History of Armthorpe

Armthorpe Parish Church, officially known as St Leonard & St Mary (or St Leonard and St Mary's Church), is the ancient parish church located on Church Street in the heart of old Armthorpe, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (DN3 3AD). It stands as the spiritual and historical centre of the village, with roots stretching back over 1,000 years.
History
A church has existed on this site since at least the Norman period, with the first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086. The original structure was likely a simple Norman building, and parts of the current church date from the 11th and 12th centuries (including Norman features). It remained largely unchanged for centuries but was described in the 19th century as a "small mean building" with no tower — instead featuring an octagonal turret for two bells and a mass dial (a sundial for timing services).
In 1785, a gallery was added for extra seating as the population grew. Major restoration and extension occurred in 1885 under the patronage of Lord Auckland of Edenthorpe, enlarging the church significantly while preserving its historic core. It is now a Grade II listed building (listed as Church of St Mary, formerly St Leonard).
Parish registers — invaluable for family history — begin as early as:
Baptisms: 1653–1944
Marriages: 1653–1939
Burials: 1654–1946
The church has witnessed Armthorpe's evolution from a small agricultural settlement to a mining boomtown around Markham Main Colliery, serving generations through wars, strikes, and community changes. It's part of the Diocese of Sheffield and today forms the Beakon Churches Mission Partnership with nearby churches.
Architecture and Features
Norman/Romanesque elements: A fine Romanesque arch leads into the chancel, with intricate Norman lattice carving.
Stained glass windows: Some particularly fine examples add colour and light to the interior.
Other details: Ashlar stonework, cusped windows, and a square belfry with a pyramidal roof.
Current Life
The church remains active and welcoming, with Sunday worship at 10:00 am (lasting about an hour), family services, and community events like Messy Church. It's described locally as "special because of its age, history, timeless beauty," and continues to grow as a place for all.
The churchyard holds many graves, including those of former miners and villagers, adding to its role as a living record of Armthorpe's past.

ARMTHORPE 

Armthorpe, a large suburban village and civil parish in the City of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, has a rich history spanning from ancient times to its modern residential character.

Early Origins and Medieval Period

Evidence of Roman settlement exists in the area, with remains of a Roman village and farm discovered on Nutwell Lane. The village itself first appears in records in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Ernulfestorp' (or similar spellings), reflecting strong Viking (Old Scandinavian) influence — the name likely means an outlying farmstead or hamlet belonging to a man named Earnwulf or Arnulfr.

Here are some glimpses of Armthorpe's traditional rural character from the early 20th century and before.

At the time of the Domesday survey, Armthorpe was owned by the monks of Roche Abbey near Maltby, who operated a grange (farm estate) there, managed by an official and including a forester. The parish covered around 3,810 acres and featured scattered houses, with notable farms like Holm-Wood and Waterton (associated with the ancient Waterton family, some of whom held high offices). For centuries, Armthorpe remained a small agricultural community, with no resident squire or lord for at least seven centuries — an unusual feature among Yorkshire villages. The parish church, dedicated to St Leonard and St Mary (with priests recorded from 1157), has been a central feature of village life.

This historic church still stands as a reminder of Armthorpe's ancient roots.

The Coal Mining Era

Armthorpe's transformation began in the early 20th century with the arrival of coal mining, which defined the village for much of the 20th century. The key development was Markham Main Colliery, where sinking started in 1916 (with interruptions due to World War I), and coal production began in 1924. The pit, named after Sir Arthur Markham, employed thousands at its peak and triggered explosive population growth — from around 625 residents in 1921 to over 6,000 by 1931.

New housing estates were built to accommodate miners, often in distinctive ring or crescent layouts. This industrial boom turned the quiet farming village into a bustling colliery community.

The mine closed in 1996, leading to economic challenges, but the area has since recovered.

Modern Armthorpe

Today, Armthorpe is a thriving residential suburb with a population of around 14,000–15,000, blending its mining heritage with modern housing, parks, and green spaces. The former colliery site has been redeveloped into housing estates with walking and cycling trails leading to local woods. It remains one of the more affluent parts of Doncaster, offering a mix of suburban living and community spirit.

Contemporary views of Armthorpe show its evolution into a modern family-friendly area.

Armthorpe's story is one of adaptation — from Roman farms and Viking-named hamlet, through centuries of agriculture, to industrial powerhouse, and now a vibrant commuter village near Doncaster.

Markham Moor Colliery

Markham Main Colliery (often referred to simply as Markham Main) was the primary coal mine associated with Armthorpe, near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England. There is no record of a colliery specifically named "Markham Moor Colliery" in Armthorpe — it appears the query likely refers to Markham Main Colliery, which was a major landmark visible from the nearby M18 motorway and played a central role in the village's transformation from an agricultural area to a mining community.
Here is a summary of its history:
Origins and Development (1913–1924)
Plans for the colliery began in June 1913, when the Earl Fitzwilliam leased mineral rights under his Armthorpe estate to Sir Arthur Markham. Sinking of the two main shafts (each 5.2 metres in diameter) started on 6 May 1916. However, following Sir Arthur Markham's death on 5 August 1916, the pit was named Markham Main in his honour. Progress was severely delayed by World War I restrictions on capital, materials, and manpower — work halted on 24 August 1916, briefly resumed in 1919, then suspended again until 21 May 1922. The shafts finally reached the Barnsley seam (at a depth of about 668.5 metres) in May 1924, allowing coal production to begin.
Growth and Operations (1920s–1980s)
The colliery transformed Armthorpe: the village's population exploded from around 625 in 1921 to over 6,000 by 1931, driven by the construction of pit houses for workers. It became a key part of the Doncaster coalfield, with mechanization introduced over time (e.g., coal-cutting machines in 1937 and conveyor systems). In 1937, it joined Doncaster Amalgamated Collieries Ltd, before nationalisation in 1947 under the National Coal Board (later British Coal). At its peak, it employed thousands, with significant output from the Barnsley and later Dunsil seams.
The pit was also notable during the 1984–1985 miners' strike — it was the last Yorkshire colliery to return to work (three days after the strike ended) and saw violent clashes, as well as a prominent Women Against Pit Closures camp.
Closure and Legacy (1990s–Present)
Despite substantial reserves (estimated at 50 million tonnes, enough for decades), the colliery faced losses and closed on 16 October 1992 with around 700 workers. It briefly reopened in 1994 under private operator Coal Investments Ltd but fully closed in September 1996. A memorial garden and flag in Armthorpe commemorate the 87 miners who died at the pit between 1920 and 1996.
The site has since been redeveloped into a large housing estate with parks, walking/cycling tracks, and community features. A Markham Main Museum in Armthorpe preserves artefacts from the colliery's 80-year history.
This deep mine was a cornerstone of Armthorpe's identity and the broader South Yorkshire coalfield, symbolising both the boom in mining communities and the challenges of the industry's decline.

Miners Strike

The 1984–1985 United Kingdom miners' strike was one of the most significant and divisive industrial disputes in British history. It lasted nearly a full year (from March 1984 to March 1985) and pitted the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), led by Arthur Scargill, against the Conservative government under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the National Coal Board (NCB), chaired by Ian MacGregor.
Background and Causes
The strike arose from the government's plan to close "uneconomic" pits as part of broader deindustrialisation and anti-union policies. The NCB announced closures that would affect around 20 pits and lead to tens of thousands of job losses. This followed earlier confrontations in the 1970s, where miners had won significant victories, but Thatcher prepared extensively (including stockpiling coal and building police capabilities) to confront the unions.
The spark came on 1 March 1984, when the NCB announced the accelerated closure of Cortonwood Colliery in South Yorkshire (among others). Miners at Cortonwood walked out on 5 March, and this spread rapidly across Yorkshire, Scotland, and other areas.
Key Events and Timeline
12 March 1984 — The NUM declared a national strike without a full national ballot (using area ballots instead), leading to over 165,000 miners (about three-quarters of the workforce) joining the action.
March–June 1984 — Flying pickets (mobile groups of strikers) targeted working pits, especially in Nottinghamshire, where many miners continued working. Violent clashes occurred, including the death of a picket at Ollerton.
18 June 1984 — The Battle of Orgreave, a major confrontation at a coking plant near Rotherham, where thousands of pickets faced riot police in one of the most violent episodes.
Throughout the strike — Widespread hardship for striking families, with soup kitchens, hardship funds, and support from other unions and communities. Women Against Pit Closures groups played a crucial role, organising rallies, collections, and solidarity.
Here are some powerful images capturing the intensity of the strike, including picket lines, confrontations, and community support.
These show striking miners on picket lines and facing police during key confrontations in Yorkshire.
Role of Markham Main Colliery (Armthorpe)
Markham Main was one of the most militant pits in the Yorkshire coalfield. It saw significant picketing activity, including violent clashes in August 1984 when police sealed off the village of Armthorpe during attempts to break the strike. The pit was also home to a prominent Women Against Pit Closures camp, highlighting the strong community resistance.
Oral histories from former Markham Main miners describe the extreme hardship — families scrimping on basics, no Christmas trees for children, and reliance on community support — yet a deep sense of solidarity.
End of the Strike
By early 1985, hardship, court rulings against the NUM (including sequestration of funds), and a growing number of miners returning to work eroded the strike. On 3 March 1985, the NUM narrowly voted to end the action without a negotiated settlement. Miners returned to work starting 5 March, often marching back with banners and bands in a show of pride despite the defeat.
Markham Main stood out as the last Yorkshire pit to return to work, resuming operations three days later on 8 March 1985 — a symbolic gesture of defiance from one of the most resolute pits.
Women Against Pit Closures
The strike galvanised women in mining communities, who formed support groups that went far beyond traditional roles. They organised food parcels, rallies, and even international solidarity.
These photos highlight the vital role of women during the strike.
Legacy
The strike's defeat accelerated pit closures (including many in Yorkshire soon after), weakened trade unions, and symbolised the shift toward a service-based economy. For communities like Armthorpe, it left lasting scars but also pride in the resistance. Markham Main itself closed in 1992 (with a brief reopening), but its memory endures through local museums and memorials.
The strike remains a powerful symbol of working-class struggle.

Hardy's Bakers (also listed as H T Hardy or The Old Village Bakery) was a long-established traditional bakery located on Church Street in Armthorpe, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
It operated as a classic local bakery, producing fresh bread, pastries, cakes, confectionery, and other baked goods, serving the Armthorpe community — especially during the era when the village grew rapidly around Markham Main Colliery (as discussed previously).

Doxies Dairies (or possibly Doxie's Dairy) in Armthorpe, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, appears to have been a small, local dairy operation or milk delivery service from the mid-20th century era — typical of many independent family-run dairies that supplied fresh milk door-to-door in mining villages like Armthorpe during the heyday of Markham Main Colliery.
While specific records or mentions of "Doxies Dairies" are scarce in online sources (it may have been a very local concern without much digital footprint), it fits the pattern of community-based dairies that thrived before supermarkets and large-scale processing took over. In the 1950s–1970s, Armthorpe residents (including miners' families) relied on the classic milkman for daily deliveries of glass-bottled milk, cream, and sometimes other dairy products left on doorsteps in the early morning.
These small dairies sourced milk from nearby farms, pasteurized and bottled it locally, then distributed via electric milk floats (quiet battery-powered vehicles) or horse-drawn carts in earlier times. The milkman was a familiar figure — reliable, chatty, and part of village life — especially important in an era when home fridges were less common and fresh milk was delivered daily to avoid spoilage.

Awsons Butchers a local or family-run butcher shop Armthorpe, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, fittedninto the village's rich tradition of independent trades serving the growing mining community around Markham Main Colliery.
Specific historical records for an "Awsons" butchers are limited in public sources — it may have been a small, long-standing local shop from the mid-20th century (1950s–1970s era), when Armthorpe had several traditional butchers supplying fresh meat to miners' families. These shops were community staples, offering hand-cut beef, pork, lamb, sausages, and offal, often with sawdust floors, hanging carcasses, and personal service. Many such independents closed or evolved as supermarkets rose and the pits declined.

Gertrude Bell Hall was a historic community hall located on Church Street in the heart of old Armthorpe, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (postcode DN3 3AD). It served as a vital village venue for decades, closely tied to St Leonard's Church (the parish church) and the local community during Armthorpe's transformation from an agricultural village into a bustling mining town around Markham Main Colliery.
History and Use
The hall was a classic parish or church-affiliated community space, used for a wide range of activities:
Sunday school and kindergarten — Many locals recall attending as young children in the mid-20th century, with kind-hearted teachers like Mrs Bailey (the vicar's wife) running sessions full of hugs and bible stories.
Confirmations and church events — Suppers and celebrations often followed services at St Leonard's, with the hall hosting post-ceremony gatherings.
Community and social groups — During the 1984–1985 miners' strike, it briefly became a drop-in centre/coffee bar run by the Women Against Pit Closures group (or related women's action initiatives) to support striking families, seniors, and the community. Sadly, structural issues flagged by public health authorities led to its closure as a centre by late 1985.
Other uses — It hosted dance classes (e.g., MB Academy of Dance started there), radio/electronics clubs in the 1980s, meetings, and general village events.
Named after the famous explorer, archaeologist, and political figure Gertrude Bell (1868–1926), known as the "Queen of the Desert" for her role in shaping modern Iraq and her travels in the Middle East. While she was Yorkshire-born (with family ties in the region), there's no direct personal link to Armthorpe — the name likely honoured her as a notable British woman of achievement, common for public buildings in that era.
Later Years and Status
By the 1990s–2000s, the hall fell into disuse or required major repairs. Planning records show proposals for redevelopment (e.g., conversion or replacement with housing around 2011–2012). It was listed as a detached property/building, last sold in the 1990s, and no longer exists since being demolished. Armthorpe now relies on the modern Armthorpe Community Centre (run by the Parish Council) for similar events.
The hall is fondly remembered in local nostalgic accounts (e.g., on Francis Frith collections) as a cornerstone of Armthorpe village life, especially pre- and during the colliery era.