Moreton, Merseyside

Coordinates: 53°24′04″N 3°06′40″W / 53.401°N 3.111°W / 53.401; -3.111

Moreton
Moreton  Moreton shown within Merseyside
Population	17,670 (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid reference	SJ261899
Metropolitan borough	Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
Metropolitan county	Merseyside
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WIRRAL
Postcode district	CH46
Dialling code	0151 67*
Police	Merseyside
Fire	Merseyside
Ambulance	North West
EU Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	Wallasey
List of places: UK • England • Merseyside

Moreton is a town on the north coast of the Wirral Peninsula, England. In the 2001 Census, it had a population of 17,670 (8,370 males, 9,300 females).^[1] From 2004, the town was divided between the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral wards of Leasowe & Moreton East and Moreton West & Saughall Massie.

Geography

The coast at Moreton is part of a stretch of sand that runs from Meols to Leasowe known as Mockbeggar Wharf, named after Mockbeggar Hall, otherwise known as Leasowe Castle. 'Mockbeggar Hall' is also the name of Moretons Wetherspoons pub (The name Mockbeggar apparently being an old sailors' term for a lone house). The North Wirral Coastal Park also runs for four miles along this coast, including public open space, common land, natural foreshore and sand-dunes. The park provides for a wide variety of recreational activities; some of the more popular being sailing, sea angling, swimming, cycling, picnicking, walking, jogging, ball games, bird watching and horse riding.

The low-lying land behind the coast is protected by a large concrete embankment. Some of the coastal land is in the Moreton Conservation Area and provides important natural habitat. The embankment gives a good view at low tide to see a variety of wading birds. There are also good views of the Bidston Hill, Caldy Hill, the Welsh Hills, and out over the Irish Sea.

Community

Because of the sandbanks just offshore, Leasowe Lighthouse was built in 1763 and is the oldest brick-built lighthouse in Britain.^[2][3] It has been restored and is open to the public at times.

Education

Moreton Christ Church CofE Primary School, located on Upton Road, is a Church of England school that educates around 375 pupils in ages 4-11. It was opened, as the 'Moreton Church of England School', in 1861 in the centre of Moreton. It was established in its current location in 1974.

Manufacturing

Moreton is also known for being the home of the Burton's factory, producer of Cadbury's biscuits and now owned by Street Capital. Manor Bakeries, the former Cadbury's cakes department, (now owned by Premier Foods Group) is located in the town at Reeds Lane, near to Leasowe railway station.

Moreton is also home to Typhoo Tea, with the factory which manufactures Typhoo, being located next to the Burton's factory.

Until the 1990s, Bristol-Myers Squibb was also a major employer to the local workforce, with a large factory located on the opposite side of Reeds Lane to Burton's, next to Leasowe Station. However, in the mid-90s, manufacturing was moved out of Moreton which led to the closure of the factory. At the same time, there was actually heavy investment into modern drug development and research labs on the site, which are still operated by Bristol-Myers Squibb, with further investment in the past 5 years.

Transport

Boat

Moreton witnessed the world's first commercial passenger and mail hovercraft service. The service ran from Leasowe to Rhyl and commenced 20 July 1962. However, due to varying reasons including bad weather and technical difficulties the service was cancelled after its final journey on 14 September 1962.

Rail

There are two stations serving Moreton, these are Moreton and Leasowe. Both stations are on the West Kirby branch of the Wirral Line and see direct services operated by Merseyrail to West Kirby and Liverpool Central via Birkenhead. Both Leasowe and Moreton offer park and ride facilities.

Bus

Services operating in the Moreton area, as of January 2009:

References

External links

• Metropolitan Borough of Wirral: North Wirral Coastal Park
• Photos and details of Leasowe Castle and lighthouse
• Reminiscences and photos
• Merseytravel