Known as the Swillington Tower, the detached tower was attached to the north wall by a bridge. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), One of the first floor bedrooms is the site of a 'Phantom Kisser', or a man who will awaken sleeping women by kissing them. The castle was built by William the Conqueror on top of a sandstone outcrop overlooking the River Aire. But the actual size of the population might be as much as four or five times larger than this as the people listed are landholders, and therefore the Domesday Book does not take their families into account. WebWelcome to Pontefract. The local newspaper is the Pontefract and Castleford Express. It is said by some that Pontefract once held a record for being the town with the highest number of pubs per square mile in the UK,[37][38] but this is likely an urban legend, and the title is currently held by another town. And, for more slander to thy dismal seat, Charlie Thompson was a salesman working for the George Bassett confectionery company in Sheffield, about 50 miles south of Pontefract. WebThe official website of Pontefract RUFC with news, fixtures, player profiles, match highlights and more! In 1536, the castle's guardian, Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy handed over the castle to the leaders of the Pilgrimage of Grace, a Catholic rebellion from northern England against the rule of King HenryVIII. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), A poltergeist has a reputation to throw glasses around. However, visitors today would find this unbelievable to understand. In Elizabethan times the castle, and Pontefract itself, was referred to as "Pomfret". [35] They were later published by the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. And even today, the major streets in Pontefract are designated by the Danish word 'gate' e.g. Pontefract has its own non-league football club, Pontefract Collieries F.C., which was founded in 1958 and plays adjacent to the former Prince of Wales Colliery off Beechnut Lane. Pontefract used to boast two cricket clubs, Lakeside CC (based in Pontefract Park) and Pontefract CC (adjacent to Pontefract Collieries FC), but by 2002 neither of these clubs were still in existence, leaving the town without its own club despite giving its name to the Pontefract and District Cricket League. The Anglo-Scandinavian township of Tanshelf recorded variously as Tateshale, Tateshalla, Tateshalle or Tatessella in the Domesday Book of 1086 existed in the region that is today occupied by the town of Pontefract. Pontefract's motto is Post mortem patris pro Numerous pubs can be found in the town centre in particular; for example: Beastfair Vaults, the Liquorice Bush, the Red Lion, the Malt Shovel and the Ponty Tavern. The original police station, situated in Sessions House yard, has now closed and been demolished, since the new divisional headquarters for the Wakefield District opened in Normanton and the neighbouring magistrates' court has moved over to Leeds, following the closure of the Wakefield and Pontefract courts. The period of Yorkshire's history between the demise of the Viking king Eric Bloodaxe in 954 and the arrival of the Normans in 1068 is known as the Anglo-Scandinavian age. The stepson eventually disappeared (either escaping or being murdered), and soon the other child fell to his death. It was first built in the 11th century, and has since been used as a royal residence, a prison, and a military stronghold. During this time he rose to the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), Thomas Busby was hanged for his crimes, but always loved his seat at this location. Keen, Maurice, The Outlaws of Medieval Legend, 2nd edn (London and Henley: Routledge and Kegan Paul; Toronto and Buffalo: University of Toronto Press, 1977). Some guests will experience a sense of dread out of nowhere. A sixth-form college, New College, Pontefract, is located on Park Lane. Thomas Busby was hanged for his crimes, but always loved his seat at this location. Bailygate. Pontefract Castle is one of the most impressive and well-preserved castles in England. Pontefract Bookmark Pontefract fire as dramatic pictures emerge of huge blaze Pontefract Bookmark Tragic final moments of mum, 31, who took her own life as partner nipped out with daughter for food Pontefract Bookmark Yorkshire's Haribo factory is hiring this summer - and you get a huge discount on sweets Employment Bookmark Yes, Pontefract Castle is worth visiting. Contents 1 Name 2 History 3 Production and design 4 Health warning The Council then engaged Heritage Building & Conservation (North) Ltd, who began work on the site in March 2017. First, it was acquired by Cadbury Schweppes, and then Kraft bought Cadbury and turned itself into Mondelez International. Formerly located on Stuart Road in the town centre, the station has now moved to a new site at Stumpcross Lane, by the A645 at the town's eastern edge. A new visitor centre and cafe were opened in July 2017; but in April 2018 the council announced that they had terminated the contract with HB&C (North) Ltd, as no work had been done since mid-March, and they had not had any reassurances that the work would restart. Pontefract Racecourse Vacations ; Pontefract Swimming Pool Vacations ; Pontefract Town Hall Vacations ; Kinsley Greyhound Stadium Vacations ; Pontefract Museum Vacations ; Mid Yorkshire Golf Club Vacations ; Peak District National Park Vacations ; University of Leeds Vacations ; York Racecourse Vacations ; First Direct In August 2012, one of Pontefract's oldest but most prestige nightclubs, Kiko's, re-opened its doors to the public after being closed since 2007, then closed again in 2013 due to the building being too far away from the town and other nightlife spots. [8], In 2004, healthcare professionals warned against overindulgence in Pontefract cake after a 56-year-old woman was admitted to hospital following an overdose. Robin Hood and the outlaw's Pontefract connection. Trains were able to run from London to York via Knottingley, which was the station to change to and from trains into the heart of the West Riding, and so it became a major junction. We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink. [14], King Richard II was murdered at the castle in 1400. [6] Historians believe that it is this historical event which gives the township of Pontefract its modern name. The wide variety of activity ranges from children who are seen or heard running down the halls, a woman seen peering out of the upper windows, a man walking his dog, two workers who were killed in the creation of this building, and various poltergeist phenomenon. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), The Grey Lady occupies a chamber named after her; another spirit named the Blue Lady is thought to have drowned in the pond. He was made a peer on 11 June 1997. The first of three sieges began in December 1644 and continued until the following March when Marmaduke Langdale, 1st Baron Langdale of Holme arrived with Royalist reinforcements and the Parliamentarian army retreated. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is one of the towns in the City of Wakefield District and had a population of 30,881 at the 2011 Census. Richard the second here was hack'd to death; Lewis, Brian, Robin Hood: A Yorkshire Man. [11] Pontefract RUFC is based at Moor Lane, Carleton. Support appears to have fallen with the majority falling to 48.1% of the vote in the 2019 general election. A ghostly fog has also appeared in photographs. Eric Houlder, Ancient Roots North: When Pontefract Stood on the Great North Road, (Pontefract: Pontefract Groups Together, 2012) p.7. During the 17thcentury it was recorded as being grown in areas with alluvial soil overlying magnesian limestone such as in Surrey, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. Watch the entire interview below with Hannah Elsakr and Dan Pontefract on the latest episode of Leadership NOW. Pontefract Castle is a castle located in the town of Pontefract, in the West Yorkshire county of England. The priory was dissolved by royal authority in 1539. O thou bloody prison, Pontefract Castle in England has a long and varied history. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. All the primary schools in Wakefield ranked by their Ofsted reports, Ofsted reports can help you evaluate different schools before choosing one for your children, Incredible 'fairytale' play park to open in Pontefract this spring - with 'dragons, potions and giant slides', It's hoped the new park should be ready for Spring, 13 of Yorkshire's biggest heroes of 2022 - and 6 'villains' remembered for the wrong reasons, The selfless, the brave, the generous and the questionable and worse, 11 Yorkshire little-known treasures you probably haven't visited but should in 2023, Tourism writer Dave Himelfield tells you about the less touristy places, 'Safe Space' hub opens in Pontefract for vulnerable punters on nights out, 'People out enjoying themselves in Pontefract have reassurance that help is close by', Wakefield police say, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS trust given 'requires improvement' rating in latest CQC report, The Care Quality Commission released a report on the trust and found it required improvement, Craig Ellis named as Yorkshire man found dead behind Manchester car wash as search for family launched, The body of Craig Ellis was found on Monday morning, Infamous Yorkshire house haunted by 'intimidating' and violent poltergeist, The owner of the house hasn't stayed a night in the house, Tragedy as police find man's body in Yorkshire pub, Police raced to the Masons Arms in Ackworth, Pontefract, but medics were unable to save his life, Armed police called to Pontefract house before stand-off for hours, Woman has 'life ruined' by Yorkshire pub thug who glassed her in the face, WARNING: Contains distressing images of injuries suffered by a woman in shocking attack, Thug smashed glass into woman's face after row in Pontefract pub, Harrison Gibson, 20, was jailed after he left his victim with a big visible scar on her face after he slammed the glass into her face in a "moment of madness", Xscape Yorkshire opens 2m Tokyo-style racing circuit with fast electric go-karts, Channel your inner Mario Kart character on this 2m all-thrills and no-fumes multilevel, neon raceway, We went to Britain's biggest pumpkin festival to see if it's worth the entry fee. [34] The abbey maintained the Chartularies of St John, a collection of historic documents later discovered among family papers by Thomas Levett, the High Sheriff of Rutland and a native of Yorkshire, who later gave them to Roger Dodsworth, an antiquary. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. It is barely possible that our modern historians may have been misled by Shakspeare, who makes Pontefract the scene of his death. The embossed stamp was originally a stylised image of Pontefract Castle with a raven on the top bar, which is thought to have been in use for almost 400 years. Nothing is known about her. [11], Royalists controlled Pontefract Castle at the start of the English Civil War. He is described as wearing "wearing gaiters and a plumed hat" by the owner's daughter. Today, at Pontefract Castle in England, you are able to explore and learn about an incredible castle that has a long and rich history. Pontefract Castle has a long and rich history, dating back to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Since a new landlady took over the pub, it is said that a psychic was brought here and laid his spirit (as well as others) to rest. While making his pitch to a candy wholesaler, Thompson knocked over his box of samples on the counter, creating a colourful display. Pontefract is a historic market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England, east of Wakefield and south of Castleford. The ghost cams here, as well pictures from visitors, capture many full-bodied apparitions. Web4-stars Hotels in Pontefract 3-stars Hotels in Pontefract Near Landmarks Hotels near Farmer Copleys Hotels near Pontefract Races Hotels near Pontefract Castle Hotels near Kinsley Greyhound Stadium Hotels near Ackworths Garden Centre Hotels near Pontefract Museum Hotels near Frickley Park Hotels near Brockadale Nature Reserve Hotels near After his death, anyone who sits in this chair meets an untimely and always tragic death; the chair has been hung on the wall to prevent anyone from accidentally sitting in it. August 1850: Knottingley to Burton Salmon line opened. Pontefract Castle was an important base for the Royalists, and raiding parties harried Parliamentarians in the area. Objects are known to move or fall down. (Calendar years are not repeated at 100-year intervals in either the Julian or Gregorian calendars.) The Strange Story of Britains Oldest Sweet.. [16] On Yorkshire Day 2019, the restoration was completed, and the castle was removed from Historic England's "Heritage At Risk" list. 6177. [47] South ward is a marginal ward, containing relatively affluent suburbs of Pontefract and outlying villages such as Darrington, combined with less wealthy areas such as Chequerfield, whilst North Ward includes parts of Monkhill and Nevison. In Room 20 and the rooms by it, guests have awoken to freezing conditions and hear scratching and banging. During the siege, mining and artillery caused damage and the Piper Tower collapsed as a result. Back in Sheffield, Thompson was tasked with giving a name to the creation, and he called it Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts. Bellamy, John, Robin Hood: An Historical Enquiry (London: Croom Helm, 1985). [6] William Shakespeare's play Richard III mentions this incident: Pomfret, Pomfret! This was the site of a series of witch trials in 1612. Charles I was executed in January, and Pontefract's garrison came to an agreement and Colonel Morrice handed over the castle to Major General John Lambert on 24 March 1649. See also Jim Lees: "The Quest for Robin Hood" (Nottingham: Temple Nostalgia Press 1987) p120. A Liquorice festival is held annually. His brother, Archbishop late of Canterbury, It was the site of a series of famous sieges during the 17th-century English Civil War. Following requests from the townspeople, the grand jury at York, and Major General Lambert, on 27 March Parliament gave orders that Pontefract Castle should be "totally demolished & levelled to the ground" and materials from the castle would be sold off. [3] It next went to Henry, Duke of Lancaster and subsequently to John of Gaunt, third son of King EdwardIII. Located in the heart of West Yorkshire, this historic market town is home to the picturesque ruins of one of Englands most important castles (once known as The Key To The North) as well as a brace of beautiful parks, some outstanding examples of Georgian architecture, and a whole host of independent boutiques and coffee shops. 1516). (Submitted by Chris Berglund), The ghost of a woman in a Victorian dress has been seen wandering the area between Platform 1 and 2. She was eating about 200 g of the candy a day to deal with chronic constipation, but the glycyrrhizic acid in the liquorice caused her potassium level to plummet. In her maiden speech to the House of Commons, Cooper said: "It is true that my constituency is plagued by unemployment, but I represent hard-working people who are proud of their strong communities and who have fought hard across generations to defend them. "Abstracts of the Chartularies of the Priory of Monkbretton", Record Series Vol. [4] The 11th-century historian, Orderic Vitalis, recorded that, in 1069, William the Conqueror travelled across Yorkshire to put down an uprising which had sacked York, but that, upon his journey to the city, he discovered that the crossing of the River Aire at what is modern-day Pontefract had been blockaded by a group of local Anglo-Scandinavian insurgents, who had broken the bridge and held the opposite bank in force.