Woodville and Hartshorne Heritage Trail
WH1: Rene Cutforth
Swadlincote Road, Woodville
Rene, born in 1909, lived in Woodville, Swadlincote, as a child.
His dad was involved with the local potteries and his mum has family links to T.G. Green’s.
He joined the BBC in 1946. He became well known as a broadcaster and travelled the world as a BBC correspondent. Among other things he was the BBC’s War Correspondent during the Korean War.
A small selection of his programmes can be viewed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/people/51/38.shtml
In his autobiography ‘Order to View’, the early chapters include information about his childhood in Swadlincote. Rene died in 1984.
Full details can be found in the Swadlincote Heritage Trail 2 (pdf, 2.9mb) leaflet.
WH2: Bretby Art Pottery
Swadlincote Road, Woodville
Bretby Art Pottery operated in Woodville from 1883 to 1996 under the company Tooth & Co.
The pottery was internationally famous - winning awards for its Art Nouveau designs which are found throughout the world.
The showroom, a Grade II listed building, is all that remains of this important industrial past.
Find out more about plans to restore this important site at: https://www.facebook.com/bretbyartpottery
Full details can be found in the Swadlincote Heritage Trail 2 (pdf, 2.9mb) leaflet.
WH3: John Hurt 1940-2017
Moira Road, Woodville
The renowned actor, John Hurt, moved to Woodville at the age of five when his father became vicar of Saint Stephen’s Church.
Church Records show that Rev. A.H. Hurt was the vicar at Woodville between 1945 - 1953.
Alongside two Academy Award nominations, Hurt received many awards throughout his career, including the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement for outstanding contribution to British cinema.
John’s parents were very strict about who he was allowed to play with - a fact still remembered by some local folk!
John reminisced about the toy shop on the High Street - which we think, based on what he said, was Wroughton’s.
There is more information about John’s background in a 'Derbyshire Life' interview with Ashley Franklin and in the Magic Attic and full details can be found in the Swadlincote Heritage Trail 2 (pdf, 2.9mb) leaflet.
WH4: Jack Bodell
250 Woodville Road, Hartshorne
Jack Bodell lived at 250 Woodville Road for 10 years from November 1973 to December 1983.
See Newhall entry N1 for more about this local sporting legend.
WH5: George Newberry
Hartshill Road, Hartshorne
George Newberry was born in Swadlincote on March 6, 1917.
He made his living working at a local pipeyard but was well known for being part of the ‘Swadlincote Wheelers’ cycling club and competing in national and international cycling competitions.
He was conscripted to the army during WW2 in 1939 and served with the Royal Engineers as part of the 8th Army (Desert Rats).
He was demobbed in 1946 and returned to Swadlincote to live in Coppice Side. He then took up competitive cycling again.
Aged 35 he achieved his ambition to become an Olympian and captained the British 4000m pursuit team to win a bronze medal at the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952.
He then lived in Goseley, Hartshorne.
He has a road named after him in Church Gresley, near to where he grew up.
Full details can be found in the Swadlincote Heritage Trail 2 (pdf, 2.9mb) leaflet.