13 things you only really ‘get’ if you’re from Northwich

And we know there’s so, so many more we’ve missed - especially sporting tales from Witton Albion and Northwich Victoria or Winngton Park RUFC, or whether your favourite pies are from Webbs or Birtwistle's.

So why not fill in the gaps, share your memories and tell us things you'd ony really 'get' if you're from Northwich.

Balls

Blue, gold or rainbow-hued – how many of you have pictures of yourself taken by the ball sculpture on Chesterway? Stories have varied about its origins over the years - from representing salt crystals, or the atom bomb, to the rise and fall of water. What’s your version?

Greetings

Greeting someone you know with an ‘Aye up’ or ‘hiya love’, or parting with a ‘tara’ or ‘see ya, love’ are all part of the Northwich vernacular. Similarly, asking about someone’s siblings with a ‘how’s your kid?’

Geography 

'On' Castle

In terms of the town’s layout, there are only two areas you really need to know about - down town or top of town. Oh, and you’re never ‘in’ Castle. You’re always, ‘on’ Castle.

The Seafarer

The fantastic Seafarer - the best place for a sit down chippy tea

The place to go for a posh sit-down chippy tea. But do you go for bread and butter on a side plate or do you order a chip batch, barm or butty?

The Regal

The Regal Mural - picture courtesy of Andrew Wall

Home to many a date night over the generations, it only had two screens, but at one point not only could you watch films (and smoke in on one half of Screen One) you could also rent videos out – (remember them?). 

And who could forget the movie mural in the foyer – Superman, Flash Gordon, Kiss and Pete’s Dragon. Which do you remember?

The Morgue

No, not the place where bodies are laid to rest. A weekly disco organised for high school kids organised by the local police at Northwich Memorial Hall. Who remembers going to those events?

The Memorial Hall

While we’re on the subject of The Morgue, there were a fair few famous gigs in its hallowed halls. If you’re from Northwich you probably were at/are related to/know someone who either A: Saw The Beatles play there in 1963 or B: Were at the infamous Charlatans gig where the floor collapsed in 1990.

Unexplained place namesVicarsway Park

Whether you’ve had a picnic, played football, or just hung out with your friends the chances are you’ve spent time in the sunshine at Chinkers and Roker Park but never really knew how those places got their name – especially as the latter is officially called Vicars Way Park. Does anyone know the story behind these names?

Northwich Magistrates' CourtNorthwich Magistrates' Court

No longer in existence, but you weren’t there because of an alleged crime, chances are you were skateboarding down the steps or hanging around with your mates on a Friday night or a Saturday afternoon. And if you weren’t there you might have been at Lazer Quest or Sk8 Madness.

Salt town history

Did you even go to school in Northwich if you didn’t pay a school visit to Weaver Hall Museum – or as it was locally known as The Salt Museum? And for that matter how about visits to Burwardsley Outdoor Education Centre, Beeston Castle or Menai?

Scoops

Pre-dating stores such as Quality Save, Pound Stretcher or B&M, there was not one but two of these bargain emporiums – one in Market Way the other on Witton Street. A great place to spend your pocket money on 'grots' and Constance Carol make-up.

Omega Records

The place to buy all the records you couldn’t get over the road in Woolies, as well as tickets to gigs further afield. And for some, the hope of spotting Dead Dead Good label signings such as The Charlatans, The Cherrys or Sussed was always a highlight.

The Floatel

Exactly what it sounds like. The UK’s only purpose-built floating hotel set on the side of the River Weaver. Home to many a Christmas party or corporate event over the decades but demolished in 2009 to make way for the new marina development.