| Rainow | |
Rainow from the west |
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Rainow
Rainow shown within Cheshire |
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| Population | 2,505 |
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| OS grid reference | SJ950761 |
| Parish | Rainow |
| Unitary authority | Cheshire East |
| Ceremonial county | Cheshire |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MACCLESFIELD |
| Postcode district | SK10 5** |
| Dialling code | 01625 |
| Police | Cheshire |
| Fire | Cheshire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Macclesfield |
| List of places: UK • England • Cheshire | |
Rainow is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East, located, mostly, on the eastern side of the River Dean valley next to the B5470 road, between Macclesfield and Kettleshulme in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It straddles the eastern side of the Peak District border of Derbyshire and Cheshire[1], and is surrounded by arable farmland. The village's name comes from the Old English Hraefn Hoe, meaning Ravens' Hill, and it is a former coal-mining village. It has a total population of just over 2,500.[2]
To the east of the village lies Lamaload Reservoir, which was the first concrete reservoir constructed in England, between 1958 and 1964. At an elevation of 308 metres (1,010 ft), it is also the highest constructed dam in England.[3]
A local landmark, White Nancy, is a sugarloaf-shaped, circular, white-painted stone structure constructed to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Prior to its construction, the site was occupied by a small brick beacon. Located on the northern end of Kerridge Hill, it stands on the boundary between the parishes of Rainow and Bollington.
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Rainow Primary School is the only school in the village. The school has up to 175 pupils, covering Reception through to Year 6. School facilities include a sports field, playground, a river for nature walks and on-site catering in a large dining hall adjacent to the kitchen area.
Holy Trinity Church was built in 1846, at a cost of £1,800, by John Mellor of Kerridge End, on land donated to the village by Joseph Harding. The architect was Samuel Howard of Disley. In 1958 the present vicarage was built adjoining the Church.
Jenkin Chapel was constructed of the local gritstone in 1733. It was built in a vernacular style and has an external flight of steps leading to a gallery (a small tower with a saddleback roof was added in 1754–55). Originally dedicated to St. John the Baptist, it was first consecrated in 1894 and re-dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.
Rainow has an annual Church Fete with tea marquee, tug of war between the local public houses — The Robin Hood, The Rising Sun and The Highwayman — and a fell race across Kerridge Hill, overlooking the village. The fete is also associated with a two-week display of 'scarecrows' throughout the village.
Notable residents of the village are Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, members of the bands Joy Division, New Order and The Other Two, although Gillian is no longer in New Order. Both grew up in nearby Macclesfield. The Stone Roses guitarist John Squire lives in the village, as does MP George Osborne.
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