Leyburn
Leyburn | |
---|---|
![]() Leyburn Market Square | |
Location withinNorth Yorkshire | |
Population | 2,183 (2011 census)[1] |
OS grid reference | SE114904 |
Civil parish |
|
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | LEYBURN |
Postcode district | DL8 |
Dialling code | 01969 |
Police | North Yorkshire |
Fire | North Yorkshire |
Ambulance | Yorkshire |
UK Parliament | |
Leyburnis amarket townandcivil parishinNorth Yorkshire,England,sitting above the northern bank of theRiver UreinWensleydale.Historicallyin theNorth Riding of Yorkshire,the name was derived from 'Ley' or 'Le' (clearing), and 'burn' (stream), meaning clearing by the stream. Leyburn had a population of 1,844 at the2001 census[2]increasing to 2,183 at the 2011 Census.[1]The estimated population in 2015 was 2,190.[3]
History
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Leyburn_Sham_Castle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1525613.jpg/240px-Leyburn_Sham_Castle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1525613.jpg)
Leyburn was mentioned in theDomesday Bookof 1086 but had no recorded population.[4]The much later growth of Leyburn as a major hub is linked to the decline in fortunes of nearbyWensley,which had prominence as the only market town inWensleydale;the village had received its Royal Charter in 1202[5]but declined dramatically after being devastated by theplaguein 1563. In fact, the once important and prosperous town was mostly abandoned. Leyburn's stature increased by the 17th century when a market charter was granted byCharles IIin 1686.Leyburn Town Hallwas built in 1856 by Lord Bolton, and now houses several shops.[6]In 1870-72 John Marius Wilson'sImperial Gazetteer of England and Walesdescribed Leyburn.[7]
Governance
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Town_Hall%2C_Leyburn.jpg/240px-Town_Hall%2C_Leyburn.jpg)
Anelectoral wardfor in the same name exists; this ward includesHarmbywith a total population of 2,554.[8]The local town council is housed in Thornborough Hall, dating back to the 1830s, the building also houses the local library, aNorth Yorkshire Councilregister office,and several private offices.[9]
The town lies within theRichmond (Yorks)parliamentary constituency, which is under the control of theConservative Party.The current Member of Parliament since the2015 general electionisRishi Sunak,the formerPrime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Geography
[edit]Leyburn is situated approximately 19 miles (31 km) west of the county townNorthallerton,on the northern banks of theRiver Ure,near to the eastern border of theYorkshire Dales National Park,at the edge of a valley or dale known asWensleydale,which takes its name from the village ofWensley,1.8 miles (2.9 km) to the west. Leyburn is close to a meadow nature reserve calledLeyburn Old Glebe.
Demography
[edit]According to the2011 United Kingdom census,the ward of Leyburn (includingHarmby) had a total resident population of 2,554, with 1,335 females and 1,219 males. 98.2% of the population identified aswhite British,1.1% asother white,a total of 1.8% identified as being of a non-white ethnic background including 0.5%Asian British,and 0.7% as black,Afro-Caribbeanorblack British.The place of birth of the town's residents was 95.5% United Kingdom, 1.5% fromEuropean Unioncountries, and 2.5% from elsewhere in the world. 75.6% described themselves as havingreligiousbeliefs; 74.9% of those wereChristian,0.8% is made up of all other religions, the largest beingbuddhismat 0.4%, 16.2% stated they had no religion and 8.2% did not state a religion.[8]
The following table shows historic population changes in the Leyburn parish area between 1881 and 1961.
Year | 1881 | 1891 | 1901 | 1911 | 1921 | 1931 | 1951 | 1961 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | 972 | 982 | 847 | 832 | 868 | 1,440 | 1,281 | 1,357 |
Sources:[10] |
Economy
[edit]Leyburn is a gateway town to theYorkshire Dales National Parkand relies heavily on tourism, the national park attracted 520,000 overnight visitors in 2017.[11]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Market_Day_at_Leyburn._-_geograph.org.uk_-_111411.jpg/220px-Market_Day_at_Leyburn._-_geograph.org.uk_-_111411.jpg)
The market place is home to several shops, pubs, and restaurants, including national retailersCo-op FoodandOne Stop,as well as notable independent businesses such as the department storeMilners of Leyburn,which opened in 1882 and is currently in its fifth generation of family ownership, and Campbell's of Leyburn, a grocers dating back to 1868.[12]A traditional outdoor market is held in the square every Friday, along with a livestock auction mart that started in 1918.[13]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Bolton_Arms_Hotel%2C_Leyburn%2C_North_Yorkshire.jpg/220px-Bolton_Arms_Hotel%2C_Leyburn%2C_North_Yorkshire.jpg)
Other businesses and industries located outside the market place include a local brewery,[14]a chocolate maker[15]and aRoyal Maildelivery office.[16]
TennantsAuctioneers, situated on Harmby road, is one of the largestauction housesin the UK, holding more than 80 sales each year and attracting buyers and sellers from around the world.[17]Adjacent to Tennants is The Garden Rooms, a multi-purpose events and exhibitions venue with a capacity for 640 people.[18]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Commercial_Square%2C_Leyburn_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567153.jpg/220px-Commercial_Square%2C_Leyburn_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567153.jpg)
According to the2011 United Kingdom census,the economic activity of residents aged 16–74 was 43.5% in full-time employment, 5.0% in part-time employment, 21.0% self-employed, 3.1% unemployed, 2.2% students with jobs, 2.0% students without jobs, 19.7% retired, 0.4% looking after home or family, 2.1% permanently sick or disabled, and 0.8% economically inactive for other reasons.[8]
The average price of a house in Leyburn for the 12-month period ending February 2020 was £197,750[19]compared to £223,537 for North Yorkshire[20]and the national average of £232,320.[21]
Landmarks
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Sheep_on_the_Shawl_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567162.jpg/220px-Sheep_on_the_Shawl_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567162.jpg)
Leyburn Shawl, anescarpmentof about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length is located to the west of the town, it provides panoramic views of Wensleydale and links to footpaths towardsPreston-under-ScarandCastle Bolton.According to legend,Mary, Queen of Scots,upon fleeing captivity in nearbyBolton Castle,dropped her shawl en route to Leyburn.[22][23]
Agrade II listedwar memorial in the form of acrossis situated in the market place, commemorating the lives lost in both theFirstandSecondWorld War.[24]Leyburn Hall, also a listed building, dates back to 1750.[25]
Religious sites
[edit]Leyburn has fourChristianplaces of worship; St Peter and St Paul'sRoman Catholicchurch built in 1835,[26]the WensleydaleEvangelicalChurch (built in 1875 and formerly acongregationalchurch until the early 1960s),[27]the LeyburnMethodistChurch dating back to 1884,[28]and just east of the town centre theAnglicanchurch ofSt Matthew,built in 1868.
Transport
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Leyburn_railway_station_with_diesel-electric_locomotive%2C_Wensleydale_Railway%2C_Yorkshire.jpg/220px-Leyburn_railway_station_with_diesel-electric_locomotive%2C_Wensleydale_Railway%2C_Yorkshire.jpg)
Leyburn has its ownrailway stationon theheritageWensleydale Railway,this is the last stop westbound before the terminus atRedmire,trains also run eastbound towardsBedaleandNorthallerton.
Local bus services toHawes,Northallerton,RichmondandRiponare provided byDales & District.
The town lies on a crossroads of theA684 roadbetween Northallerton andKendal,and theA6108betweenScotch Cornerand Ripon.
Education
[edit]The town's secondary school,The Wensleydale School,has just over 500 pupils, with a catchment are spanning through most ofWensleydale,the school has asixth formwith around 80 students enrolled. In 2006, Wensleydale School became aSpecialist Science Collegeunder a programme discontinued in 2010.[29]
The town's primary school is Leyburn Community Primary School, from where a vast majority of the pupils proceed to the Wensleydale School forsecondary education,in 2017 the school became anacademy.Leyburn's second primary school, St Peter and St PaulRCprimary school dated back to 1835, but in 2011 it was closed due to financially unviable pupil numbers, having just 15 pupils in its last academic year.[30]
Culture and community
[edit]Sport
[edit]The town's football club, Leyburn FC, play in theWensleydale CreameryLeague, an affiliate league of theNorth Riding County Football Association,another local team, Leyburn United FC, once reached theHarrogate and District Football League,until their resignation in 2016. United no longer have senior representation and has rebranded as Leyburn United JFC, for players aged 4 to 14.[31][32]
Wensleydale RUFC, arugby unionclub based in Leyburn currently play inYorkshire 2,having been promoted fromYorkshire 3as champions in the 2018–19 season.[33]
Leyburn once had a golf club, founded in 1895 and lasting until the late 1950s.[34]
TheTour de Yorkshirein May 2018 started in Richmond and finished in Scarborough, the cyclists travelled through Leyburn.[35][36]The town was also due to be the finishing point for stage 2 of the2020 Tour de Yorkshire,[37]however, on 17 March it was announced that the event would be postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[38]
Thetorch relayfor the2012 Summer Olympicsheld inLondonpassed through Leyburn.[39]
Cinema and theatre
[edit]Leyburn's formercinema,The Elite,opened in 1928 and could seat 500; the premises were also used to stage theatre and music shows. It was initially closed in 2007, but was re-opened by volunteers under the nameThe Picture House.This revival however was short lived as the cinema shut down permanently in October 2008, less than 18 months after the first closure.[40]A 64-seat cinema is now located within a multi-purpose venue namedThe Old School House,using the former St Peter and St Paul primary school building.[41]
Media and filmography
[edit]The town is served by two local newspapers, North Yorkshire editions of the dailyNorthern Echoand the weeklyDarlington & Stockton Timesboth published byNewsquest.
Local news and television programmes are provided byBBC North East and CumbriaandITV Tyne Teesfrom theBilsdaleTV transmitter.
Local radio stations areBBC Radio Yorkon 104.3 FM,Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshireon 107.1 FM andDales Radioon 104.9 FM.
Leyburn has appeared in various television programmes includingThe Department Store:Milner's,onBBC Fourin 2008, and the 1960s-set drama seriesHeartbeat.
Events
[edit]TheDales Festival of Food and Drinkwas initially set up in response to the severe economic fallout experienced by the area after the2001 foot and mouth crisis.The first event was held in the market place onMay Daybank holiday weekend in 2002, after an increase in publicity and popularity, the festival moved to a larger site on the outskirts of Leyburn, however the event moved back to the market place in 2017 after a decline in revenue.[42]In 2019, after continuing to lose money, it was announced that the last festival was to be held in 2020, however as a result of cancellation owing to theCOVID-19 pandemic,[43]2019 was the final event.[44]
A 1940s weekend takes place at the end of July.[45]Wensleydaleagricultural showtakes place on the third Saturday in August. Saturday 23 August 2014 marked the 100th Wensleydale Show.[46]The localRotary Clubsponsors the Wensleydale Wander in March or April, organised walks of 12 miles (19 km) and 22 miles (35 km).
Public services
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Leyburn_Fire_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567109.jpg/220px-Leyburn_Fire_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567109.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Leyburn_Police_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567132.jpg/220px-Leyburn_Police_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_567132.jpg)
Leyburn Medical Practice is the town'sgeneral practice,the catchment area spans surrounding settlements includingMiddlehamand ruralCoverdale.[47]The nearest NHS hospital is theFriarage HospitalinNorthallerton19 miles (31 km) to the east, emergency ambulances are provided by theYorkshire Ambulance Service,and the voluntaryYorkshire Air Ambulance.Leyburn's fire and police station, is operated byNorth Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Serviceand theNorth Yorkshire Policeservice. The fire element is crewed solely byretained firefighters.The former Leyburn police station was built in 1878, and was vacated in 2021, when the two services amalgamated in the fire station.[48]The proposal to co-locate was made by the formerpolice and crime commissionerJulia Mulligan.[49][50]
Notable people
[edit]- Liam Darville,semi-professional footballer who plays as a defender for Richmond Town, was born in Leyburn in 1990.
- Leyburn is the home town of footballerMichael Dawsonand his elder brother,Andy.[51]
- George Gargrave,English mathematician, was born in Leyburn in 1710 where was educated by his uncle, schoolmaster John Crow.[52]
- George Bland Humble,headmaster in Marylebone London and Fremantle, Australia, was born in Leyburn Moor House in 1839.
- Charles Herbert Kitson,organist and influential music teacher, was born in Leyburn in 1874.[53]
References
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- ^UK Census(2001)."Local Area Report – Leyburn Parish (36UE058)".Nomis.Office for National Statistics.Retrieved5 May2019.
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- ^Historic England."LEYBURN HALL, Leyburn (1130898)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved31 May2020.
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- ^"Our History".Wensleydale Evangelical Church.Archivedfrom the original on 6 February 2021.Retrieved2 February2021.
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- ^Houston, Kerry: "Kitson, Charles Herbert", in:The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland,ed. Harry White & Barra Boydell (Dublin: UCD Press, 2013), p. 571–2.
External links
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