Failsworth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Failsworth | |
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  Failsworth shown within Greater Manchester |
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| Population | 20,555 (2001 census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Metropolitan borough | Oldham |
| Metropolitan county | Greater Manchester |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MANCHESTER |
| Postcode district | M35 |
| Dial code | 0161 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | Ashton-under-Lyne |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Greater Manchester | |
Failsworth is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. With a total population of 20,555, it is a predominantly residential area that directly links the town of Oldham to the city of Manchester.
Whilst now a populous urban area, it was an area of unspoilt countryside until the boom of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.
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[edit] Geography and administration
Since 1974, Failsworth has formed part of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham in Greater Manchester, having previously been an independent local government unit (Failsworth Urban District) in the administrative county of Lancashire. Failsworth contains two of the twenty wards of the Oldham Borough, Failsworth East and Failsworth West.
Failsworth formed part of the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Manchester.
Failsworth forms part of the Ashton-under-Lyne parliamentary constituency and is represented in the House of Commons by David Heyes MP.
[edit] History
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Little more than 300 years ago its population was over just 1,000; today it is about 20,555. Farming was the main industry of the area with villagers supplementing their meagre incomes by hand-loom weaving until the advent of cotton and the Industrial Revolution.
[edit] Landmarks
A major landmark of the area is Failsworth Pole on Oldham Road. The first 'political pole' was erected in 1793 although a local historian suggests there were others before and that maypoles probably stood on the site for centuries. The pole that now stands on the site replaces one blown down in 1950.
Following a major restoration of the Pole, clock tower and gardens in 2006 a bronze statue of Benjamin Brierley was erected in the gardens.[1]
The Failsworth Pole is not the only landmark on the A62 Oldham Road. At its junction with Ashton Road West stands the cenotaph, built in 1923 in remembrance to over 200 Failsworth men who lost their lives in the First World War. Attendances at the cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday remain high, averaging around 1500 people.[citation needed] The annual Remembrance parade is lead by the Territorial Army, also based on Oldham Road.
The War Memorial Steering Group has been established to improve the cenotaph and the memorial gardens which are due to undergo a £100,000 makeover.
Despite being close to both Oldham town, and Manchester city centres Failsworth is home to the Daisy Nook Country Park.
[edit] Industry and commerce
Failsworth was once a centre for the production of hats. Manufacture began as a cottage industry before the firm of Failsworth Hats was set up in 1892 to manufacture silk hats. For a time the company operated from a factory near the former Failsworth Council offices and remains in the area to this day. Today, Failsworth's main areas of economic activities are in electrical goods manufacture through Pifco Limited, and plastic producers and distributors Hubron Limited. Many Failsworth residents work in Manchester, with many commuters choosing to live in the area because of its good transport links, including train services from Failsworth railway station on the Oldham Loop Line.
[edit] Future developments
Failsworth is seeing regeneration in its town centre with the announcement of a new Tesco superstore which, it is claimed, will bring life back into the district. This is due to open in Spring 2007. As part of the redevelopment a new £2.5 million community centre will be built, together with luxury apartments overlooking the Rochdale Canal.
[edit] Notable residents
Michael Atherton ex-England Cricket Captain.
Benjamin Brierley Poet and Essayist.
David Heyes MP for The Ashton under Lyne constituency.
Gary Mounfield (Mani) of Stone Roses & Primal Scream.
Danny Seymour lead singer of Swabian League.
Dale Longworth of N-Trance.
[edit] External links
- www.carnival.failsworth.info, Official website of the famous Failsworth Carnival.
- www.failsworthconservatives.co.uk Failsworth Conservative Party, with local news, campaigns, fundraising events and more.
- www.failsworth.info, Failsworth Labour Party host the original Failsworth.info, since 2003 the website has been providing news, local history and photos about the town of Failsworth.
- www.failsworth.org, The independent voice of Failsworth with lively forums.
- www.volunteer.failsworth.info, The website of the Failsworth Volunteer Centre.
- www.woodhouses.info, Woodhouses info, village gallery, news, heritage, village message forum and more.
