Castleford

	About Castleford  Country : England Region : Yorkshire and The Humber West Yorkshire Member of the Metropolitan district  named "City of Wakefield" Population : approx. 37.000 (315.172 for the district - census 2001)
City of Wakefield is a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. In addition to the city of Wakefield, the district covers a wide area including seven other towns. The "Five Towns" commonly grouped together are Normanton, Pontefract, Featherstone, Castleford and Knottingley.

In the late first century and until 180 AD a roman settlement called Lagentium or Legioleum

was located where Castleford is today.  It consisted of a vicus (civilian settlement) around a military fort.  In those days travellers had to wait for the nearby river (River Aire) to become low enough for a ford to form in order to cross it. When the Romans left, the settlement continued until about 410 AD. The Britons of the area were of the Brigantes tribe.

The Anglo-Saxons occupied the area and called it Casteford (ford by the fort), which evolved into the village of Castleford.
( Castleford Webpages - History of Casrtleford )

Internationally renowned sculptor, Henry Moore was born in Castleford in 1898.  Examples of his work can be found throughout the district.  ( Henry Moore was born in Castleford, in small terraced house in Roundhill Road on 30th July 1898. )

The Queen's Park
Castleford District Council acquired thirteen acres of land on Redhill, part of which was a joint gift from the Earl of Crewe and John Davidson Bland. The park, which was to have been named the Victoria Park, was opened in 1897 and named Queen's Park in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

The bandstand was erected in 1904 and proved to be a popular venue for entertainment. Until the 1950's Brass Bands could be heard there every Sunday throughout the summer months but are now restricted to four or five events a year. ( Castleford - My Home Town )

Crédits Links  Pictures  Alan Green  Webshots Gallery  Information City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Wakefield council