Hebburn

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Hebburn
latitude= 54.9718
longitude= -1.5128
population = 24,000 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276795&c=gateshead&d=13&e=16&g=366743&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=75 Census 2001 Neighbourhood Statistics] ]
metropolitan_borough= South Tyneside
metropolitan_county= Tyne and Wear
region= North East England
constituency_westminster= Jarrow
post_town= HEBBURN
postcode_area= NE
postcode_district= NE31
dial_code= 0191
os_grid_reference= NZ318645

Hebburn is a small town situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in North East England, sandwiched between the towns of Jarrow and Bill Quay. The population of Hebburn is about 24,000.

History

It is thought that the name Hebburn may be derived from the Anglo Saxon terms, "heah" meaning high, and "byrgen" meaning a burying place, though it could also mean "the high place beside the water". The first record of Hebburn mentions a settlement of fishermen's huts in the 8th century, which were burned by the Vikings.

Local legend claims that, until recently, a preserved longship lay embedded on the south bank of the Tyne at Hebburn. The object, visible at low tide, was however the remains of an old wooden "coal lighter".Fact|date=August 2007 A genuine longship would likely have been salvaged by a historical society, or have had a protection order placed upon it.

In the 14th century the landscape was dominated by a pele tower. A 4'6" (140 cm) tall wall, a portion of which still remains at St. John's Church, could also be seen. The Lordship of the Manor of Hebburn passed through the hands of a number of families during the Middle Ages.

Interesting facts

*Sir Humphry Davy, inventor of the Davy lamp, developed the safety lamp at Hebburn Hall and first tested it at Hebburn Colliery on January 9 1816.
*HMS "Kelly", captained by Lord Louis Mountbatten, was built at Hawthorn Leslie Shipyard in the town.There is a military grave of the ships company in Hebburn cemetery, which features a memorial to Lord Louis Mountbatten after his death in 1979.
*HMS "Quail" was built at Hawthorn Leslie Shipyard.
*Get Carter, a 1971 movie starring Michael Caine was filmed on location around the North East region. The Ferry landing, betting shop and a café scenes were all shot in Hebburn.
*Gary Numan made a pop video at electrical engineers Reyrolle Parsons Testing Station.
*The road crash scene in the movie, 'Stormy Monday' starring Sting was filmed in Hebburn on top of the railway bridge in Luke's Lane.

Hebburn today

Hebburn Town F.C. is the town's local non-league football team.

Athletics is also catered for at Monkton Stadium, home of [http://www.british-athletics.co.uk/clubs/club0299.htm Jarrow and Hebburn AC] , where Brendan Foster, Steve Cram and David Sharp are famous past runners.

The Parachute Regiment 4th Para Reserves have a [http://www.4para.com detachment] based in Hebburn.

Hebburn has an ecology centre powered by wind turbines.

Notable citizens

* Brendan Foster: Olympic athlete
* Andrew Leslie: Shipbuilder
* Arthur Holmes: 20th century geologist
* George Armstrong: Arsenal footballer [Citation
last =Glanville
first =Brian
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =George "Geordie" Armstrong
newspaper =The Guardian
pages =
year =2000
date =2000-11-02
url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,391370,00.html] [Citation
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =FOOTBALL MOURNS DEATH OF 'GEORDIE'
newspaper =The South Shields Gazette
pages =
year =2000
date =2000-11-02
url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,391370,00.html]

References

External links

* [http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/h045.htm Hebburn Colliery] - Information about Hebburn Colliery
* [http://www.hebburn.org/ Hebburn.org] - Site detailing history of the town