Padgate and Fearnhead history at Padgate Library

Do you have golden memories of old Padgate and Fearnhead with its country lanes, farms and cottages or can you remember Padgate RAF Camp?

Did you move to the new estates created after Warrington New Town Development Corporation’s new Padgate area planning process begun in 1972?

The Friends of Padgate Library and the Padgate and Fearnhead Memories Group invite you to a special free Heritage Day at Padgate Library on Saturday, September 10 from 10am to 2pm. Share your stories of living in the area and bring your heritage photos to be recorded by the volunteer organisers.

You can also see the fascinating “Discover the Changing Face of Padgate and Fearnhead” exhibition which continues at the library until October 8 and:

• Look back at the amazing history of Padgate RAF Camp and the famous recruits such as Bill Wyman of Rolling Stones’ fame who were stationed there!

• Find out the origins of local place names like Padgate and Fearnhead

• See if you or your family feature in the fascinating photographs of local events such as Padgate Walking Days.

By1972 Warrington New Town Development Corporation had begun work on its first housing scheme in the new town district of Padgate, an area of 3159 acres, which included the old Padgate area within Poulton with Fearnhead, Woolston, and parts of the parishes of Winwick and Croft.

The key development area was focussed on 256 acres of the former RAF sites at Padgate and Houghton Green. These had been bought by Warrington Borough Council in 1963 and designated for residential development with associated amenities. An action plan for Padgate was first developed in 1968 and in 1972 WNTDC initiated the first housing development in the area at Longbarn.

Developing Longbarn

Besides the amenities immediately around Longbarn a new district centre was built at Station Road complete with shops, library, secondary school and playing fields.

The adjacent Insall Road was a reminder of the former camp commander, Group Captain Gilbert Insall, who officiated on ceremonies on the camp parade ground nearby. Insall was a hero of World War I who had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions in aerial warfare near Arras in November 1915.

Before he could receive his medal Insall was shot down in a further battle and became a POW until 1917. However, Insall made a daring escape from the camp and found his way back to Britain, securing the Military Medal for his resolution. He became the first commanding officer at Padgate Camp from 1939-1953 and took the final salute at the last passing out parade in 1957.

The exhibition will open Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 5pm and Wednesdays from 2pm to 5pm, Thursdays from 10am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 1pm.