Bacup
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Bacup is a town of the Rossendale Borough, in Lancashire, England. It is located between Burnley, Todmorden, Rochdale and Rawtenstall, near the border with West Yorkshire. According to the 2001 census, Bacup had a population of 12,763.
Having previously been a mill town of the Industrial Revolution, Bacup was once described by English Heritage as the best preserved cotton mill town in England.[1]
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[edit] Geography and administration
In terms of altitude, Bacup is the highest town in East Lancashire (835'/250m above sea level).
Bacup was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1882.
In 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, Bacup became part of the Rossendale Borough along with Rawtenstall, Haslingden, Whitworth and Waterfoot.
[edit] History
[edit] Early history
Bacup is mentioned in a charter by Robert de Lacey in 1200 where a small village named "Fulebachope" is described. The Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names translates this as "muddy valley by a ridge", which remains a recognisably accurate description. It makes it one of the oldest settlements in the Rossendale Valley. Another, oft quoted and more attractive (although sadly unreliable) explanation for the name is that farmers from the nearby Deerplay Farm would order the deer 'backup' the hill from Bacup (which is, however, pronounced 'bay-cup'). Deerplay is now the name of a pub, and the source of the River Irwell.
Bacup was a small settlement throughout the Middle Ages and only began to grow during the Industrial Revolution when, along with the rest of the East Lancashire area, it grew in size as the textile industry developed rapidly and many cotton mills and associated houses were built in the area.
[edit] Recent history
Bacup began to decline during the 20th century as an industrial settlement, a process not helped by the closure of its rail-link. The population of Bacup declined from 22,000 in the 1911 census to 15,000 in the 1971 census.[2] There are on-going attempts to halt the decline with substantial government/EU inspired investment and development schemes.
For a comprehensive look at the history of Bacup visit http://www.bacuptimes.co.uk
[edit] The Britannia Coco-Nut Dancers
Bacup is home to one of the few remaining English folk dance troupes who wear black-face - the Britannia Coco-Nut Dancers, or 'Nutters'.
Their origin is uncertain, although Moorish, pagan, medieval, mining and Cornish roots - often in combination - have been suggested. Their dancing is very distinctive and colourful, and the key date in the calendar is Easter Saturday, when they process around Bacup, starting at the Travellers Rest pub, and accompanied by the Stacksteads Silver Band. Their two dances are the Garland Dance and the Nut Dance. The 'nuts' are wooden discs, which are worn on the dancers' hands, knees and belts and are struck in time to the music.
[edit] Notable residents
The professional English footballer, Marc Pugh was born in Bacup and he is currently playing for Bury F.C in the English Football League 2. The internationally renowned fashion designer Betty Jackson was also born in Bacup, as was opera singer Sean Ruane.
[edit] Trivia
Bacup is home to the 17 feet long Elgin Street which has the (much disputed) title of 'shortest street in the world' according to the Guinness Book of Records. Another claim to fame for the town is that the 1980s TV police drama, Juliet Bravo was filmed there, also Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, parts of The League of Gentlemen and much of the film Girls Night.
The Bacup Natural History Society was formed in 1878. The work of the society is carried out by a group of volunteers who have a base in the Bacup Natural History Museum which contains a wonderfully idiosyncratic collection. Open only on Easter Saturday (to coincide with the Coco-Nutters Parade) and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm.
[edit] References
- ^ rossendale.gov.uk - Rossendale Tourist Board 2007
- ^ Census of England & Wales 1911. Return for Bacup CP 22,318; 1971 return for Bacup MB 15,115
