Hemlington

The east end of Hemlington Lake

Introduction

Hemlington was built on farmland during the 1960's and has expanded ever since, with the addition of [Coulby Newham] on its outskirts and of the East and Stainton Villages (circa 1800) to the southwest. A farming community, it was built to provide affordable housing for the ever growing population within [Middlesbrough] and to provide popular housing at a affordable price.

Hemlington is a settlement within the town of Middlesbrough, in the borough of Middlesbrough and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. In 2005, it had a population of approximately 4,200. Unfortunately, since the early 1990's, Hemlington has been blighted by many of issues, including theft, vandalism, as well as other crimes. These are believed to be committed by the minority, but they have never been resolved. Until the late 1990's, there was a local police presence within the estate that was manned, but this was discontinued. Since then, crime on the estate has increased. Only recently have we notice a difference, due to increased police patrol.

The estate has its own local shops: the main shopping centre is called Viewley Hill Shopping Centre, The Parkway Centre is a short walk/drive/bus journey from Hemlington and has a wider range of stores and facilities including a leisure centre, fast food resturants, and DIY stores.

Hemlington has three primary schools: Viewley Hill Primary School, Hemlington Hall Primary School and St. Gerrards R.C Primary School. An artificial lake also exists. It did have a local hospital set in the countryside until the late 1980s when it was closed and later demolished, the hospital was built and opened in 1895 first as a infectious control hospital (hence its very rural status) but then during the wars was used as war injury hospital and was surrounded by farm land which still exists to this date until 1984 this was all part of North Yorkshire to the formation off Cleveland County which then later disolved in late 1990s.

The main transport from Hemlington is public buses operated by Stagecoach and Leven Valley. There is no rail service, as the nearest train station is 3 miles away in Nunthorpe.

Local Amenities

The local amenities include the initiative centre and recreation centre just off Cass House Road, the woodland walk round Bluebell Beck and Hemlington Lake, the Unicorn Centre.

The Unicorn Centre

The Unicorn Centre is a unique facility, based in the Tees Valley. They offer riders with disabilities a high standard of professional tuition tailored to their personal ambitions and capabilities.

Their focus is to ensure that all riders derive maximum benefit from a positive and enjoyable form of therapy. Unicorn Centre instructors work closely with physiotherapists and other health professionals to encourage every individual to aim for attainable goals – some modest, others far more ambitious.

Recreation Centre and Hemlington Hall Farm

Hemlington Recreation Centre is situated about 5 miles from the centre of Middlesbrough. The site covers an area of approximately 39 acres of open parkland and is split into two sites: Hemlington Recreation Centre and Hemlington Hall Farm.

The lake is host to a wide variety of wildlife, including kingfishers, mute swans, tufted and ruddy ducks and many seasonal visitors as well as a thriving population of watervoles, Britain’s fastest declining mammal.

The farm outbuildings are used for a range of activities; as a drop in facility for the Linx detached youth work project, changing facilities for the football pitches, canoe and kayak storage areas and a small, recently re-furbished classroom.

Hemlington boasts a wide range of facilities. These include:

Indoor – Activity Hall, Changing Rooms, Bouncy Castle & Adventure Room, Sunbed, ‘The Gym’ – Fitness Room, Various Activities and Classes for children and babies (Fun 4 Baby, Baby & Weenie Gym, Pre School, Ballet, Karate), and fitness classes for adults (Yoga, 50+aerobics, GP Referral, Walking Group). The activity room, bouncy castle/fun box are also available for private hire for groups, schools and parties.

Outdoor – 9 Acre Man Made Lake, 2 Grassed Senior & 1 Grassed Junior Football Pitch, Children’s Play Area, Floodlit Multi Court, Skateboard Park, Dawn to Dusk Angling, Canoeing Facilities Available (on request), 1.25 mile Running Circuit.

Awards

   * Regional and Miscellaneous Green Flag Award Winner 2007/8 2007

Initiative Centre

An adult education and job resource training centre designed to get people back into work and give them the skills to further their employment and chances off getting such.

The Woodland Lake Walk

By Evening Gazette on Dec 7, 09 11:03 AM in Local News

A £50,000 regeneration of a Middlesbrough beauty spot has been officially unveiled.

The Bluebell Beck Woodland Walk, around Hemlington lake, will showcase the areas beauty to generations of strollers for years to come.

The bark mulch pathway ensures an almost all-weather surface, and metalwork by Graeme Hopper and sculptures by chainsaw sculptor Steve Iredale featuring otters, a sparrow hawk, a kingfisher and flowers have been installed to complement the natural environment around the beck.

Children from local primary schools weighed in with ideas after the Friends of Hemlington Lake, Groundwork North East and Middlesbrough Council won the grant from the Big Lottery Fund's Community Spaces.

Nicky Walker, Hemlington ward councillor said: "I'm absolutely delighted that our bid has been successful.

"We can now look forward to the work being carried out which will result in a wonderfully enhanced facility for Hemlington.

"I'd like to congratulate everyone who has worked on and supported the bid, especially the Friends of Hemlington Lake and Groundwork North East. I'd also like to thank the friends group, local schoolchildren, the neighbourhood manager and of course staff at Hemlington Recreation Centre for their hard work on the project."

External links

• Location

• {http://daverob.catalyst2.com/Flight3/Hemlington.jpg An overhead shot of the settlement}