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Middlewich is one of Britain's
chief salt-producing towns.
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For 200 years it was the centre of the Roman salt
industry and it is only in relatively recent times
that the Roman method of extracting salt by
boiling in huge pans was abandoned at Middlewich
for the modern system of vacuum extraction. Romans
were paid in salt - this remuneration was called
''sal dare" and it is from this word that the name
"soldier" is thought to have derived.
Middlewich
lay on King Street, a Roman road from the Mersey
at Warrington to Derby and they called the town Salinae from the Latin word for "salt works".
Timber framed houses, pottery, and the remains of
clay-lined salt evaporation chambers have been
excavated - evidence of the invaders' long stay. |
Middlewich Main Street - Photo:
Stephen Burton
CCL |
The Saxons were quick to realise the importance of
the town and the Doomsday Survey recorded the salt
laws and customs they introduced.
John Leland, the Tudor historian, referred to the
"11 salt springges at Middlewich" but by this time
the town was noted for its cheese as well as its
salt.
The process of salt extraction was to become the
district's main activity and the resultant tax on
salt yielded a phenomenal sum for the Exchequer.
In 1822 it produced £1,500,000. But nearly 270
excise officers had to be employed to collect it
at a cost of £32,000 a year. Penalties for tax
evasion were severe and one local farmer was fined
£200 for having salt in his house without
permission. In 1825, the salt duty was abolished,
doubtless creating unemployment in the ranks of
the excise men.
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Middlewich Canal - Photo:
Andy B
CCL |
By the mid-19th century
Middlewich was an important post on the
stagecoach network with eight coaches calling
every day. Its canal system was also vital
transporting, as it did, the salt out of
Middlewich and coal for use in salt production
shipped in from Staffordshire.
Many local houses were
built by the waterways companies and a lot of
these dwellings had adjacent stables for the
horses which pulled the barges. Commercial use
of the canals declined over the years but
there has been a modern upsurge of interest in
inland waterways for pleasure use. Several
boat firms in the town now serve the needs of
owners and hirers of pleasure craft. |
Near to the shopping centre is a modern library
which displays a collection of Roman relics of the
salt industry. A variety of leisure opportunities
are afforded by rivers and canals, a pleasing
small park, playing fields, tennis courts, bowling
and putting greens. Attached to the town's
Comprehensive School is a modern sports hall which
is jointly used by pupils and the general public.
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