Thursday, 31 May 2012

Thursday Tour - my personal link to Euxton

Euxton (pronounced ‘Exton’) is a small village in Central Lancashire. The main road in the village was the Roman road called Watling Street which ran from south to north through Lancashire and on to  Hadrian’s Wall, the border with Scotland. In the middle ages this road became the main north-south packhorse route, and there is still a packhorse bridge near to where the modern road crosses the River Yarrow.

Prior to World War II, a large Royal Ordnance Factory was built at Euxton. It became one of the largest munitions filling factory in the world, employing over 28,000 people at the height of the war. It’s said that the bouncing bombs used in the Dambusters Raid were made there. Safety precautions involved twenty feet high grass embankments to deflect any explosion skywards instead of across to any adjacent buildings. There were also extensive underground armament magazines.

Which brings me to my personal link with Euxton.  In 1942 my father, who was serving with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the war, was posted to Euxton for about a year. As my mother lived in their home town of Preston, only a few miles away, he was able to visit her when he was off-duty. That could explain why I was born the following year!

9 comments:

  1. Interesting post. LOve the history of Euxton and the photos.

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  2. Very interesting, and that is probably why you came along when you did. :D

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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  3. I love these interesting glimpses at new places, Paula!

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  4. Enjoyed reading this! Such places are always so interesting.

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  5. Many thanks for visiting, Em. So many of our towns and villages have their origins back in Roman or Medieval times.

    Kathy - I wonder how many other people owe their existence to an Ordnance Factory? LOL!

    Rosemary - Euxton is now a fairly 'ordinary' small Lancashire village, and there's now a new industrial and residential estate on the site of the old Ordnance Factory.

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  6. Thanks so much for visiting, T!

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  7. Euxton Conception...lol Sorry, struck me as funny. Loved the post. ♥

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  8. LOLOL, love it, Jo! I'm still giggling!

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  9. Before we get into things, yes, there is a dispute that the "Baghdad Battery" is the first battery ever to be made but we're still not exactly sure what they used it for. From furniture removals to entire home content relocations, an interstate removals company requirements to be in a position to satisfy all of the needs and necessities of each client. Another way is to exercise the battery. This is the perfect time to slow down and step back from stress. -Yes, sir.- Allia slapped old Bessie's rump and rode away with both legs kicking, Bessie's colt following.

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