Stafford, with a population of about sixty four thousand people, is the fourth biggest town in the county of Staffordshire. This may seem like a fairly low population for a town that is surrounded by much larger cities but, when one factors in the greater town limits of Stafford the population approaches a more realistic one hundred and twenty thousand plus residents. All the same, this number often changes because the town is particularly and unfortunately predisposed to flooding. This is due to the large amount of marshland that surrounds the town thanks in no small part to the River Sow. The most recent flooding of Stafford occurred in 2007 but each year the town runs the risk of a torrential flood that could destroy much of the infrastructure. This is all well-known information to the citizens of Stafford, however, and the people who call this marshy town home are not afraid of a little water seeping into their floors so long as they still get to live in this beautiful and unique village.
Despite the potential for flooding, there are many landmarks in Stafford that are far older than many would assume at first glance. Chief among these is the famed St. Chad's Church which dates back to at least the 1100s and possibly even further back. This gorgeous chapel is unique in that it is one of the only churches in England that bears sculptures that are believed to be from Middle Eastern stonemasons who had fled to Stafford during the Crusades.
St. Chad's, despite its ancient roots, has raised some eyebrows recently with a new and exciting attraction that is angering some and enthralling others. Known as "Timewalk", this computer animated spectacle takes visitors on an interactive tour throughout the history of the venerated church. Top of the line sound and lighting effects bring people into the past and present in ways that most other churches could only dream of and, though some do scoff at the idea of using grandeur and wizardry to garner interest in the church, it can't be denied that Timewalk is definitely more fun than an early morning mass.
Stafford is also home to some of the foremost electrical engineering firms in all of England. This use of advanced heavy industry has most definitely helped the town to gain some fantastic buildings and facilities in recent years such as the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre but the fact remains that the Stafford has always maintained a steady grip on its industries and trades. Shoe making has also been a very important part of the town's economy for centuries and, despite the fact that the shoe trade has waned in recent years in light of more lucrative industries, Stafford and shoe making will always have something of a kindred relationship. Either way, though, the fact of the matter is that Stafford is a downright lovable place to live and it is far and away one of the most unique cities in the United Kingdom. Where else can you find a Church that moonlights as a theme park or a computer engineering firm that was once a cobbling shop? This is the nature of Stafford, though. Whether or not it makes sense, the town continues to simply do what feels right.
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