30 Facts About Burnley

1.

Burnley is a town and the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a 2001 population of 73,021.

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2.

Burnley has retained a strong manufacturing sector, and has strong economic links with the cities of Manchester and Leeds, as well as neighbouring towns along the M65 corridor.

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3.

In 2013, in recognition of its success, Burnley received an Enterprising Britain award from the UK Government, for being the "Most Enterprising Area in the UK".

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4.

Name Burnley is believed to have been derived from Brun Lea, meaning "meadow by the River Brun".

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5.

Burnley began to develop in this period into a small market town, with a population of not more that 2,000 by 1790.

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6.

The first turnpike road through the area now known as Burnley was begun in 1754, linking the town to Blackburn and Colne eventually leading to the area of Brun Lea developing into a town, and by the mid 19th century, there were daily stagecoach journeys to Blackburn, Skipton and Manchester, the latter taking just over two hours.

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7.

The town became renowned for its mill-engines, and the Burnley Loom was recognised as one of the best in the world.

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8.

Burnley Building Society, incorporated in Burnley in 1850, was, by 1911, not only 'by far the largest in the County of Lancashire.

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9.

Over 4000 men from Burnley were killed in the First World War, about 15 per cent of the male working-age population.

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10.

In 1980 Burnley was connected to the motorway network, through the construction of the first and second sections of the M65.

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11.

Burnley was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1861, a Parliamentary Borough returning one member in 1867 and became, under the Local Government Act 1888, a county borough outside the administrative county of Lancashire.

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12.

Burnley has three tiers of government: Local government responsibilities are shared by Burnley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council; at a national level the town gives its name to a seat in the United Kingdom parliament and as a result is subject to the European Parliament.

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13.

Areas in the town include: Burnley Wood, Rose Hill, Healey Wood, Harle Syke, Haggate, Daneshouse, Stoneyholme, Burnley Lane, Heasandford, Brunshaw, Pike Hill, Gannow, Ightenhill, Whittlefield, Rose Grove, Habergham, and Lowerhouse.

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14.

Burnley has a temperate maritime climate, with relatively cool summers and mild winters.

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15.

Burnley has some of the lowest property prices in the country, with numerous streets appearing in the annual mouseprice.

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16.

In 2013, Burnley was awarded an Enterprising Britain award from the UK Government for being the 'Most Enterprising Area in the UK'.

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17.

Endsleigh acquired a number of the former Burnley Building Society's properties in the town centre following its merger with the Provincial Building Society and subsequent merger with the Abbey National.

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18.

Burnley has ten mosques, with the first purpose-built premises opening in 2009.

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19.

Burnley is served by Junctions 9,10 and 11 of the M65 motorway, which runs west to Accrington, Blackburn and Preston, and northeast to Nelson and Colne.

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20.

In 1888, Burnley were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League.

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21.

Burnley Tornados is the American Football club in the town.

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22.

Burnley held greyhound racing and speedway at Towneley Stadium, that existed from 1927 until 1935.

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23.

Burnley has good public sporting facilities for a town of its size.

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24.

Major bars and nightclubs in Burnley include Panama's, Genesis, Projekt, BB11, Koko's, the Mix, Pharaoh's, The Jungle, Mr Green's, Mojitos, Remedy, Smackwater Jack's Bar, Inside-Out and Sanctuary Rock Bar.

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25.

Burnley has a small gay scene, centred on the Guys as Dolls showbar in St James Street.

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26.

Burnley was one of seven sites chosen to be part of Channel 4's The Big Art project in which a group of 15 young people from all over the town commissioned artist Greyworld to create a piece of public art.

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27.

Canal embankment featured in the 2007 ITV documentary Locks and Quays and two families in Burnley have been featured in the ITV series 60 Minute Makeover.

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28.

Burnley High School is a free school for 11- to 19-year-olds that opened in Burnley in September 2014.

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29.

Burnley College has its heritage in the mid 19th century and is the borough's main tertiary education provider, offering a comprehensive range of 40 A Levels, a range of advanced vocational courses and professional training.

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30.

Possibly the best-known Burnley figure in the field of entertainment is actor Ian McKellen, who was born in the town in 1939.

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