Packmoor Explained

Country:England
Official Name:Packmoor
Coordinates:53.08°N -2.21°W
Shire District:Stoke-on-Trent
Shire County:Staffordshire
Region:West Midlands
Constituency Westminster:Stoke-on-Trent
Post Town:Stoke-on-Trent
Postcode District:ST7
Postcode Area:ST
Dial Code:01782
Os Grid Reference:SJ8654

Packmoor is a small village or hamlet on the northern edge of Stoke-on-Trent. It is located between Kidsgrove and Chell.[1] [2]

History

Packmoor consisted of farmhouses and farmland until the early 20th century.[3] The first housing developments were terraced houses, built to support workers of the local Chatterley Whitfield mines. Many of these survive to the present day. Later housing developments include the large housing estate centred on Blackbird Way, which was built in 20022003.

The Potteries Loop Line previously ran along the outskirts of Packmoor. Decommissioned in 1964, a section on the edge of Packmoor was still in use for coal traffic until the mid-1970s.[4]

Packmoor has a history of Primitive Methodism, which originated in the nearby village of Mow Cop.[5] Their movement's church in the village, built in 1862, is still operating as a Methodist church today.[6]

During his attempted uprising in 1745, the Jacobite pretender Bonnie Prince Charlie held prisoners at Lane Ends Farm located on the outskirts of the village.[7] [8]

Geography

Located just to the south of the Pennines, Packmoor and surrounding areas are quite hilly and rich in coal deposits. It is close to the Staffordshire Moorlands, as well as the Cheshire Plain.

Scotia Brook, a tributary of Fowlea Brook (which is in turn a tributary of the River Trent), flows along the western flank of Packmoor. Parts of the watercourse run parallel the former Potteries Loop Line, which has now been converted into a public footpath.

Infrastructure

The nearest major road is the A50, which runs through nearby Tunstall. The A500 and A34 are also close by. The closest motorway is the M6.

Public transport

Packmoor is served by 1–2 buses per hour by the number 7 route, operating between Hanley and Kidsgrove.[9] Previously a First Potteries-only route, since 2023 it has been jointly operated by First and D&G Bus.[10]

Kidsgrove railway station is the closest train station still in active use; it offers services to Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Derby, Manchester, Birmingham, and London. Previously, the village was served by Newchapel and Goldenhill railway station which stood along the demolished Potteries Loop Line.

Points of Interest

Packmoor has a primary school,[11] [12] a medical centre and pharmacy,[13] two churches (one Methodist, one Catholic),[14] [15] a One Stop convenience store, and a community hall.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PACKMOOR, CITY OF STOKE-ON-TRENT. ordnancesurvey.co.uk. 2 July 2017.
  2. Web site: Packmoor, Staffordshire. UK Genealogy Archives. 29 Feb 2024.
  3. Book: Stoke-upon-Trent 1896–1904. Revised New . Ordnance Survey.
  4. Book: Moors, Terry . 2007 . North Staffordshire Railways: Scenes from the 1980s . Landmark . Ashbourne . 978-1-84306-347-6 .
  5. Book: Farndale, W. E.. The Secret of Mow Cop: A New Appraisal of the Origins of Primitive Methodism. Epworth Press. London. 1950.
  6. Web site: Packmoor Primitive Methodist Chapel. My Primitive Methodists. 29 Feb 2024.
  7. Web site: Lane Ends Farm and Victoria Colliery tip, Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent. Staffordshire Past Track. 29 Feb 2024.
  8. Web site: Images of Packmoor in the 1960's from the Bert Bentley Archive. Stoke Sentinel. 29 Feb 2024.
  9. Web site: Potteries – Network Maps. First Bus. 29 Feb 2024.
  10. News: D&G steps in to save two slashed First Bus routes. Sutton. Jonathan. 29 Jun 2023. Stoke on Trent Live. 29 Feb 2024.
  11. Web site: Packmoor Ormiston Academy. Get Information about Schools (GOV.UK). 29 Feb 2024.
  12. Web site: Homepage. Packmoor Ormiston Academy. 29 Feb 2024.
  13. Web site: Tunstall Primary Care – Packmoor Branch. NHS.UK. 29 Feb 2024.
  14. Web site: Packmoor Primitive Methodist Chapel. My Primitive Methodists. 29 Feb 2024.
  15. Web site: St Patrick's, Packmoor. Our Lady of Grace Partnership of Parishes. 29 Feb 2024.