Buckley
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2008-07-12T16:22:33Z
Nsaa
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/92.3.200.140|92.3.200.140]] to last version by Vishnava (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{otheruses}}
{{infobox UK place|
|country = Wales
|official_name= Buckley
|latitude= 53.17265
|longitude= -3.08608
|population = 18,268
|unitary_wales= [[Flintshire]]
|lieutenancy_wales=
|constituency_westminster= [[Alyn and Deeside (UK Parliament constituency)|Alyn and Deeside]]
|post_town= BUCKLEY
|postcode_district = CH7
|postcode_area= CH
|dial_code= 01244
|os_grid_reference= TQ335505
|welsh_name= Bwcle
}}
'''Buckley''' ({{lang-cy|Bwcle}}) is a town in [[Flintshire]], northeast [[Wales]]. It is the second largest town in Flintshire in terms of population, and is 2 miles (3.2 km) from [[Mold, Flintshire|Mold]], the county town. It is located on the A549 road, with the larger [[A55 road]] passing nearby, and is in the [[Alyn and Deeside (UK Parliament constituency)|Alyn and Deeside]] [[parliamentary constituency]].
It is contiguous with the nearby villages of [[Ewloe]], [[Alltami]] (which are both under the jurisdiction of Buckley [[town council]]) and [[Mynydd Isa]].
Notable nearby landmarks include [[Ewloe Castle]].
== History ==
===Toponymy ===
The name Buckley comes from the [[Old English language|Anglo-Saxon]] ''bok lee'', meaning meadow, or field.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
===Early history===
Buckley was an Anglo-Saxon location, with some of its houses recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] of the 11th century. However, the first documented evidence of its existence dates from 1294, when it was described as the pasturage of the Manor of Ewloe.
=== Mining and pottery ===
The town became an industrial heartland for [[pottery]] and [[coal]] between the 17th and 19th centuries. However, it only grew into any kind of prominence during the [[Industrial Revolution]] of the 18th century, when [[coal]] and [[clay]] were extensively mined there, and the name Buckley became synonymous with the production of various fire-clay and pottery products.
Buckley was a popular location for mining, as there were many faults in local rock formations that allowed seams of coal to be mined directly from the surface. Its heavy, clay soil also allowed for excellent pottery and bricks to be manufactured. Bricks from Buckley were transported all across the [[United Kingdom]] and as far as the United States, as Buckley became a brickworking centre. A great deal of people moved into the area, particularly from [[Ireland]] and [[Liverpool]] to find work in the [[mining]] and [[brick]] industries, giving the town a distinctive accent.
Many pottery and earthenware products manufactured were taken on the backs of [[donkey]]s to either [[Chester]] market or exported via the [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]], as early as the reign of [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]]. The last pottery kiln was fired in 1946. However, a local [[cement]] works is still in operation.
=== Buckley Panto ===
In 1932, a tradition started in Buckley of running an annual [[pantomime]]. Dennis Griffiths produced a version of [[Dick Whittington]] in 1933, and ran the pantomime for 27 years, famously using the programme to invite any and all complaints to arrive written "on the back of a 10 [[shilling]] note (non-returnable)".
=== World War 2 ===
In the [[Second World War]], a plane, most likely on its way to Liverpool was shot down and crash landed in a nearby district, with the plane's engine crashing into the Trap. The pilot survived, was captured and taken to Hawarden Prisoner of War camp.
==Governance==
[[Urban district]] status was conferred on the town in 1898; at this time, the area comprised of two parishes, Buckley (1874) and Bistre (1844). Prior to then, it was divided between the parishes of [[Mold, Flintshire|Mold]] and [[Hawarden]].
==Geography==
Buckley is situated in North East Wales and is therefore in the lee of the [[Snowdonia|Snowdonian mountain range]] to the West. This means that Buckley is in a 'rain shadow' area and average annual [[precipitation]] levels in the area are about 750 [[millimeter|mm]]–850 mm, significantly lower than areas to the West of the Snowdonian mountain range. Despite this, Buckley still receives a fair amount of rainfall in comparison to the east side of [[Great Britain]].
== Dialect ==
Although very few locals speak with a 'Buckley' accent nowadays, due to people moving in and out of the area, and with the proliferation of [[television]] and [[radio]], a few of the town's older citizens still speak in a form of the strongly accented [[dialect]], full of [[colloquialism]]s, and often unintelligible to outsiders. The last remaining pure 'Buckley' speaker was noted linguist Dennis Griffiths, a Buckley resident, who died in 1972, and whose books are the main repository and record of the dialect. A few examples (mainly [[phonetic]]) are noted below:
<blockquote>
*Wunst every blue moon ''- rarely occurring''
*Thou fries me to death ''- the limit of boredom''
*A lick and a promise ''- a quick wash''
*Fasen the fost un fost ''- fasten the first one first''
*The daddy on um aw - ''the best of the lot''
*Husht thee naise - ''be quiet''
*I conna meke thee out - ''I can't understand you''
*Chunner - ''Complain''
</blockquote>
== Present day ==
[[Image:Buckley-kiln.gif|thumb|right|200px|The Castle Cement [[cement kiln|kiln]] under construction.]]
Today, Buckley has a population of around 18,500, and has numerous light industries. Those who cannot find work locally commute to [[Deeside]], [[Cheshire]], [[Wrexham]] and [[Merseyside]].
The '''[[Castle Cement]]''' works at Padeswood is the only large scale industry remaining in the town. Its huge new 200 [[foot|ft]] [[cement kiln|kiln]] is now the major landmark on the [[skyline]], visible from many miles away. Despite many locals considering it an eyesore, it has reduced pollution produced by the [[cement]] works by up to 90%. [http://www.castlecement.co.uk/Padeswood/kiln_e.html]
=== Community facilities ===
Buckley has a large area of [[common land]], known simply as 'The Common'. It has a large [[playground]] for children, as well as numerous [[duck]][[pond]]s. A [[funfair]] visits here during the Buckley Jubilee in the summer.
There is also a small lake, known as 'The Trap', which is stocked with [[trout]]. A [[Luftwaffe|German]] [[Messerschmitt]] [[bomber]] crashed into the Trap during [[World War II]], shot down by [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft fire]] after going off course following a [[bombing]] run over [[Liverpool]]. The surviving crew members were captured by a [[Special Constabulary|Special Constable]], Peter Griffiths. The land is primarily heavy [[clay]] soil.
Buckley has a shopping precinct, as well as one [[supermarket]] (run by [[Somerfield]]).
===Jubilee ===
[[Image:Buckley-jubilee-1965.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Buckley Jubilee in 1965]]
Buckley observes a regional celebration and march over 200 years old called the Buckley Jubilee, which is celebrated on the second Tuesday of July. Officially, however, the Jubilee is 149 years old ([[as of 2005]]); the 150th was celebrated [[11 July]] [[2006]]. The difference in dates stems from the 'official' date being set when the Buckley [[Temperance movement|Temperance]] Society first sanctioned the march. The Jubilee is a ceremonial march that begins on "The Common", a large area of common ground owned by the people of the town used for leisure and recreational purposes. The term 'jubilee' was first used in 1871.
[[Image:Buckley-jubilee-2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The Royal Buckley Town Band at the Buckley Jubilee in 2005]]
On the Common starting at 3pm is a non-denominational Service led by the Minister of the Church/Chapel leading the Jubilee that year. In 2005, it was the Revd. Anthraparushra. The Sunday before the Jubilee, the leading church is presented with the Centenary Shield, which they hold for the year. A 15 minutes service takes place, with two [[hymn]]s accompanied by the Royal Buckley Town Band. The march then leaves the common, and marches through the town, with representatives from the local [[Sunday School]]s, [[Scouting in Clwyd|Scout]] and [[Girlguiding UK|Guide]] troops, and many of the local [[school]]s.
=== Royal Buckley Town Band ===
Buckley has a famous [[brass band]], the '''Royal Buckley Town Band'''. The band is one of only two in the entire [[United Kingdom]] to have received sanction from a [[British monarch]] to use "[[monarchy|Royal]]" in their name. They lead the Jubilee every year.
=== Education ===
Buckley has five [[primary school]]s - ''Westwood Primary'', ''Mountain Lane C.P.'', ''Southdown C.P.'', ''Ewloe Green C.P.'', and ''Drury C.P.''
Buckley has one [[secondary school]], the ''[[Elfed High School]]''. During the [[Second World War]], it was built as a military [[hospital]], and adapted for school use shortly after, in the early 1950s. Now in extreme circumstances the roof can convert into a landing pad for light aircraft and helicopters. The school includes a sports centre, and a newly constructed [[swimming pool]], for use of both the students and the public. Many students from Buckley also attend [[Argoed High School]], located in nearby [[Bryn-y-Baal]], or the [[Alun School]], in Mold. All schools in Buckley are run by the [[Flintshire Local Education Authority]].
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=== Churches ===
To do
Bistre Emannuel Parish Church (methodist?)
St Matthews
St Johns
The Catholic church by Lexham Green
lots of others
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=== Music / culture ===
Buckley has one nightclub, the '''Tivoli Nightclub''' (known locally as "The Tiv"), on Brunswick Road. Formerly both a cinema and a music hall, the Tivoli has seen many bands play there over the years, including [[Black Sabbath]] and [[Led Zeppelin]] in the early 1970s, and many [[Britpop]] bands including [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] (in August 1994), [[Ocean Colour Scene]] and the [[Super Furry Animals]] in the 1990s. It has been described as 'one of the finest quirky little venues of our time', and is featured in the [[DVD]] re-issue of Oasis' album, ''[[Definitely Maybe]]''. [http://xrrf.blogspot.com/2004/07/recapture-that-spark-opportunity-to.html] Between summer 1992 and spring 1993, [[Radiohead]] played there twice[http://www.greenplastic.com/gigography/index.php?year=1992]. Since a renovation and rebranding in 2000, few bands played live at the venue, with the club music policy having more emphasis on commercial [[dance]] and pop music, with a [[rock music|rock]] night on Fridays. Recently, bands such as [[Skindred]], [[Hed PE]] and [[OPM (band)|OPM]] have all played there. The venue attracts crowds from [[Chester]] and [[Wrexham]], both around 10 miles away from Buckley.
The town was also home to a [[community radio]] project which used to broadcast 'trial' or 'temporary radio' licences to Buckley, [[Broughton]], [[Mold]], [[Deeside]] and the surrounding areas. The station was known as ''''South Flintshire Radio'''' and its offices were found above the swimming baths on Mold Road. The station was heard on eight separate occasions between November 1996 and July 2000 as part of a campaign to bring a local radio station to [[Flintshire]], following the demise of [[Mold]]-based BBC Radio Clwyd. The project helped pave the way for a permanent local radio licence which was awarded to Chester FM (known as '''[[Dee 106.3]]''') which broadcasts to [[Chester]], [[Ellesmere Port]], [[Deeside]] and Buckley.
Buckley has a sizable two-storey [[library]], with the second level being dedicated solely to [[history]] and reference pieces, mainly on the local area. The second floor also doubles as the local [[museum]].
===Sport===
Buckley has a [[Association football|football]] club in the [[Cymru Alliance]], [[Buckley Town F.C.]].
===Transport===
;Road
Buckley is located on the [[A549 road]], and is near the [[A55 road|A55 expressway]], which passes to the south of [[Ewloe]].
;Bus
There are a number of bus routes that pass through Buckley, mostly operated by Arriva, which now means on most Weekdays a bus to [[Chester]] or [[Mold]] is available every 10 minutes.
;Rail
{{main|Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway}}
[[Buckley railway station]] opened on [[14 June]] [[1860]], with a line serving as a 5-mile line from Buckley to a junction with the [[London and North Western Railway]] [[Chester]]-[[Holyhead]] main line at [[Connah's Quay]], in order to link collieries and brickworks in the Buckley area with a point of shipment on the River Dee.
The [[Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway]] (WMCQR) was incorporated on [[7 August]] [[1862]] to build a line from [[Wrexham]] to Buckley. The ''Buckley Railway'' was opened in 1864 as a [[freight]]-carrying line, and was worked by [[horse]]s.
The WMCQR line - 12.5 miles (20 km) in length - opened as a single line with short branches from Buckley to a point near the [[Great Western Railway]] station at Wrexham; it also had a connection with the [[London and North Western Railway]] (LNWR) at Hope. The WMCQR took over the Buckley Railway from [[30 June]] [[1873]].
Today, Buckley railway station is a minor stop on the [[Borderlands Line]], which runs from [[Wrexham]] to [[Bidston]] on the [[Wirral Peninsula|Wirral]]. It is owned and operated by [[Arriva Trains Wales]]. Trains run every 60 minutes, Monday to Saturday daytimes, and infrequently at other times. Connections can be made at [[Shotton railway station|Shotton]], [[Wrexham General railway station|Wrexham General]] or [[Bidston railway station|Bidston]] railway stations. There are two platforms, one for each direction the line runs in.
;Air
The nearest major [[airport]]s are [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] and [[Manchester Airport]], both around 45 minutes' drive away, although there are minor airfields in nearby [[Hawarden]] and [[Broughton]].
==Notable current or former residents==
*[[Sylvia Heal]], now a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Member of Parliament]]
*[[Ryan Shawcross]], a professional [[football (soccer)|football]]er, who signed as a youth player with [[Manchester United]] in April 2006 [http://www.fawtrust.org.uk/index.php?opt=story&news_id=32&lang=eng]
*[[Cherry Dee]], a professional [[glamour model]] and [[Page Three girl]]
*[[Danny Collins]], professional footballer with [[Sunderland A.F.C.]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
*Dialect extracts are taken from Dennis Griffiths' book ''Talk of My Town'', Buckley Young People's Cultural Association, 1969. It can be borrowed from Buckley Library.
*''Out of This Clay'' Dennis Griffiths 1960 Published by Gee and Son, Ltd., Denbigh
*''The Making of Buckley and District'' by T.W. Pritchard, Bridge Books, 2006. ISBN 1-84494-031-4
==External links==
* [http://www.buckleysociety.org.uk/index.htm Buckley Society Homepage]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/buckley_town/index.shtml BBC North East Wales site.]
* [http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/20428 Jubilee History]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/buckley_town/pages/jubilee.shtml BBC Jubilee Site]
* [http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=29021&t=10 A collection of items relating to the pottery industry in Buckley]
* [http://www.tivolinightclub.co.uk/ Tivoli Nightclub]
* [http://www.upton.cx/index.php?currentNumber=1.9.2¤tIsExpanded=0 Information on the old railway line]
[[Category:Towns in Flintshire]]
[[cy:Bwcle]]
[[fr:Buckley]]