Cleator

See also: Cleator, Arizona

Cleator is a village in the English county of Cumbria and within the boundaries of the traditional county of Cumberland.

Cleator is 1½ miles south of the town of Cleator Moor on the A5086 road. Cleator was the original village, Cleator Moor being the moor above the village. It is the site of the former Kangol hat factory. The factory buildings are now empty with only a few office staff remaining in the adjacent building that houses the (now closed) factory shop. Cleator is located on the River Ehen, which is joined by the River Keekle at Longlands Lake.

On Thursday 19 November 2009, rainfall of over 300 mm was recorded in Cumbria. The surge of water off the fells of the Lake District flowed back to the Irish Sea down the rivers of West Cumbria, including the River Derwent which caused flooding and damage at Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington. The River Ehen burst its banks at Cleator, near to the Kangol factory, flooding fields and a number of residential properties. Cleator Flood Action Group, associated to the National Flood Forum, was established following this event, in order to work with relevant agencies to progress actions to prevent or reduce the consequences of any future flood events.

Cleator was the site of a number of mills (originally linen). This was how Kangol came to be located at Cleator. Following the development of iron ore mining in nearby areas, Cleator was site of associated works (hence the street name "Kiln Brow" and the location "The Forge"). The disused Longlands pit is now Longlands Lake nature reserve.

St Mary's Catholic Church was built by unemployed men. It has a grotto which mimics that of Lourdes and is the venue for an annual procession. Cleator lies on Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk and is on the edge of the Lake District, with Dent Fell on the skyline to the south east.

Cleator also boasts an Anglican church, St Leonard's, which dates to the 12th century.

Cleator Cricket Club, whose home is the picturesque J D Campbell Memorial Ground, field three teams, the 1st XI playing in the North West Counties League.

Cleator forms part of the district of Copeland. Cleator is near the historical town of Whitehaven.

External links

• Some details of the parish church
• Map sources for Cleator

Coordinates: 54°30′23″N 3°31′22″W / 54.50631°N 3.52272°W / 54.50631; -3.52272