Licensed from Columbia University Press
Hebburn is a small town situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in North East England, sandwiched between the towns of Jarrow and Bill Quay. The population of Hebburn is about 24,000.
History
It is thought that the name Hebburn may be derived from the Anglo Saxon terms, heah meaning high, and byrgen meaning a burying place, though it could also mean the high place beside the water. The first record of Hebburn mentions a settlement of fishermen's huts in the 8th century, which were burned by the Vikings.
Local legend claims that, until recently, a preserved longship lay embedded on the south bank of the Tyne at Hebburn. The object, visible at low tide, was however the remains of an old wooden "coal lighter". A genuine longship would likely have been salvaged by a historical society, or have had a protection order placed upon it.
In the 14th century the landscape was dominated by a pele tower. A 4'6" (140 cm) tall wall, a portion of which still remains at St. John's Church, could also be seen. The Lordship of the Manor of Hebburn passed through the hands of a number of families during the Middle Ages.
Interesting facts
- Sir Humphry Davy, inventor of the Davy lamp, developed the safety lamp at Hebburn Hall and first tested it at Hebburn Colliery on January 9 1816.
- HMS Kelly, captained by Lord Louis Mountbatten, was built at Hawthorn Leslie Shipyard in the town.
There is a military grave of the ships company in Hebburn cemetery, which features a memorial to Lord Louis Mountbatten after his death in 1979.
- HMS Quail was built at Hawthorn Leslie Shipyard.
- Get Carter, a 1971 movie starring Michael Caine was filmed on location around the North East region. The Ferry landing, betting shop and a café scenes were all shot in Hebburn.
- Gary Numan made a pop video at electrical engineers Reyrolle Parsons Testing Station.
Hebburn today
Hebburn Town F.C. is the town's local non-league football team.Athletics is also catered for at Monkton Stadium, home of Jarrow and Hebburn AC, where Brendan Foster, Steve Cram and David Sharp are famous past runners.
The Parachute Regiment 4th Para Reserves have a detachment based in Hebburn.
Hebburn has an ecology centre powered by wind turbines.
The road crash scene in Sting's movie, 'Black Monday' was filmed in Hebburn atop the railway bridge on Luke's Lane.
Hebburn is the subject of a 'Jarrow Crew' invasion.
In a recent poll Hebburn was voted the classiest town in England having the best fanny, crack and general quality of life in the whole country.
Notable citizens
- Brendan Foster: Olympic athlete
- Andrew Leslie: Shipbuilder
- Arthur Holmes: 20th century geologist
- Steve Cram: Olympic athlete and world record holder.
- George Armstrong: Arsenal footballer
References
External links
- Hebburn Colliery - Information about Hebburn Colliery
- Hebburn.org - Site detailing history of the town
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Tuesday July 22, 2008 at 15:07:56 PDT (GMT -0700)
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