Walmersley
Encyclopedia
Walmersley is small settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury
, Greater Manchester
, England
.
Once a rural village in the wilds of Lancashire
, in recent decades, it has become a northern suburb
of Bury
.
Old stone cottages remain in the area, but much of the district's housing is of post-war construction.
The A56 (Walmersley Road) links Walmersley with Bury
to the south and Shuttleworth
, Ramsbottom
and Edenfield
to the north. Before this 'new' road was built the road north from Bury followed the line of Walmersley Old Road. The old 'coach road' went through Baldingstone and Nangreaves and onto Hardern Moor and beyond to Shuttleworth and Edenfield. Junctions led to the then thriving mills in Deeply Vale and Birtle Dene. Deeply Vale has more contemporary fame as the location of the Deeply Vale Festivals
. The old road was one of the many roads in East Lancashire constructed by John Metcalf
, perhaps better known as Blind Jack Metcalf, a civil engineer from Knaresborough.
The Walmersley conservation area was designated in November 2003. It covers Christ Church, its churchyard, the former school and school master's house, together with the adjacent Spur Petroleum site which contains the former Walmersley Brewery buildings. The whole site is an excellent record of a small but important part of Walmersley, and illustrates generally well preserved elements of stone built ecclesiastical and industrial architecture from the mid to late 19th century. These buildings were severely damaged in a fire, suspected to have been deliberate by one party or another...this is disputed especially by those wanting to develop the land. Yet plans have been approved to redevelop the Spur site with the retention and reuse of some of the older buildings.
The main industry and largest employer in Walmersley is Tetrosyl, the largest manufacturer and supplier of car care products in the United Kingdom. Based in Bevis Green Works, the company is privately owned with an annual turnover of over £80 million, producing oils and lubricants, refinishing, and DIY products.
and, in 1894, the Technical School, Broad Street, Bury
now being refurbished to form the Museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers
.
Baldingstone House, probably the oldest property in the area, was built in about 1615. In the 17th century the house was home of the Kay family. Indeed it is believed the house was built by Richard Kay a blacksmith with a smithy at Baldingstone. Richard was married to Alice Kay, from Sheephey, Shuttleworth whose brother Robert was
the father of John Kay
, the inventor of the Flying Shuttle
.
Metropolitan Borough of Bury
The Metropolitan Borough of Bury is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, in North West England. Lying to the north of the City of Manchester, the borough is composed of six towns: Bury, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich, and has a population of 181,900...
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and 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...
.
History
The name Walmersley is said to be derived from Old English, and translates as Waldmer's wood, or clearing.Once a rural village in the wilds 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...
, in recent decades, it has become a northern suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Bury
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
.
Old stone cottages remain in the area, but much of the district's housing is of post-war construction.
The A56 (Walmersley Road) links Walmersley with Bury
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
to the south and Shuttleworth
Shuttleworth, Lancashire
Shuttleworth is a hamlet at the northeastern extremity of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the South Pennines, north of Bury and south of Edenfield; Scout Moor Wind Farm lies to the immediate east...
, Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England. It is situated on the course of the River Irwell, in the West Pennine Moors. Historically within Lancashire, it is located north-northwest of Bury, and north-northwest of Manchester...
and Edenfield
Edenfield
Edenfield is a village within the Rossendale borough of Lancashire, England. Lying on the River Irwell, it is around north of Ramsbottom, south of Rawtenstall, and west of Norden, and has a total population of 2,080....
to the north. Before this 'new' road was built the road north from Bury followed the line of Walmersley Old Road. The old 'coach road' went through Baldingstone and Nangreaves and onto Hardern Moor and beyond to Shuttleworth and Edenfield. Junctions led to the then thriving mills in Deeply Vale and Birtle Dene. Deeply Vale has more contemporary fame as the location of the Deeply Vale Festivals
Deeply Vale Festivals
The Deeply Vale Festivals were a unique free festival held in northwest England in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979. It is regarded as the one of significant events that united punk music into the festival scene.-Deeply Vale Free Festival:...
. The old road was one of the many roads in East Lancashire constructed by John Metcalf
John Metcalf (civil engineer)
John Metcalf , also known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough or Blind Jack Metcalf, was the first of the professional road builders to emerge during the British Industrial Revolution....
, perhaps better known as Blind Jack Metcalf, a civil engineer from Knaresborough.
The Walmersley conservation area was designated in November 2003. It covers Christ Church, its churchyard, the former school and school master's house, together with the adjacent Spur Petroleum site which contains the former Walmersley Brewery buildings. The whole site is an excellent record of a small but important part of Walmersley, and illustrates generally well preserved elements of stone built ecclesiastical and industrial architecture from the mid to late 19th century. These buildings were severely damaged in a fire, suspected to have been deliberate by one party or another...this is disputed especially by those wanting to develop the land. Yet plans have been approved to redevelop the Spur site with the retention and reuse of some of the older buildings.
The main industry and largest employer in Walmersley is Tetrosyl, the largest manufacturer and supplier of car care products in the United Kingdom. Based in Bevis Green Works, the company is privately owned with an annual turnover of over £80 million, producing oils and lubricants, refinishing, and DIY products.
Landmarks
Christ Church, Walmersley located on Walmersley Road. In 1838 the Walmersley parish was formed by sub-dividing the ancient, larger Bury parish. A church was built beside what was then the 'new' road but in 1883 the present church, a neo-gothic design by Maxwell and Tuke was built. The east window of the first church was preserved and built into the new building. Amongst other buildings Maxwell & Tuke designed Blackpool TowerBlackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower Eye is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. . Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it rises to 518 feet & 9 inches . The tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers...
and, in 1894, the Technical School, Broad Street, Bury
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
now being refurbished to form the Museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers
Lancashire Fusiliers
The Lancashire Fusiliers was a British infantry regiment that was amalgamated with other Fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.- Formation and early history:...
.
Baldingstone House, probably the oldest property in the area, was built in about 1615. In the 17th century the house was home of the Kay family. Indeed it is believed the house was built by Richard Kay a blacksmith with a smithy at Baldingstone. Richard was married to Alice Kay, from Sheephey, Shuttleworth whose brother Robert was
the father of John Kay
John Kay
John Kay may refer to:*John Kay , English inventor of textile machinery, notably the flying shuttle*John Kay , English developer of textile machinery, notably the spinning frame *John Kay , Scottish caricaturist*Sir John Kay...
, the inventor of the Flying Shuttle
Flying shuttle
The flying shuttle was one of the key developments in weaving that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. It was patented by John Kay in 1733. Only one weaver was needed to control its lever-driven motion. Before the shuttle, a single weaver could not weave a fabric wider than arms length. Beyond...
.