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England Gailey, Staffordshire

HISTORY
This page is about the village of Gailey. Gailey is a very old village, actually mentioned in the Domesday Book. Initially the name was Gragelie.

The village remained a sleepy backwater until the start of the Industrial Revolution, when a major canal passed nearby, and Gailey Wharf was built. The wharf became a major loading and unloading site for materials for the potteries located nearby.

In the early 1830's the Grand Junction railway line was built, and a station erected at Gailey. However the village gradually ceased being an active location, and the station was closed in 1951.

Following the introduction of the railway network, the canals were unable to compete economically, and gradually fell into disrepair. Starting in the 1950's a major effort was started throughout the United Kingdom to restore the canals as a recreational network, and the Wharf was restored and became the site for a narrow-boat rental base.



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
At one time Gailey Christ Church was a chapel of ease to the Penkridge, Staffordshire Parish. However as the village shrunk in size, the church was deconsecrated, sold, and is now a small pottery.

The following link provides access to the Penkridge Parish: https://stage.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Penkridge,_Staffordshire