Oxton, Merseyside
Encyclopedia
Oxton is a suburb of Birkenhead
, on the Wirral Peninsula
, England
. Administratively it is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
. Originally a village in its own right, it became part of the Municipal Borough
of Birkenhead upon its creation in 1877. Before local government reorganisation
on 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough
of Birkenhead, within the county of Cheshire
.
The Royal Mail redefined Oxton in 2003, as being within Prenton
(which is in fact a geographically separate suburb of Birkenhead) instead of Birkenhead.
, meaning "a farm or enclosure where oxen are kept". By 1278, the name had been adapted into Old English
as Oxeton and was recorded as Oxon in 1549.
Oxton was once one of the most affluent areas in England mainly due to its proximity to Liverpool
and the fact that along with various other Merseyside locations, it was a favourite residential area for wealthy Liverpool merchants and tradesmen of the time. Oxton Village is a mainly early Victorian era
settlement with fine sandstone
and brick built houses, many of which now form part of a conservation area
designated in April 1979 and administered by the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral.
Some of these buildings have been designated by English Heritage
as Grade II listed.
A significant part of the land on which Oxton is situated was part of the Estate of the Earl of Shrewsbury
- this has been commemorated over the years in many of the road names, which bear the family names and titles of the various Earls; Alton Road, Beresford Road, Chetwynd Road, Ingestre Road, Shrewsbury Road, Talbot Road, Waterford Road and Wexford Road. The oldest pub in Oxton Village is called the 'Shrewsbury Arms' (presumably for the same reason) and the bar which is now known as the 'Oxton Bar and Terrace' was formerly the 'Talbot Hotel'.
Christ Church opened in 1849 and has a Father Willis
organ, installed in 1888.
was exclusively a boys' school from its founding in 1860 until 2000, when its Sixth Form became co-educational. It became fully co-educational in 2008. Birkenhead High School
was formally an independent selective school for girls but became a state-funded all-ability Academy
school in 2009.
Both changes are driven by falling numbers of pupils in the schools as a result of the abolition of the Assisted Places Scheme. Despite this both schools maintain their place around the top of the Wirral A Level results.
In addition Prenton Preparatory School lies in the heart of the Conservation Area and Oxton St Saviour's is the local primary school. A number of other schools lie just outside the boundary of Oxton, including St. Anselm's College, Redcourt Preparatory School and Townfield Primary School.
, the population of Oxton was 14,066, consisting of 6,680 males and 7,386 females.
Some 2005 demographic statistics of area CH43, which encompasses the geographical area of Oxton, Claughton
and parts of Bidston
and Noctorum
, (total CH43 population (2005): 36,443) are:
. Frank Field MP
(Labour
) is therefore Oxton's parliamentary representative.
, with an electorate of 11,237 (as of 6 May 2010).
Electorate: 11,237; Turnout: 65.1%; Majority: 631
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
, on the Wirral Peninsula
Wirral Peninsula
Wirral or the Wirral is a peninsula in North West England. It is bounded by three bodies of water: to the west by the River Dee, forming a boundary with Wales, to the east by the River Mersey and to the north by the Irish Sea. Both terms "Wirral" and "the Wirral" are used locally , although the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Administratively it is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It has a population of 311,200, and encompasses of the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula. Major settlements include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby. The city of...
. Originally a village in its own right, it became part of the Municipal Borough
Municipal borough
Municipal boroughs were a type of local government district which existed in England and Wales between 1835 and 1974, in Northern Ireland from 1840 to 1973 and in the Republic of Ireland from 1840 to 2002...
of Birkenhead upon its creation in 1877. Before local government reorganisation
Local Government Act 1972
The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....
on 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough
County borough
County borough is a term introduced in 1889 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , to refer to a borough or a city independent of county council control. They were abolished by the Local Government Act 1972 in England and Wales, but continue in use for lieutenancy and shrievalty in...
of Birkenhead, within the county of Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
.
The Royal Mail redefined Oxton in 2003, as being within Prenton
Prenton
Prenton is a suburb of Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, England and a 'post town' in the CH postcode area. Administratively, it is also a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough of Birkenhead, within...
(which is in fact a geographically separate suburb of Birkenhead) instead of Birkenhead.
History
The name Oxa-tún derives from Old NorseOld Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
, meaning "a farm or enclosure where oxen are kept". By 1278, the name had been adapted into Old English
Old English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
as Oxeton and was recorded as Oxon in 1549.
Oxton was once one of the most affluent areas in England mainly due to its proximity to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and the fact that along with various other Merseyside locations, it was a favourite residential area for wealthy Liverpool merchants and tradesmen of the time. Oxton Village is a mainly early Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
settlement with fine sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
and brick built houses, many of which now form part of a conservation area
Conservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
designated in April 1979 and administered by the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral.
Some of these buildings have been designated by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
as Grade II listed.
A significant part of the land on which Oxton is situated was part of the Estate of the Earl of Shrewsbury
Earl of Shrewsbury
Earl of Shrewsbury is a hereditary title of nobility created twice in the peerage of England.-First creation, 1074:The first creation occurred in 1074 for Roger de Montgomerie, one of William the Conqueror's principal counselors...
- this has been commemorated over the years in many of the road names, which bear the family names and titles of the various Earls; Alton Road, Beresford Road, Chetwynd Road, Ingestre Road, Shrewsbury Road, Talbot Road, Waterford Road and Wexford Road. The oldest pub in Oxton Village is called the 'Shrewsbury Arms' (presumably for the same reason) and the bar which is now known as the 'Oxton Bar and Terrace' was formerly the 'Talbot Hotel'.
Christ Church opened in 1849 and has a Father Willis
Henry Willis & Sons
thumb|250px|St Bees Priory organ, the last major instrument to be personally supervised by "Father" Henry Willis, 1899Henry Willis & Sons is a British firm of pipe organ builders founded in 1845 in Liverpool. Although most of their installations have been in the UK, examples can be found in other...
organ, installed in 1888.
Education
Independent and selective Birkenhead SchoolBirkenhead School
Birkenhead School is an independent, selective, co-educational school located on the Wirral Peninsula in the northwest of England. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.-Overview:The school is subdivided into...
was exclusively a boys' school from its founding in 1860 until 2000, when its Sixth Form became co-educational. It became fully co-educational in 2008. Birkenhead High School
Birkenhead High School
Birkenhead High School Academy is an all-ability state funded girls' Academy in Birkenhead, Wirral.-Admissions:It is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust, a national educational charity based in London. Its predecessor school was Birkenhead High School, which was an independent selective school...
was formally an independent selective school for girls but became a state-funded all-ability Academy
Academy (England)
In the education system of England, an academy is a school that is directly funded by central government and independent of control by local government in England. An academy may receive additional support from personal or corporate sponsors, either financially or in kind...
school in 2009.
Both changes are driven by falling numbers of pupils in the schools as a result of the abolition of the Assisted Places Scheme. Despite this both schools maintain their place around the top of the Wirral A Level results.
In addition Prenton Preparatory School lies in the heart of the Conservation Area and Oxton St Saviour's is the local primary school. A number of other schools lie just outside the boundary of Oxton, including St. Anselm's College, Redcourt Preparatory School and Townfield Primary School.
Sport
Oxton Sports Club is also located here. Founded in 1875 as Oxton Cricket Club, other sports played at the club include tennis, lacrosse, squash and bowls.Demographics
At the 2001 CensusUnited Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, the population of Oxton was 14,066, consisting of 6,680 males and 7,386 females.
Some 2005 demographic statistics of area CH43, which encompasses the geographical area of Oxton, Claughton
Claughton, Merseyside
Claughton is a residential district in Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. It is close to the main shopping area of Birkenhead town centre, and Birkenhead Park is partly located within its boundaries. Administratively, Claughton is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral...
and parts of Bidston
Bidston
Bidston is a suburb of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Administratively, it is also a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough of Birkenhead, within the geographical county of Cheshire...
and Noctorum
Noctorum
Noctorum is a suburb of Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, England, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. At the 2001 Census the population of Noctorum was 4,990 ....
, (total CH43 population (2005): 36,443) are:
| Median Age | 39 |
| % Retirees | 21.9% |
| % Unemployed | 4.4% |
| Total Migrants | 3,497 |
| % Total Migrants | 9.6% |
| Average distance travelled to fixed place of work | 12km |
Governance
Oxton is part of the Birkenhead parliamentary constituencyBirkenhead (UK Parliament constituency)
Birkenhead is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-History:...
. Frank Field MP
Frank Field (UK politician)
Frank Ernest Field DL is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead since 1979. From 1997 to 1998, he served as the Minister of Welfare Reform, before leaving the Government, following differences with Prime Minister Tony Blair...
(Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
) is therefore Oxton's parliamentary representative.
Local Councillors
After reorganisation in 2004, Oxton forms an electoral ward of the Metropolitan Borough of WirralMetropolitan Borough of Wirral
The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It has a population of 311,200, and encompasses of the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula. Major settlements include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby. The city of...
, with an electorate of 11,237 (as of 6 May 2010).
| Metropolitan Borough of Wirral: Oxton Ward | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Councillor | Party | |||
| S.E. Kelly | Liberal Democrat | |||
| A. Brighouse | Liberal Democrat | |||
| Mrs Patricia Williams | Liberal Democrat | |||
2010 local elections
The results of the Local Election for Oxton Ward on 6 May 2010 were:Electorate: 11,237; Turnout: 65.1%; Majority: 631
Notable connections
- Sir Leslie Patrick Abercrombie - town planner, commemorated with an English HeritageEnglish HeritageEnglish Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
blue plaqueBlue plaqueA blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
on Village Road, Oxton. - Dominic ByrneDominic ByrneDominic Anthony Byrne is a newsreader for BBC Radio 1 and a presenter on the BBC News Channel.-Biography:Born in Norwich, Norfolk, Byrne attended St Ivo School before attending Bournemouth University for two weeks. However, he dropped out to work at a local radio station...
- BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
newsreader and part of the Chris MoylesChris MoylesChristopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
Breakfast Show team, used to live in the village. - Michael ChanMichael Chan, Baron ChanMichael Chew Koon Chan, Baron Chan, MBE was a Singaporean-British physician and politician, of Chinese descent....
- Baron Chan of Oxton in the County of Merseyside. - Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
- singer/songwriter, lived briefly in Oxton. - Nicola HorlickNicola HorlickNicola Karina Christina Horlick, is a British investment fund manager.-Early life:...
- businesswoman. - Penny HughesPenny HughesPenny Hughes CBE is a British businesswoman.Hughes was educated at Birkenhead High School. While at the school she represented the county at hockey and lacrosse. She was awarded a first-class degree in chemistry from Sheffield University. She joined Procter & Gamble, as a technologist, then moved...
- businesswoman. - Miles KaneMiles KaneMiles Peter Kane is an English musician originally from Meols on the Wirral near Liverpool, best known as the co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets and former frontman of The Rascals...
- music artist in the band The RascalsThe Rascals (English band)The Rascals were an indie rock band from the Hoylake, England. Consisting of Joe Edwards and Greg Mighall .Both members were previous members of now-defunct indie band The Little Flames....
and working with Alex Turner in The Last Shadow PuppetsThe Last Shadow PuppetsThe Last Shadow Puppets is a band consisting of Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, Miles Kane formerly of The Rascals, and composer/producer James Ford.-Formation:...
. - Charlie LandsboroughCharlie LandsboroughCharlie Landsborough, is a British country and folk musician and singer-songwriter. He started singing professionally in the 1970s, and is now one of the UK's top country acts. He is also popular in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.-Life:Born in Wrexham, Wales, Landsborough was the youngest...
- singer/songwriter. - Pete PricePete PricePete Price is a British media personality and radio presenter, based in Merseyside, England. He is best known for the Sunday night talk radio show Pete Price: Unzipped, broadcast across sister stations City Talk 105.9 and Radio City 96.7. The show is aired live from 10pm to 2am and follows an open...
- radio DJ and talk show host. - Patricia RoutledgePatricia RoutledgeKatherine Patricia Routledge, CBE is an English character comedy actress and singer. She is best known for her role as character Hyacinth Bucket in the British television series Keeping Up Appearances and Hetty Wainthropp in the British television series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates...
- actress, famous for the BBC televisionBBC TelevisionBBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
sitcom Keeping Up AppearancesKeeping Up AppearancesKeeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke for the BBC. Centred on the life of eccentric, social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket , the sitcom portrays a social hierarchy-ruled British society...
. From TranmereTranmere, MerseysideTranmere is a suburb of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Administratively, it is also a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough of Birkenhead, within the geographical county of Cheshire...
, but went to school in Oxton. - F. E. Smith, 1st Earl of BirkenheadF. E. Smith, 1st Earl of BirkenheadFrederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead GCSI, PC, KC , best known to history as F. E. Smith , was a British Conservative statesman and lawyer of the early 20th century. He was a skilled orator, noted for his staunch opposition to Irish nationalism, his wit, pugnacious views, and hard living...
- lawyer and politician, portrayed as "Lord Birkenhead" in the film Chariots of FireChariots of FireChariots of Fire is a 1981 British film. It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice....
. - Colonel Philip Toosey - officer played by Alec GuinnessAlec GuinnessSir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE was an English actor. He was featured in several of the Ealing Comedies, including Kind Hearts and Coronets in which he played eight different characters. He later won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai...
in the film Bridge over the River Kwai.
- Fraiche - Merseyside's first Michelin starred restaurant.
External links
- Oxton Village Online
- The Oxton Society
- The Oxton Artists
- The Oxton Society: Oxton In History, by John Green (2006) Word document Acrobat pdf file