All photographs by Geoff Newcombe

Upton by Chester lies on the edge of Chester, about one and a half miles from the city centre It comprises three Civil Parishes, Bache, Moston and Upton-by-Chester and is situated between two major routes into the City.

Upton is mentioned in the Domesday Book and was a significant rural village at the time of the Civil War, with Cromwell visiting the two Halls.

The first major growth taking the population to nearly 2000 was during the affluent late Victorian period when people were escaping the overcrowded city and when the Lunatic Asylum was built.

Further infilling continued during the 1960's and 1970's but today there is little room for further development and outward expansion is contained by the green belt policy.

The next period of expansion was between the wars and then a major expansion in the post-WW2 period saw a building programme integrating Upton with the City of Chester.

UPTON TODAY THE POPULATION of Upton is 8760 between the three wards of Bache, Moston and Upton-by-Chester. HOUSING: This is mixed, with the majority of properties being semi-detached and detached houses. There is also a mixture of tenure with both private owners and also local authority housing. Although there are smaller starter homes, although these are in the minority. SCHOOLS: There are four Primary and one High School that serve the area well. The primary schools are: Acresfield on Acres Lane, Mill View on Weston Grove, Upton Heath on Upton Lane and Westlea on Weston Grove. Upton High School is situated on St James Avenue. There is also a specialised school for disabled children at Dorin Park School. SHOPPING: Upton has a recognisable physical identity with three sets of shops that provide focal points for people to gather and communicate. One set of shops is located on Mill Lane, between Upton Drive and Liverpool Road, in close proximity to the Morrisons Supermarket site, there is a large group of shops on Long Lane, and also on Weston Grove. These shops between them provide the area with Post Offices, Chemists, Off-licences, Butchers, Florists, Take-away's, Cake shops, a Bank, Housewares, Dentists, Paper shops and General stores. PETROL STATIONS: There are three petrol stations which are located at Moston traffic lights, Long Lane, and Morrisons Supermarket, on Liverpool Road. PUBLIC HOUSES: The area is well served with four Public Houses - The Egerton Arms on Liverpool Road, The Frog also on Liverpool Road, The Gamekeeper on Weston Grove and The Wheatsheaf on Heath Road. MEDICAL FACILITIES: There is a doctors surgery on Wealstone Lane behind the Library. The Countess of Chester Health Park is within the boundaries of Upton Parish, which is very convenient for local residents. There is also a private health clinic on Heath Road, at the entrance to Chemistry Pits Playing Field. LIBRARY: Upton has its own Library which is situated on Wealstone Lane. CHESTER ZOO: The Zoo which attracts visitors from all over the country, lies within the parish. Recent changes to the entrance and roads now keep traffic conjestion to a minimum for local residents. PLAYING FIELDS: Wealstone Lane playing field provides excellent facilities which include tennis,bowls, football, an outdoor gym, an all weather football pitch and a childrens play area which is safe, attractice and fenced to keep dogs out. There is also play equipment at Greenfields playing field, a small play area off Greenfields which is off Caughall Road. The future of another greenspace called Chemistry Pits off Heath Road is at present being considered by the Parish Council after play equipment had to be removed. Equipment on these sites is regularly checked to ensure that its meets with safety standards. ORGANISATIONS: There are many organisations in the area which also attract members from other areas. These include: Upton Tennis Club, Upton Horticulatural Society, Girl Guides and Brownies, Scouts and Cubs, Upton Bowling Clubs, Womens Institute, Upton Dramatic Society. TRANSPORT: The area is well served with public transport which includes bus routes to and from the city centre and also a train station at The Bache where trains run between Chester and Liverpool. There is easy access to the M53 to Liverpool and Manchester and also the A55 into Wales, which is excellent for people who need to commute.

Upton Library