Stockton Heath
Encyclopedia
Stockton Heath is a civil parish and suburban area of the Borough of Warrington
in Cheshire
, England
. It is located to the north of the Bridgewater Canal
and to the south of the Manchester Ship Canal
, which divides Stockton Heath from Latchford
and north Warrington. It has a total resident population of 6,396.
Victoria Square is at the centre of Stockton Heath and is on the crossroads of the A49 and A56. Until the 1970s, the Victoria Hotel stood on this square but its location has been redeveloped. North of the square is the main shopping area which includes the Forge Shopping Centre, developed on the site of the old forge (Caldwell's). Stockton Heath is home to a number of modern bars and restaurants, as well as traditional public houses. The Red Lion Inn dates back to the early 19th century and the Mulberry Tree on Victoria Square, opened in its present building (replacing earlier premises dating from 1725) in March 1907 http://parish.cheshire.gov.uk/stocktonheathpc/Mulberry%20Tree.htm.
Since 1988, much of the centre of Stockton Heath has been designated a conservation area to preserve its character - see http://www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/11_St_Heath_tcm31-3129.pdf - but at the same time, there has been redevelopment work with several new bars and restaurants moving into the centre of Stockton Heath.
ran through S. Heath, along the route now known (appropriately) as Roman Road. There have been some excavations; more information is available at Warrington Museum.
Excavations of the large Roman industrial settlement in the suburbs of modern day Wilderspool
and Stockton Heath have unearthed a Roman mask, one of only a handful found in Europe, and the first evidence of this settlement was unearthed during the early excavation of the Bridgewater canal in S. Heath in 1770. Primary evidence points to a probable temple to Minerva
on the site, a strong focus on pottery and glass bead paste making industries, and a trapezoidal building of unidentified purpose. that one author suggests may have been an auxiliary fort.
Although the name S. Heath appears to have been conferred on the village at a later date (indeed the area itself has been described rather as "a hamlet of little consequence and no development until the 19th century"), many secondary references state that a family bearing the name Stockton lived in the area from the end of the 13th Century until at least the end of the 15th.
In 1643, parliamentarian
forces under the command of Sir William Brereton advanced from Northwich
to lauch an attack on Warrington, the Lancashire headquarters of the royalist James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby
. Sir William's troops were routed at the "Battle of S. Heath". Unverified local legend has it that many of the parliamentarian soldiers were buried at Hill Cliffe and Budworth. The battle is referred to in the 1859 novel Hollywood Hall by James Grant
:
"A priory, situated in a wooded hollow, ruined and battered as the Royalists had left it in 1643, next caught my eye, when, riding rapidly on, I approached a wide waste common called S. Heath, past which the Mersey rolled amid swamps and morasses filled with rushes and willows."
The same novel frequently refers to Stockton Heath as a "waste" and makes numerous references to swamps nearby. This description contrasts sharply with the variants of "fashionable shopping village" frequently encoutered in the literature of estate agents today.
Early maps refer to a hamlet by the name of Stoken (or Stocken) where the present village of Stockton Heath now stands. However, more detailed old maps of the area of Acton Grange show a sparsely populated hamlet and refers only to the old buildings and bridges recognisable today in street names in the area, such as Whitefield Cottage.
The Bridgewater Canal
, one of two canals that pass through the village, reached Stockton Heath in 1772, the year of the death of its designer, James Brindley
In the 1900's George Formby Senior
moved his young family to Stockton Heath and it was from here that George Formby Junior began his entertainment career. Their house, Hillcrest, is a listed building. George Formby Senior died in Stockton Heath in 1921.
In 1974, Stockton Heath, historically part of Cheshire, became incorporated into the borough of Warrington under the Local Government Act 1972
. Warrington, historically part of Lancashire, became a Cheshire borough under the act.
2008 saw the first ever Stockton Heath Festival, which is now going into its fifth year. It is situated on Mill Lane Field in Stockton Heath, although it takes place over many venues throughout Grappenhall, Appleton and Stockton Heath. In 2011, the Stockton Heath Festival attracted 12,000 visitors.
, Stockton Heath adjoins Appleton, Grappenhall
and Walton
.
It typically takes between seven and ten minutes on the bus and about twenty-five to thirty-five minutes on foot to reach Warrington town centre.
which is represented in the House of Commons
by David Mowat MP (con).
Stockton Heath is a multi-member ward within Warrington borough. It is served by two councillors, currently Celia Jordan and Sue Dodd, both of whom are representatives of the Liberal Democrat Party. At the most recent borough elections, Councillor Jordan was re-elected, with 48% of the votes cast.
Stockton Heath is also served by a parish council, comprising seventeen members, including two borough councillors. Part of its responsibility is to facilitate dialogue with Warrington Borough Council.
http://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/Stockton%20Heath%20Ward_tcm15-9946.pdf
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
in 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...
, 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...
. It is located to the north of the Bridgewater Canal
Bridgewater Canal
The Bridgewater Canal connects Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh, in North West England. It was commissioned by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, to transport coal from his mines in Worsley to Manchester...
and to the south of the Manchester Ship Canal
Manchester Ship Canal
The Manchester Ship Canal is a river navigation 36 miles long in the North West of England. Starting at the Mersey Estuary near Liverpool, it generally follows the original routes of the rivers Mersey and Irwell through the historic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. Several sets of locks lift...
, which divides Stockton Heath from Latchford
Latchford
Latchford is a suburban district and electoral ward of the unitary borough of Warrington, in Cheshire, England. It is around one mile south of Warrington town centre and has a total resident population of 7,856....
and north Warrington. It has a total resident population of 6,396.
Victoria Square is at the centre of Stockton Heath and is on the crossroads of the A49 and A56. Until the 1970s, the Victoria Hotel stood on this square but its location has been redeveloped. North of the square is the main shopping area which includes the Forge Shopping Centre, developed on the site of the old forge (Caldwell's). Stockton Heath is home to a number of modern bars and restaurants, as well as traditional public houses. The Red Lion Inn dates back to the early 19th century and the Mulberry Tree on Victoria Square, opened in its present building (replacing earlier premises dating from 1725) in March 1907 http://parish.cheshire.gov.uk/stocktonheathpc/Mulberry%20Tree.htm.
Since 1988, much of the centre of Stockton Heath has been designated a conservation area to preserve its character - see http://www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/11_St_Heath_tcm31-3129.pdf - but at the same time, there has been redevelopment work with several new bars and restaurants moving into the centre of Stockton Heath.
History
A Roman roadRoman road
The Roman roads were a vital part of the development of the Roman state, from about 500 BC through the expansion during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Roman roads enabled the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate. The Roman road system spanned more than 400,000 km...
ran through S. Heath, along the route now known (appropriately) as Roman Road. There have been some excavations; more information is available at Warrington Museum.
Excavations of the large Roman industrial settlement in the suburbs of modern day Wilderspool
Wilderspool
Wilderspool is a district of Warrington, England, located near to the town centre. Its area is basically Wilderspool Causeway and the streets coming off it; the limits being the River Mersey into the Stockton Heath Area of Warrington , Bridgefoot , and Centre Park...
and Stockton Heath have unearthed a Roman mask, one of only a handful found in Europe, and the first evidence of this settlement was unearthed during the early excavation of the Bridgewater canal in S. Heath in 1770. Primary evidence points to a probable temple to Minerva
Minerva
Minerva was the Roman goddess whom Romans from the 2nd century BC onwards equated with the Greek goddess Athena. She was the virgin goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, magic...
on the site, a strong focus on pottery and glass bead paste making industries, and a trapezoidal building of unidentified purpose. that one author suggests may have been an auxiliary fort.
Although the name S. Heath appears to have been conferred on the village at a later date (indeed the area itself has been described rather as "a hamlet of little consequence and no development until the 19th century"), many secondary references state that a family bearing the name Stockton lived in the area from the end of the 13th Century until at least the end of the 15th.
In 1643, parliamentarian
Roundhead
"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings...
forces under the command of Sir William Brereton advanced from Northwich
Northwich
Northwich is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It lies in the heart of the Cheshire Plain, at the confluence of the rivers Weaver and Dane...
to lauch an attack on Warrington, the Lancashire headquarters of the royalist James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby
James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby
James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby KG was a supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.Born at Knowsley, he is sometimes styled the Great Earl of Derby, eldest son of William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby and Lady Elizabeth de Vere. During his father's life he was known as Lord Strange...
. Sir William's troops were routed at the "Battle of S. Heath". Unverified local legend has it that many of the parliamentarian soldiers were buried at Hill Cliffe and Budworth. The battle is referred to in the 1859 novel Hollywood Hall by James Grant
James Grant (author)
James Grant was a Scottish author.Grant was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was a distant relation of Sir Walter Scott. He was a prolific author, writing some 90 books, including many yellow-backs...
:
"A priory, situated in a wooded hollow, ruined and battered as the Royalists had left it in 1643, next caught my eye, when, riding rapidly on, I approached a wide waste common called S. Heath, past which the Mersey rolled amid swamps and morasses filled with rushes and willows."
The same novel frequently refers to Stockton Heath as a "waste" and makes numerous references to swamps nearby. This description contrasts sharply with the variants of "fashionable shopping village" frequently encoutered in the literature of estate agents today.
Early maps refer to a hamlet by the name of Stoken (or Stocken) where the present village of Stockton Heath now stands. However, more detailed old maps of the area of Acton Grange show a sparsely populated hamlet and refers only to the old buildings and bridges recognisable today in street names in the area, such as Whitefield Cottage.
The Bridgewater Canal
Bridgewater Canal
The Bridgewater Canal connects Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh, in North West England. It was commissioned by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, to transport coal from his mines in Worsley to Manchester...
, one of two canals that pass through the village, reached Stockton Heath in 1772, the year of the death of its designer, James Brindley
James Brindley
James Brindley was an English engineer. He was born in Tunstead, Derbyshire, and lived much of his life in Leek, Staffordshire, becoming one of the most notable engineers of the 18th century.-Early life:...
In the 1900's George Formby Senior
George Formby, Sr.
George Formby , born James Booth, was an English comedian and musician. He was a star in Edwardian music halls, singing and clowning in a sardonic style that influenced the young Charlie Chaplin. Formby was plagued by ill-health and suffered from tuberculosis, but despite this was one of the...
moved his young family to Stockton Heath and it was from here that George Formby Junior began his entertainment career. Their house, Hillcrest, is a listed building. George Formby Senior died in Stockton Heath in 1921.
In 1974, Stockton Heath, historically part of Cheshire, became incorporated into the borough of Warrington 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....
. Warrington, historically part of Lancashire, became a Cheshire borough under the act.
2008 saw the first ever Stockton Heath Festival, which is now going into its fifth year. It is situated on Mill Lane Field in Stockton Heath, although it takes place over many venues throughout Grappenhall, Appleton and Stockton Heath. In 2011, the Stockton Heath Festival attracted 12,000 visitors.
Schools
The original LEA primary school of 1910 was demolished in October 2008, despite a strong campaign to retain it, after a new school had been built adjacent. There is also a C of E primary school now located next to Alexandra Park. This was opened in 1974 and relocated from its original site opposite St Thomas' Church. The original St Thomas' school was opened in 1833 and the building was eventually demolished (along with a late Victorian extension) in the late 1970s. On its site now stands a modern health centre.Geography and administration
On the south side of the Manchester Ship CanalManchester Ship Canal
The Manchester Ship Canal is a river navigation 36 miles long in the North West of England. Starting at the Mersey Estuary near Liverpool, it generally follows the original routes of the rivers Mersey and Irwell through the historic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. Several sets of locks lift...
, Stockton Heath adjoins Appleton, Grappenhall
Grappenhall
Grappenhall is a suburban village in Warrington, Cheshire, England. It is situated along the Bridgewater Canal, and forms one of the principal settlements of Grappenhall and Thelwall civil parish...
and Walton
Walton, Cheshire
Walton is a civil parish within the borough of Warrington in Cheshire, northern England.Walton is at the southwest edge of the borough, next to the parish of Stockton Heath. It is also close to Daresbury and Moore, although these are in the neighbouring borough of Halton.Walton is divided into...
.
It typically takes between seven and ten minutes on the bus and about twenty-five to thirty-five minutes on foot to reach Warrington town centre.
Political representation
Stockton Heath forms part of the Warrington South parliamentary constituencyWarrington South (UK Parliament constituency)
-Elections in the 2000s:In 2006 Paul Kennedy joined the Conservative Party, becoming a Conservative Councillor on Warrington Borough Council in May 2008, representing the Hatton, Stretton & Walton Ward.-Elections in the 1990s:...
which is represented in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
by David Mowat MP (con).
Stockton Heath is a multi-member ward within Warrington borough. It is served by two councillors, currently Celia Jordan and Sue Dodd, both of whom are representatives of the Liberal Democrat Party. At the most recent borough elections, Councillor Jordan was re-elected, with 48% of the votes cast.
Stockton Heath is also served by a parish council, comprising seventeen members, including two borough councillors. Part of its responsibility is to facilitate dialogue with Warrington Borough Council.
Demographics
Data is based on that of Stockton Heath Wardhttp://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/Stockton%20Heath%20Ward_tcm15-9946.pdf
Population
- Total population: 6,420 residents
- Male:Female ratio: 48.9%:51.1%
- Average age of population: 39.9 years
Housing situation
- Households: 2,700
- 84.9% are owner occupied houses
- 6.9% are rented council houses
- 6.7% are privately rented houses
- 1.4% are rent free houses
Social situation
- Population density: 45.2 residents per hectare
- 46.4% of residents say this ward is a "comfortably well-off" area (based on ACORN index)
- 2.9% of residents are on some form of benefits.
- 3.0% of households are classed as overcrowded.
Employment
- 67.9% are employed.
- 2.2% are unemployed.
- 1.7% are students.
- 28.2% are classed as "economically inactive".
Education
- 16.9% have no qualifications whatsoever.
- 42.9% have only level 1 or 2 qualifications.
- 33.0% have level 3 qualifications or higher.