Heysham

Demography

Administratively, Heysham is part of the City of Lancaster district, with three wards: Heysham Central (with a population of 4,397), increasing to 4,478 at the 2011 Census, Heysham North (5,477), decreasing to 5,274 at the 2011 Census and Heysham South (6,262); increasing to 7,264 at the 2011 Census. Together they have a population of 16,136 (2001 census), or 17,016 (2011 census), although these extend into areas beyond the village of Heysham itself, which has a population of approximately 6,500.

History

Of historical interest are the stone graves in the ruins of the ancient St. Patrick's Chapel, close to St Peter's Church. They are thought to date from the 11th century, and are hewn from solid rock. Local legend has it that St Patrick landed here after crossing from Ireland and established the chapel. However it has been established that the chapel was built around 300 years after Patrick's death. These stone graves appear on the cover of the Black Sabbath CD, 'The Best of Black Sabbath'.

The grounds of St Peter's Church contain many Saxon and Viking remains, and the church itself contains a Viking hogback stone. The purpose of these strange stone sculptures is the subject of much debate; they are found mainly in the north of England, and also in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and a few areas of southern England with Viking links. Heysham also contains one of only three sites in Britain and Ireland that contain a pre-Roman labyrinth carving, the others being located at Tintagel, Cornwall and Hollywood, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Lancaster Museum holds artefacts from the area such as stone axe and hammer heads (some weighing up to 4 kg (9 lb)) dating back to the New Stone Age. Many of these artefacts and their original location suggest that this was an ancient burial ground, or barrow; the area is still known locally as "The Barrows". The Barrows are the only sea-cliffs in Lancashire and contain, in a relatively small area, woodland, open grassland, sandy beaches, and deep rock pools.

Heysham Heritage Centre is housed in the barn of a Longhouse in Main Street. The building is owned by the Heritage Trust for the North West, who also own the cottage part of the longhouse, 22 Main Street. The Heritage Centre is run by volunteers, most of whom belong to Heysham Heritage Association.

Community

Heysham won Britain in Bloom Gold Small Village awards in both 2005 and 2007.

Heysham also had a large outdoor karting track on Heysham Head where racing legend Nigel Mansell used to race in his teenage years.

Heysham is the terminus of the Stanlow-Heysham oil pipeline, and of a gas pipeline that originates in Morecambe field in the Irish Sea.

Industry and transport

Heysham Port started operation in 1904 with a ferry service to the Isle of Man, as well as freight to Ireland and services for the eastern Irish Sea and Morecambe Bay gas fields. A SeaCat service to Belfast started in 1999. Some ferries connect with trains from Heysham Port railway station to Lancaster via the Morecambe Branch Line.

The Bay Gateway dual carriageway opened in October 2016, connecting Heysham directly to the M6.

Notable people

The artist J. M. W. Turner visited Heysham in the 1790s when travelling throughout Britain. His paintings, notably Heysham and Cumberland Mountains (British Museum), show the village with the Lakeland backdrop.

Professional footballer David Perkins was born in Heysham.