Norton Canes

Norton Canes is a village and civil parish on the southern periphery of Cannock Chase District, in Staffordshire, England. It is situated 3 miles (4.8 km) out of the centre of Cannock. At the 2001 census it had a population of 6,394. and an area of 3,746 acres (15.16 km2) of which 86% is green open space.

The Cannock Chase Coalfield once had 45 collieries within 2 miles (3.2 km) of Norton Canes, employing over 5,800 men, as well as 2 large surface mines; the last pit in the area closed in 1993.

Grove Pit was one of these pits, and on 1 October 1930 was the scene of a major tragedy when 14 miners were killed in an explosion there.

Another local colliery was owned by the Jerome family, hence Jerome Road now on the site of the pit. This was the family of the author Jerome K. Jerome. Norton Canes borders Chasewater - a collection of man-made lakes formed through old mining pits and a reservoir that feeds the canal system of West Midlands. Chasewater is a popular leisure destination offering facilities for water-skiing and yachting, mountain biking, jogging, walking and bird watching.

Norton Canes straddles the UK's first and only Toll Motorway, the M6 Toll which has its northern Toll Plaza and Norton Canes Services is the only services for that motorway.

Norton Canes was home to Europe's first drive-through chemist. This is now closed as the chemist has moved into the local health centre located in Brownhills Road.

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Famous quotes containing the word norton:

    Every cloud must have a silver lining.
    —George A. Norton (1880–1923)