Village History
Pulford and Poulton are rural communities with a combined population of some four hundred people. There is a continued agricultural emphasis although the number of working farms has been considerably reduced in recent years (eleven farms in 1972, eight farms in 2002, but down to three farms in 2008). Pulford village is situated on the Cheshire border with Wales , some five miles south west of Chester in the county of Cheshire . The adjacent township of Poulton lies one mile to the east of Pulford and borders the south side of the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Estate.
The names of Pulford and Poulton probably have their bi-linguistic derivation in Celtic Welsh and later Anglicised change. The word ‘Pul’ (Welsh pwll) refers to the water or wetland pools of Pulford Brook flood area whilst ‘ford’ (Welsh ffordd) indicates a way or crossing over the wet area. Poulton suggests a settlement near water.
Early historical references to Pulford and Poulton are found in The Domesday Book (1086) where Saxon habitations are acknowledged prior to Norman imposition. At that time Poulton was the more important of the two townships having a more structured and prosperous record. The nearby River Dee gave easy access to Chester and a previous Roman connection is a possibility. Certainly, the Poulton area provided a designated site for settlement by Cistercian monks from about 1158. The remains of an ancient chapel have provided interesting archaeological discoveries but the site of a larger Cistercian Abbey remains elusive.
In subsequent times, Pulford increased in importance as a significant crossing place for trade between Chester and Wrexham. Near the crossing place or ford over Pulford Brook is the site of Pulford Castle . Originally, this was a Norman ‘motte and bailey’ defensive position against Welsh incursion during the time of Marcher lord control. The last time the castle was seriously used was in or about 1403 against Owain Glyndwr who failed in his attempt to unite Wales . Today, only a ruined mound remains surrounded on three sides by the vestige of the once ramparted ditch.
The Parish Church of St. Mary, Pulford, in its present form, was rebuilt in the 1884 restoration as a result of the generosity of the first Duke of Westminster, to a design by Chester architect John Douglas. However, the church has its origins in the twelfth century when, according to ancient record, the first Rector of Pulford (Hugo) was appointed. Although the first building was probably wood, a more substantial stone building was possibly erected as early as the sixteenth century. Various repairs to the traditional sandstone and square tower were only cosmetic and merely postponed a complete restoration. The 1884 enhanced design now incorporates a glorious spire (120 feet high) and an improved bell chamber that eventually housed eight bells.
Also of considerable interest to local historians is the present Grosvenor Pulford Hotel, now an extensive modern hotel which one hundred years ago was a working farm and adjoining ale house. Before 1874, there existed an inn and Post Office receiving house, possibly on the same site or nearby which was known as The Talbot Inn and kept by the Leigh family from 1787. Earlier records are also available which indicate the possibility of two alehouses in Pulford during the early years of the eighteenth century.
Today, Pulford remains a village community although it has lost its village junior school (closed July 1982) and its village shop and Post Office (1999). The centre of village social life is based on the Village Room which began as a Men’s Institute and Reading Room at the end of the nineteenth century, but which now provides an ever popular meeting place for local societies, indoor sports and social gatherings.
Our Local History Group seeks to involve the community in research. We look for help from all those who have lived in Pulford/Poulton or who have relevant records, papers or photographs which may assist further study and help build our archive.
