Cliviger

Cliviger is a small village and civil parish in Lancashire, England, within the borough of Burnley. It is situated to the southeast of the town and northwest of Todmorden.

Geography and administration

Cliviger is one of the civil parishes of Burnley and is the second largest parish in the United Kingdom. The source of the River Irwell is located at Cliviger.

It was the home of legendary Burnley goalkeeper Jerry Dawson.

Currently represented on Burnley Borough Council by Michael Tattersall, David Hegginbotham, and Cosima Towneley (all of whom are affiliated with the Conservative Party), Cliviger is made up of five enumeration districts named Mereclough, Overtown, Walk Mill, Southward Bottom and Holme Chapel, the last being regarded as the village centre, with a Primary School (St. John's) and the village hall.

The village is on one of the major transport links between Lancashire and West Yorkshire (the A646), and had a railway station until a major accident closed the station in 1909. Nowadays, it is mainly used as a commuter village for people working in Burnley.

History

In 1196 the village was known as Clivercher and in 1246 Clivacher, which means 'Sloping Acre'. During the mid 18th century it produced worsted pieces for the neighbouring town of Burnley. Cliviger Gorge is renowned for its natural beauty, and is widely regarded by geographers as a 'textbook' example of a glacial valley. An annual event is the Holme Sheep Fair, which is said to be one of the oldest village fairs in England.

St John the Divine Church in Holme Chapel was built in 1787 by Rev. Dr. Thomas Dunham Whitaker who was vicar of the parish from 1796 to 1821. The churchyard is the resting place of James Yorke Scarlett, a British General in the Crimean War, famous for leading the charge of the Heavy Brigade.