Coordinates: 53°24′47″N 2°47′53″W / 53.413°N 2.798°W / 53.413; -2.798

Whiston
Whiston  Whiston shown within Merseyside
Population	13,629  (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid reference	SJ4791
Parish	Whiston
Metropolitan borough	Knowsley
Metropolitan county	Merseyside
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	PRESCOT
Postcode district	L35
Dialling code	0151
Police	Merseyside
Fire	Merseyside
Ambulance	North West
EU Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	Knowsley South
List of places: UK • England • Merseyside

Whiston is a large village and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley in Merseyside, England, situated approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) east of Liverpool city centre. It is to the south of the A57 road that links the city with Warrington, and is crossed by the northern route of the Liverpool to Manchester railway. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 13,629.^[1]

[edit] History

Historically a part of Lancashire, for more than 450 years it was known for its coal mines. Its recorded history begins in the 13th century but its roots are much older. A polished stone hand-axe, a relic of the Neolithic Age, was discovered there in 1941 and in 1986 fragments of flint tools were found on a local farm.

The church of St. Nicholas on Windy Arbor Road was consecrated on 30 July 1868. It hosts a war memorial, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, which was struck by lightning in 1928. The memorial was replaced in 1932.^[2]

[edit] Governance

Whiston was formerly part of the Whiston Rural District. The area consists of the Whiston North and Whiston South wards of the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley.

[edit] Industries

By far the largest employer in Whiston and surrounding areas is Whiston Hospital, part of the St. Helens & Knowsley Hospitals NHS trust. The trust employs approximately 4500 people, the majority based at the Whiston site. The hospital itself is a Teaching hospital affliated to the University of Liverpool, with almost 900 beds, and is the regional centre for Burns & Plastic treatment. A Private Finance Initiative project has begun, which will see the completion of a brand new state of the art hospital, the first phase of which is due for completion in 2010^[3] The rebuild cost is estimated to be £338 million^[4]

Other employers include Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, producing kitchen appliances and employing approximately 1000 people.

[edit] Education

• St Lukes Catholic Primary School
• Halsnead County Primary School & Training School
• Whiston Willis Primary School
• St Leo's Catholic Primary School

A number of Whiston's schools will move or be merged within the next year under the Building Schools for the Future scheme. This £150 million programme will create seven new learning centres to replace the ten existing secondary schools.^[5]

[edit] Notable people

• Peter Briggs, screenwriter of the movie Hellboy, was born in Whiston hospital; raised in Cherrytree Close, off Dragon Lane, Whiston. He also attended Higher Side School.
• Melanie Chisholm, Sporty Spice in the international girl group, was born in Whiston hospital; raised in Rainhill a member of the Spice Girls.
• Martin Dwyer, jockey. Double classic winning flat jockey raised in Fisher Avenue; off Lickers Lane, Whiston. He attended St. Leo's Primary School and St Edmund Arrowsmith R.C. High School.
• Steven Gerrard, Liverpool F.C. (current captain) and England international football player. He was born in Whiston and played for Whiston Juniors FC.
• Willy Russell, prolific writer for stage, television and cinema.
• Stuart Maconie, Author and radio personality born in Whiston Hospital.
• Dave McCabe, lead vocalist and guitarist for English rock band, The Zutons.
• Mark Ward, Former professional footballer with Everton, Manchester City and West Ham United.
• Shaun Whalley, footballer with Droylsden F.C.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Liverpool Street Gallery - Liverpool 35