Formby
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| Formby FBY | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 24,996 |
| Ordnance Survey | |
| OS grid reference: | SD293074 |
| Administration | |
| District: | Sefton |
| Metropolitan county: | Merseyside |
| Region: | North West England |
| Constituent country: | England |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial county: | Merseyside |
| Historic county: | Lancashire |
| Services | |
| Police force: | Merseyside Police |
| Fire and rescue: | {{{Fire}}} |
| Ambulance: | North West |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | BOOTLE |
| Postal district: | L37 |
| Dialling code: | 01704 |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | Crosby |
| European Parliament: | North West England |
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Formby is a town on the Irish Sea coast of North West England. The town is prosperous, largely residential, consisting of predominantly 19th and 20th century semi-detached and detached housing.
Contents |
[edit] Geography and admistration
[edit] Civic history
Until 1974 Formby was an urban district in its own right in the administrative county of Lancashire. It is now part of the metropolitan borough of Sefton.
[edit] Physical geography
Formby is situated in the coastal area of Northeast Merseyside thirteen miles North of Liverpool and seven miles South of Southport. Formby Point is a very important coastal tip which marks the beginning of the channel into the Mersey Estuary from the Irish Sea. Due to this geographical feature Formby is often marked on maps of the British Isles, which otherwise omit larger towns and settlements.
[edit] History
[edit] The Neolithic
At certain times, footprints of neolithic animals and humans are uncovered preserved in the layers of sand and mud.
[edit] Viking Origin
The familiar town name ending in by is from the Scandinavian byr meaning homestead, settlement or village. The village of Formby was originally spelt Fornebei and means "village belonging to Forni". At that time Forni was a well known Norse family name. He could have been the leader of the invading expedition which took possession of this coaet. Today, in Norway, Oslo Airport is situated in a town called Fornebu. It was from Ireland in about 960 AD that these Norsemen or Vikings first came to the west coast of Lancashire, first trading or raiding and then settling. Tradition says that the Viking invaders failed to defeat the native Anglo-Saxons on the coast of Formby so they sailed inland, up the river Alt, and attacked from the rear. It is more probable that the Viking invaders simply found that the area was thinly populated so they took control without any blood being shed.
[edit] Medieval Period
Formby Hall is a Grade II listed building dating back to 1523, it has traditionally been the home of the Lords of the Manor. [1] [2] Formby was transferred from Lancashire to Merseyside in 1974.
[edit] 18th Century
Formby beach is the location of an early lifeboat station. Established perhaps as early as 1771 it was the first in the United Kingdom and possibly, the world. The foundations of the last of the lifeboat station buildings remain on the beach.
[edit] Wildlife
The town is adjoined on the west by sand dunes and pine woods, which have been established as a National Trust wildlife reserve for the red squirrel. The red squirrels found in Formby are, in fact, not native to Britain but were introduced from Russia in the 19th century.
Formby is also famous for the presence of natterjack toads. It is only one of a few sites in England where they breed. Later in the evening the male’s distinctive song can be heard and is known locally as the ‘Bootle Organ’. In spring the males gather at the edge of shallow pools in the dune slacks and sing to attract a mate. The Sefton Coast and Countryside Service are working hard to keep these pools from growing over so that that they are ready each spring for this amazing annual event.
[edit] Economy and Transport
Formby beach is popular with day-trippers from Liverpool. To the east of Formby, lies a large Industrial Estate. Formby has two railway stations, Formby and Freshfield, both on the Northern Line, and has direct rail connections to Southport, Liverpool and Hunts Cross.
[edit] Sport
This stretch of coast is famous for Links courses such as Southport & Ainsdale, Hillside, West Lancashire, Hesketh and Royal Birkdale. Formby is home to another championship quality Golf Courses - Formby Golf Club. However, the club, unlike its neighbour Royal Birkdale, does not have the capacity to host large events such as the British Open.
