look at Its History
How Redcar Began
Redcar is built on low land near the sea. Its name might come from old words meaning "red marsh" or "reed marsh." The town started as a small fishing village in the 1300s. It traded with a bigger village nearby called Coatham. For a long time, Redcar was part of the parish of Marske-by-the-Sea.
The Amazing Zetland Lifeboat
Many ships have sunk off the coast of Redcar. The Zetland is the oldest lifeboat in the world that is still around! It was built in 1802 and helped save many lives. Today, you can see this special lifeboat in a museum by the sea. Volunteers run the museum.
Redcar in Victorian Times
In the early 1800s, seaside holidays became very popular. Redcar grew as more people came to visit. By 1841, about 794 people lived there. In 1846, a railway line was built. This line connected Middlesbrough to Redcar, bringing even more tourists and trade.
Redcar grew even more when iron ore was found in the nearby Cleveland Hills in 1850. Redcar became a busy seaside town. Tourists loved its eight miles of sandy beaches, stretching from South Gare to Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
People planned to build a pier in 1866. Another pier, Coatham Pier, was started in 1871. It was damaged by storms before it was even finished! Later, the Redcar Pier was built in the late 1870s. Both piers faced damage from storms and ships over the years.
In 1907, a dance hall was added to Redcar Pier. In 1929, a new theatre called the New Pavilion was built where Coatham Pier's entrance used to be.
Redcar During World War II
During World War II, a part of Redcar Pier was removed on purpose in 1940. This was done to stop enemy forces from using it if they invaded. Because of this, and later storm damage, the pier was never fully rebuilt.
After the War
.jpg)
In 1964, the New Pavilion Theatre became the Regent Cinema. The Redcar Pier dance hall was used after the war. But it was damaged by storms and taken down in 1980–1981.
Redcar Steelworks: A Big Part of the Town
.jpg)
.jpg)
For many years, the main jobs in Redcar were at the nearby Teesside Steelworks and the ICI chemical works. The steel made here was used to build famous bridges like the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The steelworks changed owners several times. In 2011, SSI bought the plant. Steel was made again in Redcar starting in April 2012. However, in September 2015, steel prices dropped. The plant had to stop making steel and later closed down. This was a very sad time for the town.
How Redcar is Governed
Redcar's Local Areas
Redcar is made up of several areas. These include Coatham, Dormanstown, Kirkleatham, and Redcar East. People in Redcar vote for their local councillors to the Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
Local Government Changes
Redcar has had many changes in how it is governed over the years. It used to be a small part of larger parishes. In 1866, it became its own civil parish. In 1922, it officially became a town with its own council.
In 1968, Redcar became part of the County Borough of Teesside. Then, in 1974, a new county called County of Cleveland was created. In 1996, Redcar became part of a new type of local government called a unitary authority, called Redcar & Cleveland. It is now part of the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire.
Tees Valley Mayor
Since 2017, the Tees Valley area, which includes Redcar, has had an elected mayor. Ben Houchen is the current Tees Valley Mayor. He works to help the economy grow and create jobs in the area. He represents five local areas, including Redcar and Cleveland.
Redcar's Parliament Members
Redcar also has a Member of Parliament (MP) who represents the town in the UK Parliament. This MP speaks for Redcar's people in national decisions. Over the years, Redcar has had different MPs from different political parties.
Fun Things to Do and See in Redcar
Arts and Entertainment
.jpg)
The Palace Hub is a building by the beach. It has an art gallery and helps new businesses start up. The main library is in the Redcar Heart building. Redcar also has the Tuned In! Centre, which hosts live music and creative workshops for young people.
Parks and Green Spaces
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_464016.jpg)
Redcar has several parks for people to enjoy. These include Coatham Enclosure, Locke Park, and Zetland Park. There's also a boating lake at Coatham.
Famous Landmarks in Redcar
Important Towers
At one end of High Street is a clock tower. It's a special building that remembers King Edward VII. The tower has been fixed up and looks great.
The Redcar Beacon is a tall building that was finished in 2013. It has had some damage from strong winds, but it's still a noticeable part of the seafront.
Historic Buildings
-
Zetland Lifeboat Museum, Esplanade
-
Turner's Hospital, Kirkleatham
-
Former Coatham Hotel
.jpg)
.jpg)
Redcar has 23 buildings that are listed as important for their history. One of the most important is Sir William Turner's Hospital in Kirkleatham, built in the 1670s.
The Zetland Lifeboat Museum is also a listed building. It houses the world's oldest lifeboat. The old Coatham Hotel, a Victorian building, is also on the seafront. Its ballroom used to be a famous music venue called the Redcar Jazz Club.
Unique Structures
In the south-east of Redcar, there's an old aircraft listening post. It was built in 1916 during World War I. It was used to listen for enemy airships like Zeppelins before radar was invented. Today, only the concrete part remains, and it's a protected historic site.
Religion in Redcar
To the east of Redcar is St Peter's Church. It was built between 1822 and 1829. A local lord gave the land for the church. It has a special window that remembers a kind person named Sir William Turner.
Getting Around Redcar
.jpg)
Redcar has two railway stations: Redcar Central and Redcar East. These stations connect Redcar to other towns. There used to be a third station for the steelworks, but it closed in 2019.
Main roads like the A1085 and A1042 go through the town. Buses also connect Redcar to nearby villages and towns.
Learning in Redcar
Redcar has a college for further education called Redcar & Cleveland College.
The town has several secondary schools, including Outwood Academy Redcar, Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary, and Rye Hills Academy.
There are also eleven primary schools in Redcar, such as Coatham, Dormanstown, and Zetland.
Media and News
You can watch local news on BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees. There's also a local TV station called TalkTeesside.
For radio, you can listen to stations like BBC Radio Tees, Heart North East, and Zetland FM. Zetland FM is a community radio station based in Redcar.
Local newspapers like the East Cleveland Herald & Post and The Northern Echo cover news in the area.
Sports in Redcar
In Coatham, you'll find Cleveland Golf Club, which was the first golf club in Yorkshire. Redcar also has a Cricket Club and a Running Club.
For football fans, Redcar Athletic and Redcar Town are the local teams. There's also a Rugby Union Football club.
Redcar Racecourse is one of nine horse racing tracks in Yorkshire. Redcar also has a motorcycle speedway team called the Redcar Bears. They race at the South Tees Motorsport Park.
Redcar was chosen to host a stage of the Tour of Britain cycling race in 2022.
Famous People from Redcar
Many interesting people have connections to Redcar:
- Gertrude Bell, a famous explorer and writer, spent her younger years in Coatham.
- Rex Hunt, who was the governor of the Falkland Islands during the 1982 conflict, went to school in Coatham.
- Mo Mowlam, a well-known politician, was the MP for Redcar for many years.
- Actors like Pip Donaghy, June Laverick, and Felicity Finch (from the radio show The Archers) were born or grew up in Redcar.
- Singers David Coverdale (from Deep Purple and Whitesnake) and Chris Norman (from Smokie) also lived in Redcar as young people.
- Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson lived in Redcar for a while.
- World Champion cyclist Danny Hart was born and lives in Redcar. He's often called "The Redcar Rocket."
- Footballers David Wheater and Hayden Hackney, and snooker player Mike Dunn also have ties to Redcar.
Redcar on Screen
- Atonement
In 2006, parts of Redcar were used to film the movie Atonement. The Coatham Hotel, Regent Cinema, and the beach were made to look like 1940s Dunkirk. Local men even played soldiers in the film!
- The Secret Millionaire
In 2010, Redcar was featured on the TV show The Secret Millionaire. A kind millionaire named David Jamilly visited Redcar. He gave money to local charities like Zoë's Place and Redcar Amateur Boxing Club. He also helped open new centers in Redcar.
- The Mighty Redcar
The town was also shown in the 2018 BBC TV show The Mighty Redcar. This series followed young people from Redcar as they finished school and looked for jobs.
