Hemsworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hemsworth |
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 Archbishop Holgate Almshouse |
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 Hemsworth
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| Population | 13,533 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SE430128 |
| Civil parish |
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| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PONTEFRACT |
| Postcode district | WF9 |
| Dialling code | 01977 |
| Police | West Yorkshire |
| Fire | West Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Hemsworth is a town located in West Yorkshire, England. It's part of the City of Wakefield. In 2011, about 13,533 people lived there. Hemsworth has a long history, but it became well-known for its coal mining industry. Today, it's a place that has seen a lot of new developments.
Contents
History of Hemsworth
Hemsworth was first a farming village. It is mentioned in a very old book called the Domesday Book from 1086. Back then, it was called Hemeleswrde. The name means "Hymel's enclosure."
For many centuries, Hemsworth stayed much the same. It had farms, woods, and a church. The church, called St Helen's, is very old. Parts of it were built in the 11th or 12th century.
Archbishop Holgate's Legacy
A special person named Robert Holgate was born in Hemsworth. He became the Archbishop of York in 1544. He helped set up a grammar school and a hospital (almshouses) in the mid-1500s.
The school was meant to teach boys Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. But it didn't always do well. Sometimes, there were no students at all! A new school building was opened in 1868. However, it also struggled and later moved to Barnsley.
The almshouses, or special homes for elderly people, still exist today. They provide housing for selected older people. Originally, they helped 20 poor men and women from the area. These residents had rules, like not going to the ale-house. They also had to be home by a certain time. If they broke rules, they could be fined or even asked to leave. These homes have been helping people for a very long time.
In 1803, a law changed how land was used in Hemsworth. This law ended an old system where farmers paid with crops. It also gave common land to local landowners.
Economy and Recreation
Hemsworth used to be a "one-industry town." This means most people worked in coal mining. When the coal mines closed in the 1980s, many people lost their jobs. This caused a lot of hardship in the area.
Since then, Hemsworth and nearby villages have worked hard to improve things. There has been a lot of new development.
Hemsworth is also home to a fun place called Hemsworth Water Park. It's on the edge of town and has two lakes. You can enjoy many activities there.
Population Changes
The population of Hemsworth has changed over the years. Here's a look at the numbers:
| Age group | 0-15 | 16-24 | 25-64 | 65+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population in 2019 | 1,692 | 868 | 4,855 | 2,010 | 9,425 |
| Percentage of total population | 18% | 9% | 52% | 21% | 100% |
| Age group | 0-15 | 16-24 | 25-64 | 65+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population in 2001 | 1,884 | 980 | 4,809 | 1,403 | 9,076 |
| Percentage of total population | 21% | 11% | 53% | 15% | 100% |
In 2005, the number of people without jobs in Hemsworth was very low. It was only 2.8%. This was a big improvement. In earlier years, it could be as high as 50%.
Transport Links
Hemsworth is located where two important roads meet. These roads connect Barnsley to Pontefract and Wakefield to Doncaster. The main crossroads, called Cross Hill, is the old center of the village. The church and a pub called the George & Dragon are still there.
Buses are a common way to get around Hemsworth. Stagecoach offers a bus service from Barnsley to Pontefract. Arriva Yorkshire connects Hemsworth to Wakefield. Other services also stop at Hemsworth bus station.
The closest train station is in Fitzwilliam. Hemsworth used to have its own train stations, but they closed in 1967 and the 1930s.
Education in Hemsworth
Hemsworth has several primary schools:
- St Helen's CE Primary School
- West End Academy
- Grove Lea Primary School
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary
The only secondary school is Outwood Academy Hemsworth. It started in 1921 as Hemsworth Grammar School. This was the first secondary school in Hemsworth after Archbishop Holgate's school moved away.
Hemsworth also had a college for many years. It offered courses for mining apprentices and other subjects. This college closed in the 1990s.
Local Media
Hemsworth has its own local weekly newspaper. It's called the Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express. The Barnsley Chronicle also covers news from Hemsworth.
For TV and radio, people in Hemsworth can get local news from BBC Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire. Radio stations include BBC Radio Leeds, Heart Yorkshire, and Capital Yorkshire. There's also a community radio station called Rhubarb Radio. It started in 2017 and is run by volunteers.
Notable People from Hemsworth
Many interesting people have connections to Hemsworth:
- Robert Holgate: He was born in Hemsworth and became the Archbishop of York.
- Phil Bull: A professional gambler and racehorse owner.
- Geoffrey Boycott: A world-famous cricketer who went to Hemsworth Grammar School.
- Jeff Clarke: A footballer who played for Manchester City and Sunderland.
- Scott Askham: A former UFC fighter.
- Cromwell Bradley: A footballer and cricketer.
- John Radford: A footballer who played for Arsenal and West Ham United.
See also
In Spanish: Hemsworth para niños
