Poynton

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Poynton is a small town in Cheshire, in the North West of England, which lies 7 miles north from Macclesfield and 5 miles south of Stockport.


Contents

[edit] History

The name of Poynton is of Saxon origin, but the settlement was omitted in the Domesday survey. The first mention of the manor of Poynton is in 1289 when it was part of the barony of Stockport.

The Warren family held the manor until 1801 when Sir George, the last surviving male, died. He was succeeded by his daughter, Lady Warren Bulkeley. She died childless in 1826 when she left it to Frances Maria Warren, Lady Vernon. The Lords Vernon held the estate until the final sale in 1920. Several halls were built on the site in Poynton Park, known locally as Poynton pool, with each one then demolished to make way for a new one. The last hall, Poynton Towers, was finally taken down in the 1930s. Sir George Warren bought the Worth estate in 1792, and Worth Hall, originally the home of the Downes family of Worth, is now Davenport Golf Club.

From the 1870s private house-building gathered pace and gradually Poynton became a commuter town for those working in Manchester. Since the Second World War several housing estates have been built by both the Local Authority and private developers. The population has risen from 5000 to over 15,000 since 1945. To accommodate the educational needs of the population, Poynton High School and several primary schools were established, these include St. Paul’s RC, Vernon, Worth, Lower Park and Lostock Hall. The village boasts a fine Gothic-style church (St. George's) opposite a Victorian fountain.

[edit] Industry

Farming was Poynton's original main occupation, until coal was found near the surface of the land. By 1789, technology had advanced with the invention of engines to pump water from the workings, thus allowing deeper pits to be sunk, seen through the development of Anson Pit. Output in 1789 was over 26,000 tons rising to a peak production of 243,673 tons in 1859. The collieries closed in 1935 when the economically viable coal reserves had been exhausted.


[edit] Transport

Sir George Warren was a promoter of the extension of the turnpike road from Manchester by way of Hazel Grove to Sandon in Staffordshire where it joined what is now the A51 road.

The Manchester and Birmingham Railway opened a stretch of line through Poynton in 1845 which today is the London/Manchester main line. The Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway was opened in 1869, with stations at Higher Poynton and Middlewood, but it was closed in 1970. The line has now been developed into a pleasant route, called the Middlewood Way, for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

A canal was originally proposed in 1765, but was not built until 1826 due to opposition from outside parties. Thomas Telford was the canal architect and it is considered one of the most beautiful stretches of waterway in the country, forming part of the Cheshire Ring. It is well used for leisure activities and there is a large marina at Higher Poynton. Other industries in Poynton's past include stone quarrying, brickmaking, silk and cotton weaving, shirt making, and hat trimming. Today these have been replaced by high tech and other light industry.


[edit] Local Government

Poynton is administered by a Parish Council, Macclesfield Borough Council and Cheshire County Council. There was controversy in the late 1980s when Poynton was forced to accept being part of the postal district of Stockport, which local people feared (groundlessly, it turned out) would affect property prices.


Poynton has had a tradition of self help. Poynton Co-op was founded in 1862, staying independent until February 1992. There were many Friendly Societies, Burial Clubs, Workmen's Club and the Miners' Union. The Methodist Chapel was established in 1847 followed by the Baptists and Primitive Methodists chapels; together with St George's Church they were the social centres of the village. Lord Vernon opened the first school in 1838 which was extended as the number of children attending it grew, and this building is still used today as the thriving Poynton Youth and Community Centre.


Poynton is home to the Poynton Show, held every August bank holiday weekend, one of the largest one day tented shows in the North West and the premier horticultural and agricultural show in the area. Approximately 10,000 - 15,000 people visit the show each year.

It is also notable for St George's Singers, one of the leading choral societies in North West England.


[edit] Famous Poyntonians

[edit] Local Bands

[edit] External links


Ceremonial county of Cheshire [[Image:|40px]]
Unitary authorities: Halton • Warrington
Boroughs/Districts: City of Chester • Congleton • Crewe and Nantwich • Ellesmere Port and Neston • Macclesfield • Vale Royal
Cities/Towns: Alderley Edge • Alsager • Bollington • Chester • Congleton • Crewe • Ellesmere Port • Frodsham • Knutsford • Lymm • Macclesfield • Middlewich • Nantwich • Neston • Northwich • Poynton • Runcorn • Sandbach • Warrington • Widnes • Wilmslow • Winsford
See also: List of civil parishes in Cheshire
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