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History

White Lund is an area in Morecambe, Lancashire, England. The history of White Lund dates back to the 19th century when the area was primarily used for farming. However, in the late 1800s, the opening of the Lancaster Canal and the arrival of the railway spurred the growth of industry in the area.

White Lund became home to several factories and mills, including the Morecambe Bay Gas and Coke Company, the Lancaster and Morecambe Electric Tramways and Lighting Company, and the Northern Rubber Company. The area also had a large ironworks and a shipbuilding yard.

During World War II, White Lund played an important role in the war effort, with the airfield at nearby Heysham being used by the RAF to defend the North West coast of England. The area also became a major hub for munitions production.

In the post-war period, White Lund continued to be an important industrial area, with new factories and businesses moving into the area. However, by the late 20th century, many of the older factories had closed down or moved away, and the area went into decline.

In recent years, there has been a push to regenerate the White Lund area, with new businesses moving in and investment in infrastructure and amenities. Today, White Lund is home to a range of businesses, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail, and is an important employment hub in the region.

• The ironworks in White Lund was established in the mid-1800s and produced iron for various uses, including shipbuilding, rail tracks, and bridges. The ironworks was eventually taken over by the Lancaster Ironworks Company, which continued to operate until the mid-1900s.
• The Northern Rubber Company, which was established in White Lund in 1871, became one of the area's largest employers, producing rubber products for various industries. The company eventually merged with other rubber companies to form the British Tyre and Rubber Company, which later became part of the Dunlop Rubber Company.
• During World War II, the airfield at Heysham was used by the RAF to intercept German planes and protect the North West coast of England. The airfield also played a role in the Dambusters raid, with some of the Lancaster bombers involved in the raid taking off from Heysham.
• Munitions production during the war was a major part of White Lund's industrial output. One of the factories involved in munitions production was the Royal Ordnance Factory, which produced various types of shells and ammunition.
• In the 1970s and 1980s, many of the factories in White Lund began to close down or move away, leading to high levels of unemployment and social deprivation in the area. However, in recent years, there has been a concerted effort to regenerate the area, with new businesses moving in and investment in infrastructure and amenities.
• Today, White Lund is home to a range of businesses, including major companies such as the supermarket chain Morrisons and the logistics firm Eddie Stobart. The area is also a hub for renewable energy, with several wind turbines and solar panels installed on industrial sites.

Historical Facts

• The Lancaster and Morecambe Electric Tramways and Lighting Company was established in White Lund in 1897 and operated a network of electric trams in the area until 1935. The company also provided street lighting and electricity to local homes and businesses.
• In the early 1900s, the Morecambe Bay Gas and Coke Company established a gasworks in White Lund to produce gas for lighting and heating. The gasworks operated until the 1960s, when it was decommissioned and demolished.
• The shipbuilding yard in White Lund, known as the Lancaster Shipbuilding Company, was established in the early 1900s and produced a range of vessels, including cargo ships, tankers, and warships. The yard was eventually taken over by the Vickers-Armstrongs company and continued to operate until the 1960s, when it closed down due to competition from overseas shipyards.
• In the early 1900s, White Lund was home to several sports clubs, including a football team known as White Lund FC and a cricket team known as White Lund CC. The football team played in the local Lancashire Combination league and won the league championship in 1914.
• During World War II, the airfield at Heysham was also used by the Fleet Air Arm, with planes from the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm using the airfield for training and operations.
• In the 1960s and 1970s, the area around White Lund was used for landfill, with waste being dumped in disused quarries and other sites. This led to environmental concerns and the area has since undergone extensive remediation work to address the pollution.

Geography

White Lund is located in the district of Lancaster in the county of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated on the outskirts of the town of Morecambe, approximately 4 miles west of the city of Lancaster.

The area is bordered to the north by Morecambe Bay, a large estuary that opens out into the Irish Sea. To the west of White Lund is the Heysham peninsula, which is home to a nuclear power station and a major port. To the south and east of White Lund are residential areas of Morecambe, as well as farmland and countryside.

White Lund itself is a relatively flat area, with much of the land used for industrial and commercial purposes. The area is intersected by several major roads, including the A589 and the A683, which provide access to Lancaster and other nearby towns.

The climate in White Lund is typical of the UK, with cool and damp conditions prevailing throughout much of the year. Winters can be cold and snowy, while summers are mild and often rainy. The area is also subject to strong winds from the Irish Sea, which can make the weather feel colder than it actually is.