Stanton, Staffordshire
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Stanton is a small village situated at the eastern end of the Weaver Hills, Staffordshire (Population 187 in 2000). The landscape around the village is mainly pastureland bounded by dry stone walls. Evidence of early human activity can be found at Stanton with three bronze age barrows on the hilltop of Thorswood. Stanton is listed in the Domesday Book as Stantone, the name means “Stone Farmstead” which could refer to its building material, some prominent stone or its site on stony ground. The stone itself is an excellent building material, mainly limestone, being used to build the majority of farmhouses and cottages in the village. Lead was also found in the area, eight old shafts have been found at Thorswood. Much of Stanton was part of the Earl of Shrewsbury’s Alton Estate and the Duncombe Estate. Stanton is birthplace of Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury 1663 – 1667.
St Mary’s church was built in 1846. Before 1846 the villagers would have to travel over 2 miles to St Peter's, Ellastone for worship. Like many villages it has lost many of it facilities in recent years; pub 1946, school 1983 and Post Office 2001. The school was converted to a village hall opened 1993, called the 'Gilbert Sheldon Hall'. In 2004 Thorswood Nature Reserve was opened by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust which consists of 150 acres of flower rich unimproved pastures, upland heath and meadows.
In 1953 a gold bracelet was found in the parish dated circa 800 BC, now housed in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke on Trent.
