Baildon

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type= West Yorkshire
official_name= Baildon
latitude= 53.8517
longitude= -1.7635
population= 15,569
metropolitan_borough= City of Bradford
metropolitan_county= West Yorkshire
region= Yorkshire and the Humber
constituency_westminster= Shipley
post_town= BRADFORD
postcode_district = BD17
postcode_area= BD
dial_code= 01274
os_grid_reference= SE155395
WardName = Baildon
1stCouncillor= John Briggs|
1stParty= Liberal Democrat|
2ndCouncillor= John Cole|
2ndParty= Liberal Democrat|
3rdCouncillor= Val Townend
3rdParty= Conservative Party

Baildon is a town north of Bradford in Northern England. It is part of the metropolitan borough of Bradford in the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire and within the historic boundaries of the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Baildon Moor has a number of outcropping gritstones, and there is a stone circle known as Soldier's Trench which is said to date from the Bronze Age, 3000 years ago. There are also numerous Cup & Ring marks, the origins of these are still unknown.

The town is served by Baildon railway station.

Within Baildon there are several sports clubs, run from Baildon Rugby Union Football Club. These include the rugby club itself, along with the cricket and running clubs.

Churches

t John

The church of St. John was built in 1848 though the tower was not added until 1928. [cite book |last=Pevsner |first=Nikolaus |title=The Buildings of England - Yorkshire West Riding|year=1998|publisher=Penguin |isbn=014 071075 ]

t James

This painted tongue and goove timber church, which is now (2008) a Grade II listed building, was moved to Baildon from Great Warley, Essex in 1905. The Revd N R Bailey, rector of Great Warley, had property in Baildon and hoped to retire there. However his obituary was published in Nov 1900 before he retired. In 2007/2008 the church was moved again but only a few yards. This allowed the surrounding land to be sold by the Diocese for development. An underground heat pump system was installed to make the building more eco-friendly and rotten timbers replaced.

Baildon Council

In 1974, following the formation of the Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the Baildon Urban District Council was disbanded.

After collecting the required number of signatures on a petition in 2005, and holding a ballot in 2006, nominations were invited for a Baildon Parish Council. Baildon was split into 6 wards with the potential for 2 councillors in each ward. Baildon East and Baildon West had 3 nominations so elections were held on May 3 2007. Baildon South, Baildon North and Baildon South East each had 2 nominations - no contest. Baildon South West had no nominations. Therefore, on May 14 2007, the Baildon Parish Council was initially formed with 10 Councillors.

Harley-Davidson Rally

For nearly a quarter of a century, up until 2003, the August Bank Holiday weekend saw over 500 Harley-Davidson riders arrive in Baildon as part of the annual UK rally of the Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain [http://www.hdrcgb.org.uk] - the event raising thousands of pounds for children's charities. The riders came from all over the country, including some from as far off as the Netherlands. In 2004, the HDRCGB decided to switch their regular venue to Wales, so an unofficial rally now takes place each August with over 250 Harley riders deciding to honour their annual pilgrimage to Baildon village, including donations of toys to a local children's hospital. The 2008 rally ended with 430 riders being given their usual police escort down Browgate, from the village, towards Hollins Hill, where most would eventually make their way on to Harewood House.

Famous residents

The late journalist and "Countdown" TV game show presenter Richard Whiteley was a native of Baildon.

Mountaineer Ian Clough was born in Baildon. After he was tragically killed on an expedition to the Himalayan mountain Annapurna in 1970, Ian Clough Hall, a meeting-place and arts venue, was established in Baildon in his memory. In the 1960s, Ian and close friend Chris Bonington were known to have practised their climbing techniques on Baildon Bank - a 1,000ft long, convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on high, ex-quarry rock-face that looks out towards Bradford. In 1962, Ian & Chris were the first Britons to successfully scale the treacherous north-face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps.

Yorkshire and England cricket fast bowler, Matthew Hoggard, though originally from Pudsey, has lived in Baildon for some years. He is also a member of Baildon Cricket Club.

Watford F.C.'s manager Aidy Boothroyd is from Baildon.

Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for Great Grimsby since 1977, was born in Baildon.

Ex-Yorkshire & England cricket captain Brian Close settled in Baildon many years ago. He was born in nearby Rawdon.

Veteran sports television commentator John Helm is from Baildon.

Movies & Television filmed in Baildon

*"Billy Liar" (1963) - Locations: Midland Road.
*"Damon & Debbie" (1987) - Locations: St Anne's Terrace; Threshfield.
*"Rita, Sue & Bob Too" (1987) - Locations: Baildon Moor; Ladderbanks; Baildon Village.
*"Monty Python" (197?) - Locations: Baildon Moor.

External References

* [http://www.bcsp-web.org/mapguide_site/maingeo.cfm BCSP] (Internet Explorer only)
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bradford/election_2004/bradford/baildon.shtml BBC election results]
* [http://www.bradfordinfo.com/census/WardProfiles/BAILDON.pdf Council ward profile] (pdf)

External links

* [http://www.baildononline.co.uk Baildon Online] Baildon Online Community Website
* [http://www.baildon.org.uk/ Baildon Village website] Website initiated by Baildon Community Council
* [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=baildon+2008+bikes&search_type=&aq=f Baildon Bike Rally 2008] Video clips on YouTube