Linwood, Renfrewshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Linwood
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.jpg) Linwood from above Black Cart Water |
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 Linwood
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| Population | Expression error: "8,450 (2020)" must be numeric |
| OS grid reference | NS435645 |
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| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PAISLEY |
| Postcode district | PA3 |
| Dialling code | 01505 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Linwood (Scots: Linwuid) is a lively town in Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. It is about 14 kilometers (9 miles) west of Glasgow. You can find it about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) northeast of Johnstone and west of Paisley. The town is close to the Black Cart Water river and the A737 road.
In 2020, the town's population was 8,450.
Contents
Discovering Linwood
What's in a Name?
The name Linwood has an interesting past. Some believe it comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'enclosure'. Others suggest it means 'wood by the pool'. This combines a Cumbric word for 'pool' and an Anglo-Saxon word for 'wood'.
Long ago, the area was known simply as 'The Linwood'. Records from the 1300s show it as 'Ye Lynwode'. At that time, Linwood was a small group of farms and homes. They were all gathered near the banks of the Black Cart.
A Glimpse into Linwood's Past
Ancient Times: Roman Connections
Did you know that Romans might have been near Linwood? There were Roman forts at Barochan Hill and Whitemoss. These forts helped support other Roman outposts along the Antonine Wall. The Antonine Wall was on the other side of the River Clyde.
Some stories say that Roman patrols found it hard to explore the farms around Linwood. This was because of the wet, boggy land of the Linwood Moss. Another historical account suggests that Roman forces cut down trees in the area. They did this to prevent local tribes from hiding and launching attacks. Today, Linwood Moss is an important home for wildlife.
Modern Changes and Community Spirit
In the early 2000s, people in Linwood became concerned about the local environment. A community group started a campaign to address these issues. They worked hard to research and highlight areas that needed improvement.
This group, along with others, helped bring about many positive changes. For example, they researched the need for better playgrounds for children. Another group, Linwood Active, successfully redeveloped the playground at Kintyre Park. They also helped address concerns about past industrial activities in public areas. These efforts led to a cleaner and safer environment for everyone.
Linwood's Renewal: A Fresh Start
In December 2011, Linwood received an award called "Plook on the Plinth." This award, given by Urban Realm magazine, aimed to spark discussions and inspire new developments. It encouraged the town to look towards a brighter future.
Following this, the Linwood Community Development Trust was formed. This group works to improve the town for its residents. Linwood has seen a lot of positive changes since 2008. These include:
- Four schools have been rebuilt or improved.
- New homes have been built for families.
- A modern £24 million sports center, called ON-X, opened. It is home to many sports clubs.
- The town center has been redeveloped with new shops.
- A new community care home was built.
- The Kintyre Park playground facilities were updated.
How Linwood Grew: Industries and Jobs
Early Factories and Mills
Linwood first grew because of cotton and flax mills. These were built in the late 1700s. In the next century, the village also had businesses for shale coal oil and ironstone. There was even a bleachfield connected to the spinning mill. Older maps also show that a paper mill was once established here.
The Car Factory Era
From 1961, Linwood's economy relied heavily on a large car factory. This factory was first owned by the Rootes Group, then Chrysler, and later Peugeot Talbot. It also had a Pressed Steel Company facility that made car body parts.
Construction of the car factory began in 1961. It was built to produce the Hillman Imp, a new small car. The factory opened on May 2, 1963, and the Duke of Edinburgh attended the opening. The Hillman Imp was made until 1976. The factory had a direct rail link, which helped transport cars across Britain. Later, it also produced the Chrysler Avenger and the Chrysler Sunbeam.
In 1981, the factory closed. This meant that many people in Linwood lost their jobs. The closure of the car factory was even mentioned in the song "Letter from America" by The Proclaimers. The lyrics "Linwood no more" referred to this event.
Today, the site of the former car plant is a busy retail park. It is sometimes called the Linwood Phoenix. It has many shops, restaurants, a cinema, and a large supermarket.
Shopping and Modern Life
Linwood has seen its shopping areas change over the years. What was once promoted as Scotland's first regional shopping center eventually changed. Today, the town has a modern retail park. This area offers a variety of stores and places to eat. It provides many services for the local community.
Local Culture and Sports Stars
Linwood in Books and Songs
Linwood has inspired artists and writers.
- In 1987, The Proclaimers sang about Linwood in their song "Letter From America". The line "Linwood No More" became famous.
- Jeff Torrington (1935–2008) was a writer who used to work at the Linwood car plant. His book The Devil's Carousel (1998) was inspired by the car factory's decline.
- In 2014, a play called Linwood No More by Paul Coulter was performed in Glasgow.
- The title song of Simon Kempston's 2015 album, The Last Car, was also inspired by Linwood.
- A book called Linwood Through The Ages by Dougie Ross was published in late 2023. It shares the town's full history.
Sporting Heroes from Linwood
Linwood has been home to several talented athletes.
- In the 1880s, a local football club called Clippens F.C. played in the Scottish Cup.
- UEFA Champions League winner Paul Lambert grew up in Linwood.
- Former Dundee United F.C. captain, Paul Paton, is also from Linwood.
- Goalkeeper Billy Thomson grew up in Linwood.
- John Hillcoat was a goalkeeper for many football clubs.
- Drew Wilson is a cyclist who represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games three times.
Learning in Linwood
Linwood has several schools for children of all ages. Nursery Schools
- East Fulton Nursery
- Our Lady of Peace Nursery
- Linwood Community Childcare
Primary Schools
- East Fulton Primary
- Our Lady of Peace Primary
- Woodlands Primary
Secondary Schools
- Linwood High
- St Benedict's RC High
Special Education
- Linwood's Riverbrae School opened in August 2017. This special education school replaced three older schools: Clippens, Hollybush Pre-5 Centre, and Kersland Schools.
Getting Around Linwood
Linwood is located on the A761 road. It is close to the A737, which connects the town to Glasgow Airport. This road also links to the motorway network towards the east. To the south-west, it connects to the Garnock Valley and the North Ayrshire coast.
Local buses are provided by McGill's Bus Services. They offer routes that connect Linwood to nearby towns like Johnstone, Bridge of Weir, Houston, and Paisley. There are also services that go to Braehead and Glasgow.
For train travel, you can use the nearby Johnstone railway station. This station has a two-level car park for commuters. From Johnstone, you can travel west to places like Ayr and Largs. You can also go east to Paisley and Glasgow Central.
See also
In Spanish: Linwood (Renfrewshire) para niños
