Woolton
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2008) |
| Woolton | |
|---|---|
 Woolton Street | |
| Population | 12,921 (2011 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SJ425867 |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LIVERPOOL |
| Postcode district | L25 |
| Dialling code | 0151 |
| Police | Merseyside |
| Fire | Merseyside |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | |
Woolton (locally /ˈwuːltən/),[2] originally Much Woolton,[3][4][5] is an affluent suburb of Liverpool, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located in the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunt's Cross, Allerton, and Halewood in the neighbouring Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley. At the 2011 Census the population was recorded as 12,921.[1]
History
Originally a separate village, it was incorporated into the City of Liverpool in 1913. The area was referred to as Uluentune in the Domesday Book, with the name translating as "farm of Wulfa".[6] Shortly after the Domesday survey, which was completed in 1086, Woolton became part of the Barony of Halton and Widnes. In 1189, a charge was granted by John, Constable of Chester, to the order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, a religious order who protected the routes for Christians who were on a pilgrimage to The Holy Land. These Knights Hospitallers held land in Woolton for over 350 years, until it was confiscated from them in 1559 by Queen Elizabeth I. The manorial rights to Woolton passed from Queen Elizabeth to James I who sold them to William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby. Woolton then passed to Isaac Green, and through his daughter to her son Bamber Gascoyne of Childwall (MP for Liverpool 1780-96 and an ancestor of Bamber Gascoigne[6] who hosted University Challenge for many years), and is now owned by the Marquis of Salisbury.
Description
Woolton is a prestigious middle class suburb. Housing is primarily semi-detached and detached, although some well-preserved terraces survive in Woolton Village.
Public houses in the area include The White Horse, The Cobden, The Victoria, The Grapes and The Elephant. Also of note are the Victorian swimming baths building, and the public library which was converted from a Methodist chapel, but was closed in 2012 as part of Liverpool City Council's cost cutting measures.
Many Beatles landmarks can be found in Woolton, including 'Mendips' (Lennon's childhood home at 251 Menlove Avenue) and Strawberry Field. Another one of Woolton's claims to fame is that John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met at St. Peter's garden fete on 6 July 1957.[7]
Government
The elected councillors for Woolton are Cllrs Mark Norris, Colin McAlley, and Barbara Mace - two are Labour with the latter being Liberal Democrat.
Places of worship
Woolton has a number of churches, including three Christian churches in Woolton Village: St. Peter's Church of England is located opposite its church hall; St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church is found about fifty yards down Church Road and along a driveway around 150 yards south-west of St. Peters; St. James's Methodist is found on Church Road South, facing its church hall.
Bob Paisley, the legendary Liverpool F.C. manager from 1974 to 1983, was buried in the churchyard of St Peter's after his death in February 1996.[8]
The old congregational church is now a nursing home at the junction of Quarry Street South and High Street.
Landmarks
- Mendips (251 Menlove Avenue)
- St. Peter's Church
- Strawberry Field
- Woolton Hall
- Woolton Picture House
- Woolton Woods and Camphill
Transport
Hunts Cross Station is the nearest railway station on the southern boundary of Woolton,[3][4][5] with local services on the southern route of the Manchester to Liverpool line between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road, and also Merseyrail's Northern Line to Liverpool Central and Southport. Liverpool South Parkway, one and a half miles to the west of Woolton, serves the same lines in addition to Crewe and Birmingham stopping services.
Bus services provide connections with Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the city centre, neighbouring districts and the broader Liverpool area.
Notable residents
- Ernest Wright Alexander, World War I recipient of the Victoria Cross; the house in which he was born, "The Hayes", has been demolished
- Joe Baker, England international footballer and first player to score 100 league goals in both Scotland and England
- Steve Brookstein, X Factor winner
- Malandra Burrows, former Emmerdale actress and singer
- Lucas Pezzini Leiva, footballer, Liverpool F.C.
- Sammy Lee, former football player and manager, Liverpool F.C., Bolton Wanderers
- John Lennon, composer, musician, activist and co-founder of The Beatles
- Jon Lolis, former Hollyoaks actor
- Simon O'Brien former Brookside actor
- Steven Pienaar, footballer, Everton F.C.
- Pepe Reina, footballer, Liverpool F.C.
- Martin Škrtel, footballer, Liverpool F.C.
- Katarina Johnson Thompson, English track and field athlete; specialises in the heptathlon
- Willy Russell, Playwright
References
- ^ a b 2011 Census: Woolton (Ward), Office for National Statistics, retrieved 27 May 2013
- ^ "Woolton Introduction". 2004. Retrieved April 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b "Rental of Much Woolton". (MS) in Salisbury Papers. 1658.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b "Maps of Woolton". 2004. Retrieved June 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b "Brief History of Much Woolton". 2004. Retrieved June 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b Daugherty, Brian, Woolton, Liverpool, retrieved 15 April 2008
- ^ The Beatle Source, The Savage Young Beatles, retrieved 15 April 2008
- ^ "Bob Paisley". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
External links
