- 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= SD426321Kirkham, or as it once was known, Kirkam-in-
Amounderness is atown in the Fylde district ofLancashire ,England , midway betweenBlackpool andPreston (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 theDomesday Book of 1086 under the name of "Chicheham" and is described as lying on the Roman road betweenRibchester (Bremetennacum ) and theRiver Wyre . The town's market has one of the oldest charters in theUnited Kingdom , having been granted in 1269–70 by King Henry III. TheChurch of England parish church is St Michael's. There is also aRoman 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 aUnited 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 ofWesham . South of the town is Kirkham open prison, built on part of the site of theRoyal 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 andKirkham 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 ofLowestoft Town at theWembley Stadium final onMay 11 2008 , the team are the current holders of theFA Vase .Twin Towns
Kirkham is twinned with both
Ancenis inLoire-Atlantique ,France andBad Brückenau a spa town in Bad Kissingen district, northernBavaria which is situated in theRhön Mountains inGermany .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
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