Haslingden
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:GBmap Haslingden is a small town in the Rossendale Valley in Lancashire. In the early 20th century it was an independent borough, and is now part of the Borough of Rossendale. The historical roots of this lie in the fact that part of the Haslingden territory, along with that of the neighbouring towns of Rawtenstall and beyond that Bacup were part of the Forest of Blackburnshire, that part being the Forest of Rossendale. Lying 19 miles North West of Manchester, it grew from a market town and later a coaching station to a significant industrial borough with the mechanisation of the wool and cotton spinning and weaving industries from the 18th to the 19th centuries, from the use of watermills to steam power. In 1831 there was a population of 7,776.
Haslingden's Anglican Parish Church, St James's, was built in the 18th century on a site occupied by a church building since at least 1284. In that year a deed of gift of the Earl of Lincoln to the monks of Stanlaw granted them the parish of Whalley. When they later took possession and had a valuation of its assets done, they recorded at Haslingden one of the parish's seven independent chapelries. Beside the Memorial Gardens, the Manchester Road Methodist Church is a classic building with an Italian-inspired interior.
Haslingden was once connected to Accrington and Bury by railway. The East Lancashire Railway built a station here, which remained open under British Rail until the 1960s, when the line was closed due to the Beeching Report. Much of the trackbed of the railway is no longer visible, with the A56 by-pass built over it, however, the line can still be traced through Helmshore towards Stubbish where several magnificent viaducts still remain.
The town centre is home to the famous Big Lamp from where all distances in Haslingden are measured, although the original lamp has been replaced by a replica. In Deardengate Cissy Green's pie shop can be found. People visit from across Lancashire to sample the handmade pies which are still made to the original 1920s recipe. To the north of the town is Winfield's, a large warehouse-style retail development selling footwear and clothing, and promoting itself as a family day out.
Sadly, through Local Government reorganisation in 1974, the town lost it's independence becoming part of Rossendale Borough, since then there has been a lack of local pride and the town has become a shadow of its former proud self. Problems such as a yob culture dominate the Town Centre along with substantial amounts of litter and the work of local vandals.
The nearby Snighole (eel-hole) is a famous beauty spot.
Recent famous visitor, Mary McAleese April 12th at the Haslingden Irish Democratic League Club (Michael Davitt Branch), "The Land League". To see an account of this auspicious occasion check out www.thelandleague.org