Brierfield

Infobox UK place
official_name= Brierfield
country= England
region= North West England
population= 8000
os_grid_reference= SD850361
latitude= 53.821
longitude= -2.229
post_town= NELSON
postcode_area= BB
postcode_district= BB9
dial_code= 01282
civil_parish=
shire_district= Pendle
shire_county= Lancashire
constituency_westminster= Pendle

Brierfield is a small town (population approx. over 9,000) situated in Lancashire, England, in the district of Pendle. It is located two and a half miles north-east of the town of Burnley, one mile south-west of the town of Nelson, and half a mile north-east of Reedley.

The town is served by Brierfield railway station.

There are three primary schools, and one secondary school in Brierfield. The primary schools are Reedley Road, Walter Street and Holy Trinity. The secondary school is Marsden Heights Community College.

The town war memorial features a large pewter lion roaring. The town is well known for its part in the Quaker movement. A Friends meeting house can still be found in Brierfield.

The town's small cinema was replaced by a branch of Dixy Chicken the cinema is now a double glazing outlet, Dixy chicken is further down the road in a new unit. The town is home to a cyber cafe, which is a part of the Brierfield Action In The Community initiative which aims to improve the social and economical wellbeing of Brierfield residents. The town is also home to a gym, a number of churches and a local mosque

Pendle Community Radio commenced broadcasting on 122.1MHz FM in September 2005. Licensed by Ofcom as a distinct community radio service, it aims to target the Borough's Asian Muslim population, of which a large number reside in Brierfield.

History

The building of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, the Blackburn to Addingham Turnpike road and the railway line from Preston to Colne led to the town of Brierfield developing during the early 19th century. Before these new transport links were constructed, there was just a scattering of farmhouses forming part of the township of Marsden, which also covered what was to become Nelson. The construction in 1832 of the first cotton mill just off Lob Lane (now Clitheroe Road) close to the Marsden coal pit led to the massive growth of the settlement during the mid-1800s. New mills were quickly established along the banks of the canal and people migrated into the area to work in the cotton industry, many coming from the mining areas of North Yorkshire as the lead seams were worked out. The cotton industry continued to be the main employer until well into the 1960s, and it was only in 2006 that BSN (formerly Smith & Nephew) finally ceased production of woven cloth at Brierfield Mills.
Mordor, the evil land in "The Lord of the Rings", was reportedly based on the town of Brierfield. J. R. R. Tolkien would often visit the neighbouring town of Fence, where there is a clear aerial view of Brierfield. At the time he was writing the book, Brierfield would have been covered by a large amount of thick, black smoke coming from the factory chimneys. He realised that this was how he envisaged Mordor, and therefore based it on Brierfield.Fact|date=February 2007

Famous residents

*Saj Karim, European Parliament member.
*Mohammed Afzal Khan, Lord Mayor of Manchester 2005–06.
*Matt Thorley, Player of Boston United F.C.
*Saira Hussain, Famous Architect
*Several members of celebrated 1960's pop act The Hollies came from Brierfield, including long-time bass guitarist Bernie Calvert and Alan Buck drummer with the Four Pennies of "Juliet" fame.

References

External links

* [http://www.stluke-brierfield.org.uk St. Luke's, Brierfield Parish Church]
* [http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/oldmap/os1845/brierfld/brierfld.htm Map of Brierfield c. 1845]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/virtual_tours/b.shtml Virtual tours of Lancashire] , including Brierfield
* [http://www.pendlelife.co.uk/roundabout/opencms/directory/community_associations/brierfieldcybercafe/ Brierfield Cyber Cafe]
* [http://towpathtreks.co.uk/LLC/burnley_lane_foulridge_tunnel.html#brierfield Leeds Liverpool Canal in Brierfield]
* [http://www.stlukes-brierfield.org.uk St. Luke's, Organ Restoration Project]