Poulton-le-Fylde
| Poulton-le-Fylde | |
|---|---|
| Population | 19,480 |
| OS grid reference | SD3439 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | POULTON-LE-FYLDE |
| Postcode district | FY6 |
| Dialling code | 0125389 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | |
Poulton-le-Fylde is a town in the Wyre district of Lancashire in north-western England, at 53°50′49″N 2°59′31″W / 53.84694°N 2.99194°W. The town has a population of 19,480 as of 2001 and occupies an area of 7.79 km², for a population density of 2500 people/km². It is situated about 5 kilometres to the northeast of Blackpool town and the Irish Sea coast.
The town gained its name from the Wyre estuary, which lies less than 2 kilometres to the north-east at Skippool. The name Poulton was created by combining the Old English words Pol, for pool or creek, and Tun, meaning a farmstead or enclosure. Thus the name signifies "settlement by the pool". In 1842 the suffix 'le-Fylde' was added to distinguish the village from Poulton-le-Sands, a community since renamed to Morecambe. The suffix comes from the Fylde peninsula, although the town is not in the modern day local government area of Fylde, which covers only the southern part of that peninsula.
By 2009, the town of Poulton-le-Fylde is expected to join the Wyre and Preston North constituency of the UK Parliament.
History
During the Roman era, the area around this location was believed to be marshy ground, and was sparsely settled. The village was likely inhabited during the Anglo-Saxon period, and its name appears in the Doomsday Book. A church is thought to have been located in the village since before the Norman Conquest.
By the mediæval era, Poulton-le-Fylde served as a market town for the local area, and the town square has been used as a market dating from at least 1348. The ports on the river Wyre were later used for trade during the 18th century. These were supplanted by Fleetwood and Glasson Dock near Lancaster.
Stocks were added to the square in 1351 as a punitive measure. Wrongdoers were locked in the stocks and had rotten eggs and other food items thrown at them. Both the stocks and whipping post were used up until the 19th century. These historical features are now preserved in the Market Square.
In March, 1752, a fire swept through the west part of the village, burning buildings to the ground. These structures were later rebuilt after a national collection raised the funds. Poulton-le-Fylde remained a farming community centre for the area throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
In 1970, the nearly intact skeleton of an elk (nicknamed 'Harold') was discovered in the vicinity. The skeleton was dated at 12,000 years of age, and contained the remains of weapon tips embedded in the legs. This skeleton is evidence that human hunters dwelt here during that prehistoric period. The skeleton is now located in the Harris Museum in Preston.
The Wyre Borough Council was formed during a local reorganization in 1974, with Poulton-le-Fylde acting as the administrative centre.
Places of interest
- The Bull Inn - This was once one of Poulton's three Coaching inns.
- Market Square - The square is now closed to traffic and contains several features of historical note. There is an island in the center with the old stocks, whipping post, fish slab, and market cross.
- Railway Station - The railway station now has services to Blackpool North, Preston, Leeds and Manchester and stations in between. It was established in 1896. Formerly the station supported a branch line via Thornton to Fleetwood. Services were discontinued under Beeching, but the line was kept open for freight access to and from a works belonging to ICI.
- St. Chad's Church - Located near the market square, this Georgian-style Parish church was built of red sandstone and dates back to 1094. In early spring the church yard provides a display of purple and yellow crocuses.
- Pubs and Clubs - Poulton is known for its many drinking establishments and nightclubs. These include, The Thatched House, The Golden Ball, The Bull, The Grapevine, The Edge, The Cube and The Old Town Hall. There are two nightclubs in Poulton, The Peppermint Lounge (situated in the Teanlowe Centre) and The Residence which once was owned by former television entertainer Keith Harris.
Notable people from Poulton
- Ian Stuart Donaldson - punk rock musician; frontman of now-defunct Skrewdriver
- Fred Pagnam - former professional footballer
- Andy Summers - musician (The Police)
- Christopher James Darwell - Notary local playboy and Thespian.
Education
- Breck Primary School on Fouldry Avenue holds around 500 children and about 20-30 teachers. It also has a new Breck Beanies nursery.
- Baines High school and Baines Sixth Form was opened in 1717 by James Baines. The present headteacher is Roddy McCowan.
External links
- "History of Poulton-le-Fylde". Poulton-le-Fylde Historical and Civic Society.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "Welcome to Wyre". Wyre Borough Council.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "The Fylde". Fred Moor Website Alliance.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "The Poulton-Le-Fylde Brass Band". The Official Poulton-Le-Fylde Brass Band Website.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "Poulton and Wyre Railway Society". The Official Poulton and Wyre Railway Society Website.
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