2009 in England

Events from 2009 in England

Incumbent

Events

=January=

2 January – A light aircraft crashes into overhead power cables on the West Coast Main Line near the village of Little Haywood in Staffordshire, causing widespread disruption to train services, and reportedly killing the three occupants of the aircraft.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7809194.stm|title=Three feared dead in plane crash|work=BBC News|date=3 January 2009|access-date=28 March 2010}}
5 January –
Cold weather consisting of snow and freezing temperatures causes widespread disruption across the UK. Travel routes are severely affected including roads and railways, in addition to Luton and Birmingham airports respectively. The weather also leads to the closure of many schools who were due to return after the Christmas break.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7812861.stm |title=Warnings issued amid Arctic chill |work=BBC News |date=6 January 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
Waterford Wedgwood, makers of the famous Wedgwood pottery, enters administration.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7811048.stm |title=Wedgwood goes into administration |work=BBC News |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
7 January – England Cricket Captain, Kevin Pietersen resigns after months of rows with England Manager, Peter Moores. Moores is sacked from his job by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Andrew Strauss is named as the new Captain.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7815038.stm |title=BBC Sport – England captain Pietersen resigns |work=BBC News |date=7 January 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
12 January – At the 66th Golden Globe Awards, British actress Kate Winslet wins two awards, Best Actress (Motion Picture Drama) and Best Supporting Actress (Motion Picture); while British film Slumdog Millionaire wins all four of the awards for which it is nominated.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7819919.stm|title=Winslett and Slumdog sweep Globes|work=BBC News|date=12 January 2009|access-date=28 March 2010}}
15 January –
Approval is granted for the building of the controversial third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport. As part of the decision, the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, announces restrictions on aircraft using the third runway that are designed to limit noise pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, alongside proposals for a high-speed rail hub, also located at Heathrow.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7829676.stm |title=Go-ahead for new Heathrow runway |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, the constituency which includes Heathrow Airport, is suspended from Parliament after picking up the ceremonial House of Commons mace in protest at the government's approval of a third runway.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7830937.stm |title=MP suspended after mace protest |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
23 January – Karen Matthews and Michael Donavon are sentenced to eight years in prison for the kidnap of Shannon Matthews, the former's daughter, having held her captive in Donvon's flat in Dewsbury last year as part of a bid to claim £50,000 for her "safe return" after reporting her missing to the police.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4324634/Karen-Matthews-jailed-for-eight-years-over-daughter-Shannons-kidnap.html|title=Karen Matthews jailed for eight years over daughter Shannon's kidnap|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=23 January 2009|access-date=29 December 2009 | location=London | first=Paul | last=Stokes}}
26 January – Possession of "extreme pornography" becomes illegal under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2008/ukpga_20080004_en_17#pt12-l1g153 |title=Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 – 153: Commencement |publisher=Opsi.gov.uk |access-date=28 March 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20082993_en_1 |title=Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (Commencement No. 4 and Saving Provision) Order 2008 |publisher=Opsi.gov.uk |access-date=28 March 2010}}
28 January – Hundreds of workers go on strike at the Lindsay Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire in protest at the hiring of foreign construction workers at the site, despite rising unemployment in the UK.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/7855752.stm|title=Mass walkout over foreign labour|work=BBC News|date=28 January 2009|access-date=28 March 2010}}

=February=

2 February – Contractors at the Sellafield and Heysham nuclear plants walk out in the ongoing unofficial strike action over foreign workers.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7863879.stm |title=Nuclear workers join strikes wave |work=BBC News |date=2 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
3 February – Adverse weather conditions continues to cause widespread disruption to education and transport in large parts of England.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7866402.stm |title=Further disruption for commuters |work=BBC News |date=3 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
5 February –
Further heavy snow in parts of England and Wales causes fresh school closures and travel disruption.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7871247.stm |title=Fresh snow brings travel problems |work=BBC News |date=5 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
Workers participating in unofficial strikes over the use of foreign workers agree to return to work after a compromise deal is struck by Acas.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7871657.stm |title=Refinery staff vote to end strike |work=BBC News |date=5 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
9 February – Chelsea F.C. manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is sacked by the club's board after results deteriorate "at a key time in the season".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7879638.stm |title=BBC Sport – Scolari sacked as Chelsea manager |work=BBC News |date=9 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}} It comes just hours after fellow Premier League manager, Tony Adams of Portsmouth F.C., is sacked, again after a poor run of results.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7878084.stm |title=BBC Sport – Portsmouth confirm Adams sacking |work=BBC News |date=9 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
13 February – A BA CityFlyer flight from Amsterdam loses its nosewheel on arrival at London City Airport due to a "hard landing". One passenger is hospitalised with minor injuries.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7889728.stm |title=BA jet in airport 'hard landing |work=BBC News |date=14 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
18 February – The Yorkshire Ripper is released from Broadmoor Hospital to face a life sentence, for killing 13 women and attempting to kill 7 more, after doctors claim he has been treated for schizophrenia.
22 February – TV personality, Jade Goody and her boyfriend, Jack Tweed, are married at Down Hall, Essex. Goody, 27, has had cervical cancer for six months and was told earlier this month that she may only have weeks to live after the cancer spread to her bowel, liver and groin.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7903784.stm|title=Terminally ill Jade Goody marries|work=BBC News|date=22 February 2009|access-date=29 December 2009}} Tweed is free on license following imprisonment for assault.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23629240-details/Kisses+as+Jade+Goody+greets+her+boyfriend+outside+prison+gates/article.do |title=Kisses as Jade Goody Greets Her Boyfriend Outside Prison Gates |work=This is London |date=27 January 2009 |access-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308025407/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23629240-details/Kisses%2Bas%2BJade%2BGoody%2Bgreets%2Bher%2Bboyfriend%2Boutside%2Bprison%2Bgates/article.do |archive-date=8 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}
25 February – Labour Party peer Lord Ahmed is sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment for dangerous driving, having been involved in a fatal crash.[https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/lord-ahmed-jailed-for-12-weeks-911583 Lord Ahmed jailed for 12 weeks for dangerous driving – Manchester Evening News]

=March=

1 March – Manchester United F.C. win the 2009 Carling Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 4–1 on penalties in the final. The scores stood level at 0–0 after 90 minutes and extra time.{{cite news|last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm |title=BBC Sport – Manchester Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet) |work=BBC News |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
4 March – ITV announces it is cutting 600 jobs after it reported a loss of £2.6 billion for 2008. The jobs will go from the company's Yorkshire studios in Leeds and from their headquarters in London.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7922770.stm |title=Troubled ITV cuts jobs and costs |work=BBC News |date=4 March 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
5 March – Michael Jackson announces his last concert series, This Is It to be held at the O2 Arena in London. The concerts are never held due to his death three months later.
6 March – Police launch an investigation after a protester throws green custard at the Business and Enterprise Secretary, Lord Mandelson, in protest at the government's decision to approve the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7928946.stm |title=Mandelson custard attack probed |work=BBC News |date=6 March 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
18 March – Sean Hodgson, who has served 27 years in prison since being convicted of murder in 1982, is acquitted at the Court of Appeal in London.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7950303.stm |title=Man freed after 27 years in jail |work=BBC News |date=18 March 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
22 March – Jade Goody, the reality TV star, dies at her home in Essex after a seven-month battle against cancer.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7925719.stm|title=Reality TV star Jade Goody dies|work=BBC News|date=22 March 2009|access-date=29 December 2009}}

=April=

File:H1N1 influenza virus.jpg, which resulted in a pandemic.]]

File:Dmitry Medvedev 2 April 2009-1.jpg.]]

1 April – Protests are held across London ahead of the following day's G-20 summit. Police report 63 arrests across the city, where a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland is targeted by protesters, believed to be as a result of the ongoing anger at the pension of former Chief Executive, Fred Goodwin. The Metropolitan Police later announce that one protester died of a heart-attack during the protests.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7977489.stm |title=Police clash with G20 protesters |work=BBC News |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
2 April – The 2009 G-20 London summit is held due to the 2008 financial crisis. The summit ends in the leaders announcing various measures, including a $1.1 trillion investment in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7979483.stm |title=G20 leaders seal $1tn global deal |work=BBC News |date=2 April 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
8 April – Analogue television signals begin to be switched off in the Westcountry Television area as part of the UK's ongoing process of digital switchover.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/west_country |title=Westcountry |publisher=Digital UK |access-date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815110427/http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/west_country |archive-date=2009-08-15 |url-status=dead }}
29 April – Three cases of Swine Flu are confirmed in England. One adult is diagnosed in Redditch, another in South London, whilst a 12-year-old girl is diagnosed in Torbay.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8024690.stm |title=Three new swine flu cases in UK |work=BBC News |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}} Meanwhile, the Scottish Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon announces that 15 suspected cases in Scotland are negative.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8024742.stm |title=Suspected Scots flu cases hits 32 |work=BBC News |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
30 April – A further three cases of swine flu are confirmed by the Department of Health. Two of the cases are located in London, with the third being in Newcastle.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8026121.stm |title=UK confirms eight swine flu cases |work=BBC News |date=30 April 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}

=May=

10 May – The decapitated body of Michael Gilbert is found in Arlesey. He had been kept as a slave and subject to year of abuse by the Watt family, six members of which were later jailed for their role in the murder.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/8629123.stm | work=BBC News | title=Three guilty of murdering "slave" | date=23 April 2010}}
16 May – Manchester United win the Premier League championship for the third consecutive year after a 0–0 draw against Arsenal F.C. at their home ground, Old Trafford. They have now equalled Liverpool's record tally of 18 top division titles.{{cite news|last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8038259.stm |title=BBC Sport – Man Utd 0–0 Arsenal |work=BBC News |date=18 May 2009 |access-date=28 March 2010}}
27 May – Manchester United lose 2–0 to FC Barcelona of Spain in the European Cup final at Rome's Olympic Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1117670_united_lose_champions_league_final|title=United lose Champions League final|publisher=Manchester Evening News|date=27 May 2009|access-date=29 December 2009}}
30 May – Chelsea win the FA Cup for the fifth time after beating Everton 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium. Everton French striker Louis Saha scores the fastest ever FA Cup Final goal, after 23 seconds.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/facup/5413238/FA-Cup-final-2009-Chelsea-win-at-Wembley-highlight-of-my-stay-says-Guus-Hiddink.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601214403/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/facup/5413238/FA-Cup-final-2009-Chelsea-win-at-Wembley-highlight-of-my-stay-says-Guus-Hiddink.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 June 2009|title=FA Cup final 2009: Chelsea win at Wembley "highlight" of my stay, says Guus Hiddink|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=30 May 2009|access-date=29 December 2009 | location=London | first=Giles | last=Mole}}

=June=

4 June – Elections are held to the European Parliament, alongside local council elections in England.
5 June – The results of the local elections are announced, with the remaining councils under Labour Party control all falling to the Conservative Party's control. The projected national vote shares suggests that the Conservatives achieved 38% of the vote, the Liberal Democrats 28% and Labour 23%.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8085558.stm|title= Labour loses council strongholds|work= BBC News|date= 5 June 2009|access-date= 8 June 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090607225912/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8085558.stm| archive-date= 7 June 2009 | url-status= live}}
7 June – The results of the European parliamentary elections, held on 4 June, are announced, and show large declines in the vote of the Labour Party. The far-right British National Party also win their first ever seats in a national election, being elected in North West England and Yorkshire and the Humber.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8088133.stm|title=Labour slump to historic defeat|work= BBC News|date=8 June 2009|access-date=8 June 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090608013017/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8088133.stm| archive-date= 8 June 2009 | url-status= live}}
8 June – Female paedophile and nursery worker Vanessa George arrested in Plymouth over child pornography and sexual assault offences.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6471327.ece|title=Little Ted's nursery worker Vanessa George charged with child abuse|last=Simon|first=de Bruxelles|date=11 June 2009|work=The Times|publisher=Times Newspapers Ltd.|access-date=15 December 2009|location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
21 June – The final British Grand Prix (providing Donington Park is prepared on time) to be held at the Silverstone Circuit is won by Sebastian Vettel. Britain's Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton finish 6th and 16th respectively.
22 June – English Conservative MP John Bercow is elected as the 157th Speaker of the House of Commons.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm|title= Tory MP Bercow is elected Speaker|work= BBC News|date= 22 June 2009|access-date= 22 June 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090622191726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm| archive-date= 22 June 2009 | url-status= live}}
27 June – The English Defence League is formed by protesters who claim that the government has been weak and ineffectual against extreme Islam.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Violent-right-wing-group-setting-new-Essex-division/story-12623798-detail/story.html |title=ESSEX: Right-wing group English Defence League setting up new division in county {{!}} This is Essex |access-date=2011-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320012400/http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Violent-right-wing-group-setting-new-Essex-division/story-12623798-detail/story.html |archive-date=2012-03-20 |url-status=dead }}

=July=

File:Harry Patch.jpg, who died on 25 July aged 111.]]

File:Henry Allingham in June 2006.jpg

1 July – The government announces that it is taking the InterCity East Coast franchise into a period of public ownership, after the incumbent operator, National Express East Coast, said it planned to default on its franchise agreement.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8127851.stm|title=East Coast rail to be state run|work=BBC News|date=1 July 2009|access-date=2 July 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111012000316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8127851.stm| archive-date=October 12, 2011| url-status= live}}
3 July – Six people, including three children, are killed after a fire in a high rise residential tower block in Camberwell, south London.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8133871.stm|title=Six killed in tower block blaze|work=BBC News|date=3 July 2009|access-date= 4 July 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090704012031/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8133871.stm| archive-date= 4 July 2009 | url-status= live}}
5 July – The Staffordshire Hoard, the largest haul of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever found, is uncovered. The 1,500 gold and silver pieces are discovered buried beneath a field in Staffordshire by metal detecting enthusiast Terry Herbert. This is made public on 24 September.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/8272058.stm|title=Huge Anglo-Saxon gold hoard found|work=BBC News|date=24 September 2009|access-date=24 September 2009}}{{cite news|first=Maev|last=Kennedy|author-link=Maev Kennedy|title=A beep, and Mr Lucky opened the door on a lost world|work=The Guardian|date=25 September 2009|pages=6–7}}
8 July – The First Test of the 2009 Ashes series takes place at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens
18 July – Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man and one of the last surviving First World War servicemen, dies aged 113.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8157128.stm|title=Oldest WWI veteran dies aged 113|work=BBC News|date=18 July 2009|access-date=25 July 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090718100836/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8157128.stm| archive-date= 18 July 2009 | url-status= live}}
24 July – The results of the previous day's Norwich North by-election are announced. The Conservatives win with a majority of more than 7,000, making their candidate, 27-year-old Chloe Smith the youngest MP in the UK. The election was held following the resignation of Labour's Ian Gibson over the MPs expenses row earlier in the year.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8166398.stm|title= Tories beat Labour in by-election|work= BBC News|date= 24 July 2009|access-date= 24 July 2009}}
25 July – Harry Patch, the last British survivor of the First World War trenches and briefly the oldest man in the United Kingdom, dies aged 111.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8168691.stm|title=WWI veteran Patch dies aged 111|work=BBC News|date=25 July 2009|access-date= 25 July 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130726134845/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8168691.stm| archive-date=July 26, 2013| url-status= live}} Claude Choules, a 108-year-old former Royal Navy serviceman who was born in Worcestershire but now lives in Australia, is the last surviving British veteran of the war and one of just three surviving of any nationality.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5919952/Britains-last-surviving-First-World-War-veteran-Claude-Choules-says-war-was-boring.html|title=Britain's last surviving First World War veteran Claude Choules says war was boring|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=27 July 2009|access-date=29 December 2009|location=London|first=Bonnie|last=Malkin}}
28 July – The International Rugby Board confirms that the United Kingdom has won the rights to stage both the 2013 Rugby League and the 2015 Rugby Union World Cups.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/28/rugby-union-league-world-cup|title= Britain lands rugby World Cup double|work= The Guardian|first= Owen|last= Gibson|date= 28 July 2009|access-date= 29 July 2009 | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090730024645/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jul/28/rugby-union-league-world-cup| archive-date= 30 July 2009 | url-status= live}}
30 July – Multiple sclerosis sufferer Debbie Purdy makes legal history by winning her battle to have the law on assisted suicide clarified after the Law Lords rule in her favour.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8177343.stm|title= MS woman wins right-to-die fight|work= BBC News|date= 30 July 2009|access-date= 30 July 2009}}
31 July – Gary McKinnon, an English man with Asperger syndrome loses his latest High Court bid to avoid extradition to the United States to face charges of hacking into US Government computers.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8177561.stm|title= Hacker loses extradition appeal|work= BBC News|date=31 July 2009|access-date= 31 July 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090731100507/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8177561.stm| archive-date= 31 July 2009 | url-status= live}}

=August=

6 August – Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, who is gravely ill, is granted release from prison on compassionate grounds.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/8188479.stm|title= Train robber Biggs wins freedom|work= BBC News|date= 6 August 2009|access-date= 6 August 2009}}
23 August – In cricket, the Ashes series concludes with England defeating Australia 2–1.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/8217035.stm|title= Victorious England regain Ashes|publisher= BBC Sport|first= Jamie|last= Lillywhite|date= 23 August 2009|access-date= 26 August 2009}}
August – A metal detectorist discovers the Shrewsbury Hoard, about 10,000 Roman coins.{{cite web|last=Pett |first=Daniel |title=Recent discovery of a Roman Coin Hoard in the Shrewsbury Area |url=http://finds.org.uk/blogs/centralunit/2009/09/07/recent-discovery-of-a-roman-coin-hoard-in-the-shrewsbury-area/ |publisher=Portable Antiquities Scheme |date=2009-09-07 |access-date=2010-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306021611/http://finds.org.uk/blogs/centralunit/2009/09/07/recent-discovery-of-a-roman-coin-hoard-in-the-shrewsbury-area/ |archive-date=2012-03-06 }}

=September=

7 September – Convictions and acquittals in the trial for those charged over the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6024663/Airlines-gang-guilty.html|title=Three guilty of plotting biggest ever airline bombing|publisher=Daily Telegraph|first=Duncan|last=Gardham|date=7 September 2009|access-date=29 December 2009 | location=London}}
9 September – Westcountry Television completes the digital switchover process with the turning off of all analogue signals from the Caradon Hill transmitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/west_country/caradon_hill |title=Caradon Hill |publisher=Digital UK |date=6 November 2008 |access-date=28 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822034125/http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/west_country/caradon_hill |archive-date=August 22, 2009 }}
14 September – Those convicted for their role in the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot are sentenced.

=October=

File:Question time nick griffin protest 2.jpg

18 October – England's Jenson Button wins the 2009 Formula One Drivers' Championship after finishing in 5th place at the Brazilian Grand Prix.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8313300.stm|title=Brilliant Button clinches title|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 October 2009|access-date=19 October 2009|first=Chris|last=Whyatt| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091020133013/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8313300.stm| archive-date= 20 October 2009 | url-status= live}} English based team Brawn GP, who Button drives for, secures the Constructors' Championship at the same race, in their debut season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8289217.stm|title=Brawn win title in debut F1 year|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 October 2009|access-date=19 October 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091021043626/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8289217.stm| archive-date= 21 October 2009 | url-status= live}}
22 October – British National Party leader Nick Griffin makes a controversial first appearance on the BBC One political debate programme Question Time.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8321157.stm|title= Angry scenes face Griffin at BBC|work= BBC News|date= 22 October 2009|access-date= 25 October 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150725110152/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8321157.stm| archive-date=July 25, 2015| url-status= live}} He later announces his intention to make a formal complaint to the BBC for the way he believed he was treated by the programme's audience, who he described as a "lynch mob" and the show's other guests.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8322322.stm|title= Griffin complaint over BBC 'mob'|work= BBC News|date= 23 October 2009|access-date= 23 October 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091025072327/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8322322.stm| archive-date= 25 October 2009 | url-status= live}}

=November=

4 November – Granada Television begins the process of digital switchover.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/granada/winter_hill |title=Winter Hill |publisher=Digital UK |access-date=28 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804072541/http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/granada/winter_hill |archive-date=August 4, 2009 }}
14 November – Severe gales and heavy rain from an Atlantic storm cause floods and damage across southern England and Wales.{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/ht20091117.html|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091209175328/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/ht20091117.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2009|title=Stormy weather 13 and 14 November 2009|date=17 November 2009|publisher=The Met Office|access-date=20 November 2009}}
19 November – Highest ever UK 24-hour rainfall total, 314.4 mm, recorded at Seathwaite Farm, Cumbria{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20091120.html|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091209150732/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20091120.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2009|title=Recent heavy rain over north-west Britain|author=Met Office|date=20 November 2009|work=News Archive|publisher=Met Office|access-date=21 November 2009}} – a record which stands until December 2015.
20 November – Many towns and villages in Cumbria are flooded following several days of heavy rain. Three bridges collapse, one of them leading to the death of a police officer, who was standing on the bridge when it collapsed.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8370692.stm |title=Body found in floods search is missing policeman|date=20 November 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=20 November 2009|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123100906/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8370692.stm| archive-date=23 November 2009|url-status=live}}

=December=

2 December – The Winter Hill transmitter has its remaining analogue signals turned off, completing the digital switchover process in the Granada Television region.
The England 2018 FIFA World Cup bidding team announce the 12 cities which will be part of their campaign to host the tournament. Wembley Stadium, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Manchester United's Old Trafford and Liverpool's Anfield or proposed new stadium are among the venues, as is the Stadium:mk in Milton Keynes which only opened in 2007.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/dec/16/england-2018-world-cup-cities | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Milton Keynes among winners as England 2018 host cities revealed | date=16 December 2009| access-date= 6 July 2011 }}
15 December – Paedophile nursery worker Vanessa George is jailed indefinitely after previously admitting to seven sexual assaults and six counts of making and distributing indecent pictures of children.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8345756.stm|title=Jail term for nursery abuse woman|date=15 December 2009|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}
18 December – Heavy snowfall causes widespread disruption across large parts of South East England, East Anglia, the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8420057.stm|title= Heavy snow causes travel chaos in parts of England|work= BBC News|date= 18 December 2009|access-date= 18 December 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100131093323/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8420057.stm| archive-date= 31 January 2010 | url-status= live}}

=Undated=

The Church of England has designated 2009 as 'The Year of Child'{{cite web|url=http://www.yearofthechild2009.co.uk/ |title=Year of the Child Website |publisher=Yearofthechild2009.co.uk |access-date=28 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511213303/http://www.yearofthechild2009.co.uk/ |archive-date=11 May 2008 }}