Baildon
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Baildon (Celtic sun God Baal and Dune hill) is a village in the county of West Yorkshire, England, north of Bradford, and in the metropolitan borough of Bradford. Baildon Moor has a number of outcropping gritstones, and there is a stone circle known as Soldier's Trench which is said to date from the Bronze Age, 3000 years ago. There are also numerous Cup & Ring marks, the origins of these are still unknown. Within Baildon there are several sports clubs which are run from Baildon Rugby Union Football Club [link]. These include the rugby club itself, along with the cricket and running club.
For nearly a quarter of a century, up until 2003, the August Bank Holiday weekend saw over 500 Harley-Davidson riders arrive in Baildon as part of the annual UK rally of the Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain [link] - the event raising thousands of pounds for children's charities. The riders came from all over the country, including some from as far off as Holland. In 2004, the HDRCGB decided to switch their regular venue to Wales, so an unofficial rally now takes place each August with over 250 Harley riders deciding to honour their annual pilgrimage to Baildon village, including donations of toys to a local children's hospital.
Famous residents
The journalist and "Countdown" game show presenter Richard Whiteley came from Baildon.
The great mountaineer Ian Clough was born in Baildon. After he was tragically killed on an expedition to the Himalayan mountain Annapurna in 1970, Ian Clough Hall, a meeting-place and arts venue, was established in Baildon in his memory. In the 1960s, Ian and close friend Chris Bonington practised their climbing techniques on Baildon Bank - a 1,000ft long, 50ft high, sheer rock-face that looks out towards Bradford. In 1962, Ian & Chris became the first Britons to successfully scale the treacherous north-face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps.
Yorkshire & England cricket fast bowler, Matthew Hoggard, though originally from Pudsey, has lived in Baildon for some years. He was awarded the MBE, along with the rest of the 2005 Ashes winning team, in the Queen's New Year Honours. As of June 2006, Matthew is ranked by the International Cricket Council as the 3rd best pace bowler in the world. He is also a member of Baildon Cricket Club.
Currently, the youngest football manager in England's FA Premiership is Watford F.C.'s Adrian Boothroyd. From Baildon, Adrian, born February 8 1971, played for several English & Scottish clubs, including Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield Town & Heart of Midlothian F.C., before injury cut short his playing career at 26. He then went into coaching, where he worked at Norwich City and Leeds United, the latter from where he successfully applied for the Watford position in March 2005. He then quickly steered Watford away from the relegation zone in the Football League Championship, and then completely turned the team around the following season. Ironically for Adrian, Watford were promoted to the Premiership with a 3-0 Play-Off win over his previous employer, Leeds United, in May 2006.
Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for Great Grimsby since 1977, was born in Baildon.
Ex-Yorkshire & England cricket captain Brian Close made Baildon his home many years ago. He was born in nearby Rawdon.
Movies & Television filmed in Baildon
- Billy Liar (1963) - Locations: Midland Road.
- Damon & Debbie (1987) - Locations: St Anne's Terrace; Threshfield.
- Rita, Sue & Bob Too (1987) - Locations: Baildon Moor; Ladderbanks; Baildon Village.
References
- [BCSP] (Internet Explorer only)
- [BBC election results]
- [Council ward profile] (pdf)
External links
- [Baildon Online] Baildon Online Community Website
Baildon Town Centre (1963) The 'potted meat stick' has now been moved to the edge of the car park, on the site of the shops and bank on the right. The Conservative Club is still there but the shop to the left of it has been replaced by a new Halifax Bank building.
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