Editing Greetland

{{Short description|Village in West Yorkshire, England.}}
{{Tone|date=June 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| official_name            = Greetland
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.686942|-1.871393|display=inline,title}}
| population               = 11,389
| population_ref           = (and [[Stainland]])([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]])
| pushpin_map              = United Kingdom Calderdale
| metropolitan_borough     = [[Calderdale]]
| metropolitan_county      = [[West Yorkshire]]
| region                   = Yorkshire and the Humber
| constituency_westminster = [[Calder Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Calder Valley]]
| post_town                = HALIFAX
| postcode_district        = HX4
| postcode_area            = HX
| dial_code                = 01422
| os_grid_reference        = SE085211
| static_image_name        = Greetland from Hollywell Green.jpg
| static_image_caption     = Greetland, as seen from Holywell Green
}}

'''Greetland''' is a village situated within the metropolitan borough of [[Calderdale]], [[West Yorkshire]], England. It falls within the Calderdale Ward of Greetland and Stainland. According to the 2011 Census, this ward had a population of 11,389.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689879&c=Greetland+and+Stainland&d=14&e=62&g=6370553&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1456238277891&enc=1|title=Calderdale Ward population 2011|accessdate=23 February 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}</ref>  Geographically, Greetland is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) west of [[Elland]] and 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]].

Historical records from 1870–1872, documented in [[John Marius Wilson]]'s Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales, describe Greetland as a village and chapelry in the Halifax parish, West Riding of Yorkshire. The village is noted to have been situated 1 mile west of the Elland railway station and 3 miles south-southwest of Halifax. 

It had amenities such as a post office under Halifax's jurisdiction during that period. The chapelry formed a part of the Elland-cum-Greetland township. The population at the time was 2,584, with local industries including stone quarries and several large mills producing woollens, worsted, and cotton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/606|title=History of Greetland, in Calderdale and West Riding {{!}} Map and description|website=www.visionofbritain.org.uk|accessdate=29 April 2019}}</ref>

==History==
The origins of Greetland may trace back to a [[Roman Empire|Roman]] settlement, potentially identified as ''Cambodunum''. This hypothesis is supported by the discovery of a Roman altar stone, dated to 208&nbsp;AD, found in 1597 at Bank Top in Greetland.<ref name="Roman Britain ">{{cite web|url=http://www.roman-britain.org/places/greetland.htm|title=Alterstone Found in Greetland|accessdate=11 June 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714050713/http://www.roman-britain.org/places/greetland.htm|archivedate=14 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lowercalderlegends.wordpress.com/2010/06/11/the-greetland-altar/|title=The Greetland Altar|date=11 June 2010|website=Ghosts and Legends of the Lower Calder Valley|accessdate=29 April 2019}}</ref>

From 1844 to 1962, Greetland was served by the [[Greetland railway station]].<ref>{{cite book|last = Joy|first = David|year = 1984|title = A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain Volume VIII; South and West Yorkshire|publisher = David St John Thomas|page = [https://archive.org/details/southwestyorkshi0000joyd/page/317 317]|isbn = 0-946537-11-9|url = https://archive.org/details/southwestyorkshi0000joyd/page/317}}</ref>

Greetland was formerly a [[chapelry]] in the parish of Halifax,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/place/606|title=History of Greetland, in Calderdale and West Riding|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=10 October 2024}}</ref> in 1894 Greetland became an [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban district]], on 31 December 1894 Greetland became a [[civil parish]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10428828|title=Relationships and changes Greetland CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=10 October 2024}}</ref> being formed from the part of the parish of [[Elland with Greetland]] in Greetland Urban District, on 1 April 1937 the district was abolished and merged with [[Elland Urban District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10108536|title=Relationships and changes Greetland UD through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=10 October 2024}}</ref> On 1 April 1937 the parish was abolished and merged with Elland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/halifax.html|title=Halifax Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=10 October 2024}}</ref> In 1931 the parish had a population of 4299.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10428828/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Greetland CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=10 October 2024}}</ref>

The passage of Stage 2 of the 2014 [[Tour de France]] from York to Sheffield passed through the village on 6 July 2014. The race route traversed east to west, originating from neighbouring [[Barkisland]], through [[West Vale]], and concluding in [[Elland]]. One of the stage's climbs, the Category 3 Côte de Greetland, occurred here at the 119.5-kilometre mark. [[Cyril Lemoine]] of Cofidis secured 2 points in the King of the Mountain competition, with [[David de la Cruz]] of Team Netapp-Endura earning the remaining point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/stage-2.html|title=Tour de France Stage 1|accessdate=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725103415/http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/stage-2.html|archivedate=25 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography==
Greetland is situated primarily around Stainland, Saddleworth and Rochdale Roads, with much of the village on one side of the steep hill that separates the latter two roads. Saddleworth Road and Rochdale Road meet at a double traffic junction in a small commercial area called West Vale.

<blockquote>
"The old part of Greetland was strung out along what is now the B6113 to the west. In the late 19C a new town known as West Vale developed in the valley, and a school and church were built (SE097213). The name stems from being at the western end of Elland, although it is at the eastern end of Greetland which was an independent authority only from 1894 to 1937." <small>Humphrey Bolton</small>.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/38654|title=Geograph:: Greetland, West Vale, school and church (C) Humphrey Bolton|website=www.geograph.org.uk|accessdate=29 April 2019}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2018}}
</blockquote>

==Landmarks==

===Clay House===
[[File:Back view of Clay House's southern wing.jpg|thumb|right|Back view of Clay House's southern wing]]
Clay House was built for John Clay and the Clay family around 1650, although there is a 1296 mention of a house owned by Robert Clay on the site. The grounds of the house were opened as a park in 1924, and in 1929 a war memorial was built in the hall. The house is frequently used for weddings and its main hall can seat over 100 people. Its corridors and grand rooms are well known in the area, with a large central staircase, traditional wooden panelling from the 1600s and paintings. The house is currently managed by Calderdale Council. There is another war memorial on the eastern wall of the house.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/986756|title=Geograph:: War Memorial, Greetland Liberal Club,... (C) Humphrey Bolton|website=www.geograph.org.uk|accessdate=29 April 2019}}</ref> Clay House is the starting point of the Calderdale Way.<ref name="From Weaver to Web">{{cite web|url=http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/results/recordpreview_it.jsp?doctypeterm=GLS&source=doctype&offset=50&directid=101811|title=Clay House|accessdate=11 June 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009173719/http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/results/recordpreview_it.jsp?doctypeterm=GLS&source=doctype&offset=50&directid=101811 |archivedate = 9 October 2007}}</ref>

===Calderdale Way===
Greetland is the start of the [[Calderdale Way]], a long-distance footpath popular with ramblers.<ref name="Ramblers Association">{{cite web|url=http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/calderdale.html|title=Calderdale Way|accessdate=11 June 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609053741/http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/calderdale.html|archivedate=9 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Calderdale Way – LDWA Long Distance Paths|url=https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Calderdale+Way|website=www.ldwa.org.uk|accessdate=28 November 2017}}</ref>

=== Public Houses ===
====Druid's Arms (closed 2004)====
[[File:St Thomas Greetland.jpg|thumb|right|200px|St Thomas's Church, Greetland with the Community Centre playground in the foreground.]]
Perhaps the oldest [[public house]] in Greetland, the Druids Arms is known locally as the "Rat". The sign outside the pub was altered by the current landlord to reflect this.

The pub has been at the centre of a planning dispute with local residents. Since its closure on 17 October 2004, the landlord has applied for planning permission to turn the pub into flats. However, a local residents' committee is attempting to launch objections to the proposed change.

The Druids Arms appears in local folklore:
Greetland is the home of 'Brandy Hole Wood'. The origin of the wood's name is ingrained in local folklore. It is said by local residents that, in order to avoid paying excessive tax on his stockpiled alcohol, a pre-20th century landlord of the Druids Arms would roll barrels of spirits into the wood in order to hide them. When the [[Tax collector|taxman]] came to take an inventory of the pub's cellar he could not account for the hidden barrels, and so the landlord avoided paying tax on the barrels stashed in the woods.

According to another version of the story, it was the locals who hid the brandy in the wood, and concerned at his lost revenue, the landlord of the Druids Arms informed the taxman of the hidden stash. This is what earned the pub the nickname "The Rat".

The cottage attached to the pub was sold in March 2008, and was extended in 2022.

====Golden Fleece (closed 2008)====
This pub came to nationwide media attention in early January 2008. The landlord, who was later found to have been trading under his son's alcohol licence, had been publicly flouting the [[smoking ban]] that was introduced throughout England in July 2007.<ref name="Licensee defies pub smoking ban">{{cite news|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Licensee-defies-pub-smoking-ban.3658261.jp|title=Licensee defies pub smoking ban|accessdate=16 January 2008|work=Halifax Courier}}</ref> It was alleged that he had allowed customers to smoke inside his pub, and had either taken down non-smoking signs or written over them with 'Smoking Allowed'. The pub had allegedly received support from smokers and non-smokers alike in Halifax, Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds. The landlord stated that he had received phone calls of support from Germany, Croatia and the USA. He announced in 2008 that he would open another pub in Huddersfield,The College Arms,<ref name="I'll defy ban on pub smoking">{{cite web|url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/01/16/i-ll-defy-ban-on-pub-smoking-86081-20355902/|title=I'll defy ban on pub smoking|accessdate=16 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="Evening Courier - Golden Fleece Shut Down">{{cite web|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Greetland-smoking-pub-shut-down.3680386.jp|title=Greetland smoking pub shut down: Man behind stunt had no licence|accessdate=23 January 2008}}</ref> where he would also allow his customers to smoke. He said that he wished to create a small smoking area, leaving most of the pub a non-smoking venue.

==Education==
[[File:West Vale School Greetland.jpg|thumb|right|West Vale school and church]]
Schools include Greetland Junior and Infant School and the West Vale Primary School, Greetland Infant School on Saddleworth Road, (for children aged 4–6), and Greetland Junior School, on School Street/Rochdale Road (for children aged 6–11).

Greetland Academy has two campuses, one on School Street, the other on Saddleworth Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greetlandacademy.org.uk/calderdale/primary/greetland|title=The Greetland Academy – Home|website=greetlandacademy.org.uk/|accessdate=8 March 2022}}</ref>

Greetland has schools for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The Key Stage 1 school, Sunnybank, is on Saddleworth Road. The Key Stage 2 mixed school, Greetland Academy School, is on School Street, and teaches approximately 383 pupils within an age range of 4 to 11.
{{clear}}

==Sport==
[[File:Greetland Cricket Club.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Greetland Cricket & Bowling Club, with the rear of the 'Andy Thontons' building to the right. The bowling green is directly behind the row of trees in the centre of the picture.]]
Sporting facilities in Greetland include the "Greetland Community Centre", which consists of an indoor multi-purpose pitch, as well as several outdoor natural grass pitches. The venue also has a small bar area that was voted club of the year 2007 by [[Campaign for Real Ale|CAMRA]].<ref name="Timothy Taylor News">{{cite web|url=http://www.timothy-taylor.co.uk/news.htm#greet|title=Greetland Community centre Wins CAMRA award|accessdate=11 June 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070307095856/http://www.timothy-taylor.co.uk/news.htm#greet |archivedate = 7 March 2007}}</ref> 

The community centre is home to the Greetland Goldstars Football Club and Elland Boxers rugby club, which has various teams in different age groups playing in the local junior football leagues.

Their motto is "To win fairly and to lose with honour".

The club achieved FA Charter Standard Development Club Status<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/404|title=The website for the English football association, the Emirates FA Cup and the England football team|first=|last=|publisher=The Football Association|accessdate=29 April 2019}}</ref> in January 2007.

Founded in 1858 the "Greetland Cricket & Bowling Club" is still active and the club competes in the "[[Halifax Cricket League|Halifax League]]", playing host to teams from around Calderdale and Kirklees.<ref name="The Cricket History of Calderdale and Kirklees">{{cite web|url=http://www.ckcricketheritage.org.uk/calderdale/greetland/clubhome.htm|title=Greetland CCC|accessdate=11 June 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613041914/http://www.ckcricketheritage.org.uk/calderdale/greetland/clubhome.htm|archivedate=13 June 2007}}</ref> The pitch is on the banks of a small river and is prone to flooding.

The Greetland Social Club has three [[table tennis]] teams which play in the Halifax Table Tennis League.

Various local [[rugby league]] teams play at the Greetland All Rounders rugby ground. The site contains an indoor bar and meeting area and a floodlit outdoor pitch. The ground is often used for community events and is used regularly by the district Scout Groups.

===Scouts===
Greetland has a Scout Group operating as the 5th Greetland Scout Group, which comprises Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Explorer Scouts operate from the nearby West Vale HQ. The group is based in the St Thomas' Church Hall. Other venues are used when holding meetings for special events and activities. The group is part of the Pennine Calder District Scouts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.penninecalder.org.uk/groups.html|title=Pennine Calder Scout District: Groups|website=www.penninecalder.org.uk|accessdate=29 April 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Lord Shutt of Greetland]] (former local councilor)<ref name="Liberal Democrats">{{cite web|url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/party/people/cllr-lord-cllr-lord-shutt-of-greetland.html|title=Lord Shutt|accessdate=11 June 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416095543/http://www.libdems.org.uk/party/people/cllr-lord-cllr-lord-shutt-of-greetland.html|archivedate=16 April 2007}}</ref>

==Location grid==
{{NSEW|[[Copley, West Yorkshire|Copley]]|[[Stainland]]|[[Elland]]|[[Barkisland]]|||||}}

==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Greetland and Stainland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Greetland}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Elland]]