Your guide to Oswaldtwistle
The town of Oswaldtwistle, or Ossy at it is affectionately known by locals, lies on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal about 3 miles south east of Blackburn, in the Borough of Hyndburn.
Twistle' is an old English word meaning brooks meet'. It is believed the name of the town came to be after a famous Oswald passed through the area, possibly Saint Oswald, King of Northumbria and named it Oswald's Twistle which in time evolved to the name we know now.
There is also speculation it originated about 1000 years ago when Danes and Vikings settled in the area.
The population of the town is approximately 13,000 and boasts some famous names in its history.
Sir Robert Peel was born at Peelfold in the township in 1750. He was the father of the Sir Robert Peel who helped form the modern concept of the police force.
Peel Snr was responsible for the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act, legislation that was brought in to limit the number of hours that children worked and obliged mill owners to provide them with schooling.
Oswaldtwistle is twinned with Swedish town of Falkenberg and frequent visits take place between the two towns.
One of the town's main attractions is Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village.
The shopping village is housed in the old Moscow Mill which was built in 1824, in response to the textile revolution of the 19th century.
The complex has won numerous awards and recognitions and this year has celebrated its third consecutive Best Market, Mill Shop or Factory Outlet for Groups' award, as voted for by readers of Group Travel Magazine.
They have also received commendations from the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards.
Among the various outlets within the complex are craft stalls, a butcher and deli shop which sell a variety of locally produced foods, and a sweet factory which is home to the world's largest pear drop.
The Civic Theatre in the town, has a 473 capacity and has hosted both professional and amateur artists including Ken Dodd, Midge Ure and medium of Most Haunted fame, Derek Acorah.
There is also a Lounge which is used to hold yoga classes, training course and dance lessons.
Like many of the towns in Lancashire, Ossy is surrounded by glorious countryside. In addition to this, tucked away just out of the town centre is Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve.
The area was landscaped around existing ponds to serve the textile printworks.
Nowadays though, it is a hub for wildlife rather than textile production, providing home and shelters to a wide array of wildlife, vegetation and the odd heron.
12:07pm Friday 26th October 2007
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CommentPosted by: john s, ossy on 10:02am Fri 2 Nov 07
Church may lie on the canal but oswaldtwistle certainly does not check your geography
Church may lie on the canal but oswaldtwistle certainly does not check your geography
Posted by: Elizabeth, Israel on 10:21am Mon 31 Dec 07
I have recently renewed a friendship with a close school friend of mine from Rhodesia. We were junior school friends from age 8 - 12. She now lives in Kent, UK, and we live in Israel.
Only today did I learn that she was born in the town of Oswaldtwistle! I have been reading up about it and am pleased to have learned some facts about the city which seems to be very quaint and warm.
If she hadn't told me where she was born, I wouldn't know what I do now about the city.
It certainly has some great history and I'm planning on reading up about Saint Oswald himself now, who discovered and named the city after himself and the 'brooks meet' being the second half of the city's name.
Thank you for existing!
I have recently renewed a friendship with a close school friend of mine from Rhodesia. We were junior school friends from age 8 - 12. She now lives in Kent, UK, and we live in Israel.
Only today did I learn that she was born in the town of Oswaldtwistle! I have been reading up about it and am pleased to have learned some facts about the city which seems to be very quaint and warm.
If she hadn't told me where she was born, I wouldn't know what I do now about the city.
It certainly has some great history and I'm planning on reading up about Saint Oswald himself now, who discovered and named the city after himself and the 'brooks meet' being the second half of the city's name.
Thank you for existing!
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