Poulton-le-Fylde
Poulton-le-Fylde (/ˈpoʊltən li ˌfaɪld/), commonly shortened to Poulton, is a market town in Lancashire, England, situated on the coastal plain called the Fylde. In the 2021 United Kingdom census, it had a population of 18,115.
Poulton-le-Fylde
There is evidence of human habitation in the area from 12,000 years ago, and several archaeological finds from Roman settlement in England have been found in the area. At the time of the Norman conquest, Poulton was a small agricultural settlement in the hundred of Amounderness. The church of St Chad was recorded in 1094, when it was endowed to Lancaster Priory.
By the post-Medieval period, the town had become an important commercial centre for the region with weekly and triannual markets. Goods were imported and exported through two harbours on the River Wyre. In 1837, the town was described as the "metropolis of the Fylde",[2] but its commercial importance waned from the mid-19th century with the development of the nearby coastal towns of Fleetwood and Blackpool.
Poulton has the administrative centre of the Borough of Wyre and is in the parliamentary constituency of Wyre and Preston North. It is part of the Blackpool Urban Area and approximately 5 miles (8 km) from Blackpool town centre. There are rail links to Blackpool and Preston, and bus routes to the larger towns and villages of the Fylde.
Poulton has a library and two secondary schools: Baines School and Hodgson Academy. There is a farmers' market once a month and since October 2011 there has been a weekly market on Mondays in the centre of the town.
Culture and community[edit]
In 2004 a group appointed by Wyre Borough Council carried out a study of Poulton as part of the Countryside Agency's Market Town Initiative.[77] Their Health Check and Action Plan identified "economic, transport & accessibility, environmental and social strengths and weaknesses" of Poulton.[78] The study noted that the town has no cinemas, theatres, museums or galleries and that there was popular demand for a cinema, a weekly market and more independent retailers.[75][79] There was also concern among residents that there are not enough facilities for young people.[80] Poulton has a library, operated by Lancashire County Council.[81]
Poulton's public spaces include the Jean Stansfield Memorial Park, Tithebarn Park and the Cottam Hall Playing Fields. Tithebarn Park, north-west of the town centre, was built on the site of a former railway halt, Poulton Curve. It features grass play areas.[82] The Cottam Hall Playing Fields, to the west of the town centre, include sports pitches and allotments.[83] There is a cricket ground to the north-east of the town.[84] Poulton includes part of the Wyre Way footpath.[85]
Poulton Gala is held annually in June and a farmers' market is held on the fourth Saturday of every month.[86] In October 2011, Wyre Borough Council introduced the return of a weekly market which takes place in the centre of Poulton every Monday.[87]
The town is also where, in the 1970s, the punk group Skrewdriver was formed. Although initially apolitical, the band went on to become internationally known as a neo-Nazi punk band.
Sport[edit]
Poulton F.C.[edit]
Poulton F.C., based at Cottam Hall on Blackpool Old Road, play in the West Lancashire Football League Premier Division (the 11th tier of the English football pyramid) as of August 2020. The club was founded in 1947 as Poulton Athletic. In 1961, an amalgamation occurred between Poulton Athletic and Poulton United, forming Poulton Town F.C. In 2013, Town was dropped from its name, becoming today's Poulton F.C.[88][89]
Fylde Cricket Club[edit]
Fylde Cricket Club, founded in the early 19th century, is one of the oldest clubs in Lancashire. Its home ground is commonly known as "The G", based on Moorland Road, close to Hodgson School.
Fylde joined the league in 1922. They won the Loxham Cup in the early 1970s and, in the decade that followed, the Shield and the Meyler on several occasions. The second eleven also added to the trophy collection by winning the respective competitions on a number of occasions. They formed third and fourth teams and played in the Fylde League, providing a bridge between junior and senior league cricket.
The club's first XI competes in the Palace Shield Premier Division, with a second and Sunday development team also running.[90]
Wyre Cricket Club[edit]
The club was formed in 1994 after the break-up of the Over Wyre A and B teams and competed in the Fylde Cricket League. In 1995 the club was renamed again as Thornton International CC because of a name clash with one of Thornton’s football teams. Further changes took place where the club was re-badged again to the current name of Wyre Cricket Club and took residence at Myerscough College in 1996, after Myerscough College built a golf academy on the grounds, the club subsequently moved again to Baines School in Poulton-le-Fylde in 2000 and then to its current home in 2006 to Cottam Hall grounds in Poulton-le-Fylde. Wyre CC left the Fylde Cricket League in 2013 (at the end of the 2014 season the Fylde Cricket League was officially dissolved).
The club joined the Palace Shield Cricket League for the 2014 season, the 1st XI won back to back promotions in the first years of joining, some years later the club entered in the 2nd XI into the Palace Shield league. The club also has a mid-week T20 team and competes in the Palace Shield T20 league.
Public services[edit]
Poulton's water and sewerage facilities are provided by United Utilities. The distribution network operator for electricity is Electricity North West. Home Office policing is provided by Lancashire Constabulary.[124] There was previously one police station in Poulton, which closed in January 2018.[125]
National Health Services are provided by NHS North West and primary care is delivered by the NHS North Lancashire Primary Care Trust. In 2004, the Poulton Market Town Initiative noted 11 general practices in the town (including Carleton).[126] Secondary care is provided by the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Acute medical cases are handled by Victoria Hospital in Blackpool and the North West Ambulance Service provides emergency patient transport.[127]