Pilling


Pilling is a village and civil parish within the Wyre borough of Lancashire, England. It is north-northeast of Poulton-le-Fylde, south-southwest of Lancaster and northwest of Preston, in a part of the Fylde known as Over Wyre.
The civil parish of Pilling, which includes the localities of Stake Pool, Scronkey and Eagland Hill, has a total resident population of 1,739, increasing to 2,020 at the 2011 Census.

History

Pilling is an ancient settlement, founded on what was essentially an "island" with the sea on one side and marsh on the others. From artefacts finds, there is evidence of spasmodic human activity within this territory dating back to the Neolithic period.
Some of the materials that went into the extension of the Garstang railway from to came from Richard Fleetwood's first charity school at Preesall. The school had gradually become more and more dilapidated so the contractors knocked it down and used the stones for the railway.
In 1808 Pilling Windmill was built. Because Pilling is below sea level the mill itself is tall, the tallest on the Fylde. The mill converted to steam power 1886, and the sails were removed the year after. The mill continued to operate until the 1940s, after which it fell into disrepair. By 1975 the mill had been restored for use as a private residence. The top of the windmill was restored with a traditional wooden cap in 2007.
"Pilling in Bloom" was a competition held in 2004.

Geography

Pilling is an extensive mossland parish covering 3,387 hectares situated on the southern corner of Morecambe Bay. Bus routes link Pilling to Lancaster, Knott End and Fleetwood.

Governance

Since 1974, Pilling has formed part of the Wyre borough of Lancashire served by both Wyre Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, having previously lain within the Garstang Rural District of Lancashire. Pilling has its own Parish Council. The population of Pilling electoral ward in 2011 was 2,293. Pilling is within the constituency of Lancaster and Fleetwwod which returned Cat Smith Labour Party as M.P. in 2019.

Places of interest

Pilling has two pubs: The Elletson Arms in Stakepool and The Golden Ball in the village. There is a community area in the village, equipped with a pathway to Pilling Marsh.
There are also several churches, including St. John the Baptist Church in the village, St. William's Church in Stakepool, and the Pilling Methodist Church in the village.
There are two primary schools: Pilling St. John's Church of England Primary School and St. William's, both associated with the respective churches. Within the village also is Glenfield Caravan which is a large park owned by U.K Leisure Parks.