Hemsworth

Hemsworth is a small town and civil parish on the edge of West Yorkshire, England. Historically within the West Riding of Yorkshire, it forms part of the City of Wakefield, and has a population of 13,311,[1] increasing to 15,350 for the ward in the City of Wakefield Council at the 2011 Census.[2]

For other uses, see Hemsworth (disambiguation).

Hemsworth

Archbishop Holgate Almshouses
Hemsworth
Location within West Yorkshire
Population15,350 (Ward.2011)
OS grid referenceSE430128
Civil parish
  • Hemsworth
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townPONTEFRACT
Postcode districtWF9
Dialling code01977
PoliceWest Yorkshire
FireWest Yorkshire
AmbulanceYorkshire
UK Parliament

It was a one-industry town, where coal mining employed the vast majority of residents, and the closure of the pits during the 1980s led to huge levels of unemployment and deprivation in the area. Hemsworth, along with nearby villages such as Ackworth, Fitzwilliam, Havercroft, Ryhill, South Elmsall and South Kirkby was made into a special regeneration area, and fortunes have improved as a result.

The Hemsworth constituency is famous for being the place where Labour votes were said to be "weighed rather than counted" during the 1960s and 1970s,[3] but the town is not even so heavily Labour-voting as it once was. The town's Member of Parliament is Jon Trickett, a former leader of Leeds council.

In May 2005, the Office for National Statistics estimated that unemployment in Hemsworth was just 2.8%. This marks progress from periods in the previous two decades when it could reach as high as 50%.

The boating lake at Hemsworth Water Park

Also in Hemsworth is the Hemsworth Water Park, situated on the outskirts of Hemsworth. Hemsworth Water Park has two lakes; the largest lake is available for pedalo rides and has a man-made sandy beach; the smallest lake is in a more secluded area to attract wildlife. Both lakes are stocked for fishing which is available all year round. There are also plenty of grassed areas for picnics and games.

In the water park, there is also Playworld, an outdoor adventure playground, which is suitable for children of all ages with a tower slide, climbing frames, a toddlers' sandpit area and a miniature railway.

A new kiosk and toilet facilities were opened in March 2006. New equipment was introduced in 2008. A new restaurant, which opened in 2011, is situated adjacent to the larger of the two fishing lakes, and serves hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks.

The local newspaper for the area is the Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express, which gives local residents the ability to voice their opinions on local topical concerns, provides local, regional, nationwide and world news.

Along with the neighbouring village of Kinsley it is mentioned in the Domesday Book which was commissioned in 1085 by William the Conqueror. The name in the Domesday Book is Hamelsworde being the 'worth' or enclosure of a possible Saxon, named Hamel.

Hemsworth was used in an episode of the Top Gear series: Series 4 episode 2.

Robert Holgate, a native of Hemsworth (1481?–1555) was consecrated Archbishop of York in January 1545.

There are many different schools including Grove Lea Primary School, West End Academy, Sacred Hearts, St Helens Primary School and Hemsworth Arts and Community Academy.

Hemsworth bus station
Hemsworth bus station in August 2009

Hemsworth bus station serves the town of Hemsworth. The bus station is managed and operated by Metro (West Yorkshire PTE) & (WYCA) - West Yorkshire Combined Authority

The bus station is situated just off Market Street and is part of the town's Tesco supermarket complex. There are five stands in total. The bus station officially opened in September 2008.

Buses run from the bus station go as far afield as Barnsley, Wakefield, Pontefract and Upton, Shafton Green, Monk Bretton. The main operators are Arriva Yorkshire, Stagecoach Yorkshire, Watersons Buses Services 36,BL Travel Service 249 and an early Monday to Friday CT Plus service to Pontefract

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References
  1. "Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Wakefield". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
  2. "City of Wakefield Ward population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  3. "Vote 2001:Hemsworth". BBC News. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
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