Colne

Location and Geography

• Colne is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Pendle, Lancashire, England.
• It is located 3 miles northeast of Nelson, 6 miles northeast of Burnley, and 25 miles east of Preston.
• The town lies close to the southern entrance to the Aire Gap, a low crossing of the Pennine watershed.
• The M65 motorway terminates west of Colne.

Demographics

• Population: 17,855 (2011 Census).
• Racial Composition (2011): 95.8% White (93.9% White British), 3.0% Asian, 0.1% Black, 0.9% Mixed, 0.1% Other.
• Major religious groups: Christian (58.5%), Muslim (2.5%).
• 68.5% of adults aged 16-74 are economically active.

Historical Background

• Settlement dates back to the Stone Age with Mesolithic and Bronze Age sites nearby.
• Romans may have occupied the area; debate continues among historians.
• Northumbrian and Viking rule from the 6th to 10th century, Norman control in the 11th century.
• De Lacy family controlled the area from the 1090s to 1311.
• Key market town since the 15th century, known for wool trade and later cotton manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution.

Economy

• Historically centered on cotton manufacturing; industry has declined.
• Employment now in new manufacturing and service sectors, including aerospace with Rolls-Royce facility nearby.
• Whitewalls is the main employment area.
• Boundary Mill Stores is a major local employer.

Transportation

• Colne railway station is the terminus of the East Lancashire railway line.
• Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership advocates for reopening the line to Skipton.
• Bus services connect Colne to Burnley, Skipton, and other nearby towns.

Education

• Former Colne Grammar School closed; Nelson and Colne College is the main post-16 education provider.
• Several primary and high schools serve the area.

Cultural and Recreational Activities

• Annual Colne Grand Prix cycle race.
• Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival hosted since 1989.
• Colne Gala held annually since 1959.

Notable People

• Wallace Hartley, Titanic bandmaster, has a memorial in Colne.
• John Tillotson, former Archbishop of Canterbury, was an alumnus of Colne Grammar School.

Facilities and Amenities

• Pendle Leisure Centre offers pools, fitness center, and sports facilities.
• Colne has various parks and leisure areas, including King George V Playing Fields and Alkincoats Park.

Miscellaneous

• Colne has an active night-time economy with restaurants and theatres.
• Local media includes Colne Times, Lancashire Telegraph, and community radio stations.