Swinton, South Yorkshire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude = 53.4877
longitude = -1.3149
official_name = Swinton
population = 12,881
metropolitan_borough = Rotherham
metropolitan_county = South Yorkshire
region = Yorkshire and the Humber
constituency_westminster = Wentworth
post_town = MEXBOROUGH
postcode_district = S64
postcode_area = S
dial_code = 01709
os_grid_reference = SK454992

Swinton is a small town in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, England on part of the west bank of the River Don.

History

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. It is best known 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. One of the original kilns, a small part of the factory, a gatehouse (both now private residences) and the pottery flint millpond can still be seen today in a small park off Blackamoor Road near the Woodman pub in Swinton.

Topography

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.

Economy and Transport

These days employment is provided predominantly by service and light industry in the nearby Manvers area.Squeezed in among the rail lines and canals 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 Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation canal, once a major transport route between Sheffield and Goole, underwent substantial modernisation in the mid 1980s 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.

The town was without a railway station between January, 1968, when the old station was closed as part of the Beeching cuts, and 1991, when a new, unstaffed station was opened. This followed the restoration of the dual track "Swinton Curve", enabling trains to travel from Sheffield to Doncaster via Swinton. Increased passenger usage subsequently lead to the provision of a small portable building staffed for the morning peak only. This was later replaced by a brick building housing a ticket office and waiting room. Some local bus services connect with trains at this facility.

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.

Local Issues

On Swinton's boundary with Kilnhurst is a sizeable area of recently derelict land, formerly occupied by Croda Hydrocarbons, who took over the works from Midland and Yorkshire Tar Distillers. The site and former works are associated with some local controversy, owing to pollution issues during the works' operations and serious environmental concerns regarding the current site.

Famous people linked with Swinton

The grandfather of Julie Andrews lived in Swinton and Tony Capstick went to Swinton Bridge School as a child.