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Winsford
is on the River Weaver to the south of Northwich.
The town
developed in the early 18th century when the river was canalised,
allowing freight to be transported north to the port of Runcorn
on the River Mersey.
Until
the late 18th century the town of Winsford was the nearest
barges carrying china clay from Cornwall could be get to the
Potteries. From Winsford the clay was carried 30 miles overland
to the Potteries, along with locally-produced salt , used
in manufacture of salt-glazed pottery.
Finished
ceramics were transported back to Winsford to be exported
by boat through Liverpool. When the Trent and Mersey Canal
opened in the 1780s these goods passed through Middlewich
instead, bypassing Winsford.
In 1844
a new salt mine was opened in Winsford, enabling tthe development
of the salt industry along the River Weaver and by 1897 Winsford
had become the largest producer of salt in England.
Now the
Salt Union mine at Meadow Bank is the UK's only working rock
salt mine, with salt quarried from more than 150 meters below
ground the surface. The salt, known as 'grit' is used on
roads in freezing weather.
The town
is divided into two by the River Weaver, with Over on the
west and Wharton on the east. As the wind blew the smoke
away from Over, this part of the town attracted the wealthier
residents.
Modern
Winsford has an impressive industrial estate and has become
an important administrative centre, housing the headquarters
of the Vale Royal Borough Council, Cheshire Fire Brigade and
Cheshire Police.
A feature
of the town is the Winsford 'Flashes' - three lakes
set along the course of the River Weaver. These lakes were
formed in the 19th century as a result of salt extraction.
When surface ground subsided into underground voids the river
widened into lakes. The lakes now have a range of wildlife,
such as migrating wildfowl, and are popular for sailing, fishing
and walking.
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Winsford
