Orrell, Greater Manchester
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- This article concerns Orrell in Wigan, Greater Manchester,
Orrell is a residential suburb of Wigan in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The area is situated 3 miles from Wigan town centre and surround's junction 26 of the M6 motorway. Orrell and its neighbouring district of Pemberton are essentialy one continuous residential area. The Orrell area postal code begins with WN5.
Its original name was Orrell-in-Makerfield being part of the historic Makerfield Districts.
Orrell was also the family name of a number of landowners in the area and various branches of the Orrell family held small estates here for centuries. There are records from 1558 showing a William Orrell to be living at Orrell Hall.Apart from the numerous coal deposits which gave rise to a flourishing mining industry, there was the cottage industry of nail making in the area.Another main employer was the Sandbrook Cotton Mill where raw cotton was spun into thread and the many women who worked there came home covered in lint.
Being divided by the Wigan end of the M58 motorway, Orrell has developed two area 'centres'. The southern section with it's local shops, and railway station and the more modern development of 'Orrell Post' on it's north side. The original Orrell 'post', signifying a halt on the turnpike road, is still outside The Stag public house on a 'crossroads'. The northern and southern areas are connected by a road bridge and a pedestrian bridge.
The area has expanded rapidly in recent years as people have been attracted by its prime position. The areas proximity to Wigan town centre and its position at the junction of two motorways, the M6 and the M58, make it an attractive location. The M6 provides easy access both north and south while the nearby M62 and East Lancashire Road provide easy access to Manchester. The M58 provides the Wigan area with a link to northern Liverpool.
Its main claim to fame is as the home of Orrell Rugby Union Football Club at their Edge Hall Road ground. Once a top-flight club they are currently (2006) going through lean times. The senior and junior academy sides of Wigan Warriors rugby league club play their home games at Orrell's Edge Hall Road ground.
To the south of the area is Orrell Water Park, a disused water storage reservoir, which has now been turned to leisure use and attracts walkers, fishermen and picknickers.
Winstanley College is located near the Water park and is responsible for the formation, in 1989, of the famous rock band The Verve, the founding members being students at the college. St John Rigby College is situated at the northern edge of the Orrell area.
