Welcome to Swillington Parish Council's Website.
Parish councils were formed for many different reasons, a general move toward greater democracy and a desire to break the power of the Church of England over the lives of nonconformists and non-believers. A Bill was promoted to create parish councils, and after a difficult passage through parliament with many amendments and setbacks the Bill became The Local Government Act 1894. Swillington Parish Council came into being at the first opportunity - and we're lucky enough to hold the minutes for almost every meeting since - including the beautifully handwritten minutes from the very first meeting.
Swillington was once a coal mining village, though the pits were worked out and closed, some years before the industry itself was all but destroyed. Where Primrose Hill Pit once stood is now a housing estate with street names taken from the colliery's name, Primrose Hill Drive, Primrose Hill Green and many others.
While some residents commute to the nearby cities of Leeds and Wakefield or the larger towns of Garforth or Rothwell just two or three miles away either side of Swillington on the A642. Many residents are able to make their livelihood in Swillington, the Astley Lane Industrial estate has become gradually more developed and now provides a good number of jobs in many different fields of industry, almost certainly, the village's biggest employer is the multinational, award winning, specialist lubricants manufacturer, Rocol. Like many villages, there are numerous small business and companies providing services and jobs for many of Swillington's residents. Some, are quite surprising, and in Swillington even include a Vineyard no less, George Bowden's Leventhorpe Vineyard has been established for some years now and is producing some very well respected wines, such as the two whites Seyval and Madeleine Angevine. The vineyard was recently visited by HRH The Duke of Kent who was said to be very taken and impressed with the Madeleine Angevine produced in Swillington.
The Old School House in Swillington was built with funds given by Lord Lowther, who had many business interest in Swillington, and the surrounding area. Several of Swillington's streets are named after Lord Lowther, along with a very popular fishing lake in our neighbouring village of Allerton Bywater. Both Lord and Lady Lowther are buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church. These days the Old School House is feeling the weight of its years - nevertheless, it's still used and loved by many local groups, providing a home, at one time or another, for community groups such as the local Scouts and Brownies, mums and toddler group and has recently provided a home for the local youth club.
The Old School House was unable to meet the educational needs of Swillington's children many years ago now; a bright new school was built to give the children of Swillington the best start in life. This school in turn has became somewhat tarnished and began to fail the children of the digital age. A bright new school was planned and given the go ahead, but - while still in the planning stages - a new government took power and one with a very different agenda, this caused many to hold their breath for a few weeks. But, at last, the new school received a green light and is now taking form at the back of Swillington Primary School as today's children continue their education, almost undisturbed by the building work that will proved their new school
Some of the village's facilities include St. Mary's Church, it's most striking external feature is the contrast between the dark tower and the creamy yellow of the rest of the church. Renovated in 1883/84 the belfry stage was rebuilt and the tower refaced with ashlar stone from the Harehills area of Leeds. With the passage of time the newer stonework has darkened while the rest of the church, built with the local limestone, has retained its original light, creamy yellow colour.
Other facilities the village can offer are - The excellent, award winning, Swillington Organic Farm, three allotment sites, that all have a waiting list, one that has just taken first and second place in a city wide competition, a post office, a public house called (would you believe) The Swillington, the doctors surgery, two Social Clubs, The Miners Welfare Club (known to one and all as the Top Club) and Swillington Social Club, named until recently, as Swillington Labour Club, a name that reflected the political allegiances of many a Swillington citizens. There's a fish and chip shop, two takeaways, a very busy horse riding centre, three community centres and two very plush hotels, one at either end; along with a small parade of shops and a Tesco Express store, to name but a few.
The Clerk, Swillington Parish Council.