For those of you who live and work in Fradley you’ll know it is a bustling, canal-side village with an interesting history. However, if you are new to Fradley – here is some information to give you an idea of what to expect from our popular village.
Fradley really is a village for everyone. There are a variety of clubs and activities, mainly based around the village hall. Among these is the Take 3 film screenings, which feature a variety of movies, meaning you don’t have to travel to see some of the recent blockbusters.
To escape from it all you can put on your walking boots, or take to your bike, to explore the many routes around the village. A 25 minute stroll down the canal will take you to Fradley Junction – where the Coventry and the Trent & Mersey canals meet. This provides a scenic backdrop to pastimes including boating, canoeing, fishing, walking and cycling. The adjacent Fradley Pool Nature Reserve offers pond dipping and wildlife watching, there’s also a café, popular pub and picnic area on the canal-side. However, if you want to hit the shops, Fradley is just three miles from the famous cathedral city of Lichfield, where the historic streets have a mixture of high-street stores and specialist boutiques. A short drive away are Burton Upon Trent and Tamworth, while Birmingham is easily reached by car or train. The village itself has several shops, with a convenience store and post office in the North of the village, while the South of Fradley has a Co-op supermarket, hairdressers, Indian restaurant, chip shop, chemist, café and 24 hour gym.
Fradley is great for families. At the heart of the village, next to the landmark Victorian church, is St Stephen’s Primary School, while All Saints CE Primary School in the nearby village of Alrewas, is less than 10 minutes away by car. For older students, secondary schools include John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood, The Friary School and King Edward VI School, both in Lichfield. On the edge of the village is a family pub with indoor and outdoor play areas.
Cricket clubs can be found in the neighbouring village of Alrewas and in Lichfield, which also has football, golf and rugby clubs and a leisure centre. In addition, the city is home to the Garrick Theatre, which presents a programme of drama, comedy, dance, music and family entertainment throughout the year.
Fradley had great transport links as it is close to the A38 for Birmingham, Worcester, Burton-upon-Trent, Derby and Mansfield, and the A51 for Tamworth, Nantwich and Chester. It is also near to the M6 Toll and the A5, which stretches from Bedfordshire to Shropshire.
The nearest train station is Lichfield Trent Valley, and from there services run to Stafford, Stoke on Trent, Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and London Euston. Birmingham Airport is 25 minutes’ drive away via the M6.
Fradley has a rich history spanning back to the 12th Century when it was first recorded as 'Frodeleye', or 'Frod's Lea. The village was fairly quiet and peaceful until 1939 when RAF Lichfield was constructed. A year later the Royal Air Force moved in, along with Hawker Hurricane, Airspeed Oxford and Avro Anson aircraft. Spitfire arrived in 1941, and Vickers Wellington aircraft followed in 1942. Alongside RAF personnel training in the Wellingtons, there were a large number of Australians and some Canadians and Czechs.
The RAF left in 1958 and the whole site was sold by the Air Ministry in 1962. However, they didn’t take everything with them, and walks around the village reveal aircraft hangars and almost hidden pillboxes and Stanton Shelters – giving us an insight into the village’s fascinating history.
The parish council are always happy to answer any questions you have about Fradley, or they can point you in the right direction. To contact us please call 01543 444233 or email clerk@fradleyparishcouncil.gov.uk