CONGLETON

town and borough (district), in the southeastern part of the administrative and historic county of Cheshire, England. Most of the borough consists of level farmland typical of the Cheshire Plain, with a line of hills along the eastern side reaching elevations of 1,000 feet (305 metres) in places and including Mow Cop, the birthplace of Primitive Methodism. Silk spinning was introduced to Congleton town in 1752, followed by cotton spinning in 1784. The silk industry declined in the first part of the 19th century. The most important economic sectors are now vehicles and vehicle components, chemicals, electronics, and engineering. The borough's more than 20 parishes include the towns of Alsager, Middlewich, and Sandbach. Middlewich was important in Roman times for salt, which is still produced in large quantities in the vicinity of Middlewich and Sandbach. Sandbach is the administrative centre. The rural hinterland is rich dairy farming country, and market gardening is also important. There are attractive villages and fine buildings, including Little Moreton Hall, one of the finest black-and-white houses in England. The Jodrell Bank observatory's radio telescopes are situated in the north of the borough. Area 82 square miles (211 sq km). Pop. (1991) town, 24,897; (1998 est.) borough, 88,400.