History Warrington

1 history

1.1 history
1.2 english civil war
1.3 industrial history
1.4 second world war
1.5 post-war expansion
1.6 ira bombing
1.7 other history

history

early history

warrington has been major crossing point on river mersey since ancient times , there roman settlement @ wilderspool. local archaeological evidence indicates there bronze age settlements also. in medieval times warrington s importance market town , bridging point of river mersey. first reference bridge @ warrington found in 1285. origin of modern town located in area around st elphin s church, included in church street conservation area, established whilst main river crossing via ford approximately 1 km upriver of warrington bridge.

english civil war

warrington fulcrum in english civil war. armies of oliver cromwell , earl of derby both stayed near old town centre (the parish church area). popular legend has cromwell lodged near building survives on church street cottage restaurant. marquis of granby public house bears plaque stating earl of derby had quarters near site . dents in walls of parish church rumoured have been caused cannons time of civil war. on 13 august 1651 warrington scene of last royalist victory of civil war when scots troops under charles ii , david leslie, lord newark, fought parliamentarians under john lambert @ battle of warrington bridge.

industrial history

the expansion , urbanisation of warrington largely coincided industrial revolution, particularly after mersey made navigable in 18th century. britain became industrialised, warrington embraced industrial revolution becoming manufacturing town , centre of steel (particularly wire), textiles, brewing, tanning , chemical industries. navigational properties of river mersey improved, canals built, , town grew yet more prosperous , popular. when age of steam came, warrington naturally welcomed it, both means of transport , source of power mills.

second world war

many people, particularly americans, remember warrington best location of raf station burtonwood burtonwood raf base. during world war ii, served largest army air force airfield outside united states, , visited major american celebrities humphrey bogart , bob hope entertained gis. raf station continued in use usaaf , subsequently usaf staging post men , material until closure in 1993.

post-war expansion

warrington designated new town in 1968 , consequently town grew in size, birchwood area being developed on former rof risley site. heavy industry declined in 1970s , 1980s growth of new town led great increase in employment in light industry, distribution , technology.

ira bombing

on 20 march 1993, provisional irish republican army (ira) detonated 2 bombs in warrington town centre. blasts killed 2 children: three-year-old jonathan ball died instantly, , twelve-year-old tim parry, great sankey area died 5 days later in hospital. around 56 other people injured, 4 seriously. deaths provoked widespread condemnation of organisation responsible. blast followed bomb attack few weeks earlier on gas-storage plant in warrington.

tim parry s father colin parry founded tim parry johnathan ball foundation peace (known peace centre) part of campaign reconcile communities in conflict. centre opened on seventh anniversary of bombing, 20 march 2000. , family still live in town.

other history

in 1981, warrington first place field candidate new social democratic party; former home secretary roy jenkins stood parliament lost labour party candidate doug hoyle small number of votes.

there raf training camp @ padgate, royal naval air base @ appleton thorn (rnas stretton) , army base @ peninsula barracks in o leary street. territorial army based @ bath street drill hall until moved peninsula barracks.

in october 1987, swedish home products retailer ikea opened first british store in burtonwood area of town, bringing more 200 retail jobs area.