Penkridge Civic Society produced this "snapshot" of life in Penkridge in 1999, to mark the end of the 20th Century and of the second millennium, and to form an archive record for those coming after us.

It focuses on aspects of our lives least likely to be recorded elsewhere:  how we live now - our homes and daily routines, travel patterns, shopping, our pubs, clubs and leisure areas;  services such as medical care, law and order, our schools;  the business community, our churches, and finally the environmental issues facing us. 

The text was written by our members, with photographs commissioned from Acton Trussell and Penkridge Photographic Society.   It was decided to produce it in the format of the day, i.e. Compact Disc (CD), and these can be purchased from the Civic Society by sending a cheque (or Interntional Money Order if abroad) to Mrs. A Smith, Secretary, 45 St. Michaels Close, Penkridge, Stafford ST19    UK.   The cost of each CD is £10.50 in the UK and £12.50 Abroad which includes postage and packing. The Secretary can be emailed if there any queries.

1.    Introduction
Here we introduce our large village - or small town, summarise briefly its long history as a place of importance in England and show how in 1999 it still reflected key aspects of its history.  Old Penkridge does indeed live on within a fast changing and growing community under pressure from demands for more housing, for widened motorways and heavier local traffic.  We feel sure that it will go on responding and adapting to change as it always has done.  The following chapters will give you more detail on a variety of aspects of village life in 1999.

2.    Shopping
We recall the independent shops that used to provide for everyone's needs and the effects of the "supermarket era".  We include sample prices for food shopping now, an overview of our existing range of shops and information on how and where we shop these days.

3.    Schools
Penkridge is well provided for, having three first schools, a middle and a high school.  All are described here, together with their curriculum, uniform and use of the school day.

4.    Pre-school Childcare
We are well catered for, with three playgroups and some twelve childminders regulated by Social Services, plus a nursery that is part of a first school.  All are described here.

5.    Transport and Travel
Penkridge has good communication links including a main road, close access to the M6 motorway, train, bus and coach services.  We describe each, how we use them and travel to work, and raise the local issues and concerns that their growth has highlighted in our developing community.

6.    Leisure Activities and Recreation
We are very well catered for in choosing how to spend our leisure time.  Here you can read about local societies and clubs and our seven pubs and variety of restaurants and hotels.

7.    Village Leisure Areas
Over the years the village's leisure facilities have grown, albeit in an unplanned way.  This chapter outlines sports and play areas, and public amenities such as the canal, library and halls, home to a multitude of events.

8.    Our Homes
This chapter is in two parts.  The first describes the wide range of housing in Penkridge, from period cottages to housing association flats, together with a range of 1999 house prices, and a look at current trends and pressures for more building.  In part two we record for posterity something of the everyday life lead by a small but varied sample of six Penkridge households, from how their homes are furnished and equipped to how they spend their time.

9.     Health
Here we summarise our National Health Service facilities and the health support services, both NHS, private and voluntary.

10.  Our Churches
We have two fine churches:  St,. Michael & All Angels and the Methodist Church - and three active worshippng communities:  Church of England, Methodist and Roman Catholic.  We also describe their many activities besides regular services.

12.  Businesses
Business and trading activities in Penkridge are many and varied, we have cattle and stall markets and auctions, a growing range of service providers, trading and shops and a light industrial estate.

13.  Law and Order
The continuing changes in how Penkridge is policed are described here, together with a look at crime issues.  We also cover the Fire and Rescue service and legal services.

14.  Environmental Issues
The growth of our community has brought problems as well as opportunities.   Issues such as the pressure for more housing that could threaten our present "green belt" surroundings, the effects of changing farming methods on nature, the need to manage both traffic and waste and recycling are all raised here.