An Introduction to Standish
From Standish Wiki
| Standish | |
 | |
| Greater Manchester, with Standish Highlighted | |
| Latitude | 53° 35′ 12.31″ N |
|---|---|
| Longitude | 2° 39′ 50.38″ W |
| Metropolitan borough | Wigan |
| Ceremonial county | Lancashire |
| Metropolitan county | Greater Manchester |
| Region | North West England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| UK Parliament | Wigan |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| Post town | Wigan |
| Postcode | WN6 |
| Dialling code | 01257 |
| OS grid reference | SD560102 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
Wikipedia says that
"Standish is a village and district of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England. Historically part of Lancashire, Standish is located between the neighbouring towns of Chorley and Wigan."
Standish is much, much more than this. It is a historic Lancastrian township with a proud heritage and a documented history going back over 800 years. It was probably settled for a long time before this, as testified by two Roman hoards found within its environs.
The Standish of Standish family, with their colourful history which mirrors that of England, were Lords of the Manor here from the 12th century until the line died out in the early years of the 20th century. Myles Standish, the famous military advisor to the Pilgrims of the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony, was a relation to the family.
The parish church of St. Wilfrid, Wigan's only Grade 1 listed building, has dominated the centre of the township since it was built in 1584. Its spire, added in 1867, can be seen from all approaches, and its 16th century nave and splendid oak roof, its early 17th century pulpit and bench-ends, make it justly renowned as one of Lancashire’s most interesting churches.
The township's Market Place, with its stone cross, wooden stocks and ancient well, show its ancient heritage as a commercial centre for the local area. The Boar's Head Inn, where one Roman hoard was found, has served travellers on the north road since at least 1271.
"STANDISH is a township, parish and village, in the hundred and deanery of Leyland, and in the archdeaconry of Chester, three miles N.N.W. of Wigan. The parish Church of St. Wilfred is rather a handsome structure, of the Tuscan order, erected about 1584, by the Rev. Richard Moodie, a converted Franciscan monk, and the first protestant rector of this church. The rectory is now in the patronage of Chas. Standish, Esq. The free grammar school here was founded at the beginning of the 17th century, it's endowment being about £90. per annum. Fairs are held on the 29th of June and the 22nd of November, for horses, horned cattle and toys. This parish contains ten townships, including a chapelry, and, in 1821, a population of 7,616 persons; of which number upwards of 2,000 were in Standish-with-Langtree."Royal National and Commercial Directory and Topography of the county of Lancashire - Pigot & Co. 1828
Local industry has changed greatly throughout the history of Standish. Farmland still surrounds the majority of the township, pointing to its agrarian roots, but little sign remains of the extensive mining industry which once dominated the area. The textile mills founded in the late 18th century have closed too, but there is still a wealth of modern industry within Standish.
More recently, the convenience of the motorway has made Standish a sought-after home for commuters to other nearby towns and cities. This has lead to increasing pressures upon the township's infrastructure as the population grows and what was once a village (1921 population: approximately 7,000) becomes a township (2001 population: approximately 17,000). Most available land, both brownfield and greenfield, has been developed to cater for the influx of new residents, some would say to excessive levels. The use of Standish as a major arterial route into and out of Wigan has lead to significant congestion at peak times.
STANDISH, a village, a township, and a sub-district, in Wigan district, and a parish partly also in Chorley district, Lancashire. The village stands near the North-western railway, 3½ miles NNW of Wigan; and has a station on the railway, a post-office under Wigan, and fairs on 29 June and 22 Nov. The township bears the name of S.-with-Langtree, and comprises 3,257 acres. Real property, £15,788; of which £6,700 are in mines. Pop. in 1861, 2,655; in 1861, 3,054. Houses, 579. The manor has belonged, since soon after the Norman conquest, to the Standish family; and once had a castle. There are extensive coal mines, a large paper-mill, and barytes works. The sub-district contains also two other townships of S. parish, and two of Eccleston; and comprises 10,661 acres. Pop., 6,894. Houses, 1,259. The parish includes seven townships of Chorley district; and comprises 15,285 acres. Pop. in 1851, 8,594; in 1861, 10,410. Houses, 1,900. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Manchester. Value, £1,874.* Patron, H. Standish, Esq. The church was built in 1584, and restored in 1859; and has a fine E window, and a tower and spire. The p. curacies of Adlington, Coppull, and Charnock-Richard are separate benefices. There are an endowed grammar-school with £114 a year, an endowed school for girls with £53, and charities £402.John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72)
Geographically, Standish is just 3 miles north of Wigan, standing on what was once one of the major routes from the south, the A49. It is now bypassed along its western edge by the M6 motorway, and is served by junction 27.
Standish is 23 miles (38km) from the cities of Manchester (SE) and Liverpool (SW), and 14 miles (23km) from the city of Preston (NNW). It is also 205 miles (331km) from London (SSE) and 196 miles (316km) from Glasgow (NNW).
Commercially, Standish features a good number of shops in and around the centre of the township, selling a wide range of goods and services. Being only 3 miles north of Wigan, and less than an hour away by road or rail from the cities of North West England, anything that Standish cannot provide is easily available nearby.
Standish, par., township, and vil. with ry. sta., Lancashire - par., 15,377ac., pop. 13,526; township (Standish with Langtree), 3265 ac., pop. 4261; vil., 3½ miles NW. of Wigan; P.O., T.O.; has the Standish Mills, paperworks; large coal mines; and Standish. Park, seat.John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Our website aims to provide an in-depth look at Standish, both historically and of today. Developed for visitors, expatriates and residents alike, our aim is to be the number 1 resource for and of Standish.
ps. The book ["The Even Deeper Meaning Of Liff"], by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd, describes Standish thus:
Standish (vb.)
To be lingering at the foot of the stairs with the TV-remote in one hand, about to go to bed, but unable to actually go because you keep finding just one more interesting item to watch. Some people have been known to watch entire movies whilst caught in a Standish condition. Others have been discovered the next morning, still there, insisting that "just another five minutes" and they'll be off to bed.
