Frodsham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the town in Cheshire, for the clock maker, see Charles Frodsham.
| Frodsham | |
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| Population | 9,000 (est) |
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| OS grid reference | |
| District | Vale Royal |
| Shire county | Cheshire |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Frodsham |
| Postcode district | WA6 |
| Dial code | 01928 |
| Police | Cheshire |
| Fire | Cheshire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | Weaver Vale |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Cheshire | |
Frodsham (approximate population 9000) is a small market town in the county of Cheshire in North West England. Approximately 4 miles west of Runcorn and just west of the River Weaver, it overlooks the River Mersey estuary. In the medieval period it was an important borough and port belonging to the earls of Chester. Its Parish Church, St. Laurence, still exhibits evidence of a building present in the 12th century in its nave, and is referenced in the Domesday Book.
In the town's 'Main Street', which forms part of the A56 trunk road, a market continues to be held each Thursday, and Frodsham's viability as a trading centre is emphasised by the presence of the "big four" clearing banks and several building societies. Development in the town's shops and premises with alcohol licences is evident through the recent (post-2002) opening or modernisation of contemporary-style bar/restaurants, take-away food shops and public houses, and in the continued presence of small, specialised, businesses operating from town-centre shops. New industrial premises to the north-east of the town very close to the M56 motorway are being built to augment those already present.
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[edit] Geography
Frodsham is situated in the edge of the Cheshire Plain in the north west of the borough of Vale Royal in Cheshire. The town is dominated by Helsby Hill and Frodsham Hill to the east with views of the Mersey estuary. Like Helsby being on the Border of Cheshire it is close to the industrial chemical plants across the Mersey.
[edit] History
The town is of Saxon origin; its 11th century church is mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the thirteenth century the church was home to a holy woman recluse (hermit) called Wymark, who was well-known enough to be paid an annual pension from the royal exchequer. Frodsham was an important manor of the medieval earls of Chester, and was created a borough in the early thirteenth century probably by Earl Ranulf III. The mouth of the river Weaver, where it joins the Mersey, made Frodsham into a significant port for the coasting trade, particularly for the export of Cheshire salt, brought down the river from Northwich and Nantwich. The site of the manor-house was in Castle Park; the building was of stone and was fortified. In an account of 1315 it is called 'castellum' (little castle), although 'manerium' (manor-house) was the usual designation.
Frodsham was the headquarters of Runcorn Rural District Council. In 1974 the district was split between Halton Borough Council, Warrington Borough Council and Vale Royal District Council (now Vale Royal Borough Council.) The Village of Frodsham was in Vale Royal. In the early 1990s Vale Royal Borough Council opened a new purpose-built headquarters in Winsford. At the same time, its offices in Hartford near Northwich (the former headquarters of Northwich Rural District Council) and at Castle Park in Frodsham (the former headquarters of Runcorn Rural District Council) became downgraded. The Hartford site was sold for housing. Castle Park House had a major refurbishment in 2005-2006 and now operates as a One Stop Shop for Vale Royal Borough Council providing a number of services for the community and for businesses.
In 1982 the parish council became Frodsham Town Council and Frodsham was no longer a village. The Chair of the parish council became the Mayor of Frodsham. The council has no more powers. The majority of powers are still held by Cheshire County Council and Vale Royal Borough Council.
Frodsham, like the neighbouring village Helsby, has a hill overlooking the Mersey Estuary which is popular with walkers.
Frodsham is home to Frodsham School, a Science and Technology College but it is faced with closure, due to the falling birth rate, and amalgamation with Helsby High School.
[edit] Transport
Frodsham is located on the A56 and is close to the M56 Junction 12.
The town is also served by Frodsham railway station with services to Manchester Piccadilly via Warrington Bank Quay. In the other direction services run to Chester. Frodsham is also served by the infrequent (two trains per day) Northern Rail-operated service between Liverpool Lime Street and Ellesmere Port.
[edit] Famous people from Frodsham
- Djibril Cissé, Liverpool and France footballer, now lives in Frodsham and acquired the title 'Lord of the manor of Frodsham' when he bought Ridge Manor House on Manley Road in 2005.
- Patrick Larley, classical composer, conductor, organist and solo singer was born in Frodsham in 1951.
- Bob Carolgees, 1980s TV entertainer, who owns a candle shop at the Lady Hayes Craft Centre on the Kingsley Road out of Frodsham (but sadly without Spit the Dog).
- Gary Barlow, one of the most successful songwriters of the 90s. Famous as the songwriter in the band Take That grew up in Frodsham and attended Frodsham High School.
- Daniel Craig, the latest actor to play James Bond. Craig lived in Frodsham before moving to the Wirral, near Liverpool.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| The Borough of Vale Royal, Cheshire | |
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Principal Settlements |
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Civil Parishes |
Acton Bridge • Allostock • Alvanley • Anderton with Marbury • Antrobus • Aston • Barnton • Bostock • Byley • Comberbach • Crowton • Cuddington • Darnhall • Davenham • Delamere • Dutton • Frodsham • Great Budworth • Hartford • Helsby • Kingsley • Lach Dennis • Little Budworth • Little Leigh • Lostock Gralam • Lower Peover • Manley • Marston • Moulton • Norley • Northwich • Oakmere • Rudheath • Rushton • Sproston • Stanthorne • Sutton • Tarporley • Utkinton • Weaverham • Whitegate and Marton • Whitley • Wimboldsley • Wincham • Winsford • |
 Cheshire Portal |
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| Unitary authorities: | Halton • Warrington |
| Boroughs/Districts: | Chester City • Congleton • Crewe and Nantwich • Ellesmere Port and Neston • Macclesfield • Vale Royal |
| Cities/Towns: | Alsager • Bollington • Chester • Congleton • Crewe • Ellesmere Port • Frodsham • Knutsford • Macclesfield • Middlewich • Nantwich • Neston • Northwich • Runcorn • Sandbach • Warrington • Widnes • Wilmslow • Winsford See also: List of civil parishes in Cheshire |
