History of Middlewich Cheshire, Middlewich is described as a town which derives its name from standing in the "Middle" of two "Wiches"; namely, between Nantwich and Northwich. The situation of this place is on the river "Croke", 156 miles from London. The prosperity and opulence of this town, like the former [Northwich], may be said to be, principally, "preserved" by "salt"; very considerable quantities being made here. Its weekly market is on a Tuesday; and its two fairs are annually held on 25 July, and on Holy Thursday. Middlewich is a deanery, hath burgesses, and other privileges, as the rest of the "Wiches"
Ashton-in-Makerfield Lancashire Coalfield, and so was a coal mining district. The name Ashton derives from Old English and means the "farmstead where the ash-trees grow"; it is a common name and is found locally in Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside and Ashton upon Mersey in Trafford. The town's name was recorded as "Eston" in 1212. Later, the suffix "in-Makerfield" was added, which relates the name of the old district of Makerfield of which Ashton was a part; Makerfield derives from the Celtic for a wall or ruin and the Old English word "feld", meaning "open land". St Thomas' Church of England parish church