Oswaldtwistle

Coordinates: 53°44′36″N 2°23′37″W / 53.7434°N 2.3935°W / 53.7434; -2.3935

Oswaldtwistle
Ossy, Ossie
Oswaldtwistle  Oswaldtwistle shown within Lancashire
Area	0.830119 sq mi (2.15000 km2) [1]
Population	12,532
- Density	15,097 /sq mi (5,829 /km2)
OS grid reference	SD740275
- London	182 mi (293 km)
District	Hyndburn
Shire county	Lancashire
Region	North West
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	Hyndburn
List of places: UK • England • Lancashire

Oswaldtwistle (pronounced 'Ozzle-twizzle') is a town within the Hyndburn borough of Lancashire, England. It lies on the course of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, 3 miles (4.8 km) east-southeast of Blackburn.

History

The name is derived from 'Oswald' and 'Twistle'. The word 'twistle' is an old English word meaning 'brooks meet'. Legend has it that St.Oswald, King of Northumbria passed through, giving the area its full title of Oswald's Twistle, which in time came to be Oswaldtwistle. However, it is more likely derived from the name of the Anglo-Saxon who farmed the land.

Sir Robert Peel, 1st Baronet, who, as a factory-owner, effected wide developments in the cotton industry, was born at Peelfold, within the township, in 1750. Another historical figure associated with the textile industry was James Hargreaves, inventor of the Spinning Jenny. He resided in what is now the post office on Stanhill Lane.

Rhyddings Park

Whiteash Field

Oswaldtwistle Library

Power Loom Riots

The people of Oswaldtwistle were involved in the power loom riots of 1826. The mechanisation of the textile industry (Spinning Jenny and the power loom) resulted in redundancies, low wages and starvation. A large number of angry cotton workers attacked the White Ash factory in Oswaldtwistle, about a mile away from Hargreaves' workshop, on April 26th and destroyed looms and other equipment. The riots went on for four days, extending to all cotton towns in central Lancashire.

Landmarks

Oswaldtwistle Mills is a notable attraction; a textile mill converted into a craft fair and with an exhibition about life in the Mill a hundred years ago. It is also home of the world's largest pear drop made by Stockley's Sweets.

Also of note is the 474 capacity Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, known as the "Friendly Theatre". Past performers at the venue include: Ken Dodd, Rick Wakeman, Steve Harley, The Houghton Weavers, Marty Wilde & Derek Acorah.^[2]

Rhyddings Park is the only formal park within Oswaldtwistle. It was originally the grounds of a private house belonging to a local mill owning family. It has been a public park since 1909. More information about Rhyddings Park can be found on the website of its active community group, ^[3] Map location of Rhyddings Park

Sports

England international footballer Jackie Bray was born in Oswaldtwistle, as was current Stevenage Borough striker Joel Byrom. Eddie Paynter, England international test cricketer also was born in Oswaldtwistle.

Notable people

Raymond "Ossie" Clark, an important fashion designer during the Swinging Sixties was a native of Ozzy and took on the nickname of "Ossie" in honour of the place.

Also Ian Schofield, a notable composer, was born in Oswaldtwistle in 1949. He has composed such choral works as Te Deum and Fire From Heaven. He now works as a lecturer at South Downs College whilst continuing his composing.

And Cricketer Eddie Paynter, who played for Enfield CC, Lancashire and England

also James Hargreaves- creatour of the spinning jenny

Twinned Town

• Falkenberg,  Sweden

References

Oswaldtwistle Firestation

External links

• Accrington Web Hyndburn's local community forum
• Leeds Liverpool Canal in Oswaldtwistle towpathtreks.co.uk
• Photos of Oswaldtwistle Life and Times of Oswaldtwistle
• Oswaldtwistle Mills o-mills.co.uk
• The Friends of Rhyddings Park A very active local community group