Hayfield, Derbyshire
Hayfield | ||
---|---|---|
Shire county | ||
Region | ||
Country | England | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom | |
Post town | HIGH PEAK | |
Postcode district | SK22 | |
Dialling code | 01663 | |
Police | Derbyshire | |
Fire | Derbyshire | |
Ambulance | East Midlands | |
UK Parliament | ||
Hayfield (SK037870) is a village and civil parish in High Peak, Derbyshire, England, with a population of around 2,700.[1] The village is 3 miles (4.8 km) east of New Mills, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of Glossop and 10 miles (16 km) north of Buxton, in the basin of the River Sett.[2]
The civil parish includes Hayfield village itself, the hamlets of Little Hayfield and part of Birch Vale, and a significant proportion of the Kinder Scout plateau.
Location and geography
The village is in the valley of the
The village is split into roughly two halves, intersected by the
Northeast of the village lies Kinder Reservoir, within a short distance of the Kinder plateau. This controls the flow of the River Kinder, thereby avoiding the risk of flooding that had previously been a serious problem within Hayfield village, and which necessitated raising the height of the main street.
The village has a cricket field where Hayfield Cricket Club play. The ground, next to the Royal Hotel, was purchased by the club in 1976 after famous ex-resident Arthur Lowe helped raise the necessary £5,000.[4]
There are several natural springs within Hayfield village, some of which once supplied part of the village's water. These are no longer in active use, although are 'dressed' yearly in well dressing ceremonies.[5]
Although classed as being in the East Midlands, Hayfield is at the northern extremity of the region and falls more within the influence of Manchester and Stockport in North West England.
History
Some kind of settlement has been in existence in Hayfield since Roman times, and possibly before.
Early history
The area was once woodland but this was largely cleared, allowing for sheep farming, although the soil was not good enough for arable farming.[6]
The village lies on the line of a
The village appears in the Domesday Book as "Hedfelt"[8][9] (some sources state the village was recorded as Hedfeld), and Kinder was recorded separately as Chendre.[10] It was included in the Royal Forest of the Peak in medieval times, but was not a parish until it was created perpetual curacy by Richard II.[6] The forest was popular amongst Norman rulers for hunting, for which it was well noted.
Hayfield's location and nearby geography made it an isolated and practically self-sufficient village until the
St Matthew's Church, Highgate Hall, Fox Hall (dated 1625[13]) and an adjoining barn are some of the earliest surviving buildings in the village. Fox Hall and Fox Hall Barn are near the bottom of Kinder Road and are visible from the car park of the Royal Hotel.
Until recently there was some dispute as to which was the oldest pub in the village, with both the Bulls Head [sic] (believed to have been established circa 1386[14]) and the George Hotel (believed to have been established circa 1575[15]) vying for the title. However, in 2012 the Bulls Head closed and was converted into a private dwelling.
The Industrial Revolution to the present day
Eventually woollen manufacturing became a main industry within the village, and the propensity toward three-storied terraced houses within the village reflects this—the top floor, with its better light conditions, was where the loom was operated. In Descriptions of the Country from 30–40 miles Around Manchester (1795), John Aikten wrote: "The inhabitants [of Hayfield] are principally clothiers, though the cotton branch of late has gained a small footing."[6]
As with most northern English villages, the Industrial Revolution brought rapid expansion, chiefly the creation of several cotton mills within Hayfield, along with numerous fabric printing and dyeing businesses, as well as paper manufacture. Hayfield became known for spinning, weaving and
Other local industries included stone quarrying and millstone manufacturing. Some quarrying still takes place within the area, and the remains of old quarries can easily be seen within Hayfield and its surroundings.
In 1868 a branch railway line was built linking Hayfield to Manchester. Initially built to carry fuel to power the mills, the railway line also bought passengers to Hayfield. It was estimated that around 5,000 people each weekend would travel from Manchester in 1920–1930, to enjoy the countryside around Kinder Scout. After World War II, traffic slowed and eventually the line closed in January 1970.
A short-lived continuation to the line was built in the early 20th century to convey materials and workmen during the construction of Kinder Reservoir. A famous photograph shows a construction contractor's locomotive crossing Church Street (the main street through the old village centre); the line skirted the cricket field and continued up the Sett Valley, and its course can still be traced in places.[16]
During World War II, the village was home to evacuees from all over the country. However, on 3 July 1942, a stray bomb intended for Manchester was dropped on a row of terraced houses in Watery Hey. Six people died.[11]
As late as 1937, the book
From 1939 onwards various schemes were put forward to reduce the amount of traffic passing through the narrow main street of the village, prompted by various accidents over the years (notably a crash in 1969 that killed two villagers and prompted a demonstration). Construction of a relief road through the village began in October 1977 and the road opened in December 1978.[19]
Churches in the area
The parish church of St Matthew has existed in its present location since 1386, having previously stood at Kirksteads, the name given to the area where the rivers Kinder and Sett meet near Bowden Bridge. However, the church was not completed until 1405.[20]
The church as seen today is a result of it being largely rebuilt in 1817–18, although remnants of the earlier building are visible in the crypt. The tower was built in 1793 and raised (and a clock added) in 1894. The interior is galleried on three sides and contains a notable monument of 1786 to Joseph Hague, moved there from Glossop church.[21] The church is a Grade II listed building.[22]
St John's Methodist Church dates from 1782. It claims to be the 13th Methodist church built,[23] and was visited by John Wesley, who may well have opened the church personally:[23] Wesley's diaries show he took particular interest in Hayfield, declaring in his diary that he found "uncommon liberty in preaching" when holding a service before the church was built. Although the building has been added to since construction, the four walls of the main church are entirely original.[11] St John's is also Grade II listed.[24]
Methodism was prominent in the area and led to the building of several other chapels. Hugh Bourne
The Mass Trespass
A mile east of the village is the confluence of the rivers Sett and
Modern Hayfield
Hayfield is no longer an industrial settlement and nowadays is considered a thriving Peak District village with a strong community spirit. In the 2001 census, the parish had 2,852 residents, across 1,205 households[26][27] (2,164 of those residents living in the village itself[28]). Many residents work outside of Hayfield in nearby Stockport and Manchester, or in neighbouring towns and villages, although there are a handful of local businesses providing employment, including farms.
Hayfield is considered a desirable place to live within the High Peak and this is reflected in higher property prices compared to neighbouring towns and villages.[18] An increasing number of residents have moved from nearby Manchester and Stockport to experience a better quality of life, and it is possible to argue that Hayfield is undergoing gentrification.
An annual May Queen procession is held in the village each year in May, as were sheepdog trials at nearby Little Hayfield, in September, until 2019.[29] Well dressing has recently been introduced. An annual jazz festival was last held in 1989.[12]
In 2012 and 2014 Hayfield was a key filming location for the BBC One drama series The Village.[30][31]
Outdoor pursuits and sports
Hayfield is a popular walking and mountain biking centre; as well as being a traditional starting point for the ascent of Kinder Scout (traversed by the Pennine Way), the village lies directly on the Pennine Bridleway long-distance route (part of which follows the Sett Valley Trail). The Peak District Boundary Walk runs through Hayfield on the route of the Pennine Bridleway.[32] The village contains a high number of public rights-of-way, as well as bridleways, a legacy of the pre-industrial days, when they provided the only ways in and out of the area.
Hayfield is the home of the Kinder Mountain Rescue Team.[33]
Other local destinations for walkers and mountain bikers include Lantern Pike (also accessible from Little Hayfield), a prominent hill to the north west of the village traversed by the Pennine Bridleway.
Fell running is also popular, and each year sees a championship held on nearby peaks.[34]
The village is home to Hayfield Football Club, who play in the Hope Valley Football League.The junior football club[35] participates in the Stockport Metro League. Hayfield Cricket Club was founded in 1859 and currently competes in the Derbyshire and Cheshire Cricket League.[36]
Myths and legends
On the last day of August 1745, James Clegg – the minister of a Presbyterian church at nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith – wrote to the Glossopdale Chronicle reporting that "hundreds of bodies rose out of the grave in the open air" from the graveyard of St Matthew's Church. They then proceeded to disappear, leaving Dr Clegg to remark: "...what is become of them or in what distant region of this vast system they have since fixed their residence no mortal can tell."[2]
In 1760, Hayfield had its own witch. Suzannah Huggin sold wooden weaving pins and also bewitching charms. An old sailor bought one of these and promptly vanished, although Huggin was subsequently found to be in possession of the charm again. The villagers then blamed her for the disappearance, and she was dragged before the George pub and pelted with rotten fruit and stones, almost killing her. Somebody from Tom Heys' Farm then took the charm but, after a series of disasters — including milk not churning and animals not feeding — the charm was reluctantly exorcised by Reverend Baddeley.
Transport
While motor traffic through the village is lighter than in some other nearby settlements, such as New Mills and places along the
There is a bus station on the other side of the relief road from the village centre with regular bus services to Glossop, Chapel-en-le-Frith, New Mills, Buxton and Stockport; these are operated by
The nearest railway stations are Chinley and New Mills Central (on the Sheffield-Manchester route); New Mills Newtown (Buxton-Stockport-Manchester); and Glossop (Glossop-Hadfield-Manchester); the last three are accessible from Hayfield by bus.
Until January 1970, there was a
Despite often-congested roads in and out of the Manchester conurbation, Hayfield remains a magnet for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits. The old railway trackbed now forms a popular 2.5-mile (4 km) linear recreational route, the Sett Valley Trail. The bus station is at the eastern end of it where many walkers and horse riders visit; there is a car park, toilet and tourist information centre.
The nearest major airport is Manchester, which chiefly offers holiday and other leisure flights. This convenience for passengers is bought at the cost of extensive overflying of the village by incoming flights, especially in the summer.
Notable residents
- Captain George Mainwaring in the television show Dad's Army, was born and brought up in Hayfield.[38] On 30 August 2011, a blue plaque was unveiled at his home on Kinder Road.[39][40] Although born in Birmingham, Lowe's wife, the actress Joan Cooper, lived in Hayfield until her death in 1989.[41]
- Coronation Street creator and script-writer Tony Warren spent some time in nearby Little Hayfield, and has a particular connection with the Lantern Pike Inn, where some Coronation Street memorabilia can be found.
- Ernst Walder, former Coronation Street actor, lived in Little Hayfield with Tony Warren.[42]
- Pat Phoenix, former Coronation Street actress, also lived in Little Hayfield at the same time as Tony Warren. The Lantern Pike Inn also displays memorabilia relating to her.
- Footballer 1903, was born in Hayfield in 1879.[43]
- Rob Hayles,[44] former Olympic sprint cyclist.
- Vicky Horner,[45] former Olympic swimmer. Horner and Hayles are married.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Lead View Table". Neighbourhood Statistics. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
- ^ a b Clegg, Dr James (31 August 1745). "Letter". Glossopdale Chronicle.
- ^ "Peak District Bed & Breakfast". Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- ^ "Hayfield". The Guide to Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and the Wirral. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Hayfield". welldressing.com. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ ISBN 0-9521869-7-7.
- ISBN 0-907543-99-5.
- ^ National Archives
- ISBN 0-85033-165-X.
- ^ National Archives
- ^ a b c St John's Methodist Church, Hayfield; 1782–1982: A Bicentenary History (locally sourced pamphlet; no ISBN)
- ^ a b c Hedfeld to Hayfield: An Introduction to the Area. Hayfield Civic Trust. 1990.
- ^ Historic England. "Fox Hall (Grade II) (1206878)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Bulls Head Inn Hayfield High Peak Derbyshire". Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Sourced from George Hotel publicity material
- ^ Brumhead, Derek; Rangeley, Jean; Rangeley, Ken (2008). The Kinder Reservoir and Railway. New Mills, Derbyshire: New Mills Heritage Centre.
- ^ Mee, Arthur (1937). The King's England: Derbyshire, a New Domesday Book of 10,000 Towns and Villages. Hodder & Stoughton.
- ^ a b c Hayfield Development (10 October 2007). "Hayfield: A Local Perspective" (PDF). High Peak Borough Council. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ Powell, Joan (2012). Hayfield in the 20th Century. New Mills Heritage Centre.
- ^ "History of Hayfield Parish Church". Hayfield Heritage Archive Group. 1909.
- ISBN 0140710086.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St Matthew (Grade II) (1088001)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- ^ a b "St John's church website". Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ Historic England. "Methodist Chapel (Grade II) (1207353)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- ^ "Description of Trespass - 24 April 1932". Kinder Trespass. 24 April 1932. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ Office for National Statistics
- ^ Office for National Statistics
- ^ Office for National Statistics
- ^ "Hayfield Country Show & Sheep Dog Trials". hayfieldshow.co.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "New BBC TV series being filmed in Dark Peak". Artsbeatblog.com. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ Smith, Roly (April 2013). "The Village". Derbyshire Life. 78 (4): 118–121.
- ISBN 978-1909461536.
- ^ Kinder Mountain Rescue Team
- ^ Fell runs
- ^ "Hayfield Junior Football Club". Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ "Hayfield Cricket Club". Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ "Transport and streets | Hayfield Parish Council". Hayfield-pc.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ Arthur Lowe biography at IMDb accessed June 2007
- ^ "Blue plaques: Leisure and culture – Derbyshire County Council". Derbyshire.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
- ^ "BBC News – Dads Army star honoured with blue plaque". BBC Northwest Tonight. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
- ^ Joan Cooper biography at IMDb accessed Dec 2007
- ^ "Ernst Walder". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
- ^ "Rider Profiles". Enduraracing.com. 21 January 1973. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "Community Sports Trust promotes physical activity in rural communities | Public Health Responsibility Deal". Responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.