Higham, Yorkshire
| Higham | |
| Yorkshire West Riding | |
|---|---|
 The Engineers Arms in Higham, Barnsley | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SE311071 |
| Location: | 53°33’30"N, 1°31’46"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Barnsley |
| Postcode: | S75 |
| Dialling code: | 01226 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Barnsley |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Barnsley Central |
Higham is a village in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
This was a coal mining area: the village used to have a small drift mine known as the Higham Pumping Station. The drift was used for coal to come from Redbrook colliery and then up the belt track to Dodworth colliery to the screens and washers. There was an even older shaft that could still be seen in the 1970s.
Higham is surrounded by the villages of Gawber, Barugh Green, Dodworth, Redbrook and Pogmoor. Other places of note nearby are the villages of Silkstone, Cawthorne and Darton. Nearby places include Captain and Hugset Woods, and Higham Reservoir.
History
The village of Higham is also known locally as 'Hickam', as the saying goes: 'Higham where they fry'em, Hickam where they stick'em.' Most of the population lived on 3 main rows of houses: Old Row, New Row and Concrete Row, although only the New Row now survives. Most of those houses were built to house the coal miners who used to work at the nearby collieries.
There used to be three pubs in the village: The Hermit Inn, The Miners Inn and The Engineers Arms. The Miners Inn has been demolished, The Hermit Inn is now a curry shop leaving only The Engineers Arms.
During the last few decades the village has changed greatly with a lot of new, modern houses that greatly contrast with the older houses of the New Row. People have moved into the village seeking peace and quiet but with easy access to the M1 motorway.
Chapel
The village has a Methodist Chapel that also now houses the local Post Office.
Sports
- Cricket: Higham Cricket Club
Here coal miners played the game of Nipsy (not Knur and Spell) on the field at the back of the Miners Inn (Pigoyle).
About the village
A popular walking route from the village starts on Hermit Lane, from Higham to Gawber passing the church of St Thomas. An alternate route takes you over the field to Pogmoor. The Pogwell lane walk starts at the Engineers Inn and leading down into the Hugset Wood or taking the route up towards Silkstone golf links. The Higham Lane walk leads from Higham Common towards Dodworth or, after crossing the motorway bridge, bearing right, down into the Captain Wood and follow the old belt track. That of 'Royd Lane passes down the side of the cricket field, this lane will take you down towards Cawthorne Basin and over to the Furnace pit.