Cliviger
Encyclopedia
Cliviger is a civil parish
within the Borough of Burnley
, in Lancashire
, England. It is situated to the southeast of Burnley
, and northwest of Todmorden
and has a population of 2,350. Although the whole parish lies within the Borough of Burnley it is actually split between three postal towns, with a few farms lying in either Todmorden or Bacup postal towns.
Nowadays, it is mainly a dormitory area for people working in Burnley
.
Contrary to popular (and in some cases mistaken local) belief there is no village of "Cliviger". The principal settlements within the parish are Walk Mill, Southward Bottom, Overtown, Mereclough and Holme Chapel.
During the mid-eighteenth century, it produced worsted pieces for the neighbouring town of Burnley. An annual event is the Holme Sheep Fair, which is said to be one of the oldest village fairs in England.
St John the Divine Church in Holme Chapel was built in 1787 by Rev. Dr. Thomas Dunham Whitaker
who was vicar of the parish from 1796 to 1821. The churchyard is the resting place of James Yorke Scarlett
, a British General in the Crimean War
, famous for leading the charge of the Heavy Brigade
. The chapel also contains two 15th century misericord
s, which probably originated at Whalley Abbey
, along with the neighbouring parish of Worsthorne with Hurstwood. Currently represented by Michael Tattersall, David Heginbotham, and Cosima Towneley (all of whom also serve on the parish council and are affiliated with the Conservative Party
). And it is also part of the 'Burnley Rural' seat of Lancashire County Council
.
Cliviger is made up of five enumeration districts named Mereclough, Overtown, Walk Mill, Southward Bottom and Holme Chapel, the last being regarded as the village centre, with a Primary School (St John The Divine C.E.Primary school), the church and the village hall.
town of Todmorden
. It is regarded as a remarkable example of a glacial valley that follows a fault line
cutting through the South Pennine Moors
.
The valley was formerly a major transport link between Lancashire
and Yorkshire
, both the A646 road and a railway line
pass through it (there was previously a railway station at Holme Chapel). However a road called ‘the long causeway’ which runs above the valley (passing Coal Clough Wind Farm
), is believed to be ancient in its origins, possibly dating back to the Bronze Age
.
The parish contains the source
s of the Lancashire River Calder
, the West Yorkshire river with the same name, and the River Irwell
. It lies astride the main watershed of Great Britain
, as the Lancashire Calder and the Irwell flow west (via the rivers Ribble
and Mersey
respectively) to the Irish Sea
, whilst the Yorkshire Calder flows east (via the Aire
, then Ouse) into the North Sea
.
. Ormerod House was the home of the Thursby family - notable members include General James Yorke Scarlett
, commander of the so-called "Heavy Brigade" during the Crimean War; and also the mother of Korvettenkapitan Peter-Erich Cremer
, one of the most decorated U-boat aces of the Second World War (and ultimately adjutant to Grand Admiral Karl Doentiz), was a Thursby.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
within the Borough of Burnley
Burnley (borough)
Burnley is a local government district of Lancashire, England, with the status of a non-metropolitan district and borough. It has an area of and a population of , and is named for its largest town, Burnley. The borough is bounded by Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Pendle, Rossendale — all in Lancashire...
, 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...
, England. It is situated to the southeast of Burnley
Burnley
Burnley is a market town in the Burnley borough of Lancashire, England, with a population of around 73,500. It lies north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Brun....
, and northwest of Todmorden
Todmorden
Todmorden is a market town and civil parish, located 17 miles from Manchester, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It forms part of the Upper Calder Valley and has a total population of 14,941....
and has a population of 2,350. Although the whole parish lies within the Borough of Burnley it is actually split between three postal towns, with a few farms lying in either Todmorden or Bacup postal towns.
Nowadays, it is mainly a dormitory area for people working in Burnley
Burnley
Burnley is a market town in the Burnley borough of Lancashire, England, with a population of around 73,500. It lies north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Brun....
.
Contrary to popular (and in some cases mistaken local) belief there is no village of "Cliviger". The principal settlements within the parish are Walk Mill, Southward Bottom, Overtown, Mereclough and Holme Chapel.
History
There is some conjecture as to the origin of the name, but it is popularly thought to have Saxon origins and means 'sloping acre'.. The most likely explanation though is that Cliviger is derived from "Clivacher", a name which first appears in 1152 when Henry de Lacy gifted the land to Kirkstall Abbey. Neither Clivercher, Clivacher nor Cliviger are mentioned in the Domesday survey. The name Clivacher is closely associated with a steward of the de Lacys, Gilbert de Clivacher; however the last known member of the family was Cecilia de Clivacher who died shortly before the accession of Edward I to the throne of England. After that the name becomes extinct.During the mid-eighteenth century, it produced worsted pieces for the neighbouring town of Burnley. An annual event is the Holme Sheep Fair, which is said to be one of the oldest village fairs in England.
St John the Divine Church in Holme Chapel was built in 1787 by Rev. Dr. Thomas Dunham Whitaker
Thomas Dunham Whitaker
Thomas Dunham Whitaker was an English clergyman and topographer.-Life:Born at Rainham on 8 June 1759, he was son of William Whitaker , curate of Rainham, Norfolk, by his wife Lucy, daughter of Robert Dunham, and widow of Ambrose Allen...
who was vicar of the parish from 1796 to 1821. The churchyard is the resting place of James Yorke Scarlett
James Yorke Scarlett
General Sir James Yorke Scarlett, GCB was a British general and hero of the Crimean War.-Early life:The son of the 1st Baron Abinger, and educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, Scarlett entered the army as a cornet in 1818 and in 1830 became a major in the 5th Dragoon Guards...
, a British General in the Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
, famous for leading the charge of the Heavy Brigade
Heavy Brigade
A heavy brigade is a formation made up from 'Heavy' Cavalry; i.e. Dragoon Guards and Dragoons.The Heavy Brigade was a British heavy cavalry unit commanded by General Sir James York Scarlett at the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War...
. The chapel also contains two 15th century misericord
Misericord
A misericord is a small wooden shelf on the underside of a folding seat in a church, installed to provide a degree of comfort for a person who has to stand during long periods of prayer.-Origins:...
s, which probably originated at Whalley Abbey
Whalley Abbey
Whalley Abbey is a former Cistercian abbey in Whalley, Lancashire, England. After the dissolution of the monasteries, the abbey was largely demolished and a country house was built on the site. In the 20th century the house was modified and it is now the Retreat and Conference House of the...
Governance
Cliviger Parish Council consists of 9 councillors who serve a 4 year term of office, with council meetings held once a month. It is also part of the Cliviger with Hurstwood ward of Burnley Borough CouncilBurnley (borough)
Burnley is a local government district of Lancashire, England, with the status of a non-metropolitan district and borough. It has an area of and a population of , and is named for its largest town, Burnley. The borough is bounded by Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Pendle, Rossendale — all in Lancashire...
, along with the neighbouring parish of Worsthorne with Hurstwood. Currently represented by Michael Tattersall, David Heginbotham, and Cosima Towneley (all of whom also serve on the parish council and are affiliated with the 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 it is also part of the 'Burnley Rural' seat of Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Lancashire, England. It currently consists of 84 councillors, and is controlled by the Conservative Party, who won control of the council in the local council elections in June 2009, ending 28 years of...
.
Cliviger is made up of five enumeration districts named Mereclough, Overtown, Walk Mill, Southward Bottom and Holme Chapel, the last being regarded as the village centre, with a Primary School (St John The Divine C.E.Primary school), the church and the village hall.
Geography
The parish is located at the northwestern entrance to Cliviger Gorge, which extends southeast to the (now) West YorkshireWest Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
town of Todmorden
Todmorden
Todmorden is a market town and civil parish, located 17 miles from Manchester, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It forms part of the Upper Calder Valley and has a total population of 14,941....
. It is regarded as a remarkable example of a glacial valley that follows a fault line
Fault line
In geology, fault line refers to the surface trace of a fault.Fault line, Fault Line, or faultline may also refer to:* "Faultline", a song from the 2008 studio album Versus by The Haunted...
cutting through the South Pennine Moors
South Pennines
South Pennines is a region of moorland and hill country in northern England lying towards the southern end of the Pennines. It is bounded to the west by the Forest of Rossendale and the Yorkshire Dales to the north...
.
The valley was formerly a major transport link between 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...
and Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, both the A646 road and a railway line
Caldervale Line
The Caldervale Line is a railway route in Northern England between the cities of Leeds and Manchester as well as the seaside resort of Blackpool...
pass through it (there was previously a railway station at Holme Chapel). However a road called ‘the long causeway’ which runs above the valley (passing Coal Clough Wind Farm
Coal Clough Wind Farm
Coal Clough Wind Farm is one of the oldest onshore wind farms in England. The wind farm, which was built for Scottish Power, currently produces electricity from 24 Vestas WD34 wind turbines. It has a total nameplate capacity of 9.6 MW of electricity, enough to serve the average needs of...
), is believed to be ancient in its origins, possibly dating back to the Bronze Age
Bronze Age Britain
Bronze Age Britain refers to the period of British history that spanned from c. 2,500 until c. 800 BC. Lasting for approximately 1700 years, it was preceded by the era of Neolithic Britain and was in turn followed by the era of Iron Age Britain...
.
The parish contains the source
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
s of the Lancashire River Calder
River Calder, Lancashire
The River Calder is a major tributary of the River Ribble, starting in Cliviger close to Burnley in Lancashire, England and is around 24 km / 15 miles in length. Its source is very close to that of the West Yorkshire river with the same name, and that of the River Irwell. It flows through...
, the West Yorkshire river with the same name, and the River Irwell
River Irwell
The River Irwell is a long river which flows through the Irwell Valley in the counties of Lancashire and Greater Manchester in North West England. The river's source is at Irwell Springs on Deerplay Moor, approximately north of Bacup, in the parish of Cliviger, Lancashire...
. It lies astride the main watershed of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, as the Lancashire Calder and the Irwell flow west (via the rivers Ribble
River Ribble
The River Ribble is a river that runs through North Yorkshire and Lancashire, in northern England. The river's drainage basin also includes parts of Greater Manchester around Wigan.-Geography:...
and Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
respectively) to the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
, whilst the Yorkshire Calder flows east (via the Aire
River Aire
The River Aire is a major river in Yorkshire, England of length . Part of the river is canalised, and is known as the Aire and Calder Navigation....
, then Ouse) into the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
.
People
The parish is the historical home of the Whitaker family, possibly the most notable being 16th century theologian William WhitakerWilliam Whitaker (theologian)
William Whitaker was a prominent Anglican theologian. He was Master of St. John's College, Cambridge, and a leading divine in the university in the latter half of the sixteenth century.-Early life and education:...
. Ormerod House was the home of the Thursby family - notable members include General James Yorke Scarlett
James Yorke Scarlett
General Sir James Yorke Scarlett, GCB was a British general and hero of the Crimean War.-Early life:The son of the 1st Baron Abinger, and educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, Scarlett entered the army as a cornet in 1818 and in 1830 became a major in the 5th Dragoon Guards...
, commander of the so-called "Heavy Brigade" during the Crimean War; and also the mother of Korvettenkapitan Peter-Erich Cremer
Peter-Erich Cremer
Peter-Erich Cremer was a German U-boat commander during the Second World War. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, one of the most decorated U-boat aces of the Second World War (and ultimately adjutant to Grand Admiral Karl Doentiz), was a Thursby.
- Jerry Dawson - Long serving BurnleyBurnley F.C.Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
goalkeeper was born here - Colin WaldronColin WaldronColin Waldron was an English football defender. He spent thirteen seasons in the Football League and two in the North American Soccer League....
- Former BurnleyBurnley F.C.Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
defender lives here - Frank CasperFrank Casper (footballer)Frank Casper is an English former professional football player, coach and manager, born in Barnsley. As a player, he made nearly 400 appearances in the Football League as a striker for Rotherham United and Burnley...
- Former BurnleyBurnley F.C.Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
player and manager has also lived here - Chris CasperChris CasperChristopher Martin "Chris" Casper is an English former footballer and football manager who played in the Premier League for Manchester United and in the Football League for A.F.C. Bournemouth, Swindon Town and Reading...
- Former Manchester United and Reading footballer and manager of Bury, son of Frank Casper, was brought up in Cliviger. - John McArdleJohn McArdleJohn McArdle is an English actor. He is most notable for playing Billy Corkhill in the soap-opera Brookside, with many other smaller appearances in other soaps and dramas...
- The LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool 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...
-born "BrooksideBrooksideBrookside is a defunct British soap opera set in Liverpool, England. The series began on the launch night of Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, and ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003...
" actor lives in Cliviger.