The Walton-le-Dale Urban District Council
The Walton‑le‑Dale Urban District Council (UDC) was the local governing authority established in 1894, replacing the local board formed in 1877, under the Local Government Act 1894. The council consisted of twelve members representing four wards—All Saints, East, St Leonard, and West—responsible for local amenities, sanitation, planning and more.
Historical Background
- Originally, Walton‑le‑Dale was a township and chapelry within the ancient parish of Blackburn and fell within the hundred of Blackburnshire
- A local board of nine members was created in 1877, which governed until the Act of 1894 upgraded governance to urban district status with a 12‑member council across four wards
Role & Responsibilities
The UDC inherited responsibilities from the local board, including:
- Regulation of public sanitation, streets, street lighting,
- Housing and building standards,
- Oversight of schools and public health infrastructure,
- Managing local markets, recreation spaces, and urban planning.
Population & Area
- Population growth: approximately 12,350 in 1911, rising to around 18,964 by 1961
- The council spanned the township of Walton‑le‑Dale which included industrial villages and hamlets like Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge
Fate of the Council
- The Walton‑le‑Dale Urban District Council was abolished on 1 April 1974 during the nationwide local government reorganisation.
- Its area was incorporated into the newly formed borough/district of South Ribble, whose council is based in Leyland
Today, local governance is carried out by South Ribble Borough Council, and Walton‑le‑Dale falls into the Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency. There are two local wards: Walton‑le‑Dale East and West, each represented by councillors on South Ribble Borough Council.
Summary Table
| Period | Governing Body | Representation | Main Village Wards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1877–1894 | Local Board | ~9 members | Operating under old township/chapelry structure |
| 1894–1974 | Walton‑le‑Dale Urban District Council | 12 members, 4 urban wards | All Saints, East, St Leonard, West |
| From 1974 | South Ribble Borough Council | Local wards on larger council | Walton‑le‑Dale East & West in South Ribble Borough |
Walton le Dale Local Board Offices
The foundation stone on the corner of the Former Council Offices, although badly worn and now almost unreadable, has the date 1880. It was laid by Richard Calvert Esq. J.P.
Whilst the building is now considered to be in Bamber Bridge, at the time of its building, the whole of Bamber Bridge was in Walton le Dale. A local board was formed in 1877, and in 1894 an urban district council of twelve members representing four wards was formed.
Recorded in the Preston Guardian 1904
September 24th 1904
Death, at Walton-le-Dale, on Wednesday, 21st September, 1904, and long obituary, of Richard Calvert, J.P., aged 80, cotton manufacturer, and senior partner of W. Calvert and Sons;
October 1st 1904
Funeral of the late Richard Calvert
Lancashire Archives
The following information is held at the Lancashire Archives on Bow Lane in Preston.
Collections
National and Local Government Officers Association: Walton-le Dale UDC branch
| Number | Description | Held by | Reference | Further information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1937-73: minutes | Lancashire Archives | UDWd 72 | NRA 20524 |
Walton-le-Dale Urban District Council
| Number | Description | Held by | Reference | Further information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1826-1974: council and committee minutes, letter books, financial records etc | Lancashire Archives | UDWD | NRA 20524 |
Lancashire Archives
Bow Lane
Preston
England
PR1 2RE
Telephone: 01772 533 039
Email: archives@lancashire.gov.uk
| ARMS: Per chevron Argent and Gules a Chevron per chevron counterchanged in chief two Crosses Patonce Sable and in base a demi Pelican issuant wings expanded and inverted Argent vulning herself Gules. CREST: Out of a Circlet Or charged with three Gouttes de Sang a demi Lion Purpure supporting a Staff proper flying therefrom a Banner Sable charged with three Bars Argent. Motto ‘DE BON CUER’ – Of good heart. Granted 4th April 1952. |
The red parted chevron is derived from that in the arms of the Walton Family of Little Walton and the three chevronels in those of the Langton Familes of Walton. From an ancient seal and ring of the latter family, the pelican and motto are taken. The Banastre family held Walton and Lostock, and their black cross is shown twice for these portions of the modern District.
The blood on the circlet recalls the Battle of Preston, fought at Walton in 1648, and for the defence of the Ribble against the Scots in 1715. The purple lion is that of the De Lacy Family who held the manor in very early times, and the banner carries the arms of the De Hoghton Family.
This information comes from:
http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/lancs_pre74.html
