Worsley

infobox UK place
latitude= 53.5093
longitude= -2.3845
official_name= Worsley
map_type= Greater Manchester
population=
os_grid_reference= SD7401
metropolitan_borough= Salford
metropolitan_county= Greater Manchester
region= North West England
country = England
post_town= MANCHESTER
postcode_area= M
postcode_district = M28
dial_code= 0161
constituency_westminster= Worsley
static_

static_image_caption=The Packet House on the Bridgewater Canal
london_distance=

Worsley is a town within the metropolitan borough of the City of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England.

It is known for being the start of the Bridgewater Canal.

The canal runs from what used to be a quarry at Worsley Delph – where it links with the old coal mine workings of the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater – to Castlefield in Manchester. This canal is fed by the water drained from these mine workings, known as the Worsley Navigable Levels, and it is known as the first true canal in England (as opposed to a river navigation), however, the Sankey Canal which is to the west, towards Liverpool, was constructed several years before the Bridgewater and has true claim to this title. When the canal was in use (other than for leisure), the village had many industries to support the life of the canal. The canal is known for it's rusty orange tint, caused by iron ore deposits from the mines. There is a monument to the Duke of Bridgewater on the village green. His home, Worsley Old Hall, still stands, but Worsley New Hall and the Brick Hall, the home of his descendants are now demolished.

History

Coal has been mined around Worsley since the 14th century, originally in open-cast pits. The coal seams in the area tend to be fairly thin, and to slant downwards from north to south, and so deeper mining became necessary during the 17th century. [Cooper, "Salford: An Illustrated History", p. 50]

The 3rd Duke of Bridgewater's nephew, Francis, inherited his uncle's fortune and became Lord Ellesmere. He is recorded as saying that he found Worsley to be "a God-forsaken place, full of drunken, rude people with deplorable morals". [Robinson, "The Architecture of Northern England", p. 160]

Notable residents

Notable people from Worsley include the actress Helen Cherry (the granddaughter of Jesse Wallwork the managing director of Bridgewater Estates), England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, England cricketers the Tyldesleys, Television commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, pop group The Dooleys and the world's only non-Spanish bull fighter. It is also the home of footballers Ryan Giggs, Alan Ball, Frank Worthington and Jason Wilcoxfact|date=September 2007.

References

Notes

Bibliography

*cite book |first=Glynis |last=Cooper |title=Salford: An Illustrated History |publisher=The Breedon Books Publishing Company |year=2005 |isbn=1859834558
*cite book |first=John Martin |last=Robinson |title=The Architecture of Northern England |publisher=Macmillan |year=1986 |isbn=0333373960

External links

* [http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/bridgewater/bri40.htm Photographs of the canal at Worsley]
* [http://www.isd.salford.ac.uk/library/resources/special/duke-bridgewater.xml Duke of Bridgewater Archive from the University of Salford site]
* [http://www.d.lane.btinternet.co.uk/canal.html The Duke of Bridgewater's Underground Canal at Worsley]
* [http://www.daveweb.co.uk/Worsley.htm Photos of "old" Worsley]
* [http://www.worsleyonline.org.uk Worsley history site]