Woolton

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.37405
longitude= -2.86573
map_type= Merseyside
official_name= Woolton
population= 14,836
(2001 Census) [citeweb|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5941432&c=woolton&d=14&e=16&g=358367&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1208295482276&enc=1|title=2001 Census: Woolton (Ward)|work=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=15 April|accessyear=2008]
metropolitan_borough= City of Liverpool
metropolitan_county= Merseyside
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Liverpool Garston
post_town= LIVERPOOL
postcode_area= L
postcode_district= L25
dial_code= 0151
os_grid_reference= SJ425867
static_

static_image_caption= Woolton Street Woolton is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located to the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Allerton and Halewood.

History

Originally a separate village, it was incorporated into the City of Liverpool in 1913. The area was referred to as "Uluentune" in the Domesday Book, with the name translating as "farm of Wulfa".citeweb|url=http://bdaugherty.tripod.com/liverpool/woolton.html|title=Woolton, Liverpool|work=Brian Daugherty|accessdate=15 April|accessyear=2008] Shortly after the Domesday survey, which was completed in 1086, Woolton became part of the Barony of Halton and Widnes. In 1189, a charge was granted by John, Constable of Chester, to the order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, a religious order who protected the routes for Christians who were on a pilgrimage to The Holy Land. These Knights Hospitallers held land in Woolton for over 350 years, until it was confiscated from them in 1559 by Queen Elizabeth I. The manorial rights to Woolton passed from Queen Elizabeth to James I who sold them to William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby. Woolton then passed to Isaac Green, and through his daughter to her son Bamber Gascoyne of Childwall (MP for Liverpool 1780-96 and an ancestor of Bamber Gascoigne who hosted "University Challenge" for many years), and is presently owned by the Marquis of Salisbury.

Description

Woolton is a prestigious middle class suburb. Housing is primarily detached, although some well-preserved terraces survive in Woolton Village.

The village is also known for its numerous high standard pubs and inns, frequented by famous individuals from all around Liverpool.Fact|date=April 2008 Public houses such as The White Horse attract many customers. Also of note are the Victorian swimming baths building, and the public library converted from a methodist chapel.

Many Beatles landmarks can be found in Woolton, including 'Mendips' (Lennon's childhood home at 251 Menlove Avenue), Strawberry Field. Perhaps Woolton's biggest claim to fame is that John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met at St. Peter's garden fete on 6 July 1957. [citeweb|url=http://www.beatlesource.com/savage/1950s/57.07.06%20fete/57.07.06fete.html|title=The Savage Young Beatles|work=The Beatle Source|accessdate=15 April|accessyear=2008]

Places of Worship

Woolton features three Christian Churches. St. Peter's Church of England is located opposite its church hall. St. Mary's Catholic Church is found about 50 meters down Church Road and along a driveway around 150 meters south-west of St. Peters. Finally St. James's Methodist is found on Church Road South.

Attractions

*Woolton Woods and Camphill
*Strawberry Field
*White Horse Pub
*Woolton Hall
*Woolton Picture House

Transport

Hunts Cross Station is one mile south of Woolton, with local services on the southern route of the Manchester to Liverpool line between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road, and also Merseyrail's Northern Line to Liverpool Central and Southport. Liverpool South Parkway, one and a half miles to the west of Woolton, serves the same lines in addition to Crewe and Birmingham stopping services.

Bus services provide connections with Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the city centre, neighbouring districts and the broader Liverpool area.

Notable residents

*Fábio Aurélio, footballer with Liverpool F.C.
*Malandra Burrows, former "Emmerdale" actress and singer
*Dirk Kuyt, footballer, also with Liverpool F.C.
*John Lennon, ex-member of The Beatles
*Pepe Reina, footballer, Liverpool F.C.
*Fernando Torres, footballer, Liverpool F.C.
*Ernest Wright Alexander, World War I recipient of the Victoria Cross. The house in which he was born, "The Hayes", has now been demolished.
*Steve Brookstein, X Factor winner

References

External links

* [http://liverpoolstreetgallery.com/thumbnails.php?album=28 Liverpool Street Gallery - Liverpool 25]
* [http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Images/tcm21-29284.pdf Liverpool City Council, Ward Profile: Woolton]
* [http://www.lplradio.com LPL Radio- Local Online Radio Station]
* [http://www.savewooltoncinema.co.uk Campaign to save the cinema]