Ainsdale
Encyclopedia
Ainsdale-on-Sea is a village
in the borough of Sefton, Merseyside
, England
, situated three miles south of Southport
, of which it is a suburb. At the 2001 Census
it had a population of 12,723.
as Einulvesdel. Deriving from Old Norse
name Einulfsdalr, this apparently was the valley occupied by a Scandinavian by the name of Einulf.
Throughout the 1800s Ainsdale remained an agricultural community. Prior to the British Agricultural Revolution
fields and farms in the locality were small and land was enclosed. The 1841 Census
listed 176 inhabitants in 33 houses with occupations of farmer, agricultural labourers and servants
.
Ainsdale railway station
opened in 1848.
Ainsdale became part of the County Borough
of Southport
in 1912 after being part of Birkdale
Urban District
, though it remained a separate civil parish to Southport until 1925. Until 1 April 1974 the village lay in Lancashire
.
, and a significant part of South Birkdale, forms a single electoral ward named Ainsdale
, it is currently represented by three councillors on Sefton Council: Brenda Porter and Terry Jones (both Conservative Party
), and Haydn Preece (Liberal Democrats
).
For parliamentary elections
, the ward is part of the Southport
constituency, currently represented by the Liberal Democrat MP
, John Pugh
, who was re-elected at the 2010 United Kingdom general election.
Ainsdale boating lake, along with the beach itself, were popular tourist attractions, and thus Lakeside Hotel (now known as The Sands) was built to accommodate those wishing to stay in the area. However, a large campsite was also well populated in the busiest periods of the year.
In the village green
there is a war memorial that commemorates the lives of forty-four Ainsdale residents killed as a result of World War I
.
, which is situated on the Northern Line
of the Merseyrail
network, linking Southport to Liverpool
. Trains operate every 15 minutes in each direction from early morning to late evening.
Frequent bus services passing through Ainsdale are provided by Arriva
, including:
• 44/44A Crossens - Formby
• 47 Banks - Liverpool
• 48/48A Southport - Liverpool
• 49/49A Crossens - Woodvale
Every year at the start of July Ainsdale Horticultural Society hold a village show. This highly successful local event showcases local growers produce in an horticultural
competition and hosts many other events by local people.
Ainsdale beach is designated by Sefton Council
as a kite beach where kitesurfing
and land-based kite traction activities are allowed.
The Sefton coastal path
and the Trans Pennine Trail
both pass through Ainsdale. A number of waymarked nature trails are also accessible from the town. These trails allow access to the Ainsdale Sand Dunes, designated as one of the National Nature Reserves in England
. This nature reserve
also comprises part of a Ramsar
site.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in the borough of Sefton, Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, situated three miles south of Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, of which it is a suburb. At the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
it had a population of 12,723.
Prior to 1600
Ainsdale was listed in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as Einulvesdel. Deriving from Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
name Einulfsdalr, this apparently was the valley occupied by a Scandinavian by the name of Einulf.
1600-Present
Ainsdale formed part of Sir Cuthbert Halsall of Halsall's estates during the early part of the 1600s. After financial difficulties the land containing Ainsdale (then Aynsdale) had to be sold. In 1634 the ownership was passed to Robert Blundell. The lands were passed from generation to generation within the Blundell family and remained in their ownership until the mid 1900s.Throughout the 1800s Ainsdale remained an agricultural community. Prior to the British Agricultural Revolution
British Agricultural Revolution
British Agricultural Revolution describes a period of development in Britain between the 17th century and the end of the 19th century, which saw an epoch-making increase in agricultural productivity and net output. This in turn supported unprecedented population growth, freeing up a significant...
fields and farms in the locality were small and land was enclosed. The 1841 Census
United Kingdom Census 1841
The United Kingdom Census of 1841 recorded the occupants of every UK household on the night of 6 June, 1841. It was described as the "first modern census" in that it was the first to record information about every member of the household and because it was administered as a single event, under...
listed 176 inhabitants in 33 houses with occupations of farmer, agricultural labourers and servants
Domestic worker
A domestic worker is a man, woman or child who works within the employer's household. Domestic workers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to cleaning and household maintenance, known as housekeeping...
.
Ainsdale railway station
Ainsdale railway station
Ainsdale railway station serves the village of Ainsdale near Southport, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line.-History:...
opened in 1848.
Ainsdale became part of the County Borough
County borough
County borough is a term introduced in 1889 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , to refer to a borough or a city independent of county council control. They were abolished by the Local Government Act 1972 in England and Wales, but continue in use for lieutenancy and shrievalty in...
of Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
in 1912 after being part of Birkdale
Birkdale
Birkdale is a village and district in the southern part of the conurbation of the town of Southport, within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, though historically in Lancashire, in the north-west of England. The village is located on the Irish Sea coast, approximately a mile away from...
Urban District
Urban district
In the England, Wales and Ireland, an urban district was a type of local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected Urban District Council , which shared local government responsibilities with a county council....
, though it remained a separate civil parish to Southport until 1925. Until 1 April 1974 the village lay in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
.
Governance
The village of Ainsdale, together with the adjoining settlment of WoodvaleWoodvale, Merseyside
Woodvale is a village in Sefton, Merseyside, England. It is situated between Formby and Ainsdale, to the south of Southport and to the north of RAF Woodvale....
, and a significant part of South Birkdale, forms a single electoral ward named Ainsdale
Ainsdale (ward)
Ainsdale is a Metropolitan Borough of Sefton ward in the Southport Parliamentary constituency that covers the localities of Ainsdale and Woodvale in the town of Southport.-Councillors:-Elections of the 2010s:-References:...
, it is currently represented by three councillors on Sefton Council: Brenda Porter and Terry Jones (both Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
), and Haydn Preece (Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
).
For parliamentary elections
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
, the ward is part of the Southport
Southport (UK Parliament constituency)
Southport is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:...
constituency, currently represented by the Liberal Democrat MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, John Pugh
John Pugh
John David Pugh is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is Member of Parliament for Southport...
, who was re-elected at the 2010 United Kingdom general election.
Landmarks
Ainsdale Mill, built circa 1800 on the site of an earlier wooden mill, was an impressive - and functional - landmark, until its closure in 1965, and later demolition. A branch railway line from Ainsdale station was constructed to serve the mill during its operating years.Ainsdale boating lake, along with the beach itself, were popular tourist attractions, and thus Lakeside Hotel (now known as The Sands) was built to accommodate those wishing to stay in the area. However, a large campsite was also well populated in the busiest periods of the year.
In the village green
Village green
A village green is a common open area which is a part of a settlement. Traditionally, such an area was often common grass land at the centre of a small agricultural settlement, used for grazing and sometimes for community events...
there is a war memorial that commemorates the lives of forty-four Ainsdale residents killed as a result of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Transport
The locality is served by Ainsdale railway stationAinsdale railway station
Ainsdale railway station serves the village of Ainsdale near Southport, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line.-History:...
, which is situated on the Northern Line
Northern Line (Merseyrail)
The Northern Line is one of the two commuter rail lines operated by Merseyrail in Merseyside, England. The other line is the Wirral Line. A third line of the Merseyrail Network, the City Line, is not owned or operated by Merseyrail, although funded by Merseytravel.The Northern Line passes...
of the Merseyrail
Merseyrail
Merseyrail is a train operating company and commuter rail network in the United Kingdom, centred on Liverpool, Merseyside. The network is predominantly electric with diesel trains running on the City Line. Two City Line branches are currently being electrified on the overhead wire AC system with...
network, linking Southport to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. Trains operate every 15 minutes in each direction from early morning to late evening.
Frequent bus services passing through Ainsdale are provided by Arriva
Arriva
Arriva plc is a multinational public transport company owned by Deutsche Bahn and headquartered in Sunderland, United Kingdom. It has bus, coach, train, tram and waterbus operations in 12 countries across Europe, employs more than 47,500 people and services over 1.5 billion passenger journeys each...
, including:
• 44/44A Crossens - Formby
• 47 Banks - Liverpool
• 48/48A Southport - Liverpool
• 49/49A Crossens - Woodvale
Recreation and sports
Ainsdale has teams in football, cricket, bowls, pool and hosts the Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club. The football section of Ainsdale Sports and Social Club hosts teams from Under 7 up to Under 16 and Open Age Teams. The cricket team play in the successful Liverpool Competition.Every year at the start of July Ainsdale Horticultural Society hold a village show. This highly successful local event showcases local growers produce in an horticultural
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
competition and hosts many other events by local people.
Ainsdale beach is designated by Sefton Council
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Sefton Council is the governing body for the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, north-western England. The council has been under no overall control since the 1980s and is run as an all party coalition of the Liberal Democrats, the Labour Party and the Conservative Party, It consists of...
as a kite beach where kitesurfing
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing or Kiteboarding is an adventure surface water sport that has been described as combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport. Kitesurfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a...
and land-based kite traction activities are allowed.
The Sefton coastal path
Sefton Coast
Sefton Coast is a 4605.3 hectare Site of special scientific interest which stretches for 12 miles between Southport and Waterloo, which is end location of Crosby Beach. The site was notified in 2000 for both its biological and geological features.-References:**...
and the Trans Pennine Trail
Trans Pennine Trail
The Trans Pennine Trail is a long distance path running from coast to coast across northern England entirely on surfaced paths and using only gentle gradients ....
both pass through Ainsdale. A number of waymarked nature trails are also accessible from the town. These trails allow access to the Ainsdale Sand Dunes, designated as one of the National Nature Reserves in England
National Nature Reserves in England
National Nature Reserves in England are managed by Natural England and are key places for wildlife and natural features in England. They were established to protect the most important areas of habitat and of geological formations...
. This nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
also comprises part of a Ramsar
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...
site.