Edgworth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Edgworth | |
  Edgworth shown within Lancashire |
|
| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| Parish | North Turton |
| Unitary authority | Blackburn with Darwen |
| Ceremonial county | Lancashire |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOLTON |
| Postcode district | BL7 |
| Dialling code | 01204 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Rossendale and Darwen |
| List of places: UK • England • Lancashire | |
Edgworth is a small village located north east of North Turton between Broadhead Brook on the west (expanded artificially to form the Wayoh reservoir) and Quarlton Brook in the south east. The ground ranges from 650 feet (200 m) to 1,100 feet (340 m) above sea level.
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[edit] History
Edgworth is of Anglo-Saxon origin, denoting a village in the hills and has had many spellings, from 'Eggwrthe' in 1212, Egewurth in 1221, and in 1277 Eggeswrth and Edgeword and Eggeworth in the year 1292. Today it is still mis-spelled by some people as "Edgeworth".
The village is especially rich in the number of 'Folds' formed in the 17th century. The title usually indicates the enclosure of a farmstead and associated cottages. Isherwood Fold, off Blackburn Road is a good example. Other examples are Horrocks Fold, Thomasson Fold and Brandwood Fold.
Five small hamlets also make up the area of the village - Quarlton, Turton Bottoms at the south-east point, with Entwistle, Round Barn and Whittlestone Head to the west.
Although the character of Edgworth has always been rural, during the 19th century a number of textile mills were built around the village. Most industry has now left the area and since the 1970s a number of suburban housing developments have expanded the core of the village.
[edit] The Barlow Family
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Barlow family showed great generosity to the village. The industrialist James Barlow (1821–87) funded the new Methodist Church, opened in 1863, and the children's home at Crowthorn. The Edgworth Home, opened in 1872, was the first National Childrens Home and closed in 2002.
James Barlow was proprietor of textile manufacturers Barlow & Jones Ltd and was also Mayor of Bolton 1867-1869.
James's son Sir Thomas Barlow was physician to Queen Victoria and Edward VII.[1] He was created a Baronet in 1902.
The Barlow Institute was built in 1909 and then comprised of a village hall, coffee bar, library and recreation grounds.
The Barlows' family home, Greenthorne, was used as a conference venue during Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Lancashire in September 1931[2].
 Edgworth Methodist Church. |
 Memorial to James Barlow in Edgworth Methodist Church. |
 Plaque at Brandwood Fold, the Barlow family home before the building of Greenthorne. |
 The Barlow Institute and Millennium Cross, Bolton Road, Edgworth. |
 The bowling green at the Barlow Institute. |
[edit] Recreation & Tourism
Edgworth is renowned to walkers as it is very picturesque. Two large reservoirs - the Wayoh, and Entwistle service the area with freshwater with a further reservoir to the south namely the Jumbles (in Chapeltown). The village has many fine pubs/restaurants and Bed and Breakfast establishments.
 View of Edgworth from Crowthorn, showing the Methodist Church and Barlow Institute. |
 The Wayoh Reservoir looking toward the Entwistle Viaduct. |
[edit] Edgworth Cricket Club
Edgworth boasts one of the finest cricket teams in the Lancashire League - Edgworth Cricket Club. Formed in 1902, they now play continuously in the season on the Recreational Ground adjacent to the Barlow Institute.
[edit] Edgworth Village Institute Bowling Club
Another successful recreational club competing in two leagues is of course the Edgworth Village Institute Bowling Club. Founded in 1900, they play crown green bowls on the green adjacent to the Barlow Institute.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Margaret Higson (1993) Three in One (Local Methodist magazine).
- ^ Cotton Town retrieved 6 March 2007
