Sutton (St Helens)
Encyclopedia
Sutton is a district in St Helens
, England. It is one of the four townships along with Eccleston, Parr
and Windle that formed the municipal borough of St Helens in 1868. It lies within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire
, and since 1974 has been administered by Metropolitan Borough of St Helens
.
and totalled 3,752 acres. The exact derivation of Sutton is uncertain. It is thought the township took its name from 'Sudtun', old English for southern enclosure or south town and was likely to have been the southern portion of a Saxon thegn's estate. Before the Conquest of 1066 AD, Sutton was held by King Edward the Confessor and located within the Royal Forest of West Derby. This extended from Burtonwood to Crosby and in the 12th and 13th centuries, Sutton became part of the Barony of Widnes. Along with fourteen other townships including Windle, Parr and Eccleston, it became part of the large ecclesiastical parish of Prescot and its rich seams of coal, which were first discovered in Sutton Heath around 1540, transformed it from an area of moorland and forest into an area of mining.
, and Lea Green
both operate services to Liverpool
and Manchester
.
, the deepest of the two shafts going over 2000 feet (609.6 m) into the earth. Owing to their depth, they were not filled in: instead two three-metre thick reinforced concrete plugs were lifted into position over the two shafts, with venting pipes for methane. This has meant that annual surveys are carried out on the shafts; however recent surveys have shown that the shafts have little water in them.
, called The Dream
, is now sited at Sutton.
, adjacent to The Sutton Academy.
St Helens, Merseyside
St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census...
, England. It is one of the four townships along with Eccleston, Parr
Parr, St Helens
Parr is a former village, now situated within St. Helens, England and is located towards the eastern side of the town. However the area dates back to the West Derby hundred district from the 12th century. The area is located within walking distance of St...
and Windle that formed the municipal borough of St Helens in 1868. It lies within the historic county boundaries of 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 since 1974 has been administered by Metropolitan Borough of St Helens
Metropolitan Borough of St Helens
The Metropolitan Borough of St Helens is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It is named after its largest town St Helens, and covers an area which includes the settlements of Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Haydock, Rainhill, Eccleston, Clock Face, Billinge and...
.
History
The old Township of Sutton included Peasley Cross, Marshalls Cross, Clockface, Sutton Manor and SherdleySherdley Park
Sherdley Park in the district of Sutton is the largest park in St Helens, Merseyside. Its include an 18 hole golf course, a formal garden, open woodland, a lake, pets' corner and summer events...
and totalled 3,752 acres. The exact derivation of Sutton is uncertain. It is thought the township took its name from 'Sudtun', old English for southern enclosure or south town and was likely to have been the southern portion of a Saxon thegn's estate. Before the Conquest of 1066 AD, Sutton was held by King Edward the Confessor and located within the Royal Forest of West Derby. This extended from Burtonwood to Crosby and in the 12th and 13th centuries, Sutton became part of the Barony of Widnes. Along with fourteen other townships including Windle, Parr and Eccleston, it became part of the large ecclesiastical parish of Prescot and its rich seams of coal, which were first discovered in Sutton Heath around 1540, transformed it from an area of moorland and forest into an area of mining.
Transport
There are two railway stations in the area. St Helens JunctionSt Helens Junction railway station
St Helens Junction railway station is a railway station serving the town of St Helens, Merseyside, England. It is situated in Sutton, south of St.Helens town centre. The station is on the northern route of the Liverpool to Manchester Line east of Liverpool Lime Street...
, and Lea Green
Lea Green railway station
Lea Green railway station is a railway station in St Helens, Merseyside, England, around three miles from the town centre near to the suburb of Clock Face. It is situated on the northern route of the Liverpool to Manchester Line . It is operated by Northern Rail...
both operate services 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...
and Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
.
Sutton Manor Colliery
Sutton Manor was one of the largest pits in the Lancashire CoalfieldLancashire Coalfield
The Lancashire Coalfield in north-west England was one of the most important British coalfields.-Geography and geology:The geology of the coalfield consists of the coal seams of the Upper, Middle and Lower Coal Measures, layers of sandstones, shales and coal of varying thickness, which were laid...
, the deepest of the two shafts going over 2000 feet (609.6 m) into the earth. Owing to their depth, they were not filled in: instead two three-metre thick reinforced concrete plugs were lifted into position over the two shafts, with venting pipes for methane. This has meant that annual surveys are carried out on the shafts; however recent surveys have shown that the shafts have little water in them.
Landmarks
A 20 metres (65.6 ft) tall sculptureSculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
, called The Dream
Dream (sculpture)
Dream is a sculpture and a piece of public art by Jaume Plensa in Sutton, St Helens, Merseyside. Costing approximately £1.8m the funds were secured through The Big Art Project in coordination with the Arts Council England, The Art Fund and Channel 4....
, is now sited at Sutton.
People and culture
The popular St. Helens Show http://www.visitsthelens.com/site/whats-on/st-helens-festival-2010-p262901 or St. Helens Festival as it has been rebranded over recent years, takes place in Sutton each July at Sherdley ParkSherdley Park
Sherdley Park in the district of Sutton is the largest park in St Helens, Merseyside. Its include an 18 hole golf course, a formal garden, open woodland, a lake, pets' corner and summer events...
, adjacent to The Sutton Academy.
External links
- Sutton Beauty – A photographic appreciation of Sutton in St Helens
- Sutton Manor colliery 1990 – photographs of the colliery
- Flickr Group Photographs of the site.