Newmillerdam facts for kids
Newmillerdam is a village near Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England. It is famous for its beautiful lake and country park. This park is so special that it is protected as a Local Nature Reserve.
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A Village with a New Name
Newmillerdam was once known by a different name: Thurstonhaigh. The village got its current name from a grain mill. This mill used water from a dammed lake to power its machinery. So, people started calling it the "new mill on the dam," which became Newmillerdam.
The old mill building is still there today. It is no longer working and is owned by a private family. For many years, the Pashley family owned and ran the mill. They were important business owners in the village for centuries.
The Pashley Family's Legacy
The Pashley family played a big part in Newmillerdam's history. They were Methodists, a type of Christian faith, and they helped build two chapels in the village. You can find these chapels on School Hill and Barnsley Road. Special dedication stones inside mention William M. Pashley, showing his support.
The Pashley family also funded and built Newmillerdam School, located on School Hill. However, another powerful family, the Pilkingtons, who owned a lot of land, often took credit for these projects. The Pilkingtons even started an annual award at the school called the Miss Pilkington Scripture Prize. Interestingly, one of the last students to receive this prize before the school closed was Sharon Mulheir (now Smith). She is a great-great-great-great-granddaughter of the school's founder, William Pashley!
Chevet Hall and the Pilkington Estate
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To the east of Newmillerdam stood a grand mansion called Chevet Hall. It was built in 1529 by the Nevile family. Sadly, the hall had to be taken down in the 1960s because of damage from mining underground. Many local people were very upset about this.
In 1765, the Pilkington family bought Chevet Hall and its large estate. They built a boathouse on the lake in 1820, which was part of their private land. The Pilkingtons also built small lodges around their huge estate, which was about 2,340 acres (9.5 km2) big. These lodges helped stop people from illegally hunting on their land. Some of these old lodges are still standing today.
The good news is that Wakefield Council bought the estate in 1954. After that, the beautiful area was opened for everyone to enjoy! The boathouse is now a Grade II listed building, meaning it is an important historical structure.
Nearby Nature and History
Newmillerdam also had a coal mine, called Newmillerdam Colliery, which was close to the village of Hall Green. This mine closed in 1981.
Not far from Newmillerdam, you can find Seckar Woods nature reserve. This area is so important for its wildlife and plants that it is called a SSSI, which stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest.
