57-452: Accrington / ˈ æ k r ɪ ŋ t ə n / is a town in the Hyndburn borough of Lancashire , England. It lies about 4 miles (6 km) east of Blackburn , 6 miles (10 km) west of Burnley , 13 miles (21 km) east of Preston , 20 miles (32 km) north of Manchester and is situated on the culverted River Hyndburn . Commonly abbreviated by locals to "Accy", the town has
114-412: A general strike spread from town to town due to conditions in the town. In a population of 9,000 people as few as 100 were fully employed. From 15 August 1842 the situation boiled over and bands of men entered the mills which were running and stopped the machinery by knocking out the boiler plugs. This allowed the water and steam to escape shutting down the mill machinery. Thousands of strikers walked over
171-479: A Local Board of Health was constituted in 1853 and the town itself incorporated in 1878 allowing the enforcement of local laws to improve the town. One well-known association the town has is with the ' Accrington Pals ', the nickname given to the smallest home town battalion of volunteers formed to fight in the First World War . The Pals battalions were a peculiarity of the 1914-18 war: Lord Kitchener ,
228-572: A further 350 wounded – more than half of the battalion – within half an hour. Similarly, desperate losses were suffered elsewhere on the front, in a disastrous day for the British Army (approximately 19,000 British soldiers were killed in a single day). Later in the year, the East Lancashire Regiment was rebuilt with new volunteers – in all, 865 Accrington men were killed during World War I. All of these names are recorded on
285-534: A local businessman. Today, the town's economy is more diverse, with a range of businesses and services operating in the area. Many of the old mill and factory buildings have been repurposed as offices, workshops, and other facilities, providing space for a variety of enterprises. The town also has a number of retail and commercial areas, including the Arndale Centre and the Peel Centre, which are home to
342-542: A population of 35,456 according to the 2011 census . Accrington is the largest settlement and the seat of the Hyndburn borough council. Accrington is a former centre of the cotton and textile machinery industries. The town is famed for manufacturing the hardest and densest building bricks in the world, "The Accrington NORI" (iron), which were used in the construction of the Empire State Building and for
399-620: A public consultation, the change of name did not go ahead. Hyndburn Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Lancashire County Council . Altham is a civil parish , which forms a third tier of local government for that part of the borough. In March 2010, Hyndburn Borough Council was voted the 10 th best council in The Times "Best Public Sector Places to Work". The borough also made it to The Times Best Companies Guide . The council has been under no overall control since 2022. Following
456-473: A range of shops, restaurants, and other businesses. Accrington power station was a coal and refuse-fired electricity generating station that operated on Argyle Street adjacent to the gasworks between 1900 and 1958. The power station supplied electricity to Accrington, Haslingden, and the Altham and Clayton-le-Moors areas. The site is now a residential area. Accrington remains a centre of business and industry in
513-771: A rich sporting heritage, with Accrington Stanley Football Club, founded in 1968, representing the town in the English Football League. The town also has a strong tradition of brass band music, with several local bands competing at regional and national level. Other cultural attractions in the town include the Haworth Art Gallery, which houses a collection of British art and decorative arts, and the Accrington Market Hall, which runs events and activities. Some areas of Accrington have high levels of poverty and deprivation. In one area of
570-569: A speaker from where they marched on Sykes's Mill at Higher Grange Lane, near the site of the modern police station and magistrates' courts , and smashed over 60 looms. These riots spread from Accrington through Oswaldtwistle, Blackburn, Darwen, Rossendale, Bury and Chorley. In the end, after three days of riots 1,139 looms were destroyed, 4 rioters and 2 bystanders shot dead by the authorities in Rossendale and 41 rioters sentenced to death (all of whose sentences were commuted). In 1842 'plug riots'
627-636: A war memorial, an imposing white stone cenotaph, which stands in Oak Hill Park in the south of the town. The cenotaph also lists the names of 173 local fatalities from World War II . The trenches from which the Accrington Pals advanced on 1 July 1916 are still visible in John Copse west of the village of Serre, and there is a memorial there made of Accrington brick. After the war and until 1986, Accrington Corporation buses were painted in
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#1732772292036684-444: Is NORI bricks, a type of iron-hard engineering brick that was produced in nearby Huncoat. The NORI brickworks were established in the 1860s, and their products were widely used in the construction of mills, factories, and other industrial buildings throughout the north of England, as well as Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building . The brickworks closed in 2013 due to declining demand, but reopened in 2015 after being acquired by
741-528: Is also worth noting that "Ingas" is the Old Norse word for "tribe", which may be relevant to the name's origin. Overall, the etymology of "Accrington" is complex and there are several theories about its origin. While the "acorn farmstead" interpretation is the most commonly accepted explanation, further research and analysis may be needed to confirm or refute this theory, or to identify alternative possibilities. There appears to be no mention of Accrington from
798-622: Is found in the Parish of Whalley records from 850, where it is written as "Akeringastun". In subsequent records, the name appears in various forms, including "Akarinton" in 1194, "Akerunton", "Akerinton", and "Akerynton" in 1258, "Acrinton" in 1292, "Ackryngton" in 1311, and "Acryngton" in 1324. The name may derive from the Old English words "æcern", meaning "acorn", and "tun", meaning "farmstead" or "village", thus possibly meaning "acorn farmstead". However, some sources argue that this interpretation
855-471: Is not definitive and that alternative explanations may exist. New Accrington, the southern part of the town, was historically part of the Forest of Blackburnshire. The area's abundance of oak trees can be inferred from local place names such as Broad Oak and Oak Hill. Acorns, a product of oak trees, were once a crucial food source for swine, which may have led to the naming of a farmstead after this resource. In
912-651: Is polycentric and is located between the larger settlements of Blackburn and Burnley. It is linked to both areas by the M65 motorway and the East Lancashire railway line . The borough had a population of 80,734 at the 2011 census. Much of the borough forms part of the Accrington/Rossendale Built-up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics , which covers the borough and parts of
969-469: Is recorded that Thomas Waddington transferred the lands Scaytcliff (Scaitcliffe) and Peneworth (Pennyworth) to Nicholas Rishton and to his Son Geoffrey. Accrington covers two townships which were established in 1507 following disafforestation; those of Old Accrington and New Accrington; which were merged in 1878 with the incorporation of the borough council. The William Yates map of The county Palatine of Lancaster printed in 1786 shows Old Accrington included
1026-652: Is usually held by a different councillor each year. They chair meetings of the full council and are expected to be politically impartial during their term of office, but they do get an additional casting vote in the event of a tie. The mayors since 1974 have been: The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Hyndburn. 53°46′05″N 2°22′55″W / 53.768°N 2.382°W / 53.768; -2.382 Royal forest Too Many Requests If you report this error to
1083-416: The 2023 election a Conservative minority administration formed. The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: The role of Mayor of Hyndburn is largely ceremonial, with political leadership instead provided by
1140-538: The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 after the 1885 general election by Accrington (UK Parliament constituency) . This seat was abolished in the 1983 general election and replaced with the present constituency of Hyndburn (UK Parliament constituency) . Accrington became incorporated as a municipal borough in 1878. Under the Local Government Act 1972 , since 1974, the town has formed part of
1197-726: The Secretary of State for War , believed that it would help recruitment if friends and work-mates from the same town were able to join up and fight together. Strictly speaking, the 'Accrington Pals' battalion is properly known as the '11th East Lancashire Regiment ': the nickname is a little misleading, since of the four 250-strong companies that made up the original battalion only one was composed of men from Accrington. The rest volunteered from other east Lancashire towns such as Burnley , Blackburn and Chorley . The Pals' first day of action, 1 July 1916, took place in Serre , near Montauban in
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#17327722920361254-403: The leader of the council . The leaders since 1974 have been: Following the 2024 election , the composition of the council was: The next election is due in 2026. Since the last boundary changes in 2002 the council has comprised 35 councillors representing 16 wards , with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, with roughly a third of
1311-536: The watershed between Hyndburn and River Calder , both eventually leading into River Ribble via separate routes. The Hyndburn district further north eventually falls to the modest elevation of the Calder river banks. Accrington railway station, located on the East Lancashire Line, provides strong local travel links. The station runs trains locally and from Blackpool to York. However, recent changes to
1368-718: The A680, connecting to the M66 motorway heading towards Manchester. The closest airports are Manchester Airport, Blackpool Airport, and Leeds Bradford Airport, all within 30 miles. Several bus companies provide services in the town, including Pilkington Bus, Holmeswood Coaches, Rosso, and Transdev Blazefield subsidiaries Blackburn Bus Company and Burnley Bus Company. Regular bus services connect Accrington to other towns in East Lancashire, including Blackburn, Oswaldtwistle, Rishton, Burnley, and Clitheroe. M&M Coaches provided services in
1425-827: The Accrington built-up area subdivision (which includes Huncoat , Baxenden and Rising Bridge in Rossendale ) and a population of 125,000 for the wider Accrington/Rossendale Built-up area . The area in 2001 was listed as 696 hectares (2.69 sq mi), whereas in 2011 it was 742.25 hectares (2.87 sq mi). The borough of Hyndburn as a whole has a population of 80,734. This includes Accrington Urban Area and other outlying towns and villages such as; Altham , Rishton , part of Belthorn , and Knuzden and Whitebirk (considered suburbs of Blackburn ). Historically, cotton and textile machinery were important industries in Accrington, with many mills and factories operating in
1482-629: The Lancashire dialect, "acorn" is pronounced "akran", which might have influenced the name's development. No known Old English personal name corresponds to the first element in "Accrington". Nevertheless, the Frisian names "Akkrum" and "Akkeringa", as well as the Dutch name "Akkerghem", are believed to derive from the personal name "Akker". This finding suggests the possibility of a related Old English name from which "Accrington" could have originated. It
1539-554: The Market Hall which is 133.5 metres (438 ft) the benchmark on the side of the neighbouring Town Hall is 441.10 feet (134.45 m). The highest height in the town is 320 metres (1,050 ft) which is in Baxenden and the lowest at the town hall which is at 132.5 metres (435 ft). Accrington is lowering in elevation travelling northwards towards the Hyndburn. North of the river the elevation rises again, crossing over
1596-615: The Roman period. The area typically appears to be heavily forested, with very few established settlements. According to folklore, a tall Danish tribal leader named Wada invaded the area between 760 and 798; who seems to have founded Waddington, Paddington (Padiham) and Akeringastun (Accrington). Descendants of the Wada held much of the lands until the sixteenth century. In 1442, the Waddingtons' hold leases on Berefeld (Bellfield), and in 1517 it
1653-466: The area for hunting when the Forest of Accrington was one of the four forests of the hundred of Blackburnshire . Robert de Lacy gave the manor of Accrington to the monks of Kirkstall in the 12th century. The monks built a grange there; removing the inhabitants to make room for it. The locals got their revenge by setting fire to the new building, destroying its contents and in the process killing
1710-644: The area of Oaklea and also the intersection of the Winburn River (now the River Hyndburn) and Warmden Brook. New Accrington included the area of Green Haworth and Broadfield. There have been settlements there since the medieval period, likely in the Grange Lane and Black Abbey area, and the King's Highway which passes above the town was at one time used by the kings and queens of England when they used
1767-432: The area until the company ceased business suddenly on 21 September 2016. The trackbed from Accrington to Baxenden, which was once a rail link south to Manchester, is now a linear treelined cycleway/footpath. The cycleway/footpath is a popular route for cycling and walking, offering views Accrington Library , on St James Street was built in 1908 as a Carnegie library . It has a stained glass window by Gustav Hiller and
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1824-404: The boroughs of Ribble Valley to the north, Burnley to the east, Rossendale to the south, and Blackburn with Darwen to the west. The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , as a non-metropolitan district covering the territory of six former districts, which were abolished at the same time, plus a single parish from a seventh district: The new district
1881-409: The case of Hameldon Hill to the east. The River Hyndburn or Accrington Brook flows through the centre of the town. Hill settlements origins were as the economic foci of the district engaging in the spinning and weaving of woollen cloth. Wool, lead and coal were other local industries. Geographical coordinates: 53° 46' 0" North, 2° 21' 0" West. Height above sea level: there is a spot height outside
1938-956: The council elected each time for a four year term of office. Lancashire County Council elections are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no borough council elections. The council's main offices are at Scaitcliffe House on Ormerod Street in Accrington, being part of a converted textile mill. The council moved there in 2002. Full council meetings are usually held at Accrington Town Hall . There are approximately nine state secondary schools in Hyndburn. These include The Hyndburn Academy , St Christopher's Church of England High School , Accrington Academy , Rhyddings , Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School , The Hollins , along with Broadfield Specialist School, and North Cliffe School. The percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grades A*-C has increased from 43.7% in 2001 up to 75.9% in 2011. Absences dropped from 12,052 in 2006 to 9,545 in 2011, mainly due to schools competing. The district
1995-491: The council, boost the local economy. The plan is to upgrade old shops and to build a bus station. A memorial for the Accrington Pals may be built outside the town hall. The Hyndburn Borough Council plans to spend £10 million to refurbish the town centre, including: Half of Blackburn Road is being refurbished and is now being made into a more attractive shopping street, upgrading shops, adding more trees, and repaving
2052-476: The foundations of Blackpool Tower and the Haworth Art Gallery which holds Europe's largest collection of Tiffany glass . The club is home to EFL club Accrington Stanley . The town played a part in the founding of the football league system, with a defunct club being one of the twelve original clubs. The name "Accrington" likely has Anglo-Saxon origins. The earliest known recording of the name
2109-623: The government. Crime is very low in Accrington compared to nearby towns. Policing of the Railway station and railway-owned properties are served by the British Transport Police, nearest post in Preston. Accrington is represented in parliament as a part of the constituency of Hyndburn. The constituency boundaries do not align exactly with those of the district of the same name. Accrington was first represented nationally after
2166-588: The hills from one town to another to persuade people to join the strike in civil disturbances that lasted about a week. The strike was associated with the Chartist movement but eventually proved unsuccessful in its aims. In the early 1860s the Lancashire cotton famine badly affected Accrington, although less so than the wider area due to its more diverse economy, with as many as half of the town's mill employees out of work at one time. Conditions were such that
2223-544: The larger Borough of Hyndburn including the former Urban Districts of Oswaldtwistle , Church , Clayton-le-Moors , Great Harwood and Rishton . Hyndburn Hyndburn / ˈ h aɪ n d b ər n / is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire , England. Its council is based in Accrington , the largest town, and the borough also covers the outlying towns of Clayton-le-Moors , Great Harwood , Oswaldtwistle and Rishton . The borough
2280-437: The mid-18th century. Further industrialisation then followed in the late-18th century and local landowners began building mansions in the area on the outskirts of the settlement where their mills were located while their employees lived in overcrowded unsanitary conditions in the centre. Industrialisation resulted in rapid population growth during the 19th century, as people moved from over North West England to Accrington, with
2337-436: The neighbouring borough of Rossendale . The Acrrington/Rossendale built-up area extends from the town of Accrington to Rawtenstall and Bacup , taking in parts of the boroughs of Hyndburn and Rossendale. The Accrington/Rossendale built-up area was recorded at having a population of 125,059 at the 2011 census. Altham is the only civil parish in Hyndburn. The rest of the borough is an unparished area . The role of mayor
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2394-717: The north of France. It was part of the 'Big Push' (later known as the Battle of the Somme ) that was intended to force the German Army into a retreat from the Western Front , a line they had held since late 1914. The German defences in Serre were supposed to have been obliterated by sustained, heavy, British shelling during the preceding week; however, as the battalion advanced it met with fierce resistance. 235 men were killed and
2451-611: The pavements. As of 2014, two new phases were being built: the first one called the Acorn Park, where new houses were being built with balconies and greener spaces, and Project Phoenix, which will also include new housing. Accrington is a hill town located at between the Pennines and the West Pennine Moors , within a bowl and largely encircled by surrounding hills to rising to a height of 409 metres (1,342 ft) in
2508-433: The population increasing from 3,266 in 1811 to 10,376 in 1851 to 43,211 in 1901 to its peak in 1911 at 45,029. This fast population growth and slow response from the established church allowed non-conformism to flourish in the town. By the mid-19th century, there were Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist, United Free Methodist, Congregationalist, Baptist, Swedenborgian, Unitarian, Roman Catholic and Catholic Apostolic churches in
2565-408: The records are uncertain. What is known is that there was a chapel in Accrington prior to 1553 where the vicar of Whalley was responsible for the maintenance of divine worship. However it did not have its own minister and it was served, when at all, by the curate of one of the adjacent chapels. In 1717 Accrington was served by the curate of Church, who preached there only once a month. St. James's Church
2622-404: The regimental colours of red and blue with gold lining. The mudguards were painted black as a sign of mourning. The 2001 census gave the population of Accrington town as 35,200. The figure for the urban area was 71,220, increased from 70,442 in 1991. This total includes Accrington, Church , Clayton-le-Moors , Great Harwood and Oswaldtwistle . The 2011 census gave a population of 35,456 for
2679-477: The region, with a rich history of manufacturing and innovation. The area benefits from its location close to major transport links, including the M65 motorway and the East Lancashire railway line, which connect Accrington to other parts of the county and beyond. In recent years, the town has seen investment in new development projects, including the £60 million "Civic Quarter" regeneration scheme, which aims to revitalize
2736-419: The three lay brothers who occupied it. An area of the town is named 'Black Abbey', a possible reference to the murders. Regardless of whatever happened, Accrington did not remain under monastic control for long before reverting to the de Lacys . It is thought the monks of Kirkstall may have built a small chapel there during their tenure for the convenience of those in charge residing there and their tenants, but
2793-402: The town center and create new jobs and opportunities for local people. The project includes the construction of a new public square, a state-of-the-art leisure center, and new office and retail spaces, as well as the refurbishment of existing buildings. In addition to its commercial and industrial activities, Accrington is also home to a number of cultural and recreational amenities. The town has
2850-514: The town during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The town was renowned for its production of cotton cloth, and several of its mills became famous for their high-quality fabrics, including the Victoria and Jubilee mills. However, like many other towns in Lancashire, the decline of the cotton industry in the mid-20th century led to a significant reduction in manufacturing activity in Accrington. One notable industrial product associated with Accrington
2907-413: The town in 2020, 77% of children were living in poverty. Deprivation increased in Accrington from 2004 to 2010. The Accrington Town Centre Investment Plan 2022-2032 states "Accrington has severe pockets of deprivation – particularly around employment, income and living environment - which has been getting worse during the last 20 years". The council has a regeneration plan in place, which will, according to
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#17327722920362964-606: The town. The Swedenborgian church was so grand that it was considered to be the 'Cathedral' of that denomination. For many decades the textiles industry, the engineering industry and coal mining were the central activities of the town. Cotton mills and dye works provided work for the inhabitants, but often in very difficult conditions. There was a regular conflict with employers over wages and working conditions. On 24 April 1826 over 1,000 men and women, many armed, gathered at Whinney Hill in Clayton-le-Moors to listen to
3021-546: The train timetables have increased the journey time to Preston by up to 1.5 hours, a vital link to London or Scotland. In 2015, a train service to Manchester via the Todmorden Curve opened, providing a new rail link south to Manchester. The town is served by junction seven of the M65 motorway and the A680 road, which runs from Rochdale to Whalley. The town is also linked from the A56 dual carriageway which briefly merges with
3078-696: Was a place of inspiration for the young Jeanette Winterson . Near the Tesco supermarket, there is Accrington Skate Park which is popular during the school holidays. On Broadway, Accrington Police Station serves the Borough of Hyndburn . In April 2003, Hyndburn Community Fire Station opened, also serving the Borough of Hyndburn. The town is served by the Lancashire Constabulary Police station on Broadway after moving into town from its previous location on Manchester Road as an effort to save money due to rising expenses and decreasing funding by
3135-409: Was built in 1763, replacing the old chapel however it did not achieve parochial status until as late as 1870. Until around 1830, visitors considered Accrington to be just a "considerable village". The Industrial Revolution , however, resulted in large changes and Accrington's location on the confluence of a number of streams made it attractive to industry and a number of mills were built in the town in
3192-552: Was created in 1974 and takes its name from the River Hyndburn . It had a population of 80,734 at the 2011 Census . Elections to the council are held in three out of every four years, with one third of the 35 seats on the council being elected at each election. Both the Conservative and Labour parties have controlled the council at different times, as well as periods when no party has had a majority. Hyndburn borders
3249-415: Was given the name Hyndburn, taken from the River Hyndburn which passes through the district. The new district was awarded borough status on the day that it came into being, allowing the chairman of the council to take the title of mayor. In 2007, the council proposed changing the name from Hyndburn to "Accrington and Districts", to aid recognition of the borough by those not familiar with the area. After
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