Erewash

Erewash

Erewash, borough (district), administrative and historic county of Derbyshire, England. Its eastern boundary is the River Erewash, from which the borough takes its name. It is bounded on the south by the Rivers Trent and Derwent, and to the west it extends as far as Derby and the River Derwent at Duffield. A major motorway passes through the borough, and there is a large railway freight terminal at Toton.

The domestic stocking and knitting industries of Ilkeston declined in the 18th century, but by the mid-19th century both hosiery and lace factories were in operation and the town was growing rapidly. In the same period coal mining expanded. The annual fair, granted by a charter of 1252, is held at Ilkeston in October. Long Eaton was an agricultural community until the 19th century, when the development of a canal and later railways contributed to the growth of industry, particularly lace making (which collapsed in 1921). Today there is a wide range of industry, from heavy engineering to light crafts. Area 42 square miles (109 square km). Pop. (2001) 110,099; (2011) 112,081.