Everything about Elsecar totally explained
Elsecar (; /ɛlsɪ'kɑː/) is a
village forming part of the
Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in
South Yorkshire,
England. Like many villages in the area, it was for many years a
coal mining village until the widespread pit closures during the 1980s. Elsecar is next to the villages of
Hoyland and
Jump.
Elsecar is unique as a place name: The origins are not entirely clear.
Else or
Elsi was the name of a local
Saxon lord who owned land in the area. It is also the Saxon name for a
marsh that may have existed in the bottom valley.
History
Industry
Elsecar was nothing more than a series of farms up until the 18th century. Although
coal had been mined in the area since the
14th Century the first colliery, Elsecar Old, didn't open until
1750. The first proper mine shaft was sunk in
1795 at Elsecar New Colliery. The village was formed to take advantage of the coal resources in the area. Many of the new buildings were built by the
Earl Fitzwilliam, who resided in nearby
Wentworth Woodhouse, to house their workers. By the end of the century several pits were opened.
Two independent
iron forges were opened at the turn of the 19th century; these also came under the ownership of the Fitzwilliam family after their respective companies collapsed. There was also a
distillery which opened in
1814; however this only lasted four years. Two smaller family run forges were also established in the mid 19th century and they survived well into the 20th century. The two main forges were closed by the end of the century.
The last colliery to open was Elsecar Main in
1908: It was also the last to close in
1983. In
1988 the last pit in the area,
Cortonwood, also closed.
Elsecar Workshops were sold off by
British Coal the following year, ending the villag'es ties to the coal industry. The village suffered from similar economic problems to all the mining villages in the region. There are still outstanding applications for mining parts of the village but these are unlikely to be acted upon.
Elsecar-by-the-Sea
In
1910 a local amateur photographer, Herbert Parkin, took some photographs of the local
reservoir and surrounding areas and sent them into the
Sheffield Star under the caption Elsecar-by-the-Sea. The name caught on and with the help of good transports link from
Sheffield via the local
railway station a thriving tourism business was established. The Hoyland council decided to create the public park to take advantage of the influx. The name is still jokingly used by some locals and to advertise events around the reservoir.
Attractions
Elsecar features the popular
Elsecar Heritage Centre a
living history centre and contains the only
Newcomen steam engine in the world to have remained in its original location. Craft workshops, a monthly antiques fair and other special events are also held here.
There is also a public park with a
bandstand, children's playground, a refreshment room, and a pitch and putt
golf course. The reservoir, now a local
nature reserve, is adjacent to the upper park.
Various remains of the industry of the village also remain. There is a plaque next to the top lock on the canal marking the former location of a colliery. Along the canal there are also some shaft heads from pumping stations left standing. The remains of iron mines can be found in undergrowth on the wooded section of Broadcar Lane.
Transport
Elsecar has its own
railway station on the
Hallam and
Penistone lines so it's possible to make direct journeys to
Sheffield,
Leeds and
Huddersfield. Buses run to and from
Barnsley,
Rotherham and Sheffield.
The
Elsecar Steam Railway is based at the heritage centre. It currently runs between Rockingham Station (at the back of the heritage centre) and Hemingfield Basin. This service is currently for pleasure only; you can't alight at Hemingfield Basin. There are plans to extend the line to Cortonwood and add regular stops. The railway is operated by the steam locomotives and the "Earl of Stratford" diesel engine.
The Elsecar branch of
Dearne and Dove Canal also terminates in the village. Currently only the top pound is usable but there are plans to restore the entire length.
Sport
The village has its own
cricket club, established in
1854, which plays in the
South Yorkshire Cricket League. It also has several junior teams that play in the
Barnsley & District Junior Cricket Association.
Notable Persons
George Utley, Football player who turned out for
Barnsley F.C., captained
Sheffield United F.C. and played once
England was born in Reform Row in Elsecar. He also won two
FA Cup winners medals, one with each of his clubs.
Photos
Image:Elsecar-2007(1).jpg|View from the banks of Elsecar Reservoir.
Image:Elsecar-2007(2).jpg|View from the banks of Elsecar Reservoir.
Image:Elsecar-Housing(1).jpg|View showing stone houses in Elsecar.
Image:Elsecar-Road.jpg|Photo showing road leading into Elsecar Village.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Elsecar'.
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