Yarm 242236 225010064 2008-07-11T13:09:34Z Andrew Duffell 101920 Correct census details {{infobox UK place| |static_image= [[Image:Yarm Town Hall high Street.jpg|240px]] |static_image_caption=Yarm Town Hall and High Street |country = England |official_name= Yarm |latitude= 54.5055 |longitude= -1.3483 |population = 8,679 (2001 census)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=790853&c=TS15+9RZ&d=16&e=15&g=387273&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1215781686854&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779|title=Lead View Table}}''</ref> |unitary_england= [[Stockton-on-Tees (borough)|Stockton-on-Tees]] |region= North East England |lieutenancy_england= [[North Yorkshire]] |constituency_westminster= [[Stockton South (UK Parliament constituency)|Stockton South]] |post_town= YARM |postcode_area= TS |postcode_district =TS15 |dial_code= 01642 |os_grid_reference= NZ416124 }} '''Yarm''' is a small town in the borough of [[Stockton-on-Tees (borough)|Stockton-on-Tees]] in [[North East England|North East]] [[England]]. It is on the south bank of the [[River Tees]] and for ceremonial purposes is in [[North Yorkshire]]. Yarm marked the end of the tidal section of the River Tees until the [[Tees Barrage]] was built in [[Stockton on Tees|Stockton]]. The oldest part of the town around the high street is situated in a loop of the river, and the newer parts of the town extends to the point where the [[River Leven, North Yorkshire|River Leven]] meets the River Tees. ==History== The name of the town is thought to be derived from the old Norse word ''yarum'' meaning an enclosure to catch fish. Yarm was first mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]] of [[1086]], and was originally a chapelry in the [[Kirklevington]] parish in the [[North Riding of Yorkshire]]; it later became a parish in its own right.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/NRY/Yarm/Yarm90.html|title=YARM: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1890|publisher=Genuki|accessdate=2007-01-27}}''</ref> Bishop Skerlaw of Durham built a stone bridge across the Tees in 1270. It still stands. An iron replacement was built in 1805, but it fell down in 1806. For many years Yarm was the head of the tide and of navigation on the Tees. On [[12 February]] [[1821]] at the ''George & Dragon Inn'', the meeting was held that pressed for the third, and successful, attempt for a Bill to give permission to build the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the world's first public railway. At one point Yarm was a classed as a borough; this status did not persist. It formed part of the [[Stokesley Rural District]] under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], and remained so until 1 April 1974 when, under the [[Local Government Act 1972]] it became part of the district of Stockton-on-Tees in the new non-metropolitan county of [[Cleveland, England|Cleveland]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Cleveland was abolished in 1996 under the [[Banham Review]], with Stockton-on-Tees becoming a [[unitary authority]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ==Local government== The Yarm ward of Stockton (which includes [[Kirklevington]]) has three local councillors sitting on Stockton Borough Council, all of whom are Conservatives. As of [[3 May]] [[2007]] they are Jennie Beaumont, Jackie Earl and Andrew Sherris. The town has a [[town council]] which is responsible for certain aspects of the town's administration, including allotments and the cemetery. They meet once a month in the Town Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/Yarm.htm|title=Yarm and Eaglescliffe History|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref> Yarm Town Council is made up of 9 Conservative and 2 Independent Town Councillors. ==Geography== Yarm is divided into five [[Estate (house)|estates]], and the peninsular area where the town centre is situated. The estates are Willey Flatts, Layfield Farm, The Kebbell (locally known as Spitalfields), [[Leven Park]], and [[Levendale]] (occasionally referred to as Ingleby Grange). [[Image:Yarmmap.png|thumb|right|150px|A map of Yarm showing main roads and estates]] ===Rivers=== Yarm is bordered by two [[rivers]]. The [[Tees|River Tees]] is located to the north, and the [[River Leven, North Yorkshire|River Leven]] to the east. The Leven is a tributary of the Tees. In its past, Yarm was the highest port on the Tees, with merchant vessels travelling up the tidal river to Yarm from the [[North Sea]] to unload their cargo.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ===High street=== The small [[town hall]], situated in the high street was built in [[1710]] by [[Thomas Belasyse, 1st Earl Fauconberg|Thomas Belasyse]] who was [[Lord of the Manor]]. In 2007, Yarm High Street was voted the best in Britain by viewers of the [[BBC]]'s Breakfast Programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/6262159.stm|title=High Street Blues|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref> The many [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]]-style old buildings, with their red pantile roofs, fronting the high street and its cobbled parking areas add to the visual appeal of the town. The [[A67 road|A67]], which runs through the High Street, was previously classified as the A19 until a new dual carriageway was built in the 1970s - this is about 3 miles to the south of the town near the village of [[Crathorne, North Yorkshire|Crathorne]]. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} When the A19 ran through the High Street, the traffic was heavily congested and very busy. The road is still used by heavy goods traffic travelling both ways as a shortcut to [[Teesside Airport]].<ref>{{cite|author=Clerk to Yarm Town Council|title=Town Council Minutes|publisher=Yarm Town Council|date=Autumn 2006}}</ref> The classification of the road as an 'A'-road means that it is not possible to place a ban on heavy goods vehicles; however the town council has made efforts to come up with voluntary agreements with many haulage firms.<ref>{{cite|author = Clerk to Yarm Town Council|title = Town Council Minutes|publisher=Yarm Town Council|date = Autumn 2006}}</ref> The town has a Major, a ceremonial role with rights to graze cattle on the riverbank and to participate in the opening ceremony of Yarm Fair. Local hotelier, Peter Moor currently holds the title. Elections are held every four years. ===Churches=== [[Yarm Parish Church]] is the [[Anglican]] [[parish church]], dedicated to [[St Mary Magdalene]]. It is situated on West Street, where there has been a church on the site since at least the 9th century. The [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] church of [[St Mary and St Romuald, Yarm|St Mary and St Romuald]] is at the south end of the High Street. [[Yarm Methodist Church]] was [[John Wesley]]'s "favourite [[chapel]]"{{Fact|date=January 2007}}. This unique octagonal church is to be found on Chapel Yard, on the east side of the town by the river. ===Woodland=== [[Image:The Rookery.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The Rookery]]Yarm has multiple areas of [[woodland]]. Most of these woodlands are part of private estates. The Rookery is a public area of woodland next to the River Tees situated at the bottom of Goose Pasture. The [[Ash tree|ash]], [[Sycamore Maple|sycamore]], and [[Tilia|lime]] woodland is estimated to be about 200 years in age and is owned by Yarm Town Council.<ref>The board erected at the entrance to the woodland</ref> In 2002 a walkway was constructed around the wood to celebrate the [[Golden Jubilee]] of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]]. Within the woodland, close to the river, [[BMX]] riders have created numerous dirt ramps which are regularly used during summer months. ===Viaduct and railway stations=== The imposing 2,280&nbsp;ft long railway viaduct was built between [[1849]] and [[1851]] for the [[Leeds Northern Railway]] company. Its designers were Thomas Grainger and John Bourne. It comprises 7 million bricks, and has 43 arches. The original Yarm railway station, now closed, used to be situated on the [[Eaglescliffe]] side of the river at the north end of the viaduct. {{Fact|date=January 2007}} The current un-manned [[Yarm railway station|modern station]], opened in [[1996]], is located to the south of Yarm off Green Lane. ===Location=== * '''Road access:''' The A67 leading to Durham Tees Valley Airport and Darlington in the north west, the A135 leading to the A66 and Stockton in the north, the B1265 leading to the A167 and Northallerton in the west, the A1044 leading to the A174 and Middlesbrough in the east, the A67 leading to the A19 and Thirsk in the south. * '''Rail access:''' [[Yarm railway station|Yarm Station]] * '''Nearest airport:''' [[Teesside Airport|Durham Tees Valley Airport]] ===Bus Services=== Arriva North East Are the main operator serving Yarm, and operate the following Services: '''Service 7:'''Yarm Willey Flatts-Eaglescliffe-Stockton(-Stillington) '''Service 17'''Yarm-Ingleby Barwick-Thornaby-Linthorpe-Middlesbrough '''Service 20'''Durham Tees Valley Airport-Yarm-Hartburn-Stockton-Teesdale-Middlesbrough WP & M Hutchinson operate one route serving Yarm: '''Service 82''' Yarm-Hutton Rudby-Stokesley Leven Valley Coaches are the other operator, running the following services: '''Service 507:''' Yarm-Hilton-Maltby-Thornaby-Middlesbrough '''Service 551:''' Willey Flatts-Eaglescliffe-Stockton-Billingham-Low Grange ==Events== {{Expand-section|date=January 2007}} Many events are held in the town each year such as a fair and a 5&nbsp;km fun run. ===Fair=== [[Image:YarmFair.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Yarm Fair 2006]] A fair is held in the High Street in the third week in October. It starts on the Tuesday evening and lasts until Saturday night. It was once a commercial fair that traded in cheese and livestock, but is now primarily a funfair. [[Travellers]] still attend the fair, and ride horses up and down the street on the Saturday. The travellers have to wait outside the town until 6:00&nbsp;pm on the Tuesday, at which point they are allowed to cross the bridge over the River Tees into the town.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ===Fun run=== Yarm has an annual [[fun run]]. The 5&nbsp;km run starts at [[Conyers School]], and ends on Snaiths Field. It used to end outside Yarm Parish Church, but this changed some time around 1998.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The 2008 Fun Run will take place on Sunday the 20th April. ===Charities fair=== Yarm and District [[Lions International|Lions Club]] run a charities fair on the High Street every year. This mostly takes a market-like approach. ===Lighting of the Christmas tree=== A ceremony takes place each Advent to light up the town's [[Christmas tree]]. Carols are sung to a band, and the high street is temporarily closed for the event. It is free to attend the event. ==Schools== There are three primary schools in the town: [[Levendale Primary School|Levendale]], Yarm Primary, and Layfield School. [[Conyers School]] is a [[co-educational|mixed]] [[comprehensive school]] and also has a [[sixth-form]]. It was founded in 1590 as "The free Grammar School" by Thomas Conyers. Following the change to comprehensive education it was renamed to reflect its founder. Conyers is a specialist school for Maths and Computing.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The town is home to the [[private education|private]] [[Yarm School]], the senior school being situated at the Friarage and the Preparatory School, Pre-Prep and Nursery at the old Yarm Grammar School. The school was formed some time after the redesignation of the original grammar school. The school had plans to relocate within the next decade to a site near to their playing fields on Green Lane, south of the town. However, planning permission was not granted by the local council and Yarm School is no longer planning to relocate, instead choosing to rennovate and improve the current site.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} ==People== People associated with the town include [[John Wesley]], founder of [[Methodism]], and [[Tom Brown (hero)|Tom Brown]], hero in the [[Battle of Dettingen]]. It is home to professional footballers such as Middlesbrough and Holland International [[George Boateng]] and former [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] and Spain International [[Gaizka Mendieta]]. Former England boss [[Steve McClaren]] also regularly visits the town,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7100000/newsid_7107900?redirect=7107991.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1&asb=1} |title=McClaren's final hours as coach}}</ref> as his family home is situated in the neighbouring village of [[Aislaby, County Durham|Aislaby]]. [[Iron Maiden]] guitarist [[Janick Gers]] lives here. Over the years many famous people have visited Yarm, they include [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] and [[Sir John Major]]. Diana's son, [[Prince Harry]], also visited the town on Tuesday [[7 August]] [[2007]], while making a week-long army visit to RAF Leeming. He was spotted drinking with friends in the ''Black Bull'' pub and later moving onto The Keys nightclub.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007360665,,00.html|title=Harry's out for a good Yarm|accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref> Rock band [[Oasis]] famously drank in the ''Black Bull'' in the mid-nineties.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} ==Twinned towns== Yarm is [[twinned]] with two other European towns: *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Schwalbach am Taunus]], [[Germany]] *{{flagicon|France}} [[Vernouillet, Yvelines|Vernouillet]], [[France]] There is also an agreement with [[Olkusz]], in [[Poland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.schwalbach.de/cms/Site/Welcome_1.asp?SessionID=0802200700000081371339&ID=0001.0011&UnID=&ss=|title=Welcome to Schwalbach am Taunus|accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref> On [[2 July]] [[2005]], two trees were planted to the north of the town hall to mark the 20th [[anniversary]] of the twinning between Yarm and the two towns. The trees were marked with plaques.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ==Photo Gallery== <gallery> Image:Yarm_Viaduct.jpg|[[Viaduct]] seen across the [[River Tees]] in [[2003]] Image:Yarm_view.jpg|View of Yarm including viaduct </gallery> {{stockton}} {{North Yorkshire}} ==References== {{Reflist}} [[Category:Towns in North Yorkshire]] [[Category:Locations in the Tees Valley]] [[Category:Stockton-on-Tees Borough]] [[nl:Yarm]] [[ro:Yarm]] [[simple:Yarm]] [[vo:Yarm]]