Formby
Formby | ||
---|---|---|
Town | ||
Metropolitan county | ||
Region | ||
Country | England | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
Post town | LIVERPOOL | |
Postcode district | L37 | |
Dialling code | 01704 | |
Police | Merseyside | |
Fire | Merseyside | |
Ambulance | North West | |
UK Parliament | ||
Formby is a town and
.Historically in Lancashire, three manors are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under "Fornebei", Halsall, Walton and Poynton.[2] Cockle raking and shrimp fishing lasted into the 19th century.[2] By 1872, the township and sub-district was made up of two chapelries (St Peter's and St Luke's), Birkdale township, the hamlets of Ainsdale and Raven-Meols and Altcar parish.[2][3] Formby was built on the plain adjoining the Irish Sea coast a few miles north of the Crosby channel.[2]
A
History
Erosion of sand on the beach at Formby is revealing layers of mud and sediment, laid down in the late Mesolithic to the late Neolithic, approximately 8,000 – 5,000 years ago, and covered in the early Bronze Age.[9] These sediments often contain the footprints of humans and animals (red deer, roe deer, wild boar, wolf, aurochs) and birds (oystercatcher, crane and other waders) from that period.[10] In June 2016, over 50 human footprints from 7,000 years ago were uncovered on the beach.[11]
The common place-name suffix -by is from the Scandinavian byr meaning "homestead", "settlement" or "village". The village of Formby was originally spelt Fornebei and means "the old settlement" or "village belonging to Forni".[2] At that time Fornibiyum was also a well-known Norse family name. He could have been the leader of the invading expedition which took possession of this coast.[original research?] Until its closure in 1998, Oslo Airport in Norway was situated in a town called Fornebu.[citation needed]
It was from Ireland in about 960 AD that these
Formby Beach is the location of the first lifeboat station in the UK. It is believed to have been established as early as 1776 by William Hutchinson, the Dock Master for the Liverpool Common Council. Although no exact record has been found, the boat used is believed to have been a 'Mersey Gig'.[14] The last launch from the station took place in 1916. Remarkably, a film of this event survived.[15] The foundations of the last of the lifeboat station buildings remain on the beach to this day.[16] In 2016, the newly opened Wetherspoons pub in the town was named 'The Lifeboat' in honour of the original lifeboat station.
Formby is home to
Governance
Until 1974, Formby was an
Prior to 1983 Formby was in the parliamentary constituency of Ormskirk and after Ormskirk's abolition was made part of the Crosby constituency. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Crosby from 1997 until 2010 was Claire Curtis-Thomas, a member of the Labour Party, prior to her election the seat was generally considered to be a safe Conservative Party stronghold with Tory MPs elected at every election barring the 1981 Crosby by-election when Shirley Williams of the Social Democratic Party was elected to represent the constituency.
As a result of the Crosby constituency being abolished for the 2010 general election, Formby is part of the newly created Sefton Central constituency, represented by Bill Esterson, a member of the Labour Party. Sefton Central is now considered a safe Labour seat.[22]
For elections to
Geography
Formby is a coastal town, with an area of roughly 7 sq miles (17 km2), located in the borough of
The town is rurally
The section of land between Formby and the coast is varied in vegetation, wildlife and
Formby is in a temperate climate zone, with mild winters and warm summers. Formby's coastline faces an ongoing threat from water-based erosion, with high tides washing away yards of sand dunes. In an attempt to stem this, in some years discarded Christmas trees are collected and planted by rangers and volunteers to help slow this effect.[24]
Economy
The main
There are several other smaller shopping areas around Formby and Freshfield, mostly convenience stores and specialist outlets, such as an optician and a model shop. Formby also has a main post office and two smaller post offices.
The town has several supermarkets including a
Tourism
Formby has a significant tourist industry, most notably between the warmer months of May and September.[25] In particular, it is popular with day trippers from across the North West. There are two main spots along the Formby Coast which are particularly popular with the public.
The Lifeboat Road site is about 1½ miles from the town centre; there are three linked unpaved car parks with several routes cascading out into the sand dunes and woods. The car parks are about 900 yards from the beach and there is a charge to park there
Victoria Road is north of Lifeboat Road and is busier due to the red squirrel reserve being located here, as well as it being the starting point for the asparagus trail. The reserve begins at the junction of Larkhill Lane and Victoria Road. Like Lifeboat Road, there is a charge to park from this point onwards. Parking is available adjacent to the reserve and at the end of the road, there is a large unpaved car park for easier beach access. The beach is located approximately 100 yards from the car park.
There is a privately run
Transport
Formby
are both 6 miles from Formby.With the town's major growth period around the early 20th century and Formby never really having any major industry, the road system followed an American style method of road building. Major roads in the town are wide and in an almost block formation with housing estates being built into those blocks.
There are two railway stations:
Bus services in the town are provided by Arriva North West, Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire from Preston Depot and Merseytravel. These include services to Southport, Ince Blundell, Liverpool, Southport and Formby District General Hospital and Merseytravel's Formby circular routes.
The nearest commercial airport is in Liverpool which is 17 miles away. Manchester Airport seconds that, 36 miles away. Liverpool Airport is reachable using Liverpool's suburban railway network, Merseyrail, via Liverpool South Parkway.
London is under two hours away via train from Runcorn railway station which is 25 miles / 45 minutes drive from Formby, or from Liverpool Lime Street railway station which is 11 miles / 30 minutes drive.
In addition to motorised transport, Formby is served by excellent cycle routes, mainly centring on the pinewoods along the coast leading to both Southport and Liverpool. There are also many cycle lanes on the roads leading to the larger conurbations to the north and south.
Education
There are seven primary schools in Formby, namely Woodlands, Redgate CP, Our Lady of Compassion RC, St Jerome's RC, Trinity St Peters C. of E., Freshfield CP and
Formby has two large high schools, Formby High School and Range High School and also had an independent high school focussing on Educational and Behaviour difficulties teaching, Clarence House. The independent school was permanently closed as of 2018 and residential units demolished. Clarence House was owned by Nugent Care, a registered charity, who also governs Clumber Lodge, a children's home in Formby.
Media
Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North West and ITV Granada. Television signals are received from the Winter Hill TV transmitter.[28]
Local radio stations are BBC Radio Merseyside, Heart North West, Radio City, Smooth North West, Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West, and Dune Radio, a community based station. [29]
The town is served by these local newspapers:
- Southport Visiter (formerly Formsby Times) [30]
- Southport Reporter
- Liverpool Echo
Scouting
Formby has a long tradition of scouting dating back to 1909, just over a year after Baden Powell's legendary experimental camp on Brownsea Island in Dorset in 1907. The first Scout group in the town, named the 1st Formby, was set up at Holy Trinity Church Hall by Mr Murray Spense. There are currently a handful of active groups out of the nine that were initially set up over the last century, especially since the 1960s housing estates expanded the town.
Scouts can be seen marching through the village every year on
Wildlife
To the west of the town lie pinewoods and sand dunes.
Formby is also notable for the presence of natterjack toads. Formby is only one of a few sites in England where they will breed. Later in the evening the male's distinctive song can be heard and is known locally as the 'Bootle Organ'.[34] In spring the males gather at the edge of shallow pools in the dune slacks and sing to attract a mate.
Sport
This stretch of coast is famous for links golf courses such as
The town also had a football team called
In addition, a variety of youth sporting groups are based in Formby. These include Formby Junior Sports Club (FJSC) known locally as "Rourke's League" after Jim Rourke
People
Footballers
This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2020) |
A number of current and former footballers, the majority of whom play or played for
- Joe Allen
- Leighton Baines
- Alan Ball
- Mario Balotelli
- Ross Barkley
- Stig Inge Bjørnebye
- Fabio Borini
- Andy Carroll
- Ray Clemence
- Joe Cole
- Stewart Downing
- Fabinho
- David Fairclough
- Duncan Ferguson
- Steven Gerrard
- Joe Gomez
- Jordan Henderson
- Tony Hibbert
- Emlyn Hughes
- Sami Hyypiä
- Howard Kendall
- Jürgen Klopp
- Adam Lallana
- Rickie Lambert
- Yerry Mina
- Phil Neal
- Mike Newell
- Divock Origi
- Andrew Robertson
- Brendan Rodgers, during his time as Liverpool FC manager[41]
- Wayne Rooney
- Neil Ruddock
- Gylfi Sigurðsson
- Alan Shearer, during his time at Blackburn Rovers
- Raheem Sterling
- Alan Stubbs (who also owned Woodwards Winebar in the village)[42]
- John Toshack
Other notable people include
- Beryl Bainbridge, English novelist
- John Birt, former director of the BBC
- Edward Craig, philosopher and former cricketer
- Angela Eagle, Labour MP and former minister
- Maria Eagle, Labour MP and former minister
- Kevin McNamara, former Labour MP and shadow minister
- Chris Chibnall, television writer and producer
- Percy French, Irish songwriter and entertainer (died and buried in Formby[43])
- Thomas Fresh, public health pioneer
- John Garstang, archaeologist (worked at Liverpool University and resided at Thornbury on Freshfield Road, Formby[44])
- Christopher Hope, journalist
- Frank McLardy, member of the British Union of Fascists and Waffen-SS British Free Corps
- Robert Molyneux, Jesuit missionary to the United States
- Sir John Moores, founder of Littlewoods
- John Parrott, snooker player[45]
- TCMpresenter
- Rhian Teasdale, lead singer of Wet Leg
- Matt Williams, AKA - "Dr Mosh". BBC sports broadcaster and personality
The notable music hall entertainer
See also
Gallery
-
Grave of Percy French
-
Red squirrel feeding
-
Housing in Formby
-
Formby Beachsand dunes
References
- ^ "Formby Parish Council, Sefton, Merseyside, Official Website". Formby Parish Council.
- ^ a b c d e Farrer, William; Brownbill, J (1907). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3. Victoria County History. pp. 45–52. The Section dedicated to Formby.
- ^ Wilson, John Marius (1874). Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870–1872). A. Fullarton & Co.
- ^ a b "City Relationships: Economic Linkages in Northern city regions. Liverpool City Region" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2012.
- ^ "Sefton Council Core Strategy Options Paper May 2011. Profile of Sefton" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012.
- ^ Carolyn Garlick. "Formby coastal walk". BBC.co.uk.
- ^ "Formby, Ainsdale & Birkdale – Inspector Jim Atherton profile". Merseyside Police.
- ^ "Formby". The National Trust. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011.
- .
- ^
Smith, Philip H. (1999). The Sands of Time: an introduction to the Sand Dunes of the Sefton Coast. National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside. ISBN 1-902700-03-1.
- ^ Bishop, Rachel (19 June 2016). "Thousands of prehistoric footprints from 7,000 years ago found on UK beach".
- ISBN 1-901231-34-8.
- ^ "Viking Life". Southport.tv. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Origins of Britains first lifeboat station 2003".
- ISBN 0-9508155-0-0.
- ^ PDF file Handout issued by Sefton MBC and Mersey Travel
- ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- ^ a b "Merseyside Regional History Section – RAF Woodvale". Mersey Reporter. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "About US: Departments". Merseyside Police. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008.
- ^ "Merseyside Police Authority". Aeroflight. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "A Fantastic Weekend For ALL The Family!". Woodvale Rally. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
- . Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ISBN 1-902700-03-1.
- ^ Brown, Andrew (26 December 2014). "Christmas tree recycling in Southport & Formby – Sefton Council offers free collection service". Southport Visiter. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "Sefton Coastal Footpath". BBC Online. 19 August 2005. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ Formby Times
- ^ "Schools Web Directory UK – Search Schools by LEA". www.schoolswebdirectory.co.uk.
- ^ "Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter". UK Free TV. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ "Dune Radio". Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ "Formby Times". British Papers. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "Formby". The National Trust. Archived from the original on 1 March 2009.
- ^ "North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan – Red Squirrel". Merseyside Biodiversity Group. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ Country File. 28 August 2008. BBC.
- ^ Simpson, David (Summer 1997). "The Natterjack Toad". Sefton Coast Partnership. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008.
- ^ "Curtis Cup 2004 Formby". Southport Reporter. 12 June 2004. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
- ^ "Courses". England's Golf Coast. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "Formby Loses Favourite Father Figure, Jim Rourke MBE, 1912 – 2006". Southport Reporter. 13 February 2006. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ Kirkbride, Philip (21 January 2009). "FJSC celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. Phil Kirkbride looks back". Formby Times. Archived from the original on 23 January 2009.
- ^ "Junior Jim a real marvel". Liverpool Echo. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "Formby FC Juniors".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Rodgers focused on foundations". Liverpool FC. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012.
- ^ Kelly, Joanne (28 September 2007). "Carnival time at opening of Blues star's Birkdale bar". Southport Visiter. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
- ^ "Are ye right there, Michael?". St Luke's Church. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011.
- ^ World Biography – Volume 1 – Page 1932
- ^ "Cringing Cult of Celebrity in Formby, Merseyside". The Knowhere Guide. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009.
- ^ "George Formby Senior – Entertainer". BBC Online. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
External links
Media
- Radio City (local radio station)
- Formby Champion (free local newspaper)
- Liverpool Echo (local newspaper)
- Formby Reporter (free local newspaper)
- Formby Times (free local newspaper)
Information
- City Relationships: Economic Linkages in Northern city regions. Liverpool City Region
- Sefton Coast Metropolitan Borough of Sefton's website
- Profile of Sefton
- Formby station timetable from National Rail's Live Departure Boards
Community
- Formby Events
- Our Lady of Compassion Formby Catholic Parish Church
- Parish Church of St. Luke: History
- Photos of Formby Point
- Photos of St. Michael Church just outside Formby in Great Altcar.
- MOD Film locations page.