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	INTERESTING SNIPPETS ABOUT THE VILLAGE

The Lord of the Manor when the Domesday Book was compiled was Gamel, a Saxon, who was given the Manor of Hemsworth as part compensation for the loss of much greater holdings which had been taken from him by the Norman conquerors

There was once an old Water Mill in the banks of Hoyle Mill Dam

The three manors which were included in the Parish of Hemsworth were Hemsworth, Kinsley, and Vissett

Robert Holgate a native of Hemsworth, (1481? - 1555). Was Bishop of Llandaff (1537 -1545) and consecrated Archbishop of York in January 1545. The first Protestant Archbishop of York, and the first to be married. He founded a free Grammar School in Hemsworth in 1546. By his will dated 27th April, 1555 provided for the foundation in Hemsworth of a hospital for 10 poor men and 10 poor women (Holgate Hospital) It is believed he was born in the area around Holgate Hospital. He died in London on 15th November, 1555, and his body was buried in St. Sepulchre. Holborn, London.

The original hospital was a low stone building behind St. Helens Church. It was later used as a dwelling house, and Reading Rooms. Holgate Hospital is now on Robin Lane, Hemsworth.

In 1377 there were 90 people over the age of 16 living in Hemsworth in addition to children.

Mineral oil was found in Top Haigh Moor Seam at Hemsworth Colliery in 1900, and until the supply ceased the oil was used at the pit as a lubricant.

The taxable value of Hemsworth in 1089, was 20 shillings.

The first known priest of Hemsworth was 'William, priest of Hemsworth' whose name occurs in an ancient charter written about the year A.D.1200.

The old Town Well was situated on the hillside on Barnsley Road (Opposite Taits Garage). This fed water into a trough by the roadside from which the villagers drew their water before the introduction of piped water. This extract copied by a member of the Explorers Club is from the Hemsworth Inclosure Awards 1805.

Hemsworth Hall was opened as a Grammar School in 192l.

The first Norman overlord of Hemsworth was Ilbert de Lacy he was given Pontefract and much of the surrounding country as a reward for his services to William the Conqueror

The Plymouth Brethren had a place of worship in Hemsworth in 1861 (Kellys Directory)

Vale Head Park opened on 19th March, 1932, and cost £13,000 to make. Grants were received from the Miners' Welfare Fund, and the Government. To commemorate the Festival of Britain four new Tennis Courts were constructed at a cost of £1,400. and opened on 2nd June 1951.