Longdon, Lancashire
| Longton | |
| Lancashire | |
|---|---|
 St Andrew's Church, Longdon | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SD475262 |
| Location: | 53°43’44"N, 2°47’49"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 7,652 (2011) |
| Post town: | Preston |
| Postcode: | PR4 |
| Dialling code: | 01772 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | South Ribble |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
South Ribble |
Longton is a village in Lancashire about four miles to the south-west of Preston. The population of the parish, which also includes New Longton, was 7,652 at the 2011 Census.
History
Longton is a village of ancient origin. The parish church, St. Andrew's was completed in 1887 when the previous chapel of 1772 which stood nearer the main road was demolished. This stood on the site of an earlier chapel, the records of which are lost.
Although a document refers to "Eafward Priest of Longton" as early as 1153, and there is evidence of a chapel in Longton just before the reformation in 1517, when William Walton endowed a chantry at the chapel, there is no evidence that it stood on or near the site of the present parish church. No archaeological evidence has ever been found on the current site, and the dedication of the early chapel is unknown.[1]
During the Middle Ages, Longton was known as "a sort of Holy Land" because the monks of Penwortham Priory tended their lands here. It was no doubt the monks who established the first chapel here. Many mediæval documents survive which are mostly concerning rents paid to the Shireburn Family of Stonyhurst. An old source mentions a meadow called "Tirolkar" which bears a remarkable resemblance to the "Hallcar" of today.[2]
Church
- Church of England: St Andrew's Church, on Liverpool Road
- Methodist: Longton Methodist Church
- Roman Catholic: St Oswald on Chapel Lane
A small, plain Wesleyan chapel was built in Marsh Lane in 1807 and enlarged in 1833. In 1872 a new chapel was built in the Early English style.
By 1837 the Primitive Methodists had become so numerous that they opened a chapel down Chapel Lane, but as time went on they declined and the Chapel was converted into a small housing estate.
Places of interest
Longton Brickcroft is a former brickworks which has been transformed into a nature reserve and public open space. It was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1998. The environment has been made extremely attractive, dominated by water which has filled the former clay pits. One of the water areas is available for fishing. The areas surrounding the water have been allowed to develop naturally with trees, shrubbery and wild plants.
The Brickcroft is of particular interest to birdwatchers and botanists with seating and footpaths making it accessible for most visitors. It has a purpose built visitor centre.
The long distance footpath the Ribble Way starts by The Dolphin Inn in Longton.
Fallout shelter
A small UKWMO nuclear observation bunker can be found to the north-west of the village on Back Lane. Its position is concealed as it is located on a private field, and as such it is relatively unknown among villagers.
Longton Marshes are a large area of marshland to the west of Longton lying at the confluence of the Rivers Douglas and Ribble which is now part of the Ribble Link. It is the natural home for a large variety of visiting and indigenous wildfowl. The 70-mile Ribble Way footpath starts at the Dolphin Inn, once owned by the Holmes family, on the edge of the marsh and follows its edge before joining the Ribble.
Society
- Scouts
- Cub scouts
- Beavers
- Guides
- Brownies
Pictures
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Longdon, Lancashire) |
-
The Dolphin Inn (Flying Fish) -
The Golden Ball
Outside links
References
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101029053534/http://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/longton.asp. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
- ↑ A History of the County of Lancaster - Volume 6 pp 69-74: Townships: Longton (Victoria County History)