Grimethorpe
Coordinates: 53°34′N 1°23′W / 53.57°N 1.38°W
| Grimethorpe | |
 Grimethorpe
Grimethorpe shown within South Yorkshire |
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| Population | 1,873 (2001) |
|---|---|
| Civil parish | Brierley |
| Metropolitan borough | Barnsley |
| Metropolitan county | South Yorkshire |
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BARNSLEY |
| Postcode district | S72 |
| Dialling code | 01226 |
| Police | South Yorkshire |
| Fire | South Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament | Barnsley East and Mexborough |
| List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire | |
Grimethorpe is a large village which is part of the metropolitan borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 1,873.[1] It is believed that the name Grimethorpe originates from "Grim's Torp", a mixture of Anglo-Saxon and Viking names, meaning a torp or hamlet owned by a Viking named Grimey.
It is located to the east of Barnsley and the south of Hemsworth; until the local government reorganisation of 1974, it was part of both the Hemsworth district and constituency.
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[edit] Mining
The 1981 census recorded 44% of Grimethorpe workers as miners.[2] The two pits in the village were called 'Grimethorpe' and 'Ferrymoor'. The latter merged with 'Riddings' in 1967, which in turn merged with 'South Kirkby' in 1985. Grimethorpe colliery was one of the deepest pits in Britain and, following similar mergers with 'Houghton Main' and 'Dearne Valley', employed 6,000 men at the time of the closure in May 1993. During mid-October of the UK Miners' Strike (1984-1985), there was a series of riots in Grimethorpe and local residents complained that the policing was too heavy-handed. Relations between the community and the police remained very cold for the next decade.
[edit] Deprivation
Grimethorpe has gained a reputation as the most long-term deprived community in Great Britain and many of the houses from its coal-mining days have been demolished. In 1994, the European Union's study of deprivation named Grimethorpe as the poorest village in the country and amongst the poorest in Europe. For a village, levels of crime and drug abuse have been chronically high. Unemployment was above 50% for much of the 1990s and a large proportion of the population are disabled, having suffered injuries down the coal mines.
[edit] Regeneration projects
Several regeneration projects have caused fortunes to improve in recent years and the village is starting to regain its self-respect. This change has been hastened by the construction of new Dearne Valley Link roads and with the development of the large Park Springs Industrial Estate. This has brought many jobs to the area especially the construction of a huge unit occupied by South Yorkshire based furniture company Symphony. In addition to this development the village has seen the construction of three new private housing estates, a new medical centre, dental surgery, and village hall. Indeed the impressive regeneration of the village was praised by former Deputy PM Lord Prescott on his visit to the village in March 2010.
[edit] Education
The Secondary School of the village is Willowgarth High School on Brierley Road although a new superschool is currently being constructed at Shafton, when completed the new school will have pupils from Priory as well.
[edit] Band
Grimethorpe is known for its past as a mining village, its brass band, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and its location for the film Brassed Off - a black comedy which tells the plight of the village and the effect on its band.
In 2010 Grimethorpe Colliery band recorded a version of the song Jerusalem to be played every time the English team won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.
[edit] Sport
Grimethorpe Miners Welfare had a football team that played in the Northern Counties East League and the Central Midlands League until it disbanded in 2000. In the 1990s the football team, managed by former Newcastle United and Barnsley player, Stuart Barrowclough, reached the final of a pub team competition played at Wembley Stadium, losing on penalties. In 2006 they formed an amateur rugby league team to play in the Pennine League - Division Six. Since 1905 Grimethorpe have had a cricket Team. Grimethorpe Miners Welfare Cricket Club have been playing at the Stute playing fields for over a hundred years. They currently play in the Doncaster & District cricket league.
[edit] Notable people
Famous people from Grimethorpe include the famous actor Fred Fletcher whose most notable role was that of 'Jud' in the iconic film Kes set in Barnsley. Fred still lives in the village.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Grimethorpe |
- Interview with former miners' union activist on the recent history of the village
- http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/prescott-praises-grimethorpe-regeneration-progress
- http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/features/Grimethorpe-Fall-and-rise-of.3368390.jp
- http://www.barnsley-chronicle.co.uk/news/2,0000,3222.html
- http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/1299/Jobs-boost-as-Symphony-owner.1102257.jp
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