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Rugeley
Rugeley is a small market town with a rich and varied history situated on the northern edge of Cannock Chase. It is midway between Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield and Uttoxeter making Rugeley a perfect place to visit the next time you are in the Staffordshire area. For many years coal mining dominated local Rugeley industry, however in 1991 the Lea Hall colliery was demolished and the industry has waned in modern times. The site of the former Rugeley B coal-fired power station is currently being converted into a Flue Glas Desulfuization plant, a first for the region.
Rugeley is listed in the Domesday Book like many of the towns and villages in Staffordshire and it takes its name from "Ridge Lee" or "the hill over the field". During the mediaeval period Rugeley was a major iron works site and also a place of some prestige for glass crafting. If you are planning to visit the area then be sure to check out the charter fair that occurs during the first weekend in June finished with a spectacular fireworks display. Rugeley was made infamous by William Palmer, an 1855 doctor who was accused or murder. An act of paliament was actually passed to allow the trial to be held in London and he was found guilty and hanged outside of Stafford gaol on the 14th of June 1856.
Folklore maintains that when he was instructed to step up to the trap door he asked "is it safe?" Rugeley was immortalised in the televised story of these events "The Life and Crimes of William Palmer" in 1998 starring Keith Allen. It is widely believed that the common phrase "What's your poison?" originated from the Palmer murders. Despite this one grisly, but intriguing tale Rugeley remains a stunning area to visit, set in beautiful scenery and packed full of things to do.
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