Prescot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Prescot | |
  Prescot shown within Merseyside |
|
| Population | 11,184 (2001 Census)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Metropolitan borough | Knowsley |
| Metropolitan county | Merseyside |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PRESCOT |
| Postcode district | L34 |
| Dialling code | 0151 |
| Police | Merseyside |
| Fire | Merseyside |
| Ambulance | North West |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Knowsley South |
| List of places: UK • England • Merseyside | |
Prescot is a town and civil parish, within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley on Merseyside, England. It is 8 miles to the east of Liverpool, and lies within the historic boundaries of Lancashire. At the 2001 Census, the population was 11,184 (5,265 males, 5,919 females).[1] Prescot is the start of the A58 road which runs all the way to Wetherby, West Yorkshire.
The town is served by Prescot railway station.
Contents |
[edit] History
Prescot's name is believed to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon prēost "priest" + cot "cot", meaning a cottage or small house owned or inhabited by a priest, a "priest-cottage". (ME prest, preste, priest, OE prēost, LL presbyter, Gk πρεσβύτερος presbýteros "elder, priest").[2]
From c1593, into the early years of the 17th century, Prescot was home to the Prescot Playhouse, a purpose-built Shakespearean theatre.
During the 18th and 19th centuries it was at the centre of the watch and clockmaking industry. This ended with the failure of the Lancashire Watch Company in 1910. In later years BICC Cables was the main employer in the town.[3]
[edit] Governance
The town was contained in the Prescot Urban District in the administrative county Lancashire from 1894. When the administrative counties were abolished in 1974 the district became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley in the metropolitan county of Merseyside.
[edit] Places of Interest
The town's main tourist attraction is now the local clock museum. On the edge of the town is the famous estate of Lord Derby, which includes Knowsley Safari Park.There is also a Local football team, Prescot Cables, who currently play in the Unibond League and host players such as former Swansea man Karl Connolly
[edit] Notable residents
- Screenwriter Peter Briggs who wrote the film Hellboy, was born in neighbouring Whiston and grew up in Prescot.
- Actor Daniel Craig (James Bond 007), spent at least part of his childhood growing up in Prescot.
- Actor Sue Johnston (Brookside, The Royle Family).
- Shakespearean actor John Philip Kemble was born in Prescot. His house has since been demolished, but the road has been renamed Kemble Street. The John Kemble Pub stands on this street in his memory.
- Actor Sam Kelly (Porridge, The Two Ronnies, All or Nothing)
- Nonsense-poet and artist Edward Lear.
- Classical pianist Paul Lewis, who featured as a soloist at the 2005 Last Night of the Proms, was a student at Prescot Grammar School.
- David McCabe - Lead singer of the Merseyside Band The Zutons.
- Danny McCall, former Brookside actor and star of West-End hit The Sound of Fury, based on the life of Billy Fury
- Lord Stanley, one-time Governor General of Canada after whom the Stanley Cup and Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, was named
- Stuart Sutcliffe, early member of The Beatles attended Prescot Grammar School
- Organist Professor Ian Tracey of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
- Professor Sid Watkins, world-renowned neurosurgeon who served twenty-six years as the FIA Formula One Safety Delegate and Medical Delegate, head of the Formula One on-track medical team, and first responder in case of a crash.
- Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson was once a Member of Parliament for Huyton, incorporating Prescot
[edit] References
- ^ a b 2001 Census: Prescot. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved on 26 May 2008.
- ^ Prescot Origins and History. Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved on 29 December 2005.
- ^ BICC was Prescot, Prescot was BICC. Retrieved on 9 June 2006.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Arts in Prescot News about arts and entertainment in the area, including the Annual Prescot Festival of Music and the Arts
- Historical Archives Local government collection of pictures, photos and information about the town
- The Prescotian Site for alumni of the historic Prescot Grammar School
- Prescot Parish Church
