Eastwood, West Yorkshire Explained

Country:England
Official Name:Eastwood
Coordinates:53.7279°N -2.0523°W
Pushpin Map:United Kingdom Calderdale
Metropolitan Borough:Calderdale
Metropolitan County:West Yorkshire
Region:Yorkshire and the Humber
Constituency Westminster:Calder Valley
Post Town:TODMORDEN
Postcode District:OL14
Postcode Area:OL
Dial Code:01706
Os Grid Reference:SD965257
Civil Parish:Todmorden
Static Image Name:Eastwood, Todmorden.jpg
Static Image Caption:Cottages by the Rochdale Canal, in Eastwood

Eastwood is a place within the civil parish of Todmorden and Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It lies 8miles west from Halifax, roughly equidistant from Todmorden's town centre, which is 2miles to the southwest, and Hebden Bridge, which is 2 miles to the northeast, along the course of the River Calder. Eastwood falls within the Calder ward of Calderdale council.

Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, sources suggest that Eastwood's name was almost certainly taken from the Eastwoode family, who were local landowners active from the 13th to 17th centuries. Eastwood Old Hall is the former seat of this family, and remains as a landmark and manorhouse within the locality

History

The earliest reference for Eastwood is in 1286 when it was called Estwoode.[1] The name was almost certainly taken from the Eastwoode family who owned local land from the 13th to 17th centuries,[1] and lived in Eastwood Old Hall.

In the 19th century, Eastwood was an important (and relatively wealthy) habitation with a considerable amount of industry, supported by its own railway station, which was used to support local mill workers and industrialists travel to towns as far as Rochdale and Manchester.[2]

Though today a small hamlet, Eastwood once contained its own school, chapel and cricket team.

Eastwood family

The family of Eastwood is thought to have given its name to the locality. Eastwood continues to be a common name in and around this part of northern England. Some members of this lineage included John Eastwood who fabricated Todmorden Mills in Toronto Canada.

Governance

From a very early time, Eastwood formed part of the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Halifax.[3]

From 1894 until 1939, Eastwood, together with Heptonstall and parts of the south Pennines formed part of the Todmorden Rural District, in the West Riding of Yorkshire,[4] and from 1939 until 1974, lay within Hepton Rural District, also from the West Riding.[5]

Under the Local Government Act 1972, the West Riding of Yorkshire was abolished[6] and Eastwood has since formed part of the metropolitan borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire.

Eastwood forms part of the civil parish of Todmorden.

Geography

Eastwood, set amongst the easterly portion of two wooded areas, lies along the course of the River Calder, parallel to Halifax Road and a section of the Caldervale railway line, on the west side of Jumble Hole Clough.

The Rochdale Canal passes through the settlement.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eastwood Home Page . Charlestown and Eastwood History Group . 2007-06-10.
  2. Web site: Eastwood Station and Eastwood School . Charlestown and Eastwood History Group . 2007-06-10.
  3. Web site: The Ancient Parish of Halifax . GENUKI . 2007-06-10.
  4. Web site: A vision of Todmorden RD . A Vision of Britain through time . 2007-06-10.
  5. Web site: A vision of Hepton RD . A Vision of Britain through time . 2007-06-10.
  6. Web site: A vision of West Riding . A Vision of Britain through time . 2007-06-10.