Difference between revisions of "Colne"
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The name Colne is of Celtic origin and a settlement was founded around 4BC by the Brigantes. Despite a [[Roman]] road passing through nearby [[Barnoldswick]] there is no conclusive evidence of Romans having settled there. | The name Colne is of Celtic origin and a settlement was founded around 4BC by the Brigantes. Despite a [[Roman]] road passing through nearby [[Barnoldswick]] there is no conclusive evidence of Romans having settled there. | ||
| − | By the 15th century, Colne had become a major centre for the textile industry, particularly | + | By the 15th century, Colne had become a major centre for the textile industry, particularly woollen goods. With the Industrial Revolution, cotton manufacturing became the primary industry, trade being aided by the completion of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. |
As with many mill towns, the population declined during the 20th century. In 1911 the census reported 26,000 people, and in 1971 it reported 19,000 people. In the 1970s it was made part of the District of [[Pendle]]. | As with many mill towns, the population declined during the 20th century. In 1911 the census reported 26,000 people, and in 1971 it reported 19,000 people. In the 1970s it was made part of the District of [[Pendle]]. | ||
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| + | The local MP is Gordon Prentice ([[Labour]]). | ||
==Modern Colne== | ==Modern Colne== | ||
Revision as of 08:03, April 27, 2007
Colne is a town in Lancashire and is the principal town in the district of Pendle.
History
The name Colne is of Celtic origin and a settlement was founded around 4BC by the Brigantes. Despite a Roman road passing through nearby Barnoldswick there is no conclusive evidence of Romans having settled there.
By the 15th century, Colne had become a major centre for the textile industry, particularly woollen goods. With the Industrial Revolution, cotton manufacturing became the primary industry, trade being aided by the completion of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
As with many mill towns, the population declined during the 20th century. In 1911 the census reported 26,000 people, and in 1971 it reported 19,000 people. In the 1970s it was made part of the District of Pendle.
The local MP is Gordon Prentice (Labour).
Modern Colne
Every August Bank Holiday, the Great British Rhythm and Blues festival is held in Colne which brings artists from all over the world and a huge influx of music lovers.
A musical tradition
As well as the modern Blues Festival, Colne has a musical past. In the town square is the Wallace Hartley memorial, in memory of the bandmaster of the RMS Titanic who used to live in Colne. Wallace Hartley and his band are famed for carrying on playing as the doomed ship sank.
As with many industrial towns in the North of England, Colne has a long tradition of brass bands, originally started by factory owners to compete in marching competitions and to entertain the workers on holidays. In the early 20th century, one of the mill foremen was also the trombone player in one of the marching bands. Upon his retirement, his colleagues planned to present him with an engraved trombone. Sadly, due to a mistake on behalf of the deliveryman, the instrument was left overnight in the rain behind the factory and the mill owner had no choice but to give the poor foreman a rusty trombone. This story passed into local legend and the "rusty trombone" is now a lighthearted local greeting. "Better a rusty trombone than a damp handshake".
Sport
Colne F.C. (formerly Colne Dynamos) is the local soccer team, who have played against the likes of Manchester United FC in the FA cup.