Clifford, West Yorkshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clifford |
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.jpg) St. Edward King and Confessor Catholic Church |
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 Clifford
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| Population | 1,662 (2011 census) |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WETHERBY |
| Postcode district | LS23 |
| Dialling code | 01937 |
| Police | West Yorkshire |
| Fire | West Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament | |
Clifford is a village and civil parish located in West Yorkshire, England. In 2011, about 1,662 people lived here. The village is about 3 miles (5 km) south of Wetherby. Many of the older buildings in Clifford are made from a type of rock called magnesian limestone.
Contents
What's in the Name Clifford?
The name Clifford was first written down in a very old book called the Domesday Book in 1086. It comes from two old English words: clif, which means 'cliff' or 'bank', and ford, which means a shallow place in a river where you can cross. So, Clifford means 'ford at the bank or cliff'. This might have been about a place to cross the River Wharfe near Boston Spa, which was part of the area back then.
A Look Back at Clifford's History
In 1086, the Domesday Book shows that a person named Ligulf owned the land where Clifford is now. It was a farming area with fields and ploughs.
For a long time, Clifford was a smaller place connected to Bramham. It didn't have its own main church or a big manor house. A church for the Wesleyan Methodists was built before 1838, and other churches followed soon after. The Anglican St Luke's Church was built in 1840.
Clifford started as a farming village. But in 1831, something big changed. Corn mills, which used water power from Bramham Beck, were turned into flax mills. These mills made special yarn and thread for shoes. The Grimston Brothers owned these mills. At its busiest, the business employed around 300 people. Many of these workers were Irish immigrants, and they lived in stone cottages built in the village.
How Clifford is Governed
Clifford used to be a 'township' within the larger parish of Bramham. This was in the old West Riding area. In 1866, it became its own civil parish called Clifton with Boston. Later, in 1896, this was split into two separate civil parishes: Clifford and Boston Spa.
Clifford's Location and Surroundings
Clifford is a rural village, meaning it's in the countryside. The middle of the village is a special 'conservation area', which means its historic look is protected. You'll see a mix of old cottages made from magnesian limestone and newer family homes. Any new buildings in the conservation area must use local limestone.
Areas of Green Belt land keep the village separate from Bramham and Boston Spa. Limestone for building used to be dug up nearby. Clifford is in West Yorkshire, close to the border with North Yorkshire. The nearest train station is in Ulleskelf, a small village in the Selby district. The closest big city is Leeds, with York and Harrogate also nearby.
The A1(M) motorway is just over 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west. Bus services connect Clifford to places like Tadcaster, Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby, and Wakefield. Roads from the village lead to Boston Spa, Bramham, and Toulston, as well as the towns of Wetherby and Tadcaster.
Churches in Clifford
Clifford has three churches. The Anglican church dedicated to St Luke is on high ground at the west end of the village. It was built in a style called Gothic and was officially opened in 1842. The church cost £1200, which was raised by donations, and the land was given by George Lane-Fox.
The Wesleyan Methodists built their own chapel. The Roman Catholics built St Edward King and Confessor Catholic Church. This church was built for the many Irish workers who came to Clifford to work in Grimston's flax mill, which started in 1831. The Grimston, Clifford, and Vavasour families helped pay for this church.
Clifford's Local Businesses
Clifford has two pubs, The Albion and The Old Star, and a fish and chip shop called Clifford Fisheries. In 2009, there were no other shops or businesses, as the old post office had been turned into houses.
Village Pubs
The Old Star is a historic pub with several rooms, owned by Samuel Smith Old Brewery. The Albion is on the edge of the village and is run by a tenant from Enterprise Inns.
Schools in Clifford
There are three schools in the Clifford area: Bramham Primary School, St. John's School for the Deaf, and Boston Spa School.
Village Life and Culture
The Village Hall is a small place where concerts and plays are held. Clifford had its first Beer Festival in June 2010. It was so popular that it became an annual event, happening every year since. The village hall also hosts drama groups, history clubs, and organized walks around the local area and countryside.
Clifford has its own monthly magazine called The Outlook. It's delivered for free to every home in the village by a local committee.
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Wetherby | Boston Spa, Thorp Arch | Wighill, | |
| Bardsey, A1(M) motorway |  |
Newton Kyme, Tadcaster | ||
 Clifford  |
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| Thorner | Bramham | Stutton |
See also
In Spanish: Clifford (Yorkshire del Oeste) para niños
