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Template:GBmap Workington is a town on the west coast of Cumbria, England at the mouth of the River Derwent. The area around Workington has long been a producer of coal and steel.
Workington has a population of around 25,000 people (1991) and is an industrial town. It is the seat of Allerdale Borough Council, which is one of five borough councils in Cumbria.
History
Mary, Queen of Scots after the defeat of her forces at the Battle of Langside fled to England by crossing the Solway Firth, and landed in the vicinity of Workington . She spent her first night in England as an honoured guest in Workington Hall, but was soon moved on to Carlisle Castle.
The insult 'Jam Eaters' is used as part of the rivalry with local town Whitehaven. Supposedly, this term arose from the mining days and the sandwich filling preference of miners from each town.
Sport in Workington
Workington has a non league and former professional football team, Workington Reds, as well as a Pro rugby league and former challenge cup winning team, Workington Town, and a professional speedway team, the Workington Comets.
Workington is home to a tradition known as 'Easter Football', an historical version of football, dating to Medieval times. The goals are about a mile apart, one being a capstan at the harbour, and the other the park wall of Workington Hall. There were traditionaly no rules, except those suggested by cunning and skill, while brute force is of the greatest importance. The 'Uppies' attempt to hale the ball over the park wall; the 'Downies' over the capstan. Whoever is succesful in doing so wins a sovereign, given by the owener of Workington Hall. Workington still holds annual Uppies and Downies matches every Easter, raising money for various local charities.
Transport
The town has rail and bus connections to other towns and villages in West Cumbria, Penrith, Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness and occasional through trains to Newcastle.