Oswaldtwistle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oswaldtwistle |
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 The Parish Church of Immanuel |
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 Oswaldtwistle
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| Area | 0.93 sq mi (2.4 km2) |
| Population | 10,815 (2021) |
| • Density | 11,629/sq mi (4,490/km2) |
| OS grid reference | SD740275 |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ACCRINGTON |
| Postcode district | BB5 |
| Dialling code | 01254 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Oswaldtwistle (pronounced "ozwel twizzel") is a town in Lancashire, England. It is about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Blackburn. The town is close to Accrington and Church.
Oswaldtwistle has a long history of industry. It was home to James Hargreaves, who invented the spinning jenny. Also, Robert "Parsley" Peel, famous for printing patterns on fabric, lived here. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal goes through the town. This canal helped transport much of the cotton products made in the area.
In 2021, the town had a population of 10,815 people.
Contents
History of Oswaldtwistle
The name Oswaldtwistle comes from two old words: "Oswald" and "Twistle." "Twistle" is an old English word meaning "where brooks meet." A legend says that Saint Oswald, a king, passed through the area. This gave the place its name, Oswald's Twistle, which later became Oswaldtwistle. However, it is more likely named after an Anglo-Saxon farmer who lived there.
The Peel Family and Textile Innovations
The Peel family played a big part in Oswaldtwistle's history. Robert Peel was born in the area in 1723. He became very successful by finding new ways to print patterns on calico fabric. One of his most popular patterns had a parsley sprig, which is why he was called "Parsley Peel." In 1760, Robert Peel started a business with his brother-in-law, Jonathan Haworth. They opened the Brookside Mill Calico Works. You can still see parts of it today in Bury Meadow Nature Reserve.
Robert Peel's son, also named Robert Peel, was born in 1750. He became a very rich cotton mill owner and a Member of Parliament (MP). He was even given the title of Baronet.
His grandson, yet another Robert Peel, became a full-time politician. He rose to become the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Another important person in the textile industry was James Hargreaves, who invented the Spinning Jenny. This machine made spinning thread much faster.
Power Loom Riots of 1826
Oswaldtwistle was involved in the power loom riots of 1826. New machines, called power looms, were introduced in factories. These machines were powered by steam engines and could do the work of many people. This led to many workers losing their jobs or getting very low wages. People were hungry and angry.
On April 26, 1826, a large group of cotton workers attacked the factory in White Ash (Brookside Mill) in Oswaldtwistle. They destroyed looms and other equipment. The riots lasted for three days and spread to other cotton towns in central Lancashire.
Coal Mining in Oswaldtwistle
Oswaldtwistle was part of the Burnley Coalfield. This means there were several coal mines in the area. One important mine was Aspen Colliery, located near the canal and railway line. It had its own canal basin and railway siding for transporting coal. Mining at Aspen Colliery started in the early 1800s and it closed in 1930. Today, the remains of the site, including stone engine beds and coke ovens, are protected as a historical monument.
Other mines were located in the hills to the south. These included Broadfield Colliery and Town Bent Colliery.
Local Government
Oswaldtwistle used to be a "township" within a larger ancient parish. It covered a wide area, including Oswaldtwistle Moor. In 1866, it became a "civil parish."
From 1894 to 1974, Oswaldtwistle was managed by an "urban district" council. Since then, it has been part of the Hyndburn borough. The Oswaldtwistle Town Hall was finished in 1891.
Economy and Community
In the 1940s, Alfred N. Waterhouse started a company called Shopfitters Lancashire Ltd in Oswaldtwistle. This company made fittings for shops. At its busiest in the 1960s, the company employed over 80 salespeople across the country. It was a very successful business, but it closed in the 1980s.
Today, the town centre has many different shops, including well-known brands and local independent businesses. You can find appliance repair shops, takeaways, barbers, estate agents, bakers, butchers, and more.
Oswaldtwistle also has many groups for young people. These include Boys' Brigade and Girl's Brigade groups, as well as Scouts, Beavers, and Cubs. There is also a group of majorettes called Hyndburn Comets.
Important Landmarks
Oswaldtwistle Moor
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Oswaldtwistle Moor is a large area of open land to the south of the town. It is next to Haslingden Moor and is part of the West Pennine Moors.
In 2007, there were plans to build a wind farm with twelve wind turbines on the moors. Some people supported the idea, while others were against it. The plan was approved in 2010. In October 2012, the project was finished and named the Hyndburn Wind Farm.
Oswaldtwistle Mills
Oswaldtwistle Mills is a popular place to visit. It used to be a textile mill, but now it's a craft fair. It also has an exhibition that shows what life was like in the mill a hundred years ago. You can also find the world's largest pear drop sweet here, made by Stockley's Sweets.
Civic Arts Centre and Theatre
The Civic Theatre is another important place. It has 457 seats and is known as the "Friendly Theatre." The ground floor was renovated and opened in August 2010 as the Civic Arts Centre.
Many shows have been performed there, and something new happens every week. There are workshops and drama sessions most evenings. New plays are often written and performed. The Centre is home to several theatre groups, like ReAct Academy and Oswaldtwistle Players. Since April 1, 2015, the Arts Centre and Theatre have merged into one building. Famous comedians like Jason Manford and John Bishop have performed there.
Rhyddings Park
Rhyddings Park is the only official park in Oswaldtwistle. It used to be the private gardens of a family who owned a local mill. It has been a public park since 1909. A community group helps to look after the park.
Oswaldtwistle Carnival
The Oswaldtwistle Carnival happens every two years. A committee was formed in June 2014 to bring the carnival back after a sixteen-year break. The first event was a big success that summer.
Education in Oswaldtwistle
Oswaldtwistle has several schools. These include Rhyddings (a secondary school) and many primary schools: Hippings Methodist Primary School, St. Mary's RC Primary School, St. Paul's CE Primary School, Moor End Primary School, St. Andrew's CE Primary School, and West End Primary School. There is also Oswaldtwistle School, which is a special school, and White Ash Specialist School.
Media and News
Local news and TV shows for Oswaldtwistle are provided by BBC North West and ITV Granada. You can get TV signals from the Winter Hill TV transmitter.
Local radio stations include BBC Radio Lancashire, Capital Manchester and Lancashire, Heart North West, and Greatest Hits Radio Lancashire. The local newspaper for the town is the Lancashire Telegraph.
Sports in Oswaldtwistle
Oswaldtwistle Rovers F.C. was a football team in the late 1800s. They even reached the second round of the FA Cup in 1885.
Today, Oswaldtwistle is home to Oswaldtwistle Juniors FC. This is a local junior football club that plays its home matches on a public field near Frederick Street.
Famous People from Oswaldtwistle
Many notable people have connections to Oswaldtwistle:
- Gordon Birtwistle – A politician who was an MP.
- Jackie Bray – An England international footballer.
- Raymond "Ossie" Clark – A famous fashion designer, nicknamed "Ossie" after the town.
- Mike Duxbury – An England international footballer.
- Nicholas Freeston – A Lancashire poet who worked in a cotton mill in Oswaldtwistle.
- James Hargreaves – The inventor of the spinning jenny.
- Polly James – A TV actress.
- Eddie Paynter – An England international test cricketer.
- Sir John Tomlinson – A famous opera singer.
- Thomas Wilmington – A footballer.
Twinned Town
In 2017, Oswaldtwistle was chosen to be part of a pilot program to twin towns. It was paired with Whitburn in Scotland.
- Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland
