The village is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, since when the De-Colwick, Musters and Byron families have all owned the village. The etymology of the place-name is from Old English wic "specialised industrial farm" with an uncertain first element, possibly col "coal",[citation needed] although there have never been coal mines in the area.
In 1844 there was a gruesome murder at 'Saville's Spinney', then part of Colwick Park and later part of Colwick Woods. William Saville murdered his wife and three children in the woods on Tuesday 21 May. Their bodies were found one day later by John Swinscoe of Carlton who fetched the parish constable to the spot. An open razor was found in the left hand of the dead woman. The crowd for Saville's execution numbered in the tens of thousands and twelve died in a panic in the moments after Saville was executed.
Following a campaign by parish councillors, Colwick won the right to be recognised as a village again.[when?] The campaign was started because locals believed that village status would be a boost for the community. Highways officials have granted permission for the area to call itself "Colwick Village", similar to Bestwood Village and Gedling Village. It forms part of the Nottinghamshireborough of Gedling. Note that Colwick Country Park, Colwick Hall and Colwick Woods are all in the unitary authority of the City of Nottingham.
Geography
Holme Sluices and lock
Colwick lies between the River Trent and the railway line, with nearby places being Sneinton to the west, Bakersfield (to the north-west), Carlton (to the north), and Netherfield (to the east). Holme Sluices and lock were built in 1950s, as a flood-prevention scheme across the River Trent where the river falls at a weir, allowing for a maximum 13 ft (4 m) range. The Environment Agency have plans to build a fish pass to enable salmon and eels to access 37 mi (60 km) of the upper reaches of the Trent. Some salmon have been known to swim against the flow through the whitewater course at Holme Pierrepont watersport centre.[3][4][5][6]
Economy
Originally an agricultural area, Colwick was notable as the birthplace of Colwick cheese, a soft and creamy curd cheese, allegedly invented in the village in the 17th century. By the 18th century, it was already being made at a number of other locations, persisting in manufacture until the late 20th century.[7] In the 19th century the village became heavily industrialised and was home to many notable firms such as William Lawrence & Co. Ltd, Sands and Spray & Burgess.
Culture and community
Colwick Country Park is a 125 acres (51 hectares) designated Local Nature Reserve on the edge of the village.[8]
Landmarks
Colwick Hall is a large country house that is now a hotel. The Grade II-listed Manor House dates to c1675 with early 19th century additions.[9] The derelict church adjacent to Colwick Hall was used to film the episode of The Upper Hand in which Caroline and Charlie are married.
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