About the NCCA
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The Newmillerdam Community and Conservation Association (NCCA) was formed in 2008 when Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC) issued a planning application for a large goat farm on 10.8 hectares of land in the heart of the village.
Villagers were stirred into action, the association was formed, fund raising began and in 2009 the culmination of some dedicated work by volunteers was rewarded with the granting of Village Green status for the land. Since then NCCA have worked closely with WMDC to improve and enhance the local environs, with extensive work being carried out on the green, in the community and in the Country Park. Once Village Green status had been granted, the committee looked at options for the future, to consolidate and build on this success, so expanded its aims, constitution and protocols accordingly. |
About Newmillerdam
Newmillerdam
Newmillerdam is a village and suburb of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. The name also refers to the lake and country park adjacent to the village.
Newmillerdam is a village and suburb of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. The name also refers to the lake and country park adjacent to the village.
Newmillerdam is one of the many attractive settlements situated relatively close to surrounding towns and cities however; it appears to exist for one reason only. Obvious as it seems, without the dam there would have been no mill, and without the mill there would have been no Newmillerdam
Although once known by its old Norse name of Thurstonhaugh the area took the name Newmillerdam when a “new” corn mill was built toward the end of the 13th century.
In the early days Newmillerdam was simply a hamlet or collection of workers cottages, and only in the 19th century as communications with Wakefield improved, were a few larger houses built. In more recent years there has been a considerable increase in the housing stock, as the village has become an increasingly attractive place to live.
In the early days Newmillerdam was simply a hamlet or collection of workers cottages, and only in the 19th century as communications with Wakefield improved, were a few larger houses built. In more recent years there has been a considerable increase in the housing stock, as the village has become an increasingly attractive place to live.
Many people come to Newmillerdam to walk the many different routes both around the extent of the dam and also in King's Wood, Lawn's Dyke and Bushcliffe Wood further afield in the Country Park. The line of the old Chevet branch railway line used for freight and occasional passenger services between 1909 and 1968 is now a footpath and bridleway partly in the park. The path alongside the water takes the walker to the boathouse.
The Boathouse
The boathouse was built by William Pilkington and is first shown on a map drawn in 1826. Although much used by the Pilkington family in days gone by, the Grade 11 listed building fell into disrepair over the years. It has now been renovated with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Fund and is now a very effective and attractive visitor facility and meeting room.
The boathouse was built by William Pilkington and is first shown on a map drawn in 1826. Although much used by the Pilkington family in days gone by, the Grade 11 listed building fell into disrepair over the years. It has now been renovated with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Fund and is now a very effective and attractive visitor facility and meeting room.
Things have certainly changed a great deal since the high days of the Pilkingtons. What was once the preserve of the wealthy and well connected is now available to all.
Little is known about the history of the boathouse except from its style it appears to date from late Georgian times, and is shown on a map of 1826. Photographs from the early 1900's show the Pilkington family entertaining their guests. The gentlemen would shoot the wildfowl on the lake, with the ladies joining them at the boathouse for a picnic lunch sent down from Chevet Hall.
Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, the building has been restored and is now used as a visitor facility and meeting room. During Spring and Summer the boathouse is opened on Sunday afternoons by the Friends of the Country Park volunteers, and their friends, to serve refreshments to the walkers.
The Cenotaph
The village war memorial was built in 1919 to commemorate those who had served in World War one. The architect, W H Watson offered to design and supervise the building of the monument free of charge. Right up to the beginning of World War two, Mr. Watson and his son used to fire a canon on the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve to inform the villagers that a new year was starting. After the war the practice had to stop because they were not able to obtain the necessary licence needed for both the cannon and the gunpowder.
Mr. Watson's son Bree continued to live nearby until his death in the Summer of 2010 aged 101. Remembrance services are still observed by the community, with additional wreaths donated by Crigglestone Parish Council
The village war memorial was built in 1919 to commemorate those who had served in World War one. The architect, W H Watson offered to design and supervise the building of the monument free of charge. Right up to the beginning of World War two, Mr. Watson and his son used to fire a canon on the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve to inform the villagers that a new year was starting. After the war the practice had to stop because they were not able to obtain the necessary licence needed for both the cannon and the gunpowder.
Mr. Watson's son Bree continued to live nearby until his death in the Summer of 2010 aged 101. Remembrance services are still observed by the community, with additional wreaths donated by Crigglestone Parish Council
Wells
There are several wells in Newmillerdam but Sowtail well was the one most in need of attention. Sowtail means “the outfall or tail of an underground drainage channel.” The well is shown on a map as early as 1830 and an ordinance survey dated 1849-51.
There are several wells in Newmillerdam but Sowtail well was the one most in need of attention. Sowtail means “the outfall or tail of an underground drainage channel.” The well is shown on a map as early as 1830 and an ordinance survey dated 1849-51.
Industry
Since the early 1900s, there has been a rich history of independent and corporate coal mining, and a wide range of other thriving industries; stone quarrying, a blacksmith, wheelwright, 2 boot & shoe makers, a surgeon, grocer, 3 butchers, a rope and twine maker, saddlers, 3 joiners, and of course a corn miller.
This commercial heritage continues right up to the current day with 2 bar/restaurants, a pub, an Italian restaurant, a Hotel and a Cafe, working in close co-operation with the village.
Since the early 1900s, there has been a rich history of independent and corporate coal mining, and a wide range of other thriving industries; stone quarrying, a blacksmith, wheelwright, 2 boot & shoe makers, a surgeon, grocer, 3 butchers, a rope and twine maker, saddlers, 3 joiners, and of course a corn miller.
This commercial heritage continues right up to the current day with 2 bar/restaurants, a pub, an Italian restaurant, a Hotel and a Cafe, working in close co-operation with the village.
Country Park
The local seat of the Nevile family, Chevet Hall once stood to the east of what is now the country park. At its peak the estate included the dam and surrounding parkland extending to almost 2,350 acres.
The local seat of the Nevile family, Chevet Hall once stood to the east of what is now the country park. At its peak the estate included the dam and surrounding parkland extending to almost 2,350 acres.
The Pilkington family bought the estate in 1765 and built no less than 9 lodges for their gamekeepers. Two of the lodges built in the 1870's still stand at the park gates either side of the dam.
In 1954 the park was sold to Wakefield Council and shortly afterwards it was opened up for all to enjoy as a major amenity in the area as it is now managed in the interests of wildlife conservation. Suffering heavily from mining subsidence, Chevet Hall was demolished in the 1960's.
WMDC's Natural Environment Department, Friends of Newmillerdam Country Park, Wakefield Tree Wardens and students from Pennine Camphill Community work tirelessly to keep the Country Park looking beautiful.
Arboretum
The arboretum project was started in 2007(estimated to take 10 years) by the Tree Wardens Voluntary Group in partnership with WMDC's Natural Environment Team with the aim of restoring a section of Newmillerdam Country Park.
The arboretum project was started in 2007(estimated to take 10 years) by the Tree Wardens Voluntary Group in partnership with WMDC's Natural Environment Team with the aim of restoring a section of Newmillerdam Country Park.
The section had originally been planted with a wide variety of tree species in the early 1980's which had become overgrown and inaccessible. The dense planting arrangement meant that the trees could not reach their best form and very little light reached the woodland floor.
To improve the site, the sick and damaged trees were identified and removed. This created enough space for new and varied trees to be planted increasing the number of different species to more than 100. The improved light allowed the trees to better develop their foliage, and a wider variety of woodland plants and flowers started to appear on the ground. The ground cover now has many varieties including Selfheal, Spear Thistle and Ragged Robin. The cutting regime allows plants to grow to their full height so that
wild areas can flower and produce seed, benefiting many creatures. All new planting has been made possible by fund raising and donations for memorial trees (a donations book is kept in the boathouse).
wild areas can flower and produce seed, benefiting many creatures. All new planting has been made possible by fund raising and donations for memorial trees (a donations book is kept in the boathouse).
During the summer, the site is visited by hundreds of butterflies, bees and many other insects which cannot thrive in the surrounding sections of dark woodland. During the autumn and winter months many birds enjoy the fruits and berries on the trees. The tree wardens group have also improved access to the site by upgrading the level footpath from the Barnsley Road lay-by, thanks to a grant from WMDC community chest and the help of the Probation service community pay back team. The improvements have made it much easier for people with disabilities to gain safer access to the site.
Benches have been made by the group to enable visitors to linger a while and enjoy the tranquillity. The back panels of the benches are engraved and have braille to help with identification of the location. The local blind association and service users from the mental health day care team were consulted about the planning and signage so that their members could gain from this natural experience for all the senses. Free guided visits are promoted for these groups and also for school groups.
Visitors have been encouraged to make paper and crayon rubbings of the bark and the tree name plates, thereby enjoying the touch and smell of the leaves and the bark on the trees. Tree signs are set at a height that can be touched, with the lettering indented so that it can be experienced with fingertips. The large diversity of trees, plants, insects and birds now present, has made the arboretum into a very special place to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
Lake
The lake is man made and covers an area of 30 acres with an average depth of 8ft. It was originally constructed to feed water onto a waterwheel for the corn mill and was much smaller than the lake we see today. Boating is not allowed on the lake, as this would be detrimental to the fish and wildlife that abounds here. Fishing rights are leased to Wakefield Angling Club.
The lake is man made and covers an area of 30 acres with an average depth of 8ft. It was originally constructed to feed water onto a waterwheel for the corn mill and was much smaller than the lake we see today. Boating is not allowed on the lake, as this would be detrimental to the fish and wildlife that abounds here. Fishing rights are leased to Wakefield Angling Club.
West Yorkshire Ecology notes that there are 16 different species of wildlife seen on the lake.
Through the middle of the lake is the boundary between Wakefield and Hemsworth parliamentary constituencies. Prior to local government re-organisation in 1974 the west side was in the West Riding and the east side in Wakefield, where pubs were licensed to open half an hour later. At 10 o'clock there was a mass exodus over the lake from the Fox & Hounds to the Dam Inn to take advantage of the extra drinking time.
Through the middle of the lake is the boundary between Wakefield and Hemsworth parliamentary constituencies. Prior to local government re-organisation in 1974 the west side was in the West Riding and the east side in Wakefield, where pubs were licensed to open half an hour later. At 10 o'clock there was a mass exodus over the lake from the Fox & Hounds to the Dam Inn to take advantage of the extra drinking time.
East Lodge
One of the 2 lodges built in the Country Park by the Pilkington family in the 1870's has been used in the past as a small museum. The museum was filled with glass cases each containing stuffed animals and birds until the Country Park was bought by WMDC in 1954. The lodge is currently undergoing a radical rethink on how to renovate and rejuvenate the building to become a sustainable venue for use within the community.
One of the 2 lodges built in the Country Park by the Pilkington family in the 1870's has been used in the past as a small museum. The museum was filled with glass cases each containing stuffed animals and birds until the Country Park was bought by WMDC in 1954. The lodge is currently undergoing a radical rethink on how to renovate and rejuvenate the building to become a sustainable venue for use within the community.
West Lodge
After having fallen into a state of disrepair, the lodge was repaired and became habitable again, becoming the home of “Gordon the Warden” and his family from 1977 to 1994. The lodge is now a very attractive and popular Italian restaurant (La Fortezza).
After having fallen into a state of disrepair, the lodge was repaired and became habitable again, becoming the home of “Gordon the Warden” and his family from 1977 to 1994. The lodge is now a very attractive and popular Italian restaurant (La Fortezza).
Village Green
The area currently designated as our village green has a long and interesting industrial heritage;
Ninevah colliery: 1922 – 1929
Newmillerdam colliery: 1929 – 1981
Purchased by WMDC: 1990
Land reclamation complete: 1991
The area currently designated as our village green has a long and interesting industrial heritage;
Ninevah colliery: 1922 – 1929
Newmillerdam colliery: 1929 – 1981
Purchased by WMDC: 1990
Land reclamation complete: 1991
In 2008 when the application for village green status was lodged, the site consisted of an area of hard standing (a car park) and an access track surrounded by grassland and scrub, sloping down south-east to a stream bordered by well established woodland.
The site was restored approximately 15-20 years ago and the scrub and tree plantings are now well established. The scrub is very mixed, the majority planted as part of the restoration. The woodland at the base of the slope and along the western boundary is semi-natural but botanically, the most interesting feature of the site is the grassland. This is quite species rich, with richer grassland on the flat areas and sparser, more acid grassland on the slopes where there appears to have been little topsoil added during restoration. The interest is complimented by a number of wet areas.
Wakefield Biodiversity group identified 121 species on the village green in 2008 and we have continued to monitor the species count with 235 different types of flora and fauna noted to date.