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'''Eccleston''' is a [[civil parish]] and historic [[township (England)|township]] within the [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens]], [[Merseyside]]. The historic township of Eccleston was much larger and it extended into the modern town of [[St Helens]] [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10348766&c_id=10001043] Part of the township was united with Parr, Sutton and part of Windle to form the Borough of St Helens in 1868.
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.4539|-2.7748|display=inline,title}}
| population = 10,433
| population_ref = ([[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]])
| official_name = Eccleston
| metropolitan_borough = [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens|St. Helens]]
| civil_parish = Eccleston
| metropolitan_county = [[Merseyside]]
| region = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[St Helens South and Whiston (UK Parliament constituency)|St Helens South and Whiston]]
| post_town = ST. HELENS
| postcode_area = WA
| postcode_district = WA10
| dial_code = 01744
| os_grid_reference = SJ485955
| static_image_name = Christ Church, Eccleston with flag at half-mast.jpg
| static_image_caption = Christ Church, Eccleston
| website = {{URL|http://www.ecclestonpc.org.uk/}}
| type = Village and Civil Parish
}}


'''Eccleston''' is a [[civil parish]] in the [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens]], [[Merseyside]], England. At the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]], it had a population of 10,433.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11123078&c=eccleston&d=16&e=62&g=6350781&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1452687969891&enc=1|title=Civil Parish population 2011|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011192450/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11123078&c=eccleston&d=16&e=62&g=6350781&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1452687969891&enc=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Eccleston is one of seven civil parishes in St Helens, and one of the largest covering the neighbourhoods of [[Eccleston Park]], [[Gillars Green]], [[Trapwood]], and the area around "Springfield" (now a Carmelite Monastery) south of the [[A580 road]]. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 10,528.

Within the boundaries of the [[Historic counties of England|historic county]] of [[Lancashire]], the early history of Eccleston is marked by its status as a [[Township (England)|township]], an area much larger than the modern civil parish, extending into what is now [[St Helens, Merseyside|St. Helens]].<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/1892210|title=Eccleston: Historical Boundaries|publisher=A Vision of Britain Through Time|access-date=1 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311051844/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10348766&c_id=10001043|archive-date=11 March 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Part of the township was united with [[Parr, St Helens|Parr]], [[Sutton, Merseyside|Sutton]] and part of [[Windle, St Helens|Windle]] to form the Municipal Borough of St Helens in 1868.

Eccleston is one of seven civil parishes in the Borough of St Helens and one of the largest, covering the neighbourhoods of Eccleston Park, Gillars Green, Eccleston Mere, Eccleston village and an area around the [[A580 road|A580 East Lancashire Road]].

==Origins of the name==
Eccleston appears to derive its name from either the Latin ''ecclesia'' or the Welsh ''eglwys'', both meaning "church", suggesting a common link to a place of worship (although none is known in that township until the 19th century) and a possible Celtic origin.<ref name="eccleston" /> It is suggested that the name is connected with the adjoining [[Prescot]] which has had a church for over a thousand years.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=41347&strquery=eccleston |title=Townships: Eccleston, A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3|year=1907|pages=362–367|publisher=British History Online|access-date=1 June 2007}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[Eccleston, Merseyside|Eccleston]] composed, with Sutton and Rainhill, part of a single Widnes "[[Fief|fee]]" (a hereditary entitlement of ownership) under a Knight or Earl.<ref name="sutton">{{cite book |author1=Farrer, William |author2=Brownbill, J |name-list-style=amp | title=A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3 | publisher=Victoria County History | year=1907 |pages=354–362 }} The Section dedicated to Sutton.</ref><ref name="eccleston">{{cite book |author1=Farrer, William |author2=Brownbill, J |name-list-style=amp | title=A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3 | publisher=Victoria County History | year=1907 |pages=362–367 }} The Section dedicated to Eccleston.</ref><ref name="fletcher">{{cite book | author=Fletcher, Mike| title=Black Gold and Hot Sand: A History of St. Helens | publisher=Carnegie Publishing Ltd| year=2002 | isbn=978-1-85936-088-0}}</ref> In 1907 the area was described as being between "two extremes, the green woods of [[Knowsley Park]] on the west, and the smoke-laden environs of St. Helens on the east" and referring to the parish more widely as turned to agriculture with the village resting "in a hollow".<ref name="eccleston" /> Recent archaeological studies have remarked on the lack of a single prominent settlement.


Descendants of Hugh de Eccleston owned the Eccleston township.<ref name="fletcher" /> The direct family line is recorded throughout the period until the 17th century when their last descendent Henry Eccleston died.<ref name="eccleston" /> Relatives took the name Eccleston and remained associated with both Eccleston and [[Scarisbrick]] until Ann Scarisbrick Eccleston inherited Scarisbrick Hall and on so doing moved there, the hall being much more impressive and grander than her Eccleston Hall home.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anne (née Eccleston), Lady Scarisbrick – National Portrait Gallery|url=https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp125475/anne-nee-eccleston-lady-scarisbrick|access-date=2021-03-18|website=npg.org.uk|language=en}}</ref> The Eccleston family throughout their tenure were [[recusants]] and there was a Catholic chapel in the old hall which was built in the [[Tudor period|Tudor era]].
Eccleston means church farm or settlement. "Eccles" which is found in several place names in the North West of England is derived from the Welsh "Eglwys" and the use of this word implies a Celtic religious foundation. However, there does not seem to have been a chrch in the township of Eccleston until Portico Our Lady's Roman Catholic chapel in the late 18th century. St Thomas, Eccleston (now on Westfield Street, St Helens town centre) and Christ Church date from 1838/39. It is suggested that the name is connected with the adjoining town of [[Prescot]] which has had a church for over a thousand years. (work in progress)
The present Eccleston Hall dates from the 1820's but there have been halls on the site from the late mediaeval period. The Eccleston family, who were Lords of the Manor of Eccleston, were [[recusants]] and there was a Catholic chapel in the old hall which was built in the Tudor era.


The Eccleston estate was sold to cotton manufacturer Colonel Samuel Taylor in about 1812<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project – Town of St Helens|url=https://www.lan-opc.org.uk/St-Helens/Eccleston/index.html|access-date=2021-03-18|website=lan-opc.org.uk}}</ref> and, while there have been halls on the site from the late mediaeval period, the present Grade II listed Eccleston Hall dates from about 1830.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ECCLESTON HALL, St. Helens – 1392654 {{!}} Historic England|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1392654|access-date=2021-03-18|website=historicengland.org.uk|language=en}}</ref>
==Environment==
Eccleston is built upon green fertile rolling hills with countryside to the north and west and [[urban spread]] to south and east. Running through Eccleston there is a stream or [[brook]] called Windle Brook (actually the boundary with Windle CP) and Mill Brook. There is a mere called Eccleston [[Mere]] and three [[dams]] used for cooling purposes in factories. There are several open public spaces including a wood and small [[nature reserve]] and may public foothpaths through local countryside. There is a large park just on the outskirts, Taylor Park and the Ecclesfield playing fields.


There does not seem to have been a church in the township of Eccleston until Portico Our Lady's Roman Catholic chapel in the late 18th century. St Thomas, Eccleston (now on Westfield Street, St Helens) dates from 1839 and Christ Church in Eccleston village (built by Samuel Taylor of Eccleston Hall)<ref>{{Cite web|title=ECCLESTON HALL, St. Helens – 1392654 {{!}} Historic England|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1392654|access-date=2021-03-18|website=historicengland.org.uk|language=en}}</ref> from 1838.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Christ Church’s rich history|url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/10288973.cotton-magnate-founded-christ-church-and-created-taylor-park/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=St Helens Star|language=en}}</ref>
==Connections==
[[File:Eccleston Hall - geograph.org.uk - 444767.jpg|thumb|Eccleston Hall]]
Road connections are generally good in Eccleston with close connections to the [[M6 motorway|M6]], [[M62 motorway|M62]], [[M57 motorway|M57]] and [[M58 motorway|M58]]. The [[A580]] (Liverpool to Manchester) locally known as the 'East Lancs' is a 1930's [[trunk road]] running north of the borough linking the M58 and M6, [[traffic]] problems are often reported at the notorious Windle Island. The [[A570]] (St Helens to Sothport) links the M58 and M62. The B5201 takes traffic from Prescot through the centre of Eccleston.


==Governance==
There are many frequent [[bus]] services that run to parts of St Helens and Liverpool and bus stops are plentiful and in good condition. There is a train station 'Eccleston Park', going to Wigan and Liverpool. [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] is the closest airport and [[Manchester]] seconds to that both no more than a 45 minute drive.
[[File:Map showing the boundaries of Eccleston Civil Parish..jpg|thumb|Map showing the boundaries of Eccleston Civil Parish.]]
[[File:Eccleston Village Hall in the snow - early 1990s.jpg|thumb|Eccleston Village Hall and Signpost]]
Local Government in Eccleston has been administered by [[Lancashire County Council]] (1889–1974), [[Whiston Rural District]] Council (1894–1974) and Eccleston Parish Council (from 1894). Today, Eccleston continues to be administered by Eccleston Parish Council (since 1894),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eccleston Parish Council Magazine 2020|url=https://ecclestonpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ECCLESTON-PARISH-COUNCIL-MAGAZINE-2020.pdf|url-status=live|website=Eccleston Parish Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924005222/https://ecclestonpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ECCLESTON-PARISH-COUNCIL-MAGAZINE-2020.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2020 }}</ref> as well as by St Helens Borough Council (since 1974).

For the purposes of UK Parliament elections, Eccleston has been part of the following constituencies: [[Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency)|Lancashire]] (1290–1832); [[South Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Lancashire]] (1832–1868); [[South West Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Lancashire]] (1868–1885); [[Widnes (UK Parliament constituency)|Widnes]] (1885–1950); [[Huyton (UK Parliament constituency)|Huyton]] (1950–1983); [[St Helens South (UK Parliament constituency)|St Helens South]] (1983–2010); [[St Helens South and Whiston (UK Parliament constituency)|St Helens South and Whiston]] (since 2010).

==Public open spaces==
Although mainly rural, Eccleston is built upon green fertile rolling hills with countryside to the north and west together with [[urban sprawl]] to the south and east.

Running through Eccleston there is a stream or brook called Windle Brook (actually the boundary with [[Windle, St Helens|Windle]] Civil Parish) and Mill Brook.

There is a [[mere (lake)|mere]] called Eccleston Mere and three [[dam]]s which were originally used for cooling purposes in factories. There are several open public spaces including many woods and a small [[nature reserve]] at Mill Brow, which has benefitted from improvements in conjunction with Eccleston Parish Council and the [[Lancashire Wildlife Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Geograph:: Mill Brow Local Nature Reserve,... © David Dixon cc-by-sa/2.0|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6110900|access-date=2021-03-07|website=geograph.org.uk|language=en}}</ref>

There are a number of public footpaths through the Eccleston countryside such as Green Lane, Watery Lane and Sadlers Lane.

There is a large public area at Ecclesfield playing fields, which is located behind the library. Other public fields are located at Kiln Lane, Bobbies Lane and Christ Church.

==Transport==
Road connections are to the [[M6 motorway|M6]], [[M62 motorway|M62]], [[M57 motorway|M57]] and [[M58 motorway|M58]]. The [[A580 road|A580]] (Liverpool to Manchester) locally known as the 'East Lancs' is a 1930s [[trunk road]] running north of the borough linking the M58 and M6, [[traffic]] problems are often reported at the notorious Windle Island. The [[A570 road|A570]] (St Helens to Southport) links the M58 and M62. The [[B5201 road|B5201]] takes traffic from Prescot through the centre of Eccleston.

There are many frequent bus services that run to parts of St Helens and Liverpool some of these are:
35/35A Gillars Green-St Helens Junction (Arriva)
37 Eccleston-St Helens Bus Station (Arriva)
Eccleston Park railway station is within the Parish boundaries but there are also a number of other stations close by such as St Helens Central, St Helens Junction, Prescot and Whiston. [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] is the closest airport and [[Manchester]] second to that, both no more than a 45-minute drive.


==Housing==
==Housing==
Eccleston is a mix match of English [[middle class]] homes. Predominantly 1930 & [[Post War]] [[Semi]]s in the centre of Eccleston, "[[council estate]]s"at Gillars Green and Trapwood (now a mixture of private and housing association property) , a mix-mach of small 1970’s housing estates and an abundance of 1990’s detached houses. Privately built homes are found in the sought after areas of Eccleston Park which were have been built in the past 120 years, mainly 3-5 bedroom detached homes. Most homes have front and rear gardens, [[Victorian homes]] with extensively large gardens have been transformed into mini-housing estates. Housing in Eccleston is much sought after and can be very expensive for Northern England. People living here mainly work outside of the area generally in St Helens but many commute to Liverpool, Wigan and Manchester.
Houses in Eccleston include 1930s semi-detached homes in Eccleston village, [[council estate]]s at Gillars Green and Trapwood Close (now a mixture of private and housing association property), small 1970s housing estates at Eccleston Mere and an abundance of 1990s detached houses, including small developments at Ledbury Close, Long Meadow, Eccleston Woods and The Cloisters.

Most recently, detached houses have been built at The Spires, Pikes Bridge Fold and on the site of the former Carmelite Monastery. Extensive development has recently been completed at Eccleston Grange on the site of the old Triplex factory.

==Economy==
Eccleston is a suburban area with a limited number of shops at Walmesley Road, Mill Brook Lane, Millfields and Gillars Green Drive. These are mainly local shops including three small supermarkets, four hairdressers, a chemist, a florist, wine shop, veterinary practice, doctor's, two bakers and a continental-style coffeehouse.

Broadway offers a [[library]], a private day nursery and an NHS dental practice. A private dental practice is situated on Kiln Lane.

A number of Mother and Toddler groups take place at St Julie's Parish Hall, the library and the Lester Drive Centre.

Eccleston has several pubs including The Seven Stars, The Griffin, The Stanley, The Game Bird (previously The Royal Oak), The Wellington and The Grapes. All of these public houses serve food.

==Landmarks==
[[File:The Smithy Heritage Centre Eccleston - geograph.org.uk - 2008150.jpg|alt=Smithy Heritage Centre.|thumb|Smithy Heritage Centre.]]
The main attraction is The Smithy Heritage Centre,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Smithy Heritage Centre|url=https://smithyheritagecentre.org.uk/|access-date=2021-05-06|website=The Smithy Heritage Centre|language=en-US}}</ref> a museum about the works of a local [[blacksmith]]'s business and dedicated to the history of Eccleston. The centre is situated next to Eccleston Village Hall, which was built by Lancashire County Council to house a County Library<ref>{{Citation|last=Unsure|title=English: A blacksmith working at the Eccleston village smithy with the County Library (now Village Hall) visible in the background.|date=1925-01-02|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blacksmith_working_at_the_Eccleston_village_smithy.jpg|access-date=2021-08-20}}</ref> for Eccleston, subsequently transformed into the village hall when a new library was established on Broadway.

The former township of Eccleston (prior to the modern Civil Parish) was home to the [[St Helens R.F.C.]] rugby team (known locally as 'The Saints') and [[St Helens Town|St. Helens Town AFC]] (St Helens non-league football side), from 1890 until stadium closure in 2010, when both teams moved from the [[Knowsley Road]] stadium to [[Langtree Park]]. The capacity of the Knowsley Road stadium was 19,100 (standing) with 3,000 seats in the main stand. The stadium also boasted a restaurant and a club official store.

Eccleston Mere is owned by Pheasant Equities Ltd of Rainford Hall and is jointly supervised by the Pilkington Sailing Club and the Pilkington Angling Association. The mere was originally constructed to hold water to feed through to Pilkington's Watson Street works, but is now used solely for recreational purposes.

[[File:War Memorial - Eccleston.jpg|thumb|Eccleston War Memorial – erected in 1922 for the West Derby Hundred of the County Palatine of Lancaster.]]Erected in 1922, the striking war memorial at Eccleston Lane Ends was designed by Walter Gilbert and Louis Weingartner of [[Martyns]] and is [[Listed building|Grade II* listed]].<ref name="historicengland.org.uk">{{Cite web|title=West Derby War Memorial, Eccleston – 1389376 {{!}} Historic England|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1389376|access-date=2021-03-08|website=historicengland.org.uk|language=en}}</ref>

A bronze relief panel depicts (anti-clockwise) marching soldiers, airmen, soldiers with camels and seamen loading a naval gun. Thought to be unique in its dedication, the panels read: "The laurels of the sons are watered from the hearts of the mothers."<ref name="historicengland.org.uk"/>

The front face is inscribed: "To the glorious memory of all those from the West Derby Hundred of the [[County palatine of Lancaster|County Palatine of Lancaster]] who fought and gave their lives for their King and Country in the Great War 1914-1918."<ref name="historicengland.org.uk"/>

==People and culture==
A resident of Eccleston is known as an "Ecclestonian". Accents in Eccleston vary from that of a St Helens accent through to a more well spoken northern English accent. The people of Eccleston are mainly of Eccleston or St Helens origin with family in the area. Eccleston is an area with households mainly comprising families and the elderly.

Religion is still quite vibrant in Eccleston with several churches including St Julie ([[Roman Catholic]]), Christ Church ([[Church of England]]) and Our Lady Help of Christians, Portico (Roman Catholic). Eccleston [[Methodist]] Church closed in May 2006. The former [[United Reformed Church]] on Kiln Lane closed in 2005 and the site has now been redeveloped into [[retirement home]]s. Ethnicity is approximately 98% British/Irish White.<ref>{{citation|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=6097395&c=eccleston&d=14&e=15&g=359836&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1234110813985&enc=1&dsFamilyId=47 |title=2001 Census: Ethnic Group|publisher=Office for National Statistics|access-date=8 February 2009}}</ref> The Eccleston Carmelite Monastery, founded in 1914 at Springfield House,<ref>{{Cite web|title=A milk horse with flying feet|url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/6678057.a-milk-horse-with-flying-feet/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=St Helens Star|language=en}}</ref> former home to the Walmesley-Cotham family, closed in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bulldozers demolish former Carmelite Convent to mark 'the end of an era'|url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/16137307.bulldozers-demolish-former-carmelite-convent-mark-end-era/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=St Helens Star|language=en}}</ref>


Community activities revolve around church and school [[festivals]] and [[fête]]s. The Lester Drive Centre is run by Eccleston Old People's Welfare Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Lester Drive Centre|url=https://www.lesterdrivecentre.org.uk/Home.html|access-date=2021-06-28|website=lesterdrivecentre.org.uk}}</ref>
==Business and Industry==
Eccleston serves as a suburban area and has a limited number of shops and are mainly local amenity shops. There is a library at Broadway.


In terms of sport, the area is home to the amateur Rugby League team Eccleston Lions. There are also teams for the youngsters of Eccleston, including Millfields and Bleak Hill.
There are a some specialist businesses in the Eccleston including car showrooms, funeral director and gym. Walsmeley Road, Mill Brook Lane and Gillars Green Drive are the main shopping streets and have some parking facilities. There is a large factory just outside the civil parish, Pilkington Automotive run by St Helens firm Pilkington’s which produces safety glass and several other small industrial firms.


==Tourism==
==Education==
Eccleston has some of the best primary schools in the borough, including one of the top three primary schools, Eccleston Mere.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.st-julie.st-helens.sch.uk/New%20Site/V10%20St%20Julie%27s%20Catholic%20-%20Published%20Report%20sent%20to%20School%20%28July%202008%29.pdf|title=St Julie's Catholic Primary Inspection Report|publisher=Ofsted|date=July 2008|access-date=8 April 2009|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184805/http://www.st-julie.st-helens.sch.uk/New%20Site/V10%20St%20Julie%27s%20Catholic%20-%20Published%20Report%20sent%20to%20School%20%28July%202008%29.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other schools include St. Julie and Eccleston Lane Ends. De La Salle High School is also located in Eccleston. Schools in the area have good outdoor, [[Information Technology|IT]], special needs and catering facilities.
The main attraction is the RLFC St. Helens Ground locally known as 'The Saints Ground' or just '[[The Saints]]', which is St Helens [[Rugby League]] Team. The capacity is 19,100 mainly standing and has a restaurant and sports shop. The [[stadium]] is very old and may be moved to the town centre in future years. Though in the historic township of Eccleston the ground is outside the modern civil parish.
Eccleston has one small museum, the Smithy which is a museum about the works of a local [[blacksmith]]’s businesses. People tend not to come for the village but mainly the rugby matches and therefore without the stadium tourism would be non-existent. During big matches roads around Eccleston become gridlocked with the swarm of cars parking on local roads as parking facilities are limited and roads are small with limited traffic controls.


==People and Culture==
==Famous people==
[[Richard Seddon]] (1845–1906), 15th [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]], was born in Eccleston and attended the local grammar school.<ref>Hamer, David. [http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2s11/1 "Seddon, Richard John – Biography"]. By David Hamer. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.</ref>
A resident of Eccleston is known as an "Ecclestonian". Accents in Eccleston vary from that of a St Helens accent through Liverpudlian to a 'posh' northern English accent. The people of Eccleston are mainly of St Helens origin with family in the area. Eccleston is a family area with households mainly being families or the elderly. Young people tend to move away and come back later in life to settle down.
[[File:RichardSeddon1905.jpg|thumb|Richard John Seddon, New Zealand Prime Minister 1893–1906, was born in Eccleston.]]
[[File:Seddon Memorial plaque.jpg|thumb|Plaque dedicated to Richard John Seddon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand born in Eccleston.]]


==See also==
[[Religion]] is still quite vibrant in Eccleston with several bustling churches including St. Julie, [[Roman Catholic]]; Christ Church, [[CofE]]; Portico, [[Roman Catholic]] and Eccleston [[Methodist]] Church. The former Kiln Land U.R.C closed recently and has now be demolished. Ethnicity is 98% British/Irish White.
*[[Listed buildings in Eccleston, St Helens]]


==References==
Community activities take part through church and school [[festivals]] and [[fetes]]. Other forms of social interaction are meeting on streets, schools, churches, pubs and shops. Eccleston has several pubs including the Seven Stars, Griffin, Stanley ,The Royal Oak and Wellington which men tend to go to in the week and mainly couples of a weekend, under 20's remain low in local pubs, as they venture in to St Helens or other local towns. All of these public houses serve food.
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
For the young, there are a few youth clubs which are still open, these are dying out and there is an increase of loitering on the streets and in parks.
{{commons category|Eccleston, Merseyside}}
* [http://www.ecclestonpc.org.uk Eccleston Parish Council]
*[https://smithyheritagecentre.org.uk/ Smithy Heritage Centre]


{{Areas of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens}}
==Education Facilities==
Eccleston has some of the best schools in the Metropolitan Borough including two top three primary schools St Julie's Catholic Primary and Bleak Hill Primary and one of the best high schools in St. Helens (2005 results), De La Salle. Many children go to Rainford High School . Others schools include Eccleston Mere Primary and Eccleston Lane Ends. Schools in the area have good outdoor, IT, special needs and catering facilities. There is also a good sized [[library]] in the parish with reference guides and [[Information Technology|IT]] facilities.


[[Category:Towns and villages in St Helens]]
[[Category:St Helens, Merseyside]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Merseyside]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, 17 July 2024

Eccleston
Village and Civil Parish
Christ Church, Eccleston
Eccleston is located in Merseyside
Eccleston
Eccleston
Location within Merseyside
Population10,433 (2011 census)
OS grid referenceSJ485955
Civil parish
  • Eccleston
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townST. HELENS
Postcode districtWA10
Dialling code01744
PoliceMerseyside
FireMerseyside
AmbulanceNorth West
UK Parliament
Websitewww.ecclestonpc.org.uk
List of places
UK
England
Merseyside
53°27′14″N 2°46′29″W / 53.4539°N 2.7748°W / 53.4539; -2.7748

Eccleston is a civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside, England. At the 2011 census, it had a population of 10,433.[1]

Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire, the early history of Eccleston is marked by its status as a township, an area much larger than the modern civil parish, extending into what is now St. Helens.[2] Part of the township was united with Parr, Sutton and part of Windle to form the Municipal Borough of St Helens in 1868.

Eccleston is one of seven civil parishes in the Borough of St Helens and one of the largest, covering the neighbourhoods of Eccleston Park, Gillars Green, Eccleston Mere, Eccleston village and an area around the A580 East Lancashire Road.

Origins of the name

[edit]

Eccleston appears to derive its name from either the Latin ecclesia or the Welsh eglwys, both meaning "church", suggesting a common link to a place of worship (although none is known in that township until the 19th century) and a possible Celtic origin.[3] It is suggested that the name is connected with the adjoining Prescot which has had a church for over a thousand years.[4]

History

[edit]

Eccleston composed, with Sutton and Rainhill, part of a single Widnes "fee" (a hereditary entitlement of ownership) under a Knight or Earl.[5][3][6] In 1907 the area was described as being between "two extremes, the green woods of Knowsley Park on the west, and the smoke-laden environs of St. Helens on the east" and referring to the parish more widely as turned to agriculture with the village resting "in a hollow".[3] Recent archaeological studies have remarked on the lack of a single prominent settlement.

Descendants of Hugh de Eccleston owned the Eccleston township.[6] The direct family line is recorded throughout the period until the 17th century when their last descendent Henry Eccleston died.[3] Relatives took the name Eccleston and remained associated with both Eccleston and Scarisbrick until Ann Scarisbrick Eccleston inherited Scarisbrick Hall and on so doing moved there, the hall being much more impressive and grander than her Eccleston Hall home.[7] The Eccleston family throughout their tenure were recusants and there was a Catholic chapel in the old hall which was built in the Tudor era.

The Eccleston estate was sold to cotton manufacturer Colonel Samuel Taylor in about 1812[8] and, while there have been halls on the site from the late mediaeval period, the present Grade II listed Eccleston Hall dates from about 1830.[9]

There does not seem to have been a church in the township of Eccleston until Portico Our Lady's Roman Catholic chapel in the late 18th century. St Thomas, Eccleston (now on Westfield Street, St Helens) dates from 1839 and Christ Church in Eccleston village (built by Samuel Taylor of Eccleston Hall)[10] from 1838.[11]

Eccleston Hall

Governance

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Map showing the boundaries of Eccleston Civil Parish.
Eccleston Village Hall and Signpost

Local Government in Eccleston has been administered by Lancashire County Council (1889–1974), Whiston Rural District Council (1894–1974) and Eccleston Parish Council (from 1894). Today, Eccleston continues to be administered by Eccleston Parish Council (since 1894),[12] as well as by St Helens Borough Council (since 1974).

For the purposes of UK Parliament elections, Eccleston has been part of the following constituencies: Lancashire (1290–1832); South Lancashire (1832–1868); South West Lancashire (1868–1885); Widnes (1885–1950); Huyton (1950–1983); St Helens South (1983–2010); St Helens South and Whiston (since 2010).

Public open spaces

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Although mainly rural, Eccleston is built upon green fertile rolling hills with countryside to the north and west together with urban sprawl to the south and east.

Running through Eccleston there is a stream or brook called Windle Brook (actually the boundary with Windle Civil Parish) and Mill Brook.

There is a mere called Eccleston Mere and three dams which were originally used for cooling purposes in factories. There are several open public spaces including many woods and a small nature reserve at Mill Brow, which has benefitted from improvements in conjunction with Eccleston Parish Council and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.[13]

There are a number of public footpaths through the Eccleston countryside such as Green Lane, Watery Lane and Sadlers Lane.

There is a large public area at Ecclesfield playing fields, which is located behind the library. Other public fields are located at Kiln Lane, Bobbies Lane and Christ Church.

Transport

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Road connections are to the M6, M62, M57 and M58. The A580 (Liverpool to Manchester) locally known as the 'East Lancs' is a 1930s trunk road running north of the borough linking the M58 and M6, traffic problems are often reported at the notorious Windle Island. The A570 (St Helens to Southport) links the M58 and M62. The B5201 takes traffic from Prescot through the centre of Eccleston.

There are many frequent bus services that run to parts of St Helens and Liverpool some of these are: 35/35A Gillars Green-St Helens Junction (Arriva) 37 Eccleston-St Helens Bus Station (Arriva) Eccleston Park railway station is within the Parish boundaries but there are also a number of other stations close by such as St Helens Central, St Helens Junction, Prescot and Whiston. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the closest airport and Manchester second to that, both no more than a 45-minute drive.

Housing

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Houses in Eccleston include 1930s semi-detached homes in Eccleston village, council estates at Gillars Green and Trapwood Close (now a mixture of private and housing association property), small 1970s housing estates at Eccleston Mere and an abundance of 1990s detached houses, including small developments at Ledbury Close, Long Meadow, Eccleston Woods and The Cloisters.

Most recently, detached houses have been built at The Spires, Pikes Bridge Fold and on the site of the former Carmelite Monastery. Extensive development has recently been completed at Eccleston Grange on the site of the old Triplex factory.

Economy

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Eccleston is a suburban area with a limited number of shops at Walmesley Road, Mill Brook Lane, Millfields and Gillars Green Drive. These are mainly local shops including three small supermarkets, four hairdressers, a chemist, a florist, wine shop, veterinary practice, doctor's, two bakers and a continental-style coffeehouse.

Broadway offers a library, a private day nursery and an NHS dental practice. A private dental practice is situated on Kiln Lane.

A number of Mother and Toddler groups take place at St Julie's Parish Hall, the library and the Lester Drive Centre.

Eccleston has several pubs including The Seven Stars, The Griffin, The Stanley, The Game Bird (previously The Royal Oak), The Wellington and The Grapes. All of these public houses serve food.

Landmarks

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Smithy Heritage Centre.
Smithy Heritage Centre.

The main attraction is The Smithy Heritage Centre,[14] a museum about the works of a local blacksmith's business and dedicated to the history of Eccleston. The centre is situated next to Eccleston Village Hall, which was built by Lancashire County Council to house a County Library[15] for Eccleston, subsequently transformed into the village hall when a new library was established on Broadway.

The former township of Eccleston (prior to the modern Civil Parish) was home to the St Helens R.F.C. rugby team (known locally as 'The Saints') and St. Helens Town AFC (St Helens non-league football side), from 1890 until stadium closure in 2010, when both teams moved from the Knowsley Road stadium to Langtree Park. The capacity of the Knowsley Road stadium was 19,100 (standing) with 3,000 seats in the main stand. The stadium also boasted a restaurant and a club official store.

Eccleston Mere is owned by Pheasant Equities Ltd of Rainford Hall and is jointly supervised by the Pilkington Sailing Club and the Pilkington Angling Association. The mere was originally constructed to hold water to feed through to Pilkington's Watson Street works, but is now used solely for recreational purposes.

Eccleston War Memorial – erected in 1922 for the West Derby Hundred of the County Palatine of Lancaster.

Erected in 1922, the striking war memorial at Eccleston Lane Ends was designed by Walter Gilbert and Louis Weingartner of Martyns and is Grade II* listed.[16]

A bronze relief panel depicts (anti-clockwise) marching soldiers, airmen, soldiers with camels and seamen loading a naval gun. Thought to be unique in its dedication, the panels read: "The laurels of the sons are watered from the hearts of the mothers."[16]

The front face is inscribed: "To the glorious memory of all those from the West Derby Hundred of the County Palatine of Lancaster who fought and gave their lives for their King and Country in the Great War 1914-1918."[16]

People and culture

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A resident of Eccleston is known as an "Ecclestonian". Accents in Eccleston vary from that of a St Helens accent through to a more well spoken northern English accent. The people of Eccleston are mainly of Eccleston or St Helens origin with family in the area. Eccleston is an area with households mainly comprising families and the elderly.

Religion is still quite vibrant in Eccleston with several churches including St Julie (Roman Catholic), Christ Church (Church of England) and Our Lady Help of Christians, Portico (Roman Catholic). Eccleston Methodist Church closed in May 2006. The former United Reformed Church on Kiln Lane closed in 2005 and the site has now been redeveloped into retirement homes. Ethnicity is approximately 98% British/Irish White.[17] The Eccleston Carmelite Monastery, founded in 1914 at Springfield House,[18] former home to the Walmesley-Cotham family, closed in 2015.[19]

Community activities revolve around church and school festivals and fêtes. The Lester Drive Centre is run by Eccleston Old People's Welfare Committee.[20]

In terms of sport, the area is home to the amateur Rugby League team Eccleston Lions. There are also teams for the youngsters of Eccleston, including Millfields and Bleak Hill.

Education

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Eccleston has some of the best primary schools in the borough, including one of the top three primary schools, Eccleston Mere.[21] Other schools include St. Julie and Eccleston Lane Ends. De La Salle High School is also located in Eccleston. Schools in the area have good outdoor, IT, special needs and catering facilities.

Famous people

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Richard Seddon (1845–1906), 15th Prime Minister of New Zealand, was born in Eccleston and attended the local grammar school.[22]

Richard John Seddon, New Zealand Prime Minister 1893–1906, was born in Eccleston.
Plaque dedicated to Richard John Seddon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand born in Eccleston.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Civil Parish population 2011". Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  2. ^ Eccleston: Historical Boundaries, A Vision of Britain Through Time, archived from the original on 11 March 2007, retrieved 1 December 2005
  3. ^ a b c d Farrer, William & Brownbill, J (1907). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3. Victoria County History. pp. 362–367. The Section dedicated to Eccleston.
  4. ^ Townships: Eccleston, A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, British History Online, 1907, pp. 362–367, retrieved 1 June 2007
  5. ^ Farrer, William & Brownbill, J (1907). A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3. Victoria County History. pp. 354–362. The Section dedicated to Sutton.
  6. ^ a b Fletcher, Mike (2002). Black Gold and Hot Sand: A History of St. Helens. Carnegie Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85936-088-0.
  7. ^ "Anne (née Eccleston), Lady Scarisbrick – National Portrait Gallery". npg.org.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project – Town of St Helens". lan-opc.org.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  9. ^ "ECCLESTON HALL, St. Helens – 1392654 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  10. ^ "ECCLESTON HALL, St. Helens – 1392654 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Christ Church's rich history". St Helens Star. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Eccleston Parish Council Magazine 2020" (PDF). Eccleston Parish Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Geograph:: Mill Brow Local Nature Reserve,... © David Dixon cc-by-sa/2.0". geograph.org.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  14. ^ "The Smithy Heritage Centre". The Smithy Heritage Centre. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  15. ^ Unsure (2 January 1925), English: A blacksmith working at the Eccleston village smithy with the County Library (now Village Hall) visible in the background., retrieved 20 August 2021
  16. ^ a b c "West Derby War Memorial, Eccleston – 1389376 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  17. ^ 2001 Census: Ethnic Group, Office for National Statistics, retrieved 8 February 2009
  18. ^ "A milk horse with flying feet". St Helens Star. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Bulldozers demolish former Carmelite Convent to mark 'the end of an era'". St Helens Star. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  20. ^ "The Lester Drive Centre". lesterdrivecentre.org.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  21. ^ St Julie's Catholic Primary Inspection Report (PDF), Ofsted, July 2008, archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016, retrieved 8 April 2009
  22. ^ Hamer, David. "Seddon, Richard John – Biography". By David Hamer. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
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