- Fishburn
infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Fishburn
latitude= 54.68
longitude= -1.44
population = 2,133 (2001) [http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/Lookup/Sedgefield%20Settlement%20Summary%20Sheets%20Numbers/$file/Sedgefield+Settlement+Summary+Sheets+Numbers.pdf]
shire_district= Sedgefield
region= North East England
shire_county =County Durham
constituency_westminster= Sedgefield
post_town= STOCKTON-ON-TEES
postcode_district = TS21
postcode_area= TS
dial_code= 01740
os_grid_reference= NZ364321Fishburn is a village in
County Durham , inEngland . It is situated in the borough of Sedgefield, a few miles to the west ofHartlepool .Location
The village lies scattered along a dry swell of
magnesian limestone rising north from theRiver Skerne (known locally as the "beck") to approx. 500 ft above sea level. The beck is one of the parish boundaries, as the township ofSedgefield begins on the other side of the river.History
The earliest proprietors of the village (and then manor) on record were the family of "Fissebourne". There are a number of theories on how the village got its name. In one book it is stated that the name derives from the Saxon words "Fisc" meaning fish and " Bourne" meaning brook.Another theory is that it was derived from the monks who used to fish at this spot in early days; hence "fish in the burn", Fishburn.However it is more likely that the family of Fissebourne gave its name to the manor.It could be a
Flemish name associated with the Norman Conquerors, i.e. Ranulf de Fishbourne. Old maps suggest that the village was named "Fissebourne" at one time, and then some considerable years later, it became "Fishbourne", later adopting its present name "Fishburn".Coal Mining
Between 1910 and 1973 coal mining here was a major industry, Fishburn Colliery employees peaking at over 1500 in the 1950s.
Fishburn coking plant was built in 1954 alongside the colliery to produce high grade coke for industry and a coke for the domestic market called Sunbrite as well as other byproducts from the coking process such as
town gas .After much doubt about its future and attempts by the then MP
Tony Blair to save it the plant was eventually closed in 1986 with the loss of 250 jobs. Nothing remains of the former ovens and the site has been reclaimed as a nature reserve.Culture
Fishburn is home to the Fishburn
Brass Band , started by local miners as the Fishburn Colliery Welfare band in the 1950's. The band have won several high profile contests including the Scottish Open Champions in 2005 and the Durham County Brass Band League.Transport
Fishburn Airfield is a 600x30 metre grass strip runway catering for private flyers with light aircraft.
Noteable People
*
Irving Nattrass -Newcastle United Midfielder
*Mike Hooper - Footballer
*Niall Quinn - Footballer
*Micky Horswill - FootballerExternal Links
* [http://www.fishburnairfield.co.uk/ Fishburn Airfield]
* [http://fishburnband.homestead.com/ Fishburn Brass Band]
* [http://fishburn.sedgefield.gov.uk/ccm/portal/ Fishburn Parish Council]
* [http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/f001.htm Durham Mining Museum - Fishburn Colliery]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=28467 Irving Nattrass Biography]
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