Pilling

Infobox UK place
official_name= Pilling
population= 1,739 (2001 Census)
country= England
os_grid_reference= SD405485
london_distance= 204 mi (329 km) SE
latitude= 53.929461
longitude= -2.905516
shire_district= Wyre
shire_county= Lancashire
region= North West England
post_town= PRESTON
postcode_area= PR
postcode_district= PR3
dial_code= 01253
constituency_westminster=
static_

static_image_caption=The church of St John the Baptist, in Pilling
london_distance=

Pilling is a village and civil parish within the Wyre borough of Lancashire, England. It is convert|6.5|mi|km|1 north-northeast of Poulton-le-Fylde, convert|9.4|mi|km|1 south-southwest of Lancaster and convert|14.5|mi|km|1 northwest of Preston, in a part of the Fylde known as Over Wyre.

The civil parish of Pilling, which includes the localities of Stake Pool, Scronkey and Eagland Hill, has a total resident population of 1,739. [cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadAreaSearch.do?a=7&c=pilling&d=16&i=1001&m=0&enc=1&areaSearchText=pilling&areaSearchType=16&extendedList=true&searchAreas=Search |title=Pilling CP (Parish) |author= United Kingdom Census 2001 |publisher=neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk |accessdate=2007-06-12]

History

Toponymy

Pilling means "creek".Fact|date=June 2007 Pilling itself is a very ancient settlement, founded on what was essentially an "island" with the sea on one side and marsh on the others.

Early history

From artefacts finds, there is evidence of spasmodic human activity within this territory dating back to the Neolithic period. [cite web |title=Pilling: Introduction |url=http://www.pillingparish.org.uk/ |author=Pilling Parish Council |accessdate=2007-06-12 ]

There is a record of three churches at Pilling, the first one sited at Newer's wood had a moat, as had the first recorded church at Hambleton, consecrated in 1567. The Reverend J.D. Banister, Curate of Pilling 1825-1876, did a great deal of research on Pilling Moss, showing that in ancient times it was a forest.Fact|date=June 2007

On August 20, 1835, the shock of an earthquake was felt in Lancaster, Kendal, Garstang, Pilling, Poulton, Kirkham and Carleton.Fact|date=June 2007

Some of the materials that went into the extension of the Garstang railway from stnlnk|Pilling to stnlnk|Knott End-on-Sea came from Richard Fleetwood’s first charity school at Preesall. The school had gradually become more and more dilapidated so the contractors knocked it down and used the stones for the railway.

In 1808 Pilling Windmill was built. Due to the fact that Pilling is below sea level the mill itself is 75 ft (23m) tall, an exceptionally high one. The windmill, without its sails, still exists and is used as a private residence.

Governance

Since 1974, Pilling has formed part of the Wyre borough of Lancashire, having previously (from 1894) lain within the Garstang Rural District of Lancashire. [cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10000555 |title=A vision of Garstang RD |author=A vision of Britain through time |accessdate=2007-06-12] . Pilling has its own Parish Council.

Places of interest

Pilling has two pubs: The Elletson Arms in Stakepool and The Golden Ball in the village.

There are also several churches, including St. John the Baptist Church (Church of England) in the village, St. William's Church (Catholic) in Stakepool, and the Pilling Methodist Church in the village.

There are two primary schools: St. John's and St. William's, both associated with the respective churches.

Geography

Pilling is an extensive mossland parish covering some 3387 hectares situated on the southern corner of Morecambe Bay.

References

External links

* [http://www.pillingparish.org.uk/ www.pillingparish.org.uk] , Official parish website.
* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Pilling/ Pilling] , GENUKI article.