Mexborough and Swinton Times July 22, 1927

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary the “South Yorkshire Times” did a supplement on the history of the Dearne Valley Towns:

The Growth of Wombwell
A Fruitful Half-Century
Complete Change of Character

Wombwell is recognised as one of the most enterprising towns in South Yorkshire, and it is proud both of its history and growth. Within living memory the town has developed out of recognition and left older neighbourhoods far behind, it is still trading firmly along the high road of progress. Years ago the opinion was expressed that Wombwell was too near to Barnsley to maintain its individuality, but as an industrial and business centre, Wombwell is still “standing on its own legs.”

One would have to dip deeper into history than half a century to cover the whole period of Wombwell’s progress, but it is during the past 50 years that the town has made its most important strides.

Wombwell was on the fringe of the Yorkshire coalfield. On Thursday, October 17, 1861, a meeting was held with a view to framing representations in favour of Wombwell being constituted a separate parish. Unlike previously been included in the ecclesiastical parish of Darfield. At this meeting “Mr Richard Paywood was called to the chair, and among the gentlemen present were Messrs Garland, Hawson, Mee, Parkin, J Swift, S Swift, Wood, J Raywood, Walters, Webster and Jacques.”

It was said that Wombwell which in former times was on a small hamlet, and now become a chain of villages, comprising Wombwell, Hemingfield, Broomhill, Jump and Kitroyd.

In 1801, Wombwell contains 601 inhabitants, and 1831, 814. By 1951 the population increased to 3777 ( or 172 more than Barnsley contained in 1801).

By this time three important collieries have been established in Wombwell, namely Lundhill, Darfield Main and Wombwell Main. It was in 1857 that the great explosion occurred at Lundhill.

The ecclesiastical severance of woman from Darfield took place in 1864, and the Rev Henry Clayforth was inducted as first incumbent. Near the spot now occupied by the town halls stood a bunch of farmsteads, Orchard Street was an auction, and on the side of the marketplace was a well from which the inhabitants drew water.

Therefore, practically speaking, Wombwell as being “reborn” during the last century, and has grown up with the “Mexborough and Swinton Times.”