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Template:Infobox England place Golborne is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. Historically part of Lancashire, and has a population 23,119.

Geography and administration

Civic history

Under the Local Government Act 1972, in force from the 1 April 1974, the urban district of Golborne, established in 1894 (and expanded in 1933 by adding part of Leigh Rural District) was split, with the parts of Culcheth and Newchurch becoming part of the Warrington district in Cheshire, and the rest of the district becoming part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan of Greater Manchester.

Golborne has Warrington as it's postown, it's postcode being WA3 (Warrington), the postal addresses in Golborne being ... Golborne, Warrington, WA3 ***.

History

Etymology

Golborne's name is derived from gold+bourne, referring to the golden flowers that used to grow by the banks of the Millingford Brook.

Early history

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The town was referred to in the Domesday book. The town owed most of its early growth to the mining industry. In one form or another Golborne has existed for many centuries. According to the official guide book this township, situated close by the west coast route from North to South, has seen men of all nationalities during its history; Ancient Briton, Phoenician Tin and Salt traders, Roman legionary, Saxons, Danes and Normans. This may well be true because of Golborne's position and her proximity to the ancient townships of Wigan and Warrington. We can be certain that Golborne has seen many colourful events and interesting people, both famous and obscure during its long history. Friars, beggars, scholars, merchants, soldiers, Kings, Princes, thieves and highwaymen, must all have been known here.

Here legend says, lived a knight who won fame by battling with, and slaying, a fearsome dragon. For this valiant deed he was granted land and a manor, which some say was that of Goulbourne, to give the place its ancient spelling. In the old fields near the golf club stands a large tumulus, known as Castle Hill, where tradition says Alfred, the wise king, buried his treasure, although to date it had never been found.

The venerable Bede, whose writings placed us far ahead of any other European nation in knowledge of our early history during the Dark Ages and beyond, came to Golborne. He wrote in his Ecclesiastical History of England of the well near Golborne sacred to St. Oswald's memory. This well, in a field beside the ancient winding way from Golborne dale to Winwick, probably marks the spot where Pagan king Penda slew Oswald, Christian, Saint and King, in the great battle of Maserfield over a thousand years ago.

Of the local places of interest Holcroft Hall, which is now a farm, was once the home of one of the cheekiest criminals in history. This was Colonel Blood, who during the reign of Charles II attempted to, and very nearly succeeded in stealing the Crown Jewels. King Charles was so amazed and amused by Blood's audacity that he pardoned him. Blood was married to Maria the daughter of Mr. Holcroft of Holcroft Hall. The marriage took place at Newhurch Church, much against the will, of Maria’s father.

The escapade of Colonel Blood brings us into contact with national history and we shall now have a glance at Golborne's connection with national events. In particular Golborne saw many exciting events during the English Civil War, 1642-1649. The lane south through Golborne Dale to Winwick has rung out to the tramp of soldierly feet both of the Cavalier and Roundhead armies. As Golborne is in the heart of the fighting area of Lancashire the manor often saw both triumphant advance and disorderly retreat.

One notable battle in 1648 was that of Red Gap fought on ground close by the old road south from Golborne. This battle was part of the campaign known as the 2nd Civil War. For this campaign the Scots had come over to the side of Charles I and had rapidly advanced into England. Oliver Cromwell,(left) the leader of the Roundhead Army, whose statue now stands at Bridge Foot in Warrington, intercepted the Scots at Preston and, in a series of running battles between Preston, Wigan and Warrington, of which Red Gap was one, he defeated the Scots even though his army was outnumbered by 10 to 1. It was after the battle Of Red Gap that Cromwell resolved to bring the King to trial and shortly afterwards “That man of blood” as the Roundheads called the King, was tried and finally executed on the 30th January, 1649.

Recent history

Much of the population growth occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, when the town largely developed as a satellite town for the nearby towns of Warrington, Leigh and Wigan. In addition many inhabitants moved in from the nearby cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

In April 1979 there was a Methane Explosion at the town's colliery, caused by an electrical spark, which took the lives of ten of the miners.(of eleven present, only one survived). The colliery closed around 10 years later in 1989. The location of the former colliery is known locally as the 'Bonk' (slang for bank, as in 'Railway Embankment, and is now used as a Business Park.

For some years there has been an on-going campaign to re-open the town's former railway station, which could potentially enable passengers to reach Wigan and Warrington in as little as 10 minutes. The plans seem recently to have been shelved, in favour of further development of residential areas.

Demographics

Golborne has a population of around 30,000 people. The population is made up of many older people who have lived in Golborne all of their lives and in recent years, many former inhabitants of Liverpool and Manchester have settled in Golborne, many continuing to commute to work in these places as well as in nearby Warrington, St.Helens and Wigan. There are also many families which have lived in the area for generations.

Landmarks

• The parish church of Golborne is St Thomas Church, in the Deanery of Winwick, Diocese of Liverpool.
• Peter Kane Square and memorial clock.

On Sunday, March 19 the Rector of Golborne the Rev Robert Williams officiated at a service in Kidglove Road at what was the entrance to Golborne Colliery beside the inscribed memorial stone.

The service was attended by ex-miners and their families are invited to the event which is the fruition of two years of fund-raising to erect the six feet by three feet stone which was commissioned in memory of men and women who died and worked at Golborne Colliery which opened in 1880 and closed in 1989.

The memorial was conceptualised by the Golborne Ex-Miners Association who staged a series of concerts to help towards the cost of the stone. Also funding was received from a community chest grant from Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, Alpla (UK) Ltd of Golborne and The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation and ex miner Dean Mitchell (mitchell landscapes) did all landscaping on the memorial site & did it with pride .

Famous Haydock Park Race Course is also nearby, and is located in Haydock, next to Golborne. The Park is edged by a tall wall which forms the Boundary between Haydock, Ashton in Makerfield, Golborne and Newton le Willows. Haydock Park Racecourse is, of course, part of the village of Haydock, which nowadays is taken in by the Borough of St.Helens, however, neighbouring Wigan Borough are constantly on the offensive, trying to take over what is a Jewel in the St.Helens Borough's crown.

Notable residents

• Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers striker, and England World Cup Winner of 1966, Roger Hunt was born in the town just before the outbreak of World War II in 1938.
• Former WWF and WCW professional wrestler Davey Boy Smith was born in Golborne.
• Former WWF professional wrestler Thomas Billington was born in Golborne.
• World Flyweight Champion Boxer (1938-1943) Peter Kane, came from Heywood, Lancashire and lived in Golborne for a short time, as a boy. Recently a new town square on the high street was named after him.
• Former Wigan Warriors Rugby League star Danny Tickle is from Golborne.

External links

• LeighLife: The Leigh area community website
• http://www.freewebs.com/golborneisland/front.htm

• Articles lacking sources from October 2006
• Towns in Greater Manchester
• Wigan