Upton, West Yorkshire
| Upton | |
|---|---|
 The Upton Arms | |
  Upton Location within West Yorkshire | |
| Population | 3,541 (2001 census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SE470134 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PONTEFRACT |
| Postcode district | WF9 |
| Police | West Yorkshire |
| Fire | West Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| UK Parliament | |
Upton is a village and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England. It had a population of 3,541 in the 2001 census.[1]
It is situated south of Badsworth and north of North Elmsall and is part of the SESKU (South Elmsall, South Kirkby, Upton) area. The village is also in the WF9 postal area (Pontefract) and very close to the South Yorkshire boundary.
History
A former coal mining community, regeneration is in progress as a housing overflow for the more expensive areas of Doncaster and Pontefract.
In the 1960s the village was in its prime due to the strong mining community, with retail outlets such as "Mr Farthings" Chemist, and "Mr Kings" newsagents.
Sport
The village was home to Upton Colliery F.C. who appeared in the FA Cup and featured Charlie Williams as a player.
A short-lived greyhound racing track was opened near the village by the Carters' Knottingley Brewery Co Ltd. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body, the National Greyhound Racing Club) and was thus known as a "flapping track", which was the nickname given to independent tracks.[2] The lease was granted in 1933 to the tenant of the Greenfield Hotel, who wanted to attract the local mining community. The Greenfield Hotel and track are believed to have closed during World War II, with the six-acre site being made available for housing in 1947.[3] The Carters' Knottingley Brewery Co Ltd also leased out greyhound tracks at Great Houghton and Pontefract.
Notable people
Recent recognised villagers include playwright John Godber and Ada Mason (formerly the oldest living woman in England).
Proposed railways
In June 2020, Northern Trains Limited have applied to run three trains per day between York and Huddersfield via Goole, with a new line running through the outskirts of Upton, and proposed a railway station there.[citation needed] This would be the first station here since 1932.
References
- ^ a b UK Census (2001). "Local Area Report – Upton Parish (00DB024)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 419. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ^ "Upton". Greyhound Racing Times. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
External links
- Map sources for Upton, West Yorkshire
- Community Care Network
- S.E.S.K.U. Boxing Academy[permanent dead link]
- St Luke's Church
- The Yorkshire Party
- South Elmsall and District History Society[permanent dead link]
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