Rishton

Geography

Rishton is situated in an area of low moorland north-east of Blackburn and north-west of Accrington. Its elevation above sea level varies from 250 feet (76 m) in the east, where Norden Brook flows into the River Hyndburn, to 785 feet (239 m) on Rishton Height, north-west of the town.

Geology

0.7 Miles from the town is a former sandstone quarry known locally as Star Delph Quarry,Its use as a sandstone quarry ended in 1897. Part of the quarry contains rocks formed around 314–315 Million Years ago in the Carboniferous Period, These rocks contain an Imprint from where the roots of a Lepidonendron Tree which are known as Stigmaria. This quarry is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and so it is protected by law with those that damage the site facing fines. The exposed rock layers are Fletcher Bank Grit, this is a subgroup of the Millstone Grit.

Schools

There are three primary schools in Rishton: St. Peter and St. Paul's Church of England Primary School, St. Charles' Roman Catholic Primary School and Rishton Methodist Primary School. There is also one high school: Norden High School and Sports College.

Population

The 2001 census recorded a population of 7350, in 2,973 households. 97% of the population were in the White British ethnic group.

Local government

The two tiers of local government are Hyndburn Borough Council (a non-metropolitan district with borough status) and Lancashire County Council. Prior to the creation of Hyndburn district in 1974, Rishton had been an urban district, with its own council. It is not within a civil parish.

Leisure and tourism

The facilities at Cutwood Park, between Blackburn Road and the reservoir include a football pitch and a children's playground.

Local pubs/clubs

Cricket

Rishton has over the years been famous for its cricket team, based at Rishton Cricket Club. Notable professionals who have played for the club include Viv Richards in 1987. Other former professional include, former England Coach Duncan Fletcher, Sky Sports' very own Michael Holding former West Indies international, Aussie fast bowler Jason Gillespie, former South African cricket captain Allan Donald and Sri Lankan right-handed batsman and a right-arm offbreak bowler Kumar Dharmasena.

See Rishton Cricket Club

Sailing

Sailing has taken place on Rishton Reservoir since the start of the 20th century. East Lancashire Sailing Club is based at the reservoir, and is a RYA Recognised Training Centre.

Golf

Rishton Golf Club is located off Petre Crescent and is a 11-hole course.

Churches

Transport

The main road through Rishton is the A678 Blackburn to Burnley road; there is also the B6535 (formerly A6064), which connects the town to Great Harwood. In 1997, the Blackburn Southern By-pass section of the M65 motorway opened, bypassing the A678.

In the 19th century, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was a major transport route in the area. The section of the canal through Rishton was completed in 1810. Rishton Reservoir, which provides water to the canal, was built in 1828. The East Lancashire Railway, which was opened in 1848, crossed the reservoir on a viaduct until 1858; it is now on an embankment.

Rishton railway station, south-west of the town centre, is on the East Lancashire Line. As of 2008 the route is operated by Northern Rail, and consists of one train per hour between Blackpool South and Colne. Bus services are more frequent, and include the Hyndburn Circular routes and Route 152, both operated by Blackburn Bus Company.

Notable people