Swinton, South Yorkshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Swinton | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 12881 |
| Ordnance Survey | |
| OS grid reference: | SK454992 |
| Administration | |
| District: | Rotherham |
| Metropolitan county: | South Yorkshire |
| Region: | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Constituent country: | England |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial county: | South Yorkshire |
| Historic county: | Yorkshire |
| Services | |
| Police force: | South Yorkshire Police |
| Ambulance service: | Yorkshire |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | Mexborough |
| Postal district: | S64 |
| Dialling code: | +44-01709 |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | Wentworth |
| European Parliament: | Yorkshire and the Humber |
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Swinton is a small town in South Yorkshire, on part of the west bank of the River Don.
The town was once a centre for the manufacture of ceramics of international importance; deep coal mining, glassmaking, canal barge-building and engineering also featured. These days employment is provided predominantly by service and light industry in the nearby Manvers area.
It is most famous for being the site of the Rockingham Pottery, a world-famous manufacturer of porcelain. Although the factory closed in 1842 its name is left as defining a style of rococo porcelain. There were several other potteries in the area during the 19th century.
The town is located on a hillside, the higher regions generally being home to older dwellings and the lower regions the location of newer build. The lowest point of the town contains two main rail lines, the River Don, the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation canal and the derelict Dearne and Dove Canal.
Squeezed in amongst these transport systems is the Waddingtons Boat Yard, which has survived the widespread decline in local industry and still operates a limited barge repair and transport business, having also diversified into timber milling and woodworking.
The South Yorkshire Navigation canal, once a major transport route between Sheffield and Goole, underwent substantial modernisation in the mid 80's and is capable of accommodating very large vessels as far as Rotherham, and pleasure craft right into Sheffield. Recently, limited bulk freight has returned to the canal and can occasionally be seen passing through the modern Swinton Lock.
On Swinton's boundary with Kilnhurst is a sizeable area of recently derelict land, formerly home to the Croda chemical works (before that the Yorkshire Tar Distillers). The site and former works are associated with some local controversy, owning to pollution issues during the works' operations and serious environmental concerns regarding the current site.
Swinton is also home to a large site owned by the Morphy Richards & Roberts Radio brands. Whilst most manufacturing has ceased, substantial warehousing remains. An American Baguel company also operates in the town as well as Stelrad and Jacksons Building Centres.
Swinton's strong working-class traditions gave way during the mid-80's manufacturing upheaval, and the town now has marked divisions between deprived areas and newer "middle class" regions.
The grandfather of Julie Andrews lived in Swinton and Tony Capstick went to Swinton Bridge School as a child.
| Ceremonial county of South Yorkshire | ||
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan districts: | City of Sheffield • Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham • Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster • Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley | |
| Cities/Towns: | Adwick le Street • Anston • Armthorpe • Askern • Aughton • Barnsley • Bawtry • Birdwell • Beighton • Bentley • Chapeltown • Conisbrough • Cudworth • Darfield • Darton • Dinnington • Dodworth • Doncaster • Finningley • Great Houghton • Grimethorpe • Harthill • Hatfield • Highlane • Hoyland Nether • Kirk Sandall • Maltby • Mexborough • Moorends • Mosborough • Norton • Oughtibridge • Rawmarsh • Rossington • Rotherham • Royston • Scholes • Sheffield City Centre • Stainforth • Stocksbridge • Swinton • Thorne • Thorpe Hesley • Thurcroft • Thurnscoe • Tickhill • Todwick • Treeton • Wales • Wath upon Dearne • Wharncliffe Side • Wombwell • Woodsetts • Worsbrough See also: List of civil parishes in South Yorkshire |
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