Armthorpe

Armthorpe

Street in Armthorpe
Armthorpe
Armthorpe shown within South Yorkshire
Population 14,457 (2011 Census)
OS grid reference SE631047
• London 145 mi (233 km) SSE
Civil parish
  • Armthorpe
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town DONCASTER
Postcode district DN3
Dialling code 01302
Police South Yorkshire
Fire South Yorkshire
Ambulance Yorkshire
EU Parliament Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament

Armthorpe is a village and civil parish which forms the eastern edge of the Doncaster urban sprawl within the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. Historically within the West Riding of Yorkshire, it has a population of 12,630,[1] increasing to 14,457 at the 2011 Census.[2]

History

Etymology

The settlement of Armthorpe was first recorded in 1086 as 'Ernulfestorp', showing the influence of the Vikings on the region. Its probable origination means outlying farmstead or hamlet (from the Old Scandinavian - thorp) of a man named Earnwulf or Arnulfr.

Early history

The remains of a Roman village and farm were found on Nutwell Lane and through the centuries Armthorpe was known for its rich farming activities. To some extent the rich crop farming heritage continues today and the area between Armthorpe and the M18 motorway is still dedicated to farming.

Armthorpe (Ernulfestorp) was recorded in the Domesday Book as being the property of the monks of Roche Abbey near Maltby, who had a grange there at which an official resided who managed this part of the estates of the establishment and who was sometimes a brother of the house: they had also an officer called their forester. The parish comprised 3,810 acres (15.4 km2) and included the farms of Holm-Wood and Waterton, the latter of which was long the seat of the ancient family of its own name of whom several served the office of high sheriff and one was master of the horse to Henry V. The village at this time consisted mainly of scattered houses.

Coal mining

Markham Main Colliery

During the late 19th and for most of the 20th century Armthorpe became known for its Coal mining and a deep seam Colliery was sunk. The pit was named Markham Main. The mining increased the local population dramatically and whole new housing estates were constructed to house the mining workers. These housing estates were famous for their architectural layout. From the air you can see that the houses are formed into rings or crescents, similar examples can be seen in Rossington.

After the closure of the mine 1996 the area went through deep depression. The old colliery site is now a large housing estate, with a thriving community with parks and tracks for walking and cycling to the local wood.

Present day

IKEA warehouse

Today, on average, Armthorpe remains one of the more affluent areas of Doncaster.[3]

Like all urban populated areas, Armthorpe does contain areas which suffer from low esteem. These areas are mainly located in the former pit stock housing with more affluent households being located in the cul-de-sac and bungalow housing stock that dominates the Ward. Armthorpe has a thriving local community with an abundance of shops and amenities. New industries and jobs have moved into the area and are centred on the distribution centres that are located next to the M18 Motorway operated by Global distribution players such as IKEA and Fellowes.

There are plans to construct even more private housing estates in Armthorpe and leisure and water parks, with the planned site next to the M18 Motorway will be ideally located for leisure travellers from further afield. Armthorpe is also located around 4 miles (6.4 km) from Doncaster Sheffield Airport offering fast access to European business and holiday destinations.

The flat farming land and Motorway access has also attracted greenfield industrial and distribution sites for companies such as IKEA and Next (clothing). New technology centres also exist for companies such as Toyota. Armthorpe is surrounded by many tracks through wooded areas such as Shaw Wood, Crowther Wood and Sandall Beat, perfect for exploring local wildlife. The village is on the Central Route of the South Yorkshire Way long distance walking path.

Places of worship

St. Leonard and St. Mary's Church

Armthorpe has three churches (the Methodist Church in Paxton Crescent closed in 2007):

  • St. Leonard and St. Mary's Church, Church Street, where parish registers record information from the following dates:
    • Baptisms: 1653-1944
    • Marriages: 1653-1939
    • Burials: 1654-1946
  • Our Lady Of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, Mere Lane
  • Armthorpe New Life Church, Church Street (meets in the Community Centre)

Sport

  • Boxing - Universal Pro/Amateur Boxing Club is on Church Street
  • Football
    • Armthorpe Welfare Football Club are currently members of the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.
    • Armthorpe Village Football Club are currently members of the Doncaster & District Sunday Alliance league
    • Armthorpe Wolves, playing at Southfield Primary School, have several teams in the Doncaster and District Junior Sunday League and a thriving Development Group for 3 to 6 year olds.
    • Armthorpe Rovers Junior Football Club have several teams in all age groups from Under 6's up to Under 17's
  • Motocross - Armthorpe Motocross and Quadbike Racing
  • Rugby - Doncaster Knights currently play in the RFU Championship, play at the Castle Park ground on Armthorpe road
  • Swimming - Armthorpe Kingfishers Swimming Club, operate from the village Leisure Centre next to the comprehensive school.
  • Dancing - Marilyn Baker School of Dance. Stephanie Phillips School of Dance. Cre8tive Dance Academy.
  • Golf - Wheatley Golf Course is on the outskirts of Armthorpe, it is an exclusive private club.

Notable people

  • Kevin Keegan, footballer and manager, born in Armthorpe
  • Peter Swan, footballer, centre half for Sheffield Wednesday and England in the 1960s
  • George Raynor, football manager of Sweden who he took to the world cup finals in Sweden in 1958, until Roy Hodgson's tenure at Inter Milan he was only Englishman to have managed an Italian Serie A soccer team. He was mentioned in The Guinness Book of records as most successful coach. He introduced to sportsmen the practice of Fart-lek, a Norwegian terminology meaning speed training.
  • David Bonner, Writer of TV shows, The Lampies, Sergeant Stripes and Doctor Otter, creator of Toby's Travelling Circus and numerous TV shows and movies

Education

Pre-School

  • Armthorpe Village Children's Centre provides advice and support for parents and carers.

Primary schools

  • Tranmoor
  • Southfield
  • Shaw Wood
  • Our Lady of Sorrows

Secondary schools

References

  1. ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Doncaster Retrieved 26 August 2009
  2. ↑ "Civil Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Armthorpe Average Household Income".
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