Farnworth's earliest recorded name is Ffornword (from a land survey in 1282). The town grew up in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries around the coal mining industry. Other industry included iron foundries and cotton mills.
Early historyIn early 2005 the town was observed on a police chase television series in a broadcast in the US where local UK police engaged and chased down the main street a stolen car being driven at high speed. most notably Ecstasy.
Recent history
Farnworth was originally a chapelry within the parish of Deane. It became a separate civil parish in 1866. Under the Local Government Act 1894 it became the Urban District of Farnworth, which in 1939 was granted a charter elevating it to the status of municipal borough. In 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, Farnworth became an unparished area of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Community facilities
Alan Ball - footballer - born in Farnworth
Hylda Baker - comedienne
Jim Cartwright - playwright
Frank Finlay - actor
Peter Kay - comedian - born in Farnworth
Paul Mariner- footballer - born in Farnworth
Tommy Lawton - footballer - born in Farnworth
David Potts - frontman of music group Monaco
Michael Pollitt - Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, footballer.
David Unsworth - Football League Official
Patrick McGuinness - comedian - born in Farnworth.
