Barlow, North Yorkshire

Barlow

Old Methodist Chapel, Barlow
Barlow
Barlow shown within North Yorkshire
Population 753 (2011 census)[1]
OS grid reference SE645285
District
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town SELBY
Postcode district YO8
Dialling code 01757
Police North Yorkshire
Fire North Yorkshire
Ambulance Yorkshire
EU Parliament Yorkshire and the Humber

Barlow is a small village and civil parish located in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies about 3 miles away from Selby and 13 away from the East Riding of Yorkshire town Goole. Barlow has around 200 houses and a population of 753.[1] Most of the homes are along the main road. The village has very few amenities, but there is a primary school and a licensed social club. There are 3 entrances to the village, 2 of which lead from the A1041 main road coming out of Selby. The other entrance, is a back lane leading off from the Selby bypass. The village's two nature reserves offer a network of paths and bridleways for woodland walks but neither allow horse riding. Before the 19th century, Barlow was usually known as ‘Berlay’ or ‘Barley’.[2]

Overview

Barlow is an essentially rural village, situated about three miles from the town of Selby and from the motorway network. More recently the village could best be described as a dormitory village for commuters to Selby, York and Leeds. General traffic is light, as Barlow does not lead to anywhere along its main road. At the very end of the village is a roundabout and the Drax Nature Reserve.

The services of the village are quite limited, with only the primary school and social club being the main amenities. Most services have been shut down over the years due to there being no major need for them. Formally the village had a Post Office, Fish & Chip van, Portable Library, and Public House; all of which ceased to operate in the last century.

The village had a community church, which held weekly services and special services for the Primary school. The Church was closed in 2012, because of small congregation coming to the weekly services, who were all elderly. The vicar however still makes visits to the primary school, to celebrate important events in the Christian calendar.

History

Evidence of Barlow was first recorded in 1020, in a survey of the estates of the Archbishop of York. After the Norman Conquest, it was part of an estate centred on Drax manor. The only physical evidence of medieval settlement in Barlow is the earthworks around the present Barlow Hall farm. The furrow fields suggest that the area was in use around the time of the Norman Conquest, as the settlement was recorded in the Domesday Book as "Berlai".[3]

In 1520, the Twisletons purchased the lands and built the Hall and later village church during 17th century. The population grew during the industrial period and main layout of Barlow was erected around this time. Much of Barlow's present housing was built in the last century.[3]

The village was the site of an airship production factory in the early part of the 20th century and later a munitions depot. Much of the land on which both of these were sited now lies under the ash tip of the nearby Drax power station.

In 1912, the NER established the Selby-Goole line which ran through the current nature reserve. It enabled the construction of the airship factory and later the WD depot (c. 1930s). The station closed to passengers in 1964 but was still used by the WD depot; and for construction on Drax power station until 1982. The line was completely dismantled by 1986 and much of the land was replace by Barlow Common.[3]

Barlow Railway Station facing west c. 1961

References

  1. 1 2 UK Census (2011). "Local Area Report – Barlow Parish (1170217379)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "About Barlow". Barlow Parish Council. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "History of Barlow" (PDF). Retrieved 22 August 2018.
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