| Willaston | |
Willaston Windmill |
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Willaston
Willaston shown within Cheshire |
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| Population | 3,913 (2001 Census)[1] |
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| OS grid reference | SJ330777 |
| Unitary authority | Cheshire West and Chester |
| Ceremonial county | Cheshire |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NESTON |
| Postcode district | CH64 |
| Dialling code | 0151 |
| Police | Cheshire |
| Fire | Cheshire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Ellesmere Port and Neston |
| List of places: UK • England • Cheshire | |
Willaston is a village on the Wirral Peninsula, Cheshire, England. Centred on a village green, it is located in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester between Neston and Ellesmere Port, just south of the boundary with the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. At the 2001 Census, the total population of Willaston and Thornton ward was 3,913.[1]
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Willaston (or Wilaveston) is believed to have given its name to the Wirral Hundred (Hundred of Wilaveston), the peninsula's former administrative division,[2][3] and one of the Hundreds of Cheshire. The ton suffix normally indicates a previous use as a meeting place for officials.
Later the village became a township within the parish of Neston, the largest settlement on the Wirral until the early 19th century. Willaston included part of the hamlet of Badgers Rake, which became part of the civil parish of Ledsham in 1933. The population of Willaston was recorded at 196 in 1801, 317 in 1851, 597 in 1901 and 1,458 in 1951.[4]
The half timbered building, the 'Red Lion' was an inn built in 1631, although possibly a significant enlargement of an earlier construction. Located opposite the village green, it remained a public house until 1928 and was eventually renovated as a private residence.[2][5]
Willaston Windmill, built in 1800, was the largest windmill in Wirral. During the early 20th century it was used for the production of flour and to grind cattle food. It remained working until about 1930, when its sails were destroyed in a storm. The windmill has also since been converted into a private dwelling.[2][6]
Hadlow Road railway station, which served the village until its closure in 1955, became part of Wirral Country Park in 1973. The station building, signal box and eastbound platform have been renovated to their former 1950's condition. The former trackbed has become a public pathway, known as the 'Wirral Way'.
The local school, Willaston Church of England Primary School, is the only educational establishment in the village, though there are several playgroups in the area. The current headmistress is Julie Chambers[7].
Willaston's local football club plays in the West Cheshire Amateur Football League Division 2.
The village has its own Festival Society, which launched its most successful festival in July 2009. The festival involves fancy dress, a parade and various stalls selling food and games.[8]
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Willaston,_Cheshire_West Willaston] at Wikimedia Commons
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