Leyburn Explained

Country:England
Official Name:Leyburn
Coordinates:54.309°N -1.829°W
Static Image Name:Leyburn.jpg
Static Image Caption:Leyburn Market Square
Population:2,183
Population Ref:(2011 census)
Civil Parish:Leyburn
Unitary England:North Yorkshire
Region:Yorkshire and the Humber
Constituency Westminster:Richmond
Post Town:LEYBURN
Postcode District:DL8
Postcode Area:DL
Dial Code:01969
Os Grid Reference:SE114904

Leyburn is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, sitting above the northern bank of the River Ure in Wensleydale. Historically in the North Riding of Yorkshire, the name was derived from 'Ley' or 'Le' (clearing), and 'burn' (stream), meaning clearing by the stream. Leyburn had a population of 1,844 at the 2001 census increasing to 2,183 at the 2011 Census. The estimated population in 2015 was 2,190.[1]

History

Leyburn was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 but had no recorded population.[2] The much later growth of Leyburn as a major hub is linked to the decline in fortunes of nearby Wensley, which had prominence as the only market town in Wensleydale; the village had received its Royal Charter in 1202[3] but declined dramatically after being devastated by the plague in 1563. In fact, the once important and prosperous town was mostly abandoned. Leyburn's stature increased by the 17th century when a market charter was granted by Charles II in 1686. Leyburn Town Hall was built in 1856 by Lord Bolton, and now houses several shops.[4] In 1870-72 John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Leyburn.[5]

Governance

An electoral ward for in the same name exists; this ward includes Harmby with a total population of 2,554. The local town council is housed in Thornborough Hall, dating back to the 1830s, the building also houses the local library, a North Yorkshire Council register office, and several private offices.[6]

The town lies within the Richmond (Yorks) parliamentary constituency, which is under the control of the Conservative Party. The current Member of Parliament since the 2015 general election is Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Geography

Leyburn is situated approximately 19miles west of the county town Northallerton, on the northern banks of the River Ure, near to the eastern border of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the edge of a valley or dale known as Wensleydale, which takes its name from the village of Wensley, 1.8miles to the west. Leyburn is close to a meadow nature reserve called Leyburn Old Glebe.

Demography

According to the 2011 United Kingdom census, the ward of Leyburn (including Harmby) had a total resident population of 2,554, with 1,335 females and 1,219 males. 98.2% of the population identified as white British, 1.1% as other white, a total of 1.8% identified as being of a non-white ethnic background including 0.5% Asian British, and 0.7% as black, Afro-Caribbean or black British. The place of birth of the town's residents was 95.5% United Kingdom, 1.5% from European Union countries, and 2.5% from elsewhere in the world. 75.6% described themselves as having religious beliefs; 74.9% of those were Christian, 0.8% is made up of all other religions, the largest being buddhism at 0.4%, 16.2% stated they had no religion and 8.2% did not state a religion.

The following table shows historic population changes in the Leyburn parish area between 1881 and 1961.

Year18811891190119111921193119511961
Population9729828478328681,4401,2811,357
Sources:[7]

Economy

Leyburn is a gateway town to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and relies heavily on tourism, the national park attracted 520,000 overnight visitors in 2017.[8] The market place is home to several shops, pubs, and restaurants, including national retailers Co-op Food and One Stop, as well as notable independent businesses such as the department store Milners of Leyburn, which opened in 1882 and is currently in its fifth generation of family ownership, and Campbell's of Leyburn, a grocers dating back to 1868.[9] A traditional outdoor market is held in the square every Friday, along with a livestock auction mart that started in 1918.[10] Other businesses and industries located outside the market place include a local brewery,[11] a chocolate maker[12] and a Royal Mail delivery office.[13]

Tennants Auctioneers, situated on Harmby road, is one of the largest auction houses in the UK, holding more than 80 sales each year and attracting buyers and sellers from around the world.[14] Adjacent to Tennants is The Garden Rooms, a multi-purpose events and exhibitions venue with a capacity for 640 people.[15] According to the 2011 United Kingdom census, the economic activity of residents aged 16–74 was 43.5% in full-time employment, 5.0% in part-time employment, 21.0% self-employed, 3.1% unemployed, 2.2% students with jobs, 2.0% students without jobs, 19.7% retired, 0.4% looking after home or family, 2.1% permanently sick or disabled, and 0.8% economically inactive for other reasons.

The average price of a house in Leyburn for the 12-month period ending February 2020 was £197,750[16] compared to £223,537 for North Yorkshire[17] and the national average of £232,320.[18]

Landmarks

Leyburn Shawl, an escarpment of about in length is located to the west of the town, it provides panoramic views of Wensleydale and links to footpaths towards Preston-under-Scar and Castle Bolton. According to legend, Mary, Queen of Scots, upon fleeing captivity in nearby Bolton Castle, dropped her shawl en route to Leyburn.[19] [20]

A grade II listed war memorial in the form of a cross is situated in the market place, commemorating the lives lost in both the First and Second World War.[21] Leyburn Hall, also a listed building, dates back to 1750.

Religious sites

Leyburn has four Christian places of worship; St Peter and St Paul's Roman Catholic church built in 1835,[22] the Wensleydale Evangelical Church (built in 1875 and formerly a congregational church until the early 1960s),[23] the Leyburn Methodist Church dating back to 1884,[24] and just east of the town centre the Anglican church of St Matthew, built in 1868.

Transport

Leyburn has its own railway station on the heritage Wensleydale Railway, this is the last stop westbound before the terminus at Redmire, trains also run eastbound towards Bedale and Northallerton.

Local bus services to Hawes, Northallerton, Richmond and Ripon are provided by Dales & District.

The town lies on a crossroads of the A684 road between Northallerton and Kendal, and the A6108 between Scotch Corner and Ripon.

Education

The town's secondary school, The Wensleydale School, has just over 500 pupils, with a catchment are spanning through most of Wensleydale, the school has a sixth form with around 80 students enrolled. In 2006, Wensleydale School became a Specialist Science College under a programme discontinued in 2010.[25]

The town's primary school is Leyburn Community Primary School, from where a vast majority of the pupils proceed to the Wensleydale School for secondary education, in 2017 the school became an academy. Leyburn's second primary school, St Peter and St Paul RC primary school dated back to 1835, but in 2011 it was closed due to financially unviable pupil numbers, having just 15 pupils in its last academic year.[26]

Culture and community

Sport

The town's football club, Leyburn FC, play in the Wensleydale Creamery League, an affiliate league of the North Riding County Football Association, another local team, Leyburn United FC, once reached the Harrogate and District Football League, until their resignation in 2016. United no longer have senior representation and has rebranded as Leyburn United JFC, for players aged 4 to 14.[27] [28]

Wensleydale RUFC, a rugby union club based in Leyburn currently play in Yorkshire 2, having been promoted from Yorkshire 3 as champions in the 2018–19 season.[29]

Leyburn once had a golf club, founded in 1895 and lasting until the late 1950s.[30]

The Tour de Yorkshire in May 2018 started in Richmond and finished in Scarborough, the cyclists travelled through Leyburn.[31] [32] The town was also due to be the finishing point for stage 2 of the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire,[33] however, on 17 March it was announced that the event would be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[34]

The torch relay for the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London passed through Leyburn.[35]

Cinema and theatre

Leyburn's former cinema, The Elite, opened in 1928 and could seat 500; the premises were also used to stage theatre and music shows. It was initially closed in 2007, but was re-opened by volunteers under the name The Picture House. This revival however was short lived as the cinema shut down permanently in October 2008, less than 18 months after the first closure.[36] A 64-seat cinema is now located within a multi-purpose venue named The Old School House, using the former St Peter and St Paul primary school building.[37]

Media and filmography

The town is served by two local newspapers, North Yorkshire editions of the daily Northern Echo and the weekly Darlington & Stockton Times both published by Newsquest.

Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees from the Bilsdale TV transmitter.

Local radio stations are BBC Radio York on 104.3 FM, Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire on 107.1 FM and Dales Radio on 104.9 FM.

Leyburn has appeared in various television programmes including The Department Store: Milner's, on BBC Four in 2008, and the 1960s-set drama series Heartbeat.

Events

The Dales Festival of Food and Drink was initially set up in response to the severe economic fallout experienced by the area after the 2001 foot and mouth crisis. The first event was held in the market place on May Day bank holiday weekend in 2002, after an increase in publicity and popularity, the festival moved to a larger site on the outskirts of Leyburn, however the event moved back to the market place in 2017 after a decline in revenue.[38] In 2019, after continuing to lose money, it was announced that the last festival was to be held in 2020, however as a result of cancellation owing to the COVID-19 pandemic,[39] 2019 was the final event.[40]

A 1940s weekend takes place at the end of July.[41] Wensleydale agricultural show takes place on the third Saturday in August. Saturday 23 August 2014 marked the 100th Wensleydale Show.[42] The local Rotary Club sponsors the Wensleydale Wander in March or April, organised walks of 12miles and 22miles.

Public services

Leyburn Medical Practice is the town's general practice, the catchment area spans surrounding settlements including Middleham and rural Coverdale.[43] The nearest NHS hospital is the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton 19miles to the east, emergency ambulances are provided by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and the voluntary Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Leyburn's fire and police station, is operated by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the North Yorkshire Police service. The fire element is crewed solely by retained firefighters. The former Leyburn police station was built in 1878, and was vacated in 2021, when the two services amalgamated in the fire station.[44] The proposal to co-locate was made by the former police and crime commissioner Julia Mulligan.[45] [46]

Notable people

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2015 Population Estimates Parishes. northyorks.gov.uk. 15. 5 May 2019. 4 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220604015709/https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/sites/default/files/fileroot/About%20the%20council/North%20Yorkshire%20statistics/Parish_mid-year_population_estimates_2015.pdf. dead.
  2. Web site: Leyburn Domesday Book. opendomesday.org. 31 May 2020. 26 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210926162144/https://opendomesday.org/place/SE1190/leyburn/. live.
  3. News: Wensleydale: The history of Yorkshire Dales valley famous for its cheese and appearance in original All Creatures Great and Small TV series featured in Channel 5 show starring Helen Skelton and Dan Walker. The Yorkshire Post. 30 August 2023. 30 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230830100803/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/wensleydale-the-history-of-yorkshire-dales-valley-famous-for-its-cheese-and-appearance-in-original-all-creatures-great-and-small-tv-series-featured-in-channel-5-show-starring-helen-skelton-and-dan-walker-4272702. live.
  4. News: The undisputed capital ofWensleydale. Darlington and Stockton Times. 31 May 2020. 11 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220311163213/https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/11012599.the-undisputed-capital-ofwensleydale/. live.
  5. Web site: History of Leyburn, in Richmondshire and North Riding Map and description. www.visionofbritain.org.uk. 31 May 2020. 26 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210926162144/https://visionofbritain.org.uk/place/13306. live.
  6. Web site: Thornborough Hall. Leyburn Town Council. 28 May 2020. 6 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806003740/https://leyburntowncouncil.gov.uk/thornborough-hall/. live.
  7. Web site: Leyburn CP through time Population Statistics Total Population. www.visionofbritain.org.uk. 24 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005334/https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10443799/cube/TOT_POP. live.
  8. Web site: Tourism facts and figures. Yorkshire Dales National Park. 31 May 2020.
  9. News: 151-year-old shop run by fourth generation named 'Best Village Store and Local Shop'. The Northern Echo. 31 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005339/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/17584134.campbells-leyburn-named-best-village-store-local-shop/. live.
  10. Web site: Leyburn Auctions > About. leyburnauctions.com. 31 May 2020. 14 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200814021629/http://leyburnauctions.com/About. live.
  11. News: Young North Yorkshire brewers have a real head for business. The Northern Echo. 31 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005338/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10520961.young-north-yorkshire-brewers-real-head-business/. live.
  12. News: Flock of giant chocolate robins heading to Sainsbury's. The Northern Echo. 31 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005334/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11653300.flock-giant-chocolate-robins-heading-sainsburys/. live.
  13. Web site: Delivery Office Leyburn Delivery Office in Leyburn Royal Mail Group Ltd. www.royalmail.com. 31 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005338/https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you/delivery-office/leyburn-delivery-office-dl8-5aa. live.
  14. News: Leyburn - a market town that's full of surprises. Yorkshire Life. 31 May 2020. 7 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807131133/https://www.yorkshirelife.co.uk/out-about/places/leyburn-a-market-town-that-s-full-of-surprises-1-5674505. live.
  15. Web site: Wedding, Conference and Event Venue The Garden Rooms. Garden Rooms. 31 May 2020. 9 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200809005631/http://tennantsgardenrooms.com/about-the-garden-rooms/. live.
  16. Web site: Home.co.uk: House Prices Report for Leyburn - February 2019 to February 2020. www.home.co.uk. 21 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005338/https://www.home.co.uk/guides/house_prices_report.htm?location=leyburn&lastyear=1. live.
  17. Web site: UK House Price Index. landregistry.data.gov.uk. 21 May 2020. 24 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210924025116/https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/app/ukhpi/browse?from=2019-03-01&location=http://landregistry.data.gov.uk/id/region/north-yorkshire&to=2020-03-01. live.
  18. Web site: UK House Price Index. landregistry.data.gov.uk. 21 May 2020. 3 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210803070159/https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/app/ukhpi/browse?from=2019-03-01&location=http%3A%2F%2Flandregistry.data.gov.uk%2Fid%2Fregion%2Funited-kingdom&to=2020-03-01. live.
  19. News: Shawl tales of Queen Mary's escape. Darlington and Stockton Times. 15 July 2018. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715040246/http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/weekend/countrymansdiary/10015731.Shawl_tales_of_Queen_Mary___s_escape/. live.
  20. Web site: Follow in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots in Leyburn. 10 October 2016. Yorkshire Life. 15 July 2018. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715064447/http://www.yorkshirelife.co.uk/out-about/places/follow-in-the-footsteps-of-mary-queen-of-scots-in-leyburn-1-4722216. live.
  21. Web site: LEYBURN - War Memorials Online. www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk. 31 May 2020. 18 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221018125843/https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/93996/. live.
  22. Web site: Roman Catholic Churches In Wensleydale. www.wensleydalecatholicchurches.org.uk. 31 May 2020. 26 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926140220/http://wensleydalecatholicchurches.org.uk/st-peter-st-paul.html. live.
  23. Web site: Our History. Wensleydale Evangelical Church. 2 February 2021. 6 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210206204248/https://wechurc.faithlifesites.com/about. live.
  24. Web site: Leyburn. North Yorkshire Dales. 31 May 2020. 14 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210414105304/https://www.nydalesmeth.org.uk/churches/circuit-churches/leyburn.html. live.
  25. Web site: The Wensleydale School and Sixth Form. The Wensleydale School. 8 February 2012. 19 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120219110927/http://www.wensleydale.n-yorks.sch.uk/. live.
  26. Web site: 15-pupil Dales school set to close as rural communities decline. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. 28 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005335/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/15-pupil-dales-school-set-close-rural-communities-decline-1948849. live.
  27. News: Football club annual meeting. The Northern Echo. 28 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005340/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northyorkshire/10434947.leyburn-united-annual-meeting/. live.
  28. News: Leyburn junior football club appeals for land to improve town's facilities. Willis. Joe. 14 December 2018. Richmondshire Today. 28 May 2020. 16 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181216071950/http://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/leyburn-junior-football-club-appeals-land-improve-towns-facilities/. live.
  29. News: Wensleydale RUFC secure third promotion in five years. Willis. Joe. 16 April 2019. Richmondshire Today. 28 May 2020. 18 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190418155509/http://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/wensleydale-rufc-secure-third-promotion-five-years/. live.
  30. Web site: Leyburn Golf Club. Golf's Missing Links. 19 August 2014. 30 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150430115331/http://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/england/north-east/yorkshire/375-yorkshire-leyburn-golf-club-n-yorks. live.
  31. News: TOUR DE YORKSHIRE: When and where you can see the race in Ryedale. Gazette & Herald. 3 July 2018. 3 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220513/http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/16206380.TOUR_DE_YORKSHIRE__When_and_where_you_can_see_the_race_in_Ryedale/. live.
  32. Web site: Tour de Yorkshire times 2018 – Thirsk Tourist Information. www.visitthirsk.org.uk. 3 July 2018. 3 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220200/https://www.visitthirsk.org.uk/pages/tdy2018times.php. live.
  33. News: 17 January 2020. Tour de Yorkshire 2020 route revealed with more climbing than ever. BBC Sport. 28 January 2020. 28 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200128125909/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/51145994. live.
  34. News: Tour de Yorkshire postponed over virus. BBC Sport. 28 May 2020. 18 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200318152433/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/51936155. live.
  35. Web site: Northern Echo 28/05/12. www.leyburnandbellerbyparishes.org.uk. 31 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005334/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northyorkshire/9731201.man-prepares-richmondshires-local-torchbearer/. live.
  36. Web site: Picture House in Leyburn, GB – Cinema Treasures. cinematreasures.org. 28 May 2020. 12 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200312054002/https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/3373/. live.
  37. Web site: The Old School House Leyburn > About Us. www.leyburnartscentre.com. 28 May 2020. 5 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200805184712/http://www.leyburnartscentre.com/About-Us. live.
  38. News: Dales Festival of Food and Drink to be discontinued. Willis. Joe. 5 March 2020. Richmondshire Today. 28 May 2020. 15 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230415005339/http://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/dales-festival-of-food-and-drink-to-be-discontinued/. live.
  39. Web site: Leyburn events and annual events in Leyburn food and drink festival. www.welcometoleyburn.co.uk. 28 May 2020. 6 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806125259/https://www.welcometoleyburn.co.uk/events/. live.
  40. News: Sedgwick. Philip. 6 March 2020. Dales food festival to be discontinued. 3. Darlington & Stockton Times. 10–2019. 2516-5348.
  41. News: Fabulous turn-out at Leyburn 1940s Weekend. The Northern Echo. 28 May 2020. 23 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190723180807/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/17786593.fabulous-turn-out-leyburn-1940s-weekend/. live.
  42. Web site: The 2013 Show. Show. Wensleydale. Wensleydale Agricultural Society. 24 May 2013. 8 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130608120857/http://wensleydaleshow.org.uk/the-2013-show/. live.
  43. Web site: About – Leyburn Medical Practice. 28 May 2020. 3 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200803230437/http://leyburnmedicalpractice.co.uk/index.php/about/. live.
  44. News: Chapman. Hannah. Police station for sale after officers move in with fire crews . Darlington & Stockton Times . 2021–31 . 6 August 2021 . 64. 2516-5348.
  45. News: Leyburn Police Station could close and officers move to fire station. Willis. Joe. 25 January 2019. Richmondshire Today. 28 May 2020. 27 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190127051850/http://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/leyburn-police-station-close-officers-move-fire-station/. live.
  46. News: Leyburn Police Station move would not have impact on service, Middleham Town Council hears. Willis. Joe. 18 March 2020. Richmondshire Today. 28 May 2020. 2 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220902134242/https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/leyburn-police-station-move-would-not-have-impact-on-service-middleham-town-council-hears/. live.
  47. News: Home Team Is Feeling Happy. 8 February 2012. The Northern Echo. 22 November 2002. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031551/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2002/11/22/The+North+East+Archive/7052393.Home_team_is_feeling_happy/. live.
  48. 'Gargrave, George' in the Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900
  49. Houston, Kerry: "Kitson, Charles Herbert", in: The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland, ed. Harry White & Barra Boydell (Dublin: UCD Press, 2013), p. 571–2.

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