Butterton township probably began in Saxon Times when the
Lyme Forest covered the area. The name at that time was Buttereton
or Botertun meaning "butter farmstead". There are still
two dairy farms in the village today.
In about 1540, the Swinnerton family acquired the land and built the
old Hall, the remnants of which can be seen off the south side of Park
Road. At that time, the core of the village was in this area, while
another hamlet, Millstone Green, developed later off the Shrewsbury to
Newcastle turnpike road. The footpath next to Park Lodge running
through the field to a cattle bridge/footpath over the M6 follows a line
close to the old road. The bridge is referred to by the locals as
the "Rainbow Bridge".
In the 19th Century, the estate passed by marriage to the Pilkington
family who built a new Hall, St Thomas' Church and a school. Sadly
the new Hall never became their family home and after a history of short
tenancies, it was requisitioned by the army in the First World War.
Dry rot was found in 1921 and the Hall was demolished with much of its
stone being used to build a private house on the Westlands (now Newcastle
Golf Club House).
The school had two classrooms and served a large area; at times over
sixty children were on the roll. It closed in 1969 when a new school
was built in Baldwin's Gate.
When the church opened in 1845, the only carriage access was from the
new Hall on the east side. Millstone Green villagers had a footpath
access across the fields. This was converted into a single track
driveway in 1940. About this time the name Millstone Green fell into
disuse in favour of Butterton as it is known today.
Return to About the Parish
|