Editing Acomb, North Yorkshire

{{Short description|Village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| static_image_name        = Acomb Shops.jpg
| static_image_caption     = Shopping area on Front Street, Acomb
| coordinates              = {{coord|53|57|36|N|1|07|51|W|display=inline,title}}
| official_name            = Acomb
| population               = 22,215
| unitary_england          = [[City of York]]
| lieutenancy_england      = [[North Yorkshire]]
| region                   = Yorkshire and the Humber
| constituency_westminster = [[York Central (UK Parliament constituency)|York Central]]
| post_town                = YORK
| postcode_district        = YO24, YO26
| postcode_area            = YO
| dial_code                = 01904
| os_grid_reference        = SE574513
}}

'''Acomb''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|k|əm}}, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|j|æ|k|əm}}{{citation needed|reason=I have never heard this second pronunciation locally, and the BBC Pronouncing Dictionary does not mention it.|date=December 2024}} is a village and suburb within the [[City of York]] [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] area, in [[North Yorkshire]], England, to the western side of [[York]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Area 27 Acomb |url=https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/1085/area-27-acomb|access-date=2 January 2022 |website=york.gov.uk |quote=The amenities on offer in Acomb contribute to the sense of the independence the original village had. However, they also give the impression of a slightly quaint historic thriving commercial suburb rather than the ancient rural village it once was}}</ref> It covers the site of the original village of the same name, which is mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086. It is bordered by the suburbs of Holgate to the east, [[Clifton, York|Clifton]] to the north and [[Woodthorpe, North Yorkshire|Woodthorpe]] to the south. The boundary to the west abuts the fields close to the [[A1237 road|A1237]], York Outer Ring Road.

Historically part of the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]], Acomb was incorporated into the City of York in 1934.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Acomb, in York and West Riding {{!}} Map and description|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/11084|access-date=28 November 2020|website=visionofbritain.org.uk}}</ref>

Formerly a farming village, Acomb expanded over the centuries to become a dormitory area for workers in [[heavy industry]], such as [[Railway engineering|rail engineering]], in the 19th and 20th&nbsp;centuries and more recently for a more diverse workforce. Though it no longer has any large-scale manufacturing, it does have a diverse retail centre. There are at least 19 Grade II [[listed building]]s within its boundaries.<ref name="Listed">{{cite web|url = http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/north+yorkshire/york|title =Listed Buildings|work=Listed Buildings in York, North Yorkshire, England|publisher=British Listed Buildings|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> It was made a [[conservation area]] in 1975, with the historic area along Front Street and the Green retaining its village character. It is also an [[Area of Archaeological Importance]] under the [[Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979]].

Acomb comprises two [[Wards of the United Kingdom|wards]] of the City of York: Acomb and Westfield. At the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census of England and Wales]], it had a population of 22,215, the largest of all [[Areas of York|areas of the city]].<ref name="Wards">{{cite web|url=http://democracy.york.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx|title= York UA Ward Details|work=Your Councillors|publisher=City of York Council|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> There are six [[primary school]]s and one [[comprehensive school]]. There are also a variety of sporting clubs and one public sports centre.

Acomb was recently famous in York for having a very high concentration of street [[bollard]]s. These were installed in an upgrade in 2023 and have since prompted great controversy among residents due to their vast numbers and variance from the original proposed plans for the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-65961935|title=York: Fight to remove street's 'barricade of bollards'|date=21 June 2023|work=BBC News|accessdate=19 July 2023}}</ref> However, after successful campaigning by residents, the number of bollards was reduced in late 2024 as part of other street improvements.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 October 2024 |title=Work starts on improving Acomb shopping street – which includes removing bollards |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/24636028.acomb-front-street-development-work-starts---bollards-go/ |access-date=1 April 2025 |website=York Press }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:The Green, Acomb (12th June 2013).JPG|thumb|right|Acomb Green]]

===Etymology===
Acomb existed before the [[Norman Conquest]], is mentioned in the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' and was the property of the Dean and Chapter of [[York Minster]]. It is the largest suburban area in York. The name is most likely derived from the [[Old English]] ''acum'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surnamedb.com/surname.aspx? |author=Acum |title=Origin of name Acomb |work=Last Name "Acum" |publisher=The Internet Surname Database |access-date=9 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228002305/http://www.surnamedb.com/surname.aspx |archive-date=28 February 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref> meaning 'at the oak trees', and indicates that the original village was first established in a heavily wooded area of oaks. In the ''Domesday book'', the name of the village is spelt as both ''Achum'' and ''Acum,'' and other spellings can be found during the next hundred years, such as ''Achu'', ''Acun'', ''Akum'' and ''Acham''. In the 13th&nbsp;century, the spellings ''Acome'', ''Acorn'' and ''Akome'' can be seen, whilst ''Akam'' and ''Acombe'' are 15th&nbsp;century. Once printing was established, it enabled the standardisation of spellings to the one seen today.<ref name="Page 8">{{cite book|title=Acomb:The heritage and story of Joseph Acomb|page=8|first=Robert&nbsp;W. |last=Becker|publisher=Rochester, New York}}</ref> The traditional pronunciation of the name was "Yackam".<ref>{{cite book|first=P.&nbsp;H. |last=Reaney|date=1969|title=The Origin of English Place Names|publisher=Routledge and Kegan Paul|pages=44–5|isbn=0-7100-2010-4}}</ref>

===Roman Era===
The Roman Emperor [[Septimius Severus]] was reputed by some historians to have been cremated in a military funeral<ref name = Widdrington>{{cite book | last = Widdrington | first = Sir Thomas | title = Analecta eboracensia: some remaynes of the ancient city of York | year = 1897 | publisher = Bedford Press | location = [[Bedford]] | asin = B001NY3EVY }}</ref> near the site of modern-day Acomb, having died in York (then [[Eboracum]]) in 211&nbsp;AD.<ref>{{cite book |title= The British Gazetteer|url= https://archive.org/details/britishgazettee02clargoog|last= Clarke |first= B.|year=1852 |publisher= H. G.Collins|location= London |page= [https://archive.org/details/britishgazettee02clargoog/page/n29 16]}}</ref>

===10th and 11th century===
During the reign of [[Edward the Confessor]], the village of Acomb was designated as a [[Manorialism|manor]]. This was known through the entry in the ''Domesday Book'' for Acomb, which stated that most of the land of Acomb, including the manor, was in the jurisdiction of the [[Archbishop of York|archbishop]]. Land at that time was measured in ''[[carucates]]'', of which the village measured two carucates. The village of Acomb is mentioned three times in the Domesday Book as follows:<ref>{{cite book|title=Acomb:The heritage and story of Joseph Acomb|page=7|first=Robert&nbsp;W. |last=Becker|publisher=Rochester, New York}}</ref>
*''"In Achum 14½ carucates for geld, and 8 ploughs can be. St. Peter had, and has for 1 manor. 14 rent payers are there now, having 7 ploughs. 6 acres of meadow. Underwood 2 furlongs in length and 2 in breadth. T.R.E. it was worth 30 s.; now the same."''
*''"In Acum Ulchel has 2 carucates of land for geld. Land for one plough. He has half a plough there. Wood 9 furlongs. It is worth 4 s."''
*''"In Acum the Archbishop 14½ carucates. In the same place the King 2 carucates."''

T.R.E stands for ''Tempore Regis Eduardi'', meaning ''In the time of King Edward (the Confessor)'', and ''s'' stands for ''shillings''. ''St Peter'' refers to the church in [[York]] where the [[York Minster|Minster]] would be built. Underwood and Ulchel are the names of two persons occupying parcels of land in the manor.

===12th to 16th century===
During the 12th&nbsp;century, [[St Stephen's Church, Acomb|St Stephen's Church]] was built and measured 52 feet by 25 feet. The original structure would last until 1832, when a new and slightly larger building was erected.<ref name = "Page 8"/> At the time of the Norman conquest,  Acomb Manor was forested and was subject to the king's laws of the woods. To free themselves of these laws, the inhabitants of Acomb paid 19 pounds and 11 pence to [[King Richard I of England|King Richard I]] and 80 pounds to [[John, King of England|King John]].<ref name = "Page 8"/> Shortly after King John's reign, the area was deforested. Between 1220 and 1538, the lord of the manor of Acomb was called the ''treasurer'', rather than the archbishop. This change meant that  Acomb Manor and its church were no longer subject to the jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese. The treasurer was authorised to hold court, grant marriage licences, probate wills and issue letters of administration for persons who were dying. The office of treasurer was dissolved when [[Edward VI]] came to the throne. In 1547, the [[Court of Peculiars|Peculiar Court]] of Acomb was surrendered by the Church in York to the Crown. [[James VI and I|King James I]] granted the court to Thomas Newark, Esq. in 1609.<ref>{{cite book |title= A Topgraphical Dictionary of England Fourth Edition Vol 1|last= Lewis |first= Samuel|year= 1840 |publisher= S.&nbsp;Lewis & Co |location= London|page= 9 }}</ref>

Acomb was a typical Anglo-Saxon village in the 14th&nbsp;century, being made up of local farms and smallholdings. During the reign of [[Edward III of England|Edward III]], the king began to raise money from regional traders to fund military ambition on the continent. Many Yorkshire wool merchants played a large part due to their involvement in the establishment of a near monopoly in the [[Medieval English wool trade|English wool trade]] through the exclusion of foreign imports. Edward III made use of the capital by establishing loan agreements, to which one ''John de Acomb'', a local farmer from the village, made an independent contribution though the venture ultimately failed.<ref>{{cite book|first=Jenny |last=Kermode|title=Medieval Merchants: York, Beverley and Hull in the Later Middle Ages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T7Jl6LgZSVUC&pg=PA162|year=2002|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-52274-8|page=162}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T7Jl6LgZSVUC|title=Medieval Merchants: York, Beverley and Hull in the Later Middle Ages|date=18 July 2002|volume = 38 of Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521522748}}</ref>

Acomb Grange<ref>{{cite web |  url = http://www.acombgrange.co.uk/JKaner%20article.htm | title=Acomb Grange|work=History of Acomb Grange|publisher=York Historian|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> was the residence of the masters of the medieval [[hospital]] of St Leonard, the lands having been given to the Order by [[Henry II of England|Henry II]].<ref name="Widdrington"/> The Grange was purchased by lease in 1552, after the reformation, by the then MP for York, George Gale. The family eventually bought the freehold during the reign of [[James VI and I|James I]] and also continued to own land and the buildings in the area until the late 20th&nbsp;century, with Gale Lane being named after them. There are two 15th-century [[timber-framed]] houses in Acomb.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archerfamily.org.uk/family/gale.htm|title=Gale Family History|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref>

===17th to 19th century===
[[File:The Plantation at Acomb, York YORAG-714.jpg|thumb|left|The Plantation at Acomb, in 1842, by [[William Etty]] ]]
[[File:Acomb House - geograph.org.uk - 1181313.jpg|thumb|left|[[Acomb House]]]]
From 1623 to 1855,  Acomb Manor reverted to the control of archbishops.<ref name = "Page 8"/> An early census in 1670 showed that  Acomb Manor had 41 households with 230 people, of whom 10 were affluent, 60 middle class and 160 poor.<ref>{{cite book|title=Acomb:The heritage and story of Joseph Acomb|page=9|first=Robert&nbsp;W. |last=Becker|publisher=Rochester, New York}}</ref> The population of Acomb rose steadily in the early 19th&nbsp;century from 587 in 1801 to 762 some 30 years later.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ywkHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA10|title=A new and comprehensive gazetteer of England and Wales, illustr. by a series of maps. 4 vols |first=James|last=Bell|author-link=James Bell (geographical writer)|year= 1836|publisher=Oxford University }}</ref> The former railway carriageworks in the neighbouring district of [[Holgate, North Yorkshire|Holgate]] and around Leeman Road were built around 1854 and many of the workers lived in nearby Acomb and aided in the growth of the village. A portion of the land of  Acomb Manor was sold to the North Eastern Railway Company to allow right of way for the track.<ref name="Robert W Becker 10">{{cite book|title=Acomb:The heritage and story of Joseph Acomb|page=10|first=Robert&nbsp;W. |last=Becker|publisher=Rochester, New York}}</ref> According to the 1871 census, the village of Acomb had fewer than 1,000 residents.<ref name="Expansion">{{cite web|url=http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/the-expanding-city|title=1871 Census|work=The Expanding City|publisher=York Museum Trusts|access-date=13 April 2010}}</ref> Acomb was part of the district council of Great Ouseburn, until 1894, when it became a district council in its own right. In 1855 the manor as then constituted, including the manor house, was sold to Frances Barlow for £20,500. His heir, Mr. Algernon Barlow, was the last lord, since the lordship of Acomb was ended in 1925.<ref name="Robert W Becker 10"/> In 1937 Acomb was incorporated into the City of York<ref>{{cite book|last=Hodgson|first=G.|title=A History of Acomb: Richardson's History revised and enlarged|year=2001|isbn=0-9527093-8-4}}</ref> at which time it was estimated that the population had risen to 7,500 and the 1951 census showed more than double the number, 16,235, now lived in its boundaries.<ref name="Expansion"/>
[[File:York Waterworks Company - Construction of ‘rapid gravity’ filters at the Acomb Landing Treatment Works using a Decauville railway in 1902 (collection of the Yorkshire architectural and York Archaeological Society, YAYAS).jpg|thumb|York Waterworks Company – Construction of 'rapid gravity' filters at the Acomb Landing Treatment Works using a Decauville railway in 1902]]
The York New Waterworks Company, formed in 1846, built their new works at Acomb Landing, just off Boroughbridge Road in neighbouring Holgate. It was to supply the city of York, Acomb and other nearby areas. The site has since expanded, but still serves the area as The York Waterworks Company. Gas did not arrive in Acomb until the amalgamation of the York Gas Light Company and York Union Gas Light Company in 1844. Electricity was first supplied to Acomb in 1913 following the sanctioning of an application to the District Council and the Board of Trade.<ref name="History of Acomb Utilities">{{cite book|first=P.&nbsp;M.|last=Tillott|year=1961|title=A History of the County of York: the City of York|chapter=Public Utilities|pages=460–472|oclc=430564|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=36381&strquery=acomb|access-date=15 April 2010}}</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:Acomb local shops - geograph.org.uk - 1182820.jpg|thumb|Central Acomb]]
In 1920, the Corporation of York purchased Acomb Hall to provide maternity facilities in the city. The Maternity Hospital opened in 1922, but was re-classified for geriatric treatment in 1954, when maternity facilities were opened in [[Fulford, North Yorkshire|Fulford]].<ref name="History of Acomb Utilities"/>

On 12 February 1934, the Regent Cinema opened in Acomb, located right on the boundary between Acomb and Holgate. It had 899 seats arranged over stalls and a single balcony. Along with many cinemas in the country, it suffered from falling audiences in the 1950s and eventually closed on 4 April 1959. The last film shown was "Sierra Baron".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theater/24863/|title=Cinema Treasures|work=Regent Cinema|publisher=Cinema Treasures|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref>

==Governance==

Acomb is part of the City of York Unitary Authority and is represented on the council by two wards, Acomb Ward and Westfield Ward. Acomb Ward returns two Councillors, currently both Labour, and Westfield Ward three councillors, all Liberal Democrat. This represents approximately 6.4% of the total number of City Councillors.

Following the 2023 local elections, the current Councillors for Acomb Ward are Katie Lomas and Jason Rose. The current Councillors for the Westfield Ward are Andrew Waller, Jo Coles and Emily Nelson.

On 1 April 1934 {{convert|1223|acre|ha}} were transferred to York parish, on 1 April 1937 the parish was abolished and the remaining {{convert|358|acre|ha}} became part of [[Askham Bryan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10386408|title=Relationships and changes Acomb CP/AP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=16 September 2024}}</ref> In 1931 the parish had a population of 5,580.

===May 2023 election===
{{col-begin}}
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====Acomb Ward====
{{Election box begin | title=Acomb (2)<ref name="Election 2023"/>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Labour Party (UK)
| candidate  = '''Katie Lomas'''
| votes      = 1506
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Labour Party (UK)
| candidate  = '''Jason Rose'''
| votes      = 1364
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Conservative Party (UK)
| candidate  = Nigel David Bromley
| votes      = 373
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Conservative Party (UK)
| candidate  = Matthew Robin Kearney
| votes      = 343
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Green Party of England and Wales
| candidate  = Luke Derek Richardson
| votes      = 189
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Green Party of England and Wales
| candidate  = Michael Keith Greenwood
| votes      = 173
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| candidate  = Tobie James Abel
| votes      = 141
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| candidate  = Matthew John Smithson
| votes      = 112
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes      = 4201
| percentage = 31.44
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner =Labour Party (UK) 
| loser = No majority
| swing  = 
}}
{{Election box end}}
<ref name="Election 2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.york.gov.uk/ElectionResults2023|title=May 2015 Elections  |accessdate= 5 May 2023 }}</ref>
{{col-break}}

====Westfield Ward====
{{Election box begin | title=Westfield (3)<ref name="Election 2023"/>}}

{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| candidate  = '''Andrew Waller'''
| votes      = 1504
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Labour Party (UK)
| candidate  = '''Jo Coles'''
| votes      = 1471
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Labour Party (UK)
| candidate  = '''Emily Nelson'''
| votes      = 1469
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Labour Party (UK)
| candidate  = Kerron James Cross
| votes      = 1454
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| candidate  = Pippa Jane Hepworth
| votes      = 1341
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| candidate  = Simon Hugh Daubeney 
| votes      = 1264
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Conservative Party (UK)
| candidate  = Charles Brooks
| votes      = 784
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Conservative Party (UK)
| candidate  = Patrick David Ellis
| votes      = 241
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Green Party of England and Wales
| candidate  = Gillian Mary Cossham
| votes      = 216
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Conservative Party (UK)
| candidate  = Tet Powell
| votes      = 185
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Green Party of England and Wales
| candidate  = Mikael Hanson
| votes      = 164
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party      = Green Party of England and Wales
| candidate  = Jonathan Radley Tyler
| votes      = 155
| percentage = 
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes      = 9657
| percentage = 32.9
| change     = 
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Labour Party (UK)
| loser  = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| swing  = 
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{col-end}}

==Demographics==
{{historical populations|align=none|cols=3
|1801| 707
|1811| 785
|1821| 870
|1831| 882
|1841| 872
|1851| 986
|1881| 1,512
|1891| 2,181
|1901| 2,754
|1911| 3,353
|1921| 3,668
|1931| 5,580
|2001| 21,419
|2011| 22,215
|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10386408/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population at Censuses|publisher=Vision of Britain|year=2009|access-date=22 December 2013}}</ref>
|footnote= Data not available for 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991 censuses.
}}

===Westfield Ward===

====2001 Census====
[[File:Acomb Burnsall Drive.jpg|thumb|View over Acomb from [[Holgate, North Yorkshire|Holgate Rise]]]]
The population in Westfield Ward was 13,690 of which 93% were born in England and 4% from outside the United Kingdom. The largest Age Group within the population, 22.1%, were between 30 and 44 years old. Of the total population, 96.8% described their ethnic origin as White-British. The figures show that 74% declared they were Christian, whilst 16.8% declared no religious belief at all. Of the population aged between 16 and 74 years old, 60% declared they were in some form of employment and 15% said they were retired. Of the 5,981 households, 42.8% were Semi-Detached and 31.3% were Terraced. The level of household ownership was 59.3%.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.york.gov.uk/content/place/census/wards/Westfiled_census_profile|title= 2001 Census Westfield Ward|work=City of York 2001 Census Profile|publisher=City of York Unitary Authority|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref>

====2011 Census====

The population in Westfield Ward was 13,611 a decrease from the previous census of 0.6%. The figures show that 59.2% declared they were Christian, whilst 39.5% declared no religious belief or none declared. Of the rest, 0.4% were Muslim and 0.3% Buddhist with a small number declaring themselves Hindu or Jewish. The ethnic composition was 94.4% White/British, 2.5% White/Other, 0.1% Mixed Ethnicity, 0.1% Asian British and 0.05 Black British.<ref>{{NOMIS2011|id=1237321421|title=Westfield 2011 Census Ward|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

===Acomb Ward===

====2001 Census====

The population in Acomb Ward was 7,729 of which 94.4% were born in England and 2.9% from outside the United Kingdom. The largest Age Group within the population, 22.7%, were between 30 and 44 years old and 20.1% were between 45 and 59 years old. Of the total population, 97.9% described their ethnic origin as White-British. The figures show that 80.2% declared they were Christian, whilst 13.2% declared no religious belief at all. Of the population aged between 16 and 74 years old, 66.7% declared they were in some form of employment and 17% said they were retired. Of the 3,156 households, 75.5% were Semi-Detached. The level of household ownership was 79.8%.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.york.gov.uk/content/place/census/wards/Acomb_census_profile|title = 2001 Census Acomb Ward|work=City of York 2001 Census Profile|publisher=City of York Unitary Authority|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref>

====2011 Census====

The population in Acomb Ward was 8,604 an increase from the previous census of 11.3%. The figures show that 65.6% declared they were Christian, whilst 33.3% declared no religious belief or none declared. Of the rest, 0.3% were Muslim. The ethnic composition was 95.5% White/British, 2.4% White/Other, 0.9% Mixed Ethnicity, 0.8% Asian British and 0.3 Black British.<ref>{{NOMIS2011|id=1237321401|title=Acomb 2011 Census Ward|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

==Geography==

In addition to Acomb Green, there are several other open areas in Acomb.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.york.gov.uk/environment/Parks_and_open_spaces/Parks_and_open_spaces_general/|title = Acomb Parks and open spaces|work=Parks and open spaces in York|publisher=City of York Council|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> Bachelor Hill, the highest point in Acomb at approximately 90&nbsp;ft above sea level, is situated between Askham Lane and Tennent Road is a sandy based hill with a wide area of grass and a small group of trees at the summit. Fishponds Wood, situated between Danebury Drive and Rosedale Avenue, is a mix of trees and shrubs on the site of an old pond. The largest open space is Acomb Wood.

In 2007, the City of York Council designated Acomb Wood and Meadow as a statutory [[local nature reserve]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.york.gov.uk/environment/Parks_and_open_spaces/Nature_reserves/acomb_wood_and_meadow/|title = Acomb Wood|work=Acomb Wood and Meadow Local Nature Reserve|publisher=City of York Council|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=0&N=acomb&ID=1548 |title=Acomb Wood and Meadow |series=Local Nature Reserves|publisher=Natural England|access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=lnrIndex&query=REF_CODE%3D%271442924%27 |title=Map of Acomb Wood and Meadow|series=Local Nature Reserves|publisher=Natural England|access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref> This is the larger part of the area known as Acomb Wood. The western portion is located on the other side of Acomb Wood Drive and is managed by the [[Woodland Trust]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/Pages/about-this-wood.aspx?wood=4453|title=Acomb Wood West|work=Acomb Wood|publisher=Woodland Trust|access-date=9 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716094229/http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/Pages/about-this-wood.aspx?wood=4453|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref> The East Wood covers approximately 10 acres and the West Wood about 3 acres. A variety of birds have been seen in the woods, including the [[great spotted woodpecker]], [[tawny owl]]s, [[Eurasian nuthatch|nuthatch]], [[coal tit]], [[long-tailed tit]], [[European robin|robin]], [[song thrush]], [[willow warbler]] and [[Eurasian treecreeper|treecreeper]]. Among the species of trees found here are [[Fraxinus excelsior|ash]], [[Acer pseudoplatanus|sycamore]] and [[Populus|poplar]]. There are also many species of flora including the uncommon [[Sanicula europaea|sanicle]] and [[common twayblade]]. The Old Hay Meadow in the East Wood is home to [[small skipper]], [[common blue]] and [[Lycaena phlaeas|small copper]] butterflies.

There are two classified roads passing through Acomb. The [[A59 road|A59]] York to Liverpool road which is named Boroughbridge Road and the [[B1224 road|B1224]] York to [[Wetherby]] road which is named Wetherby Road, The Green, York Road and Acomb Road before it joins the aforementioned A59. The centre of Acomb, measured from The Green, lies approximately two and a quarter miles from the centre of York. There are several smaller areas that make up Acomb. In addition to Westfield, there is Low Field, Chapelfields and Carr Hill.

The Conservation Area (York No'3) encompasses Acomb Green and its surrounding buildings; those buildings along Wetherby Road up to the double roundabout junction that leads to Front Street, but including the Old Hospital; the south side of Front Street that includes the Old Acomb Primary School to the junction of Green Lane; the remainder of Front Street from Green Lane to Gale Lane and includes the buildings that now occupy the site of the old Gale Farm to the east side of Gale Lane. In total the area is approximately 14.5 hectares.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/3507/ca03acombpdf|title= City of York Conservation Area No' 3 – Acomb|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:York Road, Acomb, York (12th June 2013).JPG|thumb|left|York Road, Acomb, York (12 June 2013)]]
Up to the early years of the 20th&nbsp;century, the main economy of Acomb had been agriculture. Several farms, such as Gale Farm, were located in the village. The increasing population overspill from York saw this decline to the point where all the farms had disappeared by the latter half of the century.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/archive/2001/04/23/York+Archive/7944133.The_village_that_grew_and_grew/|title=The Village that grew and grew|work=York Press|date=5 February 2007 |access-date=1 November 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Pizza Hut - Acomb Green - geograph.org.uk - 1742447.jpg|thumb|[[Pizza Hut]] on The Green]]
Acomb has a small shopping area located around Front Street, Acomb Road (B1224) and some adjacent roads, with free car parking at the local supermarket. Businesses are a mixture of traditional local food produce retailers, familiar High Street brands, major banking chains and professional services such as accountants, dentists and architects.

There are also several public houses, cafes, small restaurants and take-away food outlets in the area, plus several small and medium-sized enterprises. In July 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2007/02/12/british_sugar_factory_closure_feature.shtml | title=A smell of the past |first=Adam |last=Holmes |work=BBC North Yorkshire|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> the closure of the 80-year-old [[British Sugar]] plant near Boroughbridge Road meant the loss of 100 jobs and problems for many local farmers.

Residential homes are a mixture of [[council estate]]s and private freeholds. Provision was made for small shopping areas of four or five stores to be located in the centre of the estates. Examples can be found on Beckfield Lane, Cornlands Road, Gale Lane and Foxwood Lane. Pubs such as the King William on Barkston Avenue, the White Rose (now demolished) on Cornlands Road and the Beagle on Foxwood Lane can be found near these small estate shops.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px" style="text-align:left">
File:The Acomb - Tudor Road - geograph.org.uk - 1739953.jpg|The Acomb (renamed as The Clockhouse)
File:The Marcia Grey, Acomb - geograph.org.uk - 1181117.jpg|The Marcia Grey
File:The Puss n' Boots - geograph.org.uk - 1181349.jpg|The Puss n' Boots (now closed and demolished)
File:Front Street, Acomb, York (12th June 2013) 001.JPG|Front Street Shops
File:Acomb Fire Station-1631777-by-Kevin-Hale.jpg|Acomb Fire Station
File:British Sugar Factory in Full Steam - geograph.org.uk - 134107.jpg|British Sugar Factory (now closed and demolished)
</gallery>

==Education==

After the system of grammar schools was discontinued in York in 1985, Acomb had three comprehensive schools: Oaklands Secondary School (Acomb Secondary Modern), Lowfields School and Manor Church of England School. In 2007, Oaklands and Lowfield were merged to form [[York High School, York|York High School]]<ref>{{cite web |  url = http://www.york.gov.uk/education/Schools_and_colleges/Secondary_schools_directory/YorkHigh/ | title=York High School|work=York High|publisher=City of York Council|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> with a new building on the Oaklands site in Cornlands Road. In 2009 Manor Church of England School moved out of Acomb from their site on Boroughbridge Road to Millfield Road in the parish of [[Nether Poppleton]]. York High School does not have a sixth form and students who wish to take 'A' levels go mostly to [[York College (York)|York College]]. The most recent addition to the school site includes a 56 place nursery, a sports hall and a swimming pool. The school has dedicated a section of its grounds to community allotments which featured on BBC Gardeners' World in December 2014.

Acomb has four primary schools. Carr Junior on Ostman Road was established in 1948 for Infants, with a Junior section added in 1950. Hob Moor Primary on Green Lane was opened in 1954 for Infants, and a Junior section was added a year later. In 2007 Hob Moor Primary School moved into a new school building with Hob Moor Oaks Special School and the two schools federated in 2009. Until 2011, Our Lady's Roman Catholic Primary was located on Windsor Garth. With its amalgamation with English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary in September 2011, the school became Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary, based at Hamilton Drive in Holgate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9234237.New_beginnings_at_York_primary_schools/|access-date=8 March 2012|title = New beginnings at York primary schools|work=York Press}}</ref> Westfield Primary Community on Askham Lane originally opened as an Infants' School in 1951 with the Junior section opening a year later.<ref>{{cite book|first=P.&nbsp;M.|last=Tillott|year=1961|title=A History of the County of York: the City of York|chapter=Schools and Colleges|pages=440–460|oclc=430564|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=36381&strquery=acomb|access-date=15 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.schoolsnet.com/uk-schools/best-state-primary-school/top-york-schools/16180339/0/0/7/209.html|title = List of Acomb Schools|work=State Primary Schools in York|publisher=Schoolsnet|access-date =11 April 2010}}</ref> The former Acomb Primary School which has since moved to [[Holgate, North Yorkshire|Holgate]] was one of the oldest primary schools in [[North Yorkshire]]. It had been in its buildings since 1908 and was the second largest primary school in [[York]], with 575 pupils.

==Sports==
[[File:Acomb Sports Club - geograph.org.uk - 1180165.jpg|thumb|left|Acomb Sports Club]]
Before the establishment of the York Racecourse on the [[Knavesmire]], Acomb Moor was used for staging horse racing. Acomb Moor occupied the land south of Westfield and covered the land where the modern housing estates of [[Woodthorpe, North Yorkshire|Woodthorpe]] and Acomb Park are located.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Gentleman's magazine library Vol 26 |last=Gomme |first= G.&nbsp;L. |author2-first=A.&nbsp;C. |author2-last=Bickley|author3-first= Frank Alexander |author3-last=Milne |author4-first= Alice Bertha |author4-last=Gomme |year= 1902 |publisher= E.&nbsp;Stock |page= 152|access-date=7 June 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DeUxAQAAIAAJ&q=Acomb}}</ref> Acomb also lends its name to ''The Acomb Stakes'', a Group 3 seven [[furlong]] flat race for two-year-old thoroughbreds, which is run at the Knavesmire every August.

[[York Football League|Acomb FC]] was a founding member of the York Football League in 1897 and then a founding member of the [[Yorkshire Football League]] in 1920. Acomb has one football club who play in the York League Division Four. They are Moor Lane, who play their home games at the artificial pitch at York High School on Cornlands Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkleague.co.uk/|title= Moor Lane F.C|access-date=6 June 2012}}</ref>

Situated behind The Green is Acomb Sports & Social Club, which is home to Acomb Cricket Club and Acomb Hockey Club.<ref>{{cite web |  url = http://www.acombhc.co.uk/ | title=Hockey Club|work=Acomb Hockey Club|publisher=Acomb Hockey Club|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> [[York Acorn A.R.L.F.C.|York Acorn Rugby League Club]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkacorn.co.uk/club.htm|title=York Acorn ARFL|work=Contacts and Location|publisher=York Acorn ARFLC|access-date=9 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515055026/http://www.yorkacorn.co.uk/club.htm|archive-date=15 May 2010|url-status = dead}}</ref> who play in the [[National Conference League]] Premier Division, have their home ground at Thanet Road in Acomb.

York City Council provide swimming facilities at the £6.5&nbsp;million Energise project, formerly Oaklands Sport Centre on Cornlands Road next to the York High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.york.gov.uk/leisure/sports/Sports_facilities/energise/|title=Sports facilities|work=Energise|publisher=City of York Council|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref>

==Religion==
[[File:St Stephens Church Acomb.jpg|thumb|St Stephens Church Acomb]]
[[File:St Aidan&#039;s church, Ridgeway - geograph.org.uk - 1597268.jpg|thumb|St Aidans Church, Chapelfields]]
The principal parish church for Acomb is [[St Stephen's Church, Acomb|St Stephen's Church]], a Grade II listed building<ref name="Listed"/> built in 1831–1832 by [[G T Andrews]] on the site of the previous medieval church. Records date from 1662.<ref>{{cite book |title=Yorkshire Returns of the 1851 Census of Religious Worship Vol 1:Introduction, City of York and East Riding  |last= Wolffe|first= John|year= 2000 |publisher= University of York|isbn=0-903857-95-2 |page= 14 |access-date=7 June 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yv7HRyjJn8gC&q=Acomb&pg=PA15}}</ref> St Stephen's has recently joined with the Church of St Aidan's on Ridgeway to become a two church parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acombparish.org/welcome/index.html|title=St Aidan's with St Stephen's'|work=Acomb Parish: St Aidan's with St Stephen's Welcome|publisher=Acomb PCC, York|access-date=9 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724223145/http://www.acombparish.org/welcome/index.html|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref> On 19 December 1992, St Stephen's was nearly destroyed in a fire caused by arson, but was repaired using contributions from the local community and other funds. It was rededicated in September 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acombparish.org/extra/fire.htm|title=Church Fire|work=Acomb Parish: St Aidan's with St Stephen's Extra|publisher=Acomb PCC, York|access-date=9 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724223744/http://www.acombparish.org/extra/fire.htm|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref> St Aidan's Church was built in 1968 by the York architects ''[[Ferrey & Mennim]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title= Yorkshire, York and East Riding, Second Edition|first1=Nikolaus |last1=Pevsner|first2=David |last2=Neave|year= 1995|publisher= Penguin Books|isbn= 0-300-09593-7|page= 163|access-date=7 June 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bcp5soQZ0OwC&q=Acomb&pg=PA261}}</ref>

The [[Roman Catholic]] [[Our Lady's Church, Acomb]], on Cornlands Road, was built by the architect [[J. H. Langtry-Langton]] and opened in 1955. Before then services in the area had been held, from 1941, in Acomb Council School.<ref>{{cite book|first=P.&nbsp;M.|last=Tillott|year=1961|title=A History of the County of York: the City of York|chapter=Roman Catholicism|pages=418–419|oclc=430564|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=36381&strquery=acomb|access-date=15 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= Yorkshire, York and East Riding, Second Edition|first1=Nikolaus |last1=Pevsner|first2=David |last2=Neave|year= 1995|publisher= Penguin Books|isbn= 0-300-09593-7|page= 177|access-date=7 June 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bcp5soQZ0OwC&q=Acomb&pg=PA261}}</ref>

The Quakers first started to meet in Acomb at the Forester's Hall around 1906, but moved to their current location in the [[Primitive Methodist]] Chapel on The Green after it was purchased by the [[Religious Society of Friends]] in 1911.<ref name="Protestant">{{cite book|first=P.&nbsp;M.|last=Tillott|year=1961|title=A History of the County of York: the City of York|chapter=Protestant Non-conformity|pages=408–418|oclc=430564|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=36381&strquery=acomb|access-date=15 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Yorkshire Returns of the 1851 Census of Religious Worship Vol 1:Introduction, City of York and East Riding  |last= Wolffe|first= John|year= 2000 |publisher= University of York|isbn=0-903857-95-2 |page= 15 |access-date=7 June 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yv7HRyjJn8gC&q=Acomb&pg=PA15}}</ref>

[[Sir Robert Newbald Kay]] gifted buildings and a site for a temporary [[Methodist|Methodist Chapel]] in Lidgett Grove in Acomb in 1934. A permanent building was completed on the site in 1937.<ref name="Protestant"/>

Acomb Methodist Church is on Front Street, and was built in 1964. There is also the [[Anglican]] [[Holy Redeemer Church, York|Holy Redeemer Church]] on Boroughbridge Road, the [[Baptist]] Church on Ridgeway and [[Gateway Church, York]] (part of the [[Newfrontiers]] family of churches) in the Old School on Front Street.

==Notable residents==

The renowned 18th&nbsp;century painter and engraver, [[Thomas Stothard]], spent part of his education in Acomb, staying with his uncle in the village, before moving on to [[Tadcaster]]. His uncle left him in the care of a local widow and nurse, named Mrs Stainburn, who supplemented her income by teaching local children. He depicted the widow in his illustration of the poem ''Schoolmistress'' by [[William Shenstone]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Life of Thomas Stothard R.A.|last= Bray|first= Anna Eliza|year= 1851 |publisher= John Murray|location= London|page= 4|access-date=7 June 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qp0aAAAAYAAJ&q=Acomb&pg=PA4}}</ref>

Sir Charles Burdet, 4th Baronet of Burthwaite, is recorded as living in Acomb in 1777.<ref name="Dug">{{cite book|title=Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire: Volume 1|date=1899|first= J.&nbsp;W. |last=Clay|pages=349}}</ref>

The English romantic poet, Charlotte Richardson (née Smith), lived most of her life in Acomb. She was published mostly in ''The Gentleman's Magazine'' and the subscription paper, ''Poems on Different Occasions'' writing chiefly about domestic service and religion. Born in York on 5 March 1775, she attended a school for girls preparing for domestic service. After a long illness she died at her Acomb home on 26 September 1825.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/articleHL/23548?docPos=10&anchor=match|title=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography – Charlotte Richardson|publisher= Oxford University Press|access-date=16 June 2013}}</ref>

Award-winning novelist, [[Justin Hill (writer)|Justin Hill]], lived in Acomb for much of his childhood. His father, Reg Hill, was headmaster at Our Lady's Roman Catholic School, on Windsor Garth, from 1976 to 1995.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{OpenDomesday|SE5751|acomb|Acomb}}
*{{Genuki|county=ARY|Acomb||}}
* [https://www.york.gov.uk/acombward Acomb Ward – City of York]

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Acomb, North Yorkshire| ]]
[[Category:Villages and areas in the City of York]]
[[Category:Villages in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Local Nature Reserves in North Yorkshire]]