A tiny ancient parish once populated by just over 100 people is now home to one of the country's biggest international airports.
In the little known village of Ringway, which has castle ruins that very few people know about, lies Manchester Airport. Initially known as Ringway Airport, it was named after the quaint parish - historically based in Cheshire, but now classed as Greater Manchester.
According to the 2011 census, Ringway’s population was 103. The parish, which is a collection of houses and farms around Sunbank Lane, was first mentioned in medieval times.
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In modern times, Manchester Airport, the M56 motorway and many new buildings and roads cover the farmland of what was Ringway parish. Driving along Sunbank Lane, south from Hale Barns, you’ll soon be confronted by huge new structures which house retail delivery storage units, Cheshire Live reports.
The new dual carriageway, Wilmslow Road, cuts across Sunbank Lane with the Romper pub and St Mary’s Church, now on the eastern side of the main road, isolated and surrounded by giant warehouse sheds. For many who don't know the history of the parish, the ruins of the medieval Ullerwood Castle are based here, although few people know about the location of the building.
The castle is first referred to in 1173 in a document stating Hamo de Masci held the castles of Ullerwood and Durham. Nearby in Bowdon is Watch Hill Castle, which was also likely to have been owned by de Masci.
These days the ruins of Ullerwood Castle are surrounded by trees just off Mill Lane on what is now the border of Greater Manchester and Cheshire. Houses have been built on the site making it very difficult to get a glimpse of history.
In 1515, the first mention of ‘Ringey Chapel’, which became Ringway Chapel, was mentioned in Bowden Parish records. In those days Bowden was in Cheshire and Manchester was a small village some miles north. Moving on a few years, in 1894, Ringway church was built and became consecrated by the Bishop of Chester. These days St Mary’s Church is called the Ringway Life Building.
In 1935, everything changed as construction of an all-grass airfield began. The remaining airfield areas and the terminal building were opened for public use on June 25, 1938. The area was Initially known as Ringway Airport.
In November 1967, Ringway itself was on the move. A new parish church was consecrated in Ringway Parish's Halebarns end because of urban spread from Altrincham into Hale Barns. Loss of farms near Ringway due to road and airport extensions had changed the centre of the parish.
In 1974, Ringway was no longer in Cheshire and became part of Greater Manchester due to local county boundary changes. Part of the reason for the changes was the desire to bring the whole of the airport and its environs into the new authority of Greater Manchester.
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