Haslington
Template:Infobox England place
Haslington is a village in Cheshire, England. It was originally situated on both sides of the section of the A534 road that links Crewe with Sandbach. However, this road has now been re-routed so as to bypass the village to the north-west. It is approximately two miles (three kilometres) east of Crewe, and four miles (six and a half kilometres) from Sandbach. The village is a close neighbour to a number of small towns and villages (including Alsager, Wheelock, Winterley), and is approximately six miles (nine kilometres) from the Elizabethan market town of Nantwich.
History
The earliest mention of Haslington is in 1280, when it was called 'Hasillinton'. The name is possibly derived from the phrase 'Tun among Hazels'
In the reign of Edward I, the Barony of Wich-Malbank (now known as Nantwich) was divided up between the heirs of the last Baron who held that title: William. Haslington was given to an Auda Vernon of Shipbrooke, whose descendants included the founder and early residents of Haslington Hall.
During the first English Civil War, on December 27, 1642, there was a skirmish that took place on the southern outskirts of the village at a place called Slaughter Hill. The Roundheads won. Although the name Slaughter Hill suggests it may be named after this skirmish, it may alternatively be more likely a corruption of 'Sloe Tree Hill'. Blackthorn, which gives us sloes, can still be found in the hedgerows down the lane named Slaughter Hill.[1]
Haslington Hall
Haslington Hall is a timber framed building situated a small distance to the east of the village in open countryside surrounded by fields and accessed by a single-track road and footpaths. It claims to have part of its structure dating from 1480 A.D., though the main early phase of building was completed in 1545 A.D. Its central part used to be a Great Hall, of which its collared roof remains. Two wings were added at the end of this early phase of building. A Seventeenth century section on its east side was later added. It has a number of quatrefoils and lozenge decorative patterns in its structure along with a number of gables and herringbone bracing as an integral part of its fabric. It is claimed that some of the timbers used in the early phase of construction were salvaged from ships of the Spanish Armada in 1588
The Hall was founded by the Vernon family, and, in particular, Admiral Sir Francis Vernon who completed his phase of building in 1545 A.D. This family occupied the Hall until 1700. It then traded hands between various influential families and persons of the area (including the Delves-Broughtons) until it was bought in 1970 by the dairy millionaire Tony Vernon who restored it to its previous splendour over the next thirty years.
Margaret Rose Watt, also known as Mrs Alfred Watt, who was influential in setting up the Women's Institute movement in the UK, also lived for a while at Haslington Hall during the early to middle Twentieth century.
The Hall is privately owned and is not open to the public.
Other Structures of Interest
The Hawk Inn
The Hawk Inn is on the main road through the village, and dates from 1510 A.D. It is rumored to have been visited by Dick Turpin on a large number of occasions. The pub boasts beautifully carved woodwork both inside and out, including various carved faces and a number of engraved phrases on the exterior beams.
Old House
Directly across from The Hawk Inn is a house, formerly two houses which have had the shared wall demolished in order to form a single dwelling, also dating from 1510 A.D. presumably forming the original hamlet, both this house and The Hawk Inn had both had their original thatching replaced by more durable (and vaguely more modern) roofing materials, until the house had its thatching relaid in early 2005 (with a little artistic addition).
Saint Matthew's Church
Saint Matthew's Church is a small Anglican church. It was built in two phases: the first phase which is the west part in 1810, and the second phase or east part in 1909.
The west part is a simple, brick built structure, with arched doorway and windows. It also has a small cupola on the nave's gable. The east part is in the Decorated style, designed by Reginald Longden, and has incorporated into it, a seven-light east window.
Population
Haslington has undergone a large, rapid expansion over the last 25 years, thanks to the redevelopment of Crewe. The 2001 UK census gives the population as being 6430, of which 3144 are male, and 3286 are female. They are living in 2416 households.
Historically, the population was as given the following table:
| Year | 1801 | 1851 | 1901 | 1951 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 0667 | 1153 | 1791 | 3223 | 6430 |
(source: UK and Ireland Genealogy Site).
Amenities
Haslington itself has a small number of commercial premises. As of May 2006 these consisted of a Chinese takeaway, 2 fish, chip and kebab shops, a florist, an off-license, a model shop, a Beauticians, a hairdressers, a bakers, a card and fancy dress shop, a pharmacist, two convenience stores and three pubs (The Broughton Arms, The Fox and The Hawk Inn), as well as a working men's club (The Cosey Club) which boasts live bands every Friday night and most bank holidays, as well as ballroom dancing on a Saturday. Haslington Cricket Club is situated on the outskirts of the village and provides popular bar facilities in its extensive club house. There is also a 65's club where the older citizens can relax.
The village also contains two primary schools (The Dingle and Haslington Primary), a village hall (The Yoxall) and community centre (The Gutterscroft Centre), a dentist, an NHS health centre with three doctors, three churches of various denominations and a golf course. It also has The Millennium Rock, a commemorative stone which is situated on the village green.
Famous people of Haslington
- Admiral Sir Francis Vernon, Active during the time of the Spanish Armada.
- William Broome, poet and translator.
External links
- Placeopedia Streetmap of Haslington
- Haslington Conservation Volunteers
- Leisure Walking Around Haslington
- Haslington War Memorial
- Historical Photographs and Maps of Haslington
- Haslington Boys' Brigade Site
- The Dingle School
- Photograph of Haslington Primary School
- Haslington Methodist Church
Sources and references
- Scholes, R. (2000) Towns and villages of Britain: Cheshire. Sigma Press: Wilmslow, Cheshire. ISBN 1-85058-637-3.