Biggar, Cumbria Explained

Country:England
Static Image Name:Biggar Village, Walney Island.jpg
Static Image Caption:Biggar Village
Coordinates:54.086°N -3.243°W
Official Name:Biggar
Shire District:Barrow-in-Furness
Shire County:Cumbria
Region:North West England
Constituency Westminster:Barrow and Furness
Post Town:BARROW-IN-FURNESS
Postcode District:LA14
Postcode Area:LA
Dial Code:01229
Os Grid Reference:SD186662
Pushpin Map:United Kingdom Borough of Barrow-in-Furness
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Barrow-in-Furness Borough

Biggar is a village towards the south of Walney Island in Cumbria, England. Along with the village of North Scale, it is the oldest settlement on the island. It now forms part of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness.

Furness Abbey records from 1292 mention a grange at Biggar, of around 100acres in size.[1] Biggar Dyke was built in the Sixteenth century [when the village was part of Dalton Parish] as coastal defence for the village and island. The first mention of the name the 'Queen's Arms' was in 1869 to distinguish it from the recently opened 'New Inn' in the village although it was a beer house as early as 1753.

Biggar has remained outside of the main urban limits of Walney and Barrow-in-Furness, and is still a small farming village. It lies on the eastern coast of Walney, to the north of a nature reserve, containing one of England's few oyster farms.

Biggar is mentioned alongside North Scale in the folk song 'Wa'ney Island Cockfight' [2] [3] The song has been recorded by Fiddler's Dram and Martin Wyndham-Reed.

References

  1. Barnes, F.; 1968; Barrow and District; Second Edition; Barrow-in-Furness Corporation;
  2. Web site: FOLK SONG IN CUMBRIA: A DISTINCTIVE REGIONAL REPERTOIRE?. Allan. Sue. 2017.
  3. Book: Wyndham-Reed, Martin. English Sporting Ballads, Broadside BRO128.

External links