Larches, Preston

Larches is one of the districts of Preston, Lancashire, England. The area, north-west of Preston city centre, is a mix of social and private housing, although both components of the ward – Larches, and Savick – are largely post-war council estates. Ashton Park is in the middle of the current ward, which borders Riversway and the civil parish of Lea. The area of Larches is part of Ashton-on-Ribble, which was part of the former hundred of Amounderness. With small businesses and shops in the area, the population are largely commute-to-work families and retirees. The citywide Preston Bus service runs through both sides of the Larches ward, and routes operated by Stagecoach between Preston and Blackpool also serve the area. Three members of Preston City Council, elected 'in thirds' in first past the post elections each year, are returned from the ward. The ward and neighbouring Ashton forms part of the Lancashire County Council electoral division of Preston North West.

1. Current members


1. Demographics

From the 2001 Census, Larches had a population of 7,395. Of this figure, 83% described themselves as Christian. At the 2008 local elections, the valid electorate for Larches ward was 5,657. At the 2011 Census the population had increased to 7,500.

1. Geography

The ward is in the north-west of the city, with the A5085 Blackpool Road cutting the Larches and Savick components in two. The southern portion borders onto the A583 Riversway by-pass. The housing developments, largely post-war detached and semi-detached houses, are spread out into medium-sized roads and avenues. The Preesall estate is a self-contained development to the north facing the Lea boundary.

1. See also

Preston local elections Districts of Preston

1. Sources

Existing ward arrangements

Nearby Places View Menu

Ashton Community Science College

Ashton Community Science College is a coeducational secondary school located in the Ashton-on-Ribble area of Preston in the English county of Lancashire. It is a community school administered by Lancashire County Council. The school also has a specialism in science. Feeder primary schools include Ashton Primary School and St Andrews CE Primary School in Ashton-on-Ribble, Lea Community Primary School and Lea Endowed CE Primary School in Lea, and Cottam Primary School in Cottam. Ashton Community Science College offers GCSEs, BTECs and OCR Nationals as programmes of study for pupils. The school also offers The Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme. The school was originally called Ashton-on-Ribble High School.

Community Centre School

Riversway

Riversway was an electoral ward in Preston, Lancashire, England. The ward was named for its location close to the River Ribble, and the historical links to the former Port of Preston. The ward comprised three distinct areas; the former Docklands, now a shopping area and residential community, with new build apartments and housing overlooking the dock; Broadgate, the residential area built during the Industrial Revolution; and Christ Church, a community of traditional terraced housing. The ward contained the administrative headquarters of Lancashire County Council. Riversway returned three members to Preston City Council, elected 'in thirds' in first past the post elections each year. The ward formed part of the Lancashire County Council electoral division of Preston City. The ward was abolished for the 2019 Preston City Council election. The Docklands area was transferred to Ashton ward; areas east of the A582 Strand Road/Guild Way became part of the new City Centre ward.

Government Neighbourhood

Ashton Park

Ashton Park is situated in Ashton-on-Ribble to the west of Preston, Lancashire, England. It has one bowling green, two play areas, with swings, roundabouts and climbing frames, several football pitches within a large, main field, and contains within it a magnificent country house. It is the headquarters of the Armed Forces Group, Dig in North West and Let's Grow Preston. These are all situated within the walled garden that also contains the Peace garden the fruit garden and Ashton Community Garden. It also has a beautiful woodland area, ornamental gardens and many flower beds. Ashton House, the large country house within the park, has recently undergone extensive repair and restoration and is particularly well used as a children's nursery school. Extensive parking facilities are provided in the park which is located immediately to the south of Blackpool Road, which proceeds westwards to Cottam. Nearby on the southern side are the docks, and Riversway complex, containing many offices and shops including Morrisons, McDonald's, and Pets at Home. To the west are the Larches and Savick estates and Lea.

Community Centre Park

Furness Railway Trust

The Furness Railway Trust is a heritage railway preservation organisation many of whose properties were originally owned by the Furness Railway. It is now based at the Ribble Steam Railway at Preston, Lancashire, England following its relocation from the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. New accommodation which is shared with the Ribble Steam Railway has been built and is used to house, restore and maintain the Trust's locomotives and other vehicles. The Trust often hires its locomotives and stock to other privately owned railways in the UK where they can be seen at work and on display. The Trust owns two Sharp, Stewart and Company locomotives: Furness Railway Nº20, Britain's oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive, is now operational following the completion of its second 10-year overhaul and rebuild to its original form. Furness Railway Nº25, ownership passed to FRT in 2015 after the death of Bert Hitchen, it is to be restored to operating order as an 0-4-0ST, the form in which it was rebuilt for the Barrow Hematite Steel Company when sold by Furness Railway. The locomotive is now at the Trust's base at the Ribble Steam Railway following its transfer from 'Steamtown' - (formerly Carnforth MPD). Additionally, the Trust also owns: Peckett and Sons 'OY' Class 0-4-0ST 'No.1'. Completed by the Peckett Works in February 1937 for Courtaulds Red Scar Works Preston. In May 1973 and named 'Caliban', it hauled the first trains on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. Currently undergoing overhaul at Preston, contracts have been let for the manufacture and refurbishment of many new parts. GWR 5600 Class 0-6-2T No. 5643, acquired by the Lakeside Railway Society and restored to working order at Haverthwaite. It is currently undergoing an overhaul at Preston. It is hoped that the overhaul will be completed in 2025 - its centenary year. GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 No. 4979 Wootton Hall was purchased by the Trust in 1994 from the Fleetwood Locomotive Centre. It was moved to and stored at the Lytham Motive Power Centre and later to Appleby. In 2014 the loco and tender were moved to the Trust's workshop at Preston where much progress has been made and many parts have been trial fitted to the locomotive. An original Collett 3400-gallon tender tank was located, purchased, restored and has been fitted to the tender frames using as many of the reusable parts as possible from the original tank. War Department No. WD 194 Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST now named Cumbria (currently at the Embsay Steam Railway) John Fowler & Co. 0-4-0DM, 'No.2' Fluff, Being rebuilt at Preston, a replacement engine has now been obtained. The Trust also owns several other passenger and goods vehicles, including: A North London Railway 2nd Class carriage (currently on hire to the Beamish Open Air Museum) Great Eastern Railway No.5 Princess Alexandra's Royal Saloon. Following an extended period of hire at the Beamish Open Air Museum the coach returned to Preston for refurbishment. It is now in use at the Ribble Steam Railway and is available for hire. A set of vintage carriages which when restored will be formed into a vintage passenger train. The only surviving Furness Railway goods wagon - bogie bolster No. 5999 LMS goods brake van no. M731874 (currently at the Rutland Railway Museum in the East Midlands)

Landmark Museum