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Revision as of 15:32, 30 September 2006
Template:GBthumb Middleton is a small town in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Census in the United Kingdom taken in 2001, it has a population of 45,580 people and includes 19,423 households. Since 1974 the town has been in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, having previously formed a municipal borough in Lancashire. It is approximately halfway between Rochdale and Manchester.
History
Middleton is known primarily for being a Lancashire industrial town with major links to the silk industry stretching back to the 19th century.
Although Middleton is famous for its industrial links, some parts of the town pre-date this. Middleton Parish Church was built in the 16th century but it is also possible that some parts of the church, a wooden steeple in particular, may date from Norman times. Below the Parish Church on Long Street is the Old Boar's Head Inn, this is said to date from at least 1632. Its main use was a coaching inn on the Chester to York route.
Most of Middleton's other main buildings were designed by Edgar Wood who was an influential English Architect of his day.
The town's local newspaper, the Middleton Guardian has a history going back to Victorian times.
More recently Langley, a Manchester City Council built housing estate which is part of Middleton, was the setting and location for Ken Loach's 1993 film Raining Stones starring Bruce Jones. It has also been the setting for the 1978 TV play, The Spongers. Both where written by Jim Allen who lived in the area and helped build the Langley estate as a young builder.
Transport
Recently a brand new Middleton Bus Station was built in place of the old one, next to the Middleton Arndale shopping centre. The bus station is purported to have been (at time of construction) the most expensive bus station in Europe.
By motorway Middleton can be reached by leaving the M60 ring road at junction 19 and following the A576 or alternatively the M62 at junction 19 by following the A6046.
By train, the nearest train station is Mills Hill railway station on the border of Middleton and Chadderton.
Schools and Colleges
A list of schools and colleges that are situated in the Middleton area.
Primary
- Boarshaw Community Primary School
- Elm Wood Primary School
- Furrow Community School
- Hollin Primary School
- Langley Primary School
- Little Heaton CofE Primary School
- Middleton Parish CofE Primary School
- Parkfield Primary School
- St Gabriels CofE Primary School
- St John Fisher Catholic Primary School
- St Mary's RC Primary School
- St Peters RC Primary School
- St Thomas More RC Primary School
- St Michaels CofE Primary School
Secondary
- Cardinal Langley RC High School
- Middleton Technology School
- The Queen Elizabeth School
FE (Further Education)
- Hopwood Hall College - Middleton Campus.
Leisure and Entertainment
Middleton has a busy leisure centre and also a civic centre. There are major plans to re-develop both places to improve the area in which they are situated and the services they currently offer.
Middleton is also host to many local clubs for various sports, one of which is Middleton Cricket Club who are currently playing in the Central Lancashire Cricket League.
Famous People
A list of famous people that are from, or have lived in Middleton:
- The Chameleons Influential Post-Punk Rock Band
- Steve Coogan UK Comedian
- Martin Coogan Independent radio DJ and front man of The Mock Turtles
- David Gedge of the Indie bands The Wedding Present and Cinerama
- Paul Scholes Manchester United and England footballer
- Brian Kidd Former Manchester United Footballer
- Remi Moses Former Manchester United Footballer
- David May Ex Manchester United and Burnley footballer
- Bernard Manning World Famous Comedian
- Bob Smithies TV Presenter & Author
- Samuel Bamford Architect
- Clint Boon Inspiral Carpets band member
- Samantha Howarth Clothes designer for the film Gladiator
- Suranne Jones Coronation Street Actress
- Peter Cowap Legendary guitarist. His ‘Blue Plaque’ resides in the Old Boars Head.
Trivia
- The name "Middleton" comes from its location between the two towns ("middle" + "town").
- One nickname for Middletonians is "Moonrakers", which according to tales was due to poachers stashing their ill-gotten wares in ponds and pretending to rake the moon's reflection off the ponds, claiming to the authorities that they were trying to recover the green cheese (ie. the moon).
- Middleton is known affectionately as "Middy" and/or "Midd" by locals.
References
- Edgar Wood Website about the architect Edgar Wood.
- Middleton Guardian Middleton's local newspaper.
- Middleton Leisure Centre Rochdale Councils website with information for the Middleton Leisure Centre.
- Middleton Civic Centre Official Middleton Civic Centre website.
53°33′01″N 2°11′50″W / 53.55028°N 2.19722°W / 53.55028; -2.19722
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