Wesham
| Wesham | |
| Lancashire | |
|---|---|
 St Joseph's Church, Wesham | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SD418330 |
| Location: | 53°47’25"N, 2°53’9"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 3,245 (2001) |
| Post town: | Preston |
| Postcode: | PR4 |
| Dialling code: | 01772 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Fylde |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Fylde |
Wesham is small town on the Fylde in Lancashire, just south of Junction 3 of the M55 motorway. It shares a civil parish with the tiny village of Medlar (just north of the motorway) and the two together were recorded in 2001 as having a population of 3,245 in 1,294 households.
Wesham stands adjacent to the larger town of Kirkham and the two have grown contiguous.
Contents
Churches
- Church of England:
- Christ Church (Grade II listed building, founded in 1894)
- Roman Catholic: St Joseph's, founded in 1885
The Primitive Methodist chapel, located nearest to the small town square, was founded in 1895. It has now been converted to private dwellings, but retains its main architectural features including foundation stones.
History
- "Historically the village of Wesham is reputed to have come to the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem by the gift of Cicely, daughter of Roger de Gernet. Pronounced 'Wesh ham', it was subsequently given by the Lancasters to the Abbey of Cockersand. On the dissolution of monasteries, the land seems to have been granted or sold to the family of Westby. In the reign of Philip and Mary, William Westbye held "Medlarghe," "Wessham," and other property in the area, and his descendants long continued to reside at what was Mowbreck Hall, now lost. Bradkirk, in the township, was owned as a manor in the reign of Edward III by a family of the same name, and was their residence for centuries. The estate later became the property of Hugh Hornby, Esq., of Ribby Hall, by purchase from a Mr. Kearsley."[1]
The area within the boundaries of the parish have been populated since early mediæval times, before the Norman conquest, with separate settlements at Bradkirk, Medlar, Wesham and Mowbreck. There was also a single moated farmstead at Pasture Barn midway between Medlar and Mowbreck. The present bridleway of Mowbreck Lane was the mediæval route to Treales.
The modern town of Wesham (pronounced variously `Wesham', `Wessam' and `Wezzum') is only about 160 years old, and developed as the railway expanded to serve the growing popularity of resort towns such as Blackpool. From the 1920s to the 1950s huge numbers of steam trains plied their way to the coast via the station at 'Kirkham and Wesham'.
Situated to the north of the rail station, from ½ a mile to 2½ miles North of Kirkham, in 1870-72 it had an area of 1971 acres and property worth £3,441. The population in 1851 was 170 but by 1861 was 563. The increase of population arose largely from additional employment in cotton mills. At that time the manor of Wesham, with Mowbreck Hall, belonged to J. T. Fazakerley-Westby, Esq. The Hall was a fine edifice of red brick, castellated with stone and contained a domestic Roman Catholic chapel. It had at one time been used as a Roman Catholic School, one of whose pupils was Bible scholar George Leo Haydock.
A large school, used also as a lecture hall, belonging to the Independents, was built at Wesham in 1864 and opened in 1866.[2] The premises is now the showroom for Salisburys Electricals.
A large new workhouse, to replace the much older one in Kirkham, was erected in 1903-7 designed on a pavilion plan by Charles S Haywood and Fred Harrison. Modern for its time, separate pavilions were provided for mothers and infants, and for infirm females, and also a two-roomed cottage for married couples. The heating and hot water were worked from a central station, under the control of the resident engineer, and with rotary pumps to assist circulation. The buildings were faced with Accrington red-pressed bricks, and stone dressings, the work being carried out by a Mr. Sam Wilson, of Lytham St Annes. During the First World War the buildings were used as a Military Hospital and later became Wesham Park Hospital, a specialist geriatric and psychiatric institution). The buildings which remain today are now the administrative home to North Lancashire NHS Trust, with the remainder becoming a much needed brown field site for the "Willowfields" housing development.
The boundaries of Wesham were established over 100 years ago and did not change until local government changes in 1935 meant that 82 acres and 48 residents were transferred to Kirkham. Kirham lost only 8 acres of land, but with no loss of residents.
Industry
Wesham Bakery, now the home of Fox's Biscuits and the largest current commercial concern, was opened in 1957, on the site previously occupied by Phoenix Mill. The factory is the home of Fox's "Rocky" biscuit. Nearby, on Garstang Road South is Salisbury's electrical showroom and a Chinese restaurant. Other small businesses, on Station Road, include a garage/tyre fitters, car sales centre, beautician, sandwich bar, hairdressers, veterinary surgeon, a pharmacy and a florist. There has been some recent light industrial and small business development in the north of the parish near Junction 3 of the M55 motorway, where a Premier Inn motel and restaurant are also situated. A private residence on Fleetwood Road is the base for a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, the only flying HUEY in the UK.[3]
Amenities
At the centre of the town is the small War Memorial, with its stone statue of a First World War soldier, which enjoys attractive floral displays throughout the year and a service of remembrance on Remembrance Sunday. Around it are located the old Fire Station, the busy Post Office, the Co-Op supermarket, the Fish and Chip shop and an Off Licence. The Post Office recently campaigned successfully to remain open.
On Church Road is a popular Community Centre and nearby are the outdoor Bowling Club and the newly re-built Scout Hut. The centre is used by, amongst others, Wesham Road Runners, Medlar and Wesham Town Council, Wesham Community Pride Trust and Blackpool and The Fylde College. On Fleetwood Road there is a modern Fire Station and adjoining Ambulance Station.
The town also has a recreation field, equipped with a newly-built skateboard park, on Fleetwood Road, where football is regularly played by local teams. The playground has recently been re-equipped with modern new play equipment and the perimeter of the field equipped with sturdy all-weather fitness stations. A doorstep green has recently been created on Derby Road near the former council offices. There are public allotments between St. Joseph's churchyard and the recreation ground.
The town has three busy public houses - The Lane Ends, The Stanley Arms and The Royal Oak Hotel. There are three Biological Heritage Sites at Medlar Ditch, Medlar Meadows and Wesham Marsh.
The town's annual Club Day is held in early June, jointly with Kirkham. The day involves the various churches and their chosen "Rose Queens", together with biblical tableau floats, civic dignitaries and brass bands, walking in procession through the town in the morning. In 2011 Club Day was held on Saturday 11 June.[4]
Sport
- Football:
- AFC Fylde, formerly Kirkham and Wesham
- Wesham FC
- Wesham Town FC.
Media
- Newspapers:
- The Kirkham and Wesham Advertiser
- The Blackpool Gazette
- The Lancashire Evening Post
- The Kirkham and Fylde Express
Listed buildings
Wesham has three buildings or structures which have Grade II Listed status:
- Bradkirk Hall Farmhouse, Weeton Road
- Christ Church, Church Road
- War Memorial with surrounding railings, Garstang Road South
Outside links
References
- Wilson, John Marius, (1870–72), Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales
