Heysham
Encyclopedia
Heysham is a large coastal village near Lancaster
in the county of Lancashire
, England
. Overlooking Morecambe Bay
, it is a ferry port with services to the Isle of Man
and Ireland
. Heysham is the site of two nuclear power stations which are landmarks visible from hills in the surrounding area. Heysham has been identified as one potential location for the next generation of nuclear power stations.
district, with three wards: Heysham Central (with a population of 4,397), Heysham North (5,477), and Heysham South (6,262); together they have a population of 16,136 (2001 census), although these extend into areas beyond the village of Heysham itself, which has a population of approximately 6,500.
, close to St. Peter's Church
. They are thought to date from the 11th century, and are hewn from solid rock. Local legend has it that St. Patrick
landed here after crossing from Ireland
and established the chapel. However it has been established that the chapel was built around 300 years after Patrick's death. These stone graves appear on the cover of the Black Sabbath
CD, 'The Best of Black Sabbath
'.
The grounds of St. Peter's Church contain many Saxon
and Viking
remains, and the church itself contains a Viking hogback stone
. The purpose of these strange stone sculptures is the subject of much debate; they are found mainly in the north of England, and also in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and a few areas of southern England with Viking links.
Lancaster Museum holds artefacts from the area such as stone axe and hammer heads (some weighing up to 4 kilograms (9 lb)) dating back to the New Stone Age. Many of these artefacts and their original location suggest that this was an ancient burial ground, or barrow
; the area is still known locally as "The Barrows". The Barrows are the only sea-cliffs in Lancashire and contain, in a relatively small area, woodland, open grassland, sandy beaches, and deep rock pools.
Gold Small Village awards in both 2005 and 2007.
Heysham also had a large outdoor karting track on Heysham Head where racing legend Nigel Mansell used to race in his teenage years.
Heysham is the terminus of the Stanlow-Heysham oil pipeline
, and of a gas pipeline
that originates in Morecambe field in the Irish Sea
.
service to the Isle of Man
, as well as freight to Ireland and services for the eastern Irish Sea
and Morecambe Bay gas fields. A SeaCat
service to Belfast
started in 1999. Some ferries connect with trains from Heysham Port railway station
to Lancaster via the Morecambe Branch Line
.
Tide tables can be obtained at Bay Horse
Lancaster weather site.
was in Heysham in the 1790s when travelling throughout Britain. His paintings show an early Heysham village with the spectacular lakeland backdrop.
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
in the county of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, 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...
. Overlooking Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay is a large bay in northwest England, nearly due east of the Isle of Man and just to the south of the Lake District National Park. It is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 310 km².-Natural features:The rivers Leven,...
, it is a ferry port with services to the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Heysham is the site of two nuclear power stations which are landmarks visible from hills in the surrounding area. Heysham has been identified as one potential location for the next generation of nuclear power stations.
Demography
Administratively, Heysham is part of the City of LancasterCity of Lancaster
The City of Lancaster , is a local government district of Lancashire, England, with the status of a city and non-metropolitan district. It is named after its largest settlement, Lancaster, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Morecambe, Heysham, and Carnforth, as well as...
district, with three wards: Heysham Central (with a population of 4,397), Heysham North (5,477), and Heysham South (6,262); together they have a population of 16,136 (2001 census), although these extend into areas beyond the village of Heysham itself, which has a population of approximately 6,500.
History
Of historical interest are the stone graves in the ruins of the ancient St. Patrick's ChapelSt Patrick's Chapel, Heysham
St Patrick's Chapel, Heysham is a ruined building which stands on a headland above St Peter's Church, Heysham, Lancashire, England . It is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.-Description:...
, close to St. Peter's Church
St Peter's Church, Heysham
St Peter's Church, Heysham, is in the village of Heysham, Lancashire, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, It continues to be in use as an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Lancaster, the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the diocese of...
. They are thought to date from the 11th century, and are hewn from solid rock. Local legend has it that St. Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
landed here after crossing from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and established the chapel. However it has been established that the chapel was built around 300 years after Patrick's death. These stone graves appear on the cover of the Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
CD, 'The Best of Black Sabbath
The Best of Black Sabbath
The Best of Black Sabbath is a compilation album by Black Sabbath released in 2000 on the Sanctuary Records Label. It spans a total recording period from 1970 to 1983, begins with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, ends with Ian Gillan, former Deep Purple vocalist heading the band, begins with Black Sabbath...
'.
The grounds of St. Peter's Church contain many Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
and Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
remains, and the church itself contains a Viking hogback stone
Hogback (sculpture)
Hogbacks are stone carved Anglo-Scandinavian sculptures from 10th-12th century England and Scotland. Their function is generally accepted as grave markers.-Geography and description:...
. The purpose of these strange stone sculptures is the subject of much debate; they are found mainly in the north of England, and also in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and a few areas of southern England with Viking links.
Lancaster Museum holds artefacts from the area such as stone axe and hammer heads (some weighing up to 4 kilograms (9 lb)) dating back to the New Stone Age. Many of these artefacts and their original location suggest that this was an ancient burial ground, or barrow
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
; the area is still known locally as "The Barrows". The Barrows are the only sea-cliffs in Lancashire and contain, in a relatively small area, woodland, open grassland, sandy beaches, and deep rock pools.
Community
Heysham won Britain in BloomBritain in Bloom
RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Anglian Home Improvements, is the largest horticultural campaign in the United Kingdom. It was first held in 1963, initiated by the British Tourist Board based on the example set by Fleurissement de France. It has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society ...
Gold Small Village awards in both 2005 and 2007.
Heysham also had a large outdoor karting track on Heysham Head where racing legend Nigel Mansell used to race in his teenage years.
Heysham is the terminus of the Stanlow-Heysham oil pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
, and of a gas pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
that originates in Morecambe field in the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
.
Industry
Heysham Harbour was built in 1900, and there is a ferryFerry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service to the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, as well as freight to Ireland and services for the eastern Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
and Morecambe Bay gas fields. A SeaCat
SeaCat
SeaCat was the marketing name used by Sea Containers Ferries Scotland for its services between Northern Ireland, Scotland and England between 1992 and 2004. The company was originally based in Stranraer later moving to Belfast...
service to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
started in 1999. Some ferries connect with trains from Heysham Port railway station
Heysham Port railway station
Heysham Port railway station serves the port of Heysham in Lancashire.It is the terminus of the Morecambe Branch Line from Lancaster.A twice-daily service formerly served the railway station , which connected with the ferry to Douglas in the Isle of Man...
to Lancaster via the Morecambe Branch Line
Morecambe Branch Line
The Morecambe Branch Line is a railway line in Lancashire, England, from Lancaster to Morecambe and Heysham where services connect with the ferry service to Douglas on the Isle of Man. To reach Heysham, trains must reverse at Morecambe....
.
Tide tables can be obtained at Bay Horse
Bay Horse
Bay Horse is a sparsely populated hamlet in the English county of Lancashire. It lies between Lancaster and Preston to the north and south respectively.-Geography:...
Lancaster weather site.
Notable people
The artist J. M. W. TurnerJ. M. W. Turner
Joseph Mallord William Turner RA was an English Romantic landscape painter, watercolourist and printmaker. Turner was considered a controversial figure in his day, but is now regarded as the artist who elevated landscape painting to an eminence rivalling history painting...
was in Heysham in the 1790s when travelling throughout Britain. His paintings show an early Heysham village with the spectacular lakeland backdrop.