Broughton is a village and civil parish in the City of Preston, Lancashire, England, approximately north of Preston city centre. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,735, decreasing to 1,722 at the 2011 Census. The parish is included in Preston Rural East ward of Preston city council, and the Preston Rural division of Lancashire County council. The parish was part of Preston Rural District throughout its existence from 1894 to 1974. In 1974 the parish became part of the Borough of Preston, which became a city in 2002.
History
The manor of Broughton was originally part of the land owned by Earl Tostig and was later held by Uhtred, a Saxon thegn whose family took the name Singleton. In the reign of King John the manor was seized by Theobald Walter, but was restored to William Singleton by Henry III in 1261. It 1325 it was the home of Gilbert de Singleton. In the 16th century it was sold to the Langtons. The estate was gained, through marriage, by the Rawstornes in 1735. In the 1970s tithes were still being paid by the owner of Broughton Manor Farm to the church. About north of Preston there was a "strong tower", built of stone and surrounded by a moat fed by Sharoe Brook. It was taken down in 1800 and Broughton Tower Farm was erected on the site. During the 1930s, when water works were being carried out, the moat was filled in.
Community
Schools
Broughton-in-Amounderness Church of England Primary School on Church Lane has approximately 290 pupils, aged 3 - 11. It was founded in 1590 and is one of the oldest extant primary schools in the United Kingdom. is housed in the school's oldest building, which also dates from the late sixteenth century. Broughton High School on Woodplumpton Lane opened in 1975 and has approximately 900 pupils, aged 11–16. The village has two nursery schools: on King George V Playing Field, and , attached to the primary school.
Broughton & District Club
Situated on Whittingham Lane, offers flood-lit facilities for tennis and bowls. The stage in the main hall is used by for performances by the Broughton Players. The club hall also hosts parish council meetings.
Football
was formed in 1947 and plays in the Mid-Lancashire Football League. During their 'glory years' of the late 1970s through the 1980s they were managed by ex-Preston North End & Birmingham City striker Eddy Brown.
Churches
The parish Church of St John Baptist is the centre of a within the Diocese of Blackburn. It has two satellite worship centres and a parish hall in Fulwood. The church tower, which dates from 1533, is the oldest working building in Preston and is currently undergoing restoration. The nave was replaced in 1826, while the chancel was added in 1906. There is evidence of a church having been on the site in the twelfth century. The acclaimed of 20 men and 32 boy trebles is directed by John Catterall MBE and sings at two Sunday services. The civil parish also contains the Roman CatholicSt Mary's Church, Fernyhalgh.
Broughton telephone exchange was the UK's first Crossbar exchange. The current exchange building, which was extended at the front in the 1980s, was built for a field trial of Plessey's new 5005A crossbar exchange in 1964 replacing Broughton's manual exchange. The village was chosen due to its relative proximity to the Plessey factory and research centre at Edge Lane Liverpool.
