Kirkham, Lancashire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.782
longitude= -2.870
official_name= Kirkham
population = 7,127
shire_district= Fylde
shire_county = Lancashire
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Fylde
post_town= PRESTON
postcode_district = PR4
postcode_area= PR
dial_code= 01772
os_grid_reference= SD426321

Kirkham, or as it once was known, Kirkam-in-Amounderness is a town in the Fylde district of Lancashire, England, midway between Blackpool and Preston (11 miles west of Preston). It owes its existence to Carr Hill upon which it was built and which was the location of a Roman fort.

The town is pre-Roman in its origin with a name originating from the Danish word "kirk" (church) and "-ham" (Saxon for settlement).It appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name of "Chicheham" and is described as lying on the Roman road between Ribchester (Bremetennacum) and the River Wyre. The town's market has one of the oldest charters in the United Kingdom, having been granted in 1269–70 by King Henry III. The Church of England parish church is St Michael's. There is also a Roman Catholic church - St John The Evangelist, but known locally as "The Willows" - located on Ribby Road [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Kirkham/StJohnTheEvangelist.shtml] and a United Reformed Church located on Poulton Street [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Kirkham/PoultonStCongregational.shtml] .

Kirkham lies in the centre of a relatively rich agricultural area. By the mid 18th century, however, the manufacture of sail-cloth and the flax-weaving industry had become well established in the town. By 1876 there were several factories employing almost 1,000 workers in the cotton and other industries and by the end of the century the town had grown considerably in importance.

Kirkham station was opened in 1844, four years after the Preston and Wyre Railway and Harbour Company had opened its line to Fleetwood. It now also serves the adjacent town of Wesham. South of the town is Kirkham open prison, built on part of the site of the Royal Air Force base which closed in 1957.

The two secondary schools are Carr Hill and Kirkham Grammar. Kirkham Grammar is an Independent School and is known for emphasising the importance of sporting achievement. Carr Hill, however, despite being state-run, has achieved better examination results for nearly a decadeFact|date=February 2008. Kirkham Grammar Junior School has a well developed pastoral care system.Fact|date=February 2008

Kirkham has had its own small library since 1939. [cite web | url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/librarydetails/libhist.asp?name=Kirkham | title=Welcome to the Library and Information Service web site - History of Kirkham | accessdate=2008-02-26 | publisher=Lancashire County Council ]

The town is served by its own free newspaper, the "Kirkham and Wesham Advertiser". Both the "Blackpool Gazette" and the "Lancashire Evening Post" cover Kirkham news, as does the weekly Kirkham and Fylde Express. cite news
title = Lytham Today - Kirkham and Rural News
publisher = Lytham St Annes Express
url = http://www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk/kirkham-and-rural
accessdate = 2008-05-16]

Regular bus services are provided by the Ribble branch of Stagecoach Buses.

Kirkham Swimming Baths was erected in 1914 at the bequest of William Segar Hodgson J.P. It has served Kirkham as a public swimming pool for over 90 years. Now operated by Fylde Borough Council it is open seven days a week. Swimming galas, children fun swims and adult only swims are regularly held. In February 2008 a campaign was initiated to save the baths from closure. This included a public march through Kirkham and Wesham on 1 March attended by some 3,000 local supporters [ [http://www.lep.co.uk/news/3000-march-to-save-underthreat.3833985.jp 3,000 march to save under-threat baths ,LEP, by David Coates] ]

Education

Kirkham boasts two secondary schools, Carr Hill High School and Kirkham Grammar School

Football Club

The town's football team Kirkham & Wesham FC play in the North West Counties League, after being promoted from the West Lancashire League in 2007. Following their defeat of Lowestoft Town at the Wembley Stadium final on May 11 2008, the team are the current holders of the FA Vase.

Twin Towns

Kirkham is twinned with both Ancenis in Loire-Atlantique, France and Bad Brückenau a spa town in Bad Kissingen district, northern Bavaria which is situated in the Rhön Mountains in Germany.

References

Edward Baines history of Lancashire published in 1870

See also

*St Michael's Church, Kirkham

External links

* [http://www.birley.org/Kirkham.htm A comprehensive history of Kirkham]
* [http://www.carrhillschool.com Carr Hill 11-18 High School]
* [http://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk Kirkham Grammar School]
* [http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/archaeologyandheritage/historictowns/KirkhamComplete_LowRes.pdf Historic Town Assessment Report (Archaelogical and Historical Report)] http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/historichighways/roman3.asp