Bramham cum Oglethorpe
Encyclopedia
Bramham cum Oglethorpe, more well known as just "Bramham", is a village and civil parish
in the City of Leeds
metropolitan borough
, West Yorkshire
, England
.
, midway between Leeds
and York
and about 12 miles (19.3 km) south of Harrogate
in the so-called "Golden Triangle". Bramham is a part of the Wetherby Ward of Leeds Metropolitan Council and is at the north-eastern edge of West Yorkshire
where it borders North Yorkshire
at Tadcaster
, 4 miles (6.4 km) away. Bramham was in the Elmet constituency
until the 2010 general election when it became part of the newly created Elmet and Rothwell constituency
and the local Conservative
M.P. is Alec Shelbrooke
.
Bramham Park
(at ), two miles (3 km) to the south-west of the village, is home to the Leeds Festival
, an annual music and arts festival, which is held over the August Bank Holiday weekend each year.
through Tadcaster
to Ilkley
and the north-south Great North Road, now the A1 road, giving it a history that goes back to the Romans.
Anglian (English) place name elements ham, inga and ingaham are often closely related those of Roman sites and Roman roads. Running north south and following approximately, the magnesium limestone belt, a line of ingaham (Collingham "homestead of Cola's folk") and ham (Bramham "homestead amongst the broom") names can be identified, which also coincide with the distribution of seventh century burials.
Bramham is recorded in the Domesday Book
as the Manor of Bramham and the Holder in 1066 was Ligulfr. The amount of land to be taxed (geld) was 12 carucates and there were eight ploughs in the village. By 1086, Bramham was held by Nigel from Count Robert of Mortain and Demesne ploughs (for lord’s needs) were three. There were 15 villeins or tenant farmers holding a total of 5.5 ploughs between them. An estimate of the total population of Bramham in 1086 was 68. Bramham's value in 1066 was 160 shillings but only 50 shillings in 1086 after the harrying of the north
, indicating quite a severe levels of destruction. Bramham was a mill site in 1086. In comparison Wetherby
had a population of 41 and was valued at only 20 shillings in both 1066 and 1086.
The oldest part of All Saints Parish Church in Bramham was built in about 1150 by the Normans. The church consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with tower and short spire; and has a fine pointed doorway. The churchyard is oval in shape and therefore Saxon in origin.
Older residences in the centre of the village are constructed of magnesium limestone
quarried in the parish. Stone from Bramham was used for the pendants and hanging ornaments on the vaults and ceilings of York Minster
, and in records of the building of the Minster, Bramham stone is specially referred to as being used for this purpose. The Bramham limestone was transported to York
by water from Tadcaster
or Cawood
.
The Battle of Bramham Moor
was fought, in the snow, on the 19th February 1408. Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland
, who with other nobles had rebelled against King Henry IV
, was met here by Sir Thomas Rokeby; the rebels were cut to pieces and Percy was killed, his head, with its silver locks, being carried off and set on a stake on London Bridge.
There is a memorial stone marking where the Earl of Northumberland fell and was killed at Blackfen Wood, Bramham, but the stone was moved from the actual site of the battle some years ago. A plaque erected to denote the significance of the stone has been vandalised and nowadays is difficult to find or decipher. In 2008, to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the battle, an information board and a two-sided limestone
memorial stone bearing "Bramham" and "Site of Battle" signs was erected on Paradise Way, the new local access road, which crosses the ancient battlefield.
It is known that English Civil War
soldiers who died during the Battle of Marston Moor
in 1644, a few miles to the north-east, are buried in the churchyard at Bramham. Records show that three soldiers rest there: Samuell Allan, Robert Johnson and Thomas Mirole. Prior to the battle, Cromwell is reputed to have trained his Ironsides on Bramham Moor, and to have recruited local young farmers whose riding skills made them ideal cavalry soldiers.
By 1686, Bramham was an important staging post on the London
- Edinburgh
coaching route and surprisingly had a population of 291, which was higher than that of Wetherby
at only 279. In 1801, the population of Bramham was around 800, reaching 1,300 by 1861. However, a significant decline led to the population falling back to 950 in 1901. The population has gradually been increasing since then, although the 1861 peak was only overtaken in 1981. By 2001, the village had a population of about 1,750, about a quarter of whom were under the age of 19 and well over half (62%) were under the age of 44, making it a village of young people. There were 674 households, a growth of 20% on the 1991 census.
Arthur Mee
's "The King's England: Yorkshire West Riding" first printed in 1941 describes Bramham as follows:
During World War I
there was an aerodrome at Bramham Moor at Headley Bar, which opened on the 18th March 1916. The aerodrome was set in 198 acre (0.80127828 km²) of land of which 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) was occupied by station buildings. Initially, "B" and "C" flights, 33 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps
were based at the new aerodrome with "A" flight detached to nearby York Racecourse. Following a bombing raid on York on 2 May 1916 by Zeppelin
airships, the airfield on York racecourse was closed, and 33 Squadron at RFC Bramham Moor became responsible for the air defence of Leeds
, Sheffield
and York
against further Zeppelin
attack. 33 Squadron's aircraft were the RAF BE 2c and BE 2d biplanes, these later being replaced by the much better FE 2b biplane
. In early 1918, after the RAF was formed, RFC Bramham Moor became known as RAF Tadcaster. In July 1918, a group of American pilots and ground staff were based at Bramham Moor for training. When the USA had entered World War I in 1917, their pilots had gone straight into action with a lack of combat experience and had suffered heavy losses. It was subsequently decided that all American pilots should pass through the British training schools such as the one at Bramham. After World War I
, with a reduced need for warplanes, the aerodrome was closed down in December 1919. One large hangar remains, as a listed building, among the barns of Headley Hall Farm. During World War II
, dummy aeroplanes were left on the old runway so that from the air, it looked like an operational airfield.
For many years, the village had a rural emphasis although as the Great North Road grew in importance, the number of coaching inns and stables increased to service the passing trade. Over the years, a significant amount of employment has been provided by the local estates, particularly Bramham Park
and the other grand houses in the village. The late 20th century saw a decline in employment in agriculture that coincided with the growth of the village as home to a significant number of commuters. As a result, the village has become increasingly diverse in nature. A large part of the village is included in a Conservation Area
and all the land outside the present built area is currently designated Green Belt
.
The celebrated army officer
, ethnologist and anthropologist General Augustus Pitt Rivers
was born in Bramham cum Oglethorpe on 14 April 1827.
The annual report by the chairman of the Parish Council in 2004 records:
Comprehensive School.
The history of Bramham is long, but what sets the village apart are the many community-based activities, such as its drama group, Bramham Guides and Brownies, Bramham Youth Club, Bramham Ramblers, Bramham in Bloom, the Bramham NSPCC
Group and the Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association.
Bramham Community Action Group was established in 2005 and is implementing elements of a far-reaching Parish Plan. In 2006 the group organised the Bramham Gala, which was held on the playing fields on Aberford Road. This was the first time the event has been held for over 20 years and was a success. Bramham Gala took place again in June 2007 and is now scheduled as a yearly event.
Many of the community based activities take place in Bramham Village Hall. In 2005/6 the Village Hall provided regular facilities for a number of village organisations including the Drama group, Dance and Fitness classes, Brownies, Youth club, Church functions, Senior Citizens party, Children’s and Adult Parties, Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association. In addition, there have been a variety of entertainment highlights include bands from the States and Sweden, comedian Dominic Holland
, an evening featuring Indian musicians and the popular New Year's Eve
party with local band The Spacecats.
Since 2003, the Leeds Music Festival has been held on the three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend in the grounds of Bramham Park. Under an agreement between Leeds City Council, the Parish Council, the promoter (Festival Republic Music Group) and the Bramham Park
Estate, a limited number of free tickets are available to residents of the parish who make a financial contribution (which is substantially less than the normal weekend price) to the Bramham Community Fund. Limited tickets are also made available to residents of Bardsey
and Clifford
.
Festival Republic, formerly Mean Fiddler
, the promoter of the festival has specified that this fund should be used to benefit the residents of the village and grants have been made to many of Bramham's local community groups. The Fund has, so far, made grants of over £140,000 in total.
The Red Lion public house has its own darts and pool teams who both play in the Wetherby and District pub league. The Swan (also known as the Top Pub) has a dominoes team, but the White Horse has closed and in 2010 was converted into a private residence.
. Since reforming in 2005, Bramham FC have won several trophies including the prestigious Barkston Ash
Cup in 2005 as well as the Harrogate and District League
Division One title in 2006 and again in 2007. Bramham also has Junior and Girls football teams.
Bramham and Clifford Cricket Club has two teams in the local Wetherby and District League as well as a Thursday evening team in the Whixley
Evening League. It plays at Rhodes Lane in nearby Clifford
village.
The Bramham Horse Trials
are held at Bramham Park
every June and form one of the UK's leading 3-day horse riding events
, attracting an international list of competitors. In 2006, over 35,000 visitors attended the event. Bramham International Horse Trials was voted the best event in the British Equestrian Trade Awards in February 2006.
Levi Whitehead of Bramham was the swiftest runner in England in his day. He ran four miles (6 km) in 19 minutes, and even when he was 96, he walked four miles (6 km) an hour. He was aged 100 when he took his last step in 1787.
in 1869. Several pupils died and are buried next to their headmaster under the yew tree at the eastern end of Bramham churchyard. Former pupils of Bramham College formed Bradford Football Club in 1863 and in 1880 they joined Bradford cricket club at Bradford Park Avenue
.
(1676-1731) who had built Bramham Park
in the late 17th century. George Fox Lane was Member of Parliament for York from 1742 to 1761 and was created Lord Bingley in 1762. His only son Robert Fox Lane pre-deceased his parents and eventually in 1792, the Bramham Park estate came to James Fox (1758-1821), the nephew of George Fox Lane. James "Jemmy" Fox was a scholar, a raconteur and, for a time, Member of Parliament for Horsham
. He was also a keen horseman and devoted himself to the estate and organised the Bramham Moor Hunt on regular lines, collecting the hounds into a pack and hunting on set days over recognised hunting country. The famous hunting man's toast: "The Bramham Moor and five-and-twenty couple" was initiated by "Jemmy" Fox. Another of his ideas was the reversing the Fox Lane name he had adopted to Lane Fox.
In 2002, the Bramham Moor Hunt merged with the Badsworth Hunt to become the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt. The Bramham fox hounds, which, for many years, had been kennelled at Hope Hall, Bramham moved to Thorpe Audlin
, near Pontefract. The Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt has a large following of supporters and is active in the areas that the two separate hunts covered previously.
A Gresley D49 4-4-0 "Hunt" class locomotive, "The Bramham Moor" was built in April 1932 for the LNER. "The Bramham Moor", LNER number 201 (later British Railways 62736) typically hauled seven to ten coach trains on moderate length (50-100 mile) journeys in the north-east of England and remained in service until June 1958 when it was scrapped.
was used as filming locations for filming external scenes in the 1980s ITV
Yorkshire Television
situation comedy series In Loving Memory
, starring Dame Thora Hird and Christopher Beeny
.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the City of Leeds
City of Leeds
The City of Leeds is a local government district of West Yorkshire, England, governed by Leeds City Council, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. The metropolitan district includes Leeds and the towns of Farsley, Garforth, Guiseley, Horsforth, Morley, Otley, Pudsey, Rothwell,...
metropolitan borough
Metropolitan borough
A metropolitan borough is a type of local government district in England, and is a subdivision of a metropolitan county. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972, metropolitan boroughs are defined in English law as metropolitan districts, however all of them have been granted or regranted...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Overview
According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 1,715. Bramham is located three miles (5 km) south of WetherbyWetherby
Wetherby is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Wharfe, and has been for centuries a crossing place and staging post on the Great North Road, being mid-way between London and Edinburgh...
, midway between Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
and York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and about 12 miles (19.3 km) south of Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
in the so-called "Golden Triangle". Bramham is a part of the Wetherby Ward of Leeds Metropolitan Council and is at the north-eastern edge of West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
where it borders North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
at Tadcaster
Tadcaster
Tadcaster is a market town and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. Lying on the Great North Road approximately east of Leeds and west of York. It is the last town on the River Wharfe before it joins the River Ouse about downstream...
, 4 miles (6.4 km) away. Bramham was in the Elmet constituency
Elmet (UK Parliament constituency)
Elmet was a county constituency in West Yorkshire represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
until the 2010 general election when it became part of the newly created Elmet and Rothwell constituency
Elmet and Rothwell (UK Parliament constituency)
Elmet and Rothwell is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
and the local Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
M.P. is Alec Shelbrooke
Alec Shelbrooke
Alec Edward Shelbrooke is a British Conservative Party politician, who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Elmet and Rothwell, a new constituency created as a result of changes made by the Boundary Commission for England...
.
Bramham Park
Bramham Park
Bramham Park is a country house between Leeds and Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The Baroque mansion was built in 1698 by Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley. It has remained in the ownership of Benson's descendents since its completion in 1710...
(at ), two miles (3 km) to the south-west of the village, is home to the Leeds Festival
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
, an annual music and arts festival, which is held over the August Bank Holiday weekend each year.
History
Bramham is at the crossroads of the east-west Roman road from YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
through Tadcaster
Tadcaster
Tadcaster is a market town and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. Lying on the Great North Road approximately east of Leeds and west of York. It is the last town on the River Wharfe before it joins the River Ouse about downstream...
to Ilkley
Ilkley
Ilkley is a spa town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, in the north of England. Ilkley civil parish includes the adjacent village of Ben Rhydding and is a ward within the metropolitan borough of Bradford. Approximately north of Bradford, the town lies mainly on the south bank of the River Wharfe...
and the north-south Great North Road, now the A1 road, giving it a history that goes back to the Romans.
Bramham is recorded in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as the Manor of Bramham and the Holder in 1066 was Ligulfr. The amount of land to be taxed (geld) was 12 carucates and there were eight ploughs in the village. By 1086, Bramham was held by Nigel from Count Robert of Mortain and Demesne ploughs (for lord’s needs) were three. There were 15 villeins or tenant farmers holding a total of 5.5 ploughs between them. An estimate of the total population of Bramham in 1086 was 68. Bramham's value in 1066 was 160 shillings but only 50 shillings in 1086 after the harrying of the north
Harrying of the North
The Harrying of the North was a series of campaigns waged by William the Conqueror in the winter of 1069–1070 to subjugate Northern England, and is part of the Norman conquest of England...
, indicating quite a severe levels of destruction. Bramham was a mill site in 1086. In comparison Wetherby
Wetherby
Wetherby is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Wharfe, and has been for centuries a crossing place and staging post on the Great North Road, being mid-way between London and Edinburgh...
had a population of 41 and was valued at only 20 shillings in both 1066 and 1086.
The oldest part of All Saints Parish Church in Bramham was built in about 1150 by the Normans. The church consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with tower and short spire; and has a fine pointed doorway. The churchyard is oval in shape and therefore Saxon in origin.
Older residences in the centre of the village are constructed of magnesium limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
quarried in the parish. Stone from Bramham was used for the pendants and hanging ornaments on the vaults and ceilings of York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
, and in records of the building of the Minster, Bramham stone is specially referred to as being used for this purpose. The Bramham limestone was transported to York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
by water from Tadcaster
Tadcaster
Tadcaster is a market town and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. Lying on the Great North Road approximately east of Leeds and west of York. It is the last town on the River Wharfe before it joins the River Ouse about downstream...
or Cawood
Cawood
Cawood is a large village and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England that is notable as the finding-place of the Cawood sword....
.
Battle of Bramham Moor
The Battle of Bramham Moor was the final battle in the Percy Rebellion of 1402 – 1408, which pitted the Earl of Northumberland, leader of the wealthy and influential Percy family, against the usurper King of England, King Henry IV...
was fought, in the snow, on the 19th February 1408. Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland
Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland
Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, 4th Baron Percy, titular King of Mann, KG, Lord Marshal was the son of Henry de Percy, 3rd Baron Percy and a descendent of Henry III of England. His mother was Mary of Lancaster, daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, son of Edmund, Earl of Leicester and...
, who with other nobles had rebelled against King Henry IV
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
, was met here by Sir Thomas Rokeby; the rebels were cut to pieces and Percy was killed, his head, with its silver locks, being carried off and set on a stake on London Bridge.
There is a memorial stone marking where the Earl of Northumberland fell and was killed at Blackfen Wood, Bramham, but the stone was moved from the actual site of the battle some years ago. A plaque erected to denote the significance of the stone has been vandalised and nowadays is difficult to find or decipher. In 2008, to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the battle, an information board and a two-sided limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
memorial stone bearing "Bramham" and "Site of Battle" signs was erected on Paradise Way, the new local access road, which crosses the ancient battlefield.
It is known that English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
soldiers who died during the Battle of Marston Moor
Battle of Marston Moor
The Battle of Marston Moor was fought on 2 July 1644, during the First English Civil War of 1642–1646. The combined forces of the Scottish Covenanters under the Earl of Leven and the English Parliamentarians under Lord Fairfax and the Earl of Manchester defeated the Royalists commanded by Prince...
in 1644, a few miles to the north-east, are buried in the churchyard at Bramham. Records show that three soldiers rest there: Samuell Allan, Robert Johnson and Thomas Mirole. Prior to the battle, Cromwell is reputed to have trained his Ironsides on Bramham Moor, and to have recruited local young farmers whose riding skills made them ideal cavalry soldiers.
By 1686, Bramham was an important staging post on the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
coaching route and surprisingly had a population of 291, which was higher than that of Wetherby
Wetherby
Wetherby is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Wharfe, and has been for centuries a crossing place and staging post on the Great North Road, being mid-way between London and Edinburgh...
at only 279. In 1801, the population of Bramham was around 800, reaching 1,300 by 1861. However, a significant decline led to the population falling back to 950 in 1901. The population has gradually been increasing since then, although the 1861 peak was only overtaken in 1981. By 2001, the village had a population of about 1,750, about a quarter of whom were under the age of 19 and well over half (62%) were under the age of 44, making it a village of young people. There were 674 households, a growth of 20% on the 1991 census.
Arthur Mee
Arthur Mee
Arthur Henry Mee was a British writer, journalist and educator. He is best known for The Harmsworth Self-Educator, The Children's Encyclopaedia, The Children's Newspaper, and The King's England...
's "The King's England: Yorkshire West Riding" first printed in 1941 describes Bramham as follows:
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
there was an aerodrome at Bramham Moor at Headley Bar, which opened on the 18th March 1916. The aerodrome was set in 198 acre (0.80127828 km²) of land of which 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) was occupied by station buildings. Initially, "B" and "C" flights, 33 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
were based at the new aerodrome with "A" flight detached to nearby York Racecourse. Following a bombing raid on York on 2 May 1916 by Zeppelin
Zeppelin
A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893. His plans were reviewed by committee in 1894 and patented in the United States on 14 March 1899...
airships, the airfield on York racecourse was closed, and 33 Squadron at RFC Bramham Moor became responsible for the air defence of Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
against further Zeppelin
Zeppelin
A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893. His plans were reviewed by committee in 1894 and patented in the United States on 14 March 1899...
attack. 33 Squadron's aircraft were the RAF BE 2c and BE 2d biplanes, these later being replaced by the much better FE 2b biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
. In early 1918, after the RAF was formed, RFC Bramham Moor became known as RAF Tadcaster. In July 1918, a group of American pilots and ground staff were based at Bramham Moor for training. When the USA had entered World War I in 1917, their pilots had gone straight into action with a lack of combat experience and had suffered heavy losses. It was subsequently decided that all American pilots should pass through the British training schools such as the one at Bramham. After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, with a reduced need for warplanes, the aerodrome was closed down in December 1919. One large hangar remains, as a listed building, among the barns of Headley Hall Farm. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, dummy aeroplanes were left on the old runway so that from the air, it looked like an operational airfield.
For many years, the village had a rural emphasis although as the Great North Road grew in importance, the number of coaching inns and stables increased to service the passing trade. Over the years, a significant amount of employment has been provided by the local estates, particularly Bramham Park
Bramham Park
Bramham Park is a country house between Leeds and Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The Baroque mansion was built in 1698 by Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley. It has remained in the ownership of Benson's descendents since its completion in 1710...
and the other grand houses in the village. The late 20th century saw a decline in employment in agriculture that coincided with the growth of the village as home to a significant number of commuters. As a result, the village has become increasingly diverse in nature. A large part of the village is included in a Conservation Area
Conservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
and all the land outside the present built area is currently designated Green Belt
Green belt
A green belt or greenbelt is a policy and land use designation used in land use planning to retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighbouring urban areas. Similar concepts are greenways or green wedges which have a linear character and may run through an...
.
The celebrated army officer
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, ethnologist and anthropologist General Augustus Pitt Rivers
Augustus Pitt Rivers
Lieutenant-General Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt Rivers was an English army officer, ethnologist, and archaeologist. He was noted for his innovations in archaeological methods, and in the museum display of archaeological and ethnological collections.-Life and career:Born Augustus Henry Lane-Fox at...
was born in Bramham cum Oglethorpe on 14 April 1827.
Description
Education
Bramham Primary School, just outside the parish boundary, provides the village's primary education, mainly feeding Boston SpaBoston Spa
Boston Spa is a village and civil parish in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England, south of Wetherby, on the banks of the River Wharfe...
Comprehensive School.
Healthcare
For health care, Bramham's Medical Centre is located on Clifford Road, near the centre of the village. Hospital treatment is usually provided by hospitals in Leeds or Harrogate. Bramham also has an ambulance station, however Yorkshire Ambulance have considered moving the station to Wetherby, since the upgrade to the A1(M) has meant the Bramham site no longer enjoys as easy access to the motorway.Community activities
NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a United Kingdom charity campaigning and working in child protection.-History:...
Group and the Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association.
Bramham Community Action Group was established in 2005 and is implementing elements of a far-reaching Parish Plan. In 2006 the group organised the Bramham Gala, which was held on the playing fields on Aberford Road. This was the first time the event has been held for over 20 years and was a success. Bramham Gala took place again in June 2007 and is now scheduled as a yearly event.
Many of the community based activities take place in Bramham Village Hall. In 2005/6 the Village Hall provided regular facilities for a number of village organisations including the Drama group, Dance and Fitness classes, Brownies, Youth club, Church functions, Senior Citizens party, Children’s and Adult Parties, Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association. In addition, there have been a variety of entertainment highlights include bands from the States and Sweden, comedian Dominic Holland
Dominic Holland
Dominic Holland is an English comedian, and author. He also performs at corporate functions. He won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award in Edinburgh in 1993.-Appearances:...
, an evening featuring Indian musicians and the popular New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
party with local band The Spacecats.
Since 2003, the Leeds Music Festival has been held on the three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend in the grounds of Bramham Park. Under an agreement between Leeds City Council, the Parish Council, the promoter (Festival Republic Music Group) and the Bramham Park
Bramham Park
Bramham Park is a country house between Leeds and Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The Baroque mansion was built in 1698 by Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley. It has remained in the ownership of Benson's descendents since its completion in 1710...
Estate, a limited number of free tickets are available to residents of the parish who make a financial contribution (which is substantially less than the normal weekend price) to the Bramham Community Fund. Limited tickets are also made available to residents of Bardsey
Bardsey, West Yorkshire
Bardsey, West Yorkshire, England is a small village in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, north east of Leeds city centre. The village is in the LS17 Leeds postcode district. It is part of the civil parish of Bardsey cum Rigton...
and Clifford
Clifford, West Yorkshire
Clifford is a small village in the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The village is 3 miles south of Wetherby. Many of the older buildings are built of magnesian limestone.-History:...
.
Festival Republic, formerly Mean Fiddler
Mean Fiddler
The Astoria 2, subsequently known as the LA2 then the Mean Fiddler, was a nightclub at 165 Charing Cross Road in London, England.The venue was connected to the London Astoria such that the two venues could function as a single venue where needed...
, the promoter of the festival has specified that this fund should be used to benefit the residents of the village and grants have been made to many of Bramham's local community groups. The Fund has, so far, made grants of over £140,000 in total.
The Red Lion public house has its own darts and pool teams who both play in the Wetherby and District pub league. The Swan (also known as the Top Pub) has a dominoes team, but the White Horse has closed and in 2010 was converted into a private residence.
Sport
Playing home games at Freely Lane, Bramham Football Club, was first founded in 1907 and has two teams in the Harrogate and District LeagueHarrogate and District League
The Harrogate and District League is a football competition based in Yorkshire, England. It has a total of four divisions, the highest of which, the Premier Division, sits at level 14 of the English football league system...
. Since reforming in 2005, Bramham FC have won several trophies including the prestigious Barkston Ash
Barkston Ash
Barkston Ash is a small village and civil parish close to Selby in North Yorkshire, England. Until recently it was officially called Barkston. A local legend has it that the ash tree which stands in the centre of the village and gives it its name also marks the exact centre of Yorkshire, and that...
Cup in 2005 as well as the Harrogate and District League
Harrogate and District League
The Harrogate and District League is a football competition based in Yorkshire, England. It has a total of four divisions, the highest of which, the Premier Division, sits at level 14 of the English football league system...
Division One title in 2006 and again in 2007. Bramham also has Junior and Girls football teams.
Bramham and Clifford Cricket Club has two teams in the local Wetherby and District League as well as a Thursday evening team in the Whixley
Whixley
Whixley is a village and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It is near the A1 road and 10 miles west of York. The ancient village of Whixley lies on Rudgate, the old Roman road along which the Roman “Hispania” Legion would have marched to nearby Isurium .To the...
Evening League. It plays at Rhodes Lane in nearby Clifford
Clifford, West Yorkshire
Clifford is a small village in the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The village is 3 miles south of Wetherby. Many of the older buildings are built of magnesian limestone.-History:...
village.
The Bramham Horse Trials
Bramham Horse Trials
Bramham Horse Trials is one of the UK's premier three day events, taking place every June on the Lane Fox's Bramham Park Estate, near Leeds in Yorkshire...
are held at Bramham Park
Bramham Park
Bramham Park is a country house between Leeds and Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The Baroque mansion was built in 1698 by Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley. It has remained in the ownership of Benson's descendents since its completion in 1710...
every June and form one of the UK's leading 3-day horse riding events
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
, attracting an international list of competitors. In 2006, over 35,000 visitors attended the event. Bramham International Horse Trials was voted the best event in the British Equestrian Trade Awards in February 2006.
Levi Whitehead of Bramham was the swiftest runner in England in his day. He ran four miles (6 km) in 19 minutes, and even when he was 96, he walked four miles (6 km) an hour. He was aged 100 when he took his last step in 1787.
Bramham College
Bramham College was a public school opened in January 1843 when Dr. Benjamin Haigh leased Bramham Biggin plus some 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) of parks and gardens. The college was much extended to include a large hall, theatre, gymnasium, cloisters and the huge Grecian style refectory culminated in a glass dome. The college quickly earned a good reputation and during its short life, Bramham College attracted the sons of many leading Yorkshire families. The school was forced to close after falling into decline following a severe epidemic of choleraCholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
in 1869. Several pupils died and are buried next to their headmaster under the yew tree at the eastern end of Bramham churchyard. Former pupils of Bramham College formed Bradford Football Club in 1863 and in 1880 they joined Bradford cricket club at Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
.
The Bramham Moor Hunt
The Bramham Moor Hunt was first founded in the 1740s by George Fox Lane, the son-in-law of Robert Benson, 1st Baron BingleyRobert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley
Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley, PC was an English politician of the 18th century.-Life:Robert Benson was born in Wakefield. He went to school in London before studying at Christ's College, Cambridge...
(1676-1731) who had built Bramham Park
Bramham Park
Bramham Park is a country house between Leeds and Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The Baroque mansion was built in 1698 by Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley. It has remained in the ownership of Benson's descendents since its completion in 1710...
in the late 17th century. George Fox Lane was Member of Parliament for York from 1742 to 1761 and was created Lord Bingley in 1762. His only son Robert Fox Lane pre-deceased his parents and eventually in 1792, the Bramham Park estate came to James Fox (1758-1821), the nephew of George Fox Lane. James "Jemmy" Fox was a scholar, a raconteur and, for a time, Member of Parliament for Horsham
Horsham (UK Parliament constituency)
Horsham is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :...
. He was also a keen horseman and devoted himself to the estate and organised the Bramham Moor Hunt on regular lines, collecting the hounds into a pack and hunting on set days over recognised hunting country. The famous hunting man's toast: "The Bramham Moor and five-and-twenty couple" was initiated by "Jemmy" Fox. Another of his ideas was the reversing the Fox Lane name he had adopted to Lane Fox.
In 2002, the Bramham Moor Hunt merged with the Badsworth Hunt to become the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt. The Bramham fox hounds, which, for many years, had been kennelled at Hope Hall, Bramham moved to Thorpe Audlin
Thorpe Audlin
Thorpe Audlin is a village and civil parish in the City of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 659. Until 1974 it was part of Hemsworth Rural District....
, near Pontefract. The Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt has a large following of supporters and is active in the areas that the two separate hunts covered previously.
A Gresley D49 4-4-0 "Hunt" class locomotive, "The Bramham Moor" was built in April 1932 for the LNER. "The Bramham Moor", LNER number 201 (later British Railways 62736) typically hauled seven to ten coach trains on moderate length (50-100 mile) journeys in the north-east of England and remained in service until June 1958 when it was scrapped.
Location grid
Media (TV Fame)
Between 1979 and 1986, Bramham along with fellow nearby place of LuddendenLuddenden
Luddenden is a district of Calderdale west of Halifax on the river Ludd in the county of West Yorkshire, England.The name means Ludd valley, or valley of the loud stream and refers to the Luddenden Brook....
was used as filming locations for filming external scenes in the 1980s ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television, now officially known as ITV Yorkshire and sometimes unofficially abbreviated to YTV, is a British television broadcaster and the contractor for the Yorkshire franchise area on the ITV network...
situation comedy series In Loving Memory
In Loving Memory (TV series)
In Loving Memory is a British period sitcom set in an undertakers business that starred Thora Hird and Christopher Beeny. A pilot was transmitted in 1969 by Thames Television who rejected the idea before it was finally accepted by Yorkshire Television in 1979 where it further ran for five series...
, starring Dame Thora Hird and Christopher Beeny
Christopher Beeny
Born in London, Beeny began his career at the age of six when he danced for the ' Ballet Rambert. He spent several years at the ' Arts Educational School before later progressing to 'RADA.His first screen role was in the 1952 film The Long Memory...
.