Highley

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.44872
longitude= -2.38219
official_name= Highley
population =
shire_district= Bridgnorth
shire_county = Shropshire
region= West Midlands
constituency_westminster= Ludlow
post_town= BRIDGNORTH
postcode_district = WV15, WV16
postcode_area= WV
dial_code= 01746
os_grid_reference= SO741834
static_

static_image_caption=The Severn Centre

Highley is a large village in Shropshire, England, on the west bank of the River Severn and on the B4555 road. It forms part of Bridgnorth District. Highley has a population of approximately 3,100 [Cite web |url=http://www.bridgnorth.gov.uk/static/images/cme_resources/Public/Documents/Environmental_Health/Licensing/Licensing_policy.pdf |title=Statement of Licensing Policy |work=Bridgnorth District Council |accessdate=2008-07-02 |pages=1 |format=PDF] , but is beset by transport problems due to the lack of a road bridge, resulting in a high unemployment rate.fact|date=September 2007

History

Highley began as a rural farming community, including an entry in the Doomesday Book, later becoming a significant area for stone quarrying which provided some of the stone for Worcester Cathedral. Coal mining began in the area in the Middle Ages but in the late 1800s the village was revolutionised by coal mining with large scale operations really beginning in 1878. A period of intense house-building also followed, giving Highley its distinctive red-brick terraced miners houses. In the 1930s, during the mine's peak production period, the mine was extended to the neighbouring village of Alveley across the River Severn. Both an underground tunnel and a bridge (known as 'the Miner's Bridge') were constructed between the two villages. This was the only public bridge capable of taking light motor vehicles for eight miles either upstream or downstream; however, this bridge was primarily for mine tramway traffic.

Most of Highley's coal production travelled by tramway to Highley railway station and there was transported worldwide. The tramway is now a footpath.

The mine closed in the late 1960s due to subsidence and waterlogging. The bridge remained open to bridleway traffic only, again due to subsidence from the steep valley sides. The mine area on the Alveley (east) side was converted into an industrial estate in the late 1960s as coal mining ceased, and then was subsequently landscaped cleverly into the Severn Valley Country Park in the late 1980s. Initially this was as an exercise to use trees to shore up the coal spoils, and later as a tourist destination which now includes public artwork and a sculpture trail, The Seam Pavement Trail.

The trail is a series of seven bronze plaques depicting Highley's past and incorporates the designs of West Midlands artist Saranjit Birdi. He included many miner's nicknames into the artwork, gleaned from archive information and research within the local community. Nicknames of the miners, such as 'Dick the Devil', 'Joyful Clappers', 'Cider Biscuit', 'Flaming Heck' and others, are incorporated into the work. Birdi calls it "a seam through time", echoing the skillfully mined coal seams being laid down and later extracted over time. One plaque, 'Plough and Lady', depicts Lady Godiva, who owned Highley Manor in the 11th Century. Birdi is also responsible for another sculpture entitled 'A Song of Steam' at Highley station.

Shortly after 2000, the bridge was declared unsafe and a new footbridge began to be constructed (now completed, 2006).

On a national level, Highley is most known for being the village where 17-year-old murder victim Lesley Whittle lived and from which she was abducted by Donald Neilson, the Black Panther, in 1975. Lesley, the daughter of bus firm owner George Whittle (1905-1967), was taken from her home on 13 January 1975 and found strangled on an underground ledge beneath Bathpool Park near Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, on 7 March that year. Neilson was found guilty of murdering Lesley Whittle and three other people (as well as wounding a Dudley security guard, who later died having never fully recovered from his injuries) at his trial in the summer of 1976, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He remains in prison more than 30 years later and is unlikely ever to be released.

Transport

Highley also has two stops on the Severn Valley Railway at Highley Station and Country Park Halt. In addition to providing tourism, the steam railway is also considered a commuter service due to a discount scheme for local residents. Indeed, the steam trains are often more reliable than the buses!fact|date=September 2007

The main railway stop is a substantial sand-stone Victorian railway station. The station is also home to museum of village life, housed within a vintage post office sorting carriage. Down a small flight of steps from Highley railway station is the Ship Inn Public House, and from there a public footpath leads back to the Country Park and to the Severn Way waymarked walk.

The other stop is a minor unmanned request halt near the bridge for the Country Park. Due to the stopping distances involved in flagging down a steam train, passengers wishing to board the train at the Country Park halt are advised to telephone the railway office in advance, and those wishing to alight are advised to speak to the train driver in person. In theory, however, one can just stand on the platform and hold out one's hand, as if hailing a bus.

Culture and community

Highley houses the Severn Centre, a sports and leisure complex complete with heated lido (open-air swimming pool) that also includes the local library. There is also a golf course alongside the River Severn and Country Park, the sculpture trail plus several restaurants and pubs. A Steam Heritage Centre has been proposed.

The Highley Colliery Brass Band is a local brass band which existed from the turn of the 19th Century until the closure of the colliery in 1969. It reformed in 1993 when a handful of brass band musicians met at the Bache Public House in Highley [Cite web |url=http://www.highleybrassbad.co.uk |title=Highley Colliery Brass Band] . The band adopted regular rehearsals, meeting every Wednesday and Sunday night at the Bache. Member numbers grew, and under the baton of Ray Millichamp the Band began performances under the name of Highley Band. In 2000 to coincide with the new uniform, the band adopted the now familiar Pit Head Wheel emblem and renamed the band to Highley Colliery Band, to reflect the mining heritage of its home village.

The band sees itself as a social group as well as a musical organisation. The band has members of all ages, young and old. The younger members especially are encouraged to take their music grades, and endeavours to enhance every players musical ability and enjoyment. The band performs at fetes, parks and concerts throughout the country.

References

External links

* [http://www.highley.org.uk Highley Village Site]
* [http://www.severncentre.co.uk/ The Severn Centre]
* [http://www.bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk/static/page971.htm Severn Centre construction webcam]
* [http://www.svr.co.uk/shc.php The Engine House]
* [http://www.highleystation.co.uk Highley Station Site]
* [http://www.highleyrfc.co.uk Highley RFC]