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Hebburn is a small town situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in North East England, sandwiched between the towns of Jarrow and Gateshead. The population of Hebburn is about 30,000. Historically, the main sources of employment in the town were mining, shipbuilding and heavy engineering.
The Labour Party is the dominant political force in the town, followed by the Liberal Democrats.
History
It is thought that the name Hebburn may be derived from the Anglo Saxon terms, heah meaning high, and byrgen meaning a burying place, though it could also mean the high place beside the water.
The first record of Hebburn mentions a settlement of fishermen's huts in the 8th century, which were burned by the Vikings. Until recently, a preserved longship lay embedded in the river.
In the 1300s, the landscape was dominated by a 4'6" (140 cm) tall pele tower, a portion of which still remains at St. John's Church. The Lordship of the Manor of Hebburn passed through the hands of a number of families during the Middle Ages.
Interesting facts
- Sir Humphry Davy, inventor of the Davy lamp, developed the safety lamp at Hebburn Hall and first tested it at Hebburn Colliery on January 9 1816.
- HMS Kelly, captained by Lord Louis Mountbatten, was built at Hawthorn Leslie Shipyard in the town.
- Get Carter, a 1971 movie starring Michael Caine was filmed on location around the North East region. The Ferry landing, betting shop and a café scenes were all shot in Hebburn.
- Gary Numan made a pop video at electrical engineers Reyrolle Parsons Testing Station.
Hebburn today
Hebburn Town F.C. is the towns local non-league football team.
Athletics is also catered for at Monkton Stadium, home of Jarrow and Hebburn AC, where Brendan Foster, Steve Cram and David Sharp are famous past runners.
The Parachute Regiment 4th Para Reserves have a detachment based in Hebburn.
Hebburn has an ecology centre powered by wind turbines.
Notable citizens
- Chris Fairhurst Front man of Northumbrian Irish Celtic Rock Band The Folk Pistols ,now The Jack O'Ryan Band
- Brendan Foster Olympic athlete
- Willy Gardener Local quiz man and Bill Quays greatest ever wicket keeper was born in Hebburn.
- Arthur Holmes The greatest British geologist of the 20th century
- David Lilley England Snooker player
- Frank Wappat Local Broadcaster
- Michael Charlton Local funnyman and entrepreneur
- Amir Hedjazi Asian footballer of the year 2004
External links
- Hebburn Colliery - Information about Hebburn Colliery
- Hebburn.org - Site detailing history of the town
"Hebburn"