West Calder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| West Calder | |
  West Calder shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 5,370 [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | West Lothian |
| Lieutenancy area | West Lothian |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Livingston |
| Postcode district | EH55 |
| Dialling code | 01506 |
| Police | Lothian and Borders |
| Fire | Lothian and Borders |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Livingston |
| Scottish Parliament | Livingston |
| List of places: UK • Scotland | |
Contents |
[edit] The village
West Calder is a village in West Lothian, Scotland, located 4 miles of Livingston. The village was an important centre for the oil shale economy in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
[edit] History
See: Timeline of West Calder history
[edit] Burngrange Pit disaster
A memorial in the centre of the village remembers the fifteen men killed on the 10th January 1947 as a the result of an explosion at the Burngrange oil shale mine southwest of the village.
[edit] Architecture
Most housing in the village dates from the mid-20th century, though it has a public library built as early as 1903. Funded by Carnegie money this building represents a fine example of the Art Nouveau style and has a decorative interior. The parish church (1643) was abandoned in 1880 and is now roofless.
[edit] Notable Residents
Sir Archibald Douglas (1298 - 1333), Guardian of Scotland and military leader.
The birthplace of James Douglas (1675 - 1742), Scottish physician and anatomist
The birthplace of John Kane (1860 – 1934), painter celebrated for his skill in Naïve art.
George Hogg (1869 – ????), Scottish footballer
Thomas Fairfoul (1881 – 1952), Scottish footballer
Laurence Ennis, chief engineer on the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Robert McKeen (1884 - 1974), Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
Dougal Haston (1940 - 1977), mountaineer and pupil at West Calder High
[edit] Notable
West Calder has its own railway station.
[edit] Sport
[edit] Football
West Calder is home to the junior football club West Calder United.
[edit] External links
