a recreational park and a woodland area, with several public footpaths traversing it. History Early Great Warford Great Warford is mentioned in the Domesday Book under its contemporary name of Warforde. Its entry dates from 1086 and contains a list of local families and landowners (including Ralph the Huntsman). Role in Norman and Medieval Cheshire The village did not expand much in the Medieval and Norman periods due to its boundaries being defined agriculturally. Little Warford, Marthall, Nether Alderley, Chelford, Mobberley and Chorley (as Alderley Edge was then known) all had their own land which meant that expansion beyond the existing borders was impossible. Rise of modern Great Warford Great Warford's contribution to agriculture continued through the 20th century to the modern day. However, for the last 60 years, other industries such as leisure and healthcare have begun to dominate Great Warford's identity. Administrative history Local government Great Warford was a township of the Alderley ancient parish in the Macclesfiled Hundred of Cheshire. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1876 the township of Great Warford became a civil parish in its own right. One-hundred-and-two acres were transferred to Mobberley civil parish in 1936. Between 1894 and 1974, Great Warford was part of Macclesfield Rural District. From 1974 the civil parish was served by the Borough of Macclesfield, which was succeeded on 1 April 2009 by the new unitary authority of Cheshire East. The Great Warford Parish Council has few major rights and/or obligations and is responsible to higher authorities. It does, however, manage local amenities and has a watching brief on local issues, its opinion being noted by those higher authorities in matters such as local planning issues. Parliamentary elections Great Warford is part of the Parliamentary Constituency of Tatton. The incumbent representative since 2017 is Esther McVey MP. Electoral districts: North Cheshire (1832–67); East Cheshire (1868–85); Knutsford (1885–1948); Macclesfield (1949–74) Economy The main contributor to the local economy is agriculture as several working farms still operate in the area. There are also mental healthcare operations: the Mary Dendy Hospital and the David Lewis Centre. Demographics In the context of national statistics, Great Warford belongs to the ward of Chelford. The 2001 census portrayed the population to be Males 49% Females 51% Age 0–15 19% Age 16–17 2% Age 18–24 4% Age 25–59 46% Age 60–64 7% Age 65–74 12% Age 75+ 11% Ethnicity The 2001 Census showed the racial