Willaston, Ellesmere Port and Neston
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| Willaston | |
  Willaston shown within Cheshire |
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| Population | 3,913 (2001 Census)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Ellesmere Port and Neston |
| Shire county | Cheshire |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NESTON |
| Postcode district | CH64 |
| Dialling code | 0151 |
| Police | Cheshire |
| Fire | Cheshire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| European 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 between Neston and Ellesmere Port, just south of the boundary with the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. As Willaston & Thornton, it is a ward of the district of Ellesmere Port and Neston and includes the villages of Hooton and Childer Thornton. At the 2001 Census, the total population of the ward was 3,913.[1]
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[edit] History
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]
[edit] Community
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'.
Willaston's local football club plays in the West Cheshire Amateur Football League Division 2.
[edit] Notable residents
- Sami Hyypiä, professional footballer with Liverpool F.C.
- Stan Boardman, comedian
- Gerry Marsden, singer
[edit] References
- ^ a b 2001 Census: Willaston. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved on 6 November 2007.
- ^ a b c Young, Derek & Marian. Pictures From The Past: Book 3, p20, p25-26.
- ^ Willaston in Wirral: History. Retrieved on 6 September 2007.
- ^ Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Willaston. GENUKI UK & Ireland Genealogy. Retrieved on 6 September 2007.
- ^ Willaston in Wirral: The Old Red Lion. Retrieved on 6 September 2007.
- ^ Willaston in Wirral: Windmill. Retrieved on 6 September 2007.
[edit] External links
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