Rainow

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Rainow
latitude= 53.280229
longitude= -2.072748
population = 2,505
civil_parish= Rainow
map_type=Cheshire
shire_district= Macclesfield
shire_county = Cheshire
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Macclesfield
post_town= MACCLESFIELD
postcode_district = SK10 5**
postcode_area= SK
dial_code= 01625
os_grid_reference= SJ950761

Rainow is a small village and civil parish located, mostly, on the eastern side of the River Dean valley on the B5470 road, between Macclesfield and Kettleshulme in Cheshire, UK. It straddles the eastern side of the Peak District border of Derbyshire and Cheshire [ [http://www.rainow.org/ Rainow Village Website] ] , surrounded by arable farmland. The village name comes from the Old English Hraefn Hoe, meaning Ravens' Hill, and is a former coal mining village. It has a total population of just over 2,500. [ [http://www.macclesfield.gov.uk/censusprofiles/Rainow%20Ward%20Profile.doc Rainow Ward Profile - 2001 Census] ]

To the east of the village lies the Lamaload Reservoir, which was the first concrete reservoir constructed in England, between 1958 and 1964. At an elevation of 308 m, it is also the highest constructed dam in England. [http://www.costain.com/news/bpapr04/news/index.html Revisiting Lamaload, 41 years on. "Blueprint: the News Magazine of Costain Group" 26 (Spring 2004)] ]

A local landmark, White Nancy is a Sugarloaf shaped, circular, white stone building that was constructed to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Prior to its construction, the site was occupied by a small brick beacon. Located on the northern end of Kerridge Hill the building sits on the boundary between the parishes of Rainow and Bollington.

chool

Rainow Primary School is the only school in the village. The school has up to 200 pupils, covering years reception through to year 6. School facilities include a sports field, playground and on-site catering in a large dining hall adjacent to the kitchen area.

Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church was built in 1846, at a cost of £1,800 by John Mellor of Kerridge End, on land donated to the village by Joseph Harding. The architect was Samuel Howard of Disley. In 1958 the present vicarage was built adjoining the Church.

Jenkin Chapel

Jenkin Chapel was constructed of the local gritstone in 1733, on land donated by a farming family of the same name. It features a saddleback roof and an outside flight of steps leading to a gallery (a small tower was added in 1754-55). Originally dedicated to St. John the Baptist, it was first consecrated in 1894 and re-dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.

Cultural events

Rainow has an annual Church Fete with tea marquee, Tug of war between the local public houses: The Robin Hood, The Rising Sun and The Highwayman, and a fell race across Kerridge Hill, overlooking the village.

Trivia

Two notable residents of the village are Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, members of the bands Joy Division, New Order and The Other Two, although Gillian is no longer in New Order. Both grew up in nearby Macclesfield.

References

External links

* [http://www.rainow.org/Rainow website]
* [http://www.rainowpri.cheshire.sch.uk/index.htm Rainow School Website]
* [http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/PAGEVIEWER.ASP?fn=0000AAE8.TIF&dn=BCL15022tif&zoom=in Entry in Kelly's Directory of Cheshire, 1902]
* [http://www.macccam.co.uk/RainowKerridgeHurdsfd/lamaload0303.html Lamaload Reservoir]