With a population of  15,282 (1991 Census) Mexborough sits near the center of the Dearne Valley. Did you know that Mexborough was one of the few towns, in the Dearne Valley, mentioned in the Doomsday book? But this wasn't the beginning, Mechesburg (meches meaning Saxon chieftain and burg meaning fortification illustrating the existence of a structure in Castle Park) had already a road built probably by the Brigantians (Rickneild Street) to dissect the Dearne Valley passing Mexborough on the way.

Mexborough's 2001 census statistics are extensively covered under the governments national statistics website (http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk).  Here are a few figures:

  • There were 14,620 residents in the ward; 49% male & 51% female
  • The average age of a resident is 38.9 years.  21 were under 16, 57.5% 16 to 60 years and 21.6% over 60
  • The majority of residents were married/remarried (50.3%), Singles (27.3%), Widowed (10.3%) and Separated/Divorced covered 11.2% of population
  • Ethnic groups were mainly white (99.3%), the other groups being made up of Chinese, Asian and mixed
  • Religious groups were mainly Christian (81.6%) with other religions not stated or not used
  • Most residents were employed (53%) or either classed as permanently disabled (10.6%) or retired (13.7%), 22.7% (rest) being made up of economically inactive residents or students
  • The ward holds 6,286 households. 99% are resident the other 1% being in communal establishments.  58.9% are owner occupied, 28.5% rented from the council and the rest private rented. 
  • Property prices average out at £55,317.  Properties range from detached (22.9% of households), semi-detached (44.9%), terraced (24.9%) and flats (6.6%).

Modern Mexborough has a thriving shopping area running from Bank Street through the High Street and along Main Street.  

The Library is one of very few leisure facilities in the town, situated on John Street it has three levels (books, tapes, videos, 'copying facilities and reading area) and is home to the local Councillors once a week (Saturday 10-12).  The telephone number is 01709 582037 and opening hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am-7pm, Wednesday 9am-1pm, Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-4pm.  The library holds an excellent (and expanding) Learndirect Centre with is open during all library opening times and has two support staff; Carole Smith and Guy Demartino on duty.  Internet access is free but priority will be given to individuals using the Centre for on-line learning.  Currently IT are free and further information can be gained by telephoning Carole or Guy on +44 (0) 1709 582415.  

There are both indoor and outdoor markets, an indoor shopping arcade, over 7 clothes shops, 3 charity shops, 3 bakers, 3 butchers, 2 frozen food shops, 2 supermarkets, 4 estate agents, 3 travel agents, 5 cafes and several general stores. 

The outdoor market has both new and secondhand market days (as listed below): 
Monday New market
Tuesday Charity stalls
Wednesday Charity stalls
Thursday Secondhand market
Friday New Market
Saturday New Market

For further information contact Ralph Lowery, Market Supervisor on 01709 582036.

The 36 external stalls (both permanent and temporary) hold a variety of produce; fruit and veg, clothing, shoes, picture frames, cleaning equipment, wool, prams and baby equipment, haberdashery, silk flowers and so on  (the stalls vary per day).  The external market is extended via a further 38 leased stalls in the indoor market.  Indoor stalls sell from eggs and cheese to toys, books, sweets and shoes.  

It's believed that Mexborough has had a market since 1177 (the 'Mexborough Feast' has existed since that time and the right to levy tolls at the feast would also have been granted the right to levy tolls on market stalls).  Records show that the ownership in 1598 was passed from Elizabeth 1 to Anne Blound (mistress of Henry VIII).  As you'll read in the History section the market place has moved due to new road networks and has since 1974 been situated on the current site in York Square.  Many thanks to Julia Ashby, Mexborough Heritage Society for this information.

Mexborough has a number of nursery, primary and secondary schools as well as a sixth-form at Maple Road Comprehensive.

Mexborough also has a number of places to worship; St John the Baptist Church, Salvation Army, Mexborough New Life Church, Mexborough Congregational Church and Blessed English Martyrs Roman Catholic Church.

Mexborough is on the main train route between Sheffield and Hull (shuttle service). The bus service is also quite extensive and includes a busy bus station. 

 

HISTORY

Mexborough's ancient importance is evident from the two ancient structures pointing towards the town; 'Roman Rig', an earthworks running from Wentworth Park to Mexborough, the purpose being to repel barbarians from Sheffield who regularly stole cattle and women from the area and Rykeneild/Rickneild Street running between Harthill and the Don near Mexborough, which is thought to be either a boundary line between parishes or the remains of a Roman road.
Although the area wasn't heavily populated (being mainly farmers) but the importance of the number of fords (discussed a little further) and its defence called for a Motte and Bailey (castle mound and level- horseshoe shaped courtyard thought to be the reason for the name Mechesburg) structure which Hunter [1] suspects is from the Brigantian era. The mound would have had a wooden structure surrounding it and a drawbridge for times of attack. The mound would probably have been also used by the Romans, although no structure remains it is currently part of the memorial gardens on Doncaster Road.  

A defence system was built collaboratively along or near the banks of the Don and the Dearne at Barnburgh, Conisbrough, Kexbrough, Mosbrough,  Sprotbrough, Stainbrough and Worsbrough in 500-700AD.  This line of defence is where Strafford Sands (first ford and passage across ings where Don and Dearne meet between Mexborough and Barnburgh and name meaning street-ford) originated.  (A second ford was at Netherford approx at the bend in the river seen from Church Street, the third being the main Ferry crossing and a fourth was a wooden bridge was the intersection between Swinton and Mexborough).  At Strafford Sands the meetings of the Wapentake[3] of Strafford were held during the danish rule. The name changed to Strafforth following Norman conquest and then meeting no longer held in open. 

Mechesburg became one of the local entries in the Norman Doomsday book and passed between crown and private ownership for both ecclesiastical and political reasons. Apart from the church, built at the same time as the one at Adwick Upon Dearne, most of the buildings now standing are from 1800's onwards.

St John The Baptist Church served Denaby, Swinton, Mexborough and Ravenfield and has Saxon (probably Ailric, and possession usually indicated by the giving of a church) origins (font, cross and lancet windows in the chancel) but the short spire is believed to be from the 15th century and common to the Doncaster area. A number of medieval relics include fragments of coffin lids are held within the church.

The importance of the river Don and its ability to be forded between Mechesburgh and Dennaby has played a large part in the areas development and continues to be a local issue. With the building of a railway line (1839) and station (1871) and the increase in population, Grays Bridge was built and only replaced during the 1970's.  A toll bar existed at the junction between Doncaster Road and Pastures Road.  The new bridge spanned both canal and river but cut short of the railway crossing which has become a major problem to travellers in recent years. 

A new bridge spanning all three obstacles has now been built.

 

From the 1800's there are a number of public houses still remaining; Ferryboat (Church Street) traceable to 1822 (left), Red Lion (Bank Street) dated from 1822, George & Dragon (Church Street) pre 1822 (right) and Bulls Head (High Street) pre 1869.

There are also parts of two old farms remaining; 51 Market Street and Manor Farm on Church Street plus Dolcliffe Cottage and 72 Church Street.  The introduction of a new road system meant the loss of a number of private and public properties; Albion Beer House, Union Inn and the Prince of Wales Theatre (built 1892, changed to the Hippodrome in 1913 and closed in 1937) the site now being used as a car park. The dual-carriageway has also meant the division of Market Street (old Market Hall once used as both market hall, town hall and registrars still remaining as a Bingo Hall) and the fish market and toilets standing where the old houses would have been. Market Street although divided by the dual-carriageway still leads to Church Street and changes over (as it's one long road) approximately at the Coltran building.

Julia Ashby (Mexborough Heritage Society) is currently researching the existence of a livestock/cattle market in Mexborough. Further information will be added here evidence is found.

 

Due to the high mortality rate increased by an expanding coal industry and brickworks the cottage hospital circa 1890 (shown on the map above) couldn't cope and Lord Montagu donated the land for a second to be built.  The first foundation stone was laid by him in 1904. 

The postcard shown right says 1910.

The influx of people and money certainly had a knock-on effect, not only to the amount of public  houses in the area but also to the number of different types of shops 

provided (and some of these names are doing business in Mexborough today); Pettits boot firm on Bank Street, Jacksons Herbalists now Claytons still in the same shop on Bank Street, Madame Florence (pre 1905) originally situated on High Street but now on Bank Street, Olympia pre 1911 took over and renamed Empire and used as a picture house and sporting venue.

There have been several people of note from Mexborough but the one which deserves a memorial is Sapper William Hackett VC, who was killed on June 22/23, 1916 in France whilst rescuing his comrades. The memorial stands alongside the War Memorial dedicated to the dead of the first and second world wars in Memorial Park, Doncaster Road.

I've added nothing here about the Trolleybus, Trams or the Mining Industry at nearby Manvers. These haven't been overlooked and will be added.

 

POLITICS

Mexborough has its own council offices situated at the top of Main Street (opposite The Falcon public house), telephone number : 01302 773085 (these are also the offices for Births, Deaths & Marriages).

No change this election for Mexborough Councillors.  

Malcolm Jevons

http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/

about/chamber/default.asp?Nav

=Member&MemberID=142

 Edwin Simpson

http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/

about/chamber/default.asp?Nav

=Member&MemberID=154

 

 S. Phillips

http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/

about/chamber/default.asp?Nav

=Member&MemberID=229

Mexborough is part of the Barnsley East and Mexborough Constituency, represented by Jeff Ennis, MP.

LEISURE

Mexborough has a few dedicated leisure facilities;  Mexborough Library and there are public parks on Pitt Street, Park Road, Adwick Road (on the edge of town) and one being developed at Highwoods (Wath end of town).  There is also an outdoor bowls ground on Adwick Road (in front of the football ground near the Sportsman public house).  All other facilities require membership/payment eg health clubs, bingo halls and public houses.

There are swimming baths at nearby Swinton and also a new leisure facility on the border of Mexborough and Denaby Main (Dearne Valley Leisure Centre).  This is proving to be a huge success due to both inexpensive facilities and the quality of services.  Definitely worth a visit.

There is one further area which I want to add to this page and that's Current Events/Local Issues. I've put it last not because it's least important but local issues are probably more related to the politics of the town/village than anything else.  This section I believe is one of the most important, it reflects what is happening now and how the residents of Mexborough are addressing issues of interest and the future of the town.

 

CURRENT EVENTS/LOCAL ISSUES

There are several events/issues which I believe of note (and these will be amended/updated as and when).

  • Doncaster Council (as with others in the area) run monthly 'community involved' meetings.  Mexborough comes within the Doncaster West Forum area and has its next meeting on  3rd September at 6pm in the Day Centre, Harlington Road, Mexborough.  Info via http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/community/ document.asp?WSDOCID=2234.  Items concerning Mexborough will be posted below.

  • Doncaster West has Community Police in most areas.  Mexborough has a dedicated CPC with PC Thompson.  For urgent calls use the 999 number, less urgent matters can be dialled through to 0114 2202020 (Sheffield Control) and PC Thompsons number is 01302 385602.

  • MISC.

    • Mexborough Neighbourhood Wardens.  Neighbourhood Wardens are employed to work alongside the community to help combat crime/ environmental/housing problems and promote community development.  Based in the Hallgate Centre, Hall Gate, Mexborough. 01709 587205.  

    • The Mexborough Heritage Group will hold an exhibition in the library with group members available on Fridays and Saturdays to answer questions and offer support to interested members of the public

    • Tenants & Residents Associations:

    • Highwoods and Arnold Crescent Tenants Association, Highwoods Road.  A Youth Drop In has also been opened with Monday and Wednesday evenings being given over to sports, tv, disco, arts and crafts (Mondays) quizzes and bingo.  Any further information on the tenants association or Drop-In Centre can be gained by telephoning Pat Spencer on 01709 516250.

    • Derwent & Lingfield, 

    • Gornies Hill, covering Schofield Street to Simpson Place (and roads inbetween).  Contact Sue Phillips, York Street

    • Mexborough Common, covering Park Road, Park Avenue, Kirkby Street, Helena Street, Albert Road, Victoria Road etc  Contact Sean Gibbons at 57 Park Road

    • Morton & Chaucer Roads, contact Frank Knapton on 01709 588482

    • Poets Corner, covering Addison Road, Byron Road, Cowper Road, Dryden Road, Hall Avenue & part of Harlington Road

    • Windhill Estate, covering Windhill Avenue/Crescent/Terrace and part of Hirstgate

    • Sure Start, Mexborough.  The Sure Start programme is at last being extended to Mexborough and the plans for the building on Wath Road now complete.  The Sure Start team are encouraging local parents to get involved in all aspects of the programme and the Parents Forum (PAGU) regularly hold meetings with parents/grandparents of Mexborough-based children (particularly under 4 years of age).  The more parents who attend and tell us the needs of Mexborough families the better.  

    • Mexborough Community Partnership have recently sent around leaflets on their aims and whereabouts.  For anyone not receiving this they are based in Arcade, High Street, Mexborough.  Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10-4pm. Tel 01709 582244.  The Partnership are also looking for new members and should be contacted via the above address.

Mexborough-based businesses include:

[1] Hunter, J (1974) South Yorkshire, EP Publishing Ltd: Wakefield
[2] Wapentake - Danish sub-division of a county - equivalent to the Anglo-Saxon hundred.

October 2004

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