| Freckleton | |
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Freckleton
Freckleton shown within Lancashire |
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| Population | 6,045 (2001) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SD429289 |
| Parish | Freckleton |
| District | Fylde |
| Shire county | Lancashire |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PRESTON |
| Postcode district | PR4 |
| Dialling code | 01772 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Lancashire | |
Freckleton is a village and civil parish on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, England, to the south of Kirkham and east of the seaside resort of Lytham St. Annes. It has a population of 6,045.[1]
Freckleton is near to Warton, with its links to BAE Systems. Warton Aerodrome's 2.4 km runway is partly within Freckleton's boundary.
The name of the village appears in the Domesday Book as Frecheltun and is said to derive from "Farmstead of a man called Frecla", with Old English tun and Nordic personal name. An alternative spelling of Frequleton has been referred to in local history publications.
In the 19th century, Freckleton, already a place used to supply water to the Roman fort at Kirkham, was used as a port assisting the ship building industry. The local community helped making rope and sail cloth, remnants of which exist in local street names.
Freckleton has a parish council, and is part of the Fylde borough, and the Fylde constituency.
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A military heritage runs through the history of Freckleton. In World War II, American forces from the neighbouring Warton Aerodrome resided in the village. The most tragic event in the village's history was the Freckleton Air Disaster, on 23 August 1944, when an aircraft attempting to land at Warton during stormy weather crashed onto Freckleton's Holy Trinity School. A total of sixty-one people lost their lives, including thirty-eight infants, their two teachers, and the three air crew. Other victims included several residents and US personnel in a snack bar across the road from the school. Annual commemorations still take place, attended by residents and US veterans.
The aerodrome was subsequently purchased by English Electric, now BAE Systems, and many BAE employees live in the village.
Freckleton stages a half marathon each year in June. The race has been staged since 1965 and is the oldest half marathon in the UK.
The first races took place on Saturday evenings, with the first being on Saturday 19 June 1965. The race was the brainchild idea of the Chairman of the Sport Committee, Dick Rhodes who was inspired by Ron Hill’s participation in the marathon in the 1964 Olympics; Ron was invited and duly won the first race in a time of 65 minutes 44 seconds. Four years later he set a record time of 64:45, which still stands.
The race took place on Saturday evening until 1982; the entry had expanded to several hundred and the decision was taken to switch the Half Marathon to the Sunday afternoon in 1983. The race currently attracts 700 entrants and has been over subscribed in recent years.
There have been a number of organisers since 1965 - Denis Vickers, Ken Snibson, Peter Knott and Richard Lancaster. The latest is Brian Porter of Wesham Road Runners, assisted by a small, enthusiastic team.