Tibshelf

Infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption= Tibshelf.
latitude = 53.142
longitude = -1.345
map_type = Derbyshire
official_name = Tibshelf
population =
shire_district = Bolsover
shire_county = Derbyshire
region = East Midlands
constituency_westminster =
post_town = ALFRETON

postcode_district =DE55
postcode_area =DE
dial_code =
os_grid_reference = SK439607

Tibshelf is a village in Derbyshire, England. It is in the Bolsover district of the county. It has a population of approximately 3,500.

The village was the site for the UK's first inland oil well (as is proudly stated on road signs at either end of the village). In the 19th century, coal was discovered, and coal mining overtook agriculture as the primary industry in the area, and a local railway system was developed. Two deep mines were sunk, but were under threat of closure for a number of years following partial cave-in. Tibshelf had its own railway station on the Great Central Railway line, which closed in the 1960s. The collieries also closed around this time, although coal mining continued to be a major source of employment for the village, with around 2,000 of Tibshelf's inhabitants working at local pits in the early 1980s.

Tibshelf has since redeveloped itself into a popular place to live, in part due to its location near the M1 motorway (Tibshelf has a service station on it) and its proximity to Nottingham, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Mansfield and Sutton in Ashfield. Some of the former railway lines were redeveloped by Derbyshire County Council in the 1970s, and now form the award-winning Five Pits Trail network. The trail runs approximately 12 miles, from Tibshelf to Grassmoor Country Park.

Other leisure highlights include Tibshelf Ponds, which stand at an ex-colliery site. They are 2 popular and well-stocked fishing ponds, which contain mixed coarse fish and carp. Angling is controlled by Tibshelf and Newton Angling Club. One pond is available to fish on a day ticket, with the other being permit only.

Tibshelf also has a large cricket field and modern pavilion, located adjacent to Shetland Road, towards the village's Southern boundary, with Newton.

There are three schools in Tibshelf, namely Tibshelf Infants School, on High Street; Tibshelf Town-End Junior School, on Alfreton Road; and Tibshelf Community School (a Specialist Sports College), also on High Street.

Pubs which remain at time of writing are (West of village, to East of village) The Crown Hotel, The Royal Oak, The Wheatsheaf, King Edward VII (also known as NUCS club, Neddy), and The White Hart. Recently deceased watering holes include The Slap and Tickle, Brook Street Club. At its "Pub Peak", Tibshelf had 10 such establishments located within its boundaries. Tibshelf has, in recent times, acquired something of a bad reputation for anti-social behaviour and underage drinking.

Tibshelf shares its boundaries with the villages of Morton, Pilsley, Newton, Teversal and Hardstoft.

Tibshelf also has a service station named after it. Tibshelf Services was originally called Chesterfield Services but due to its location close to the village and very distant from Chesterfield, it was re-branded 'Tibshelf Services'.

South Yorkshire and the North Midlands' local radio station, Hallam FM has a regular feature on its Sunday evening show called 'The Tibshelf Report', in which fictional villagers supposedly living in Tibshelf are the subject of ridicule. The news feature is usually aired around 20:30 on Jim Coulson's show and is delivered by Marc Jowett in Tibshelf

External links

* [http://tibshelfpc.tripod.com/photo.htm Historical images of Tibshelf]
* [http://www.tibshelfparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Tibshelf Parish Council]
* [http://www.lpilsley.co.uk/fivepits.htm Information about the Five Pits Trail]
* [http://www.maunmotors.co.uk/maun_motors_history.html History of Maun Motors, one of the many businesses to prosper from Tibshelf. Features some historical photos.]