| Willaston | |
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Willaston
Willaston shown within Cheshire |
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| Population | 2,277 |
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| OS grid reference | SJ682539 |
| Unitary authority | Cheshire East |
| Shire county | Cheshire |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Nantwich |
| Postcode district | CW5 |
| Dialling code | 01270 |
| Police | Cheshire |
| Fire | Cheshire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Crewe and Nantwich |
| List of places: UK • England • Cheshire | |
Willaston is a civil parish and village in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, in north-west England. It has a population of 2,277[1] people according to the 2001 census. It is approximately three miles west of Crewe town centre and two miles east of Nantwich town centre.
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From 1974 to 2009 the Borough Council was Crewe and Nantwich. Since this was abolished on 1 April 2009, the civil parish has been administered by the new unitary authority of Cheshire East[2]. Willaston falls in the parliamentary constituency of Crewe and Nantwich,[3] which has been represented by Edward Timpson since a by-election in 2008.
The village centre of Willaston has three public houses (The Horseshoe, The Lamb, and The Nag's Head) and a social club, while an off-license provides local produce and day to day goods. Another pub, The Peacock, is situated to the north-west of the village centre, on Crewe Road (the A534).
The social club offers many social events ranging from bingo to bungee jumping nights. The club boasts two pool teams, a snooker team, two 7-a-side football teams, a darts and dominoes team and a ladies darts team.
The village also has a fish and chip shop, and two hairdressing salons. There are local businesses within the village providing employment (Scanlans, SJB Steel, Rowlinsons.) At the edge of the village is a Farm shop, Cheerbrook[4], on the Newcastle Road.
Willaston Primary School[5] is the only education establishment in the village. For children of pre school age, there is an Ofsted registered playgroup in the village.
One of the major events in Willaston is the World Worm Charming Championships. It was started in 1980 by John Bailey. The event attracts many competitors from around the world, from the U.S.A. to Australia. The original event in 1980 was won with a total of 511 worms by Tom Shufflebotham - a record that stood until 2009. Celebrities that have taken part in the championships include Ben Fogle and Bob Carolgees. In 2008 celebrity contestants were Paddy McGuinness and Rory McGrath who were filming a slot for their series "Rory & Paddy's Great British Adventure".[6]
The 2008 championship was won by Mr Mike and Claire Gaukroger with a total of 125 worms, the trophy for the heaviest worm went to Ray O'Grady and Steve Plant. (4.6g)[7]
In 2009, due to particularly good conditions, 3 teams broke the previous world record of 511, with Sophie Smith and Matt Smith of Willaston claiming the title with a total of 567 worms in 30 minutes.[8]
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Willaston,_Cheshire_East Willaston, Cheshire East] at Wikimedia Commons
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