Penketh

Penketh
Lancashire
The Ferry Tavern, Penketh
Location
Grid reference:	SJ595891
Location:	53°23’15"N, 2°39’22"W
Data
Population:	8,699  (2001)
Post town:	Warrington
Postcode:	WA5
Dialling code:	01925
Local Government
Council:	Warrington
Parliamentary constituency:	Warrington South

Penketh is a village in Lancashire which has become a suburb of Warrington. It is located about three miles west of Warrington town centre and had a recorded population of 8,699 at the 2001 census.

The name ‘Penketh’ is derived from the old British language, which gave rise to Welsh, reconstructed as *penno- (head) and kēto- (trees), similar to the Welsh pen coed), which suggests that the parish, at one time was on the outskirts of a wood.

History

Penketh was originally part of Prescot parish but became a chapelry and then a separate parish. It grew due to the crossing over the Mersey at Fiddlers Ferry and the building of the Sankey Canal. The area was mainly rural and agricultural until well into the 20th century, though a tannery and boatyard were established in the 19th century.

The last 50 years has seen the area transformed into a large residential suburb.

The former tannery and boatyard were the only major industries in Penketh. Fiddlers Ferry Power Station dominates Penketh, though it is in Cuerdley parish.

Churches

• Church of England: St Paul's
• Methodist: chapel in Chapel Road
• Roman Catholic: St Joseph's.

There is a strong nonconformist tradition in Penketh, as exemplified by the Methodist chapel in Chapel Road. The Quakers were well represented at one time; the Meeting House was the present village hall on Meeting Lane.

Pubs

Pubs in the area include the Ferry Tavern, the Crown & Cushion, the Sportsman's Arms and the Red Lion.

Society

• The Penketh Carnival is held every summer.
• Kings Community Centre (was Sankey library at Lane Ends) hosts and regular events such as an art class

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Penketh)