LEYLAND AND SOUTH RIBBLE

Leyland and South Ribble are one of the ten main regions in Lancashire and Leyland is a thriving town.

Famous for the bus and truck manufacturer Leyland Motors, recently Leyland has seen a growth in industry and population with many new housing developments and local businesses since the 70’s. 

Leyland now boasts several superstores, retail outlets as well as several large supermarkets. In addition, there are many independent shops as well as a popular indoor market in the centre of the town. The various pubs and restaurants cater for most tastes. Not forgetting the beautiful Worden Park which is a popular destination. This iconic park has woodland, a large children’s play park, a Victorian garden and maze, café, and small theatre. 

Primarily famous for the bus and truck manufacturer Leyland Motors, between the 1950s and 1970s, Leyland Motors expanded and grew to own several British motor manufacturers. These include British Motor Corporation, Standard-Triumph and Rover, culminating in the massive British Leyland company. The truck business still operates today as Leyland Trucks, and is owned by Paccar. 

The area of Worden, which is now Worden Park, was one of nine oxgangs of land granted to the Knights Hospitaller, by Roger de Lacy, in Lancashire. However, the land was not assigned to any individual. A local man, who was a very close friend of de Lacy, Hugh Bussel, was assigned holder of the land in 1212. Furthermore, notable features that remain include the St Andrew’s Parish Church, built around 1200 AD and the large stone Leyland Cross. Both of these are thought to date back to Saxon times.

The Centurion Tank in Leyland is one of a series of “Welcome to Leyland” gateway monuments celebrating the town’s industrial heritage. Others include ‘William The Tractor‘, ‘Norma The Fire Engine‘ and ‘Bobby the Iron Horse‘. The Centrurion tank was moved to its present position in 2016 to facilitate road improvements to the A582 Flensburg way. In fact, it sits on a mound 20m back from the current roundabout.