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Castleford

Coordinates:53°42′58″N1°21′22″W/ 53.716°N 1.356°W/53.716; -1.356
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For other uses, seeCastleford (disambiguation).

Castleford
Bridge over theAire,Civic Centre,Carlton Street,All Saints Churchand Iron Bridge)
Coat of arms
Castleford is located in West Yorkshire
Castleford
Castleford
Location withinWest Yorkshire
Area11.81 km2(4.56 sq mi)
Population45,106 (Wards. Castleford Central and Glasshoughton, Whitwood and Ferry Fryston)
•Density3,819/km2(9,890/sq mi)
OS grid referenceSE424244
•London160 mi (260 km)SSE
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Areas of the town
List
Post townCASTLEFORD
Postcode districtWF10
Dialling code01977
PoliceWest Yorkshire
FireWest Yorkshire
AmbulanceYorkshire
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Yorkshire
53°42′58″N1°21′22″W/ 53.716°N 1.356°W/53.716; -1.356

Castlefordis a town within theCity of Wakefielddistrict,West Yorkshire,England. It had a population of 45,106 at a 2021 population estimate.[1]Historicallyin theWest Riding of Yorkshire,to the north of the town centre theRiver Calderjoins theRiver Aireand theAire and Calder Navigation.It is located north east ofWakefield,north ofPontefractand south east ofLeeds.Castleford is the largest town in the Wakefield district after Wakefield itself.

The town is the site of aRomansettlement. Within the historicalMunicipal Borough of Castlefordare the suburbs ofAiredale,Cutsyke,Ferry Fryston,Fryston Village,Glasshoughton,Half Acres, Hightown, Lock Lane, Townville, Wheldale and Whitwood.

Castleford is home to therugby leagueSuper LeagueteamCastleford Tigers.

History

[edit]
Wheldale Colliery was one of the town's collieries until its closure in 1985.

Castleford's history dates back toRoman times,archaeological evidence points to modern day Castleford being built upon aRoman armysettlement which was calledLagentium(thought to mean 'The Place of the Swordsmen').[2]Roman funeral urns have been found in modern-day Castleford, giving further evidence to this theory.[3]A Roman milestone was unearthed in Beancroft Road, now believed to be in Leeds City Museum.[4]

Queen's Park in Castleford provides evidence ofRoundhousesused by theAnglo Saxons.This was a strategic area due to the views of the entire settlement. The history of the area includesOliver Cromwell's encampment in nearby Knottingley and Ferrybridge (originally thought to be in Castleford itself) whilst his forces laid siege to Pontefract Castle.[5]

All Saints' Church Hightown
All Saints' Church, Castleford, West Yorkshire

In the 19th century, Castleford became aboomtownwith the population growing from 1,000 to 14,000 as collieries opened around the town; however, these collieries closed in the 20th century.Ferrybridge Power StationandKellingley Collieryhave also closed (in 2015 and 2016 respectively) and used to employ Castleford residents.[6][7]The newer warehouses and distribution centres inGlasshoughtonhave brought in many new jobs to the area.[8]

In 2008Grand DesignspresenterKevin McCloudandChannel 4led a community regeneration scheme to redevelop Castleford.[9]

In February 2017 Castleford Swimming Pool closed. A new modern leisure facility including a swimming pool is proposed for nearby Pontefract Park.

Built in 1890 the underpass/bridge made byDeborah SauntCalled theTickle Cock Bridgewas established and was refurbished in 2003 and was closed around Christmas 2005, but was completed in 2008. Also known by its original name The Tittle Cot bridge but was later changed To Tickle Cock and still has a controversial stance.


Economy

[edit]
Carlton Street is Castleford's main shopping street.

Burberry,the retailer and designer label, has a factory in the town, plans were proposed to close this once a new facility was built in Leeds.[10]However these plans were put on hold in 2016 and the factory is due to remain in the town for the foreseeable future.[11]A largeNestléfactory, which produced Toffee Crisp and After Eights for 40 years,[12]closed in 2012 and demolition starting in 2014 to make way for housing.[13]Castleford has previously been home to Dunsford and Wesley Textiles, which at peak business times had three factories in Castleford which have all since ceased production.TEVAalso have their UK headquarters here.[14]

Castleford had potteries from the early 18th century until 1961, notably theCastleford Pottery(1790–1820) of David Dunderdale, which gave its name to "Castleford-type" stonewares.[15]

Governance

[edit]
Castleford Civic Centre

Castleford was established as anurban district,in the administrative county of theWest Riding of Yorkshirein 1894 under theLocal Government Act 1894,with an urban district council. Whitwood andGlasshoughtonwere added to the district in the 1930s. The urban district was incorporated as amunicipal boroughin 1955.Castleford Civic Centrewas completed in 1970.[16]

Following theLocal Government Act 1972,theMunicipal Borough of Castlefordwas abolished on 1 April 1974; it then became anunparished areaof theCity of Wakefield,ametropolitan boroughinWest Yorkshire.Castleford is now controlled byWakefield Council.Three electoral wards cover the town: Airedale and Ferry Fryston; Altofts and Whitwood; and Castleford Central and Glasshoughton.

Amenities and entertainment

[edit]
Xscapein Glasshoughton, Castleford

The town contains theJunction 32multi-store outlet shopping village and theXscapeleisure complex, both in the Glasshoughton suburb at the south of the town. Within Xscape is the largeSnozone,which used to have Britain's largest indoor real snow slope; this was later edged out byChillfactorein Manchester.[17]It is also home toFrankie & Benny'sandNando'srestaurants. It is also home to a 14-screenCineworld,which underwent a refit in 2018 and is now home to a 4DX screen and a Screen X.[18]

Carlton Lanes shopping centre

Castleford has an open and an indoor market, a shopping centre on Carlton Street and a retail park; in addition,Asda,Morrisons,AldiandCo-operativesupermarkets are located there.

Entry to the Castleford Forum Museum

In December 2013, theCastleford Forum Museum,a library and heritage museum, opened in a new building. The town's library had been in temporary accommodation for two years, while the old site was redeveloped. The existing frontage was kept, while the building further back was demolished. A new three-floor building was then constructed.[19]

The town centre haspublic houses,bars and social clubs, although the number of these has declined in recent years[when?]with leisure becoming focused on theXscapecomplex. In 2000, three nightclubs were situated in the town centre; today, none remain.[citation needed]

Media

[edit]

Local news and television programmes are provided byBBC YorkshireandITV Yorkshire.Television signals are received from theEmley MoorTV transmitter.

The town's local radio stations areBBC Radio Leedson 92.4 FM,Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshireon 106.8 FM,Heart Yorkshireon 106.2 FM,Capital Yorkshireon 105.1 FM and 5 Towns FM, a community online radio station serving the town and surrounding areas.[20]

The local newspaper is a weekly called Pontefract and Castleford Express.

Stoneground Records is a local independent record label named after the Stoneground Flour Mills on the River Aire.

Transport

[edit]

Roads

[edit]

Castleford is only 0.93 miles (1.5 km) away from theM62at Junction 32 via theA656 road.It has other A roads that criss-cross the town and provide access to Junction 31 on the same motorway.[21]

Waterways

[edit]

The rivers Aire and Calder have a confluence just north-west of the town and also feed the Aire and Calder Navigation. Whilst it is an industrial waterway, it also hosts tourism with moorings on the Castleford Cut of the Navigation.[22]

Railways

[edit]
Castleford railway station in 2021

Castleford railway stationis situated on both theHallamandPontefract lines;these lines connect the town directly withLeeds,Barnsley,Goole,PontefractandSheffield.All trains arrive from the west and leave in that same direction.[23]In January 2021, the station was completely revamped, providing a modern waiting facility, sheltered cycle parking and changes to the car park layout.[24]

Train services used to travel eastwards toYork,viaBurton Salmon,but passenger workings ceased in 1970 with the section retained for freight workings only.[25]Castleford also had a second service to Leeds that left the station eastwards and swung north onto the formerCastleford–Garforth line,which saw services calling at Ledston and Kippax, before arriving inGarforthand continuing to Leeds.[26] In December 2023, services were restored towards York, withTranspennine Expressproviding four round-trips daily, fromManchester Piccadillyto York viaHuddersfield,Wakefield Kirkgateand Castleford.

TheGlasshoughtonarea of the town is served byits own railway station,which is situated one stop beyond Castleford on the Pontefract line.

Buses

[edit]

In 2016, a new £6 millionbus stationwas opened adjacent to the railway station to allow an integrated travel site for the 12,000 people using the bus station per day.[27]

Local services are provided primarily byArriva Yorkshire,but also by Globe Holidays (Barnsley) and Ross Travel. Routes link Castleford with Leeds, Pontefract and Wakefield.

Education

[edit]
Wakefield College, Castleford Campus

The town's primary schools for young children are Wheldon Infant School, Castleford Park Junior, Smawthorne Henry Moore, Townville Infant School, Airedale Juniors, Oyster Park Primary, Fairburn View Primary, Three Lane Ends Academy, Ackton Pastures and Half Acres.

Castleford's secondary schools for children aged 11–16 areCastleford AcademyandAiredale Academy.

The town has a small further and higher education college on the Castleford Campus ofWakefield Collegein Glasshoughton.[28]

Sport

[edit]

Rugby League

[edit]
Wheldon Road

Castleford has multiplerugby leagueteams. The local team,Castleford Tigerswas formed in 1926, Castleford was one of the twelve founder members ofSuper Leaguewhen the new league format was introduced in 1996. The 'Tigers' nickname and logo were introduced in 1992 and the club's honours include fourChallenge Cupand one Super League Leaders Shield.

The club have been based atWheldon Roadsince 1927. Castleford also has two other lower league rugby league teams,Castleford Lock Laneand Castleford Panthers. Both Lock Lane and the Panthers play in the fourth tier of British Rugby League, meanwhileCastleford Tigershave play in the top tier of British Rugby League.Castleford Tigershave played majority of their Rugby League in the top tier and have done since their promotion in 2008, to present day.

Rugby league in the town was originally represented byCastleford,unrelated to Castleford RUFC, who did not participate inThe schism in English rugbyand still exist, nor were they predecessors of the current Castleford Tigers who were founded in 1926. The original Castleford rugby league club played in theNorthern Union (Rugby Football League)from1896–97to1905–06,[29]and it had one player namedIsaac Colewho won acapforEnglandin 1906 againstOther Nationalities.[30]

Motorcycle sport

[edit]

From June 1979 to July 1980, Castleford had its ownSpeedwayracing team, The Kings, based at theCastleford Whitwood Stadium.The circuit was 202 yards and the team never entered the league – only challenge matches were staged.

In the 1960s, motorcycle scrambling used to take place on the north side of the hill at Queens Park. This was often featured on the BBC's Grandstand sports programme on Saturday afternoons and was commentated upon byMurray Walker.

Football

[edit]

Glasshoughton Welfare play in the Northern Counties East League, Fryston Colliery Welfare were members of this league until they left in 1991 due to ground grading problems. In the 1920s Castleford Town played in the Midland League alongside clubs such as Doncaster Rovers, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United, Halifax Town, Leeds United (for 1919–20 season only), Lincoln City and Mansfield Town. This league also contained the reserve sides of Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Nottingham Forest, Grimsby Town and Hull City. In 1920 Castleford reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup, losing 2–3 at Bradford Park Avenue. Castleford played at Wheldon Road – when they shut down the ground was taken over by the rugby league team.

Main article:Glasshoughton Welfare A.F.C.
Main article:Castleford Town F.C.

Greyhound racing

[edit]

Castleford hosted two greyhound tracks both of which are no longer in existence. The first was in Whitwood and held racing from 1939 until 2001.[31]The second track was the slightly larger 1,500 capacityCastleford Sports Stadiumlocated east of Lock Lane sitting on the north bank of the River Aire.[32]

Main article:Castleford Whitwood Stadium
Main article:Castleford Sports Stadium

Notable people

[edit]

People born in Castleford:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Castleford (West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, United Kingdom) – Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information".citypopulation.de.Retrieved2 November2021.
  2. ^"Roman Castleford"(PDF).Wakefield.gov.uk.p. 16.Retrieved14 November2016.
  3. ^Historic England."Castleford Roman Fort (54328)".Research records (formerly PastScape).Retrieved14 November2016.
  4. ^"Roman Castleford"(PDF).Wakefield.gov.uk.p. 7.Retrieved14 November2016.
  5. ^"Early History".Knottingleyonline.Archived fromthe originalon 15 November 2016.Retrieved14 November2016.
  6. ^"Last Kellingley coal miners will receive severance pay".BBC News.10 December 2015.Retrieved14 November2016.
  7. ^"Ferrybridge C Power Station officially closes after 50 years".BBC News.31 March 2016.Retrieved14 November2016.
  8. ^"Anyone who expected quick and cheap regeneration was deluding themselves".The Yorkshire Post.15 March 2010.Retrieved14 November2016.
  9. ^Brown, Maggie (2008)."Kevin McCloud and the Big Town Plan: a heroic failure?".The Guardian.Retrieved22 October2014.
  10. ^Cooper, Sam (14 November 2015)."'End of an era' as Castleford Burberry factory to close ".Pontefract & Castleford Express.Archived fromthe originalon 21 November 2017.Retrieved14 November2016.
  11. ^Butler, Sarah (14 July 2016)."Burberry puts new Leeds factory on pause".The Guardian.Retrieved14 November2016.
  12. ^Treanor, Jill (10 December 2010)."40 years and billions of mints later, Nestlé to close After Eight factory".The Guardian.Retrieved14 November2016.
  13. ^"1,000 new homes planned at former Hickson and Nestle sites".Pontefract & Castleford Express.12 August 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 15 November 2016.Retrieved14 November2016.
  14. ^"TEVA UK headquarters".17 August 2024.Retrieved17 August2024.
  15. ^"Castleford potteries".Wakefield Council.Retrieved2 October2019.
  16. ^Linstrum, Derek (1978).West Yorkshire Architects and Architecture.Lund Humphries.ISBN9780853314103.
  17. ^"Homepage".Chillfactore.com.Retrieved14 November2016.
  18. ^"Centre Map".xscapeyorkshire.co.uk.Retrieved14 November2016.
  19. ^"Homepage".Friends of Castleford Library.Retrieved14 November2016.
  20. ^"5 Towns FM Radio Online".Internetradiouk.com.Retrieved1 September2002.
  21. ^"105" (Map).York & Selby(C ed.). 1:50,000. Landranger. Ordnance Survey. 2014.ISBN9780319262030.
  22. ^"Castleford Cut".Waterside Mooring.Retrieved14 November2016.
  23. ^Williams, Michael (2015). "8. In the company of ghosts in Britain's spookiest service".The Trains Now Departed.London: Arrow Books. pp. 159–160.ISBN9780099590583.
  24. ^"Castleford Railway Station Improvement Scheme".Your Voice.Retrieved17 February2021.
  25. ^"Church Fenton".Disused Stations.Retrieved14 November2016.
  26. ^"Castleford to Garforth".lostrailwaysofwestyorkshire.co.uk.Retrieved11 August2020.
  27. ^"Castleford Bus Station now open".WYMetro.February 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 12 October 2016.Retrieved14 November2016.
  28. ^"Castleford Campus".wakefield.ac.uk.Retrieved14 November2016.
  29. ^Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David (1995).Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1995–1996.London: Headline Book Publishing. p. 164.ISBN0-7472-7817-2.
  30. ^"England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk".englandrl. 31 December 2011.Retrieved1 January2012.
  31. ^"Licenced Tracks".Greyhound Racing History. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved1 September2015.
  32. ^"Independent Tracks".Greyhound Racing History. Archived fromthe originalon 20 November 2015.Retrieved1 September2015.
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