Local Village
Etwall is situated to the south-west of Derby, and has grown enormously since the end of the Second World War, but still retains an attractive village centre. St Helen's Church and the Sir John Port Almshouses set on slightly rising ground are particularly appealing. The fine wrought-iron gates by Robert Bakewell, that hang outside the almshouses, restored in the 1980s, add an extra touch of quality.
In the Domesday Book, the village was known as ‘Etewelle,’ meaning Eatta’s water. Eatta was a Saxon headman, who settled in the village in the seventh century. He is believed to have built his manor where the church and almshouses are now to be found.
Etwall is noted as being the home of Sir John Port who founded Repton school in the 16th century. It was built on the site of Etwall Hall, now demolished, which was the family home of the Port`s.
Standing in front of the almshouses, St Helen’s Parish Church is believed to date back to a small stone-built church by the Saxons. Arthur Milton, the son of the founder of the famous Stoke-on-Trent pottery firm, built the Methodist Chapel in 1837.
There was once a thriving brick building industry here and many of Etwalls old houses still contain bricks with the word ETWELL stamped on them. Now, the Toyota car factory employs many people from the village.
