West Hallam

infobox UK place
official_name = West Hallam
os_grid_reference = SK430415
population = 4,829 (2001 census [cite web |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=793388&c=West+Hallam&d=16&e=15&g=434705&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 |title=Parish Headcounts: West Hallam CP |accessdate=2007-04-12 |work=Neighbourhood Statistics |publisher=Office for National Statistics ] )
country = England
region = East Midlands
shire_county = Derbyshire
shire_district = Erewash
latitude = 52.97
longitude = -1.36
static_

static_image_caption=The Village Hall, West Hallam.
scale = 50000
map_type = Derbyshire
constituency_westminster = Erewash
post_town = ILKESTON
postcode_district = DE7
postcode_area = DE
dial_code = 0115

West Hallam is a large village close to Ilkeston in the County of Derbyshire in the East Midlands region of England.

History

Although it is not known exactly when the village was founded, it existed at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. St Wilfrid's Church is over 700 years old. West Hallam has had its own Parish council since 1894 and, since 1974, has been part of the Erewash Borough.

Until the early 20th Century West Hallam was a small rural village and the property of the Newdigate family. Most jobs were in the agricultural area with some mining work locally in the Erewash Valley coalfield. West Hallam had its own railway station, connected to the Great Northern Railway and Derby Friar Gate Station.

The late 20th Century saw rapid change with both the collieries and the railway disappearing during the 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s a major new housing development dramatically increased the village's population. Most residents are now employed away from West Hallam, some even commuting daily as far as London.

Notable residents

* Thomas Rossell Potter (1799- 1873), writer, was born here.Thomas Rossell Potter in Dictionary of National Biography now in the public domain]
* Deborah "Big Debbs" Gerring-Smith (1968- present)former women's east midlands boxing champion, was born here.

References