Burley in Wharfedale

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.9137
longitude= -1.7480
official_name= Burley in Wharfedale
map_type= West Yorkshire
population = 6,397
civil_parish = Burley
metropolitan_borough= City of Bradford
region= Yorkshire and the Humber
metropolitan_county= West Yorkshire
constituency_westminster= Shipley
post_town= ILKLEY
postcode_district = LS29
postcode_area= LS
dial_code= 01943
os_grid_reference= SE165464
Police= West Yorkshire Police

Burley-in-Wharfedale is a village in the county of West Yorkshire, England. Along with Menston, Burley is part of Wharfedale Ward in the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford (though it has a Leeds postcode). It lies on the A65, approximately fourteen miles north-west of the centre of Leeds, between Otley and Ilkley. Burley has a railway station on the Wharfedale line, with direct trains to Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley.

Despite the great transport links to local urban areas Burley in Wharfedale retains its rural feel and setting in the green Wharfedale valley.

The village is adjoined by Burley Woodhead, a small cluster of farms and prestigious homes at the foot of Burley Moor.One recent development was a conversion of the old garden centre into a magnificent 21st century dwelling. Burley Woodhead is also proud to have its own guide's and scouts building.

Originally a small agricultural community with likely Roman and Anglo-Saxon roots, Burley developed in the late 18th and 19th centuries into an industrial village with many residents employed at the cotton mills known as Greenholme Mills, which were powered from a fed from the River Wharfe.

The development of industrial and commercial centres in the nearby cities of Leeds and Bradford, combined with rail and bus links, prompted major changes to the village in the early 20th Century. Council housing was built in the 1920s and 1950s, as the village became a dormitory settlement for the two cities.

Developments in the second half of the twentieth century have seen Burley become a prosperous but socially diverse village. The village has a high percentage of elderly and retired people, as well as many young families attracted by job opportunities, local schools and new housing developments.

Whilst the cotton mill no longer operates, the village retains a strong range of local businesses and a strong community atmosphere.

Whilst the 1991 census give a population figure of just over 6300, the development of new housing estates has resulted in a significant population increase.

The village has two state primary schools, Burley and Woodhead Primary School and Burley Oaks Primary School, along with Ghyll Royd School, a private primary and nursery school for boys.

It also has an Anglican Church, an United Reformed Church, a Methodist and a Catholic Church.

It benefits from a range of public buildings, such as the Queens' Hall, originally built as a lecture hall for mill workers. Recent work by community groups has resulted in developments including a new nature reserve and village green.

Burley Woodhead was also the home of the late Richard Whiteley, a popular television celebrity, until his death in 2005.

Is also the home of comedy superpower Conrad Phillips.

In 2006, following a petition to the local authority and permission from the Secretary of State, Burley gained its own Parish Council.

ee also

*Burley-in-Wharfedale railway station

External links

* [http://www.burley-in-wharfedale.org Burley in Wharfedale Community Web Site] Official Burley in Wharfedale village web site, from Burley Community Council
* [http://www.burleybusinesses.com Burley in Wharfedale Chamber of Trade]
* [http://www.salem-church.org.uk Salem United Reformed Church in Burley in Wharfedale]
* [http://www.wharfedaleforums.com/ Wharfedale Forums] Village Discussion Forum