My Pincock Family: Pincock area of Euxton

Euxton (pronounced Exton) is a chapel in the parish of Leyland. Euxton means "Farmstead of a man called Aefic" and in ancient times the area was forested with undulating hills and rivers. Euxton sits astride a main north-south route (today it's the A49 or Wigan Road) although in the middle ages it was pack route.

At one time Euxton had a lively milling industry due to water power provided by the River Yarrow. Mills included bobbin, corn and even paper making. During the second world war, Euxton was home to a munitions factory employing up to 35,000 people. Reputedly, the factory was placed in Euxton due to the prevalance of mists making it hard for enemy bombers to find the location. The factory site is now being developed into a new village called Buckshaw Village. Some of the original buildings have been retained and are used as an annex to the local 6th form college Runshaw college, which is situated just over the borders of Euxton, in Leyland.

Euxton Hall
The former Euxton Hall has been converted into Euxton Hall Hospital and is on the main road through the village (A49) on the right hand side traveling from Preston through to Wigan.

Parish Church of Euxton
The church of Euxton does not have a dedication but was founded in the 14th century although there is evidence of an even earlier structure underneath. The chief architectural features are the windows in the north and south walls. The piscina and sedile belong to the 14th century and four other windows also date from the 14th century. Today, Euxton parish church is a grade 2 listed structure able to seat 191 people for services.

Riverside Cottage

Considering the rainy morning there was quite a good turn out for Mike’s historical walk around the Pincock area of Euxton. The rain soon stopped and we had pleasant and later sunny weather for the walk. Mike firstly took us to look at the railway viaduct originally build by the London and North Western Railway. Then we headed up the A49 to Cross Houses and the site of and old stone cross, now missing, and the location of the old chain gate which controlled the road traffic in the days of tolls.

Back to Pincock we walked along the river bank where terraces of houses used to be then to the empty Riverside Cottage which used to be a paper mill, probably in the 1600s.

Riverside Cottage - Interior

It seems a shame that the building has been empty for so long as it seems ideal for renovation. Further downstream one of the old mill races had been renovated.

The converted Bobbin Mill

Further along the Old Bobbin Mill is now a very palatial residence. An interesting date stone could be seen in the retaining wall on the right with the inscription ‘Richard Johns 1662’. The wall is directly below Armetriding Farm, reputedly the oldest buildings in Euxton. Further up the lane Mike pointed out a very nice tennon top gate post almost totally hidden on the hedge. We reached Dawbers Lane and returned to the A49, looking at the old Catholic School on the way. After a brief look at Euxton Hall we completed the walk.