Swillington
Encyclopedia
Swillington is a small village and civil parish
near Leeds
, West Yorkshire
, England
, in the City of Leeds
metropolitan borough
. It is located east of the River Aire
and surrounded by streams including Fleakingley Beck. As of 2001, Swillington had a population of about 3,530.
Swillington used to be a coal mining
village until the pit closed, which caused major upsets in the community. Where Primrose Hill pit once stood is now a housing estate with streets taken from the collieries name (Primrose Hill Drive, Primrose Hill Green etc). Most residents commute to the nearby cities of Leeds and Wakefield or the towns of Rothwell and Castleford to work.
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Swillington has had quite a strong community spirit in the past which probably dates back to the mining days. However, there has been an influx of people from outside of the village in recent years which has detracted this. The village school, the sporting clubs and the drinking establishments are now the vital links keeping the community together.
The village facilities include news agents called the boozeTesco express, kurry king and another take away on Alstly lane, St. Mary's Church
, a Post Office
, one pub called "The Swillington", a doctors surgery, two Social Clubs, (The Miners Welfare and the Labour Club), a fish and chip shop, a Horse riding centre, a garden centre, a gun shop, a cafe (baugette me not), sun tanning rooms,a garage, a community centre and a parade of shops. The major roads through the village are Wakefield
Road (the A642
), Swillington Lane and Astley Lane. There are also recreational grounds surviving from the mining days which are used by local people to play sports such as Football, Cricket, Rugby League and Lawn Bowls. Unfortunately the grandstand of the football pitch has not been maintained in recent times and is currently seriously dilapidated.
"The Swillington" as it is called is not legally a pub because the historical land owners in the area (the Lowther
family) decreed that no pub could ever be built on their lands after they had sold them. Consequently "The Swillington" is a hotel, although its main function is as a licensed bar. Swillington Hall, the seat of the Lowthers was demolished in 1952.
Leventhorpe Vineyard is near the village, and has been recommended by Rick Stein
. It was until recently the most northerly commercial vineyard
in Britain. (There is now one further north, near Malton
.) It was established in 1986 by George Bowden.
Another well recommended local business is Swillington Organic Farm, a fully Soil Association
certified farm on the former Lowther estate which has been frequented by celebrity chefs and has produce that was voted the 'Best Meat In Yorkshire' in 2007.
The local school, Swillington Primary School is a medium sized school with around 270 pupils. Swillington does not have its own secondary school
so pupils normally go to either Brigshaw High School
(which is a specialist language college) or Garforth Community College
(which is a specialist performing arts college).
YEDL
, the local electricity distribution company, has its overhead line school at Swillington where it trains its apprentice linesmen and qualified linesmen in the correct techniques required to work on the electricity network throughout its license area.
There are several walks which can be taken in the area including the Leeds Country Way
which passes through the village.
Nearby villages and towns include Austhorpe
, Garforth
, Kippax
, Castleford
, Great Preston
, Little Preston, Allerton Bywater
, Oulton
, Woodlesford
, Rothwell
, Colton
, Swillington common and Methley
.
swin "pig" + lēah "wood" + tun "farm". The name was recorded as Svilentone in 1147. Historically Swillington's full title was Swillington-in-Elmet, which refers to the village being part of the former Celtic kingdom of Elmet
. However as with many other places the "-in-Elmet" has been lost in modern times with only a few exceptions such as Barwick-in-Elmet
and Sherburn-in-Elmet
surviving. Nowadays Elmet only exists as a political constituency
. Many local people, mainly of the younger generations have taken to abbreviating Swillington to "Swilly".
(Sunday), as well as a bowls team, several snooker teams and Swillington Storm RLFC, a rugby league
team.
Swillington Saints Welfare AFC first team plays in the West Yorkshire League Division One. The reserve team plays in the Selby District Football League Division Two and in recent seasons has triumphed in the Scania (North East) Cup in 2005 and finished runners-up in the Hardy Cup in 2009. The third team plays in the Leeds Red Triangle Football League
.
Swillington Welfare plays in Division One of the Leeds Combination Association Football League.
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...
near 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...
, 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...
, 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...
. It is located east of the River Aire
River Aire
The River Aire is a major river in Yorkshire, England of length . Part of the river is canalised, and is known as the Aire and Calder Navigation....
and surrounded by streams including Fleakingley Beck. As of 2001, Swillington had a population of about 3,530.
Swillington used to be a coal mining
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
village until the pit closed, which caused major upsets in the community. Where Primrose Hill pit once stood is now a housing estate with streets taken from the collieries name (Primrose Hill Drive, Primrose Hill Green etc). Most residents commute to the nearby cities of Leeds and Wakefield or the towns of Rothwell and Castleford to work.
The village facilities include news agents called the boozeTesco express, kurry king and another take away on Alstly lane, St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church, Swillington
St. Mary's Church is located on Church Lane next to Swillington Primary School, in Swillington, West Yorkshire, England. There has been a church at this location for at least 900 years. The Domesday Book of 1086 notes that 'a church is there' but no other records of that building remain...
, a Post Office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
, one pub called "The Swillington", a doctors surgery, two Social Clubs, (The Miners Welfare and the Labour Club), a fish and chip shop, a Horse riding centre, a garden centre, a gun shop, a cafe (baugette me not), sun tanning rooms,a garage, a community centre and a parade of shops. The major roads through the village are Wakefield
Wakefield
Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001....
Road (the A642
A642 road
The A642 is an A-road in West Yorkshire, England which runs from Huddersfield to the A64 near Leeds. It connects with the M1, M62 and A63.The road begins at Waterloo east of the town centre before going on via Lepton, Grange Moor, Middlestown, Horbury into Wakefield City Centre.The road then goes...
), Swillington Lane and Astley Lane. There are also recreational grounds surviving from the mining days which are used by local people to play sports such as Football, Cricket, Rugby League and Lawn Bowls. Unfortunately the grandstand of the football pitch has not been maintained in recent times and is currently seriously dilapidated.
Lowther Baronets
There have been seven Baronetcies created for members of the Lowther family, one in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia, two in the Baronetage of England, two in the Baronetage of Great Britain and two in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
family) decreed that no pub could ever be built on their lands after they had sold them. Consequently "The Swillington" is a hotel, although its main function is as a licensed bar. Swillington Hall, the seat of the Lowthers was demolished in 1952.
Leventhorpe Vineyard is near the village, and has been recommended by Rick Stein
Rick Stein
Christopher Richard "Rick" Stein OBE is an English chef, restaurateur and television presenter. He is currently the head chef and co-owner of "Rick Stein at Bannisters" at Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia, owns four restaurants in Padstow, a fish and chip shop in Falmouth, Cornwall and has...
. It was until recently the most northerly commercial vineyard
Vineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
in Britain. (There is now one further north, near Malton
Malton, North Yorkshire
Malton is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. The town is the location of the offices of Ryedale District Council and has a population of around 4,000 people....
.) It was established in 1986 by George Bowden.
Another well recommended local business is Swillington Organic Farm, a fully Soil Association
Soil Association
The Soil Association is a charity based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1946, it has over 27,000 members today. Its activities include campaign work on issues including opposition to intensive farming, support for local purchasing and public education on nutrition; as well the certification of...
certified farm on the former Lowther estate which has been frequented by celebrity chefs and has produce that was voted the 'Best Meat In Yorkshire' in 2007.
The local school, Swillington Primary School is a medium sized school with around 270 pupils. Swillington does not have its own secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
so pupils normally go to either Brigshaw High School
Brigshaw High School
Brigshaw High School and Language College is located in the village of Allerton Bywater, West Yorkshire, England.-Admissions:It is the fastest-growing high school in the City of Leeds with over 1,400 pupils in September 2006 compared to 870 pupils in 1996....
(which is a specialist language college) or Garforth Community College
Garforth Community College
Garforth Academy is a secondary school and sixth form for pupils aged 11–18 and is located on Lidgett Lane in Garforth, West Yorkshire, England.The college has specialist Arts College status...
(which is a specialist performing arts college).
YEDL
CE Electric UK
Northern Powergrid Holdings Company is an electrical distribution company based in Newcastle Upon Tyne in England...
, the local electricity distribution company, has its overhead line school at Swillington where it trains its apprentice linesmen and qualified linesmen in the correct techniques required to work on the electricity network throughout its license area.
There are several walks which can be taken in the area including the Leeds Country Way
Leeds Country Way
The Leeds Country Way is a circular long-distance footpath of 62 miles around Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is never more than 7 miles from Leeds City Square, but is mainly rural with extensive views in the outlying areas of the Leeds metropolitan district...
which passes through the village.
Nearby villages and towns include Austhorpe
Austhorpe
Austhorpe is a civil parish in east Leeds, West Yorkshire, England that is situated between Pendas Fields to the north, Whitkirk to the west, Cross Gates to the north-west and Colton to the south-west....
, Garforth
Garforth
Garforth is a town within the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, in West Yorkshire, England. The 2001 Census lists 23,892 residents in the Garforth and Swillington ward - 80.57% of which are homeowners, 20% more than the average for Leeds. Garforth itself has 15,394 of those people...
, Kippax
Kippax, West Yorkshire
Kippax is a village and civil parish in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated in the east of the city, near to Garforth and Great Preston....
, Castleford
Castleford
Castleford is the largest of the "five towns" district in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is near Pontefract, and has a population of 37,525 according to the 2001 Census, but has seen a rise in recent years and is now around 45-50,000. To the north...
, Great Preston
Great Preston
Great Preston is a small village in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated 8 miles south east of Leeds city centre, near to the town of Garforth and the villages of Kippax, Swillington and Little Preston...
, Little Preston, Allerton Bywater
Allerton Bywater
Allerton Bywater is a semi-rural village and civil parish in the south-east of City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. The village itself is north of Castleford and lies in the WF10 Castleford postcode area...
, Oulton
Oulton, West Yorkshire
Oulton is a village in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, West Yorkshire, England, between Leeds and Wakefield. It is at the junction of the A639 and A642 roads. Though now adjoining the village of Woodlesford, it was once quite separate...
, Woodlesford
Woodlesford
Woodlesford is a village in the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, England, six miles south-east of Leeds city centre. It is in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough. Woodlesford is formerly part of the Rothwell Urban District...
, Rothwell
Rothwell, West Yorkshire
Rothwell is a market town on the River Dolphin in the south east of the City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, situated between Oulton to the east, Belle Isle to the west, Woodlesford to the north east and Robin Hood to the south west. Swillington, Methley and Kippax are located...
, Colton
Colton
- England :* Colton, Cumbria* Colton, Leeds * Colton, Staffordshire- United States :*Colton, California* Colton, New York* Colton, Ohio* Colton, Oregon* Colton, South Dakota* Colton, Utah, a ghost town...
, Swillington common and Methley
Methley
Methley is a dispersed village in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, south east of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is located near Rothwell, Oulton, Woodlesford, Mickletown and Allerton Bywater. It nestles in the triangle formed by Leeds, Castleford and Wakefield, and is between the...
.
Etymology
The name Swillington is derived from Old EnglishOld English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
swin "pig" + lēah "wood" + tun "farm". The name was recorded as Svilentone in 1147. Historically Swillington's full title was Swillington-in-Elmet, which refers to the village being part of the former Celtic kingdom of Elmet
Elmet
Elmet was an independent Brythonic kingdom covering a broad area of what later became the West Riding of Yorkshire during the Early Middle Ages, between approximately the 5th century and early 7th century. Although its precise boundaries are unclear, it appears to have been bordered by the River...
. However as with many other places the "-in-Elmet" has been lost in modern times with only a few exceptions such as Barwick-in-Elmet
Barwick-in-Elmet
Barwick-in-Elmet is a village east of the centre of but still part of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is one of only three places in the area to be explicitly associated with the ancient Celtic kingdom of Elmet, the others being Scholes-in-Elmet and Sherburn-in-Elmet. It is part of...
and Sherburn-in-Elmet
Sherburn-in-Elmet
Sherburn-in-Elmet is a town and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England, situated close to Selby. It is one of only three places in the area to be explicitly associated with the ancient Celtic kingdom of Elmet via featuring the kingdom's title in its name, the others being...
surviving. Nowadays Elmet only exists as a political constituency
United Kingdom constituencies
In the United Kingdom , each of the electoral areas or divisions called constituencies elects one or more members to a parliament or assembly.Within the United Kingdom there are now five bodies with members elected by constituencies:...
. Many local people, mainly of the younger generations have taken to abbreviating Swillington to "Swilly".
Sport
The village boasts four local football teams, Swillington Saints Welfare First and Reserves (Saturday) and Swillington Welfare(Sunday), as well as a bowls team, several snooker teams and Swillington Storm RLFC, a rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team.
Swillington Saints Welfare AFC first team plays in the West Yorkshire League Division One. The reserve team plays in the Selby District Football League Division Two and in recent seasons has triumphed in the Scania (North East) Cup in 2005 and finished runners-up in the Hardy Cup in 2009. The third team plays in the Leeds Red Triangle Football League
Leeds Red Triangle Football League
The Leeds Red Triangle Football League is a football competition based in Leeds, England. This league was established in 1920 by local man Edward Rickerby and has three divisions. The Leeds Red Triangle Football League Premier Division sits at level 14 of the English football league system...
.
Swillington Welfare plays in Division One of the Leeds Combination Association Football League.
Location grid
External links
- Official Swillington Parish Council Website
- Garforth and Swillington Community Website
- LS26 Community website
- The Ancient Parish of Swillington at GENUKIGENUKIGENUKI is a genealogy web portal, run as a charitable trust. Its aim is "to serve as a "virtual reference library" of genealogical information that is of particular relevance to the UK & Ireland"...