Category: Burtonwood

Burtonwood RAF/USAF Airbase

Steven Dowd
Burtonwood RAF/USAF Airbase

Burtonwood Airbase, located in Lancashire, England, served as a pivotal logistical and operational hub during World War II and continued its strategic role into the Cold War. Established in the early 1940s, the base rapidly became one of the largest and most important maintenance and supply depots for the Allied air forces in Europe. This analysis explores the various facets of Burtonwood’s historical significance, including its strategic importance, operational roles, leadership and innovations, the challenges of personnel and training, and its impact on the local community and legacy. Understanding these…

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Bradley Hall, Burtonwood

Steven Dowd
Bradley Hall, Burtonwood

GATEWAY, BRADLEY OLD HALL. Within a distance of three miles from Bewsey Hall, stood the ancient manor house of Bradley, environed by its still perfect moat, and approached by the picturesque gateway or bartizan, which forms the subject of my third vignette. The estate of Bradley came into the family of the Legh’s of Lyme by the marriage of Sir Peter Legh, who was knighted after the battle of Agincourt, with Joan, daughter and heiress of Sir Gilbert de Haydock, the former possessor of Bradley. It is, therefore, not unlikely…

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Bold Old Hall

Steven Dowd
The Old Bold Hall - Views of Halls and Castles

BY CHARLES MADELEY: Curator and Librarian of the Warrington Museum. The Old Hall of Bold, in the township of that name and in the ancient parish of Prescot, stands in the fields some three quarters of a mile north of the Manchester and Liverpool Road, about four miles west of Warrington. The portion now remaining of the extensive structure shown in the vignette which adorned the original title page of Philips’ work, is probably represented in the plate by the tower-like block of stone building on the extreme left of…

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1154 – 1812: The Bold’s of Bold

Steven Dowd
The New Bold Hall

The Bold family of Lancashire, associated closely with Bold Hall and the surrounding townships, has a rich and storied history that dates back to before the Norman Conquest of 1066. This essay will explore the lineage of the Bold family, the architectural and cultural significance of Bold Hall, and the evolution of the associated townships over the centuries. Origins and Early History The Bold family’s roots in Lancashire trace back to a period before the Norman Conquest, suggesting an ancient lineage deeply embedded in the region’s history. The earliest documented…

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BOLD TOWNSHIP & MANOR

Steven Dowd
The Old Bold Hall

BOLD TOWNSHIP & MANOR Bolde, 1212; Boulde, 1332; the final e is wanting in some cases as early as 1300. The area, which measures 4,483 acres, (fn. 1) is divided by a brook, now called Whittle Brook, but formerly Holbrook, running across it from the north-west boundary to Great Sankey. Cambal Wood lay in the south-east corner; on the south was Bold Heath, with Crow Heath and Lunt Heath on the borders of Cuerdley and Widnes. In the south-west corner was Cranshaw Hall. The flat and open country is divided…

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1921: The Burtonwood Lychgate War Memorial

Steven Dowd
Burtonwood Lychgate War Memorial

Burtonwood War Memorial Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Wednesday 13 May 1920 The Question of the erection of a war memorial in Burtonwood for those in the village who made the supreme sacrifice in the war, had been under consideration for some time, and at a meeting of the churchwardens and sidesmen of the parish church, plans and estimates of the cost of a Lych gate were submitted for inspection. Burtonwood – The War Memorial. Runcorn Examiner – Saturday 29 May 1920The Burtonwood Parish Magazine:- “The Lych Gate War Memorial…

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1939: Historical Burtonwood Church re-opened

Steven Dowd
St Michaels pre 1936 and post 1939

Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Friday 06 October 1939 Several years ago abandoned as unsafe and unfit for human habitation, St. Michael’s Church, Burtonwood. was re-opened and consecrated on Saturday afternoon us a modern church. It had been rebuilt and a more lofty tower has made its appearance, numerous structural alterations have been made to the interior, and the parishioners can now consider that the inconvenience of holding the services in the Church Hall, Green Lane, for the past years. has been well worth while. The church is one of…

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1891: THE SANKEY VIADUCT DIVE.

Steven Dowd
Sankey Viaduct - Tommy Burns

TOMMY BURNS’ ATTEMPTED DIVE: Completed by local Collier.Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Friday 13 November 1891 The inhabitants of Earlestown, Newton and surrounding district were considerably moved last week end by the startling announcement that Tommy Burns, the champion diver, who has gained such notoriety around Liverpool, Runcorn and district by his swimming and diving feats, would dive off the Viaduct Bridge or “Nine Arches,” on Saturday afternoon at three o’clock. The bridge is nearly 70 feet high, while the water in the canal is only about seven feet deep,…

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Burtonwood: THE LIMERICK HOTEL

Steven Dowd
The Limerick Hotel

With some historical gleanings from the archives. The Limerick was a pub located at the very end of runway 22 on the north east of the airfield fronting onto Cow Lane (now Burtonwood Road). It was a typical country pub with few home comforts but served a good pint of Burtonwood beer and basic food was sometimes available. It was frequented by the local farmers and villagers from Burtonwood and suddenly burst into life when RAF Burtonwood was built. Initially the Irish navvies who built the base went there for…

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1889: A “SMALL RIOT” AT BURTONWOOD.

Steven Dowd

Leigh Chronicle – Friday 20 December 1889 Nine boys named Schofield Jackson, Charles Jackson, Thomas Haverty, James Haverty, Henry Dalton, James Dalton, Joseph Dalton, James Millington, and Ernest Naylor, were charged with assaulting Thomas Dutton at Burtonwood by throwing stones on the 17th ult. Mr. H. L. Riley prosecuted, and Mr. Jenkins defended. Mr. Riley stated that his client had been a witness in several cases in which Burtonwood boys were interested, and in consequence of that he seemed to have become obnoxious to the boys who formed something like…

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Annals of the Lords of Warrington

Steven Dowd
Annals of the Lords of Warrington and Bewsey

The following chronological list is derived from the 1873 book titled “Annals of the Lords of Warrington,” a historical account that delves into the centuries following the Norman Conquest of England. This compilation provides a detailed exploration of significant events, land transactions, and the involvement of notable families in the regions surrounding Warrington, including Newton-in-Makerfield, Burtonwood, Haydock, Parr, Winwick, Bradley Park, Bewsey, Culcheth, Great Sankey, and Lower Sankey. These records shed light on the development of these localities from the 11th century onwards, highlighting their strategic importance, social structures, and…

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THE EARLY HISTORY OF WARRINGTON

Steven Dowd
Dr James Kendrick 1909-1882 Warrington

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EARLY HISTORY OF WARRINGTON. by Dr James Kendrick. Transcribed from the newspaper: Manchester Courier Published: Serialised Weekly from 8th Jan 1842 through to the 11 June 1842 The author of the following “Contributions” has few preliminary remarks to offer. He has been urged to their publication by many of his friends, who felt an interest in them when brought forward, a short while since, in the form of lectures. Wanting both leisure and inclination to compile distinct volume on the subject, he has selected a periodical of…

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Burtonwood Parish

Steven Dowd

“Warrington Church Notes” by William Beamont, published in 1878, is a historical account focusing on the Parish Church of St. Elfin in Warrington, England, along with other churches in the parish. William Beamont was a noted historian and antiquarian of the 19th century, particularly well-regarded for his contributions to the local history of Warrington and the surrounding areas. In this publication, Beamont documented the history, architecture, and significant events associated with the churches in the different Warrington parish’s. This is what he wrote about the history of the Burtonwood Parish.…

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Sankey Canal & Viaduct 1881

Steven Dowd

VIEW OF THE VIADUCT OVER THE SANKEY CANAL. PLATE II. Through the valley of Sankey, about half way between Liverpool and Manchester, was cut the first canal for hydraulic conveyance in England; and through it also flows a small river. From the locks of the canal, the Railway Viaduct is seen to the best advantage, and from this point was the view taken; but the effect from every part here is truly delightful. Over this valley—its rivulet and canal—and the topmasts and high peaks of the barges—is carried the Railway,…

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1861: Burtonwood Census

Steven Dowd
Burtonwood 1861 Census

While I was doing some family history, and searching for a few relatives from Burtonwood, I decided it would be simpler to keep a record of the 1861 census for my future searches, so have transcribed the data, hope it proves useful Name Birth Residence Parents Siblings Spouse Children Relation to Head Jane Whitfield c1821 – Burtonwood, Lancs Broad Lane, Burtonwood, Lancs Ellen Whitfield Margaret WhitfieldPeter Whitfield Thomas Fairclough c1799 – Sankey, Lancs Cawsey Bridge Farm, Burtonwood, Lancs Mary Fairclough Thomas FaircloughSamuel FaircloughBetsey Jane Fairclough James Dennett c1836 – Sankey,…

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