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
9. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
Corby-born Damian Carr moved back to the town in 2008. The Pastor at Hope Church recently found a set of photos from the town’s Poll Fair in 2002, and donated them to the exhibition. Pastor Carr said that Corby has always been a generous town and is looking forward to seeing it become an amazing location for business in the future after Nike opens its first standalone UK logistics operation. Corby 75th new town anniversary celebrations and launch of exhibition/National World Photo: Sam Riley
10. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
Ann McCarron moved to Corby when she was four years old after her Dad was offered a job at the steelworks. Ann fondly remembers the time when the steelworks were thriving in the town, and said that it was a time with less pressure. Ann later worked at the steelworks, and enjoyed the sense of community it brought. “I felt part of Corby,” she said. The 68-year-old said it was “a big blow” when the steelworks closed. Corby 75th new town anniversary celebrations and launch of exhibition/National World Photo: Sam Riley
11. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
“Corby people are generous and forgiving,” Dennis Taylor said (right). The 73-year-old has lived in Corby for his whole life, and grew up in a bungalow by the steelworks. Some of his pictures are included in the exhibition. Eammon Norton (left) has lived in six different parts of the country, but for him, Corby is the most generous by a long way. “People don’t know how lucky they are. The town’s generosity is unbelievable, he said. “It’s an amazing place to live.” Corby 75th new town anniversary celebrations and launch of exhibition/National World Photo: Sam Riley
12. Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status : Residents celebrate 75th anniversary of new town status
“Corby people are Corby people”, said Robin Findlay. The general secretary for the National Union of Professional Foster Carers has lived in the town for his whole life and is currently helping to organise the afterparty events for Corby Pride. He said that the opening of the rail station in 2009 has helped to bring lots of people into the town’s multicultural landscape. Corby 75th new town anniversary celebrations and launch of exhibition/National World Photo: Sam Riley