Hucknall

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Template:GBmap Hucknall, formerly known as Hucknall Torkard, is a town in Nottinghamshire, England, in the district of Ashfield.

1 Statistics
2 Geography
3 History
- 3.1 Transport
4 Industry
5 People
6 Sport
7 Government
8 External links

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Statistics

Population 29,704 (14,572 (49%) male, 15,132 (51%) female). Total households 12,427 (Census 2001, Nottinghamshire County Council).

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Geography

Longitude: 1° 12' West, Latitude: 53° 2' North. Ordnance Survey grid reference SK5349.

Hucknall is situated seven miles (11.26 kilometres) north-west of Nottingham on the west bank of the Leen Valley, on land which rises from the Trent Valley in the south to the hills of the county north of Kirkby-in-Ashfield. The town's highest point is Long Hill which is 460 feet (140 metres) above sea-level.

Apart from the southern link to Nottingham, the town is surrounded by farmland. To the north-west lie Misk Hills and Annesley. To the north-east town are the villages of Linby and Papplewick. Beyond them is Newstead Abbey, once the residence of Lord Byron. To the west lies Eastwood, birthplace of D. H. Lawrence, and the inspiration for many of his novels. To the east of the town is Bestwood Country Park. The areas of Butler's Hill and Westville often appear as distinct entities on maps, but are generally considered as part of Hucknall.

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History

Hucknall was once a thriving market town. It's focal point is the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene, next to the town's market square. The church was built by the Saxons and completed after the Norman Conquest, though much of it has been restored during the Victorian era.

The oldest known versions of the name Hucknall are "Hokeuhale" and "Hokenale", which may mean "Oakenhall" (The Hall In The Wood). It is easy to see how this could change to Hucknall at a time when printing was unknown.

In the Domesday Book (A.D. 1086) the name appears as "Hochenale" (volume 1, pages 288-290). From 1295 until 1915, the town was known as Hucknall Torkard, taken from the name Torcard. Signs of the old name can still be seen on some of the older buildings in the town.

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Transport

The town is the northern terminus for the Nottingham Express Transit tram system as well as sharing a stop on the Robin Hood Line

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Industry

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Textiles

Framework knitting was once the predominant industry in Hucknall.

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Mining

It was a major coal mining town at one time. The Hucknall Colliery Company, formed in 1861 sank two shafts, Hucknall No. 1 colliery (know as "Top Pit") in 1861 (off Watnall Road) and Hucknall No. 2 colliery (known as "Bottom Pit") in 1866 (off Portland Road). No. 1 closed by 1943, and No. 2 closed in 1986.

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Rolls Royce

During World War II, the aerodrome at Hucknall was the location of the first flight of a P-51 Mustang fitted with a Rolls Royce Merlin Engine. The fitting of the merlin engine, replacing the existing Allison V-1710 engine allowed the Mustang airframe to reach its full potential and achieve spectacular high altitude performance, something the Allison engine could not provide. In the early 1950s, the Rolls Royce site at Hucknall developed the world's first vertical-takeoff jet 'aircraft' - actually, a test rig, officially called the Thrust Measuring Rig, but soon nicknamed the "Flying Bedstead" because of its shape. The first untethered flight, piloted by Capt. Ron Shepherd, took place on 3 August 1954 before a distinguished audience. The rig rose slowly into the air and hovered steadily. It then moved forward, made a circuit of the area, then demonstrated sideways and backwards movements before making a successful landing. The flight was a tremendous success and during the next four months a number of free flights were made, up to a height of 50 ft. There are pubs in Hucknall called "The Flying Bedstead" and "The Harrier".

During World War 2, a German prisoner-of-war, Franz von Werra, attempted to escape by posing as a Dutch pilot and flying off in a Hurricane fighter. He was the only German to succeed in returning to the Reich. His exploits can be seen in the film 'The One That Got Away'.

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People

Lord Byron (poet, philosopher and revolutionary) is buried in the parish church (on 16 July 1824).

A native of Hucknall was Eric Coates, whose compositions include the theme music for The Dam Busters movie, and the "Sleepy Lagoon" introduction for Desert Island Discs.

Ben Caunt (1815-1861), a bare-knuckle fighter, know as "The Torkard Giant", who became 'Champion of England'. more information about his life by one of his descendents

Enoch 'Knocker' West (1886-1965), a footballer who played for Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. In 1915 he was banned from playing football for 30 years for allegedly fixing a match. He protested his innocence until his death.

Philanthropist Zachariah Green (1817-1897). Buried in the local Parish church. Has a monument to his memory in Titchfield Park.

Robin Bailey (1919-1999), actor.

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Sport

The town's football team is Hucknall Town F.C.. Founded in 1945, originally as a colliery team (Hucknall Colliery Welfare FC), changing its name to Hucknall Town in 1987 after closure of the pit. Over the seasons they have risen steadily through the non-league leagues and won many honours. They currently (2005) play in the Conference North, and in 2005 reached the final of the FA Trophy.

Hucknall Cricket Club, founded 1890. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd XIs currently play in various leagues of the South Notts. Cricket League.

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