Blackbird Leys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackbird Leys |
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 Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre |
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 Blackbird Leys
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| Area | 2.22 km2 (0.86 sq mi) |
| Population | 13,100 (2011 census) |
| • Density | 5,901/km2 (15,280/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | SP5502 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Oxford |
| Postcode district | OX4 |
| Dialling code | 01865 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Oxfordshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | |
Blackbird Leys is a special area in Oxford, England. It is called a civil parish and also a ward. A ward is like a local area used for elections. In 2011, about 13,100 people lived here. Blackbird Leys is different from most parts of Oxford because it has its own civil parish, which was created in 1990.
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History of Blackbird Leys
How old is Blackbird Leys?
People lived in the Blackbird Leys area a very long time ago, during the Bronze Age or Iron Age. This was thousands of years ago! Scientists have found signs of old settlements, like pits and roundhouses. They also found pieces of pottery and a special weight used for weaving cloth.
The area was first called Blackford Leys. Blackford came from a dark-coloured ford, which was a shallow place to cross a stream. This ford was near the old Blackbird Leys farm. The word leys means a pasture or meadow, like a field where animals graze.
When was Blackbird Leys built?
The Blackbird Leys Estate was mostly built in the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, Oxford needed many new homes. The estate was part of a plan to re-house people from older, run-down parts of the city. Many families who moved here came from an area near where the Oxford Ice Rink is now.
Blackbird Leys was also a good place for people who worked at the Morris Motors Limited car factory in nearby Cowley.
What can you do in Blackbird Leys?
Sports and fun
The Kassam Stadium is located near Blackbird Leys. This is the home stadium for Oxford United Football Club. Building the stadium started in 1996, and the first football match was played there in 2001.
Musical groups
In 2006, some people from Blackbird Leys took part in a TV show called The Singing Estate. It was a reality show on Channel Five that followed them as they learned to sing in a classical choir. The Blackbird Leys Choir grew from this show and is still active today!
Education in Blackbird Leys
There are several schools in the area. These include Pegasus First School, Windale Community Primary School, and Northfield School. The City of Oxford College also has a campus on Cuddesdon Way. This college offers many different courses, including further education, higher education, and evening classes for the community.
Getting around Blackbird Leys
Blackbird Leys does not have its own train station. However, you can get around using local buses. The Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach in Oxfordshire provide bus services. These buses connect Blackbird Leys to central Oxford and the Oxford railway station. There is also a railway line that runs along the edge of Blackbird Leys. It is only used for freight trains, which carry goods, not passengers.
Places of worship
Blackbird Leys has two churches. One is The Church of the Holy Family, which opened in 1965. The other is Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Famous people from Blackbird Leys
- Hugh Laurie is a well-known actor, writer, musician, and comedian. He was born and grew up in Blackbird Leys.
