Editing Formby (section)

== History ==
Erosion of sand on the beach at Formby is revealing layers of mud and sediment, laid down in the late Mesolithic to the late Neolithic, approximately 8,000 – 5,000 years ago, and covered in the early Bronze Age.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Roberts|first=Gordon|title=Ephemeral, sub-fossil mammalian, avian and Hominid Footprints within Flandrian Sediment Exposures at Formby Point, Sefton Coast, North West England. Taylor and Francis Group|journal=Ichnos|volume=16|issue=1–2|pages=33–48|year=2009|doi=10.1080/10420940802470730}}</ref> These sediments often contain the footprints of humans and animals (red deer, roe deer, wild boar, wolf, [[aurochs]]) and birds (oystercatcher, crane and other waders) from that period.<ref>
{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Philip H. |title=The Sands of Time: an introduction to the Sand Dunes of the Sefton Coast |year=1999 |publisher=National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside |isbn=1-902700-03-1 }}</ref> In June 2016, over 50 human footprints from 7,000 years ago were uncovered  on the beach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/thousands-prehistoric-footprints-7000-years-8229171|title=Thousands of prehistoric footprints from 7,000 years ago found on UK beach|first=Rachel|last=Bishop|date=19 June 2016}}</ref>

The common place-name suffix ''-by'' is from the Scandinavian ''byr'' meaning "homestead", "settlement" or "village". The village of Formby was originally spelt ''Fornebei'' and means "the old settlement" or "village belonging to Forni".<ref name=Formby/> At that time ''Fornibiyum'' was also a well-known [[Norsemen|Norse]] family name. He could have been the leader of the invading expedition which took possession of this coast.{{Original research inline|date=March 2023}} Until its closure in 1998, [[Oslo Airport, Fornebu|Oslo Airport]] in Norway was situated in a town called [[Fornebu]].{{Cn|date=March 2023}}

It was from Ireland in about 960 AD that these [[Norsemen]] or [[Vikings]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Viking Mersey: Scandinavian Wirral, West Lancashire and Chester|publisher=Countyvise|year=2002|first=Stephen|last=Harding|isbn=1-901231-34-8}}</ref> first came to the west coast of [[Lancashire]], initially trading or raiding and then settling. Tradition{{Whose|date=March 2023}} says that the Viking invaders failed to defeat the native [[Anglo-Saxons]] on the coast of Formby, so they sailed inland, up the [[River Alt]], and attacked from the rear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southport.tv/page.php?id=flash-vikinglife-2000|title=Viking Life|work=Southport.tv|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> Dangus Lane, on the east side of the village, is sometimes called Danesgate Land, being connected by local traditions with this incursion.{{Cn|date=March 2023}}

[[Formby Hall]] is a [[Grade II listed building]] dating back to 1223. It has traditionally been the home of the [[Lord of the manor|lords of the manor]]. Much of the land around it is now a golf course.

Formby Beach is the location of the first [[Lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboat]] station in the UK. It is believed to have been established as early as 1776 by [[William Hutchinson (privateer)|William Hutchinson]], the Dock Master for the Liverpool Common Council. Although no exact record has been found, the boat used is believed to have been a 'Mersey Gig'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.formbycivicsociety.org.uk/2003%2003%20originsbritainsfirstlifeboatstation.html|title=Origins of Britains first lifeboat station 2003|access-date=17 August 2016|archive-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423020044/http://www.formbycivicsociety.org.uk/2003%2003%20originsbritainsfirstlifeboatstation.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The last launch from the station took place in 1916. Remarkably, a film of this event survived.<ref>{{cite book|last=Yorke|first=Barbara & Reginald|title=Britain's First Lifeboat Station, Formby, 1776 – 1918|publisher=Alt Press|isbn=0-9508155-0-0}}</ref> The foundations of the last of the lifeboat station buildings remain on the beach to this day.<ref>[http://www.liv.ac.uk/facilities/pdfs/travelplan/walkabout_sefton.pdf PDF file] Handout issued by Sefton MBC and Mersey Travel</ref> In 2016, the newly opened [[Wetherspoons]] pub in the town was named 'The Lifeboat' in honour of the original lifeboat station.

Formby is home to [[RAF Woodvale]], a small RAF station to the north of the town.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force 1918–1988|first=James J.|last=Halley|publisher=Air Britain (Historians) Ltd.|location=Tonbridge|year=1988|isbn=0-85130-164-9}}</ref> The airfield opened in 1941 and is a former [[Second World War]] fighter station with three active runways, the main runway being a mile in length.<ref name=MR-Woodvale>{{cite web|url=http://www.merseyreporter.com/history/historic/woodvale/index.shtml|title=Merseyside Regional History Section – RAF Woodvale|work=Mersey Reporter|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> Today it is used by [[RAF]] for light aircraft and fighter training, as well as a few civilian aircraft. The station was also home to [[Merseyside Police]]'s helicopter,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merseyside.police.uk/html/aboutus/departments/air-support/whereabouts/index.htm|title=About US: Departments|work=Merseyside Police|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016192849/http://www.merseyside.police.uk/html/aboutus/departments/air-support/whereabouts/index.htm|archive-date=16 October 2008}}</ref> known as 'Mike One'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/uk/police/ukaf-police-home.htm#mersey|title=Merseyside Police Authority|work=Aeroflight|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> The RAF station was also home to the last operational service of WWII fighter plane the [[Supermarine Spitfire]]. In 1957 the last Spitfire to fly operationally with British military markings took off from RAF Woodvale.<ref name=MR-Woodvale /> Woodvale is also home to the Woodvale Rally, one of the biggest shows on an active MOD station in the [[North West England|North West]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woodvale-rally.org.uk/01b_general_information_page.htm |title=A Fantastic Weekend For ALL The Family! |publisher=Woodvale Rally |access-date=13 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915125907/http://www.woodvale-rally.org.uk/01b_general_information_page.htm |archive-date=15 September 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>