Ramsgreave is a civil parish in the Ribble Valley district of Lancashire, England. The parish is located on the northern edge of Blackburn although it is just outside the Blackburn with Darwenunitary district, and although the south and east of the parish is suburban, the parish also includes a rural area. The population of the civil parish taken at the 2011 census was 817. It is served by Ramsgreave and Wilpshire railway station. A former Roman road, between Manchester and Ribchester, passed through the parish. Ramsgreave is most well known for its rich sporting heritage. As a result of constant boundary changes in the twentieth century, Blackburn Rugby Club spans the border of the parish with pitches being located in both Ramsgreave and Blackburn separated by a small brook. The parish also has two cricket teams Blackburn Northern but draws much of its patronage from the parish and Mellor CC which play at the scenic Barker Lane ground. The village was also briefly home Ramsgreave Rugby League Club. The team, which played on the Pleckgate municipal recreation grounds, existed between 1998 and 2004 and was largely the brain child of local students, disheartened by the lack of a local rugby league team. Ramsgreave RFC played in the North West Counties League until the league folded in August 2004. Notable alumni include Mark Abersock Greg Suligowski and Shilul Nituy. In 2009, Blackburn with Darwen Council announced plans for Pleckgate High School, which sits on the edge of the parish to be demolished and replaced with a 'City Academy'. The new Academy that will reportedly be a centre of excellence for business and maths, is proposed to be built on the old recreation grounds to the rear of the existing site. The plans however are expected to generate staunch local opposition from residents, farmers and conservation groups. The parish is also known for its popular local pubs, such as The Knowles Arms and The Spread Eagle, which attract young people from around the county.
