Blackrod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Blackrod | |
|
  Blackrod shown within Greater Manchester |
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| Population | 5,300 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Metropolitan borough | Bolton |
| Metropolitan county | Greater Manchester |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOLTON |
| Postcode district | BL6 |
| Dial code | 01204 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | Bolton West |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Greater Manchester | |
Blackrod is a village and civil parish of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, in Greater Manchester, England.[1] It is about eight miles (12.9 km) to the west of Bolton, and five miles (8 km) northeast of Wigan, and, according to the United Kingdom Census 2001, has a population of 5,300.
Historically part of Lancashire, Blackrod was once a centre for coal mining, and in a recent survey of dialects, it's residents found to have a dialect very far removed from Standard English.[2]
There is a legend that the Romans built a fort in Blackrod.[citation needed] The Roman road A6 runs below the hill on which the village sits.
Contents |
[edit] Geography and administration
Having previously lay within the administrative county of Lancashire, since the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, Blackrod has lay within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, in the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester.
It constitutes a civil parish and lies west of the M61 motorway, which divides it from the neighbouring town of Horwich.
[edit] History
[edit] Etymology
Blackrod comes from two Old English words, 'black' (or bleak), 'rod' clearing in the forest, rod may also mean Holy Rood (Cross of Christ).[citation needed]
[edit] Growth and development
The main industry of the town was coal mining (seven pits in 1869), agriculture (thirty farms in 1902) and a weaving mill (built in 1906), but today only a few farms remain with the pits all closed. Today it is mainly a residential area, but still retains a Town Mayor and Town Council. The M61, part of the national motorway network between the M60/M62 (Manchester) and the M6 (Preston) was opened on November 28th 1969 by Fred Mulley, Minister of Transport.
[edit] Present day
[edit] Education
Blackrod has three primary schools.
- Blackrod Anglican Methodist Church School
- Blackrod Primary School - formerly Blackrod County Primary School
- Scot Lane End Primary School
All three of these school's pupils generally feed into Rivington and Blackrod High School in Horwich.
[edit] Religion
A church is the earliest recorded building in 1338, dedicated to St. Katherine (spelling first documented) and of Norman design. A lot of the Elizabethan work can still be seen, but the parish church was enlarged in 1776, galleries added in 1837, the roof renewed in 1894, the chancel rebuilt in 1905 and nave in 1911. During this time the spelling has changed to Catherine, and now the current Katharine. There are six bells in the west tower, cast in 1776, renewed in 1922, and the clock was illuminated in 1947.
[edit] Transport
The main roads in Blackrod start from Manchester Road, New Street, Chorley Road. There is also large roads, such as Vicarage Road, Nightingale Road, Blackhorse Street and Greenbarn Way. Greenbarn Way branches off to little estates, avenues, etc. The main shops are on Chorley Road and Blackhorse Street.
[edit] Industry and commerce
There are a number of shops, centres and pubs in Blackrod. There is a Spar, Bookmakers, Hairdressers, Beauticians, Two Butchers, Balti House (Asian Cuisine), Sagar Restaurant (Asian Restaurant), Greenhalghs Bakery, Estate Agent, Motor Spares and a Chinese Takeaway. There are also six pubs and clubs. There is a Doctors Surgery, which is the Unsworth Group Practice, and a Pharamacy nearby. There is St. Katherines Church, A small cemetry and a Methodist Church. A Library, Ramada Jarvis Hotel, An exiled Car Dealers, Car Garage and two Old Peoples homes. There is also a Osteopath, Newsagents and a Post Office. A furniture shop is present as is a Gallery and a small engineers shop. There is a Youth Club next to Blackrod Primary School. There is a Community Centre and Playdays Nursery.
[edit] Sport
Blackrod has a Cricket Club and a Football team. Blackrod Cricket Club play in the The Anthony Axford Bolton & District Cricket Association. They have a 1st XI, 2nd XI, u'17's, u'15's, u'13's and u'11's. Blackrod have a football team named Blackrod Town Football Club. They play in the West Lancashire Football League. They have a 1st XI and 2nd XI. Both clubs play on Vicarage Road, Blackrod.
[edit] References
- ^ "Official British Place Name Archives - Blackrod", Greater Manchester County Records Office. URL accessed March 28, 2007.
- ^ English Accents and Dialects www.collectbritain.co.uk. URL accessed March 28, 2007.
