kids encyclopedia robot

Hessle facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Hessle
Town and civil parish
Hessle Viewpoint - geograph.org.uk - 1035270.jpg
Hessle Viewpoint with The Humber Bridge in the background
Hessle is located in East Riding of Yorkshire
Hessle
Hessle
Population 15,000 (2011 census)
OS grid reference TA034264
Civil parish
  • Hessle
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town HESSLE
Postcode district HU13
Dialling code 01482
Police Humberside
Fire Humberside
Ambulance Yorkshire
EU Parliament Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament
  • Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
List of places
UK
England
Yorkshire
53°43′26″N 0°25′55″W / 53.7239°N 0.4319°W / 53.7239; -0.4319

Hessle is a town in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is about 5 miles (8 km) west of Kingston upon Hull city centre. Hessle is located on the north bank of the Humber Estuary. This is where the famous Humber Bridge crosses the water.

Even though it's close to Hull, Hessle is its own town. In 2011, about 15,000 people lived in Hessle.

Exploring Hessle's Town Centre

The main part of Hessle is called the Square. Here you will find many shops. There is also a small bus station.

Important Buildings in Hessle

The Square, Hessle - geograph.org.uk - 316364
The Square in January 2007
Hessle Town Hall
Hessle Town Hall

Hessle All Saints' Church is near the Square. It is a very old building. It was given a special Grade I listed status in 1967. This means it is a very important historic building.

The Hessle Town Hall was built in 1897. It is at the top of South Lane. The old Hessle Police Station, which closed in 2014, is next to the town hall.

The Famous Humber Bridge

Hessle is home to the amazing Humber Bridge. Queen Elizabeth II opened it in 1981. When it first opened, it was the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world.

The Humber Bridge connects Hessle to Barton-upon-Humber. Barton-upon-Humber is on the other side of the Humber estuary. In 2017, the bridge also received Grade I listed status. This shows how important it is.

Hessle's Past: A Look at History

The name 'Hessle' comes from an old Scandinavian word, hesli. This word means 'hazel grove'. The town's name was first written down in 1086.

Shipbuilding in Hessle

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A22774
Workers shipbuilding in Hessle for the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

For a long time, Hessle was known for building ships. Before 1897, wooden boats were made here. Then, a shipbuilder named Henry Scarr bought the yard. He started building ships from iron and steel.

Later, another company, Richard Dunston, took over. They built many ships, including ferries. The shipyard closed in 1994. Today, the area is used for offices and recycling.

Hessle's Natural Surroundings

Hessle is close to other villages. These include Willerby, Anlaby, and North Ferriby.

Humber Bridge Country Park

Humber Bridge Country Park, Hessle - geograph.org.uk - 292805
Humber Bridge Country Park in December 2006

In the past, chalk was dug out of the ground in Hessle. These old chalk quarries can still be seen. The biggest one is now the Humber Bridge Country Park. It is a popular place for visitors.

Part of the park is even called Little Switzerland. The Humber Bridge Country Park is a Local Nature Reserve. It has different kinds of trees, wild flowers, and a pond. You can explore the park on walking paths.

Travel and Walking Routes

Getting around Hessle is easy. It has good connections to major roads like the A15 and A63. There is also a train station. Trains go to Hull, Doncaster, and York.

Buses also connect Hessle to nearby villages and Hull city centre. Hessle is also the start of the Yorkshire Wolds Way. This is a long walking path that goes across the Yorkshire Wolds. It ends at Filey on the coast.

Learning in Hessle: Schools and Education

Hessle has several schools for young people.

Hessle High School and Sixth Form College

The town's secondary school is Hessle High School & Sixth Form College. A special building for the school was given by Algernon Henry Barkworth. He was a survivor of the RMS Titanic sinking.

Hessle Sixth Form College works with other schools. This lets older students attend classes at any of the three schools. The entire school was rebuilt and reopened in 2016. Since 2017, Penshurst Primary School and Hessle High School have been linked.

Primary Schools in Hessle

Penshurst Primary School is for children aged 3 to 11. It is on Winthorpe Road. Hessle also has All Saints' CE Federation of Academies Infant and Junior School. This is a Church of England school for children aged 3 to 11.

Hessle's Challenges: The 2007 Floods

On June 25, 2007, very heavy rain hit the area. About 100 mm of rain fell in just a few hours. Sadly, a young man died in Hessle during these floods. He got stuck in a storm drain and was overwhelmed by the water.

The floods led to the creation of a group called HCARA. This group worked to improve flood defences in Hessle. As a result, a flood storage area was built. This area can hold about 35,000 cubic metres of water during heavy storms. It helps protect the town from flooding.

Hessle Feast: A Community Celebration

The Hessle Feast is a special annual event. Records show it has been happening since the 1800s. It was a time for people to celebrate the coming year.

History of the Feast

Hessle Feast Main Stage 2006
Hessle Feast in July 2006

In the past, the feast was a big event. People from nearby towns would come to join the fun. There was racing, noise, and lots of excitement.

After many years, the feast was brought back about 15 years ago. It is now a popular event for the whole community.

Recent Hessle Feasts

In July 2006, over 5,000 people came to the Hessle Feast. There were many activities, including a "Battle of the Bands." There was also a fun boat race through the streets of Hessle.

The Hessle Feast returned in 2009 after a three-year break due to the 2007 floods. The event was officially opened by the local MP, Alan Johnson. The 2009 feast was even bigger. It had stages with live music and talent shows. A world record for "poppadom stacking" was even broken!

The 2012 Hessle Feast happened during the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The next day, boats sailed from Hessle around the Humber estuary.

Sports and Activities in Hessle

Football is a very popular sport in Hessle. There are three main football clubs: Hessle Rangers, Hessle United, and Hessle Sporting. These clubs also have many teams for younger players.

Hessle also has a cricket team and a rugby team. The rugby club is near the foreshore.

Media and News in Hessle

You can get local news and TV from BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and ITV Yorkshire. Local radio stations include BBC Radio Humberside and Capital Yorkshire. The town is also served by the local newspaper, Hull Daily Mail.

Famous People from Hessle

  • Lucy Beaumont (born 1983), a comedian, used to live in Hessle.
  • Stephen C. West (born 1952), a biochemist and molecular biologist, was born in Hessle. He is an expert on DNA.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hessle para niños

kids search engine
Hessle Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.