Oxton, Merseyside
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| Oxton | |
  Oxton shown within Merseyside |
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| Population | 14,066 (2001 Census)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Metropolitan borough | Wirral |
| Metropolitan county | Merseyside |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BIRKENHEAD/PRENTON |
| Postcode district | CH42, CH43 |
| Dialling code | 0151 |
| Police | Merseyside |
| Fire | Merseyside |
| Ambulance | North West |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Birkenhead |
| List of places: UK • England • Merseyside | |
Oxton is a suburb of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England. Originally a village in its own right, it became part of the municipal borough of Birkenhead upon its creation in 1877. Administratively it is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the county of Cheshire.
The Royal Mail no longer recognises Oxton, after re-defining Oxton's CH43 postal area in 2003 as being within Prenton (which is in fact a geographically separate suburb of Birkenhead). This move has caused widespread confusion and much indignation among local residents.
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[edit] Toponymy
The name Oxa-tún derives from Old Norse, meaning "a farm or enclosure where oxen are kept". By 1278, the name had been translated into Old English as Oxeton.[2]
[edit] History
It was once one of the most affluent areas in England mainly due to its proximity to Liverpool and the fact that along with various other Merseyside locations, it was a favourite residential area for wealthy Liverpool merchants and tradesmen of the time. Oxton Village is a mainly early Victorian era settlement with fine sandstone and brick built houses, many of which now form part of a conservation area designated in April 1979 and administered by the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral.[3] Some of these buildings have been designated by the Department of National Heritage (now the Department for Culture, Media & Sport) as Grade II listed.
A significant part of the land on which Oxton is situated was part of the Estate of the Earl of Shrewsbury - this has been commemorated over the years in many of the road names, which bear the family names and titles of the various Earls; Alton Rd, Beresford Rd, Chetwynd Rd, Ingestre Rd, Shrewsbury Rd, Talbot Rd, Waterford Rd and Wexford Rd. The oldest pub in Oxton Village is called the 'Shrewsbury Arms' (presumably for the same reason) and the bar which is now known as the 'Oxton Bar and Terrace' was formerly the 'Talbot Hotel'.
[edit] Education
Independently run Birkenhead School was exclusively a boys' school from its founding in 1860 until 2000, when its Sixth Form became co-educational. Birkenhead High School, is a privately run school for girls. In late 2007, both schools announced fundamental changes. Birkenhead High School plans to become a state-funded Academy school and Birkenhead School decided to become co-educational for pupils aged 5-18.[4] Both changes are driven by falling numbers of pupils in the schools.
[edit] Sport
Oxton Sports Club is also located here, as the name suggests. Many sports are played at the club such as Cricket, Hockey, Tennis, Lacrose, Squash and Bowls. The club has achieved the majority of its success in Hockey, with the current 1st team playing in the higher national leagues and having past and present internationals playing for them. The club are currently also about to lay a brand new waterbased pitch in the aim off hosting international matches in the future.
[edit] Demographics
At the 2001 Census, the population of Oxton was 14,066, consisting of 6,680 males and 7,386 females.[1]
Some 2005 demographic statistics of area CH43, which encompasses the geographical area of Oxton, Claughton and parts of Bidston and Noctorum, (total CH43 population (2005): 36,443) are:
| Median Age | 39 |
| % Retirees | 21.9% |
| % Unemployed | 4.4% |
| Total Migrants | 3,497 |
| % Total Migrants | 9.6% |
| Average distance travelled to fixed place of work | 12km |
[edit] Governance
Oxton is part of the Birkenhead parliamentary constituency. Frank Field MP (Labour) is therefore Oxton's parliamentary representative.
[edit] Local Councillors
After reorganisation in 2004, Oxton forms an electoral ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, with a population of 11,278 (as of 3 May 2007).[5]
[edit] 2007 local electionsThe results of the Local Election for Oxton Ward on 3 May 2007 were:
Electorate: 11,278, Turnout: 32.6% [edit] 2006 local electionsThe results of the Local Election for Oxton Ward on 4 May 2006 were:
Electorate: 11,190, Turnout: 33.4% [edit] Notable connections
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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