Congleton

Congleton is a town and civil parish in Cheshire, England, on the River Dane, 21 miles (34 km) south of Manchester and west of the Macclesfield Canal. At the 2011 Census, it had a population of 26,482.[1]

For other uses, see Congleton (disambiguation).

Congleton

Congleton Town Hall, completed 1866
Congleton
Location within Cheshire
Population26,482 (2011)
OS grid referenceSJ854628
Civil parish
  • Congleton
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCONGLETON
Postcode districtCW12
Dialling code01260
PoliceCheshire
FireCheshire
AmbulanceNorth West
UK Parliament
Websitewww.congleton-tc.gov.uk

Toponymy

The town's name is of unknown origin. The first recorded reference to it was in 1282, when it was spelt Congelton. The element Congle might relate to the old Norse kang meaning a bend, followed by the Old English element tun meaning settlement.[2]

History

The first settlements in the Congleton area were Neolithic. Stone Age and Bronze Age artefacts have been found in the town.[3] Congleton was once thought to have been a Roman settlement, although there is no archaeological or documentary evidence to support this. Congleton became a market town after Vikings destroyed nearby Davenport.

Godwin, Earl of Wessex held the town in the Saxon period. The town is mentioned in the Domesday Book,[4] where it is listed as Cogeltone: Bigot de Loges. William the Conqueror granted the whole of Cheshire to his nephew the Earl of Chester who constructed several fortifications including the town's castle in 1208. In the 13th century, Congleton belonged to the de Lacy family.[3] Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln granted the town its first charter in 1272, enabling it to hold fairs and markets, elect a mayor and ale taster, have a merchant guild and behead known criminals.[3]

In 1451, the River Dane flooded, destroying a number of buildings, the town's mill and wooden bridge.[3] The river was diverted, and the town was rebuilt on higher ground.

Congleton became notorious in the 1620s when bear-baiting and cockfighting were popular sports.[3] The town was unable to attract large crowds to its bear-baiting contests and lacked the money to pay for a new, more aggressive bear. Legend tells that Congleton spent the money they were going to spend on a bible on a bear. This legend earned Congleton the nickname 'Beartown'. The chorus of 20th-century folk song "Congleton Bear",[5] by folk artist John Tams,[6] runs:

Congleton Rare, Congleton Rare
Sold the Bible to buy a bear.

During the Civil War, former mayor and lawyer, John Bradshaw, became president of the court which sent Charles I to his execution in 1649. His signature as Attorney General was the first on the king's death warrant.[3] A plaque on Bradshaw House in Lawton Street commemorates him. Almost opposite the town hall, the White Lion public house bears a blue plaque, placed by the Congleton Civic Society, which reads: "The White Lion, built 16–17th century. Said to have housed the attorney's office where John Bradshaw, regicide, served his articles."[7]

The Old Mill and the town corn mill photographed in 1902; the mill became unstable and Roldane Mill was built on the site in 1923. The mill was demolished in 2003, and sheltered housing is being built here.

King Edward I granted permission to build a mill. Congleton became an important centre of textile production, especially leather gloves and lace.[3] Congleton had an early silk throwing mill, the Old Mill built by John Clayton and Nathaniel Pattison in 1753.[8] More mills followed, and cotton was also spun. The town's prosperity depended on tariffs imposed on imported silk. When tariffs were removed in the 1860s, the empty mills were converted to fustian cutting. A limited silk ribbon weaving industry survived into the 20th century, and woven labels were still produced in the 1990s. Many mills survive as industrial or residential units.[9]

The town hall was designed in the Gothic style by Edward William Godwin. It was completed in 1866.[10]

Governance

The Congleton parliamentary constituency is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It includes the towns of Congleton, Alsager, Holmes Chapel, Middlewich and Sandbach. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post system of election. The current MP is Fiona Bruce of the Conservative Party — the constituency has always been a safe Conservative seat. The previous incumbent was Anne Winterton, who sat in parliament alongside her husband Nicholas Winterton, the MP for neighbouring Macclesfield. After they were judged to have broken MPs' expense rules in 2008 by claiming for rent on a second home owned by a family trust, both stood down at the 2010 general election; their joint statement cited the hectic life of politics as part of their reason for standing down.[11]

Congleton forms the central portion of the Cheshire East unitary authority, located in the south-east of Cheshire. Before the abolition of Cheshire County Council on 1 April 2009, Congleton had borough status (originally conferred in 1272). The neighbouring village of Buglawton was incorporated into Congleton borough in 1936. From 1974 to 2009, Congleton borough covered much of south-east Cheshire.

For representation on Cheshire East Council, Congleton divided into two wards returning three members, Congleton East and Congleton West. Three of the six seats are currently represented by Conservative Party Councillors, with one Liberal Democrat and two Independents.[12]

The town has an elected Town Council[13] which was established in 1980. The town is split into two wards with 20 councillors elected every 4 years.

Geography
Brookside Mill, a textile mill that is being converted to residential units, on a brook leading to the River Dane in the centre of Congleton. Behind are trees on the steep northern bank

Mossley is sometimes classed as the wealthier part of town. Hightown is located before Mossley between town and the railway station. West Heath is a relatively new estate built in the early 1960s to the early 1980s. Lower Heath lies to the north of the town. There is also the town centre.[14]

In terms of physical geography, Congleton is located in the valley of the River Dane. To the south of the town lies an expanse of green space known locally as Priesty Fields which forms a green corridor right into the heart of the town – a rare feature in English towns. In terms of folklore, legend says that Priesty Fields gained its name as there was no priest performing services within the town. The nearest priest was based at the nearby village Astbury. It is told that the priest would walk along an ancient medieval pathway which ran between the fields at the Parish Church in Astbury and St Peter's Church in Congleton.[15]

Economy

The principal industries in Congleton include the manufacture of airbags and golf balls. There are light engineering factories near the town, and sand extraction occurs on the Cheshire Plain.

One of the most prominent industries during the nineteenth century onwards was Berisfords Ribbons, established in 1858.[16] It was founded by Charles Berisford and his brothers Francis and William. The brothers leased part of Victoria Mill, on Foundry Bank, owning the entire factory by 1872. By 1898, the company had offices in London, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol.

Congleton Market operates every Tuesday and Saturday from the Bridestones Centre.

Until about 2000, "Super Crystalate" balls, made of crystalate, were manufactured by "The Composition Billiard Ball Company" in Congleton. The company was then sold by its owner to Saluc S.A., the Belgian manufacturer of Aramith Balls. The name Super Crystalate was retained, but the manufacturing process was integrated into the standard process used for Aramith balls.[17][18]

Culture
Little Moreton Hall 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Congleton

The National Trust Tudor house Little Moreton Hall is 4 miles (6.4 km)southwest of the town.[19]

Congleton Park is located along the banks of the River Dane just north east of the town centre. Town Wood on the northern edge of the park is a Grade A Site of Biological Interest and contains many nationally important plants.[20] Congleton Paddling Pool was built in the 1930s and is open in the summer months. Astbury Mere Country Park lies just to the south west of the town centre, on the site of a former sand quarry.[21][22] The lake is used for fishing and sailing and despite its name, is actually in the West Heath area of Congleton, with the boundary between Congleton and Newbold Astbury parishes lying further to the south.

The independently run 300-seat Daneside Theatre is on Park Road. The 400-seat Clonter Opera Theatre is based in the village of Swettenham Heath, 5 mi (8 km) north of Congleton. Founded in 1971, Congleton Choral Society is a mixed voice choir which regularly performs choral works at Congleton Town Hall and other venues around the town

Congleton Museum is on Market Square in the centre of town. It was established in 2002 and is dedicated to Congleton's industrial history. It also contains an ancient log boat and gold and silver coin hoards.[23] Congleton Tourist Information Centre is on the town's High Street.

Congleton Park from the Jubilee Pavilion

The town also annually hosts a food and drink festival[24] promoting locally sourced produce/cuisine and a jazz and blues festival which showcases acts from across the UK.

Media

There is one weekly local newspaper: the locally owned paid-for Congleton Chronicle. The evening newspaper The Sentinel, based in Stoke-on-Trent, also covers the town, although less so than in the past. Local radio is broadcast from nearby Macclesfield-based Silk FM, Signal 1 and Signal 2 from Stoke-on-Trent and BBC Radio Stoke, as well as Moorlands Radio in Leek and Canalside Community Radio in Macclesfield, both community radio stations. Congleton did have its own community radio station, the internet-only Beartown Radio, but this has now closed.

Sport

Rugby Union

Congleton is home to the third oldest rugby union club in the country, dating back to 1860. Currently fielding a mini and junior section and three adult sides,[25] the club held the world record for the longest continuous game of rugby ever played, at 24 hours, 30 minutes and 6 seconds. The club has also pioneered the development of 'walking rugby' for more senior players and has re-established a ladies' team, having previously had two of its women players represent England.

Football

There is also a local football team, Congleton Town F.C., known as the Bears, who play in the North West Counties League. Their ground is at Booth Street.

Cricket

There are also two cricket clubs, Congleton CC and Mossley CC. There are two golf clubs in the town— the historic Congleton Golf Club, which is an undulating nine-hole course with views over the Cloud End, and the 18-hole parkland course at Astbury. There is also a running club, Congleton Harriers, which meets weekly at Congleton Leisure Centre.[26] The club organises the Congleton Half Marathon[27] and in 2012 re-introduced the Congleton Quarter Marathon.

Transport
Congleton railway station in 1986.

Congleton is 7 miles (11 km) east of the M6 motorway, connected by the A534. It is on the A34 trunk road between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, and the A54 to Buxton and the Peak District. The A536 links the town with Macclesfield, with the A527 linking the town to Biddulph and providing an alternative route to Stoke-on-Trent.

Congleton railway station was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway on 9 October 1848. The line is now part of the Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent branch of the West Coast Main Line.[28] The Biddulph Valley line used to terminate in the town. The railway, which terminated at Brusnwick Wharf on the River Dane, carried freight traffic between Congleton and Stoke-on-Trent. The entire line was closed in 1962.[29]

The Macclesfield Canal, completed in 1831, passes through the town. It runs 26 miles (42 km) from Marple Junction at Marple, where it joins the Upper Peak Forest Canal, southwards (through Bollington and Macclesfield), before arriving at Bosley. Having descended the 12 Bosley Locks over the course of about a mile (1.6 km), the canal continues through Congleton to a junction with the Hall Green Branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Hall Green. The canal is renowned for its elegant roving bridges, locally known as 'Snaily Bridges'. Congleton is one of few places in Britain where a road, canal and railway all cross each other at the same place. The nearest airport to the town is Manchester Airport, 20 miles (32 km) away.

Public services

Policing in Congleton is provided by Cheshire Constabulary. The main police station is on Market Square.

Statutory emergency fire and rescue service is provided by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Congleton Fire Station is on West Road, near the centre of town.

Congleton has a small hospital, Congleton War Memorial Hospital, which was built by public subscription in 1924. The town is also served by Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Macclesfield District General Hospital and the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent.

Religion
St Peter's Church, Congleton, from the southeast

The four Anglican churches in Congleton (They form a partnership in the Congleton Team Parish.[30]) are;

Congleton Town Council lists eleven other places of worship in the town:[31]

Historically Congleton has seen a wide range of Christian church denominations.

  • The Friends' Meeting House closed in 1741.[39]
  • The Wesleyan Methodist Trinity Chapel, in Wagg Street, was founded in 1766 and was rebuilt in 1808 and again in 1967; the Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1821 on Lawton Street, and rebuilt in 1890 on Kinsey Street; the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion Methodist chapel was founded in 1822; the Congleton Edge Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built in 1833 and rebuilt in 1889; the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Brook Street was built in 1834; the New Connexion Methodist Chapel in Queen Street was built in 1836 and closed in 1969; the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Biddulph Road was built in 1840; the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Rood Lane was founded in 1861 and rebuilt in 1886.[39]
  • The Unitarian Chapel in Cross Street was founded in 1687 near the Dane Bridge and in 1733 moved to Cross Street, with the present building constructed in 1883 and closed in 1978.
  • The United Reformed Church (Independent/ Congregationalist) was built in 1790 on Mill Street, and then rebuilt in 1876 on Antrobus Street.[39]

Education

Primary schools

  • Astbury St Mary's C of E School
  • Black Firs Primary School
  • Buglawton Primary School
  • Daven Primary School
  • Havannah Primary School
  • Marlfields Primary School
  • Mossley C of E Primary School
  • Smallwood C of E Primary School
  • St Mary's RC Primary School
  • The Quinta Primary School

High and secondary schools

Notable people

Other
John Bradshaw
Elizabeth Wolstenholme
George Eardley VC
Jackie Oates 2010
Ann Packer 1964

Arts

Sports
  • Congleton
  • Bluebells at Dane-in-Shaw Brook SSI.
  • Astbury Mere
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See also

References
  1. "Congleton (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  2. Ekwall, Eilert (1936). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names (Fourth, 1984 Reprint ed.). Oxford. p. 120. ISBN 0-19-869103-3.
  3. "Congleton Museum website". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  4. "The Domesday Book Online". Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  5. "Congleton Bear Lyrics". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  6. "John Tams information". Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  7. "Photographs of Congleton, Cheshire, England, UK". www.thornber.net. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  8. Callandine, Anthony (1993). "Lombe's Mill: An Exercise in reconstruction". Industrial Archaeology Review. Maney Publishing. XVI (1). ISSN 0309-0728.
  9. Fustian Mills Talk Archived 3 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine Lyndon Murgatroyd 2007
  10. "Book the Town Hall – Congleton Town Council". www.congleton-tc.gov.uk.
  11. "MP pair to step down at election". BBC News. 25 May 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  12. "Your Councillors". 12 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  13. "Town Council". Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  14. "History – Congleton Town Council". www.congleton-tc.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  15. Stubbs, Gill (26 April 2011). "Myths and Legends of Cheshire: PRIESTY FIELDS, CONGLETON". Myths and Legends of Cheshire. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  16. "Heritage - Berisfords Ribbons". www.berisfords-ribbons.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  17. "Billiard and Snooker Heritage Collection - Billiards & Snooker balls". www.snookerheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  18. "Technical Information - Balls - Titan Sports & Games". titansports.co.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  19. "Sentinel newspaper article". Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  20. "404 Not Found". www.welcometocongleton.com.
  21. "Astbury Mere Country Park". www.alsager.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  22. "Cheshire East Council – Astbury Mere Country Park". Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  23. "Congleton Museum website".
  24. "Congleton Food and Drink Festival". Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  25. "Teams". Congleton RUFC. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  26. "About Us". Congleton Harriers. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  27. "Congleton Half Marathon". Congleton Harriers. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
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  29. "Activities and Information About the Biddulph Valley Way". Chesire East Council. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  30. "Welcome to Congleton Team Parish". Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  31. "Places of Worship". Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  32. "Congelton Baptist Church". Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  33. "The Methodist Church – Dane and Trent Circuit". Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  34. "New Life Church". Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  35. "Cross Street". Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  36. "Congleton Spiritualist Church". 2011. Archived from the original on 28 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  37. "St Mary R C Church". St Mary R C Church. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  38. "Minshull Vernon United Reformed Church". 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
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Friends of Congleton Park

Sources

Media related to Congleton at Wikimedia Commons

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