History of Kirkstall: Difference between revisions

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Kirkstall is a historically important area of Leeds. It's history can be seen in its abbey, its industrial remains and its regeneration.

Early history

Kirkstall was historically an important centre of industry. Kirkstall Forge lays claim to being the longest continually used industrial site in Britain founded in the 13th century by the Cistercian monks of the abbey, and a number of printers. The earliest known activity on the site was a medieval mill race which supplied water to power the corn mill at Kirkstall Abbey. Iron production took place at the forge from the 1580s onwards.

Reformation

Kirkstall Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery set in grounds which are now a public park on the north bank of the River Aire. It was founded in about 1152 and took over 75 years to construct. It was closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under the auspices of Henry VIII. The ruins have been painted by artists such as J. M. W. Turner and Thomas Girtin.

Enlgish Civil War

During the English Civil War, the bridge over the Aire at Kirkstall (referred to in a contemporaneous account as 'Churchstall') was blown up by Royalist troops from Leeds. After discovering this, a Parliamentary force led by Ferdinando Fairfax, 2nd Lord Fairfax of Cameron - from Otley - had to cross the river upstream at Apperley Bridge before retaking Leeds in January 1643.

Industrial revolution

Kirkstall's position on the River Aire made it a prominent place for industrial development in the early industrial revolution. A water power system was constructed on the River Aire below Kirkstall Abbey between 1760 and 1860, remains of this can still be seen today.^[1]

Construction of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal began in 1770 bringing greater transport links to Kirkstall further increasing its attractiveness to industry. An array of industries developed including brewing, printing, textiles and iron forging.

Railway lines later opened to both the East and West of Kirkstall.

Kirkstall's brewery was first registered in 1871 and its original building remains, albeit it as student flats (the current brewery operates from premises nearby.

Kirkstall Forge continued to grow throughout this period. During the late 18th century the reconstruction of the upper and lower forges allowed 'shovel and spade production' to commence. A railway was built at the forge in 1830 and sustained growth at the plant.

Twentieth century

World War I brought about large scale growth, providing axles for military vehicles and by 1930 most lorries and buses made in the UK had a Kirkstall back axle casing. In 2002 the owners of the site, the Dana Corporation announced the closure of the works, shifting production to India and Spain.^[2] The site is undergoing major redevelopment, as is the old Waide's Printers & Kwik Save site. Printing has, like iron-founding, suffered a decline, several printing companies remain. Until the late 1970s when it was closed, Kirkstall was dominated by a coal fired power station. It was replaced by larger power stations away from town at Ferrybridge, Eggborough and Drax. The power station was demolished in the early 1980s.

Regeneration

External links

[1] Kirkstall Ward History

References

[1] ttp://www.kirkstallward.net/history/index.htm paragraph 1

[2] ttp://www.kirkstallforge.com/images/forge-History-FINAL.pdf

[1]

[2]

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 ==Industrial revolution==
+Kirkstall's position on the [[River Aire]] made it a prominent place for industrial development in the early [[industrial revolution]].  A water power system was constructed on the River Aire below Kirkstall Abbey between 1760 and 1860, remains of this can still be seen today.<ref>http://www.kirkstallward.net/history/index.htm paragraph 1</ref>
-During the late 18th century the reconstruction of the upper and lower forges allowed 'shovel and spade production' to commence. A railway was built at the forge in 1830 and sustained growth at the plant.
+Construction of the [[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]] began in 1770 bringing greater transport links to Kirkstall further increasing its attractiveness to industry.  An array of industries developed including brewing, printing, textiles and iron forging.
+Railway lines later opened to both the East and West of Kirkstall.
+Kirkstall's brewery was first registered in 1871 and its original building remains, albeit it as student flats (the current brewery operates from premises nearby.
+Kirkstall Forge continued to grow throughout this period.  During the late 18th century the reconstruction of the upper and lower forges allowed 'shovel and spade production' to commence. A railway was built at the forge in 1830 and sustained growth at the plant.
 ==Twentieth century==
 [[World War I]] brought about large scale growth, providing axles for military vehicles and by 1930 most lorries and buses made in the UK had a Kirkstall back axle casing.  In 2002 the owners of the site, the [[Dana Corporation]] announced the closure of the works, shifting production to [[India]] and [[Spain]].<ref>http://www.kirkstallforge.com/images/forge-History-FINAL.pdf</ref>  The site is undergoing major redevelopment, as is the old Waide's Printers & [[Kwik Save]] site. Printing has, like iron-founding, suffered a decline, several printing companies remain.  Until the late 1970s when it was closed, Kirkstall was dominated by a [[coal]] fired power station. It was replaced by larger power stations away from town at [[Ferrybridge power station|Ferrybridge]], [[Eggborough power station|Eggborough]] and [[Drax power station|Drax]].  The power station was demolished in the early 1980s.