Guests of all ages gathered on Tuesday (April 1) to reflect on the town’s rich and vibrant history on the date 75 years to the day since Corby was designated as a new town.
To accommodate ‘overspill populations’, the 1946 New Towns Act gave the government power to designate areas of land for new town development.
For Corby, this meant that a plan was put in place to create more houses and facilities for its expanding steelworks, and to turn it from a village into a modern town with its own unique identity.
Corby has undergone a remarkable transformation in this time and to mark the occasion, Corby Town Council is holding an exhibition which explores the town’s journey from the 1950s to the present day.
The Northants Telegraph has spoken to some of the VIP guests – cornerstones of the community – to hear their experiences and memories of the town over the years.
A free photo exhibition marking the New Town 75th Anniversary will be open for the public at at the town council’s new premises, 43 High Street, NN17 1UU at the following dates and times:
Monday, April 7, 10am - 2pm Wednesday, April 9, 12noon - 4pm Monday, April 14, 10am – 2pm Wednesday, April 16, 12noon - 4pm Tuesday, April 22, 10am - 2pm Thursday, April 24, 10am -12noon
1. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
. Photo: Sam Riley
2. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
Corby 75th new town anniversary celebrations and launch of exhibition/National World Photo: Sam Riley
3. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
Rotraut Anderson moved to Corby from Scotland in 1954. Her husband, John, was involved in the setting up the physiotherapy department at the the first diagnostic centre in Corby. The 94-year-old remembered a time when hardly anyone had a car in the town. “We had to walk everywhere,” she said. Corby 75th new town anniversary celebrations and launch of exhibition/National World Photo: Sam Riley
4. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
‘The Living Legends’ of Corby, Paul Balmer (left) and Judy Caine (right) have been a core part of the town’s community since the 2000s. They have run various creative projects, such HD Media CIC, which trains young people in the media. Paul and Judy praised the working spirit of the town and said: “Corby is so welcoming to everybody and anybody.” Corby 75th new town anniversary celebrations and launch of exhibition/National World Photo: Sam Riley