Pilling

Pilling

The church of St John the Baptist, in Pilling
Pilling

 Pilling shown within Lancashire
Population 1,739 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference SD405485
District Wyre
Shire county Lancashire
Region North West
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town PRESTON
Postcode district PR3
Dialling code 01253
Police Lancashire
Fire Lancashire
Ambulance North West
EU Parliament North West England
List of places: UK • England • Lancashire

Pilling is a village and civil parish within the Wyre borough of Lancashire, England. It is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north-northeast of Poulton-le-Fylde, 9.4 miles (15.1 km) south-southwest of Lancaster and 14.5 miles (23.3 km) northwest of Preston, in a part of the Fylde known as Over Wyre.

The civil parish of Pilling, which includes the localities of Stake Pool, Scronkey and Eagland Hill, has a total resident population of 1,739.[1]

Contents

History

Pilling is an ancient settlement, founded on what was essentially an "island" with the sea on one side and marsh on the others. From artefacts finds, there is evidence of spasmodic human activity within this territory dating back to the Neolithic period.[2]

Some of the materials that went into the extension of the Garstang railway from Pilling to Knott End-on-Sea came from Richard Fleetwood’s first charity school at Preesall. The school had gradually become more and more dilapidated so the contractors knocked it down and used the stones for the railway.

In 1808 Pilling Windmill was built.[3] Because Pilling is below sea level the mill itself is 73 feet (22 m) tall, the tallest on the Fylde.[3] The mill converted to steam power 1886, and the sails were removed the year after. The mill continued to operate until the 1940s, after which it fell into disrepair. By 1975 the mill had been restored for use as a private residence. The top of the windmill was restored with a traditional wooden cap in 2007.[3]

"Pilling in Bloom" was a competition held in 2004.[4]

Geography

Pilling is an extensive mossland parish covering 3,387 hectares situated on the southern corner of Morecambe Bay. Bus routes link Pilling to Lancaster, Knott End and Fleetwood.

Governance

Since 1974, Pilling has formed part of the Wyre borough of Lancashire served by both Wyre Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, having previously (from 1894) lain within the Garstang Rural District of Lancashire.[5]. Pilling has its own Parish Council.

Places of interest

Pilling has two pubs: The Elletson Arms in Stakepool and The Golden Ball in the village. There is an community area in the village, equipped with a pathway to Pilling Marsh.

There are also several churches, including St. John the Baptist Church (Church of England) in the village, St. William's Church (Catholic) in Stakepool, and the Pilling Methodist Church in the village.

There are two primary schools: Pilling St. John's Church of England Primary School[6] and St. William's, both associated with the respective churches. Within the village also is Glenfield Caravan which is a large park owend by U.K Leisure Parks (luxuryparks).

See also

References

External links