Heywood, Greater Manchester
Template:GBdot Heywood is a town located between Bury and Rochdale, Lancashire in the north-west of England. It can be reached via the M66 motorway and is also served by the East Lancashire Railway (used mainly as a tourist attraction). Its main industry in the past has been cotton milling, although this has long since declined. Heywood is now home to one of the largest distribution parks in the North-West, thanks to its excellent motorway links with Manchester and Liverpool.
Overview
Heywood is a typical Lancashire town, during the industrial revolution its main industry was cotton, many of the cotton mills have now been knocked down, mainly for housing. Whilst neighbouring towns such as Ramsbottom have flourished as a result of their heritage Heywood has remained a predominately working class town. The main employer in the town is the distribution park with many of the country's major retailers having warehouse units there. The town centre of Heywood is dominated by Morrisons supermarket and Dunnes Stores although it does boast some intersting nick nack shops solely owned offering personal service. The whole town is currently undergoing a major regeneration as part of the Governments New Deal for Communities and New Heart for Heywood are investing over £52 Million. Some of the planned works for 2006-2008 include a new Health Connections Centre, A new family Surestart Centre, a new Primary School and a mutli million pound Sports and leisure village. You can also meet some colourful characters by taking a walk through the town centre on a Friday or Saturday night. Terry and Shirley Pigott used to reside in the town and had a doll in a pram which they thought was their baby. They once called the emergency doctor out to the baby because its arm had fallen off. He arrived in the middle of the night to find the doll with its arm missing. So miffed about being called out so late and fed up of being called out to it he gave it a death certificate. Also in the town are such luminaries as Billy Miff who sings the laughing Policeman and Spooky George who lives in an area of the town called Darnhill and tells the lcoal children he has ghosts coming out of the wall.
Culture
Heywood is well known for is its density of pubs. Only a few years ago Heywood was in the Guinness Book Of Records for most pubs in a square mile. That particular honour has since been passed on but there is still a large variety of watering holes to drink in. Highlights include the Queen Anne pub (also known as the 'Style Bar') in the town centre; in years gone by this pub reputedly staged public hangings in its back yard, presumably to perk up trade when things were a bit quiet. The Dressers Arms is famous throughout the North-West for its hospitality, whilst the Pig and Whistle is home to some lively local characters, and is famous for its frightening bar staff and its legendary sausage sandwich nights every Wednesday night.
Heywood was also in the Guinness Book of Records for a somewhat more obscure reason in the 1970's. For three consecutive years running Heywood was home to the world's largest pork-pie. "Old Gracie", as she was known, stood proudly on display in the foyer of the civic hall. It was said that people could come from as far afield as Horwich to have their photographs taken next to the mammoth crust. Sadly Old Gracie's run was cruelly ended by the famously hot summer of 1976. Locals still talk of the huge dark cloud of bluebottles which descended on the town for three long months.
Some Famous People From Heywood
- Coronation Street Actress Julie Goodyear was born in Heywood and still lives in the town.
- Football superstar David Cross is from Heywood.
- Johnny Pickles is perhaps Heywood's most famous resident.
- Tommy and Shirley Piggot are Heywood's most well known couple, although they now live away from the town.
- 'The Mangler'.
- Geoff Holmes.
- Pop band The Mock Turtles were formed in Heywood.
- Broadcaster and comedian Big H has lived in Heywood all his life
- Roger Fenton, pioneering British photographer, was born in Heywood.
Other Places of Note
- Heywood is home to some of the finest countryside in the North West of England. Ashworth Valley is a renowned local beauty spot, a delightful place for a Sunday stroll, whilst Knowl Hill is a landmark recognisable for miles around.
- The Corgi Heritage Centre attracts visitors from all around the world, who come to marvel at its unprecedented range of collectible models.
- Heywood Civic Hall has played host to a number of big name acts in recent years, most notably Chas 'n Dave and Showaddywaddy.