15 Interesting facts about Preston

Preston hides an abundance of quirky and interesting facts and achievements, a number of which are "firsts". From being home to the tallest spire of any parish church in England to having the longest continuous row of red telephone boxes, see what new things you can discover about the city.

1. One of the largest Viking silver hoard discoveries

Preston's origins can be traced back to the Roman period with evidence of a Roman road running through the town. The famous Cuerdale Hoard was also discovered near Preston, showing evidence of Viking activity after the Romans. The hoard is one of the largest Viking silver hoards ever found.

2. Only place to hold Guild celebrations

In 1179 Preston's first Royal Charter was granted by Henry II conveying the right for the town to have a Guild Merchant. Celebrations, known as the Preston Guild, have since been held every 20 years; with Preston being the only place to still hold these celebrations today. The first recorded celebration of the Preston Guild was held in 1397, when it was already 200 years old.

3. First town outside of London to be lit by coal gas

In 1816 Reverend Joseph "Daddy" Dunn, of St Wilfrid's Parish in Preston, created an improved gas lighting technique through chemical experiments. Joseph rapidly changed the whole of Lancashire by transporting the cool-gas lighting into the area as well as throughout the UK. By the mid 1800s, Preston became the second town in England after London to be fully lit by coal gas, making it the first provincial town in England to be lit this way. When laying the pipes for the lighting process some pipes were created from surplus musket barrels to save money.

Joseph's Preston Gaslight Company offices were located in Avenham. You can see the first building in Preston to be lit by coal gas on the Preston Blue Plaque Trail.

4. Where the word "teetotal" was born

Joseph Livesey started the Temperance Movement in Preston in 1832. The followers of the movement were required to sign a pledge of total abstinence. Livesey's first pledge was drawn up in Preston at "The Old Cock Pit".

The term "teetotal" is derived from a speech made in Preston by Richard Turner, who was a follower of Livesey. It is said Richard Turner had a speech impediment and during his speech urging total abstinence from all alcohol, rather than just the abstinence of spirits, he remarked "they must insist upon tee-tee-tee total abstinence".

You can see where the first pledge was drawn up on the Preston Blue Plaque Trail.

5. Inspiration for Charles Dickens

It is believed that Charles Dickens' novel "Hard Times" was inspired by his time in Preston. The writer travelled to Preston in 1854 during the Great Lock Out. The strikes saw 26,000 workers put out of work and made headlines across the country as a struggle of the cotton workers against the Preston Cotton Masters.

Dickens stayed at the Bull & Royal Hotel on Church Street, along with many other notable names. The Bull & Royal can be seen on the Preston City Heritage Trail.

6. Home to Britain's first motorway

The Preston By-pass was Britain's first motorway. It was conceived, promoted, built, and initially operated by its engineer James Drake. The by-pass was opened on 5 December 1958 by the Prime Minister Harold MacMillan. It later became part of the M6 motorway. 

7. First Kentucky Fried Chicken

In 1965 Ray Allen opened the UK's first Kentucky Fried Chicken store on Fishergate High Street, Preston. Ray met Colonel Harland Sanders in 1963, securing the famous American's fast food rights for his secret fried chicken recipe for the UK. 

The arrival of KFC in the UK came almost a decade before McDonald's, Burger King, and Pizza Hut.

8. Tallest spire in England

St Walburge's Church boasts a towering 309ft spire. The spire is the tallest of any Parish church in England and the third tallest of any church in the UK, with only the spires of Salisbury and Norwich Anglican Cathedral reaching higher. 

The church was built in the mid-19th century and was designed by Gothic Revival architect Joseph Hansom, who was also the designer of the Hansom cab.

9. Home of the famous Dick, Kerr Ladies

The Dick, Kerr Ladies were formed in 1917 in Preston and shaped women's football.

The team worked and came together in Dick, Kerr & Co Ltd; a Preston munitions works. By 1921 the team were incredibly popular and were booked to play an average of two games a week. Despite the team's roaring success, the FA eventually banned women from using league grounds.

The Dick, Kerr Ladies are best known for not giving up when times got hard and continued to play over 800 games in the UK and abroad, raising over £180,000 for charity (the equivalent of excess £10 million today). After claiming to be World Champions, the team were challenged by Edinburgh Ladies. The Dick, Kerr Ladies accepted their challenge and won the match 5-1.

10. Hosts one of the oldest Caribbean Carnivals in the UK

Preston's Caribbean Carnival, founded in 1974, is one of the oldest in the UK. The annual carnival celebrates the flamboyant and creative Caribbean culture within the city.

11. Preston born illustrator for The Beano

Leo Baxendale, born in Preston in 1930, drew the Bash Street Kids, Minnie the Minx, and Dennis the Menace for the children's comic 'The Beano'.

12. Record-breaking putt

Alan Schofield broke the world record for the longest putt ever at 166ft 8in. This record-breaking putt occurred 5 August 2000 at Fishwick Hall Golf Club, Preston. It was recognised as an official world record by the Guinness Book of Records. This putt has since been beaten, however, a plaque remains at the spot where the shot was taken. 

13. Longest continuous row of old style red public phone boxes

The row of red public telephone boxes along Preston's Market Street is the longest continuous row of the old style kiosks anywhere in the country. They were designed by Giles Gilbert Scott who also designed the Preston Cenotaph on the Flag Market.

14. Benjamin Franklin visit

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, once stayed at a property whilst visiting family on the corner of Cheapside and Friargate in the city centre. A blue plaque can be found here by following the Preston Blue Plaque Trail.

15. Butch Cassidy family link

The parents of legendary American outlaw Butch Cassidy lived in Preston before emigrating to America. It was said that Butch spoke with a strong Lancashire accent.