Doncaster

For other places with the same name, see Doncaster (disambiguation).

Doncaster
Population
OS grid reference	SE5702
Metropolitan borough	Doncaster
Metropolitan county	South Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DONCASTER
Postcode district	DN1-DN12
Dialling code	01302
Police	South Yorkshire
Fire	South Yorkshire
Ambulance	Yorkshire
UK Parliament	Doncaster Central Doncaster North Don Valley

Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire, England and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is located about 20 miles from Sheffield and is popularly referred to by some of its residents as "Donny". Doncaster has a new international airport and its centre has undergone regeneration including the development of an Education City campus, currently the largest education investment of its kind in the UK. Doncaster has also recently extended the Frenchgate Centre, a shopping centre and transport interchange.

According to the 2001 census the urban sub-area of Doncaster had a population of 67,977 - together with Bentley, Armthorpe and Kirk Sandall it forms an urban area with a population of 127,851. The wider metropolitan borough has a population of around 290,000.

Geography, demographics and regeneration

The Minster Church of St. George, Doncaster

Doncaster is the 15th largest population centre in the UK outside London. The borough expanded dramatically in population with the development of the coal mining. Closure of coal mines in the 1970s and 1980s caused some economic difficulties, the town relied then to a greater extent on tertiary industries; the already good communication links with the rest of the UK supported this development. The town is situated on the A1(M) and M18 motorways, and is within 20 minutes of the key M1 and M62 motorways. Doncaster is also an important railway town, serving the East Coast Mainline.

Despite some local opposition, over the years much of the traditional housing in the town centre has been razed. Inevitably controversial decisions in this regard were taken, including clearance for building of a ring road that cut off St George’s Parish Church, now known as St George’s Minster, from the town centre. Visitors passing through Doncaster's town centre may be surprised to see windowless back-ends of large town centre shops facing the Minster, Doncaster's preeminent architectural landmark. The town centre has undergone some regeneration in recent years with private and public investment taking place. Presently central Doncaster provides a strong retail and commercial focal point and more recent developments have been carefully placed in relation to important buildings.

New developments include campus facilities for Doncaster College and the Frenchgate Interchange (a unification of bus and railway stations with the Frenchgate Centre). The extension to the shopping centre and the new bus station opened on 8 June 2006, from when all Doncaster bus routes started to use the station.

Within the region, Doncaster is being recognised an important European hub with developments such as a new international airport, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield which opened in 2005. In addition there is the well established Doncaster International Railport facilities that link to the Channel Tunnel.

Recent leisure developments include a new community sports stadium for sports teams including Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster Belles and Doncaster Lakers, which was completed in late 2006. Doncaster is home to one of the oldest and largest racecourses in the country. In 2005, Doncaster Racecourse closed temporarily to enable the re-development of the stands and facilities by Arena Leisure Plc. The new urban-i stand is now open and world-class facilities continue to be developed on site. Hotels in Doncaster are being expanded and new ones built.

History

Roman heritage

Doncaster (DANVM) positioned on the 'Alternative Route Ermine Street'

Doncaster (or DANVM as called during Roman times) is located at 53°31′N 1°8′W - the site of a Roman fort which was built in the 1st century A.D. at the site of a crossing across the River Don. The Roman empirical command of Ninius called this fort "Caer Daun". Later the commands of Antoninus Pius and Notitia called this fort Danum, from which the town derives the Don part of its name; caster a Saxon word corrupted from the Latin original Castra, meaning a military camp. Doncaster was home to the Roman Crispinian horse garrison. The cavalry took its name from Crispus, son of Constantine the Great. Crispus, son of the Emperor, lived at Danum (Doncaster) whilst his father lived 40 miles further north at Eboracum (York). In truth, much of Doncaster's Roman past remains to be discovered.

The Doncaster garrison units are named in the Notitia Dignitatum or 'Register of Dignitaries', produced around the turn of the 5th century near the end of Roman rule in Britain. This important administrative document contains - among other things - the name of almost every military unit in the Roman empire, also the name of their respective garrison towns. The garrison unit was originally recruited from among the tribespeople living near the town of Crispiana in Upper Pannonia, near Zirc in the Bakony region of western Hungary. The fact that Doncaster is included, highlights the importance placed by the Romans on the Doncaster. The Doncaster entry is listed under the command of the Dux Britanniarum or the 'Duke of the Britons'. Doncaster provided an alternative direct land route between Lincoln and York. The main route between Lincoln and York was in fact Ermine Street which meant crossing the River Humber in boats. For obvious reasons this was not always practical and thus Doncaster became an important staging post on the Roman map.

The Roman road through Doncaster appears on two routes recorded in the Antonine Itinerary. The itinera include the same section of road between Lincoln and York, and list three stations along the route in between these two coloniae. Iter VII and Iter VIII is entitled "the route from York to London". The section below showing distances from Iter VIII.

The Roman Road from York to Lincoln

Roman town	Modern name	Miles
Eboraco	YORK	Start
Lagecio	Castleford	XXI
Dano	DONCASTER	XVI
Ageloco	Littleborough	XXI
Lindo	LINCOLN	XIII

A route through the north Derbyshire hills was opened up sometime in the latter half of the 1st century A.D., possibly by the militaristic governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola during the late 70s, although the first section of the road to the Doncaster fort had probably been in existence since the early 50s.

Today, there are several areas of known intense archaeological interest however many, in particular St Sepulchre Gate, remain hidden under buildings. The Roman fort is believed to have been located on the site that is now St George's Minster next to the River Don.

Early and Medieval history

Map showing the boundary of the fortified Medieval township of Doncaster with four 'Gates

The town was rebuilt by the Normans after William I took the throne. The Normans also built a castle at nearby Conisbrough.

As the 12th century approached, Doncaster matured into a busy town and in 1194 King Richard I granted Doncaster national recognition with a Royal Charter. During the Middle Ages Doncaster evolved further and it was then later in 1204 that Doncaster suffered and recovered from a disastrous fire. At this time, buildings were built of wood and fire was a constant hazard.

In 1248, a charter was granted for Doncaster Market and some 750 years on, the market still exists with its busy stalls located both outside and under cover. The market also occupies the 19th century 'Corn Exchange' building, opened in 1873 and extensively rebuilt in 1996 after a major fire.

Today, many of Doncaster's streets are named with the suffix 'gate'. The word 'gate' is derived from the old Danish word 'gata' which meant street. During Medieval times, craftsmen or tradesmen with similar skills, tended to live in the same street. Baxter is an ancient word for baker thereby confirming that Baxtergate was indeed the bakers' street. It is assumed that 'Frenchgate' may be named after French speaking Normans who settled on this street.

The Medieval township of Doncaster is known to have been protected by earthern ramparts and ditches leaving four substantial gates as entrances to the town. These gates were located at Hall Gate, St. Mary's Bridge (old), St. Sepulchre Gate and Sunny Bar. Today the gates at Sunny Bar are commemorated by huge 'Boar Gates', similarly, the entrance to St. Sepulchre Gate is also commemorated, this time with white marble 'Roman Gates'. The boundary of the town principally extended from the River Don, along what is now, Market Road, Silver Street, Cleveland Street and Printing Office Street.

During the 14th century a number of friars arrived in Doncaster who were known for their religious enthusiasm and preachings. In 1307 Franciscan friars arrived and they were called greyfriars because of the colour of their costumes. Carmelites or whitefriars arrived in the middle of the 14th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries the town of Doncaster continued to expand. This was despite several outbreaks of plague from 1562 until 1606. Each time the plague struck down significant numbers of Doncaster's population.

First English Civil War

During the campaign of the First English Civil War, King Charles I marched by Bridgnorth, Lichfield and Ashbourne to Doncaster, where on 18 August 1645 he was met by great numbers of Yorkshire gentlemen who had rallied to his cause. On 2 May 1664, Doncaster was later rewarded with the title of 'Free Borough' by way of the King expressing his gratitude for Doncaster's allegiance.

Horseracing

From around the 16th century, Doncaster embraced the wealthy stagecoach trade. This led to horse breeding in Doncaster, which in turn led to the start of horseraces there. The earliest important race in Doncaster's history was the Doncaster Gold Cup, first run over Cantley Common in 1766. The Doncaster Cup is the oldest continuing regulated horserace in the world.

Ten years later the racecourse moved to its present location and in 1776 Colonel Anthony St. Leger founded a race in which five horses ran. This race has remained in existence and become the world's oldest classic horserace. During the First World War the racecourse was used for military purposes and substitute races were run instead at Newmarket from 1915 to 1918.

Doncaster has the distinction of both starting and ending the flat season on turf. Every September, Doncaster hosts the prestigious four-day Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival, which is acclaimed as the premier sporting occasion of the autumn calendar. Doncaster has also taken over events whose traditional homes have closed, such as the Lincoln Cup in 1965.

More history was made at Doncaster in 1992 when it staged the first ever Sunday meeting on a British racecourse. A crowd of 23,000 turned up despite there being no betting. Today the St. Leger Stakes remains the world's oldest classic horserace and features in the horseracing calendar as the 5th and final Classic of the British flat racing season. This pride of place every September on the famous Town Moor course.

Doncaster is a left-handed, pear-shaped track of around 1 mile & 7½ furlongs which is mostly flat. There are courses for Flat racing and also for National Hunt racing.

The racecourse is no longer run by Doncaster MBC but by Arena Leisure PLC. The racecourse reopened in 2007 after undergoing massive refurbishment with the building of a new grandstand, exhibition centre, stables and bloodstock sales. It reopened partly in August 2007 for a trial run for the St. Leger and fully in September, two days before the St Leger meeting.

Doncaster Racecourse

St. George's Minster, Doncaster with a floral representation of the saint in front of it

12th century Conisbrough Castle, open to the public and property of English Heritage

Doncaster is traditionally very wealthy. The borough itself was known for its rich landowners with vast estates and huge stately homes such as Brodsworth Hall, Cantley Manor, Nether Hall, Wheatley Hall, Hickleton Hall and Cusworth Hall. This wealth is evidenced in the luxurious and historic gold guilted 18th century Mansion House which stands on High Street. This land ownership developed what is an ancient market place and large 19th century Market Hall and Corn Exchange buildings. Perhaps the most striking building is St George's Minster (promoted from a parish church in 2004).

Doncaster was already a communications centre at this time. Doncaster sat on the Great North Road or A1, due to its strategic geographical importance and essentially Roman inheritance. This was the primary route for all traffic from London to Edinburgh and Doncaster cashed in on its location.

Coal and industrial expansion

The late 18th century to 20th century saw Doncaster emerge as an industrial centre. Using its communication links and in particular waterways Doncaster became extremely busy and saw vast migration to its centre. Underneath Doncaster lies huge natural resource by way of deep seam coal. It was coal that prompted Doncaster's exponential population growth. The waterways, River Don and Don Navigation were used to transport coal from Doncaster to the steel production centres at Rotherham, Sheffield and Scunthorpe.

With coal mining came secondary and tertiary industries:

• Large scale glass production soon followed using coal to fire the furnaces. Several high-quality specialist glass manufacturers remain to this day.
• A production facility for chemical polymers - hydrocarbon compounds produced from coal and oil - was built on Wheatley Hall Road and was the largest production facility of its type in Europe. It changed hands numerous times during its existence until closure (by DuPont) in the mid-1990s.
• Steel foundries, rolling mills and wire mills were built close to the railways that brought steel from Sheffield and Rotherham.
• British Ropes (now Bridon) produce wire rope, including the ropes used at coal mines to haul coal and miners, this is claimed to be the largest wire rope manufacturing plant in Europe.

The Railways & Locomotive Works

Continuing the Industrial Revolution, the railway came to Doncaster, and the Great Northern Railway Locomotive and Carriage Building Works was established there. The reasons for this were due to Doncaster's communication links, the necessity to transport coal quickly and efficiently and Doncaster's expertise in specialist metal products. An extensive housing programme was undertaken to cater for the increase in the population. The Chairman of the Great Northern, anxious about their spiritual welfare, persuaded the directors to contribute towards the building of St. James' Church, which became known as the "Plant Church". The railway also built St. James' School. The Doncaster Plant became famous for building LNER 4-6-2 locomotives Mallard and the Flying Scotsman, as well as many thousands more locomotives. Today, Doncaster railway station, on the East Coast line, is linked to many towns and cities across the UK such as Wakefield, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, London, York, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Lincoln.

Doncaster railway station is served by the largest number of train operators in the UK and Doncaster PSB is one of the largest signalling centres on the UK network, controlling hundreds of route miles of railway.

During World War I and World War II, the rail industry gave way to munitions building. In the early part of the 20th century Doncaster became one of the largest coal mining areas in the country, with the industry employing more people in the area than anything else. However, along with many other areas, a large number of mining jobs were lost in the late 1980s, and several pits closed. Today, coal mining has been all but eliminated from the area, with only a handful of collieries surviving. The demise of coal saw a cascade effect which saw the removal of many other tertiary industries. However, several companies diversified and can still be seen today.

Tractor Production

In 1946 International Harvester (IH) started the production of agricultural implements at a factory in the Carr Hill area of Doncaster. The first tractor built at the factory was a Farmall M, which came off the production line in 1949. Initially tractors were built from parts shipped from the USA, but by 1960 the factory was making a range of tractors from scratch, designed specifically for British and European markets, and sold under the 'McCormick International' name. In 1983 tractor production was moved to IH's other Doncaster factory at Wheatley Hall. In 1985 International Harvester sold its agricultural division to Tenneco, Inc. which then merged the operation with its subsidiary J.I. Case to form Case IH, who continued to design and build its European tractor range in Doncaster. In 2000, the factory was purchased by ARGO SpA, an Italian-based agricultural equipment builder. Doncaster was the sole production site of McCormick Tractors, and the factory employed around 380 people (although approximately 1,100 people are employed in the worldwide McCormick group). In December 2006, the parent company ARGO Spa, announced that the Doncaster facility was to close in mid-2007 with the loss of around 325 jobs. Much to the dismay of trade union officials and local news, the announcement was made heartlessly only one week before Christmas. When the factory closed, 61 years of tractor production history in Doncaster came to an end as the production of the tractors is moved to Italy. The factory closed, as of late 2007.

Sport

More recently, the town has sought to reinvent itself, primarily as a commercial and leisure centre. Its horseraces remain very famous, and the town also has a men's football club, Doncaster Rovers F.C., and one of the most successful women's football clubs in the country, Doncaster Rovers Belles who play at the Keepmoat Stadium. Doncaster RLFC (formerly known as Doncaster Dragons RLFC and Doncaster Lakers) have played consistently in rugby league's National League One. Doncaster Knights Rugby Football Club has shown success in recent years, following the regeneration of their facilities, part-funded by the National Lottery. It is also the home of the British professional wrestling promotion 1PW (1 Pro Wrestling).

Speedway racing was staged at Doncaster Greyhound Stadium in 1969 and 1970. The team was known as the Stallions and then the Dragons. The team raced in the British League Second Division. Details of the meetings can be found on www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk in the details of the meetings held in these years.

Doncaster also used to have a successful mens basketball team called the Doncaster Panthers, unfortunately they don't have a basketball team anymore. Doncaster has an American Football team called the Doncaster Mustangs, who are in the top flight of British American Football.

Logistical hub

Due to its proximity to major urban centres and motorway/rail infrastructure, Doncaster is home to a number or major distribution centres. These include an International Rail Freight Centre at Black Bank from where goods are transported to Europe by rail. Huge warehousing and logistic capabilities for retailers such as Next, Tesco, Ikea, Exel and Faberge also exist. One location in particular is the B&Q Distribution Centre at Redhouse A1(M) Junction 38 which was the largest freestanding warehouse in the UK until Dixons Group opened a second warehouse on their Newark site at the side of the A1 30 miles to the south of Doncaster. A significant proportion of fresh and frozen goods for Northern Supermarkets is dispatched by road from here.

On March 5, 2004, Doncaster was granted Fairtrade Town status.

Twin towns

• Dandong, China - (21 November, 1988)
• Avion, France - (13 May, 1981)
• Herten, Germany - (20 February, 1989)
• Gliwice, Poland - (21 May, 1979)
• Wilmington, USA - (5 October, 1992)
• Salgótarján, Hungary
• Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Transport

Main article: Transport in Doncaster

Aviation

Doncaster has an international airport, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, which opened on April 28, 2005, on the former Royal Air Force station of RAF Finningley, in Doncaster.

Aviation History of Doncaster

RFC Doncaster/RAF Doncaster/Doncaster Airport

Main article: RAF Doncaster

In 1909 Doncaster Racecourse was chosen as the venue for an airshow, after the world's first air display in Rheims, France in 1908. All the world's leading aviators were present. Samuel F. Cody (no relation to William F.Cody) in an attempt to win a prize offered by The Daily Mail for the first British pilot in a British aeroplane to fly a circular mile signed British naturalisation papers in front of the crowd with the band playing both God Save the King and the Star Spangled Banner. Unfortunately, he crashed his British Army Aeroplane No.1 whilst taxiing.

During World War I fighters based first from the racecourse, then a temporary airstrip near Finningley (later RAF Finningley and now Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield International Airport) and finally, in 1916, from a newly built airfield alongside the racecourse, were deployed to defend the east coast against Zeppelins. On a number of occasions fighters took off to search for the intruders but none were ever seen. The Royal Flying Corps station trained pilots for the war in France. Within months of the war ending the entire station was put up for sale and two of its three Belfast hangars, the same type of hangar that now forms the basis for the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon, were sold to a Sheffield motor manufacturing company for storage and assembly at Finningley. The third of the hangars stayed in place, mainly housing buses, until the 1970s when it was knocked down and replaced with modern buildings.

In 1920 the Government asked local authorities to assist in the formation of a chain of airfields so the country would not lag behind other nations in the provision of civil air services. Doncaster took heed and, with expert advice from Alan Cobham, on 26 May, 1934, opened a grandly called 'aviation centre'. Development of the airfield continued and on 1 July, 1936 an international service was opened to Amsterdam. On 1 November, 1938, after long discussions with the Air Ministry, 616 (South Yorkshire) fighter Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force was formed. Shortly after the outbreak of war in 1939 the squadron went to its battle station and played an honourable part in the Battle of Britain. After the departure of 616 squadron its place was taken by the formation of 271 (Transport) Squadron composed mainly of requisitioned civilian aircraft and obsolescent twin engined bombers. 616 squadron should be noted as the first Allied jet fighter squadron, who were equipped with the Gloster Meteor, famed for using their wingtips for throwing German V-1 "buzzbombs" off course. In 1944, after being re-equipped with Dakotas, the squadron moved south to take part in Operation 'Overlord' and later in the airborne invasion at Arnhem where Flight Lieutenant David Lord was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

After the war the airfield reverted to civilian flying and finally closed in 1992.

RAF Finningley

Main article: RAF Finningley

RAF Finningley was home to the Finningley Airshow for over three decades. The show was England's premier airshow and featured such aircraft as Concorde, RAF Vulcans and the Red Arrows. For around 20 years it was the largest Aircrew Training facility in the RAF.

Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Main article: Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield

Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport commenced operation on April 28, 2005. The airport was created following the redevelopment of the former RAF station RAF Finningley, that had closed in 1994. The airport serves many destinations through principal carrier Thomsonfly as well as several others. During its first year of operation, the airport handled over 900,000 passengers.

Famous people

• Mark Atkins (footballer) - Professional footballer and Premiership winner with Blackburn Rovers
• Douglas Bader - Fighter pilot who continued to fly after losing his legs. Lived in Sprotbrough near Doncaster during his teenage years.
• Jessica Baglow - Actress who played Lucy Snow in Where the Heart Is and currently plays Karla Bentham in Waterloo Road
• John Francis Bentley - Ecclesiastical architect, most famous for Westminster Cathedral
• Brian Blessed - Actor known for his work in film and TV was born in Mexborough in 1936.
• George Boole - Mathematician and philosopher and inventor of Boolean algebra.
• Liam Botham - Rugby player, former cricketer and son of well-known cricketer Ian Botham.
• Steve Burton - Footballer
• Tony Christie - Famous singer and musical performer. Born in Conisbrough, just outside of Doncaster.
• Roy Clarke - Script writer. Credits include Keeping Up Appearances, Open All Hours and Last of the Summer Wine.
• Jeremy Clarkson - Journalist / television presenter.
• Thomas Crapper - Credited with popularising the modern flushing toilet.
• Richard Dawson - Former England Test Cricket player.
• Neil Dudgeon - Actor
• David Firth - An animator of Flash cartoons and various short videos.
• Lesley Garrett - World renowned opera singer.
• Kelly Harrison - Actress from BBC Drama Casualty.
• Darius Henderson - Watford F.C. footballer
• Sam Hird - Doncaster Rovers footballer
• Kevin Hughes - Member of Parliament, died 2006
• Benjamin Huntsman - Inventor and steel-manufacturer
• Graham Hyde - Former Sheffield Wednesday footballer
• Kevin Keegan - Former international and ex-Liverpool F.C. footballer. Former England coach, currently Newcastle United manager. Born in Armthorpe near Doncaster.
• Julia Mallam - Ex Emmerdale actress
• John McLaughlin - Famous jazz guitarist and leader of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, born 1942 in Kirk Sandall near Doncaster.
• Mary Millar - Actress, famous for playing Rose in Keeping Up Appearances from series 2
• Paddington Bear - Licensed toys of the famous bear were first made by Gabrielle Designs, a company started in 1972 by Shirley and Eddie Clarkson from their Burghwallis home. Large scale production of the toys ran from a site in Adwick (known locally as the Bear Garden) until 1998.
• David Moffett Sports business manager for Sport England, Welsh Rugby Union and other major sporting organisiations, was born in Doncaster in 1947.
• Roger Needham - Computer scientist
• David Pegg - Manchester United player who died in the Munich air disaster.
• Jonti Picking - Commonly known as Weebl, author of the Webcartoon Weebl & Bob.
• Ricky Ravenhill - Darlington FC footballer
• Diana Rigg - Actress best-known for the ITV series The Avengers and Bond-girl in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film).
• Dennis Rollins- Jazz trombonist. Born in Birmingham but lived in Doncaster from an early age. Joined Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra at 14.
• Brian Shenton - Former sprinter who represented England and Great Britain in the 1950s.
• Richard Smith - Podcast host and co-founder of Simply Syndicated
• James Toseland - MotoGP motorcycle racer, 2004 and 2007 Superbike World Champion. Born in Doncaster in 1980
• Anna Tunnicliffe - Olympic sailor
• Simon Weaver - Footballer
• Mick Whitnall - Current (2008) lead guitarist with Babyshambles
• Billy Bremner - Although born in Stirling, Scotland, Billy Bremner started and finished his football management career at Doncaster Rovers (with spells at Hull City and Leeds United in between). He also made five league appearances for Rovers between 1979 and 1981. Billy died in Doncaster on 7th December, 1997.
• Jamie needham - plays for southyorkshire rugby league

Radio Stations

• Trax FM - 107.1FM

Sine FM - [1]

See also

• Doncaster PSB
• Doncaster Racecourse
• Robin Hood Airport
• Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster
• Balby
• The Dome Leisure Centre

External links

• The Doncaster Council website
• Large Doncaster Links page
• The Villager, Doncaster's independent online community newspaper
• Lakeside Village
• Frenchgate Interchange
• Donny Online
• Priory Place Methodist Church
• Doncaster Theatres Past and Present
• Official website of Doncaster Racecourse
• Doncaster Pub Guide
• Tackle - A Doncaster Sport Magazine