Farnworth is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in Greater Manchester, England. It is located 3.3 miles (5.3 km) southeast of Bolton and 9 miles (14.5 km) northwest of Manchester.

Historically a part of Lancashire, Farnworth lies on the River Irwell and the River Croal, and according to the United Kingdom Census 2001 it has a population of 25,264 people.

History Farnworth's earliest recorded name is "Ffornword" (from a land survey in 1282). The town grew up in the 18th and 19th centuries around the coal mining industry. Other industry included iron foundries and cotton mills.

Governance

Local Government

During the Middle Ages, Farnworth constituted a township (and chapelry) within the Parish of Deane. In 1863, a Local board of health was established for the township, and in 1866, it also became a separate civil parish. In 1899, under the Local Government Act 1894, Farnworth became a Urban District. In 1939, the district was granted by a charter to become the Municipal Borough of Farnworth. In 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, Farnworth became an unparished area of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in Greater Manchester.

Parliamentary representation

Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the Radcliffe-cum-Farnworth constituency was established with one Member of Parliament (MP). The constituency was abolished in 1918 with Radcliffe becoming part of the Heywood and Radcliffe constituency, and Farnworth having its own Parliament constituency. The Farnworth constituency continued until it was abolished in 1983 and became part of the Bolton South East constituency.

Sports

Farnworth Football Club is a youth team and is divided into seven sections - U7's Jaguars, U8's Pumas, U9's Lynx, U15's, U16's Lions, U17's Panthers, and U18's. This season (2007/2008) the club is playing its home games at Darley Park Football Pitch, with winter training taking place at Harper Green School.[14] Farnworth Cricket club, which was founded in 1870, play their home games at Bridgeman Park in Farnworth. They participate in the Bolton Cricket League, as do Farnworth Social Circle.

Community facilities

Farnworth has a market and a theatre (Farnworth Little Theatre) and is also known for its underground canals, running from the mines to Worsley. A leisure centre is located on the main street. The A666 by-passes the town and there is a very large and popular park close to the town centre, locally known as "Farnworth Park," which has recently undergone a major redevelopment of the childrens play equipment located on the park as part of Bolton Council's Children's Strategy. A shopping centre has recently closed down in the south of the town, and is due to be developed into luxury apartments.

There have been many redevelopments in the past few years, including renovation of most major roads, new housing developments and even a new shopping promenade on the town's main pedestrian district in late 2005/early 2006.

Farnworth is home to St. Gregory's Catholic Club, the club used to film television comedy Phoenix Nights.

The Royal Bolton Hospital (formerly Fishpool Institution and then Townleys Hospital) is found in Farnworth.

The parish church of St John the Evangelist was consecrated in 1826.

Source: Wikipedia