collectable and nostalgia retail space called "Bygone Times". The "New Mill" was converted into a small village shopping centre which was recently demolished entirely and a new smaller shopping center built with houses being built on the extra space. Consequently, the village has developed a more suburban role than some of its neighbours. Transport The town is served by an hourly bus service to Wigan, Preston, Croston and Chorley (daytimes only) with more infrequent daytime services available to Southport and Ormskirk. The nearest railway stations are at Croston and Euxton Balshaw Lane. Education The village has two schools, Eccleston St. Mary's Church of England Primary School and Eccleston Primary School. Religion There are three churches in the village, the 14th Century St Mary the Virgin Church of England Church to the north of the village (until the reformation this was formerly the Catholic Church), constructed from distinctive Liverpool sandstone, similar to Euxton Parish Church, Eccleston Methodist Church and St Agnes Roman Catholic Church to the south. Social The village public house scene has consolidated in recent years. The Original Farmer's Arms is predominantly an eatery located at the Northern end of the village. The village is also served by the Working Men's Institute Club ("th'insty") and the Eccleston Cricket Club (game days only). The site of the former Blue Anchor pub has been converted to the Anchorfields housing estate and the site of the former windmill pub has been converted to high end apartments. Pubs just outside the village include the Rose and Crown (Ulnes Walton), Farmers Arms (Heskin), Red Lion (Mawdesley). The village also has a popular children's play area situated adjacent to the football pitches, popularly known as "the rec", an abbreviation of recreation area. Notable people St. John Rigby, martyr Sir Bradley Wiggins, professional cyclist See also Listed buildings in Eccleston, Lancashire Scheduled monuments in Lancashire References External links Eccleston Parish Council Villages in Lancashire Civil parishes in Lancashire Geography of Chorley