The right pronunciation of Wrea is “Ray”, slightly than making an attempt to sound out every letter because it seems.
And the weird identify is not the one factor that makes this Fylde village price a better look.
Wrea Inexperienced has an extended historical past stretching again centuries, and its identify has modified over time.
The village was merely often known as Wray till the late nineteenth century, when it turned often known as Wrea Inexperienced to keep away from confusion with the village of Wray close to Hornby.
Based on the Wrea Inexperienced parish historical past, the change was pushed for by the village’s long-serving vicar, Rev RS Stoney, after his mail was repeatedly being despatched to the unsuitable place.
The unique identify is believed to have Norse origins.
Wray, recorded as “Vrai”, is alleged to imply “nook nook”, whereas neighbouring Ribby comes from “Rigbi”, that means “ridge settlement”.
On the coronary heart of the village is its huge village inexperienced, which is described by the parish historical past as the most important in Lancashire.
For generations, the inexperienced was far more than a gorgeous open house.
Cattle and horses have been nonetheless grazing there into the center of the twentieth century.
There have been as soon as not less than three ponds on the inexperienced, though two have been ultimately crammed in and levelled to create a cricket pitch.
At this time, the inexperienced can be notable for the slightly uncommon guidelines governing what individuals can and can’t do there.
Among the many byelaws is a rule stating that no particular person shall beat or shake carpets or rugs on the village inexperienced.
Different guidelines prohibit individuals from driving or wheeling autos onto the inexperienced, digging up or eradicating turf, lighting fires and holding public conferences there.
So whereas guests would possibly anticipate a village inexperienced to be someplace to sit down, stroll or maybe take pleasure in a sport of cricket, there are some surprisingly particular issues you aren’t allowed to do.
The principles have their roots within the lengthy historical past of the inexperienced as a shared village house.
Outdated information reveal some equally uncommon particulars about life in Wrea Inexperienced.
In 1897, the village suffered what was described as a plague of sparrows, with funds made for sparrows’ eggs, sparrows and even rats’ tails.
The next yr, travellers who put a horse on the inexperienced have been required to pay sixpence a day.
And in 1916, the owner of the Grapes Resort was contacted after issues have been raised that his pigs have been damaging and disturbing the floor of the village inexperienced.
Wrea Inexperienced’s historical past additionally features a robust custom of schooling and group life.
In 1683, native employee James Thistleton died after leaving £180 to construct a brand new college for the village.
The scale of the donation was outstanding on condition that he earned simply 4 pence a day.
A second college and chapel adopted within the 18th century, helped by the charity of Nicholas Sharples, a London innkeeper who had spent a part of his childhood in Wray.
The current-day St Nicholas Church within the centre of the village was in-built 1848-49 and consecrated in 1855.
Regardless of its historic roots, Wrea Inexperienced has modified significantly over the previous century.
In 1891, the village had a inhabitants of 401.
By 1951 this had risen to 697, and by 1981 it had reached 1,464.
Agriculture was as soon as the primary supply of employment, however at the moment comparatively few residents rely immediately on farming, with many individuals working in close by cities in manufacturing and repair industries.
The village has nonetheless retained a lot of its rural character and has received Lancashire’s Greatest Saved Village award on a number of events.
Its churchyard has additionally recurrently obtained recognition for being effectively maintained.
With its large village inexperienced, centuries of historical past and a few remarkably particular guidelines about what you are able to do on it, Wrea Inexperienced is a Lancashire village with loads of tales behind its uncommon identify.
And should you go to, bear in mind: having fun with the inexperienced is okay, however go away the rugs at residence.