Kirkham, Lancashire

{{See also|History of Lancashire}}

In his 1878 History of the Fylde of Lancashire, John Porter described Kirkham as ".. probably the earliest inhabited locality in the Fylde district."Porter, J. MRCS, LSA (1878) [https://archive.org/details/historyoffyldeof00portiala History of the Fylde of Lancashire], Fleetwood and Blackpool, W. Porter and Sons Publisher, Chapter XII – The Parish of Kirkham. Remains found at Carleton in the 1970s of an elk with two harpoons embedded suggest that the Fylde was inhabited as long ago as 8,000 BC.Singleton, F. J. (1980), Kirkham – A Short History, Kirkham & District Local History Society.

The town is pre-Roman in its origin with a name originating from the Danish kirk (church) and -ham (Saxon for settlement, or "home"). The town owes its existence to Carr Hill upon which it was built and which was the location of a Roman fort.[http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/documents/historictowns/KirkhamComplete_LowRes.pdf "Kirkham: Historic Town Assessment Report"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224052153/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/documents/historictowns/KirkhamComplete_LowRes.pdf |date=24 December 2012 }}, Lancashire County Council and Egerton Lea Consultancy, June 2006. It appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name of Chicheham and is described as lying on the Roman road between Ribchester (Bremetennacum) and the River Wyre. The town's market charter was granted in 1269–70 by King Henry III.Tupling, G. H. "Markets in Medieval Lancashire", [https://books.google.com/books?id=h2i7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA351 Historical Essays in Honour of James Tait], Manchester University Press, p.351.

In the 15th and 16th centuries Kirkham remained a small market town. But from the late 17th century the town grew into a thriving textile centre. From 1830 sailcloth was being woven in cottages in the town and later at the Flax Mill, built in 1861 by John Birley.{{Cite web|url=https://lancashirepast.com/2019/03/03/the-last-loom-kirkham/|title=The Last Loom, Kirkham|date=3 March 2019}} Kirkham Grammar School was founded in 1549 but the original building no longer exists.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/history|title=History | Kirkham Grammar School|website=www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk}}

In 1792 a Roman brass shield boss was discovered by local schoolmaster John Willacy, in the Dow Brook, in Mill Hill Field. Willacy sold the shield to a Scotsman, but it found its way to the Charles Townley collection in Burnley and from there to the British Museum. The oval shield, about {{convert|8|in|cm}} in diameter, bore the representation of a human figure, seated, with an eagle to the left and an athlete at the side.

Horse racing took place at Carr Hill in Kirkham in March 1852 and again in March 1853. Point-to-point races were still being staged at Thornley-with-Wheatley, near Preston, by the Kirkham Hunt in the 20th century, including a meeting on Friday 6 April 1900. Races at Carr Hill continued up to the start of World War II, but it is uncertain whether they began again after the War had ended.{{Cite web|url=http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Kirkham%20Racecourse.html|title=Kirkham Racecourse}}

In 1887 a memorial was erected, at Town End, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The memorial was later moved to a site adjacent to the United Reformed Church.{{Cite web|url=https://kirkhamtreasures.co.uk/kirkham-wesham-crowns/memories-of-royal-events-in-kirkham/|title=Memories of Royal Events In Kirkham – Kirkham Treasures}}

Looms ran in the town from about 1850 until 2003. At one time the town had eleven mills, the last to be built being Progress Mill in 1915. On the lower part of Station Road "The Last Loom" of Kirkham is on permanent public display. This loom, a cross-rod type from the 1920s, with the use of tappets at the side, could produce an extensive range of fabrics including velvets, twills and Bedford cord.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

In 1925, Church Street became the subject of a pencil on paper drawing by Pendlebury artist L. S. Lowry{{Cite web |url=http://www.ls-lowry.com/work/csk.html |title=L S Lowry Church Street, Kirkham 1925 L.S. Lowry |access-date=11 June 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035339/http://www.ls-lowry.com/work/csk.html |url-status=dead }} In his later "A Lancashire Village, 1935" he painted the scene again, but with a wider street full of people and a house in front of the church.{{cite web |url=https://secure.thelowry.com/images/shop/products/prints_0019_big.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image of painting |website= |access-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011523/https://secure.thelowry.com/images/shop/products/prints_0019_big.jpg |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}

Due to an expansion of secondary education after the Second World War, Carr Hill Secondary Modern School (now part of an academy trust), was built in 1957 on the site of Carr Hill House and a former racecourse. It was officially opened in 1958 by the Duchess of Kent. Several housing developments have been built on the edge of the town since the late 20th century.

The town council for Kirkham is elected as a parish council, which has six elected councillors and operates under the name "Kirkham Town Council". The council manages local services such as waste management, community spaces, planning permission and council tax among others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkhamtowncouncil.co.uk/|title=KIRKHAM TOWN COUNCIL|website=KIRKHAM TOWN COUNCIL}}{{cite web | url=https://www.kirkhamtowncouncil.co.uk/your-councillors.html | title=Your Councillors }}

The Lancashire County Council councillor is Stewart Jones.{{cite web | url=https://council.lancashire.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=26586 | title=Councillor details - County Councillor Stewart Jones | date=8 May 2023 }} In the 2023 local elections the three Fylde Council seats were won by Edward Collins, Damian Buckley and Paul Hodgson (all Independent).{{cite web | url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/fylde-borough-council-local-election-26833488 |title=Fylde Borough Council local election results 2023 in full |first=Tom |last=Earnshaw |date= 4 May 2023 |publisher=lancs.live |access-date=5 May 2023}}

In 2022 Fylde Borough Council purchased Grade II listed "Hillside" on Preston Street and the former Lloyds Bank on Poulton Street, as part of the town's £10m regeneration plan, Kirkham Futures. "Hillside" was a former restaurant and popular wedding venue, but both buildings had been empty for some years. The former bank, which was originally a Charity Girls School dating back to 1860, was hoped to be converted into a community cinema, but it was later decided to convert it to a hospitality venue.{{cite web | url=https://new.fylde.gov.uk/historic-kirkham-buildings-set-for-new-lease-of-life/ | title=Historic Kirkham Buildings Set for New Lease of Life – Fylde Council|website=New.flyde.gov.uk }}{{Cite web|url=https://new.fylde.gov.uk/tenant-tender-opens-for-fabulous-new-bar-restaurant-in-kirkhams-former-tsb-building/|title=Tenant Tender Opens For Fabulous New Bar/Restaurant in Kirkham’s Former TSB Building – Fylde Council|first=Fylde|last=Council}}

Kirkham Futures is a four-year plan, led by Fylde Council's regeneration team, in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Kirkham Town Council, which will use a £6.3m grant from the Government's Future High Streets Fund (FHSF).{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkhamfutures.org/post/once-in-a-generation-opportunity-to-regenerate-kirkhams-historic-high-street|title='Once In A Generation' Opportunity To Regenerate Kirkham's Historic High Street|website=Kirkhamfutures.org}}

In January 2023, the town's Market Square closed for up to 52 weeks for town centre improvements to be carried out.{{cite web | url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/kirkham-market-row-resolved-for-now-after-traders-threaten-protest-at-closure-of-long-traditional-site-3990323 | title=Market row resolved for now after traders threaten protest at closure of long traditional site | date=17 January 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.kirkhamfutures.org/post/public-urged-to-have-their-say-on-future-of-kirkhams-historic-high-street | title=Public urged to have their say on future of Kirkham's historic high street }} The Phase 1 Public Realm works for Kirkham will replace existing public realm and infrastructure, such as street furniture, in the area of Market Square and Poulton Street. Included in the contract is a five-year maintenance and repair commitment by the contractor, after which such upkeep would be included in existing revenue budgets. A lighting scheme to be implemented in Market Square will be maintained and repaired within the existing revenue budget provision. The contract was awarded to Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd following a successful procurement exercise.{{cite web | url=https://new.fylde.gov.uk/contract-awarded-for-kirkham-futures-public-realm-phase-1/ | title=Contract Awarded for Kirkham Futures Public Realm Phase 1 – Fylde Council }}

In 2023 and 2024 a cooperative partnership funded a programme of events inspired by the former Roman presence in Kirkham and Wesham, allowing the community to participate in art and archaeology projects. Activities included a community archaeology project, a high street mural and a heritage-inspired art and lantern festival.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkhamfutures.org/post/the-romans-are-coming-back-to-kirkham|title=The Romans are Coming Back to Kirkham!|website=www.kirkhamfutures.org}}

The improvement of the Market Square, following the £9.5M town centre regeneration plan, was completed in August 2024 and a ban on parking was introduced by Lancashire County Council. All on-street and off-street parking in the town is free and the council noted there were "ample" alternatives to the square, including the car parks at Eagles Court and Mill Street. The ban excluded vehicles needing access for the market and events.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg2752e75po|title=Kirkham: Parking ban trialled for town's market square|date=19 August 2024|website=BBC News}}

Kirkham has two secondary schools: Carr Hill High School a mixed comprehensive school, and Kirkham Grammar School, an independent school. Feeding into these two schools are the primary schools of Kirkham: Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, Kirkham Grammar Junior School, St John the Evangelist (also known as "The Willows") Catholic Primary School and Kirkham St Michael's C of E Primary School. Additionally, Pear Tree School offers special education for children and young people, aged 2-19, with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties.{{Cite web|url=https://www.peartreeschool.co.uk/|title=Pear Tree School|website=www.peartreeschool.co.uk}}

{{main|St Michael's Church, Kirkham}}

File:St Michael's Church, Kirkham 01.jpg

The Church of England parish church is St Michael's whose minister is Fr Richard Dashwood.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stmichaelskirkham.org.uk/newvicarannouncement.htm|title=02/05/21 New Vicar Announcement - St Michael's Church, Kirkham|website=www.stmichaelskirkham.org.uk}}

The United Reformed Church on Poulton Street is a Grade II listed building and is an early example of the work of the architectural practice of Briggs & Wolstenholme. It has a "massing and prominent spire rising from a tall tower" and was built in 1896. In 1995 a large single-storey rear extension, including a basement, was built to accommodate a youth centre, meeting rooms, kitchen and toilets. In about 2000 the vestibule was extended forward to the same level as the balcony above.{{Cite web|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Kirkham/PoultonStCongregational|title=Genuki: Poulton St Congregational, Kirkham, Lancashire|website=Genuki.org.uk|access-date=6 July 2022}}{{NHLE|num=1407288|desc=Kirkham United Reformed Church, Kirkham |accessdate=19 February 2024}}

There is also a Roman Catholic church – St John the Evangelist, built in 1845, but known locally as "The Willows" – on the Ribby Road,{{Cite web |url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Kirkham/StJohnTheEvangelist |title=Genuki: St John The Evangelist, Roman Catholic, Kirkham, Lancashire|website=Genuki.org.uk|access-date=6 July 2022}} and a Methodist church on Nelson Street.{{Cite web|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Kirkham/NelsonStreetWesleyanMethodist|title=Genuki: Nelson Street Wesleyan Methodist, Kirkham, Lancashire|website=Genuki.org.uk|access-date=6 July 2022}}

Zion (Independent) Chapel was founded in 1818. Although the church has long since been demolished, the graveyard remains. Now associated with Kirkham United Reformed Church, but adjacent to the Manse Nursing Home in the centre of the town, this unusual isolated burial-ground is still well maintained.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

Kirkham lies at the centre of a relatively rich agricultural area. By the mid 18th century, however, the manufacture of sail cloth and the flax-weaving industry had become well established in the town. By 1876 there were several factories employing almost 1,000 workers in the cotton and other industries and by the end of the century the town had grown considerably in importance.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

Kirkham and Wesham railway station was opened in 1840 as "Kirkham Station",{{Butt-Stations}} when the Preston and Wyre Railway and Harbour Company opened its line to Fleetwood. South of the town is Kirkham Prison, an open prison built on part of the site of the Royal Air Force base which closed in 1957.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

The small library located on Station Road has been open since 1939{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/librarydetails/libhist.asp?name=Kirkham |title=Welcome to the Library and Information Service web site – History of Kirkham |access-date=26 February 2008 |publisher=Lancashire County Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613183943/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/librarydetails/libhist.asp?name=Kirkham |archive-date=13 June 2011 }} and has recently{{when|date=July 2022}} reopened following a major refurbishment.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/refurbs/kirkham/index.asp|title=Archived version|access-date=6 July 2022|archive-date=9 December 2011|archive-url=https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20111209004737/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/refurbs/kirkham/index.asp|url-status=bot: unknown}}

File:Kirkham 008.jpg Jubilee Memorial, Poulton Street]]

Kirkham Club Day, an annual gala, is held in early June, jointly with Wesham. The day involves the various churches and their chosen "Rose Queens", together with biblical tableau floats, civic dignitaries and brass bands, walking in procession through the town in the morning.{{Cite web|url=https://kirkhamtreasures.co.uk/12-days-of-kirkham/12-days-of-kirkham-12-club-day-queens/|title=12 Days Of Kirkham – 12 Club Day Queens – Kirkham Treasures}}

The town's War Memorial is located in a small memorial garden on Barnfield.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/583|title=Kirkham - Memorial Gardens, WW1 and WW2|website=Imperial War Museums}}

The St George Hotel was situated at the bottom on Station Road, at Town End, but closed in 2011 and was demolished in 2012 to make way for a block of flats.{{Cite web|url=http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/lancashire/kirkham_stgeorges.html|title=St Georges Hotel, Kirkham - another lost pub|website=Closedpubs.co.uk}}{{cite web| url = https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/wrecking-crews-call-time-on-former-pub-1-5222479| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181227181425/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/wrecking-crews-call-time-on-former-pub-1-5222479| archive-date = 2018-12-27| title = Wrecking crews call time on former pub - Blackpool Gazette}}

Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North West and ITV Granada. Television signals are received from the Winter Hill TV transmitter. {{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date= 30 November 2023}}

Local radio stations are BBC Radio Lancashire, Heart North West, Smooth North West, Capital Manchester and Lancashire, Greatest Hits Radio Lancashire and Central Radio North West, a community based station which broadcast from Preston. {{Cite web |url=https://www.central.radio/about-us/|title=About Us - Central Radio |access-date=30 November 2023}}

The town is served by its own free newspaper, the Kirkham and Wesham Advertiser. Both the Blackpool Gazette and the Lancashire Evening Post cover Kirkham news, as does the weekly Kirkham and Fylde Express.{{cite news|title=Lytham Today – Kirkham and Rural News |newspaper=Lytham St Annes Express |url=http://www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk/kirkham-and-rural |access-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518044102/http://www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk/kirkham-and-rural |archive-date=18 May 2008 }}

Kirkham Swimming Baths, erected in 1914 by the bequest of William Segar Hodgson J.P. served Kirkham as a public swimming pool for over a century. In February 2008 a campaign was initiated to save the baths from closure which included a public march through Kirkham and Wesham attended by some 3,000 local supporters{{Cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/3000-march-to-save-underthreat.3833985.jp|title=3,000 march to save under-threat baths, LEP, David Coates|website=Lep.co.uk|access-date=6 July 2022|archive-date=23 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523230428/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/3000-march-to-save-underthreat.3833985.jp|url-status=dead}} A local action group was subsequently formed to organise the longer term survival of the baths, and was successful in presenting a business plan to Fylde Borough Council. The baths, were run by the YMCA, having been re-branded as "Rural Splash",{{Cite web |url=http://www.myfylde.co.uk/KirkhamSplash |title=Kirkham Splash |access-date=1 December 2008 |archive-date=5 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105234802/http://www.myfylde.co.uk/KirkhamSplash |url-status=dead }} but closed permanently after suffering significant structural damage caused by Storm Arwen in December 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://ymcayactive.org/ymca-kirkham-update-site-closure/|title=YMCA Kirkham Update - Site Closure|date=10 August 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/people/ymca-kirkham-rural-splash-is-set-to-permanently-close-why-and-what-do-the-council-have-to-say-4250294|title=YMCA Kirkham Rural Splash is set to permanently close sparking disappointed response from council|date=10 August 2023|website=Lancashire Evening Post}} In December 2024 it was announced that CIC Wave Reach had withdrawn from its role in acquiring and operating Kirkham Pool.{{Cite web|url=https://new.fylde.gov.uk/cic-interest-withdraws-from-kirkham-pool-reopening-project/|title=CIC Interest Withdraws from Kirkham Pool Reopening Project – Fylde Council|first=Fylde|last=Council}} On 30 January 2025, Fylde Borough Council approved approved plans to acquire the pool for the nominal sum of £1.https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/fylde-council-approves-plans-buy-30899943

The town's football club is AFC Fylde. The club was known as Kirkham and Wesham F.C until the end of the 2007–08 season, and was formed by the amalgamation of Kirkham Town F.C. and Wesham F.C. The change of name to AFC Fylde was made to try to encourage a broader fan-base from across the Fylde coast.

AFC Fylde is currently based north of Wesham on the Mill Farm complex and plays in the National League. The team won the FA Vase in the 2007–08 season, beating Lowestoft Town in the final at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 2008. They were also promoted to the North West Counties Football League Premier Division after finishing second in Division Two. In 2008–09 they were North West Counties Football League champions and so won promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One North.

In May 2022 the British Lawn Mower Racing Association staged a meeting at Sunfield Farm, off Freckleton Road, to help to raise money for the people of Ukraine.{{cite web | url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/lawn-mower-racing-event-in-kirkham-this-weekend-to-raise-money-for-ukraine-3689361 | title=Motor sport with a difference coming to a field in Kirkham - and everyone's invited to take a look|website=Blackpoolgazette.co.uk | date=11 May 2022}}

Kirkham is twinned with both Ancenis in Loire-Atlantique, France{{Cite web|url=http://www.kirkhamtwinning.org/Ancenis.htm|title=New Page 1|website=Kirkhamtwinning.org}} and Bad Brückenau, a spa town in Bad Kissingen district, northern Bavaria which is situated in the Rhön Mountains in Germany.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kirkhamtwinning.org/Bad%20Bruckenau.htm|title=New Page 1|website=Kirkhamtwinning.org}} Kirkham has an active Twinning Association and has regular contact with both Ancenis and Bad Brückenau.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kirkhamtwinning.org/index.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 January 2021 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130164641/http://www.kirkhamtwinning.org/index.htm |url-status=dead }}

{{main|Listed buildings in Kirkham, Lancashire}}Kirkham currently has 20 listed buildings, one of them being Grade II* and the rest being Grade II. Many of the buildings in the town centre date from the Georgian and Victorian eras.

• St Michaels Church, Kirkham, Church Street
• Kirkham United Reformed Church, Poulton Street
• Kirkham Windmill - Dowbridge, now a private residence{{Cite web|url=https://lancashirepast.com/2019/01/27/kirkham-windmill-kirkham/|title=Kirkham Windmill, Kirkham|date=27 January 2019}}
• St John the Evangelist R.C Church (known locally as the Willows Church)
• Ash Tree House - formerly a house, built c.1765, Church Street, is a Grade II listed building{{NHLE|num=1072020|desc=Ash Tree House, Kirkham |accessdate=3 March 2024}} and is now a general practice

{{Reflist}}

• Ramsbottom, M. (2013), Around Kirkham through Time, Stroud, Amberley Publishing
• Ramsbottom, M. (2013), An Historical Tour around the Town of Kirkham, Kirkham, (self-published)

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.birley.org/Kirkham.htm A comprehensive history of Kirkham]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926213450/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/archaeologyandheritage/historictowns/KirkhamComplete_LowRes.pdf Historic Town Assessment Report (Archaeological and Historical Report)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131002160734/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/historichighways/roman3.asp Roman Roads in Lancashire]
• [https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SD4232 Geograph images of Kirkham]
• [http://www.kirkhamtwinning.org Kirkham Twinning Association]
• [http://www.kirkhammethodist.org.uk/ Kirkham Methodist Church]

{{Borough of Fylde}}

{{Lancashire}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Lancashire

Category:Market towns in Lancashire

Category:Geography of the Borough of Fylde