Thongsbridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Thongsbridge | |
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  Thongsbridge shown within West Yorkshire |
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| Population | 1200[1] |
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| OS grid reference | |
| Metropolitan borough | Kirklees |
| Metropolitan county | West Yorkshire |
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Holmfirth |
| Postcode district | HD9 |
| Dialling code | 01484 |
| Police | West Yorkshire |
| Fire | West Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| European Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament | Colne Valley |
| List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire | |
Thongsbridge is a small village in the Kirklees district of West Yorkshire, England. It is in the semi-rural Holme Valley and the village boundaries merge into the neighbouring communities of Holmfirth, New Mill and Wooldale. According to the 2001 Census, it covers an area of 124.7 hectares and has a resident population of 1,179.[2]
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[edit] History
The name of the village is derived from the old Viking word ‘thong’ meaning a strip of land.
One of the first records of Thongsbridge is from the early 13th century when the area was owned by the Bisset family. The village expanded in the early days of the industrial revolution, it’s location, within the steep sided valley, being ideal for the water powered textile mills.
The homes and businesses located in the valley bottom were affected by a number of floods that affected the Holme Valley. The Holmfirth Flood of 1852 being amongst the most severe, with a number of houses and parts of the local textile mill being swept away.
The village originally had a station on the railway branch line going from Brockholes and terminating in Holmfirth built by Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway company in 1850. The railway partially closed in 1959 with passenger services being stopped and then finally shut down to freight trains as well in 1965. The goods yard and railway trackbed have now mostly been built on but can still be seen in places.
[edit] Leisure facilities
Leisure facilities in the village include fitness centres located at the nearby Holmfirth High School Sports Center and the tennis club, which is located in the valley bottom, adjacent to the cricket cluband bowling club. Thongsbridge Cricket Club was formed in 1860 and was one of the founding members of the Huddersfield and District Alliance League in 1893. More history about Thongsbridge Cricket Club can be found on Thongsbridge Cricket History Thongsbridge Tennis Club is one of the most progressive and dynamic tennis clubs in Britain. Website
[edit] Politics
Thongsbridge has been represented by Labour MP Kali Mountford since her win over Graham Riddick in 1997.
[edit] Surrounding villages
The village of Thongsbridge is adjacent to the town of Holmfirth and is also surrounded by several villages. These neighbouring settlements include:- Netherthong, Honley, Brockholes, New Mill, West Yorkshire, and Wooldale.
[edit] External links
- Map of Thongsbridge courtesy of Google Maps
- Kirklees Council 2001 Census Profile, Thongsbridge Settlement
- Thongsbridge Cricket Club
[edit] References
- ^ Area Profiles 2007, Kirkless Metrpolitan Council. [1]
- ^ Census 2001 Profile by Settlement: Table KS01, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, March 2006. http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/statistics/census-by-settlement/KS01settle2003.xls
