Mawdesley
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Mawdesley | ||
---|---|---|
Shire county | ||
Region | ||
Country | England | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
Post town | ORMSKIRK | |
Postcode district | L40 | |
Dialling code | 01704 | |
Police | Lancashire | |
Fire | Lancashire | |
Ambulance | North West | |
UK Parliament | ||
Mawdesley is a village and civil parish in Lancashire, England, which had a population of 1,702 as per the 2011 Census.[1]
History

The name Mawdesley is thought to have originated in the reign of Edward I (1272–1308). The suffix -ley describes a field, meadow or clearing. Records show that a manor existed in 1250 AD on the site of the present Mawdesley Hall.
Mawdesley supported willow farming and basket-making in the 19th century,[2] with the growing conditions notable for producing strong and durable rods.[3] The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization lists the 'Mawdesley' willow variety as being named for the village.[4]
Mawdesley Hall is a small hall on a back road leading into the village. It was built by William Mawdesley in 1625, but altered towards the end of the 18th century.[5]
Transport
The village has limited public transport services. The nearest
Bus Services include: 337 Chorley to Ormskirk via Charnock Richard, Eccleston, Croston, Mawdesley, Parbold and Burscough
347
Religion
In common with the rest of Lancashire,
St Peter and St Paul's Catholic Church, at OS grid reference SD508146, Salt Pit Lane, was founded in 1830. The Wesleyan Methodist church on New Street was built in 1844[9] from religious societies founded by John Wesley and his preachers and was at OS grid reference SD493150. St Peter's CE Church, High Street, Mawdesley with Bispham, was founded in 1840[10] and is at OS grid reference SD489143.
Education
The village has two small primary schools, Mawdesley St Peter's C of E School, and St Peter and Paul's Catholic School. Little Acorns pre-school operates from within Mawdesley St Peter's C of E School and serves Mawdesley and the surrounding villages, providing play-based learning for three to five-year olds.
Geography

The village sits on a low rise from the surrounding Mawdesley Moss, a flat, intensively-farmed plain. The moss forms the eastern edge of the West Lancashire Coastal Plain with the neighouring Croston Moss and contains a three-turbine 2,250kW wind farm.[11]
The
The nearest hill, Harrock Hill (515 ft) belongs to the neighbouring parishes of Hilldale and Wrightington. This low, rolling hill is visible in some areas of Mawdesley and, with the wind farm, serves as a landmark from the surrounding flat landscape.
Sport
Mawdesley Cricket Club is based in the village. Historically playing in the Palace Shield competition, the club will play in the Northern Premier Cricket League in 2024, the top tier of club cricket in England and Wales.
Notable residents
- Former Lancashire cricketer Jack Iddonwas born in Mawdesley in 1902.
- Fr. James Mawdsley, FSSP
See also
References
- Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J., eds. (1911). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6. London: Victoria County History. p. 96-100.
- JSTOR 4113218. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ISBN 978-0-692-56242-0.
- ^ Grade I listed building
- ^ Thrush, Andrew; Ferris, John P., eds. (2010). The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629. London: Cambridge University Press.
- ^ Gibson, Miriam (10 January 2022). "The Protestation Returns, Lancashire and Recusants". UK Parliament. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
Of the 199 people whose names appear on the Protestant Return for the parish of Mawdesley, 48 of them were recorded as "papists" who refused to take the oath.
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J., eds. (1911). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6. London: Victoria County History. p. 96-100.
A large number of yeomen 'Papists' registered estates in Mawdesley in 1717
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J., eds. (1911). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6. London: Victoria County History. p. 96-100.
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J., eds. (1911). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6. London: Victoria County History. p. 96-100.
- ^ "Mawdesley Moss". The Wind Power. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Mawdesley pumping station, east of Rufford". Geograph. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-948789-40-3.
Sources
External links
- Mawdesley Community Website Mawdesley-village.org.uk.