Ferryhill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ferryhill |
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| Town | |
 Ferryhill Town Hall |
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 Ferryhill
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| Population | 8,942 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | NZ291326 |
| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FERRYHILL |
| Postcode district | DL17 |
| Dialling code | 01740 |
| Police | Durham |
| Fire | County Durham and Darlington |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Ferryhill is a busy town located in County Durham, England. In 2018, about 9,362 people lived here. The town grew a lot in the 1900s because of the coal mining industry. The last coal mine officially closed in 1968. Ferryhill is found between several other towns like Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor, and near the historic city of Durham.
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Exploring Ferryhill's Location
Ferryhill is built on the western edge of something called the Ferryhill Gap. This is a natural opening in the limestone hills. The main part of the town is on a ridge, with newer areas built to the south.
A very old road, the Great North Road, used to pass through Ferryhill. This road was once known as the A1. Now, a different road, the A167, connects Ferryhill to Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the north, and to Darlington in the south.
Ferryhill Carrs is a special natural area on the eastern side of town. It's protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a great place to see local wildlife and plants.
Parts of Ferryhill
Ferryhill has several different areas that make up the town:
- Dean Bank
- Ferryhill Station
- Ferryhill railway station
- Chilton Lane
- The Carrs
- Mainsforth Colliery
Nearby Places
Here are some towns and villages close to Ferryhill:
- Spennymoor
- Kirk Merrington
- Chilton, County Durham
- Mainsforth
- Bishop Middleham
- West Cornforth
Ferryhill's Past
The Ferryhill Town Hall is an important building in the town. It was finished in 1867 and stands out as a key landmark.
Things to Do in Ferryhill
Ferryhill has a weekly market every Friday in the town centre. The Ferryhill Town Council runs this market.
The town has seen many improvements over the years. These include the award-winning Mainsforth sports complex and new public toilets in the town centre. There's also a youth cafe for young people in Ferryhill.
Part of Dean Bank Park has been improved for sports. There are plans for a new play area, a multi-use games area (MUGA), and other fun facilities. The new park will also have a viewing tower, a BMX/skatepark, and new areas for walking and relaxing.
The town holds many community events throughout the year. These include a summer gala, a Christmas market, and a vintage car rally. They also have art and photography shows. These events are organized by the Town Council and a group called the 2000 Committee.
How Ferryhill is Governed
Ferryhill has an electoral ward, which is a special area used for elections. This ward has a population of 8,942 people, based on the 2011 Census.
Local News
Ferryhill has its own free community newspaper called The Ferryhill and Chilton Chapter Community Newspaper. It is delivered to all homes in Ferryhill and the nearby community of Chilton. You can also find the latest and older issues of the paper on its website.
Schools in Ferryhill
There are four primary schools in Ferryhill:
- Broom Cottages Primary School
- Dean Bank Primary School
- Cleves Cross Primary School
- Ferryhill Station Primary School
Ferryhill also has one secondary school, Ferryhill School. It used to be known as Ferryhill Comprehensive School.
Sports in Ferryhill
Over £1 million was raised to build a new sports facility for the town. This money was secured by Ferryhill Town Youth, working with the Ferryhill Town Council.
The new facility includes changing rooms, a recreation area, and six football pitches. These are located in Dean Bank Park and the old Ferryhill Athletic football ground.
These new sports areas are used by the town's football clubs, especially Ferryhill Town Youth. The Town Council takes care of Dean Bank Park.
Famous People from Ferryhill
Many interesting people have lived in or come from Ferryhill:
- Sid Chaplin (1916-1986) — a writer and poet.
- John McManners (1916-2006) — a clergyman and religious historian.
- Jack Scott (1923-2008) — a weatherman for the BBC and ITV for 20 years.
- Alan White (1949-2022) — a drummer for famous bands like the Plastic Ono Band and Yes.
- Eric Gates (born 1955) — a footballer who played for England, Ipswich, and Sunderland.
- Phill Nixon (1956-2013) — a darts player who was a World Championship runner-up in 2007.
- Pauline Murray (born 1958) — the lead singer of the punk rock band Penetration.
- Fred Barber (born 1963) — a footballer who played in over 400 Football League games.
- Howard Linskey (born 1967) — a crime novelist.
