Syston
Coordinates: 52°42′N 1°05′W / 52.7°N 1.08°W
| Syston | |
 The Green, Syston |
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 Syston
Syston shown within Leicestershire |
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| Population | 11,508 (2001 Census)[1][2] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SK621118 |
| District | Charnwood (borough) |
| Shire county | Leicestershire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEICESTER |
| Postcode district | LE7 |
| Dialling code | 0116 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Charnwood |
| List of places: UK • England • Leicestershire | |
Syston is a town and civil parish in the district of Charnwood in Leicestershire, England. The population is 11,508 as of the 2001 Census.
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[edit] Overview
There has been a settlement on the site for over 1000 years, the earliest records being in the Domesday book as Sitestone. The Roman road known as the Fosse Way passes through Syston, which is now largely a commuter town for the city of Leicester. Only the village of Thurmaston to the south separates it from Leicester.
The Midland Main Line runs through the town. Syston railway station currently has one platform on what remains of the former goods line, served by local Leicester to Lincoln via Nottingham and Newark services on the Ivanhoe Line.
In the mid-20th century, greyhound racing was staged at a stadium on Mostyn Avenue.[3]
The 'Syston white plum' is well known in the Syston locality and has been grown there for well over 100 years. It is yellow, oval in shape, thin skinned and a good sized dessert plum. It normally crops in September and is emblazoned on the Syston Town welcoming signs.[4]
Syston is the location of the headquarters of Pukka Pies, which is one of the largest employers in the town, employing 250 people.[5]
The River Soar runs past the western edge of the town, shortly after passing under the A46 road which underwent significant improvements early in 2006 at the Hobby Horse Roundabout, a popular meeting place on the Leicester Western Bypass.
Syston is home to two monthly, village publications: The Syston Town News and The Syston Directory.
[edit] Notable residents
- Actress Terri Dwyer[6]
- Singer Dave Bartram from Showaddywaddy
- Speedway racer Fred Wilkinson raced for England v.s Australia, and ran the Lansdowne Garage in Syston
- Megan Lowe, Test cricketer
[edit] Twin towns
[edit] Local organisations
The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a military based youth organisation for 13–20 year olds and the local squadron (No 1181 Syston Squadron) is based in the grounds of Wreake Valley Community College.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.leics.gov.uk/syston_east_ward.pdf
- ^ http://www.leics.gov.uk/syston_west_ward.pdf
- ^ Jones, Alan (2004) Speedway in Leicester: The Hunters Era, Automedia, p. 8
- ^ Syston Town Council News
- ^ Welcome to Pukka Pies
- ^ "I'm a village girl at heart – I'll always come back to Syston" from www.terri-dwyer.com
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Syston |
- Syston Town Council
- Leicestershire Villages Syston
- Syston Town News
- 1181 Syston Squadron ATC (Air Cadets)
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