Accrington
Accrington is a market town in Lancashire located in the Blackburnshire hundred, about 4 miles east of Blackburn itself and 6 miles west of Burnley. The town has a population of around 34,900 (2021 Census). The town is locally nicknames Accy or Acky and its residents are known as Accringtonians.
Known for its textile industry during the Industrial Revolution, the area is also famous for the manufacture of Accrington brick, which was not only used for the foundations of Blackpool Tower, but in the construction of the Empire State Building in New York, USA too. The town was important for the development of professional association football (soccer) in England in the 19th century as one of the football league's founding teams, the now-defunct Accrington F.C. (1878-1896), was based in the town.
The wider post town of Accrington also includes the market towns of Clayton-le-Moors and Oswaldtwistle plus several villages: Altham, Baxenden, Church, Huncoat and Rising Bridge.
Notable Accringtonians
- Alan Ramsbottom (1936-2023) - professional cyclist
- Mystic Meg (1942-202) - astrologer
- David Lloyd (born 1947) - cricketer
- Vicky Entwistle (born 1968) - actress best known for the role of Janice Battersby in Coronation Street
- Mina Anwar (born 1969) - actress best known for playing Constable Habib in Ben Elton sitcom The Thin Blue Line (1994-1996).
- Ian Entwistle (born 1986) - mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
