Leonard Fairclough & Son
Encyclopedia
Leonard Fairclough & Son Ltd was a construction firm based in Adlington
, Lancashire
, England.
, a stonemason
in Adlington
who established his business in 1883. Leonard's son, Leonard Miller Fairclough, joined the company and continued to run it during the First World War
. From 1917 the company traded as Leonard Fairclough Limited. In 1927 Leonard Miller Fairclough became chairman of the company and retained this position until he retired in 1965. The company specialised in bridge building.
During the 1950s the company built 31 bridges in the Manchester
area and bridges on the Preston by-pass which was the first motorway in England, later part of the M6
. During this decade they laid the foundations for the Silver Jubilee Bridge between Runcorn
and Widnes
and constructed its carriageway. In 1982 they joined William Press Group
to form the AMEC
group.
Adlington, Lancashire
Adlington is a town and civil parish in Lancashire, England, near the West Pennine Moors and the town of Chorley. Six miles northwest of Bolton, it became a separate parish in 1842 then grew into a town around the textile industry. It has a population of 5,270.-Toponymy:The last element 'ington'...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England.
History
The firm was founded by Leonard FaircloughLeonard Fairclough
Leonard Fairclough was a stonemason who founded Leonard Fairclough & Son which later merged with William Press Group to become AMEC, one of the United Kingdom's largest engineering businesses.-Career:...
, a stonemason
Stonemasonry
The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of civilization - creating buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone from the earth. These materials have been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures...
in Adlington
Adlington, Lancashire
Adlington is a town and civil parish in Lancashire, England, near the West Pennine Moors and the town of Chorley. Six miles northwest of Bolton, it became a separate parish in 1842 then grew into a town around the textile industry. It has a population of 5,270.-Toponymy:The last element 'ington'...
who established his business in 1883. Leonard's son, Leonard Miller Fairclough, joined the company and continued to run it during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. From 1917 the company traded as Leonard Fairclough Limited. In 1927 Leonard Miller Fairclough became chairman of the company and retained this position until he retired in 1965. The company specialised in bridge building.
During the 1950s the company built 31 bridges in the Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
area and bridges on the Preston by-pass which was the first motorway in England, later part of the M6
M6 motorway
The M6 motorway runs from junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange, near Rugby via Birmingham then heads north, passing Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and terminating at the Gretna junction . Here, just short of the Scottish border it becomes the A74 which continues to...
. During this decade they laid the foundations for the Silver Jubilee Bridge between Runcorn
Runcorn
Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port within the borough of Halton in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. In 2009, its population was estimated to be 61,500. The town is on the southern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the north...
and Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
and constructed its carriageway. In 1982 they joined William Press Group
William Press Group
William Press Group was leading British engineering business which merged with Leonard Fairclough & Son to become a FTSE 100 Company.-History:The Company was founded by William Allpress in 1913 in London....
to form the AMEC
AMEC
AMEC plc is a global consultancy, engineering and project management company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is focused on the oil and gas, minerals and metals, renewable energy, environment and infrastructure sectors and has offices in 40 countries worldwide...
group.