About Horbury
In the Domesday survey of 1086 “Orberie”, together with Crigglestone, had a population of about 40. Horbury, which was part of the medieval Manor of Wakefield, today comprises Horbury Bridge and Horbury Junction with a population of around 10,000.
At the time of the first census in 1801 the population of the town was 2,101. Horbury was then a mainly farming community, with spinning and weaving carried out in the home by the whole family, the males also working on the land.
It was not until the 19th century that the Industrial Revolution made its impact on the town. The small workshops, operated by clothiers employing spinners and weavers, were soon to be replaced by purpose-built mills. The advent of the steam engine and the development of mechanised machinery resulted in many people leaving the countryside to move into towns to work in the developing mills and mechanised industries. Some of Horbury’s mills produced yarn for weaving and knitting, others shoddy, worsted and silk, together with related industries. The Fleece and The Woolpack inns are reminders of the woollen trade in the town.
The 1870s saw the establishment of Charles Roberts Railway Wagon Works and the Horbury Forge at Horbury Junction, increasing job opportunities. By 1881 the population of Horbury had increased to 5050 and by 1901 to 6736.
Wm Sykes, sports goods manufacturer, built The Yorkshire Athletic Manufactury on Westfield Road, one of, if not the largest sports goods factory in the country. In 1936 he moved into the premises of Harrops Worsted manufacturers Albion Mills, at Horbury Bridge. When Sykes sold out to Slazengers in 1942, they became the largest employer in Horbury.
Although there was never a colliery in Horbury, many men from the community were employed at the mines in the surrounding areas. In 1905, Richard Sutcliffe, who had invented an underground belt for conveying coal, a coal cutter and machines for sinking shafts, opened up his Universal Works, where he was able to manufacture his inventions. He employed a large number of workers, but the decline of coal mining eventually lead to the closure of the factory. By the end of the 20th century, Horbury had lost almost all of its manufacturing base and with it many hundreds of jobs.
Horbury can boast of having one of the oldest active trusts in the country, The Horbury Common Lands Trust. It was founded in 1653 by Sir Gervase Clifton, Lord of the Manor of Wakefield, as a way of settling many disputes in the town over the way that the common land was let and to solve the question of land ownership when the river Calder changed its course. At this period the town was managed by the Parish Vestry, the Constable and the Surveyors of Highways and the Poor.
It was not until 1863 that the Horbury Local Board was established and this was the beginning of local government as we know it today, with elected members. In 1894 Horbury Urban District Council replaced the Local Board and in 1974, under local government re-organisation, Horbury became part of Wakefield MDC.Horbury still retains many historic buildings. Among surviving medieval buildings are Horbury Old Hall and Nether Hall which is now Shepherd’s Arms.
Horbury’s central feature is the magnificent Georgian church of St Peter & St Leonard which was designed, built and paid for by John Carr, architect. He became Lord Mayor of York, and is more commonly referred to as Carr of York. Carr, who was born in Horbury, came from a family of stone masons and his final resting place is in the Carr family tomb at the church. There are other 18th century buildings, notably Carr Lodge and Hall Croft, now Horbury Working Men’s Club.
The largest building in Horbury is the House of Mercy which was built between 1862 and 1864. Its aim was to show mercy in helping to reform social outcasts. The old Town School, founded in 1708, which is now a private house, is on Tithe Barn Street next to the adjoining Sunday school and day school which was built in 1789. Also in the grounds is the old “kidcote” which was moved there in 1825. This was a lock-up for holding offenders overnight until the Constable could take them to Wakefield.
In addition to its historical attraction, Horbury has a wide variety of shops, where almost anything one requires can be purchased. It also has an annual Street Fayre and Horbury Rotary Club holds its annual show in Carr Lodge Park, both events held in June.
