Garstang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garstang |
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 Market cross in Market Place |
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 Garstang
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| Population | 7,041 (2021 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SD495455 |
| • London | 199 miles (322 km) SE |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PRESTON |
| Postcode district | PR3 |
| Dialling code | 01995 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Garstang is an old market town and civil parish in Lancashire, England. It is part of the Wyre area. The town is about 10 miles (16 km) north of Preston and 10 miles (16 km) south of Lancaster.
In 2011, Garstang parish had 4,268 residents. The larger Garstang Built-up Area, which includes nearby places like Bonds and Cabus, had a population of 6,779. Garstang is famous for being the world's first ever Fairtrade Town.
Contents
Understanding the Name Garstang
Garstang's name has a long history. It was first written as Cherestanc in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over time, its spelling changed many times, like Geresteng, Gairstang, and Gayrestang.
The name "Garstang" can mean a few things. It might mean "gore by the boundary pole," "spear post," or "triangular piece of land." It could also mean "common land" or "meadowland." Some people think it marks a special meeting place. The name might come from the Old Norse words 'geiri' (a gore) and 'stang' (a pole or boundary marker). Or, it could be from the Saxon word 'Gaerstung'. The historic market cross in the town might be at this very old meeting spot.
Garstang's History Through Time
Early Days of Garstang
Garstang has a rich history. You can find out more about it, including the parish church of St Helen and Greenhalgh Castle, in old records. A famous person, St. John Plessington, was born nearby at Dimples Hall.
Garstang once had two railway stations: Garstang and Catterall, which closed in 1969, and Garstang Town, which closed to passengers in 1930.
The town is watched over by the ruins of Greenhalgh Castle. This castle was built in 1490 by Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby. Around the same time, the first stone bridge was built over the River Wyre. Garstang Town Hall was finished in 1764.
Garstang in Modern Times
Garstang's traditional market day is on Thursdays. This market has been happening since the early 1300s and stretches along the main street. The Market Cross at the top of the High Street is a well-known landmark.
Every August, the town holds an arts festival and an agricultural show. The agricultural show has been going on for over 200 years!
In April 2000, Garstang made history by declaring itself "the world's first Fairtrade Town." This inspired many other towns and cities in the UK to do the same. The Fairtrade Foundation confirmed Garstang's Fairtrade status again in 2003.
In 2011, a very tall wind turbine was built in the town. It stands 518 feet (158 meters) high, making it the UK's largest at the time. It helps power Dewlay, a local factory that makes the famous Garstang Blue cheese.
The local newspaper, the Garstang Courier, used to be available on tape for blind and partially-sighted people.
Garstang has won many awards in the Britain in Bloom competition. It won the Small Country Town category in 2002. Then, it won the Small Town category in 2005, 2006, and 2010.
Education in Garstang
Garstang has several primary schools for younger students. These include Garstang Community Primary School, Garstang St Thomas Church of England School, and SS Mary and Michael Catholic School.
The local secondary school is Garstang Community Academy. This school does not offer sixth form courses (for older students). So, pupils who want to study for A-Levels travel to nearby cities like Lancaster, Preston, or Blackpool.
Local Life and Entertainment
The town has several places to eat and drink. There are seven public houses, including The Farmers Arms and the Royal Oak Hotel. There are also three restaurants, two of which serve Chinese food. Garstang also has a golf club and a Country Hotel on the main A6 road.
Garstang was even mentioned in the comedy show Phoenix Nights. In one episode, the character Brian Potter joked about his club being the best "this side of Garstang."
The town has two main churches: the Anglican church of St Thomas and the Catholic church of St Mary and St Michael. The Catholic church is just outside the town in Bonds. For many years, Garstang's official parish church was St Helen's, which is about 2 miles (3 km) away in Churchtown.
How Garstang is Governed
For a long time, Garstang was part of the Amounderness Hundred in Lancashire. From 1894 to 1974, Garstang had its own local government area called "Garstang Rural District." This area was bigger than the current town and included villages like Pilling.
Since 1974, Garstang has been part of the Wyre borough in Lancashire. However, it still has its own elected Town Council. This council helps manage local matters. The area has three local councillors. In 2011, the population of the ward was 4,852.
Garstang's Location and Surroundings
Garstang is located on the River Wyre, River Calder, and the Lancaster Canal. It is close to major roads like the A6 road and the M6 motorway. The West Coast Main Line railway also runs nearby. The town sits between Lancaster and Preston. It is on the eastern edge of the Fylde area, and the Forest of Bowland is not far to the east.
Garstang and nearby villages like Bonds, Bowgreave, Catterall, and Western Claughton-On-Brock form a nearly continuous built-up area. The A6 road was built to bypass this area in 1928. Other nearby villages that are part of a larger built-up area with Garstang include Brock, Bilsborrow, Cabus, and Churchtown.
Sports in Garstang
Garstang F.C. is the local football club. It was started in 1885. The team plays in the North West Counties League. In 2018, they won both the West Lancashire League Premier League and the Richardson Cup.
Media and News
Local news and TV shows for Garstang come from BBC North West and ITV Granada. TV signals are received from the Winter Hill TV transmitter.
Local radio stations include BBC Radio Lancashire, Heart North West, Smooth North West, Capital Manchester and Lancashire, Greatest Hits Radio Lancashire, and Central Radio North West.
The town's local newspaper was once the Garstang Courier. In 2014, it became part of the Lancashire Evening Post.
Famous People from Garstang
Many interesting people have lived in or were born in Garstang:
- Isaac Ambrose (1604–1664), a Puritan vicar.
- Sir Robert Atkins, a politician who was a Member of the European Parliament.
- Dicky Bond (1883–1955), a footballer who played for Preston North End.
- Harry Dean (1884–1957), a Lancashire cricketer who played for England.
- George Benson (1893–1974), a footballer for Accrington Stanley.
- Mary Anne Hobbs (1964–), a BBC Radio 6 Music disc jockey.
- Adam Phillips, a footballer.
- Jason Robinson (1974–), a famous England rugby player.
- Robert Terrill Rundle (1811–1896), a Methodist missionary who worked in Western Canada.
- Paul Swarbrick (born 1958), a Roman Catholic bishop.
- John Woolrich (1954–), a composer who lived in Garstang for many years.
See also
In Spanish: Garstang para niños
