Northwich a population of 103,300 Northwich makes up around 70,690 of this with its 7 Wards (Davenham & Moulton, Hartford & Greenbank, Marbury, Shakerley, Weaver & Cuddington, Winnington & Castle and Witton & Rudheath) The area around Northwich has been exploited for its salt pans since Roman times, when the settlement was known as Condate. The town has been severely affected by salt mining, and subsidence has historically been a significant problem. There has been recent investment in mine stabilisation. During Roman times, Northwich was known as Condate, thought to be a Latinisation of a Brittonic name meaning "Confluence". There are
Blue John (mineral) Blue John (mineral) Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar) is a semi-precious mineral, a form of fluorite with bands of a purple-blue or yellowish colour. In the UK it is found only at Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern at Castleton in Derbyshire. During the 19th century, it was mined for its ornamental value, and mining continues on a small scale. Deposits of fluorite have been recently found in China with colouring and banding similar to the classic Blue John stone. The most common explanation for the name is that it derives from the French "bleu-jaune", meaning 'blue-yellow'.