Silkstone Common
Village in South Yorkshire, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Silkstone Common is a village in the metropolitan borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. It is to the south of Silkstone.
| Silkstone Common | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
Ben Bank Road | |
  Silkstone Common Location within South Yorkshire | |
| Population | 2,954 (2001 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SE290044 |
| Civil parish | |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | South Yorkshire |
| Fire | South Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| UK Parliament | |
| Website | http://www.silkstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk |
History
One of the most notable events in the history of the village was the Huskar Pit Disaster, which occurred on 4 July 1838 when a freak storm flooded part of the mine, killing 26 children; the youngest was 7 years, the oldest 17. A historical account of this event has been documented in the book entitled Children of the Dark.
In 1877, the South Yorkshire Coal and Iron Company built a planned housing development in southwest Silkstone Common called the South Yorkshire Buildings. The buildings are "laid out in a regular pattern surrounded by small allotment gardens" as opposed to "the rest of the settlement, which consists of terraces strung out along existing roads".[2]
Historically Silkstone Common is part of the West Riding of Yorkshire in the Wapentake of Staincross, in the ancient parish of Silkstone.
Transport
Silkstone Common is served by the railway station of the same name, which opened in 1852.[3] Silkstone Waggonway extends to Silkstone Common. There is also the Station Inn.
Education
The village has a Junior and Infants School. It is also in close proximity to Penistone Grammar School.
Amenities
Silkstone Common is home to one pub, The Station and one shop,the Cottage Bakery Shop.[4]
The village has a Methodist Church, now closed. The Parish Council are investigating the purchase of the building for village use.
Notable buildings include Knabb's Hall which was built in late 17th century for William and Elizabeth Wood of Wortley Forge, and the Old Station House, a building located directly beside the railway line which once housed the railway owner but now functions as a residential building.[5]
