Stainland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stainland |
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 Stainland, as seen from Jagger Green |
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 Stainland
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| Population | 3,178 (2011 Census) (with Holywell Green) |
| OS grid reference | SE079196 |
| • London | 170 mi (270 km) SE |
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| Metropolitan borough |
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| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HALIFAX |
| Postcode district | HX4 |
| Dialling code | 01422 |
| Police | West Yorkshire |
| Fire | West Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Stainland is a village in West Yorkshire, England. It is part of the Calderdale area. The village is about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Elland and 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south of Halifax. In 2011, Stainland and its nearby area, Holywell Green, had a population of 3,178 people.
Contents
The History of Stainland
Stainland grew up along old routes that followed high ground. These routes helped people avoid wet, muddy valleys. The Stainland Cross is an old stone cross that shows people lived and worked here a long time ago.
The name Stainland comes from an old language called Old Norse. It means Stony land, which makes sense because the ground around the village is not very good for farming. Stainland is not mentioned in the Domesday Book, which was a big survey of England made in 1086.
For a long time, Stainland's main business was making wool and textiles (cloth). This is why it became a village on a hilltop, like Sowerby and Heptonstall. Later, during the Industrial Revolution, factories were built in the valleys nearby. These factories used water power from rivers. Even then, Stainland remained an important place for the area.
The village kept growing, and many important buildings were added. Today, Stainland is less focused on farming and industry. Because it is close to the M62 motorway, many people who work in nearby towns now live here. This has brought new changes to the village.
In 2017, a new local council area was created. It includes Stainland, Holywell Green, Sowood, and other small places. This was the first new local council formed in Calderdale since 1974.
Exploring Stainland's Geography
Stainland is located on a hilltop, about 800 feet (240 m) high. It sits between Holywell Green to the east and Sowood to the south. The main road through the village is Stainland Road, also known as the B6112.
From Stainland, you can see many places on a clear day. These include Halifax, Elland, Barkisland, and even parts of Queensbury. The village is long and narrow, with most buildings facing the main road. This creates interesting views as you travel through it. Many smaller houses are built on narrow lanes that branch off the main road. These groups of houses offer cozy spaces, with sudden views of the open countryside.
The buildings in Stainland are made from local materials. They show the different times in the village's history. Stainland is a special area called a conservation area. This means its unique character and history are protected.
Holywell Green Connection
Holywell Green is just to the east of Stainland. Sometimes, people mistakenly think Holywell Green is the main village. The border between Stainland and Holywell Green is near West View and Bradley View.
Important Landmarks
Stainland Cross
The Stainland Cross stands by the road near St Andrew's Church. It was moved here in the 1900s. The cross is a stone block with a special carving on it. It used to have a cover, but that is gone now. The column of the cross is round and plain. No one knows for sure when or why it was built.
In 1875, there were plans to fix up the cross. Railings were likely added around it at that time.
Stainland Mechanics' Institute
The Stainland Mechanics' Institute was built in 1883. It was meant to help local people learn and improve their lives. The building opened in 1884. Over the years, it became harder to keep the building running. In 1952, the people in charge decided to sell it.
Later, the local council took over the building. It needed a lot of repairs, but the cost was too high. In 2009, the center closed. In 2011, local leaders decided to sell the building because it was too expensive to fix.
St Helen's Well
St Helen's Well is at the eastern end of the village. An old book from 1775 mentions it. The book says there was once a chapel nearby dedicated to Saint Helen, which was later turned into a house. People used to visit the well, especially those who were Catholic.
In 1843, the well was fixed up because people were interested in drinking "spa" water, which they thought was healthy. People would gather at wells like this to drink the water. By the late 1800s, the well was not doing well. Its stone trough was cracked and leaking.
Local names in the area show how important the well was. The eastern part of the village is called Holywell Green. There is also a pub called 'The Holywell Inn' and a 'St Helen's Court'. The well was fixed again in 1977.
Carr Hall Castle
Carr Hall Castle is located near Thunnerley Wood. It was built in the mid-1800s by the Shaw family, who owned local mills. They built it to make the view from their mansion look better. The castle was used as stables and a home for the person who looked after their horses.
Since 2002, the building has been fixed up and made modern. In 2008, the castle won a TV show called I Own Britain's Best Home on Channel Five.
Places of Worship
St Andrew's Church of England Church is in the middle of the village. It was built around 1755 as a chapel for Stainland, Holywell Green, and Sowood. You can see the church tower from places like Norland and Blackley.
Stainland also had three other chapels: Stainland Providence Chapel, Stainland Wesleyan Chapel, and a mortuary chapel (a small building for preparing bodies for burial). All three graveyards are still there. The Providence Chapel has been turned into nine houses. The other two chapels were taken down to make way for houses.
Community Life
Local Pubs and Restaurants
Stainland has several pubs where people can meet. These include The Duke of York, The Red Lion, and The Rose and Crown. Some pubs, like The Bull and Dog and The Black Horse Inn, have closed down.
Sports and Recreation
Stainland has five sports clubs for different activities:
- Stainland United FC (football)
- Stainland Stags ARLFC (rugby)
- Stainland CC (cricket)
- Stainland Lions Running Club (running)
- Stainland Bowling Club (bowling)
Most of these clubs use the Stainland Recreation Ground, also called Stainland Rec. This ground has two football pitches, a rugby pitch, a cricket ground, a bowling green, a tennis court, a five-a-side pitch, and a playground.
Stainland United FC was formed in 1947. They won the Halifax Premier Division in the 2006–07 season. Stainland Stags ARLFC plays in the Pennine League First Division.
Stainland Cricket Club and Stainland Bowling Club share a building called a pavilion. The current pavilion was built in 2001 after the old one burned down. The sports ground is called the Memorial Ground. It was given to the community in 1922 after a war. Stainland CC plays in the Towergate Halifax Cricket League Second Division. They won the Second Division title in 1979 and 2002.
Education
Bowling Green Primary School is on Bowling Green Road. It is managed by Calderdale Council. The first school on this site was built in 1805. The current school building was opened on February 24, 1882. It was built on what used to be a bowling green.
Local people helped pay for the school. At the opening ceremony, a board member named Joseph Stott said he believed there was a need for more ways to teach children. Hundreds of people then had tea in the local Sunday school room.
