Unsworth
Unsworth | ||
---|---|---|
Metropolitan county | ||
Region | ||
Country | England | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
Post town | Bury | |
Postcode district | BL9 | |
Dialling code | 0161 | |
Police | Greater Manchester | |
Fire | Greater Manchester | |
Ambulance | North West | |
UK Parliament | ||
Unsworth is a village and residential area of the
Historically a part of
History
Toponymy
The name of Unsworth derives from Old English. It is made up of two parts: hund, relating either the modern English hound, or a personal name; and worth, a common Old English suffix which typically refers to either an enclosure, or to a protected place. Thus, the name essentially means "enclosure of somebody named Hund", or "place of the hounds".[2]
On 10 June 1291
The name was first recorded in 1291 as Hundeswrth, then as Undesworth in 1322.[2] The historical loss of the "h" sound in the names of villages is a typical feature of Lancashire place names, caused by an elision typical of Lancashire dialects.[8]
Early history
After the
A 1984 archeological investigation suggested that there may have an iron smelting site on Unsworth Moss, by the banks of Whittle Brook.[10]: 45 While not conclusive, the investigation explored the possibility of a regionally significant medieval bloomery that used the brook as a water source.[11] In 1997, a further field walking investigation reiterated the suggestion of a medieval settlement in the area,[12][13] and a 2021 report by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority suggested that the site may be of regional importance, who recommended undertaking a survey into the extent of the potential iron smelting site before scheduling could be considered.[10]: 45
Industrial history onwards
Unsworth and its waterways were sources of water for local industries such as bleach and dye works, there was also clay for brickworks. During the
The first major change in the 20th century was the construction of the
Unsworth was affected by the construction of the M66 motorway. The road between junctions 3 and 4 passes behind Unsworth Pole and through Back o' th' Moss Farm. Construction of the motorway, along with urbanisation in the mid-1970s reduced the dairy farm's acreage from 300 to 150 acres, resulted in a loss of the dairy production and lower yields of "hay, corn, barley and potatoes"[4]
Governance
Unsworth
Geography
Unsworth lies on high ground between two brooks running north to Whittle Brook and the River Roch,[9] covering 972 acres of mostly arable land that was boggy until drainage was installed.[16] Parr Brook joins the River Roch at Blackford Bridge.
The village and surrounding area were urbanised in the 1960s. Transformation began in the 1950s with the construction of housing and the road known as Sunny Bank Road connecting the old village to the A56 arterial road between Bury and Manchester.
Hollins Vale
Hollins Vale is a local nature reserve to the north of the village, it became Bury's third such nature reserve in 2003. It is managed for the benefit of the local wildlife and community by Hollins Conservation Group.[19]
The reservation consists of woodland, marshland, open grassland (which is managed by cattle that roam the area), and historic hedgerows.[20] Hollins Brook, a tributary of the River Roch, meanders through the valley and connects with "The Cut," a canal-like lodge popular with local angling groups such as the Unsworth Anglers, before continuing west where it connects with Castle Brook and Whittle Brook.[21][22]
Hollins Vale contains two of Bury's fifty
Recent construction efforts have, and continue to threaten the ecology of the nature reserve. Since the construction of the M66 motorway, the populations of skylark, lapwing and hare have disappeared. As of 2020, plans are being developed by the local council to build 200 homes within 100m of the reservation, which may have further impacts on its ecology and biodiversity.[25]
The reserve houses multiple walking trails, managed by Hollins Conservation Group. Although not all public footpaths are clearly defined, and there is no formal circular route, there are multiple routes available.[26] The nature reserve is popular with locals, with the Conservation Group organising activity days such as the annual "Go Wild" event, encouraging locals to engage with their surroundings.[27][28]
Unsworth Moss
Unsworth Moss is a predominantly agricultural area of undulating terrain, containing several woodland blocks. The area that lies along the eastern edge of Unsworth, hedged by Hollins Brook, makes up the Moss, and is distinct from the rest of Unsworth in its relatively agricultural setting, compared to the predominantly residential use of land in the west of the village.
Multiple archeological investigations on Unsworth Moss have suggested the possibility of a medieval iron smelting site on Unsworth Moss, by the banks of Whittle Brook.[10]: 45
Demography
Population change
Population change in Unsworth | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | 1789 | 1792 | 1841 | 1891 | 1901 | 1911 | 1921 | 1931 | 1961 | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 | |||||||
Population | 575 | 755 | 826 | 2,640 | 2,698 | 2,707 | 2,542 | 2,461 | 8,197 | 9,223 | 10,058 | 9,492 | |||||||
Sources: A History of Whitefield; A Topographical Dictionary of England; A Vision of Britain through Time; NOMIS (ONS)[31][32][33][34][35] |
Religion
Unsworth
In 1846 a chapel was erected by Wesleyan Methodists on Hollins Lane, along with a Sunday school.[40] They have since been demolished and replaced by a Methodist church.[41]
Landmarks
After the
Unsworth Library is part of the Bury Libraries group.[43] [44] Proposals to close the library in 2010 met with opposition.[45][46] Local musician Guy Garvey was amongst the opposers, claiming to have written some of his best lyrics (for his band Elbow) at the library, finding it to be "a source of inspiration”.[47] The proposal was withdrawn in January 2011.[46]
Unsworth Hall (formerly Unsworth Lodge) is a 19th-century Georgian mansion that now forms the clubhouse of Bury Golf Club.[48] The hall was the former home of the first mayor of Bury, John Duckworth Esq. J.P.,[49] before being purchased by Bury Golf Club in 1920, along with its adjacent land, to construct a new links following the commandeering of their previous links at Redvales during the First World War. The hall has been refurbished and extended some time around the 1950s,[50] and is currently on Bury Council's list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest as a non-designated heritage asset.[51]
Education
The area was the site of Bury's first
Unsworth has four primary schools: Unsworth Primary School near Parr Lane, established in 1965;[54][55][56] Sunny Bank Primary School, established in 1959;[57][58] Hollins Grundy Primary School near Hollins Lane, established in 1972;[59] and Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School, established in 1984.[60]
Public services
Before its the closing of its public enquiry counter in 2017,
Public transport is co-ordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester. The 92 and 97 busses run along Hollins Lane, connecting the village with both Manchester and Bury,[64] while the 93 and 135 to services between Bury and Manchester, along with the 95 service between Bury and Salford can be accessed from the Blackford Bridge bus stop on Unsworth's western boundary.[65]
Culture
The home of the ancient Unsworth family was noted for containing an oak table and panel with carvings of Saint George and the Dragon, the Eagle and Child, the Lion and the Unicorn and the Unsworth Dragon connected with a local legend. Thomas Unsworth supposedly owned the house when a dragon ravaged the area. Bullets from guns had no effect but Thomas Unsworth mortally wounded the dragon by firing his dagger from a musket. The carvings on the panel and table were supposedly made with the dagger.[67] The origin of the story may be related to the estate granted to a member of the family, possibly Thomas, for unknown military service.[68] This legend, connected with the folklore of Bury, was the subject of a multimedia art installation, hosted by Bury Art Museum as part of the 2016 Transition Festival.[69][70]
The Pole (or Unsworth Pole) was named after the pitch pole fixed by the Earl of Derby which was greased each year for the village's pot fair which was last held over a century ago. The challenge was to climb the greased pole to claim the prize. The last known successful ascender was Adam Holt in 1900. The current pole is not the original which was blown over in a gale, falling into the Bay Horse Inn.[71]
Some local folklore suggests Robert Clive had ties to the area in his early years, however this appears to be false.[72] The claim was first recorded by Francis Gerald Downing of Unsworth Vicarage in a self-published pamphlet.[73] None of Clive's biographers make any reference to Unsworth.[74][75]
Public houses include the Bay Horse, the Queen Anne, the Hollins Bush Inn, and the Sir Robert Peel. Former public houses include The Dragon, referencing the Unsworth Dragon legend, which was converted into Co-Op food shop; and The Bridge Inn, at Blackford Bridge, which was demolished after it was irreparably damaged in a gas explosion in March 1998;[76] and the Lord Clive making reference to Clive's alleged ties to the area, constructed in 1964 and demolished in 2020.[77][78]
Sport
Unsworth Cricket Club was founded in 1883 on Pole Lane and is a member of the Central Lancashire Cricket League.[79]
Bury Golf Club, founded in 1890 as a 9-hole course at Redvales, moved to Unsworth in 1921 where it has an 18-hole course. The clubhouse is based at Unsworth Hall and has a room commemorating Harry Vardon who won seven major championships from 1896 to 1914.[80] Pike Fold Golf Club was founded 1909 and moved to Back o' th' Moss Farm in 1999.[81]
Unsworth Junior Football Club, established in 1974, has 24 teams ranging from Under 8s to Under 18s.[82] The teams practice at Hillock, and play in the North Bury Junior Football League, where the Under 18s team plays in the Premier Division.[83]
Castlebrook Community Sports Centre in the grounds of Castlebrook High School has a floodlit astroturf pitch and two sports halls.[84]
References
Notes
- Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Mills 1976, p. 143.
- ^ 1891 Cotton Mills in Radcliffe, Grace's Guide, retrieved 19 December 2013
- ^ a b "Farming in Unsworth". BBC Domesday. 1986. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ Pinkington, John (1912). History of the Pilkington family of Lancashire and its branches, from 1066 to 1600. Liverpool: C. Tinling. pp. 30–32.
- ^ Dalton, Rodney G. "The History of the Dalton's Medieval Wives' Families". The Dalton Chronicles. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ISBN 0-9506795-1-8.
- ^ Ekwall, Eilert (1922). The place-names of Lancashire. Manchester: The University Press. p. 49.
- ^ a b c Farrer, William; Brownbill, J, eds. (1911), "The parish of Prestwich with Oldham: Pilkington", A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5, British History Online, pp. 25–34, retrieved 14 November 2013
- ^ a b c d e "Places for Everyone: JPA1.1 Heywood / Pilsworth Allocation Topic Paper" (PDF). Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Greater Manchester Combined Authority. p. 38. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Heywood/Pilsworth Topic Paper October 2020" (PDF). Bury Council. Bury Council. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ Lloyd, D. and Redhead, N. Meadow Croft Fold, Pilsworth. Results of the 1997 Field Walking Project at a Late Medieval Iron Smelting Site. Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit. p. 2.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Meadow Croft Fold, Pilsworth". Archaeology Data Service. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ 1891 Cotton Mills in Radcliffe, Grace's Guide, retrieved 19 December 2013
- ^ Unsworth Township Boundaries, genuki.org.uk, retrieved 14 November 2013
- ^ a b c Lewis, Samuel (1848), "Unsworth", A Topographical Dictionary of England, British History Online, pp. 414–418, retrieved 14 November 2013
- ^ Greater Manchester Gazetteer, Greater Manchester County Record Office, archived from the original on 18 July 2011, retrieved 17 June 2008
- ^ "Bury South parliamentary constituency - Election 2019" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Hollins Vale LNR, Bury Council, retrieved 20 December 2013
- ^ Hollins Vale Local Nature Reserve (pdf), Bury Council, retrieved 20 December 2013
- ^ "Unsworth Angling Club". The Bury Directory. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Hollins Conservation Group". Hollins Village. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Sites of Biological Importance (SBI), Bury Council, retrieved 20 December 2013
- ^ "Hollins Vale". The Woodland Trust. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Overview and Scrutiny Committee; Monday; 30 November 2020" (PDF). Bury Council. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Hollins Vale". GM Walking. Greater Manchester Council. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Go Wild Day - 20 Year Anniversary". The National Lottery Community Fund. The National Lottery. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Robinson, Paul. "Families invited to Go Wild in Hollins". My News Desk. Bury Council. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "River Irwell Management Catchment – Evidence and Measures: Water body output maps" (PDF). United Utilities. United Utilities. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "Bury Self-Led Walks". Open Paths and Trails. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ISBN 0-9506795-1-8.
- ^ Lewis, Samuel (1848). A Topographical Dictionary of England. London. p. iv, 417.
- ^ Unsworth CP: Total Population, A Vision of Britain through Time, retrieved 19 November 2013
- ^ "Unsworth Ward Population, 2011". NOMIS. Office for National Statistics.
- ^ "Usual resident population; Unsworth". Office for National Statistics.
- ^ Price 1998, pp. 91–92.
- ^ St George, Unsworth - Church of England, genuki.org, retrieved 14 December 2013
- ^ St. George's Church, Unsworth (pdf), Ecclesiastical Law Society, retrieved 20 December 2013
- ^ "Improvements at St George's Church see an end to wooden pews". Bury Times. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=381938,407616/ 1891-1893 Pre-WWII 1:2,500 - LANCASHIRE AND FURNESS
- ^ "Genuki: Hollins Lane, Unsworth, Wesleyan Methodist, Lancashire". www.genuki.org.uk.
- ^ "Unsworth War Memorial". Historic England. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "Unsworth Library -- Bury Libraries [lib-web-cats 32518]". Archived from the original on 31 December 2013.
- ^ "lib-web-cats: search results -- the library organization is Bury Libraries". Archived from the original on 1 January 2014.
- ^ "Saddened by decision to sell our great library". Bury Times.
- ^ a b "Library saved from closure". Bury Times.
- ^ News, Manchester Evening (13 January 2011). "Elbow frontman Guy Garvey backs battle to save library that inspired hit songs". Manchester Evening News.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ Browning, Robert H. K. (1948). The Bury Golf Club. London: Staples House. p. 8.
- ^ "Gentry, Clergy, and Private Residents". Bury Council. Slater's Directory of Bury. p. 35. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "Bury Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation Interim Report". Bury Council. October 2008. p. 84. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Draft local list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest". Bury Council Planning. Bury Council. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ Ofsted Communications Team (28 March 2019). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Protest over prospect of classes in school hall". The Guardian. 20 January 1967. p. 3.
- ^ "Contact us". Archived from the original on 18 May 2006.
- ^ "Unsworth Primary School, Unsworth, Bury: Schools in Bury".
- ^ "Unsworth primary school's 60th birthday". Bury Times. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ "Sunny Bank Primary School - Home". www.sunnybankprimary.org.uk.
- ^ "My School Website". Archived from the original on 12 November 2014.
- ^ "Find a Jewish School – FAJS".
- ^ Chaudhari, Saiqa. "Whitefield Police Station's front desk is to close due to 'low public demand'". Bury Times. Bury Times. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Unsworth - Nearest Police Stations". GMP. Grater Manchester Police. Retrieved 21 March 2022.[dead link]
- ^ "Unsworth – Your Team". GMP. Greater Manchester Police. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Melton Dr". Go North West. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Blackford Bridge". Go North West. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Bury Fire Services". Manchester Fire Brigade. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ Unsworth Dragon, Mysterious Britain, retrieved 19 December 2013
- ^ Barton 1973, p. 273.
- ^ Gibb, Gemma. "1845 : The Dragon of Unsworth at Transition Festival in Bury". creativetourist.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "Pictures: 25 images from this weekend's Transition festival in Bury". Bury Times. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "LOCAL CUSTOMS". domesday. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012.
- ^ "Brick House Farm" (PDF). Property Lens. Pearson Ferrier. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Downing, F. G. (1965). Guide + Map for Unsworth. Unsworth Vicarage: Self-published. p. 2.
- ^ Malcolm, John (1836). The Life of Robert, Lord Clive: Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis. J. Murray. p. 34.
- ^ Faught, C. Brad. (2013). Clive Founder of British India. Potomac Books. p. 22.
- Bolton News, 24 March 1998, retrieved 19 December 2013
- ^ "The Decline of British Pubs: The Lord Clive, Whitefield". Youtube. ITV (Granada). Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Marshall, Brad. "27 apartments to be built on site of former Lord Clive pub". Bury Times. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Unsworth Cricket Club, Unsworth Cricket Club, retrieved 14 November 2013
- ^ Bury Cricket Club, Bury Golf Club, retrieved 14 November 2013
- ^ Pike Fold Golf Club, Pike Fold Golf Club, retrieved 14 November 2013
- ^ "Unsworth Junior Football Club". The Bury Directory. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ Unsworth Junior Football Club, Unsworth Junior Football Club, retrieved 14 November 2013
- ^ "Sorry - Bury Council". www.bury.gov.uk.
Bibliography
- Barton, B.T. (1973), History of the Borough of Bury and Neighbourhood, in the County of Lancaster, E.J. Morten, ISBN 0-901598-74-7
- Mills, David (1976), The Place-Names of Lancashire, B.T. Batsford, ISBN 0-7134-3248-9
- Price, James (1998), Sharpe, Paley and Austin: A Lancaster Architectural Practice 1836–1942, Lancaster: Centre for North-West Regional Studies, ISBN 1-86220-054-8