Woodchurch
Encyclopedia
Woodchurch is an area of the Wirral Peninsula
, in England
, which is sometimes considered a suburb of Birkenhead
. Administratively, Woodchurch is within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
and the parliamentary constituency of Wirral West. At the 2001 Census
, it had a population of 8,400 (3,840 males, 4,560 females).
Woodchurch is dominated by a large housing development, known as the Woodchurch Estate. The district is serviced by several schools and has the major Arrowe Park Hospital just outside its boundary, which was built on 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) of the park itself and opened in 1982.
. Construction of a new housing estate complete with shops, schools, industry and lesuire facilities began immediately after World War II
. Of the old village, only the Church of England
Holy Cross Church
and its adjoining school remain.
The population was 52 in 1801, 96 in 1851 and 140 in 1901.
From 1968, the Champion Sparking Plug Company operated an automotive components factory on Arrowe Brook Road, employing at one time over 1,000 people. It was closed in 2006 with production transferred to Italy
.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, the CO-OP
operated a clothes factory and industrial laundry on Woodchurch Road and its water-tower and chimney were local landmarks. It is now the site of an Asda
supermarket.
and Ford). In the late 1980s the estate was given a facelift, along with some of its neighbours. Today its social problems are largely a thing of the past, although unemployment levels are still above the UK national average.
Despite the low income catchment area, the local State Comprehensive, Woodchurch High School
, has consistently attained a strong ranking in the Government's national league tables for secondary education. The other high school in the area, the Catholic St Benedicts, was closed in the early 2000s and was demolished in July 2009.
Wirral Peninsula
Wirral or the Wirral is a peninsula in North West England. It is bounded by three bodies of water: to the west by the River Dee, forming a boundary with Wales, to the east by the River Mersey and to the north by the Irish Sea. Both terms "Wirral" and "the Wirral" are used locally , although the...
, in 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...
, which is sometimes considered a suburb of Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
. Administratively, Woodchurch is within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It has a population of 311,200, and encompasses of the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula. Major settlements include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby. The city of...
and the parliamentary constituency of Wirral West. 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 8,400 (3,840 males, 4,560 females).
Woodchurch is dominated by a large housing development, known as the Woodchurch Estate. The district is serviced by several schools and has the major Arrowe Park Hospital just outside its boundary, which was built on 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) of the park itself and opened in 1982.
History
Woodchurch was originally a farming area and ancient village of the Wirral Hundred, known mainly for its parish church and the neighbouring Arrowe Park country estate. The area was purchased by Birkenhead Corporation in 1926, becoming part of Birkenhead civil parishCivil 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...
. Construction of a new housing estate complete with shops, schools, industry and lesuire facilities began immediately after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Of the old village, only the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Holy Cross Church
Holy Cross Church, Woodchurch
Holy Cross Church, Woodchurch is in Woodchurch, an area of Birkenhead, Wirral, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Birkenhead. The church is a Grade II* listed building.-History:The fabric of the nave...
and its adjoining school remain.
The population was 52 in 1801, 96 in 1851 and 140 in 1901.
From 1968, the Champion Sparking Plug Company operated an automotive components factory on Arrowe Brook Road, employing at one time over 1,000 people. It was closed in 2006 with production transferred to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, the CO-OP
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
operated a clothes factory and industrial laundry on Woodchurch Road and its water-tower and chimney were local landmarks. It is now the site of an Asda
Asda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
supermarket.
Community
The housing estate itself is populated by mainly low income residents, with well above average levels of unemployment. During the late 1960s and 1970s, youths from Woodchurch were periodically involved in gang violence with youths from neighbouring estates. In the early 1980s, during a period of exceptionally high national unemployment, the area gained a reputation for drug and social problems (as did some neighbouring estates like those of NoctorumNoctorum
Noctorum is a suburb of Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, England, in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. At the 2001 Census the population of Noctorum was 4,990 ....
and Ford). In the late 1980s the estate was given a facelift, along with some of its neighbours. Today its social problems are largely a thing of the past, although unemployment levels are still above the UK national average.
Despite the low income catchment area, the local State Comprehensive, Woodchurch High School
Woodchurch High School
Woodchurch High School is a comprehensive, co-educational secondary school for 11 to 16 year olds. Examination is unnecessary for admittance. Its qualification options vary vastly from Horticulture to separate science: Physics, Chemistry and Biology GCSE's; as well as offering an extra Mathematics...
, has consistently attained a strong ranking in the Government's national league tables for secondary education. The other high school in the area, the Catholic St Benedicts, was closed in the early 2000s and was demolished in July 2009.