Ulverston
Encyclopedia
Ulverston is a market town
and civil parish in the South Lakeland
district of Cumbria
in north-west England
. Historically
part of Lancashire
, the town is located in the Furness
area, close to the Lake District
, and just north of Morecambe Bay
.
Ulverston's most visible landmark is Hoad Monument
, a concrete structure built in 1850 to commemorate statesman
and local resident Sir John Barrow. The monument provides scenic views of the surrounding areas, including Morecambe Bay and parts of the Lake District
.
Ulverston Canal
, which is no longer navigable, is claimed to be the deepest, widest and shortest canal in the United Kingdom
at 1¼ miles. The canal was once a vital component of the town's economy.
The town is home to many shops and pubs, some of which are located on the stone sett (paving)
main street, Market Street. At the head of the street is the war memorial to local soldiers who died in World War I
.
, and Yewdale Beck. To the west the boundary follows a chain of hills, and beyond that lie the towns of Kirkby-in-Furness
and Askam and Ireleth
. To the south is relatively low land, but it rises quickly. In the north are hills such as Coniston Old Man. The settlements of the parish are mainly concentrated in the eastern part.
measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale. Tremors were felt across south Cumbria
and parts of north Lancashire
at 11.22 BST
, although virtually no damage was caused by them. A spokesman for the British Geological Survey
said that earthquakes of around that magnitude occur roughly once a year in Britain. It was the largest seismic event in the region since a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck Lancaster
in 1835.
The name Ulverston, first recorded in the Domesday Book
(1086) as Ulvrestun probably means 'Úlfarr's farm' from the Old Norse
personal name Úlfarr and tun, 'farm, homestead' or the equivalent Old English Wulfhere + tūn. The names Úlfarr and Wulfhere both translate roughly as 'wolf warrior' or 'wolf army', which explains the presence of a wolf on the town's coat of arms. The loss of the 'W' in Wulfhere can be attributed to the historic Scandinavian influence
in the region. Locally, the town has traditionally been known as Oostan. Other variations of the name recorded throughout history include Oluestonam (1127), and Uluereston (1189).
The town's market charter was granted in 1280 by Edward I
. This was for a market
every Thursday; modern Ulverston keeps its old market town appearance, and market days are now held on both Thursdays and Saturdays. The charter also allowed for all public house
s to open from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm irrespective of any other statute on the books. During the summer months the Saturday market day is themed with craft stalls, charity stalls and locally produced wares on "Made in Cumbria" stalls.
Historically, the ancient parish included several other chapelries or township
s which later became separate civil parishes: Blawith, Church Coniston, Egton
with Newland
, Lowick
, Mansriggs, Osmotherley
, Subberthwaite and Torver
. From 1894 to 1974 the town constituted an urban district
in the administrative county of Lancashire
. It became a successor parish
in the Cumbria district of South Lakeland under the Local Government Act 1972
.
Over the years the town has been the birthplace of several famous people. Sir John Barrow, born at Dragley Beck, Ulverston, was the Admiralty
's Second Secretary: a much more important position than First Secretary. A monument to him—a replica of the third Eddystone Lighthouse
—stands on Hoad Hill
overlooking the town. Famous Ulverstonians include Norman Birkett
, who represented Britain
at the Nuremberg Trials
; Maude Green, the mother of Rock and Roll
music legend, Bill Haley
; Norman Gifford
, an England test cricketer; Francis Arthur Jefferson
, a soldier awarded with the Victoria Cross
; and comedian Stan Laurel
, of Laurel and Hardy
fame. The Laurel & Hardy Museum is situated in Ulverston, and in 2009 a statue of the duo was unveiled by comedian Ken Dodd
, outside Coronation Hall in the town centre.
One of Ulverston's lesser known sons is the late Bryan Martin, senior BBC Radio 4 Newsreader and Presenter of the 70s and 80s, whose dulcet tones on the "Today" programme announced to the country the death of Elvis Presley in 1977 and broke the news of the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980. He appeared in The News Quiz, occasionally introduced The Goon Show, and read the spoof "news bulletin" which always featured in the middle of the comedy The Men From the Ministry.
(UVHS) is the town's secondary school
with approximately 1200 pupils. The school has a sixth form
which draws students from Ulverston as well as the surrounding areas; the numbers of students attending is roughly 200. There are also three infant school
s, two junior school
s, and five primary schools. Also, one disabled school
in the vicinity. The nearest access to private education is Chetwynde School
in Barrow-in-Furness
.
, which serves the town, is located on the Furness Line
from Barrow-in-Furness
to Lancaster
, ultimately leading on to Manchester Airport. The railway station is a short walk from the town centre. The town is also served by several bus services. These include the X 35, running to Kendal from Barrow in Furness, via Grange over Sands. The X 12 runs from Coniston and passes through the village of Spark Bridge
. Other services include the X 31 to Tarn Hows and the 6A and 6 to Barrow in Furness, the largest town in the region.
and tissue paper
and parading them through the town in winding rivers of light. The annual event culminates in a lively display of theatrical performance and fireworks in Ford Park, and was organised by the community themselves for the first time in 2007.
Other popular festivals include:
Details and dates of the festivals can be found on the ulverstonuk.co.uk website.
U10's and below only play friendlies while U11's upwards play league football. Their strip is white with a black/orange trim, black shorts and black/white socks
GSK Ulverston Rangers adults wear a full blue strip with a black trim
They are the current holders of the Barton Townley cup.
in France
.
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
and civil parish in the South Lakeland
South Lakeland
South Lakeland is a local government district in Cumbria, England. Its council is based in Kendal. It includes much of the Lake District.The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972...
district of Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
in north-west 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...
. Historically
Historic counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
part of 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...
, the town is located in the Furness
Furness
Furness is a peninsula in south Cumbria, England. At its widest extent, it is considered to cover the whole of North Lonsdale, that part of the Lonsdale hundred that is an exclave of the historic county of Lancashire, lying to the north of Morecambe Bay....
area, close to the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
, and just north of Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay is a large bay in northwest England, nearly due east of the Isle of Man and just to the south of the Lake District National Park. It is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 310 km².-Natural features:The rivers Leven,...
.
Ulverston's most visible landmark is Hoad Monument
Hoad Monument
Hoad Monument is a 100 ft tower at the top of Hoad Hill , to the north-east of Ulverston in the Furness area of north-west England. It is a Grade II listed building in England and Wales, meaning that it is of more than local interest, and the monument stands as one of the iconic symbols of...
, a concrete structure built in 1850 to commemorate statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
and local resident Sir John Barrow. The monument provides scenic views of the surrounding areas, including Morecambe Bay and parts of the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
.
Ulverston Canal
Ulverston Canal
The Ulverston Canal is a canal in the town of Ulverston, Cumbria, England. It is claimed to be the deepest, widest and straightest canal in the UK. It is entirely straight and on a single level...
, which is no longer navigable, is claimed to be the deepest, widest and shortest canal in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
at 1¼ miles. The canal was once a vital component of the town's economy.
The town is home to many shops and pubs, some of which are located on the stone sett (paving)
Sett (paving)
A sett, usually the plural setts and in some places called a Belgian block, often incorrectly called "cobblestone", is a broadly rectangular quarried stone used originally for paving roads, today a decorative stone paving used in landscape architecture...
main street, Market Street. At the head of the street is the war memorial to local soldiers who died in World War I
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...
.
Geography
Ulverston is a comparatively large civil parish. It is bounded in the east by the Leven estuary, Crake, Coniston WaterConiston Water
Coniston Water in Cumbria, England is the third largest lake in the English Lake District. It is five miles long, half a mile wide, has a maximum depth of 184 feet , and covers an area of . The lake has an elevation of 143 feet above sea level...
, and Yewdale Beck. To the west the boundary follows a chain of hills, and beyond that lie the towns of Kirkby-in-Furness
Kirkby-in-Furness
Kirkby-in-Furness is a village in the Furness area of Cumbria, England. It is about 5 km south of Broughton in Furness and 8 km northwest of Ulverston. It is one of the largest villages on the peninsula's north-western coast, looking out over the Duddon estuary and the mountains of the...
and Askam and Ireleth
Askam and Ireleth
During the Middle Ages, the entire area was controlled by the Cistercian monks of Furness Abbey. During this time, Ireleth was little more than one of many farming communities in Furness. The iron ore developments of Askam largely bypassed Ireleth, and the village developed slowly, housing farmers...
. To the south is relatively low land, but it rises quickly. In the north are hills such as Coniston Old Man. The settlements of the parish are mainly concentrated in the eastern part.
Earthquake
On 28 April 2009, Ulverston was near the epicentre of an earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale. Tremors were felt across south Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
and parts of north 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...
at 11.22 BST
British Summer Time
Western European Summer Time is a summer daylight saving time scheme, 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. It is used in the following places:* the Canary Islands* Portugal * Ireland...
, although virtually no damage was caused by them. A spokesman for the British Geological Survey
British Geological Survey
The British Geological Survey is a partly publicly funded body which aims to advance geoscientific knowledge of the United Kingdom landmass and its continental shelf by means of systematic surveying, monitoring and research. The BGS headquarters are in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, but other centres...
said that earthquakes of around that magnitude occur roughly once a year in Britain. It was the largest seismic event in the region since a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck Lancaster
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
in 1835.
History
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
(1086) as Ulvrestun probably means 'Úlfarr's farm' from the Old Norse
Old 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....
personal name Úlfarr and tun, 'farm, homestead' or the equivalent Old English Wulfhere + tūn. The names Úlfarr and Wulfhere both translate roughly as 'wolf warrior' or 'wolf army', which explains the presence of a wolf on the town's coat of arms. The loss of the 'W' in Wulfhere can be attributed to the historic Scandinavian influence
Nordic migration to the United Kingdom
Scandinavian migration to the British Isles is a phenomenon that has been occurring for nearly 1,500 years. Today, tens of millions of people living in the United Kingdom have some Scandinavian ancestry.-Population:...
in the region. Locally, the town has traditionally been known as Oostan. Other variations of the name recorded throughout history include Oluestonam (1127), and Uluereston (1189).
The town's market charter was granted in 1280 by Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
. This was for a market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
every Thursday; modern Ulverston keeps its old market town appearance, and market days are now held on both Thursdays and Saturdays. The charter also allowed for all public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
s to open from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm irrespective of any other statute on the books. During the summer months the Saturday market day is themed with craft stalls, charity stalls and locally produced wares on "Made in Cumbria" stalls.
Historically, the ancient parish included several other chapelries or township
Township (England)
In England, a township is a local division or district of a large parish containing a village or small town usually having its own church...
s which later became separate civil parishes: Blawith, Church Coniston, Egton
Egton
Egton is a village and civil parish in the Scarborough district of North Yorkshire, England about west of Whitby. There is a nearby village called Egton Bridge which is home to Egton railway station. The village was included in the Survey of English Dialects. Unlike the other sites, a full book...
with Newland
Newland
-Places:Australia* Electoral district of Newland, a state electoral district in South Australia* Lake Newland Conservation Park, South AustraliaFinland* Uusimaa, a region in Finland, literally meaning "Newland"United Kingdom...
, Lowick
Lowick, Cumbria
Lowick is a village and civil parish in the South Lakeland district of the English county of Cumbria. Until 1974 it formed part of Lancashire). The village appears in records as early as 1202 as Lofwik, and later as Laufwik: the name derives from the Old Norse "Lauf-vík" .The parish is made up of...
, Mansriggs, Osmotherley
Osmotherley
Osmotherley is an English village and civil parish, situated in the Hambleton hills in North Yorkshire.It is likely that Osmotherley means the clearing or 'ley' , belonging to a Viking called 'Asmund' or a Saxon called 'Osmund'...
, Subberthwaite and Torver
Torver
Torver is a hamlet and civil parish in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria south west of the village of Coniston and west of Coniston Water....
. From 1894 to 1974 the town constituted an urban district
Urban district
In the England, Wales and Ireland, an urban district was a type of local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected Urban District Council , which shared local government responsibilities with a county council....
in the administrative county of 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...
. It became a successor parish
Successor parish
Successor parishes are civil parishes with a parish council created by the Local Government Act 1972 in England. They replaced, with the same boundaries, a selected group of urban districts and municipal boroughs that were abolished in 1974. Most successor parish councils exercised the right to...
in the Cumbria district of South Lakeland under the Local Government Act 1972
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....
.
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
's Second Secretary: a much more important position than First Secretary. A monument to him—a replica of the third Eddystone Lighthouse
Eddystone Lighthouse
Eddystone Lighthouse is on the treacherous Eddystone Rocks, south west of Rame Head, United Kingdom. While Rame Head is in Cornwall, the rocks are in Devon and composed of Precambrian Gneiss....
—stands on Hoad Hill
Hoad Monument
Hoad Monument is a 100 ft tower at the top of Hoad Hill , to the north-east of Ulverston in the Furness area of north-west England. It is a Grade II listed building in England and Wales, meaning that it is of more than local interest, and the monument stands as one of the iconic symbols of...
overlooking the town. Famous Ulverstonians include Norman Birkett
William Norman Birkett, 1st Baron Birkett
William Norman Birkett, 1st Baron Birkett, QC PC was a British barrister, judge, politician and preacher who served as the alternate British judge during the Nuremberg Trials. Educated at Barrow-in-Furness Grammar School...
, who represented Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
at the Nuremberg Trials
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals, held by the victorious Allied forces of World War II, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of the defeated Nazi Germany....
; Maude Green, the mother of Rock and Roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
music legend, Bill Haley
Bill Haley
Bill Haley was one of the first American rock and roll musicians. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets and their hit song "Rock Around the Clock".-Early life and career:...
; Norman Gifford
Norman Gifford
Norman Gifford was an English cricketer, who played primarily as a left-arm spinner...
, an England test cricketer; Francis Arthur Jefferson
Francis Arthur Jefferson
Francis Arthur Jefferson VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, a soldier awarded with the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
; and comedian Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
, of Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
fame. The Laurel & Hardy Museum is situated in Ulverston, and in 2009 a statue of the duo was unveiled by comedian Ken Dodd
Ken Dodd
Kenneth Arthur Dodd OBE is a British comedian and singer songwriter, famous for his frizzy hair or “fluff dom” and buck teeth or “denchers”, his favourite cleaner, the feather duster and his greeting "How tickled I am!", as well as his send-off “Lots and Lots of Happiness!”...
, outside Coronation Hall in the town centre.
One of Ulverston's lesser known sons is the late Bryan Martin, senior BBC Radio 4 Newsreader and Presenter of the 70s and 80s, whose dulcet tones on the "Today" programme announced to the country the death of Elvis Presley in 1977 and broke the news of the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980. He appeared in The News Quiz, occasionally introduced The Goon Show, and read the spoof "news bulletin" which always featured in the middle of the comedy The Men From the Ministry.
Education
Ulverston Victoria High SchoolUlverston Victoria High School
Ulverston Victoria High School is a Mathematics and Computing Specialist school in the town of Ulverston, Cumbria, Northern England.-Ofsted:...
(UVHS) is the town's secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
with approximately 1200 pupils. The school has a sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
which draws students from Ulverston as well as the surrounding areas; the numbers of students attending is roughly 200. There are also three infant school
Infant school
An Infant school is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom for school for children between the ages of four and seven years. It is usually a small school serving a particular locality....
s, two junior school
Junior school
A junior school is a type of school which caters for children, often between the ages of 7 and 11.-Australia:In Australia, a junior school is usually a part of a private school that educates children between the ages of 5 and 12....
s, and five primary schools. Also, one disabled school
Special education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
in the vicinity. The nearest access to private education is Chetwynde School
Chetwynde School
Chetwynde School is a non-selective, independent, private school, which takes boys and girls from ages 3 to 18. It includes a nursery, primary school, secondary school and sixth form. The school is situated on a site on Rating Lane in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England.- History :Chetwynde was...
in Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
.
Transport
Ulverston railway stationUlverston railway station
Ulverston railway station is a railway station that serves the town of Ulverston in Cumbria, England.It is located on the Furness Line from Barrow-in-Furness to Lancaster. It is operated by First TransPennine Express....
, which serves the town, is located on the Furness Line
Furness Line
The Furness Line, in North West England, runs from Barrow-in-Furness to Ulverston and Grange-over-Sands, connecting with the West Coast Main Line at Carnforth...
from Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
to Lancaster
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
, ultimately leading on to Manchester Airport. The railway station is a short walk from the town centre. The town is also served by several bus services. These include the X 35, running to Kendal from Barrow in Furness, via Grange over Sands. The X 12 runs from Coniston and passes through the village of Spark Bridge
Spark Bridge
Spark Bridge is a former mill village in Cumbria, England on the border of the Lake District National Park. The village is small in population, due to the large amount of houses bought by tourists.- Facilities in the village :...
. Other services include the X 31 to Tarn Hows and the 6A and 6 to Barrow in Furness, the largest town in the region.
Twin towns
Ulverston is twinned with Albert (France). The two towns regularly meet to play football at Easter with the Cyril Barker Shield being contested every year. The two towns switch between each others towns for the tournament. Honours: Cyril Barker Shield Albert: 2000, 2001, 2002; Ulverston: 2009, 2010, 2011Festival town
Ulverston calls itself a 'Festival Town' in reference to the many and varied festivals which take place in Ulverston over the course of the year. The most renowned of these is the Lantern Procession, which involves hundreds of local residents creating lanterns out of willowWillow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
and tissue paper
Tissue paper
Tissue paper is a lightweight paper or, light crêpe paper. Tissue can be made both from virgin and recycled paper pulp.-Properties:Key properties are: strength, absorbency, basis weight, thickness , brightness, stretch, appearance and comfort....
and parading them through the town in winding rivers of light. The annual event culminates in a lively display of theatrical performance and fireworks in Ford Park, and was organised by the community themselves for the first time in 2007.
Other popular festivals include:
- Flag Festival
- Dickensian Festival
- Beer Festival
- Charter Festival
- International Music Festival
- Furness Tradition
- Comedy Festival
- Word Market—including 'Pub Scripts'
- Walking Festival
- Spring Buddhist Festival
- Print Fest
- Summer Buddhist Festival
- Ulverston Carnival Parade
- Furness Festival of Tradition
- Summer Music Festival
- Festival of Fashion
- The Feast of St George
- Breastfeeding Festival
Details and dates of the festivals can be found on the ulverstonuk.co.uk website.
Football
Ulverston's football team is GSK Ulverston Rangers FC. They play in the Barrow junior district league. They play their home games at Glaxo or Dragley Beck depending on age.U10's and below only play friendlies while U11's upwards play league football. Their strip is white with a black/orange trim, black shorts and black/white socks
GSK Ulverston Rangers adults wear a full blue strip with a black trim
Rugby League
Ulverston ARLFC is The RL team in Ulverston. They play their home games at Pain Lane. They wear a blue with white trim strip with blue shorts and blue socks. They play in the north west counties rugby league.They are the current holders of the Barton Townley cup.
Notable people
- Amelia Edith Barr (née Huddleston)Amelia Edith Huddleston BarrAmelia Edith Barr in Ulverston, Lancashire, England, died March 10, 1919) was a British American novelist.-Biography:...
, American novelist, born in Ulverston - Sir John Barrow
- Norman Birkett
- Harry ChristianHarry ChristianHarry Christian VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces....
VC - John EcclestonJohn EcclestonJohn Eccleston is a puppeteer, writer and presenter known for his work as lead puppeteer of Rygel in Farscape, Groove in The Hoobs and his many roles on British children's television alongside Don Austen...
, puppeteer and former children's TV presenter - Francis Arthur JeffersonFrancis Arthur JeffersonFrancis Arthur Jefferson VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
VC - Stan LaurelStan LaurelArthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
- William Basil WestonWilliam Basil WestonWilliam Basil Weston VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
VC - Scott HoustonScott HoustonScott Houston is a piano player, author, teacher and television personality who hosts and co-produces the Public Television series The Piano Guy. He also is the featured performer on a Public Television pledge special titled Play Piano in a Flash...
International links
Despite being titled the The Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Barrow-in-Furness, one of the numerous consulates of Norway is actually located on the outskirts of Ulverston. Ulverston also has one twin town which is AlbertAlbert, Somme
Albert is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.It is located about halfway between Amiens and Bapaume.-History:Albert was founded as a Roman outpost called Encre, in about 54 BC...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
External links
- The official Ulverston website (26 June 2010 - site currently under redevelopment)
- Ulverston history at GENUKI
- Heritage First (formerly Ulverston Heritage Centre)
- Ulverston on the web
- Virtual tour of the town
- Ulverston Victoria High School (UVHS)
- Ulverston International Music Festival
- Lanternhouse International
- Go Ulverston
- Ford Park
- Radio Furness